Let’s begin this week with a ‘look how good i am’ with my picks last week. Sam Mitchell and Heath Shaw have copped a fair amount of abuse for some terrible performances. However, they bounced back with dominate as 141 and 132 respective performances that put all that poor form to rest.

Righto, this week is all about the midfield. We’ll start with a look at a rookie who’s disappointed after a good start, a ‘Mr Consistency’ who’s not that consistent but really frustrating, a gun whose having terrible time at the moment and a true champion whose bottomed out just under $400k!!

Steven Browne

After his first two scores were 79 and 72 an awful lot of people jumped on him – however those poor coaches didn’t realise, as i did, that Browne has a disease that is widespread in younger footy players. Similar to the common cold it changes slightly every year making it almost impossible to avoid – it is called Josh Hill syndrome this year. After a great start his scores plummeted by around 30 points. Last week he scored a weak and pathetic 38.  Hmmm, not really the ideal cash cow as he has only made you +$83,400. He’s peaked now at a solid $166,900 having fallen -$1,100 last round – an average of 52.43 and a break even of 65. Alas, its time to say goodbye unless you enjoy watching a cash cow fall an expected -$4000. 

Q: Man that’s sucks – why’s he so annoying???

A: Cause he plays for Carlton…….at least he’s not as bad as……

Cameron Ling (aka The Pink Pig/Sir Taggalot)

Ah yes i have just a little vent at you – YOU USELESS PRICK!!!! Yes Cameron has not had a great year – okay he claims to be avergaging 87 but really he’s not. He’s Mr solid 81 points every match – with the odd shocker. Why’s he averaging 87 – cause he made a great start to the year. Okay Lingy, i bought you at the start cause you were $350k and i thought you were a $400k, 100 avg per game player. But your not. Then as if to rub salt into the wound, stick a knife through my head – your not even tagging well. With exception to Shaun Burgoyne two weeks ago, you’ve let your men have too much of it!!! During my loss to DJ earlier in the year i expected Ling to smash Dane Swan down to at least 80. No, try 130 – incidently i lost that match by 40 points – basically i blame you Lingy. Get off him, he’ll only frustrate the hell out of your expected 100+ per round. Buy Sam Mitchell like me!!!

Or………

Leigh Montagna

Yeah bit of a risk this one as he is known for his up-down performances generally. Last year averaged a cool 95 points per round but this year after a great start is averaging just 83.62. However it was 92.1 after 10 rounds then in the last three matches he has struggled averaging just 55.33 in his last three. With a break even of 111 it is gettable especially as the Saints play the Kangas – a side that Montagna likes a lot. The main reason for getting him though is that he is just too cheap to ignore. He’s fallen -$125,400 - more than anyone else in the competition!!! Last week he fell -$28,400 to be at just $290,500 – like i said too cheap to ignore.

 If you have the cash…….

Jimmy Bartel

What a champion – averaged 114, won a Brownlow and a Premiership medal in 2007 but has received a little more attention this year. He’s fallen -$109,100 in value including -$11,800 last round. Stats like that would indicate that Jimmy Bartel is struggling – which he is for Jimmy Bartel. He is averaging just 103 points per round and is priced at just $387, 700 - so cheap!!! Yeah bare with me that last few sentences were written with extreme sarcasm. The thing is Bartel is a champion, an against Adelaide can easily make 121. He’s basically as cheap as he’ll ever be so now is the time to get him.

Pom

Once again we’re following in suite of last week with two rookies that you must build up the courage to let go and two stars that have fallen from grace with a few dodgy performances. Some may look at this weeks Pom’s Prices as a big risk with the two players starting to receive some heavy tags – which they haven’t dealt with. But these guys won’t get tagged every week, and when their not they are easily players capable of consistently 100+.

