Dream Team Extra: Round 17

 

To be honest I’m weary already, with the MBRs and the glut of injuries and suspensions sucking the fun out of DT. But, that’s just me and I’m sure you’re firing up as we approach league finals. With not long to go, now’s the time to either finish off your team if you have the trades in hand, or hold and pray for luck if you’re running low. A few things have popped up this week that are worth a recap, so let’s get in amongst it!

 

Late Withdrawls

They suck. A bit of transparency from the AFL clubs when it comes to team selection would go a long way with footy fans (and DTers!). Mini-rant over, otherwise I’ll chew up this article with much pent-up angst and bitterness. I’ll just bottle it all up and release it at a really inopportune time in the future…

 

Big Ins

Goddard and Dusty have clearly learnt their lessons and should come back into their respective sides this week. Coach Hardwick has hopefully revved Martin up by telling the press that he owed the Tiges some good performances after his narcoleptic episode a fortnight ago. And BJ? Well, hard to say really as he’s been on a bit of an up-and-down cycle this year.

 

Beware The Mullet

Billy Ray Maric was a no-show in the warm climes of Cairns and whispers in twitterland this week point in the general area of his crotch. Well, his groin anyway. Hardwick mentioned in his Tuesday presser that Ivan’s availability would be a week-to-week proposition. The Follicular Extravaganza has lit it up this year but if he is battling a groin problem, then we could see another big man bite the dust this season.

 

No Shaw

Carrying on the topic of no-shows, dependable DEF cover Sammy Shaw is unavailable this week after attempting to smother the footy with his eye last weekend. After seeing a flash of red, then seeing stars and then seeing not much more than a blur, he’ll be on the sidelines this round presumably watching Adelaide in action with his good eye. Bad news for coaches depending on him for EMG cover. Disastrous news for those playing him at D7.

 

Broughts Bites Again

The early season #DTExtra made mention of one Gregory Broughton’s sporadic scoring as he played a lock-down defensive back line role to kick of 2012. Now as we hit the back-half of the season, Ross Lyon has moved him from his ball-winning midfield possie to a lock-down defensive forward role. Seriously Ross?!? No, I no longer have him and he’s made my #NeverAgain list, but for the sake of his patient coaches who persisted and were rewarded after Broughton’s lacklustre start, I hope he gets moved back to the middle. Oh, then there was this…

To top off his meandering DT form, Greg’s also missed Freo’s main training session this week. While I haven’t heard any rumours about him carrying an injury, keep your ears to the ground ahead of teams tonight!

 

Marc: The Judd Effect

I spruiked Marc Murphy last week as a bargain buy when he is predicted to bottom out under $400k next week. Now that the mixed martial artiste extraordinaire, C Judd, is unavailable for the next four weeks, I have to take that back as Murphy will undoubtedly wear the opposition’s best tagger for the next four rounds. Not great if you were looking at Marc to finish off your midfield, but just be warned that his numbers may be a bit off while his wing commander is out.

 

Anyways, that’s the rub for this week. Trading? Heard any juicy news bits, gossip or rumours? Got a rant or a rave? Stick it in the comments and let’s get some healthy chatter going ahead of team lists tonight. See ya next Thursday for another bout of media trawling and good luck this weekend!

 

Any questions, suggestions, general chit-chat or requests for next week’s Extra?
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