Introduction to 'The Pod' and AFL Fantasy Discussion
00:00:18
Holmesy
G'day and welcome to the Pod Pod brought to you by Marrera's Magic. I'm your host Holmesy, three-time top 10 finisher and twice runner-up in AFL Fantasy Classic. We are on the eve of the buy rounds, five rounds of best 18.
00:00:32
Holmesy
Not a lot of footy happening. bit of a Bit of a smaller panel today. Harmy and Louie, unfortunately, couldn't be with us as I've had to push the record back due to some work, but that's
Importance of Planning During Buy Rounds
00:00:44
Holmesy
okay. We do have Jordy with us, as always, the staple of the Pod Pod this year, mate.
00:00:49
Holmesy
Bit of a tougher round for us this week, but we're here. we're We're ready to chip away over the buy rounds and hopefully start to propel back up the rankings, mate. How are going?
00:00:59
JORDAN DSENA
Yep, definitely. Gone okay. Had a down week, but that's all right. As you said, the buy rounds are here and I'm pretty keen to get stuck into. We've got 15 trades. So get rid of some of those red dots, start making some cash and start getting these big dogs in. I'm happy to pay up, I think, for these big dogs. So um yeah, let's get some points on field.
00:01:20
Holmesy
Yeah, you touched on it. 15 trades. When you think about it that way, we're essentially going to recycle half of our team. So in five weeks time, it's going to be it's going to be completely different. And coaches that plan well over the buys, typically we can see a a relatively big rank rise as long as you're trading your way to a better team come the end of the Bison.
Recent Performances and Trade Decisions
00:01:40
Holmesy
We'll get stuck into some news very soon because there has been some big developments over the last 24 to 48 hours and that's the the benefits of recording late on a Tuesday. But let's quickly go back over our rounds and let everyone know quickly where we're at. So unfortunately, we do need to start with you, Jordy. So how do we how do we go on the weekend?
00:01:59
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, not amazing. Didn't crack the 2K. I got 1,979. So that's, yeah, not great when you go under 2,000. I think that's the first time this year. But anyway, we'll we'll bounce back. The rank went down three point five k it went to So the last two weeks I've Yeah, sort of gone out um there, but hopefully you can bring it back. But my Stato pick, this one's thanks to you as well. I brought in Nick Dacos. So as soon as Tanner Bruin was ah laid out, I just said, you know what? I'm just going to get rid of Bruin. I'm going to go straight to Nick Dacos, just get him in
00:02:37
JORDAN DSENA
So I'm glad I did that because, yeah, he got the 126. Probably should put the cap C on him, but um very happy to just to get him in. And they're on the other side of that, I got Jack Eisen. So it gives me, I think, i have one trade ahead of what he – I think is one of the most traded in this week.
Handling Injuries and Bench Strategy
00:02:54
JORDAN DSENA
so happy to do that. Thanks to you as well. i think you might have done something similar.
00:03:00
JORDAN DSENA
um But, yeah, the Dossie pick for me. So last week, Whitfield and Ashcroft were on this list. And they're also on this list again because Whitford was a laid out and Ashcroft got 65, which he just seems to be the guy that if he doesn't score well, my team doesn't score well because he's a unique and all these other got primos that other teams have got are getting 110s, 120s.
00:03:25
JORDAN DSENA
And, you know, probably a 60 to 80 point difference there. um ah was just sort of off par. So anyway, he's the Stato, Ashcroft. He's on watch.
00:03:37
Holmesy
Yeah, man, it was a brutal week of of fantasy footy. I mean, like we can just talk about the context of of my team as well. So obviously had the the Whitfield laid out like you did.
00:03:48
Holmesy
um Didn't have the Broon laid out because he was always going out for me anyway, but that was a... a pivot that I could have done if I needed to and and then Sam Durham on the Friday night when you've got Zach Merritt going 148, you've got Darcy Parrish 129, Archie Roberts 106 all from the midfield.
00:04:06
Holmesy
He was on 16 very early in that game and there was ah there was a score there to be had and unfortunately gets that unlucky knee to the head concussion and fair play to him still. I i think it was the three touches after he got concussed, he didn't want to come off but Yeah, it was ah it was a pretty brutal round of footy, but it does kind of show the strengths of having a bench at this time of year as well.
00:04:28
Holmesy
As I was, you know, you say fortunate, but at the same time, it's it's kind of good planning. So I was able to get the Roby 75 for Durham and then I was able to get a Farrow 85 for Whitfield.
Strategies for Rookies and Trades
00:04:40
Holmesy
So... whitfield so Yes, we're trying to get those points on field at this time of year, but it is important as well to to continue having strong scorers from the bench too, because you never know when they're going to be needed. And these scores now might come in handy throughout the buyers. Would you agree with that?
00:04:57
JORDAN DSENA
Oh, definitely. And I think even moving forward, we probably still need to have that emergency, I think, because we've seen it happen heaps already, some of these laid outs and 50% togs. So definitely something I'll be looking at for the rest of the year, just having some cover there.
00:05:14
JORDAN DSENA
And yeah, as you said, you know, start to upgrade my side as well, if I can around that.
00:05:21
Holmesy
yeah like even coaches that held on to a sarong like all the talk was that you needed to get off get off him so you can get on to the next guy but he he's just a very good player scores a 98 that would have been fantastic cover for whitfield owners or anyone that was able to loop that on i know some coaches got a bit stung by looping him on and then with the whitfield laid out either not being able to do anything or being forced into a trade that they didn't necessarily wanted to do but I had the 2067 this week, so little bit under par. I think I slid back about 600 ranks to 6461. So not ideal, but can't always be going up. i I thought I was relatively well planned for the buyers, but as I mentioned, those injuries are now throwing a bit of a curve ball into that. My Stato pick of the week, and this is more just from a footy perspective, but from a fantasy perspective as well,
00:06:13
Holmesy
And I'll put my hand up in the preseason. I didn't think that this pick would turn out the way that it did. I knew he was a gun, but Murphy Reed, 93, more for just what he's doing for Freo at the moment. And that as a second year player, he's just as clean as anyone gets involved, works hard.
00:06:30
Holmesy
And he's, yeah, I've thoroughly enjoyed him having him my side. And no doubt there's a 40 to 60 score coming around the corner. But at the moment, he just keeps getting it done. And on the flip side, someone that plays a very similar role, but is just no good at fantasy football. And that's Chad Warner for my Dossie Pick of the Week.
00:06:50
Holmesy
And after scarred being scarred last year for knowing what he can do, being up and down, and he's nowhere near in the form that he was last year and his role's kind of diminished as well. He's he's not getting it done. And we talk about the snowball effect of fantasy. He was out for me this week until I caught that Durham injury, which meant I had to take Roby for the injury. So unfortunately, have to hold him now, but hopefully he pays pays off for me a bit against Richmond this week.
00:07:15
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, that's a I guess it does have the Richmond matchup, but you're right. I think if Sydney are winning, that he's like he's kind of a frontrunner, really. He's going to get on the end of some stuff, but even then, he's only been doing some 80s. He's only had that one real pop score where he kicked all those goals. So probably has to go at some point, but hopefully he can do okay this week.
00:07:35
JORDAN DSENA
Surely Sydney bounce back this week and try and you know get a pretty pretty good win over Richmond, hopefully. Yeah.
00:07:42
Holmesy
Yeah, I think he plays better at the s SCG as well. But then it comes down to who you're actually trading in the forward line. They're still all up and down outside of your Shizu and your Flanders who are, you know, at the moment at this stage, clearly above everyone else.