On a another note, I was pleased to see that my pick ups last week scored 97 (Chapman), 87 (Fisher) and my pickups from two weeks ago bounced back with 89 (McPhee) and 81 (McLeod). Special mention to Andrew McLeod who actually disappointed again – he scored 46 in the first quarter and slowed right down. But if that’s not potential to score big then i don’t know what is!!!

Harry Taylor

Was pretty heavily selected at the start of the year and has held his spot pretty well this year despite receiving some help with injuries to Egan, Mackie and Scarlett. Despite a high score of 75 and an exceptionally good mark, this kid just isn’t suited to dream team. He doesn’t get cheap kicks or marks as he is too busy defending – don’t get me wrong he’s not a bad defender but when he comes to DT he’s got about as much potential as Matthew Stokes does as a ruckmen – its just not going to happen. He’s at $171,400 after a total rise of +$87,900 but has a break even of 52. He’s going down seeing as his average is just 49.78 points per round.

Q: So Pom who do i get if i have some spare cash?

A: This guy

Heath Shaw

Oh I knew this would cause controversy!!! I know your reading this saying ‘Pom you F*ckwit, Heater can’t handle a tag and hasn’t scored over 50 three times in his past five!! – In fact he hasn’t scored over 22 twice in his last three!!! WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU GET HIM???? Why? Because if you take out every time he has been tagged he has averaged 108!!! He has fallen -$74,200 overall including a whopping -$43,600 last round and has a break even of 112. He’s just too cheap to ignore even if he annoys the hell out of everyone. Also this week he plays against the Bulldogs so is unlikely to cop a hard tag as the Bulldogs are a good side and understand that by tagging someone who plays in the back pocket you are actually achieving nothing.

 Chris Masten

Taken at No. 3 in the draft last year, Masten has been a steady performer for the Eagles this year averaging 69 points per round. Starting at $115,500 he has climbed a huge +$143,300 in value this year but unfortunately now at $258,800 it is time to say goodbye and move on. His break even this week is 79 – getable but unlikely seeing as the Eagles play Geelong and Coach John Worsfold has singled out Masten as a possible option to attempt to hijack the Gary Ablett Express. In other words he will sacrafice his game and DT points for the good of team.

Q: So who do you get?

A: If you are feeling brave…..

Sam Mitchell

Until three weeks ago, Sam Mitchell was having a stellar season – one of the favourites for the brownlow, a respected captain of a good team and most importantly, a dream team average of 97. However, due to some hard tags in recent weeks, Sam’s scores have suffered (this coupled with the fact he handballs WAY too much) and he has fallen -$95,800 in value to just $314,700. This is so unbelieveably cheap you just have to get him! A break even of 124 – big but definately getable against the Kangas.

This week i’ve decided to start by making an apology to the fans who listened to me intently. If you got either Andrew McF*ckhead or Adam McF*ck then i am sorry but i generally thought that they would bounce back. BUT!!!! Both have a low break even that they should make even if they have a another bad one, but seriously, with no Brad Sewell, i don’t think the Hawks have another good tagger that will nulify McLeod so here’s hoping that he has a biggy!!!!

Righto, Pom’s Prices, well we’ve come to that stage of the year that crushes the hearts of every Dream Team ranked from 100 to about 20,000 (anyone ranked inside top 100 is probably a robot without emotions and anyone outside of 20,000 doesn’t really care). It’s time to say goodbye to our beloved rookies or ‘cash cows’ who have made about +$200,000 and have finally peaked.

Read on for the two rookies to cash in and the two superstars who have bottomed out and are on the way up………

Austin Wonaeamirri

‘Wona’ as he is affectionately known, has been one of the stories of DT 2008 when he came off the rookie list to become a permanent memeber of many teams back line. He’s been averaging 69 points per round with a high of 97 against Freo (where he pretty much won the match for them) until the last two rounds where he’s fallen away slighly with scores of 42 and 64. His break even has gone up to 83 which based on current form he won’t make. Time to get rid of him and remember him as the player that made you $176, 400 from $72,600 not as a player that was good but is going down. His price is at $249,000 – quite handy if you have $100k or so in the bank.

