The Big Dance is here! These last two trades could go a long way to deciding a grand final so use them wisely! Who’s on the chopping block heading into round 24? For the final time in season 2023, get your trade tips and advice for the week with with Buy, Hold, Fold!

BUY

Rory ‘Desk Pig’ Laird ($963K MID, CROM) – 118

If you don’t own, Laird has to be a high priority this week. He rolls into a juicy West Coast matchup and had 124 on them earlier this season to be a genuine captain option. Lock and load!

Tex Walker ($704K FWD, CROM) – 65

Continuing on the Crom theme… This one comes with a bit more risk, however. The fact that Crom don’t have a heap to play for and Tex is now 9 behind Curnow in the Coleman probably doesn’t help… In saying this, Crom will be steaming from the ears after the robbery of all roberries and Tex has the capacity to put 10 on them like last time! Barrass is out and McGovern is in doubt… High risk, high reward stuff!

Jack Sinclair ($896K DEF/MID) – 136

Fair to say the lad has hit a purple patch with a 5 round average of 112! He comes up against a Lions outfit he had 130 on only ten weeks ago… I don’t think they’ll put a lot of time into Sinclair and

In the Mix: Hayden Young, Nic Newman, Henry Hustwaite, Josh Dunkley.

HOLD

Clayton Oliver ($955K MID, MELB) – 66

Ouch, fair to say Finn Maginness can add Clarry to a growing list of big scalps! I don’t expect Sydney to be running with him so closely this weekend! I suspect one of the best in the business will be keen to bounce back!

Caleb Serong ($886K MID, FREO) – 86

I’ve named Caleb a hold because I think Maginness gets first crack at Brayshaw from a tagging perspective… This doesn’t mean Serong will be spared for all four quarters and we have seen Maginness play on multiple opposition guns in the same game. The hold makes sense but does come with some trepidation!

Tim Taranto ($865K MID/FWD, RICH) – 89

A 5 round average of 96 is nothing to write home about but I would implore coaches to keep the faith, He had 33 touches and 4 goals in Richmond’s R11 clash with Port! Cotch out of the picture will only help his CBA numbers.

In the Mix: James Sicily, Zach Merrett, Harry Sheezel.

FOLD

Hack Marecrae ($694K MID/FWD) – 51

Jack’s performance on the weekend was symbolic of where the Dogs are at… He has now been ruled out for this week so it’s nice to have an excuse to say sayonnara.

Andy Brayshaw ($910K MID, FREO) – 119

Yes it would appear counterintuitive to trade out one of the biggest of the boys, however, I think Bray cops the dreaded Finn Maginness tag this week! We saw what he did to Oliver last week… Good news is you can get to just about anyone.

Jack Ziebell ($653K FWD/DEF) – 88

Not quite the Kobe-like performance coaches were hoping for but plenty of nostalgia in Zeibs’ final hitout. Thanks for the memories!

In the Mix: Chompers Beveridge, Nic Maretin, LDU, Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin, Mills.

Top 5 Price Rises

• Jesse ‘Hulk’ Hogan ($617K FWD, GWS) +$71K
• George ‘Lleyton’ Hewett ($665K MID, CARL) +$61K
• Paddy Dow ($498K MID, CARL) +$59K
• Karl Amon ($835K MID, HAW) +$55K
• Nic ‘Punchable head’ Newman ($943K DEF, CARL) +$46K

Top 5 Price Drops

• Luke ‘Old’ McDonald ($571K DEF, NORF) -$63K
• Jaeger Bombs O’Meara ($580K MID, FREO) -$61K
• Sam ‘Tubbs’ Taylor ($488K DEF, GWS) -$52K
• Benny ‘The Robbed’ Keays ($636K MID/FWD, CROM) -$49K
• Brad Close ($466K FWD, PUSSIES) -$48K

Lowest Breakevens

• Jimmy ‘Simon’ O’Donnell ($280K DEF, WB) -9
• Brandon Ryan ($261K FWD, HAW) -5
• Dante ‘Exum’ Visentini ($237K FWD/RUC, PA) -2
• Bailey ‘Macca’ Macdonald ($252K DEF, HAW) -2
• Henry ‘HH’ Husthwaite ($261K MID, HAW) -2

Highest Breakevens

• Nick ‘Whisper’ Daicos ($894K DEF/MID, COLL) – 173
• Tom Liberatore ($875K MID, WB) – 150
• Clarry ‘Finn’s Bunny’ Oliver ($955K MID, MELB) – 146
• Jordan Dawson ($954K DEF/MID, CROM) – 146
• Adam Cerra ($828K MID, CARL) – 141

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

Good luck to everyone facing off in The Big Dance, except for my opposition’s uniques 😉

Cheers legends,

Fantasy Fanatic #70