00:07:55
Holmesy
And then you've got Petrarca who's around the mark but still a little bit up and
PodPod Challenge Update
00:07:59
Holmesy
down. And then Kozzi's getting these tags. So it's, yeah. Very interesting line and thank goodness we can chuck Jagger Smith back there this week and make our forward lines look a little bit more stable while we try and upgrade everywhere else. Jordy, let's do a quick update on the PodPod challenge. So what's that? another We have seven members inside the top 100 at the moment once again, which is really good to see. And I i think...
00:08:23
Holmesy
Grill is just outside there at 101. So we've got the Cooper Troopers who are ranked 24 sitting very nicely. Megatron, one, two, three, sitting at rank 38 and then the Powerhouse at 40.
00:08:38
Holmesy
So yeah, let's that's really good to see. And just notice there, number six. Do you see that you see the name there at number six, Jordy? You want to read that one out?
00:08:46
JORDAN DSENA
Holmes is burner. It's
00:08:47
Holmesy
Holmesy's Burner. Very interesting. That one's definitely not me.
00:08:51
Holmesy
It's definitely not me, but go well.
00:08:53
Holmesy
A Holmesy should be able to win the car.
00:08:55
JORDAN DSENA
There you go.
00:08:57
Holmesy
That's for sure. But if you can't win the car, remembering that the winner of the Pod Pod Challenge will receive a custom AFL Fantasy ring from our friends over at supercoachchampion.com. But...
00:09:08
Holmesy
Jordy, let's get stuck into our hot topics for the weekend. Of course, the first hot topic is the buy rounds. I mentioned it off the top of the show. Really, really crucial time of the year for anyone that's competing in terms of overall rank and and wanting to push themselves up towards that top 100 and even the overall prizes.
Strategic Planning for Upcoming Matches
00:09:26
Holmesy
It really does bring in a strategy element into the game. And although there's not nine rounds of footy, the best 18, there is a a little fun element of knowing that some of these rookie scores that you're relying on are going to drop off. But let's just talk a little strategy. Like what are you looking to do this week to help set yourself up to be able to start to move through the buy rounds?
00:09:46
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, so I'm going to be real cautious this year because so this time last year I traded Sheasel to Whitfield. So I traded a premiums because I wanted to score. so I'm definitely not going to do that, but I definitely want to get a premium in and I'm looking for someone with a ceiling because we' obviously got best 18 and I've scored a 1979 last week. And I just feel like I'm a bit off the mark. So I want to get a premium in who can get me a score this week. So I'm looking at, um you know, a rookie. So maybe a Banfield.
00:10:20
JORDAN DSENA
And I definitely will fix up the ruck, I think. So Darcy Cameron and probably get one of these these um premium mids in. So that's definitely something this week. But over the buys, I definitely want to still try and upgrade my team. I want to get these rookies in. I think we're going to have a couple come through. Obviously, Ison and Banfield seem to be the sort of the straight back plays this week if you can get them.
00:10:43
JORDAN DSENA
But um obviously, the mid-season draft was tonight. So we might have a couple of rookies we can start picking off over the next couple of rounds. Now, last year i did go for some of these rookies and i missed an opportunity to trade like Gorn down to a Grundy and stuff like that. So I want to also be wary of that.
00:11:05
JORDAN DSENA
Although this is probably totally different where players like Jack Steele and the like have just totally lost all of their money. But I definitely want to get rid of those sort of guys as well um over the buy rounds.
00:11:18
Holmesy
Yeah, I think the important thing to remember is we we need to be improving our teams as
Evaluating Players and Trade Decisions
00:11:24
Holmesy
we go along. And you're right, there was definitely some outlier players last year that we were actually able to make money from while still getting scoring in line or even above. So you used the Max Gorn example last year. So he hit...
00:11:38
Holmesy
during the buy rounds, he had a ah five game stretch where he was going at 130. So he was he was priced up at 120. And we knew that he had some some tougher games after the buy, which presented a perfect opportunity to make 200K trading down to a Rowan Marshall, Tristan Cherry,
00:11:54
Holmesy
Brodie Grundy, who are all able to do similar, if not higher scoring, whilst also making some cash. Now, i'm not really seeing those options this year so far. Like unless you predict Baz Smith, Nick Dacos is going to really you know fall off a cliff, which nothing suggests that they will.
00:12:11
Holmesy
you know There's not really those options. You're not trading out of Sheasel. You're not trading out of a Grundy. you know Roberts, even even in the midfield, he's going to be a top six defender, right? So that that for me, that's a a waste of money.
00:12:24
Holmesy
But there definitely is scope throughout the buy rounds to sideways trade some of these underperforming premiums. So ah the Jack Steele example that you mentioned, Kuma Cluggidge,
00:12:36
JORDAN DSENA
I read Dan Houston.
00:12:38
Holmesy
Dan Houston, you know Wayne Miller is someone that I've got. I'm not looking to trade him this week, but you know can his scoring continue the way that it is? Do Adelaide need to change things up? So i I think as long as you have a plan to make sure that come round 17, you've got no rookies on field, or maybe it's ah you know at this stage, i'm I'm probably happy to leave the buy rounds with a Jagger Smith on field if if he's going to be putting up comparable numbers to what some of these other forwards are doing.
00:13:05
Holmesy
But as long as you're doing that, I think we're completely fine. And being adaptable is really important as well. So Lemon talks about this from last year, but as soon as coaches got Tom McCarthy last year as a rookie and he was an 80 plus averaging player that you could have on field,
00:13:21
Holmesy
that completely changed coaches' plans. That means that all of a sudden you're not worrying about that D6 spot and you can start hunting best 22 players in other lines to really bolster up your side there. So I think that's really important as well.
00:13:35
Holmesy
um But yeah, we've had good cash gen this year that hopefully a lot of weeks you can do a ah rookie down and a rookie up and then still have some money to maybe fix up some of these underperforming guys as well.
00:13:46
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, definitely.
Trading Considerations During Buy Rounds
00:13:47
JORDAN DSENA
I'm even looking at like a Nick Newman as well this week or could you go Houston? i was looking at Houston this week, but they've got dogs and they've got Melbourne. So I'm sort of like, do I just ride into the buyer? So it's that timing as well of,
00:14:01
JORDAN DSENA
You know, do I do it now or do I wait? Do I wait till the bye? So I think this week there's obviously some pretty easy targets. Like I think Darcy Cameron pick is just sort of a smash pick at this point, I think.
00:14:13
JORDAN DSENA
um And it's not much money at all.
00:14:15
Holmesy
Well, let's talk that then. we're goingnna We're going to leave it for the talking about the trade-out targets on their buy. But I mean, let's talk about the McAndrew play. So yes, McAndrew is on his buy this week. So if you don't have coverage for him, you're only going to be playing 21 on field. But if that means you're you're trading into a Darcy Cameron, for example, just to get the 22 on field, but that's bringing Bamfield or one of these other rookies on field anyway, and they're not going to hit a score in your best 18,
00:14:45
Holmesy
then it's not really going to change anything. So, I mean, let's put the two together. So you've got McAndrew and Darcy Cameron. Darcy Cameron this week has Western Bulldogs, which is a ah relatively neutral matchup.
00:14:57
Holmesy
Then he has Melbourne, which has been really tough. And then he has his bye. So you're not really you're not really getting the really good matchups.
00:15:05
Holmesy
Yes, the the role is there. So that's a that's a huge tick. But coaches that went there last week got the 124 from Eagles. Whereas if we go there this week, we're not necessarily going to get the scores, but we might.
00:15:17
Holmesy
You contrast that with Abe McAndrew, who, yes, he's having his bye, but he was actually scoring really well, but he was tiring towards the end of games, and that's where his scoring was dropping off. But after his bye, he has Geelong, which is supposed to be one of the easier ruck matchups.
