First of all, I would like to salute Michael Barlow for his stellar 2010 season that ended abruptly in most unfortunate circumstances. There wouldn’t be many footy fans out there that haven’t fallen in love with his sudden rise from gun VFL on baller to one of the top midfielders in the AFL in only 14 matches. I wish him the best in his recovery and as a sign of a true DT star he reached his break even score before getting injured.

I won’t go too far into my personal philosophy, but one thing I will say is that uniqueness is a very, very minor part of the equation when you’re talking about bringing in the big boys. I’d rather back my own judgment on who is going to score the most points – total points is the key. Basically I think it’s pointless to worry too much about unique when it could work against you. Montagna is great, but the least popular of these five players…if you choose Montagna over Ablett because of uniqueness, it won’t have done you any good if Ablett outscores him (that’s just an example, I’m certainly not saying that Montagna can’t/won’t outscore Ablett).

Here is a look at the premium options to bring in for this rookie listed sensation.

Dane “The Champ” Swan – $512,100 MID, Avg: 121.64 (hasn’t missed)

I think Swan can now officially claim the title of the best DT’er in the game. Ablett has him pipped for average this year, but Swan’s durability is a huge plus in his favour. The thing I love about Swan is that he has no trouble really smashing a ton. Eight times this year he has scored 120+, in three games he has scored 100-119 and in another three games he didn’t crack a ton.

When he tons up, he is probably the best at going on with the job. He’s DT’s version of Ricky Ponting. There’s a reason why he’s the most expensive player in the game – his consistently high output this season sees him continue to go up and up in price. He’s actually below his starting price at the moment and is likely to go up this week with a break even of 117. Swan is one of those rare players where you can expect a 117 from, not just hope for.

Main DT asset: He’s hard to tag, loves the cheap stuff and in some cases opposition don’t consider his disposal damaging enough to warrant a tag.

Brendan “Everywhere” Goddard – $478,900 BAC/MID, Avg: 113.21 (hasn’t missed)

Followers of this site will know that I’m a fan of the DP system. The flexibility it allows you is fantastic, especially if you happen to receive an injury to a DP player. If you haven’t got Goddard in your backline already, don’t turn your nose at the prospect of getting him into your midfield.

He’s scored the third most amount of points this season (behind Swan and Montagna) and if you’re desperate to squeeze him into your backs, it’ll cost you a hell of a lot more money than the $24K it costs to upgrade Barlow to Goddard.

Goddard is the only player to have scored six straight 120+ games this season (not counting Ablett’s streak because he missed a game in the middle of that run) and quite possibly ever – maybe a someone with nerdier stats than I have can confirm. This is a streak he is currently enjoying. He’s had three sub 100′s this year, but all were in the first five weeks. He’s scored tons in nine straight games and St.Kilda have an incredibly soft draw in the run home (only two Top 8 teams to come).

Main DT asset: Fantastic versatility allows him to move to any part of the ground to find the ball.

Paul “Hamstring” Chapman – $459,600, FWD/MID, Avg: 118.6 (missed one game)

I’ll write a bit more on Chappy, because he’s the most intriguing case. He has been amazing for those that took the risk on him this year. His hamstring issues from past years are well documented and it’s always been enough to put me off (I have never owned Chappy). This year it’s been more painful than usual. Normally I’ve been able to sit there, watch him rack up points and smugly say “he’ll miss games.” His last full season was in 2006 and since then he has missed 6, 5 and 5 games each year.

This year he has been so dominant that even if he were to end up missing four more games (having already missed one) you could argue that you’re well up anyway, due to how badly the rest of the forwards are underperforming and how ridiculous his scoring has been (lowest score of 99).

The big call for those of us without the bald one is whether or not we’ve missed out on the best of Chappy and will simply trade him in only for him to miss his obligatory few games in the run home. One thing that does work in his favour, is that even if he gets injured you have his DP link.

