One of the most fun aspects of playing draft style fantasy football is making trades. It’s not like the salary cap version where you just make them, in draft you’re haggling with league mates and trying to get the best deal and sell high, buy low – all while balancing your team for a tilt at a premiership.

If you’re new to the Draft Doctors podcast, the ‘A Dozen Deals’ article has been a staple for 2 years, where each week I write about various transactions you could make; be it a BUY, SELL, HOLD, ADD or DROP. Buy, sell and hold all relate to players who are most likely owned, and add/drop to players who may or may not be, more fringe type players. I base these suggestions on a 10 team-22 player roster, so depending on your league size and format, there may be some variation in value (which I will generally specify). The whole point of the article was to give opinions on making moves in your draft league. Did all the moves work out? Not quite. However, through the season there was a very high success rate and by and large they worked out.

So, some of you crazy cats are playing finals ALREADY! Whilst others are jostling for position heading in theirs, we’re definitely getting to the pointy end of the season. And that means making the most of the trades to set up your run towards glory. Because of the fact some people are in finals and some have passed or are approaching their trade deadline, there’s something of a focus on adds this week.

ADD – KADE KOLODJASHNIJ (D) – So, I’m kinda scared by KK, it’s just been such a bumpy ride with the concussion, but big numbers are big numbers and it’s fair to say KK had a banger in the NEAFL last week. I would imagine the Suns want him in the side to finish the season strong, but that’s not a guarantee! 74% ownership in UF, worth a flyer.

ADD – PEARCE HANLEY (D) – Training with the main group, apparently a fortnight-ish away. Worth a flyer, free in virtually all leagues.

SELL – JEREMY CAMERON (F) – When he returns he does face a good matchup, before tough ones in the final 3 matches. I’d be trying to sell him to a team locked into the finals, tell them he’s not injured, still a gun, GWS are winning, all that stuff. Just know he’s missing and has some bad matchups!

DROP – BEN AINSWORTH (F) – Less centre square time for the gun, and has dropped his numbers as a result. Hopefully you managed to pick up Lyons cheap a few weeks ago when I mentioned him. That’s the trade-off.

ADD – KYLE LANGFORD (M/F) – Getting good mid time and averaging 87 DT over the last month. Could do a lot worse in your forward line. Is available in a lot of leagues.

ADD – CAM GUTHRIE (M) – If you’re in an AFL Fantasy league, I’d be stashing him and hoping he gets D status in the next batch of DPP changes, right when finals start! UF’s final changes happen this week (if they remember) and there’s probably not enough data to get the switch there. Could just be a decent depth mid in deeper leagues also.

ADD – HAYDEN CROZIER (D/F) – Stunningly only 74% owned on UF, Crozier has been very good in his role across half back for the Dogs with Suckling missing. Now it’s being reported that Suckling will miss a month with his troublesome achilles injury, despite being a late out on the weekend. Grab Crozier and fill a hole.

ADD – JARROD BERRY (M) – Worth a flyer as an M7/M8 if you can’t get a trade done for a better mid. Don’t mind for SC especially.

ADD – JACK TRENGOVE (M) – Same situation as Berry, although playing on the outside makes him a better DT format pickup. Port have got some matches coming up that they should be able to control, so it makes sense.

BUY – LACHIE HUNTER (M) – I think Hunter is an interesting buy, mostly because of schedule. His last 3 games haven’t been as lit as his start, so he might be someone the Hunter owner is willing to part with. Hunter’s DT splits between wins and losses is stark – 115 in wins, 90 in losses. Now, I’m not saying the Dogs are locks to win any matches, but they do play St Kilda, North and Carlton from round 20 through to 22. All these matches are under the lid in Melbourne. Not the SC star he is in DT, but he could be a cheaper add than he was earlier in the year. Also, given he’s not a monster name, he’s someone you could pick up.

SELL – TIM TARANTO (F) – Taranto was a great pick up through the first half of the season, but things have slowly declined as the health of the GWS mids improved. Over the last 6 matches, Taranto has averaged only 76 DT and 74 SC, which is around 10 points lower than his season long averages. His tackle numbers are still good and he’s still finding a bit the ball (though not as much), but he isn’t taking any marks and his kick to handball ratio has swung to the negative. This isn’t to be critical, he’s having a great second season and will no doubt be a fantasy star of the future, but for redraft it could be a good time to cash in.

HOLD – NAT FYFE (M) – We have no idea what’s going on at the moment. It could be severe, it could be mild. If you’re getting nervous and have a decent offer, I’m ok with you selling, especially if you need to keep banking wins to make the finals. If you’re looking set, your team is probably strong, I’d be holding tight. Yes, it’s a gamble that could backfire, but Fyfe is a gamechanger, I’m not getting lowballed by anyone if I’m looking ok.

Good luck in your deals and matchups – especially those of you in finals!