00:15:34
Holmesy
Then he goes into the Western Bulldogs, and then he has Melbourne, which is a tougher game. So... you know Is it a play to to hold McAndrew and hope that he goes back to his 80, 85, even the 90 scores that we saw earlier on in the year and then look to trade him after that to maybe a Tristan Cherry type, for example, who's who's already had their buy?
00:15:57
JORDAN DSENA
Yep. I mean, that's that's fair points. Like, ah could even – I've got Vicentini on the bench. I could even maybe go him and keep McAndrew. I just think Darcy Cameron, the biggest thing – I know you started him, but, you know, Oscar Steen, like, he scored well round one, I think. He got you a ton, didn't he? And then Steen came in, and that completely changed everything.
00:16:18
JORDAN DSENA
ah now steams out And out, didn't he?
00:16:18
Holmesy
Didn't get me a ton, mate. Opening round, he got a ton and then he didn't.
00:16:22
JORDAN DSENA
Oh, he got a ton. Yeah.
00:16:22
Holmesy
Round one and then Stine came in. So maybe I'm scarred, I don't know.
00:16:26
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, I just think now that Steen's out, it's just like he's got the role. I know he had a bit of an ankle concern. I just think he can get close to the top. like at the top of the ruck line.
00:16:38
JORDAN DSENA
And I'm just keen to just lock it away. And I won't, I don't have to worry about it till like round 18 or something when it's going those Uber guys and you're starting to to play around with matchups and stuff like that.
00:16:49
JORDAN DSENA
I think he can match it. understand that there's, you know, talk that maybe McAndrew is not actually that far off of him, but I think for me, I'm just going to, going to launch into it.
00:17:01
Holmesy
All right, I'll throw you hypothetical then.
00:17:04
Holmesy
Teams roll around on Thursday night. Tim English is named and Max Gorn is named with Heath
Ruck Player Trade Evaluations
00:17:12
Holmesy
being dropped. does that and They're all hypotheticals, but would that change would that change things for you at all or you still just really like the value of Darcy Cameron regardless?
00:17:23
JORDAN DSENA
gee So i guess if English plays, he's going to have, he's got a high break even. Do you wait on that then? But then, and as long as you, cause like for me, I'm only going to have 21 players. I think it doesn't really matter with the ruck because I'm not going to fill out each line. So it's like, do you wait a week for English and then go that week?
00:17:39
JORDAN DSENA
Possibly. ought I don't know. I just, I think I'm still gone DC, but I can see the argument of going to, you know, a gone or a, or a English, um,
00:17:51
JORDAN DSENA
I just worry about English now. with Every year, he doesn't seem to put together a full season. Always something happens. like yeah you know You've got to trade him at some point for something.
00:18:02
JORDAN DSENA
like It's not whether it's, I don't know, his knee or did he do a hamstring, something last year. just I don't think he's been able to put a full season together. So I'm a bit wary of that. And um yeah, I think I'm just happy to go to DC at this point.
00:18:18
Holmesy
It would ah yeah it would be you would be ballsy, but i mean we do need to keep in mind that a lot of us started in this year thinking that he was going to be the R1 and he started off pretty well, let's be honest, and then obviously hasn't been right since he had that injury, the knee injury, and then got concussed by Matt Kennedy. So, yeah, just something to
Injury Updates and Trading Strategies
00:18:37
Holmesy
to wonder. I mean, Max Gorn does interest me if if Heath is not named. You'd think that if Heath is out of the side, they'd probably give Max a relatively good run solo until he's by, but, yeah.
00:18:49
Holmesy
it's ah It is an accident waiting to happen and Heath could come back in at any point. But what about Lockie Whitfield? So let's talk about him. So as we mentioned off the top, so laid out on Sunday.
00:19:01
Holmesy
um Now, apparently it was he did it at training on Friday, didn't feel right, but... they did give him up until the game to to test it, right? So it's not like they knew that he wasn't playing all along.
00:19:11
Holmesy
He did the pregame fitness test and and didn't get up. and And you've said that you've seen a training report that he's dealing with a bit of ham hamstring tendinopathy. Is that the that's the one?
00:19:22
Holmesy
So a bit of inflammation there on the hammy.
00:19:24
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, so I think I saw something today. Everyone said it was hamstring tendinitis, which is sort of what Cherry had last year. And I think it's similar, but it's not exactly the same. But it's along the same lines. I'm obviously not a doctor. But, yeah, I guess the the concern there is if it is sort of what Cherry had, it took him probably, what, three weeks playing through it and he was getting lower scores.
00:19:48
JORDAN DSENA
So is is that a case? Like, are we... Is he going to play through this hamstring? Is he right to go? Like Kingsley came out on SEN and said, you know, if he ticks all the boxes, he's a strong chance to play this week.
00:20:00
JORDAN DSENA
They've also got the buyer next week. So that's another thing. If he doesn't get named, you just trade? I think for me, i like he's a top ah probably three or four defender. I've got Lindsay as cover. I think I'm just going to hold him.
00:20:14
Holmesy
Yeah, I think if he flies, he plays. But, I mean, the awkward thing is that he plays for GWS, so we don't get any information out of them really anyway, and they don't play till Sunday. But, yeah, I think i think you do hold him knowing that you're not going to have him the week after anyway because of the buys and then comes back with St Kilda. So would be a...
00:20:32
Holmesy
a nervous trade in if you go out of him then wanting him back for that St Kilda matchup but that could be absolutely anything if he feels fresh off the buy but yeah he's a I think you just hold that one but buy rounds do present a number of different avenues that you could go. Dane Zorko reported as another two weeks dealing with a tight quad so that's That's interesting. Coming back from the calf, played, did seem like they probably rushed him back a little bit and and he did play just his normal high time on ground when he came back and and now he just keeps getting pushed back. So that's unfortunate for anyone that was holding on to him.
00:21:08
Holmesy
i think he you know he might be an option for us at some point towards the back end of the year if he can get his body right because I think it's pretty clear with how the board ah how Brisbane have played over the last few rounds that they they desperately need him.
00:21:21
Holmesy
But yeah, can't go there at the moment. Rankin, three weeks minimum for that calf. So that was really unfortunate for owners.
00:21:31
Holmesy
um i'm not Yeah, he was. Jordy, I'm not sure about this one. So it's got to be a trade, right? Because there's no... Three weeks is a long time to hold, especially during the buy rounds. Yes, round 13, coaches aren't going to have any forwards for GWS enrichment outside of maybe a Jack Ross for anyone that's gone there.
00:21:31
JORDAN DSENA
He was flying.
00:21:53
Holmesy
Do you trust that he when he comes back, he's going to have this full-time midfield role that led to led to his scoring? Because I i i can't see it. Unless unless they're desperate to to win because they're starting to fall out of finals contention, I think they have to ease him back, which would mean more forward time, right?
00:22:10
JORDAN DSENA
This is a real tough one because it happened at the start of the year, had the hamstring. I think it was hamstring. And they did exactly that. They eased him in. And then we saw the change after a couple of weeks. So we've seen the calves this year. Teams have done that. Although Zorko did that high dog, which was something we didn't think of. But I noticed on the weekend, so Rankin went out of the midfield. Well, when he went injured, he went out, obviously was out late.
00:22:36
JORDAN DSENA
Rochelle didn't go into the midfield. There's obviously talk about Rochelle. um he's on the but He's obviously on the buy this week and and trading. I think he is still a trade, but I don't know if he is going to go into the midfield.
00:22:48
JORDAN DSENA
Obviously, Rankin, yeah, three weeks. I think their midfield, they're going to continue with like the Peatlings and Berries and Dawson's, I think. And i do think I think it might be a trade and with Rankin. And I've seen some teams, um you know friends of mine, that have pretty much just pulled the trigger on that and gone Rankin straight to Cozzy Pickett because it's, I think, pretty similar price.
