Finals time baby! Who’s on the chopping block heading into round 21? Get your trade tips and advice for the week with with Buy, Hold, Fold!

BUY

Hugh McCluggage ($845K MID, BL) – 115

If you can’t get to an uber premo this week, McCluggage may just be your man! With Ashcroft now out for the season, McCluggage looks set to cash in on extra midfield minutes. He has a 5 round average of 109 and looks primed for a big month.

Darcy Parish ($910K MID, ESS) – 93

Time and time again I mention the importance of looking at match ups at the pointy end of the season… Essendon’s next two fixture will both be under the roof vs (you guessed it) Norf and West Coast. Parish did not suit up in Essendon’s earlier fixtures with these two clubs, however, partner in crime Zach Merrett managed 111 and 155! I’m expecting Parish to fill his boots over the next fortnight.

Josh Kelly ($806K MID, GWS) – 122

Speaking of under priced… Kelly still has a 30 in his current price cycle, leading to him being available at a hefty discount. Value? Tick. Unique? Tick. Scoring prowess? Tick. The Giants have faced three of their last four opponents already this season and Kelly tonned in all of those games!

In the Mix: Rory Laird, Josh Dunkley, Luke Nankervis.

HOLD

Lachie Neale ($860K MID, BL) – 60

Very annoying but he has Freo this week whom he had 119 on earlier in the season. I can see why coaches are jumping off but I’m inclined to hold (as a Pills, Kills, Callum Mills owner!).

Tim Taranto ($940K MID/FWD, RICH) – 77

After a blistering start to 2023, Tanto has dropped back slightly toward the peloton but remains the highest averaging forward by some margin. Has the Dogs and St Kilda in the next two weeks whom he had 114 and 147 on earlier this season!

Marcus Windhager ($628K MID/FWD, STK) – 70

For those back in the pack, holding Windy is a genuine play if you have other areas to fix / have other rooks on field who need to go. He seems to have a nice role at half back and has scored well over the past month. If he is you last rook on field however, do not hesitate to get him to a big dawg!

In the Mix: Marcus Bontempelli, Harry Sheezel, Elijah Hewett.

FOLD

Callum Mills ($660K MID, SYD) – 58

Lol 12% centre bounces attendances??? Horse taking the absolute mickey. The return of Warner hasn’t helped Mills and he has produced no where near expectations when coaches bought him in, supposedly under-priced…

Benny Keays ($751K MID/FWD, CROM) – 62

Back in a forward role and did not attend any centre bounces. Just about all we need to know and why the time is now to jump off the Keays train. He had been solid up until the past fortnight but it would appear Matt Crouch’s inclusion has squeezed him out of the mid rotation (again!).

Caleb Daniel ($780K DEF/FWD, WB) – 39

F*cking horrible. 0 CBA’s and Bailey Dale hogging the kick-ins… We can do better!

In the Mix: Tim Kelly, Harry Himmelberg, Ryan Maric.

Top 5 Price Rises

• Corey ‘Wags’ Wagner ($492K DEF/MID, FREO) +$65K
• Chad Wingard ($587K FWD, HAW) +$60K
• Callum ‘Brendon’s Brother’ Ah Chee ($419K MID, BL) +$57K
• Big Max ($883K RUC, MELB) +$54K
• Ivan Soldo(g) ($611K RUC/FWD, RICH) +$54K

Top 5 Price Drops

• Hack Ziebell ($597K FWW/DEF, NORF) -$64K
• Dylan ‘Dyl Will’ Williams ($470K FWD/DEF, PA) -$53K
• Isaac ‘IQ’ Quaynor ($637K DEF, COLL) -$50K
• Tom Mitchell ($743K MID, COLL) -$48K
• Caleb Daniel ($780K DEF/FWD, WB) -$47K

Lowest Breakevens

• Luke ‘Nank the Tank’ Wankervis ($275K MID/FWD, CROM) -8
• Callum ‘Brendon’s Brother’ Ah Chee ($419K MID, BL) -7
• Sam Banks ($323K DEF/MID, RICH) -6
• Kaine ‘Alec’ Baldwin ($317K FWD, ESS) 1
• Jack ‘Nova’ Peris ($223K MID/FWD, STK) 3

Highest Breakevens

• Jayden Short ($791K MID/DEF, RICH) – 149
• The Bont ($1.03m MID, WB) – 145
• Tim ‘Tommy’ Taranto ($940K MID/FWD, RICH) – 143
• Lachie Neale ($860K MID, BL) – 143
• Nick ‘Whisper’ Daicos ($965K DEF/MID, COLL) – 142

So who’s on the chopping block in your squad? Share your early trade thoughts in the comments below!

Cheers legends,

Fantasy Fanatic #70