Q: So who do you get? – A: This Guy

Sam Fisher

The backline has been pretty poor this year for almost every DT’er but this guy is coming good just in the nick of time. His price is currently at $341,800 -$29,700 down from his starting price and this guy is a gun. The ideal replacement for Wona as he is a DT star with an average of 91.33 (including 98 and 111 in his last two) and a break even of 50. He is expected to go up $11,100 next round so this is the time to get him in!!!

Cyril Rioli

Noooo!!! Not Cyril!!! He has been an absoulute legend this year but unfortunately at 70.09 average per game can only bring you +$179,300 from $83,500 to $262,800. This week he met his break even exactly – his price changed $0 – pretty rare in DT. But I see it as a blessing in disguise as he has a break even of 82 which he is unlikely to make. Now is the time to get rid of him for a DT gun…..

Like……..

Paul Chapman

This guy is legend! He was ranked 4th last year for average points a game (101 per game) but this year has struggled. He’s fallen -$71,800 in value including -$3,800 last round but now has well and truely bottomed out at $373,400 – yeah this guy is awesome. He’s averaging 90.78 this year anyway but before he got injured he had scores of 97 and 119. He’s had his week to get back to full fitness and now should be ready for biggy. His Break Even is 105 which is easily makeable for him (he also scored 101 against Port Adelaide last time they met) so jump on him now with a straight swap from Cyril Rioli.

Pom

Righto, sorry it’s a bit late – guess better late than never!

This week i’m only going to look at two guys who are champion players who have well and truly bottomed out (will not go any further down in value) and will be a very very handy addition to just about anyone’s team for their trouble section (i presume as it is for the rest of us) – the dreaded BACKLINE!!!!

Adam Mcphee 

Finished last year as the 3rd most expensive backmen in the competition with a great average of just over 89 points per round. However, due to his fellow champion team mate – Scotty Lucas – screwing his knee up in rd 1, Matthew Knights decided it would be a great idea to play one of their best players in role where he doesn’t touch the ball!!!! Despite this he has managed a couple of alright scores and is averaging 73.33 points per round with a high of 108 (incidently the round Lucas came back) and a low of 34. Also consequently enough, the matches that the Bombers have got pooned in were Mcphee’s worse and in their better matches he scored well enough. Now that Scotty Lucas is back, Mcphee will slip back into the backline or midfield (is named at Ruck Rover on weekend) and get plenty of cheap touches as Lucas can fill that Half Forward Role. This week his break even 57 – a very makeable target. Right now you can pick him up $284,300 – roughly the same as Garrick Ibbotson and not far off Austin Wonamaerri. Cheap cheap!!!

Andrew McLeod

Andy McLeod is a superstar – no question whatsoever. Unfortunately, in the last three weeks Adelaide’s opposition have also realised this and placed there best tagger on him. Even worse is that McLeod has done the ‘team thing’ and stayed out of the play to let Scott Thompson have two of his best games for the year. He has 33, 26, and 57 – exceptionally disappointing considering before that he was avergaing a solid 84 points per round before those last three, some stats that have hurt my team (The Match-Fixers) who had him from the start. He’s my X – Factor – someone who can have a shocker but then seemingly in a form slump rip out 150 BOG effort. Which is why i nominate him as someone to pick up. His price is at $251, 400 – almost a straight swap for Wona!! Named on the wing i’m tipping him to have a biggy and make his BE of 105. There is limited oppurtunity so get on him quick!!!

Pom’s Pickup average score the next round : 110.5 (thanks Browny!!)

Pom’s Putdown average score the next round: 45

Okay, this is new and improved Pom’s Prices for Round 9. I’ve decided to incorporate both Pom’s Pickup and Pom’s Putdown all into the one big prices review. I’ll look at four players who have had fluctuating prices over the weekend and give some advice on who to drop and who to pick up!!!