Essendon Lineup Changes Due to Injuries
00:23:13
JORDAN DSENA
it's ah you know you're getting a a top guy. So think if you don't have Cozzy, it could be a play to just go straight across.
00:23:21
Holmesy
Cozzy Pickett with one of his best mates, Toby Bedford gonna run with him this week.
00:23:26
JORDAN DSENA
Apparently, yeah.
00:23:26
Holmesy
Bit nervous, Jordy?
00:23:27
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah. Yeah. Apparently.
00:23:29
Holmesy
I'm a nervous non-owner mate.
00:23:30
JORDAN DSENA
He was good last week.
00:23:32
Holmesy
he was very He was very good, but yeah.
00:23:35
Holmesy
ah What else do we have? So, i mean, the big one today that we haven't really touched on yet. So Brad Scott getting sacked from Essendon was only a matter of time, I thought, with the direction that that club was going. But we always see the new coach come in and and sort of change some things around. But I dare say,
00:23:53
Holmesy
um In Essendon's position, they're just going to continue blooding the kids, but they also need to get players into the side to play, right? So, and mean, Durham's not playing this week.
00:24:05
Holmesy
I haven't heard any reports on how bad the Caldwell injury is yet, but I dare say he's going to miss some time.
00:24:10
JORDAN DSENA
It was a test. Yeah.
00:24:12
Holmesy
You'd think Sardis comes in. You'd think probably Setterfield comes in just because of the but the injury impact of the side. does it Does it affect an Archie Roberts, who we saw go into the midfield due to those injuries on the weekend?
00:24:27
Holmesy
They're obviously playing the Eagles this week, so there's a you know there's these tags looming anyway. You think probably a Hoff tries to nullify a Merritt and maybe a Murdoch to Roberts if he's playing in defence. But is there a little bit more concern now about you know your Robies and your Farrows and and the change-up from Essendon?
00:24:46
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, I think Roberts might go into the midfield. Like McGrath, obviously, broken jaw as well. So that's another out. um I think Caldwell, if he does play, he's a test. I think they might just play him half-half forward because he's sore.
00:24:58
JORDAN DSENA
Maybe a little bit of midfield and and low tog. So I think Roberts might go in there and he might get a ah get the tag, as you said. So i wouldn't be putting the C on Roberts this week, especially on a Sunday, that late Sunday game.
00:25:12
JORDAN DSENA
um I think Roby's okay because he's going to still probably play midfield and he's not going to get attention and he's going to, obviously they want to develop him. So I'll be okay to put him on field. Farrow as well, I think should be okay.
00:25:24
JORDAN DSENA
Although West Coast haven't been amazing, but I wouldn't, I would be worried slightly about Roberts' ceiling because Even last week, they didn't seem to chip it around as much as they they did.
DPP Additions Impact on Strategies
00:25:35
JORDAN DSENA
um You know, i was expecting a massive score against Richmond. I thought he was going to get it done for us.
00:25:40
JORDAN DSENA
Probably should taken anyway because Grundy got an 80. But anyways,
00:25:45
Holmesy
Yeah, we're never taking that, mate. Sometimes it just doesn't come off.
00:25:49
Holmesy
but there's yeah The match-ups were there. was just one of those unfortunate weeks. There's been some new DPP additions. there's obviously a big list. Head over to AFL Fantasy.com.
00:26:01
Holmesy
um to check the full list out. But some key ones to note. So Jagger Smith got that forward status, as we mentioned off the top. So very handy to be able to throw him into the forward line. Milan Murdoch, forward status, that was always locked in. Flanders come becomes our second TPP player, which clearly we want to have him on the field in the forward line for as as much as we can. But that could provide some handy flexibility throughout the buyers and in the back end of the year where For our trading, we have Holmes, who now has a defender status. so you'd think at the moment with obviously Zorko not there, Nassiah not playing, doubt on Whitfield, doubt on Lockie Ash and his role, you'd think Max Holmes is probably a ah pretty safe top six defender at a ah relatively good price at the moment. So just like last year, I think he's going to be someone that we look to target sooner rather than later.
00:26:55
Holmesy
And then Colby McKercher, forward status. So are you still an owner of Colby?
00:27:01
JORDAN DSENA
Nah, I got, actually, no, I didn't own him at all. No.
00:27:04
Holmesy
You didn't own him at all?
00:27:05
JORDAN DSENA
no I didn't own him at all. I traded him out few minutes before the first
Mid-Season Draft Implications
00:27:10
Holmesy
Yeah, okay. So what do coaches do with Colby? So he's now got forward status. So clearly that kind of helps because the forward line is up and down anyway, but hasn't been getting it done.
00:27:21
Holmesy
He did move into defense in the second half last week and that saw Cam Zerha go forward. And that did coincide with North Melbourne having that incredible, I think it was 49 point comeback to win the game.
00:27:34
Holmesy
We wanted him in that halfback role, but ah he's still still not really getting it done. So would you hold him and play in the forward line or would you use the opportunity at his buy now to to trade off him?
00:27:46
JORDAN DSENA
Jeez, I didn't know he went back into defense last week. I thought he was parked over half forward. That sort of slightly changes my mind a little bit because like if Kurtz is going to play a defense at that price, we're all going to trade into him, aren't we, in a couple of weeks probably.
00:28:02
JORDAN DSENA
That's the only thing that scares you, but it's a bit of a yo-yo. You had him, you're taking him out, trading him again. i don't know.
00:28:08
Holmesy
milan Milan Murdoch tag next week, Jordy.
00:28:11
JORDAN DSENA
True. I'm wondering whether if you can still make your upgrades, you just hold him just in case he does he's going to do this role? I don't think he will. I think Klyko wants him at half forward, but I didn't realize had a little stint there.
00:28:23
JORDAN DSENA
um It's just that thing, if if if he does do well, you're probably going to want to trade him in. And we traded him in this time last year as well the buyers. i don't know.
00:28:33
Holmesy
Yeah, I don't know. i think how many times have we seen his role change this year?
00:28:36
JORDAN DSENA
We just get rid of him. Yeah. Yeah.
00:28:39
Holmesy
He's up and down. I think I'd want to see it for a few weeks. And if it is if it does stick for a few weeks and the scoring's there, I think I'd still be happy to trade him in at a bit of value.
00:28:49
Holmesy
He's someone I've wanted to pick for a long time, but guess the the role uncertainty unfortunately doesn't get it done for me at this stage. and The mid-season draft happened tonight. Now, we're not going to go too much into depth about this, but we do know at this time of year we typically get a few gems that come through and either play pretty much straight away like a Jai Newcomb, Tom McCarthy, Sam Durham, or you know later on in the year when teams start getting tired. So,
00:29:18
Holmesy
Have a look this week for teams and and do some research if they're named. You know, the mature age guys are are typically good ones to target, but there is a bit of talk that Artemis may come in with all of the Bombers injuries.
00:29:31
Holmesy
Looking like he's going to be a two hundred and thirty k defender, has a
00:29:36
Holmesy
About a 77 average in the VFL, which is which is relatively good scoring. And as I said, sometimes these players can come in and actually score better at AFL level because they're fit, ready to go, and they can actually get the ball given to them, although he plays for Essendon. So that's a a bit of a different story.
Team Trade Strategies During Buy Rounds
00:29:52
Holmesy
And shout out there. I think his name's Fitzgerald.
00:29:56
Holmesy
I think he's had five games in a row, 35-plus touches in the VFL, averaging huge numbers. He got drafted to Melbourne though, right?