Not that this should sway you, but I just want to put my scenario out there as it’s probably a common one – Rockliff is currently my 8th forward. If I got Chappy and, heaven forbid, nothing has changed, then I can sub Chappy to my forward bench, play a capable DP forward (I have ROK, Pav, Higgo, Goodes) and then put Rocky’s inevitable ton in as my 7th forward.

Best case scenario, Chappy averages more than these other four guys in the run home and you’re a massive winner. Worst case scenario (if you’re DP equipped with good forward coverage) is that Chappy spends a couple of weeks on your forward bench. I wouldn’t have the stones to take him if I didn’t have Rocky as my 8th…but now I’m seriously considering it. It would be an unfortunate estimated 20-30 point loss for each game he misses, but if any one of these other premiums misses a game you’re probably losing 50+ points with whoever you’re covering – the Catch 22 is Chappy’s higher likelihood of missing games.

Main DT asset: DP capabilities allows you to take on his injury risk.

Leigh “The Unique” Montagna – $459,900, MID, Avg: 114.57 (hasn’t missed)

Of these five, Montagna has the least love in Dream Team, in roughly 43K teams. For the most part I’d say this is because he’s simply not as big a name. For a bloke that averages 114 he does kind of fly under the radar, at least of mainstream thought. Any keen DT’er knows that Montagna is an absolute stud of the game.

Some people say he doesn’t get tagged, but I’ve watched St.Kilda live a few times and his work rate to break a tag is fantastic. A lot of sides will attack St.Kilda by stopping their outside run and Montagna is their best man for that. It’s important to stop Dal Santo’s kicking, so he attracts the most attention, but there is this belief in the wider footy community that I don’t quite subscribe to, and that is that Hayes is the second mid to stop for the Saints. He’s a gun, no doubt, but it’s harder to put a tight tag on such an inside player – that’s why I reckon more teams look to get the ball to the man he’s feeding: Montagna.

That sounds like I’m talking Monty down a bit, but remember it’s his ability to break a tag that impresses me so much. He works so hard, so when it looks like he’s picking up cheapies on the TV, he’s probably just busted his balls to get into that position. The Saints have a delicious (thanks Bruce) draw, as mentioned above with Goddard and Montagna is every shake to score the most in the run home.

Main DT asset: Easy run home and ability to break tags.

Gary “I Traded Him In Last Week WTF?!” Ablett – $456,900, MID, Avg: 121.85 (missed one game)

I feel a bit dirty turning my back on the great man after anointing Dane Swan as the new champ. Given that I traded him in last week, I’m hoping my words motivate him to push to new heights he’s never reached before. I know that he’s a regular reader of Footy Tragic.*

It’s hard to argue with form though and Ablett has been a little down by his very lofty standards. Now, don’t get me wrong, down by his lofty standards has still resulted in six straight tons and only one score below 100 this year (a 96). You’re also not likely to get him much cheaper than this either.

The risk with Ablett, like Chapman, is that he has a bit of a habit of missing games here and there to freshen up for finals. It’s not as strong a trend as Chappy, but it’s still gotta be in the back of your head.

Finally, who would’ve thought that you’d be able to SIDEWAYS trade Barlow for Ablett by Round 15 – it’s an absolutely absurd notion, but once again, thank you very much for your contribution this year, Michael Barlow.

* Blatant lie.

Main DT asset: Commands the ball. Begs for it! PLEADS FOR IT! The master of the ol’ 1-2.

Wash up: At the end of the day, I just can’t bag any of these guys and it really comes down to personal preference and who you already have anyway (you’d have to have AT LEAST two of these guys already). Everyone will have their own reasons for going to whichever way they end up going. Good luck with your choice.

And not to forget…bargain basement:

Andrew Strijk – West Coast ($77,800, BAC, Break even: -65)

I know it’s all about Barlow and the midfield this week, but it is worth noting that there is a good downgrade target in the back line this week. Strijk looks a likely type and a few weeks ago I pumped him up as someone on the horizon and sure enough he debuted that week. He’s likely to provide good depth on your bench for the rest of the season for those nervously holding the likes of Hams, Webberley or even Maguire.