Dump / grab / carry: Round 8

May 23, 2013 - 7:00 AM Hello coaches,

Hopefully you took our advice last week to part ways with Hamish Hartlett, and snaps if you traded down to rookie Nick Vlastuin, who smashed out a massive 131 against the Demons. That one trade alone made a $130,600 difference to your team's value this week, and there's more to come given the respective breakevens for Hartlett (127) and Vlastuin (-55).

Onto this week's trades, and there are two very popular rookies in need of moving on. Also, a couple of premiums are at a price low enough to warrant your attention. Read on.

Dump

Keep shedding those cash cows, coaches. This week, GWS rookie Lachie Whitfield (MID, $291,900) needs to be your first order of business. Don't dilly-dally because Whitfield's price has peaked ? he's up $108,200 from the beginning of the season and carrying a breakeven of 74 against an average 10 points lower. It's time to let him go.

The same goes for Brisbane rook Sam Mayes (FWD/MID, $285,300). Mayes burst onto the scene with a 95 against the Suns in round three and a 111 against Melbourne a fortnight ago, but after averaging a sub-affected 50 over the past three weeks his price has topped out (at a profit of $133,100 if you jumped on early). Turn him loose and use the cash to upgrade elsewhere.

And before we move on, a final notice to the 84,411 coaches still holding on to Demons rookie Jack Viney (MID, $208,800) ? turf him now. Scans have revealed the beginnings of a 'hot spot' in Viney's foot, and the club have thrown a moonboot on him and ruled him out for at least 2-3 weeks. These sorts of injuries are notoriously fickle however, so take that as a rough estimate and sell, sell, sell!

Grab

If you're still cutting some dead Port Adelaide wood from your backline, a down trade to Geelong rookie Jackson Thurlow (DEF, $116,200) wouldn't be the worst idea. Thurlow is averaging 64.5 in his first two weeks of senior footy and with a -55 breakeven against the Power you can expect a quick payday at the end of the round.

Meanwhile, there are a few underpriced premiums worth your consideration on the market right now. Chief among them is Essendon skipper Jobe Watson (MID, $481,400). The reigning Brownlow medallist's price has dipped to a season-low ($98,000 down on his starting value) despite an average of 102.8 and six centuries in nine rounds. He's carrying a breakeven of 70 this weekend, so it's unlikely you'll pick him up any cheaper. Jump on board!

The same goes for resurgent Tiger Brett Deledio (MID, $489,100), whose value has been slashed by $79,500 since the start of the year; and yes, even Buddy Franklin (FWD, $380,100), who is hilariously underpriced thanks to a lean run of form from rounds five to seven.

Carry

Well, if you've held on to Bryce Gibbs (DEF/MID, $451,100) for this long there's no point in backing out now. Gibbs' was supposedly a one-week hamstring injury. That was three weeks ago. The dual-position player faces a fitness test ahead of Carlton's clash with Brisbane this weekend. Even if he doesn't come up, you've managed with Gibbs on the bench this far so one more week won't break you.

Some coaches are toying with the idea of letting Bulldogs mature-ager Brett Goodes (MID/DEF, $304,000) go the way of so many rookie backmen before him. Don't be so hasty though - Goodes will only need a 63 to preserve his value this week, and he's more than capable of getting it done against the Saints.

Finally - a big jeer for Grant Birchall (DEF, $411,800) who somehow managed to get tagged out of a game by Rhys Palmer (!). After averaging 119 over the first four rounds Birchall's average has dropped to an ugly 61 since round five. But most coaches traded in Birchall when his value was up around $518,000 and to trade him out now and lose over $100,000 is a real kick in the teeth. Plus, Birchall should (and damn well better) redeem himself against the Suns and Dees in the next fortnight.

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