The Phantom’s Trade Talk: What to do with missing forward-line stars?

SUPERCOACH forward lines were decimated by injury and suspension last week and it doesn’t look like things will be much better in Round 7. The Phantom gives you his verdict on who you should you hold and who you should fold. RECAP LIVE CHAT

The Phantom's Round 6 Trade Talk

SuperCoach forward lines were decimated by injury and suspension last week and, at this early stage of the week, it doesn’t look like things will be much better in Round 7. The Phantom gives you his verdict on who you should you hold and who you should fold.

FORWARD-LINE TROUBLE

Lance Franklin (Syd)

Franklin has been battling a bruised heel since Round 1 and, while the superstar forward played through the injury, he struggled to train at all in between the games. While it is a concern, Franklin is listed as only 1-2 weeks away from returning so it’s not a long-term one.

VERDICT: Hold.

Michael Walters (Freo)

After a bright start in the Western Derby, the star Docker left the field in the first term with a knee injury. After the initial prognosis was more than a month on the sidelines, the club has confirmed they are now only expecting Walters to miss 2-3 weeks.

VERDICT: It’s right on the edge. Given there is a chance he only misses two, hold, if you can. Of course, if you are stuck with a number of other forward-line issues, Walters could be one of the first to go.

The signs aren’t good for Giant Toby Greene.

Toby Greene (GWS)

“He’s got a stress reaction in one of the bones in his mid-foot, the exact extent of which is still being determined,” GIANTS Head of Athletic Performance David Joyce said in the club’s weekly injury update.

That sounds like trouble to me.

VERDICT: Trade, unless there is positive news in the coming days.

Christian Petracca (Melb)

We can’t be angry at Petracca for missing last week’s clash with the Bombers with the 22-year-old revealing he would’ve risked having his finger amputated if he played in Round 6. Petracca wants to play this weekend but, given he spent five days in hospital and was only discharged on Tuesday, it’s looking unlikely.

VERDICT: Hold. If he doesn’t play this week, he’ll definitely be back in Round 8. And surely you have bigger problems to deal with.

Brett Deledio (GWS)

If you haven’t heard, Deledio will miss this weekend’s clash with the Cats with hamstring soreness. His form has been great, no doubt, but The Phantom isn’t surprised.

VERDICT: You got yourself into this mess so hold.

In positive news at the Giants, SuperCoach cash cow Zac Langdon is a chance to play on Friday night after the injury scare in Round 6.

DOWNGRADE OF THE WEEK

Thomas Cole (WC) $170,400 def

Scores: 67, 98

While he’s priced at the top-end of the rookie bracket, Cole’s scoring potential and seemingly strong job security have him sitting clear at the top of The Phantom’s downgrade options ahead of Round 7. The 20-year-old, who played six games prior to this season, hit the target with 18 of his 19 disposals in Round 5 before laying a game-high 10 tackles in Round 6, highlighting his multiple avenues of scoring.

It’s tough to say but The Phantom is considering the Riley Bonner, who lost $6k off his price tag at the weekend and faces a breakeven of 70 in Round 7, to Cole Trade. So, if you didn’t cash in with David Mirra last week, this could be your move.

THE BARGAIN UPGRADE

Zach Merrett (Ess) $506,100

Three-round average: 111, Breakeven: 75

Although his price increased by almost $20k after a third consecutive SuperCoach ton, the Bomber midfielder is still a bargain at this week’s price. And we can now be sure of his form. While he may not be as appealing as some of the other in-form SuperCoach midfielders at the moment, don’t forget Merrett did average 109 in 2017 and 111 in 2016. It’s all about the value here.

THE LOOMING BARGAIN

Matt Crouch (Adel) $561,300

Average: 85, Breakeven: 182

The All-Australian midfielder wasted little time in his return from a hamstring injury, tallying 30 disposals and 100 points against the Suns. Crouch faded as the game went on but that was to be expected given his three-week stint on the sidelines. The ball manget, who averaged 111 points per game last season, could be available for less than $550k in the coming weeks and should be firmly in your upgrade plans.

THE DANGER TRADE

Patrick Dangerfield will be back, have no doubt about that.

But, if you are one of the SuperCoaches who doesn’t own him, hold off another week, given his 151-point breakeven and some of the uncertainty surrounding his role and maybe his body.