View Darwin Jabiru’s Team
Round 13 Score: 2,182
Current Overall Ranking: 8,054
Trades Left: 6
Remaining Salary Cap: $77,600

Dear Darwin Jabiru’s,

Thank you for submitting your team. With only six trades remaining up your sleeve and the inevitable injuries and “restings” over the final nine rounds of the season, you must use your remaining trades wisely.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Paul Bower of the Blues does pushups during a Carlton FC AFL training session held at Visy Park November 13, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

My main concern with your team is Paul Bower from Carlton, the biggest DT tease in 2010. I rate Bower as a quality AFL player and I enjoy watching him play. His ability to shut down his opponent and then provide attacking run when the Blues get hold of the footy is brilliant and I believe he is one of Carlton’s most important players when fully fit. I also think he could be a very handy DT selection in 2011, as he has shown his scoring capacity in the few games he has played this year with an average of 95 points per game. The problem is Bower’s chronic quad injuries (both left and right quads) which have restricted him to just three AFL games thus far this year, in Rounds 1, 6 and 13. Bower will be missing once again in tonight’s match against the Brisbane Lions due to “soreness”. The term “soreness” concerns me greatly, particularly after a week’s break due to the split round. His body has let him down badly this year and many DT’s have shared his pain. I believe that it is now time to bite the bullet and cut your losses with Bower.

I also believe the timing is right to offload Ben Howlett from Essendon. Howlett has risen in price by $171,000 this year, but he has poor job security. Coach Matthew Knights obviously doesn’t have Howlett in his DT, because he has dropped him twice this year after solid scores (63 points in Round 2 and 61 points in Round 11). Check the teams at 5pm tonight before pulling the trigger.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS THIS WEEK:

OUT: Paul Bower $330,500 and Ben Howlett $249,100

IN: Brendon Goddard $479,000 and Koby Stevens $89,500.

Goddard is a must have defender, along with Luke Hodge so I won’t waste time explaining my reasons for recommending Goddard.

Koby Stevens was selected by the West Coast Eagles with selection number 23 in the 2009 National Draft. Stevens is a tough inside midfielder and he was captain of the Gippsland Power in the TAC cup last year. Stevens is a very good size for a first year player (187cms, 83kgs) and he is a strong tackler. Stevens made his debut for the Eagles in Round 13, scoring 46 points against the Western Bulldogs. I expect Stevens to be given plenty of opportunities over the remaining nine rounds, as the Eagles start preparing for 2011 and beyond.

In answer to your previous questions about Eddie Betts and Cyril Rioli, my recommendation is to keep them. Your remaining four trades should be used to cover injuries.

Good luck!