Dream Team Stock Market – R24

Here’s the weekly analysis of the movers and shakers in the Dream Team Stock Market. In the midst of DT Finals, we’ve simplified the format, taking a short-term approach to look at the popular cash cows to offload as well as assessing the challenges thrown up for the week and how we can manage the situation. For the newer players to the wonderful world of DT, this is a relatively simple guide to navigating your way through the few remaining weeks of Dream Team.

After an epic season, the Dream Team Grand Final is upon us! Hopefully the numbers fell your way and you’re playing for glory this weekend. It has been a tense wait so far this week as we hang on every news story, radio interview, tweet, whisper and rumour to find out how the teams are lining up. As the Scout’s motto goes, “Be Prepared,” for the carnage!

It is already turning out to be a nasty week and again the theme of ‘last man standing’ rings true for the Grand Final. The early wrangling started with West Coast tweeting that Dean Cox may be rested with his sore eye and Nathan Fyfe booked in for season-ending shoulder surgery to join the gaggle of injured Dockers on the sidelines. The Hawks are likely to rest up to six players. With Dale Thomas and Nick Lower also sitting out, benches are already being stretched. Due to Essendon having the bye, popular pick Dyson Heppell has to be covered, as well as any other ‘Dons you may have.

For the Grand Final, the stock market is largely irrelevant, so the focus will be on sideways trade movements to the current hot stocks, or in-form players if you prefer. Seriously, if you’re looking at downgrade/upgrade trades this week you’re either flush with premos and aren’t affected by all the ‘outs’, or you’ve left it a bit late to finish off your squad. In either case, you’ll be doing the maths just for this week, rather than looking at stock growth/devaluation or forecast projections.

Alright then, enough rambling – let’s get into it!

The Weekly Wrangle

The carnage continues on to the Dream Team Grand Final, even moreso with the likelihood of one or more of the Top Four teams resting their star players. The following popular DT picks are definitely unavailable this week.

• Nathan Fyfe $357,500 (31%)
• Dale Thomas $376,200 (8%)
• Dyson Heppell $325,900 (45%)
• Paddy Ryder $352,100 (11%)
• David Zaharakis 364,600 (9%)

There are two very simple approaches that can be taken when assessing replacements for your ‘outs’ this week. First – you can bring in players to match your opponent’s to minimise the point differential between your teams. Second – you can bring in players who are likely to perform for you this week based on their form and/or their opponent. I much prefer the latter tactic. You have to ask yourself: do I back my trading prowess and charge hard for victory, or do I trade conservatively and hope to eke out a win?

Replacement Defenders

Grant Birchall $324,700. Birch responded to the nay-sayers with a 113 last week, easily outpointing Suckling’s mediocre 64. A high-posession kick-to-kick game against the Suns beckons this week and at this price, he’s a great swap for Heppell.

Robert Murphy $274,000. Murph is not one whom you’d normally consider, but with his classy run-and-carry and the Doggies playing for pride against the Freo reserves, he has a good chance of scoring well this week at a straight swap for Lower.

Jed Adcock $304,600. On the back of 82, 86, 74, 98 and 96 in his last five, it’s Jed’s consistency that appeals, especially at the pointy end of the season. As a straight swap for Heppell, you have a pretty reliable defender to take into battle.

Heath Scotland $393,500. If you can afford it, Scotland is super-consistent and should keep his momentum going. How about a last five of 100, 67, 148, 110 and 106? He should cap off an outstanding year with another typically solid game this weekend.

Replacement Midfielders

Nathan van Berlo $405,900. Since caretaker coach Bickley slotted NVB back in his preferred on-ball role, he has flourished with 143, 126, 102 (vs Geelong), 137 and 120. Along with Swan, Mitchell, Rocky and Redden, he is running hot and would be a fantastic smokey option.

Matt Priddis $406,700. A home game at Patersons against the Crows should be enough to do it for you, but if not, then a last five of 110, 99, 110, 97 and 150 might convince you to bring Priddis in for your GF. As the motor in the Eagles’ engine room, he’ll churn out the points for you all game.

Liam Shiels $364,800. You have to back Shiels for a big score against the Suns this weekend. He piled on 114 when they met at Aurora back in R13 and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be thereabouts this time around. A swap for Daisy or Zaka too, if you don’t mind.

Replacement Rucks

Shane Mumford 385,500. Mummy is truly up-and-about, dominating his opposing ruckman with a last two of 135 and 146, the latter score being the pasting he handed out to Ben McEvoy. Yes, he’s up against Big Berger next round, but he’s carry hot form and should do well.

Aaron Sandilands $347,300. We were worried about how he’d return from his tetchy toe trauma, but Sandi has shown his class with 101, 96 and 95 in his three games back. At this price, he can come straight in for Paddy and he should have a big day out against the ruckless Doggies.

Replacement Forwards

Shaun Higgins $341,100. Can we remove him from the Never Again list for just this round? When Missy does play, he is fairly consistent and a last five of 82, 95, 102, 89 and 78 is nothing to laugh at. He should have a good run against a severely compromised Dockers side, as long as he makes it through the warmup unscathed…

Alan Didak $256,400. Dids has strung two good scores of 92 and 109 together and looks to have his touch back. He’s playing for a spot in the ‘Pies finals squad and should come out firing this weekend to frank his form and prove his worth to Micky Malt.

Brad Green $249,800. Risky? Definitely! But he did manage 88 against Port in R17 and may have played himself back into form with a 99 last weekend. Definitely very unique and a smokey chance against fairly weak opposition (Port) this week.

In Review

The Grand Final will be a test of the depth of your squad. Even those of you with two trades may be hit with three or more outs this week by the time the team lists are released tonight, so hopefully you have players on your bench who can contribute. Of course, the lists may also remove some of the replacement options we’ve looked at. Listen out for any whispers about potential late withdrawls as they bear more weight in some of the meaningless games this weekend. As always, make sure that your last trades count toward your victory and an especially huge GOOD LUCK this weekend!

On the tweetvine: @TeeTeeDT