00:30:04
JORDAN DSENA
I think so. I need to double check the full draft. I only saw Artemis go through.
00:30:09
JORDAN DSENA
But yeah, he would definitely be one of those mature age guys. 135 average is ridiculous.
00:30:12
Holmesy
Yeah. Yeah. Don't quote me on this, but I think there was a 23, 24-year-old mature-age gun that got drafted to maybe an Eagles as well. So definitely ones to have a look at. But, Jordy, let's quickly go through the teams that are on their buy because it is – and Part of the strategy is to trade off players that are having their buy, um which is always a little bit tricky in this buy round because we do know that we are trading into players that will have their buy and we need to make sure that our structures are ah pretty sound. But we're going go through just some relatively popular players and you'll just give me a quick yes or no whether you'd consider trading them. So we'll start with Adelaide.
00:30:52
Holmesy
We've already touched on Lockie McAndrew. I'm still unsure whether I trade him or or or hold him. I think it could go either way. So we'll just we'll just park him for now. But Wayne Miller, you don't have him.
00:31:06
Holmesy
He's been very good. He's still relatively unique. As someone that doesn't own him, is he anyone you've is he someone that you've actually considered looking at at some point or do you think that he's still a rung below and at some stage we're going to have to try and get off him?
00:31:21
JORDAN DSENA
I think I'd hold him. like His last month, 106, 83, 113, 110, 69, 117. That's know you picked him of a bit of low, and then he's just picked it up.
00:31:35
JORDAN DSENA
reckon he's winning the Crows best and fairest. I think he's one of their best players. I don't know. ah I almost would want to just hold him and just see how he goes, I think.
00:31:47
Holmesy
Yeah, no, think that's,
00:31:47
JORDAN DSENA
Like, and if you were if you were to trade him, who would you go to?
00:31:50
JORDAN DSENA
like if you went to like an Ash, he's got the buy next week. And the Sire's injured. You can't go to Whitfield. You probably would go to maybe Max Holmes.
00:32:02
Holmesy
No, you're right. Just wanted to ponder that to be out. I'm not looking to trade him, especially with all the injuries that I have. Josh Rochelle, we mentioned, still 27% owned. Didn't get the midfield role when Rankin went down. I think you just cut your losses there. He needed to go a few weeks ago.
00:32:19
Holmesy
um so now's the perfect opportunity to get off him. And hopefully now there's a bit more DPP where you might be able to get up to a midfielder or someone else instead. Braden Cook, 18% owned.
00:32:30
Holmesy
Cookie, he's been fantastic for us. Jordy, you're happy to just cash him in and play on?
00:32:38
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, he seems to be that guy that can get me to, by cashing him in, he can get me to one of those top dogs, the top primos. He's like one hundred and sixty k more than those Dev Rob and Anderson types. So I think he just for what he can get, yeah, I think he can go.
00:32:54
Holmesy
Yep, and Rankin, we already spoke about there. I think missing three weeks minimum and unsure about the role when he comes back, I think you get off that, although he has been very good and probably someone we will look to target at some point in the back end of the year if he gets that full-time midfield role back.
00:33:13
Holmesy
Port Adelaide, literally very little to talk about here. Jack Watkins, still 18% owned. Cut your losses with him, trade him off. ah Jason Horn Francis, 9%.
00:33:25
Holmesy
Definitely bounced back on the weekend, Geordie, with that big score. Did look like he was just needing the buyers a bit of ah a refresh, as we know he didn't have much of but of a preseason. Would you be holding fat with Horn Francis now, or would you still be looking to to get off him?
00:33:39
JORDAN DSENA
I think I'm holding Hornet now because he's pretty much... was looking at the um forward averages and he's pushed himself into almost top six, I think, if he can keep this going. I know he's just done but...
00:33:55
JORDAN DSENA
but I'm wondering whether people are going to trade into him next week if you can't get up to someone, you know, one of those big dogs. But he's averaging now 92.
00:34:07
JORDAN DSENA
So he's starting to creep into the the top six forwards. So ah think he'll be more inclined to hold.
00:34:14
Holmesy
Yep. I think he's the the perfect type where once you get, you know, Flanders, Sheasel, Petrarca, Cozzy, and then maybe one more, he's the sort of perfect option to try and get as that sort of seventh loop forward if he's going to go 60s, but then 120s, it could be the perfect sort of looping opportunity in the back end of the year. So I agree with that.
00:34:36
Holmesy
Yeah, he's up and down, but the average is actually quite good. Gold Coast, so Petrarca, 56% owned. ah He's going to be someone that we all want to target at some point when he goes on that good run. So yeah, definitely holding him but looking to trade into him and having that first buy round. You'll be able to do it at any round throughout the buys that you wish.
00:34:57
Holmesy
Lombard, 54%, has been better the last sort of four weeks, Geordie. Still probably has a little bit of cash left to make, but you know would you would you trade off him this week or are you happy to kind of hold him for a little bit longer to leak out a bit more cash?
00:35:13
JORDAN DSENA
I'm happy to trade him if he gets me, you know, the players that I need. For me, I'm just going to hold him. I think I just need that sort of emergency guy in the forward line at the moment. And he's going to be, I guess for him, he's always going to be there. He's best 22 player. Like if you trade into our banfield, I mean, we'll talk about it a bit later, like job security wise. So ah think if you can get, um you know, you can you can trade him if you need to, but, you know, some there might be some other guys, you know,
00:35:42
JORDAN DSENA
We probably actually didn't mention Todd Marshall now. um He's one as well that like if I, yeah, he, yeah, exactly.
00:35:47
Holmesy
Go, get off him as quickly as you can.
00:35:50
JORDAN DSENA
He could go. So if you, no, if you've got Lombard and Marshall, I think you you might as well, you know, flick Marshall off over, over Lombard just because he's going to be there.
00:36:00
Holmesy
Yep. Zeke Uland, this ownership surprises me, 24%. He's a rookie that you can cash out. I don't think he's going to start to go on a tear and put up the scores, especially in that Gold Coast system. Now, you've put in Noah Anderson.
00:36:17
Holmesy
um Clearly we're not we're we're not trading him out, but i mean, let's let's talk about him. Do you think he's gonna be a target off the buys?
00:36:17
JORDAN DSENA
I just realised, yeah.
00:36:25
JORDAN DSENA
I'm actually a bit interested because he's done three tons in a row now. And Raul's come into the team. I haven't caught the Gold Coast games, but this heat map shows he's come going back a bit more to halfback.
00:36:37
JORDAN DSENA
And I looked at his marks and he's taken 20 marks in the last three weeks. He had a 10-mark game and a 5-mark game, another 5-mark game. That's not like Noah Anderson. He's a guy that doesn't mark. He has to get like 35 and a tackle. Why is he marking? is at a night Is it a slightly different role? Rouse in there.
00:36:56
JORDAN DSENA
If he's doing a different role and he's gone three tons, I think he's priced about his 950K. Like, I'm interested in him next week.
00:37:07
Holmesy
Yeah, there's always a bit of buyer beware with him as someone that owned him for most of last year, Jordy. um I mean, post-buyer, he has Brisbane, which normally we'd say is a tough matchup, but that's been really green over the last five.
00:37:23
Holmesy
Then he goes into Geelong. That's an O'Sheen Mullin tag, 100%. can't see that going to anyone else.
00:37:30
Holmesy
Then he goes into Hawthorne, which is tough. They typically do something with him as well. Into Frio, where there's no tag, but that's always a ah tough matchup for mids without their playing.
00:37:42
Holmesy
And then he goes into Collingwood. So it's not the best run. And then Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Carlton. So it's... It is a bit up and down for Noah, but you are right. he's at it He's at a great price and we know what he can do. It's just, yeah, I know I had to loop him a lot back end of last year because those tags did come. But maybe now that Petrarca is there alongside Rau, maybe he's not the tag guy anymore and maybe they just decide they need to go head-to-head instead.