Jonathon Brown

Browny’s had an indifferent start to the year and has absolutely fallen into oblivion. Here we are at just round 9 and the big JB has fallen a gigantic -$119,500 in value since round 1. But now after the hall of fame match and a great 6 goal haul against Carlton i reckon he is going back up!!! You can pick up JB for a measly $287, 400. A absolute bargain considering this guy is one of DT best!! Though he has been struggling with injury and form i highly recommend that you jump on him this round as he has a break even of 55 and is unlucky to look back now.

Andrew Mackie

Yet another Geelong player who is a bright light in the backline this year. Andrew Mackie missed the first few games of the year and has taken a few matches to get himself sorted but now he is up there for the most in form DT player. In his last two matches he has scored 137 and 97 and far as I can see he is going to average more than his already respectable 88.60 points per round. Last round he went up +$16,300 in cash and i suggest you get on him now so you don’t miss the boat. His break even for the next round is just 43 and he is expected to rise another +$15,200. If your backline is anything like mine (shocking) then get on this guy and you won’t be disappointed.

Lindsay Gilbee

Once a solid DT scorer in the backline, Bulldogs back Lindsay Gilbee has been disappointing this year to say the least. Proving this he has been thrown all over the ground to find his best spot and though he has had a few good games – more often than not he has been very poor. He’s averaging 73. 38 with a high of 112 and a low of 48. He has fallen -$43,300 points overall (including -$1,200 last round) and is now priced at $298,200. My advice is to either offload him if you have him for a defender that’s coming good like Milburn, Johncock or even Osbourne or if you don’t have him – stay away. He has a break even of 115 and will only disappoint you further.

Brent Stanton

An absoulute legend of DT last year and a player who has had his moments this year is the next player who has to go. Too many teams have seen his potential and put there best tagger on him. Unfortunately, he can’t cope with it and for a $400,000 + player his averaging just 80.63 points per round. Sell him off now, when he is still reasonably expensive ($344,600) so you can get someone decent in return like Jordan Lewis, Andrew Embley or Adam Goodes. This week he has a mass break even of 158 so this is the ultimate time to offload. He as gone down a -$55,800 including a massive -$33,600 last round after his score of 58 and is expected to fall a further -$25,100 in value after this round.

Nathan Jones

As they so often say a week is a long time in footy, and for poor old dees midfielder Nathan Jones it was one hell of a long week. After reaching the pinnacle in any Footy player’s career (DJ’s Play of the week award) he came crashing back to earth faster then the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs. He literally crumbled – rather amusing if you don’t have him. Many people, based on his ability (which I don’t deny) and his preseason form saw him as a potential legend for cheap - bit like Jason Porplyzia is or Alan Didak-however so far he has well and truly disappointed. Though he has shone glimpses of ability and had the odd good game he has only averaged 68 points per round – not really what you would expect from him. And now it gets worse – he will drop further in value after last week score of 7. 7! Maybe i just repeat that – 7777777777777!!!!!!!! Absoulutely (for want of a better word) shithouse!!!! Trade him now – he only disapoint you more. Though he won’t get tagged that well for a while I fail to have faith in someone who’s second half consisted of -9 points!!! – It’s a joke, so for round 8 bye bye Nathan Jones!!!!

PS: Intrestingly enough I will follow my 3rd year rule and will seriously consider him next year!!! He does have ability!!!!

Pom’s Pickup No. 1 – Brad Johnson (WBD)

This guy is an absoulute superstar – last year he averaged 100 points per round with a minimum of 78 points and a maximum of 146-but has fallen a huge amount due to the fact that he has been playing injured for the majority of the season. Having said this he is still, after 7 rounds of footy, averaging 80 which actually isn’t that bad anyway. But-give this guy two weeks of rest to recover to 100% and he will be back and will easily claw that average back up to the high 90s by the end of the season. I would probably recommend this trade even if BJ was at about $380,000-but here’s the best bit! Due to his high starting price he has fallen $116,400 in value meaning that you can pick up one of the star forwards in DT for a mere $318,900!!! ABSOULUTE BARGAIN!!!! He will come good – the question is how do get out? Possibly one of your rookies beginning to peak (Cyril Rioli etc)? 

