Colin Sylvia – Melbourne ($315,000, MID/FWD, Break even: 68, price drop this season: $103,700)

This one might hurt the 12,393 who have endured his 67 average over the last five games, especially when many would’ve traded him in after he opened the season with a 125 and 112. Ouch, this one will particularly hurt those that traded him in after two games – he scored 237 points in those first two games and 335 in the five games. If you take out his 107 in that period he hasn’t scored over 70.

It’s not the most glowing preamble, but what it does mean is that right now Sylvia is ridiculous value, because he’s not as bad a player as his recent form suggests.

I’m also not going to come on here and say that’s he’s a must buy just because he’s cheap. For a start, he is easily tagged out of games, which explains a lot of his low scores this year.

Melbourne are a better team now, and this oddly seems to be negatively affecting Sylvia. Now that they’re doing better, teams need to work on shutting down their damaging players, so Sylvia is copping a bit more serious attention than he has in the past. His awesome form in his first two games probably made a few teams stand up and notice how important he can be to Melbourne if he’s up and going.

With Sylvia though, you’re definitely getting value. He’s priced at about 70, and yes, while he has scored less than 70 four times this year, I can’t see him being this horrible. Even without finding form he should still be able to average about 80 from here on in. He had a cracking pre-season until his broken jaw, so his fitness base should be fine.

For $315K it wouldn’t be a terrible roll of the dice for someone who could turn out to be a premium. Immediately Melbourne don’t have a cracking fixture, but his last month of the season is pretty favourable DT wise (Richmond, Hawthorn, Port, North) so he could be a handy asset to have at the end of the year.

Austin Wonaeamirri – Melbourne ($138,700, FWD, Break even: 7)

First two games: 47 vs. Port (W), 51 vs. Geelong (L) = 49 avg.

AFL Rd 10 - Cats v Demons

Everyone’s favourite cult figure from 2008 has remarkably strung together two consecutive games. Back then he averaged 62.5, so he wasn’t too bad as a bench option. You could probably expect similar scoring from him this year too, but the big question is whether or not his body is up to it. He has been dogged by injuries for the last 18 months. It’s great to see him back out there, but his body has proved to be pretty frail. Scoring potential and job security wise, he’s a great option…but it’s his durability that worries me.

Nathan O’Keefe – North Melbourne ($94,500, FWD, Break even: -41)

First two games: 58 vs. Bulldogs (L), 55 vs. Freo (L) = 56.5 avg.

Last week I was thinking it’ll only be a matter of time before O’Keefe loses his spot in the Roos team, considering they named Petrie, Hale and McIntosh. Petrie going down with a six week injury again might be a good thing for O’Keefe, but even if he gets picked this week he’ll have Aaron Edwards and Josh Smith breathing down his neck from the VFL. I quite liked his debut game against the Bulldogs. He generated a few shots, but couldn’t convert – it’s not like Smith will threaten him with remarkable conversion (2.7 in his nine game career) but I couldn’t recommend O’Keefe with any great enthusiasm. He’s a very good mark, but I’m not sure that he has enough to his game for him to hold onto a spot (or score particularly well) at this stage of his career.

Daniel Stewart – Port Adelaide ($89,500, FWD, Break even: -5)

First two games: 33 vs. Geelong (W), 40 vs. Richmond (L) = 36.5 avg.

Nothing to suggest he would score well or keep his spot in Port’s team. Meh.

Rhys Stanley – St.Kilda ($94,500, RUC, Break even: -5)

First two games: 44 vs. West Cost (W), 33 vs. Adelaide (W) = 38.5 avg.

He hasn’t scored that well, but Stanley isn’t going too bad so far. With Kosi half way between anonymous and literally absent, Stanley provides an athletic tall target for the Saints. I feel safer having picked up Skipper last week, because I like his job security better, but I think the Saints will persist with Stanley for a bit. For a ruck bench, you’re not exactly shooting for the stars with scoring potential, so if he can get out there and he’s on your team, it’s a win. Wouldn’t be the worst option if you missed Skipper last week.

Campbell Heath – Sydney ($94,500, BAC, Break even: -47)

First two games: 71 vs. Freo (L), 48 vs. Hawthorn (L) = 59.5 avg.

Heath was really promising in his first game and scored a lovely 71. He looked a bit more shaky in his second game and made a couple of silly decisions. He might keep his spot for a little while, but I think he’s just keeping Craig Bolton’s seat warm. If he can last that long then he’ll make a bit of cash, but if you’re a trading in a rookie at this stage you shouldn’t be looking to trade him out – you’re looking for bench coverage right now. Heath is a decent option and I’d go for him if I needed to free up some cash, but I’d be fully aware that I’m probably leaving myself exposed with back coverage.