00:38:07
Holmesy
Last team is North Melbourne. So Blumeyers, if you're still holding on to him, you can cash him out. He's even starting to lose his spot in the side. Doverston, the same. He hasn't really made a lot of money. So unless you're really desperate for numbers on field, which...
00:38:24
Holmesy
you know Just getting the number on field doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be a ah player in your best A-10 anyway. So I'd probably still hold Doverston personally as a bit of a loop option towards the end of the year. I can't really see him coming back into the side.
Rookies and Mid-Pricers Trade Analysis
00:38:37
Holmesy
Colby we've mentioned. And then Tristan Cherry at 11%. I just put him in here because I don't think you're trading off of him. But is he someone that you're going to want to look at throughout the buys? Or do you think he's just not near the sort of top three rucks and might be a bit of a wasted trade?
00:38:54
JORDAN DSENA
Well, he's averaging, he's averaging 104. So I'm pretty sure. so pretty sure
00:39:02
Holmesy
He's had some big ones and he's had some stinkers, hasn't he?
00:39:04
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, so I think he still is. Like, he's he's still up there around the mark. He could be a unique little play. I mean, no, he's got the ceiling on his day with matchups and stuff. So I think you you just hold him. I mean, is that a play there where you if you want to make some money, I don't know how much he is, but is that a whole a thing where you could go him down to DC? I think I just hold him as a unique, but um could that be, you know, bank 200K by going him down?
00:39:38
Holmesy
Does have, sorry, you just keep talking because i I think I looked at and I think his run's actually quite quite good if this ever wants to...
00:39:41
JORDAN DSENA
was a good run.
00:39:46
JORDAN DSENA
That's the thing. see like if he's in form, he can pump 150s like fun in a row. And, you know, I don't think many are going to own him.
00:39:56
JORDAN DSENA
So that could be a real unique, and especially as a captain option, if you want to go against, you know,
00:40:00
Holmesy
Yeah. So Freo post-buy. So Freo's actually been a pretty tough ruck matchup just because of how Freo have been playing. But then has the Eagles into Richmond and then blood revenge game against Essendon, followed by Port Adelaide and then Collingwood.
00:40:19
Holmesy
So it's actually a pretty decent run. So definitely holding him, I think.
00:40:21
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah. Especially in the buys, if you can get a ceiling score like that.
00:40:27
Holmesy
Yeah. Yep. Especially over here at Optus Stadium against the Eagles. You'd think that would, oh, they can't be, can it? No, they played dot they played Eagles here at Optus.
00:40:35
JORDAN DSENA
I think they go down to Bunbury. Is it the Bunbury game?
00:40:37
Holmesy
Well, they're playing Frio in Bunbury.
00:40:41
Holmesy
Got to check that actually.
00:40:42
JORDAN DSENA
I might just check that as well.
00:40:43
Holmesy
We'll talk that a bit later on. ah Let's just talk some rookies because it is a ah lot of people are going to go your typical two downs, one up to try and regen or re-get their cash gen going throughout the buyers.
00:40:56
Holmesy
So, I mean, we both went there last week. Jack Eisen, now priced at 34, break even of negative 16, started like a house on fire and then went very quiet but finished with a bang in the last quarter.
00:41:07
JORDAN DSENA
I'm Osdain, right?
00:41:10
Holmesy
Jack Isen. Is that what I said?
00:41:12
JORDAN DSENA
No, no, I messaged you about it and then you went quiet.
00:41:16
Holmesy
Yeah, yeah. Your your group chat, Moz powers, that to be seen they need to be seen to be believed, I tell you.
00:41:22
Holmesy
But t is he the option this week? I mean, he's mid only, which makes it a little bit awkward. But... And the the thing I suppose is that, you know, maybe some coaches have a sharp floating around that they need to get off of, a dev rob maybe still.
00:41:36
Holmesy
But, you know, Retchko's not ready to go yet. um You know Jagger clearly isn't. Some of the other rookies that are coming maybe, but hasn't made a heap of cash. But is he the guy to go to?
00:41:48
JORDAN DSENA
I think so. So I went to the game on Saturday night and he works so hard. Like he plays obviously bit of default as well but then he also runs like right up to that wing and gets the cheap, you know, some plus sixes can also kick goals.
Rookie Job Security and Strategic Value
00:42:02
JORDAN DSENA
He just looks like got a great um leg on him as well. I think he looks a real player. um'm I'm wondering why he wasn't in the side, you know, round one. Like, he's, like, from what I've seen, I think he's, you know, your job security-wise, he's pretty solid under the new coach. So I definitely would be grabbing him.
00:42:22
JORDAN DSENA
at number yeah and number one because I don't think he's going go out that side and I think he can score 50s, 60s. like He scored pretty quick. He went quiet and then he scored really quickly in the third quarter and fourth quarter. so um And you know took some plus sixes as well. So yeah, I'd be grabbing him.
00:42:41
Holmesy
Yeah, I think the point that you made about job security is actually one that gets glossed over a bit too much. Now, it is that time of year where we're trying to get the the points on field, but if you can find a rookie with job security that's going to play throughout the entire buy rounds, that's that's that's very, very important. Yes, they might not get a score on field for you, but if they can pop one, it's very valuable. But the five weeks of generating enough cash to then be able to use that to go up again,
00:43:08
Holmesy
is super, super important. So, i mean, we can kind of put these next rookies in the category of, you know, the job security probably is a little bit shaky. So, Banfield for St Kilda has the forward status very, very handy. But, you know, Owens, Naz, Ryan, all one week away. Butler's a test. I did see that Jack Higgins is out for another three to four, I think.
00:43:30
Holmesy
um But, you know, he played well. But job security probably pretty shaky with those guys coming back. Dirksen, you'd think, probably only got a game because of their fullback, Wiedering, being out.
00:43:41
JORDAN DSENA
Um, waitring
00:43:43
Holmesy
Thank you. and Oliver from GWS only came in late for for Whitfield. Ryan didn't score very well. He's played three games now. Hawks have been a little bit up and down. Does he hold his spot with Barass and some of these other players coming back? So out of those guys, ah you know do you have confidence in any of them?
00:44:07
JORDAN DSENA
um Not as much as Ison. And I wonder with Banfield, like I'll probably still go there. I'm doing Dev Rob to him. I'm wondering even if, so say he should be right this week, then all those boys come back one week.
00:44:22
JORDAN DSENA
If he got in for one week and then he became a mid forward red dot, Is that the worst thing? I think for like, if he's going to be a red dot in the future, he's a mid forward. And I think the Saints are play, I think they've got a favorable draw. That's my only thing with him.
00:44:37
JORDAN DSENA
And then if he does keep playing, you're going to make a lot of money. So I'm almost inclined to go there. The only thing that would change my mind is if, you know, an Artemis or something like that came in. And if I wanted to jump straight there, but you probably could wait on these guys, you know, in a week or two.
00:44:54
JORDAN DSENA
if they're going to play. So I think he's this are out of these options. The
Post-Buy Round Rookie Trading Strategies
00:45:00
JORDAN DSENA
second best one. Like for me, I was looking at next week. So if I grab Bainfield this week, we've got that Tommy A. He could be maybe an option post-buy.
00:45:09
JORDAN DSENA
Ports, obviously have the buy this week. Usually that's when you reset. If he's in the side after a buy they haven't brought in some of these players, I'll probably go there. And maybe a mid-season draftee and then you can get an upgrade as well. so um That's sort of what I'm um'm currently looking at.