Interestingly enough the last time Bulldogs played Freo he scored a massive 126 points…..do you want anymore proof???? 

Righto, Pom’s Prices for Round 7 – interestingly of the four players that i covered last round one of them, Garrick Ibbotson (FRE) went up the most again for the round (+$48,500) after a solid score of 88, so we won’t cover him again. Unfortunately i think it’s too late to pick up this anyway guy now – he value is too high. Chris Masten (WCE) again went up +$30,500 after a score of 70 and both Jonno Brown and Daniel Kerr didn’t play because of injury and suspension respectively so they didn’t change.

Stuart Dew (HAW) – Now a veteran of the game good old Stewy Dew looked the buy of the season when in round one he picked up 113 points and was cruising in round 2 with 57 at 3/4 time. But then he did his hammy!! After four weeks off he was named as available but wasn’t selected – until he became a late inclusion (grrr!). He scored 57, which is fairly average but he went up +$36,800 for an overall of $199,600. BIG QUESTION!!!! Do you buy now because if he can still get regular 100s he’s the buy of the season – but he doesn’t get that and ends up averaging 60 he will be a big waste of money! 

Leigh Harding (KAN) – This guy has had a good season – he’s averaging 79  and has gone up +$125,200, including +$32,300 last round. My advice-just keep your eye on him, because he’s still cheap at $276,700 and is actually starting to become quite a good fantasy player!

Now the dreaded duds…..

Jordan Lewis (HAW) – This guy…is not bad…..he’s just struggling. Last year was one of the buys of the competition and this year started awesomely with 118 points but since then has struggled majorly. Last week he scored 64 points and fell -$33,900 to $359,100. Just watch him, cause he is cheap and as soon as his scores go up he could be a good one to jump on.

Leigh Montagna (STK) - He just had a bad round and fell -$27,300, but he is still a champ and a very viable midfielder at $390,900. He is averaging 92 still, and his last three scores before last round were 134, 81 and 108 so it’s proof this guy has class. He may even drop further due to his high break even so again just monitor him because he may be one to jump in the next few weeks.

Give some comments on your views on anyone i’ve missed, whether you agree etc.

Pom

I’m very sad when i have to hand over one of my ‘dogs’ to Doctor DJ to be put down but the Doc assures me that he is too old and it is the most peaceful way to die. Scotty West was a man of steel and a much loved DT player last year however it appears that, though still an absoulute legend, he is not quite the DT player he once was.

He’s averaging 82 points per round, which isn’t terrible, but last round scored just 63 points. Also, he has a huge break even of 137 which he is unlikely to make and considering he is still relatively expensive at $383,700 the time to trade him is now! He has already fallen -$41,900 so trade him in this week before he falls too low to get a decent player in return.

DO IT THIS WEEK!

My No. 1 trade recomendation would be Chris Judd! GET ON HIM!

Normally speaking I would never advise anyone to have a Melbourne player in their side due to the fact that there is a very real possibility of them never touching it cause they are the worst side in the competition. But now i have seen that they have actually have a very good DT midfield what with the likes of Cam Bruce, Brock Mclean, Nathan Jones and Brad Green. At what’s even better is that their scores are going up and up game by game so suddenly these guys are beginning to become possibilities. But there’s one Dees midfielder that is remaining unnoticed of the radar who, for his price, is the best buy of them all.

Brent Moloney

This guy has got scores of 77, 86 and 107 further cementing my belief that Melbourne are getting better and this week will soar in value with a break even of 23. But that’s not the best bit! You can trade this guy in for $288,500! ABSOULUTE BARGAIN! GET ON HIM!!