00:45:26
Holmesy
yeah Yeah, I think yeah the buy round is, yeah, you're you're dead right. Often they use it as a bit of a reset, which is why I'd be very nervous going into a Harry Oliver, especially with Sam Taylor coming back this week. I know Buckley's just gone out again, so that's probably a like for like. But you'd think at the buy round they're going to get some players back, so that that would make it very shaky for me.
00:45:48
Holmesy
um I mean, there was Bailey McDonald from Hawthorne that we didn't mention either. So he's about as cheap or if not cheaper than than Ryan.
00:45:53
JORDAN DSENA
You got a 40. Yeah.
00:45:56
Holmesy
So the good thing is they play Thursday night. So we're going to know that nice and early. We're going to see final teams and even how it looks come the bounce. So that's another one that you can kind of look at.
00:46:07
Holmesy
Sullivan Robey, some coaches, Lemon included, still went there last week. It's too late for him now, right? Like he's a ah full-blown mid-pricer now. Yes, you're you're probably looking at him as a mid-pricer to try and get some scores on field throughout the buys. And his role has been fantastic. I think 71% center bounces on the weekend.
00:46:29
Holmesy
I'm not sure whether they want him doing that much. They're just, these injuries keep happening and he's kind of forced into it. But I think you've got to let him go now, right?
00:46:37
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, I think it was probably the week last week to to do it. um I haven't got him. off I've just come to terms that I've missed him. You got Banfield there. do you just go right If you're looking like a Rochelle down, you just go straight down to Banfield now, i don't I think that's what I would do, just get the extra cash.
00:46:56
JORDAN DSENA
I think you sort of have a couple of weeks there to make try and make Robey work for you. And if it didn't, that it let him go through, I think.
00:47:05
Holmesy
Yep, I would agree with that. All right, Jordy, let's finish off with some questions. But just a reminder, as always, that PodPod has once again partnered with Q Platforms in 2026 to help answer all of your AFL fantasy questions. So during the season for Morera's Magic in Season members, Selby and myself record our podcast late in the week on a Thursday night where we answer all of the general questions and themes for the week and I go over my trade thoughts and what I'm thinking for my team and others.
00:47:34
Holmesy
But if you would like a guaranteed answer for any of your specific team reviews, questions, or anything like that, head over to askmeonq.com forward slash podpodafl.
00:47:45
Holmesy
The link is in the show description below and you'll get a fully personalized audio response to your question. But Geordie, our first one comes from Olivia Calvi. Dear Podpod, if Whitfield doesn't get up this week,
00:47:57
Holmesy
Do we trade him out for Max Holmes, who seems to be the most reliable defender with a late buy? Or do we hide behind the best 18 and hold? So we kind of touched on this earlier. If he's out, you're happy to hold. But let's kind of talk through that. Do you like first going down to Max Holmes as a pretty safe top six where you make a bit of money as well?
00:48:19
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, I love Max Holmes as an option. I think he's his ears one actually I'm looking at. I think he's at a pretty good price and he's pretty much locked, I think, as a top six defender. So I think he's a great option.
00:48:31
JORDAN DSENA
Personally, I'm just holding Whitfield because I want to upgrade and get rid of these other guys out of my team and I want to get rookies off over a gun primo. But... I guess it it depends what other areas of your team, like who are the bigger priorities. But for me, I'm just going to, it's going to hold him. I think
00:48:51
Holmesy
yeah Yeah, I ah don't have an answer for that just yet.
00:48:54
JORDAN DSENA
it's hard. Yeah.
00:48:55
Holmesy
knowing knowing Not knowing you know what other bullets we're going to get and things like that.
00:48:59
Holmesy
But i think yeah I think you're still going to
Maximizing Team Success Through Trades
00:49:02
Holmesy
want him at this stage. And hopefully we get some word out of GWS that he is going to play. Jordy, some other options outside of Max Holmes. So, I mean...
00:49:12
Holmesy
So Cal Wilkie is starting to get very cheap after his injured game and then getting tagged by Pat Voss on the weekend.
00:49:19
Holmesy
So outside of that, he's done nothing wrong this year. He's now priced at 94, which is pretty crazy value for what he's done outside of those injured games and plays 100% TOG, which is very, very nice.
00:49:32
Holmesy
Jake Bowie priced at 94. He's been very good since he's returned. I'm not sure I could launch into that with any confidence, but just noting what he has done. Bailey Dale now priced at 98.
00:49:44
Holmesy
Probably is what he is. Maybe even a little bit overpriced as the Bulldogs start to get some of their soldiers back, but can't knock the coaches that went there earlier on. Zorko we already touched on. Can't touch that.
00:49:56
Holmesy
Lockie Ash priced at 103. So he's come right down. you know Especially with the Whitfield talking, with the emergence of Brent Daniels and some of these other players through the midfield, he had that halfback role again on the weekend and he did get a bit of attention from McKenna early before all hell broke loose for for Brisbane.
00:50:16
Holmesy
So Lockie Ash is he someone that you think is going to be a ah top six defender from this point moving forward?
00:50:22
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, definitely. He's he's ralph come round 14. He's my number one guy that I'm just going to grab because he's coming down in price. like he I assume he would have a decent break even.
00:50:36
JORDAN DSENA
He's probably going to be, priced at 103. He might be priced at 101 or something next week. And we're going to have like your Newmans, your Houstons, your Josh Dacos, is these guys, you could go straight of them straight to Lokey Ash.
00:50:50
JORDAN DSENA
And I think that's almost a locked move for me. I also do like Wilkie as well. I'm probably going to target those two guys over the buyers because I think they're pretty much, well, Ash, I think definitely is. And I think Wilkie can be close enough to top six that he you could hold him through the buyers and not worry about him till later. Or he could be one of those loop guys as well.
00:51:11
Holmesy
Yep, break even of 1.24 for Lockie Ash. So unless he goes stupid against Melbourne this week, he will drop a little bit of cash, which would be nice. Next one is from Matt. Salutations, PodPod, since it's still a value game, should I pull the trigger early on players likely to drop in cash before their buy?
00:51:29
Holmesy
So looking at players like, well, Durham's not going to drop cash this week, but Houston will, meaning that he holds round 12 players that he's likely to trade for next week like a Rochelle because they won't lose cash. So I suppose it's the the question of,
00:51:45
Holmesy
Can we consider taking a bit of a points hit this week, knowing that we might reduce our numbers, but we we get ahead of players like Houston who might potentially drop a bit in cash as they move towards their buy?
00:51:58
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, i actually had a look at this this week, like whether I get rid of Houston. I think it depends on how many numbers you've got. So you've got like 19... you might want to have Houston because he's got a good matchup against the Dogs and Melbourne.
00:52:12
JORDAN DSENA
Yes, he's going to lose cash, but there's every chance he goes 90 plus in those two matchups. And you might want that on field, especially if you' only got 18, 19. If you've got maybe 21, 22 and you're really well, I mean, obviously he in this case, he probably doesn't because he's got Durham and Rochelle out.
00:52:29
JORDAN DSENA
Do you just um cut your losses? For me in this scenario, I think I'd just be getting rid of Durham. um didn't work out unfortunately he' he's going to lose heaps of cash in time i think I would just get rid of him and um just hold Houston um for these matchups I think
00:52:50
Holmesy
Yeah, no, I agree with you there. all it All it takes is one ceiling score from Houston and the cash is going to stop falling dramatically and and you get that score on field. Yes, he's been a little bit average lately, but we know what Dan Houston does is he's very up and down.
00:53:05
Holmesy
So it wouldn't surprise me if he puts up a ceiling score against the Bulldogs or Melbourne, as we know he can do. Next one is from Bennett Grant and not a question, but can I have 15 trades this week?
00:53:17
Holmesy
Please, Ophelia, Ophelia, we just need to keep chipping away, mate.
00:53:19
JORDAN DSENA
Imagine that.
00:53:22
Holmesy
Don't give up. This one's from Liam. Is it a priority to still get rookies off like Farrow, Murdoch and Lindsay or get rid of mid-price spuds like Rochelle and McKercher? So this one's interesting because we put labels on players like rookies and mid-prices, but if you look at form over the last five weeks, Farrow may be not included because he has put up a couple of 50s, but Lindsay and Murdoch or Murdoch before he started tagging, they've been putting up scores that have been comparable, if not better, than players like Rochelle and Colby. So what's your advice here?
00:54:01
JORDAN DSENA
I'd be trading in the mid-price spuds, as he calls it. um Murdoch's a forward now. Lindsay's got Essendon this week. I just think you can write another week or two out of it.
00:54:12
JORDAN DSENA
And Rochelle and Kirch are those mid-prices that can kill your season. so And they've got a bit more money on their head, I think. So I think I would just be getting rid of those two. Best 22 player.
00:54:25
JORDAN DSENA
They're on their buy as well. so you're getting an extra week out of two of these these rooks. I think eventually, yeah, you then trade them up.
00:54:32
Holmesy
Yeah, it's important to look at role as well. So we can look at rookie versus mid-pricer, but when we break down the role, Rochelle deep forward and not getting it done has Geelong after his bye, which is a very tough matchup.
00:54:45
Holmesy
Colby, we kind of spoke about before. If he does have the defensive role, we are probably going to at least look at it after the buy. So maybe that's a little bit different. But, you know, Farrow, halfback role.
00:54:57
Holmesy
Lindsay, halfback role. Murdoch, a little bit different. But before he was tagging, he was up around the ball tackling and and getting a lot of disposal. So, yeah, it's really important to look at role as well. Farrow and Lindsay are are two players I'm definitely happy to hold for a little bit longer and hope to get a pop score throughout the buys.
00:55:15
Holmesy
Last one, Jordy. This one is from Sean. Hey guys, Cook and McAndrew going for Bailey Smith and Banfield. So tick that off. Bailey Smith, definitely expensive, but gonna be someone that we all wanna have at some stage.
00:55:30
Holmesy
Which is the option for the third trade? So is it the typical dev rob down to Ison, which is gonna load up cash to get more primos next week? Or is it fixing up one of these primos, failed primos like a Houston,
00:55:45
Holmesy
to one of NACOS, Homes or Bont, which seems very, very nice.
00:55:50
JORDAN DSENA
Oh, my goodness. So you're telling me you could get Bailey Smith and Nick Dacos in one week? but That's ridiculous. You just want to do it just for the nostalgia of that? Yeah, I got Baz and Dacos this week.
00:56:06
JORDAN DSENA
like I think like logically, Ison is probably the better call for the long-term play.
00:56:12
Holmesy
they Be a respect for respectful, respectable podcaster, mate.
00:56:17
JORDAN DSENA
But um like, you know, you're going to make money and you need that. But geez, Dacos and Baz, like, I don't know. I don't know where to go. and I can see why he's looking at that. Where do you sit with it?
00:56:27
Holmesy
I think it probably, i think, you know, to to once again, quote the great man, DT Lemon, I think it's, you probably do need to take your team value into account here.
00:56:37
Holmesy
So if this is going to spend all of your money and it's going to prevent you from doing meaningful upgrades over the next few rounds, then you probably need to play it a bit safer, get in Ison, who's going to be a good cash generating rookie.
00:56:51
Holmesy
And then, you know, look to target underpriced players throughout the next few weeks, because you know As good as Nick Dacos is, I highly doubt he's going to go north of his 120 price tag from a money point of view.
00:57:05
Holmesy
like He's maximum probably going to make 50K if he goes on a run, whereas he could lose you know maybe 80 to if there's a few sort of lower games in there. So it's tough.
00:57:15
JORDAN DSENA
Yeah, he can get him next week maybe.
00:57:18
Holmesy
Yeah, it's tough. ah you' You're probably not getting him next week with his buy in two weeks' time.
00:57:22
Holmesy
It probably is now the week.
00:57:23
JORDAN DSENA
Oh, yeah. And also, he had that little scan on the foot.
00:57:27
JORDAN DSENA
So is that a concern at all with Nick Dacos? He's probably fine, but...
00:57:31
Holmesy
It was for us in the group chat on Sunday night, wasn't it, don't tag.
00:57:33
JORDAN DSENA
ah Oh, I wasn't happy at all because i I just traded him in and it just seemed like every guy trading gets injured. But I think he'll be fine. But, you know, it is it's like that slight thing.
00:57:44
JORDAN DSENA
was like, he did go for a scare, you know. But I think he against the the dogs, typically, I mean, they don't tag. So he's going to go nuclear.
00:57:52
JORDAN DSENA
And I think him and Bond probably just both go nuts.
00:57:54
Holmesy
if you want this the smart, sensible play to keep generating cash, you just go the rookie down to help you in the next few weeks. But if you want to enjoy fantasy again, if you want to be able to watch Collingwood games without having to to squint every time Dacos comes on the screen, then you know fix your mental health and and go that path.
00:58:14
Holmesy
And Bont's still relatively cheap for what he's doing as well, has the last buy around too, which means you're getting lots and lots of games out of him. But Every week it does seem like he's ah you know very close to being managed or or having a poorer score.
00:58:29
Holmesy
Outside of that 140, he's just been that sort of low ton guy, so I'm not sure I'd go to Bont. As as hard as it is to to watch those games.
00:58:34
JORDAN DSENA
He hasn't got...
00:58:38
JORDAN DSENA
He hasn't... Yeah, I agree. He hasn't got Heaney here as an option, who I'm pretty keen on against Richmond.
00:58:43
Holmesy
Yeah. Yeah, I like Heaney too with ah richmond and Richmond and Port in his next three games before the bye, I think. Heaney is a, yeah, a very nice option. Although, Jordy, the one thing I did think about the other day is Isaac Heaney is your typical, like, in these matchups, getting to, like, 120 very early in the fourth quarter and then sitting out the last 15 minutes to to not get injured. So that's one to think about as well.
00:59:08
JORDAN DSENA
I want that 166 he did last year, i think. That's what I'm looking for.
00:59:13
Holmesy
Yeah, and they they did just lose, didn't they? So they probably want to... they probably want to Yeah, get that get that winning form
Closing Remarks and Social Media Engagement
00:59:20
Holmesy
back. But Geordie, that's going to wrap us up close to an hour. Thanks, mate, for for jumping on late at night. Really appreciate it.
00:59:26
Holmesy
Just give the listeners ah one final closing thoughts to wrap it all up before we head into the buy rounds.
00:59:33
JORDAN DSENA
Yep. So, you know, first week, three trades, just, yeah, keep chipping away. I think the rookies are the ones to get if you don't have them. And as much as you want to be trigger happy, try and look at upgrading your team as best as you can. Don't trade primos like I did last year. But, some yeah, just keep chipping along and cutting getting that cash gen. And if you can get, I think if get one primo in a week, that's pretty awesome to me.
01:00:01
Holmesy
Yep, agree with that. Make sure you are following us at on X, sorry, at PodPod AFL. I'm at Holmesies Heroes. Please make sure you are subscribed to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your content. As I mentioned before, I'll be back on Thursday night for the Mareros Magic in-season members for my podcast with Selby.
01:00:22
Holmesy
The buy rounds are here. you know Enjoy the best 18, knowing that these rookies going to drop off. And yeah, as Jordy said, keep chipping away and we'll be back next week to to see you then. Bye.