Bolton 50-50 For Pies

Sydney Swans defender Craig Bolton is rated a 50-50 chance to face Collingwood on Saturday week due to a knee strain.

Bolton twisted his knee on the weekend against Hawthorn and scans have revealed he has a slight medial ligament strain putting him in doubt for game on June 20.

Around about 7,500 DT coaches have Bolton ($268k) in their team and that injury news is a concern for them, especially considering the Swans play in the second-half of the always-tricky split round.

In other injury news from the SCG, $182k midfielder Jared Crouch seems to be over a knee knock and should be fit to take on the Pies, while veteran Leo Barry reportedly is a little behind schedule with his recovery from a pre-season knee injury with Swans coach Paul Roos admitting he wasn't sure when the $268k defender would be back.

Roos also revealed high-priced young forward Patrick Veszpremi could make his 2009 debut in Round 13 against Adelaide although the Swans coach said it was more likely he'd play the week after against the Kangas.

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Richo Hopeful For Round 19

2008's DreamTeam must-have Matthew Richardson has told the media he's hoping to return to AFL footy for Round 19.

The $375k midfield/forward, started the season off in fine style with four +100 scores before being decked by a hamstring tendon injury in Round 6.

"I reckon I'm ahead of schedule with my rehab. Realistically, if I got a month of football in at the end of the year, that would be a pretty good case," said Richardson.

Despite being out injured for so long, almost 20,000 DT coaches still have big 'Richo' on board, so positive news of his rehab will be welcome for many.

Also, as reported here earlier today, it has been confirmed the Tigers will give a senior AFL debut to youngster Tyrone Vickery this weekend. Vickery, Richmond's first pick in the 2008 AFL Draft, is a ruckman priced at $122k.

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Around The Grounds

• Bulldogs forward Rob Murphy will fly with his team to Darwin for Saturday's match against Port where he should return from a three-game absence from a hamstring injury. "At this stage Murphy and [Scott] Welsh will play and we'll take a 23rd [player], but we're pretty confident they'll be right," said Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade. Welsh returns from suspension.
  

• Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop has overcome an ankle injury and will also be making the trip to the Top End after two weeks out. Power teammate Alipate Carlile missed training on Wednesday due to a cold, but is expected to play. There continues to be whispers that the Brisbane Lions' popular DT defender Daniel Merrett could be a chance for an early return from an ankle injury this weekend. Lions teammate Joel Macdonald told afl.com.au, "Merrett could be a chance.” Brisbane play Hawthorn on Sunday.
  

• The Carlton match committee have revealed they'll consider Richard Hadley, Chris Yarran, Greg Bentley and Adam Hartlett for this weekend's match against St Kilda after all had enjoyed good VFL form recently.
  

• Western Bulldogs backman Tom Williams is still battling a foot injury and is a few weeks away from a return. Eade revealed about the $169k defender, "He's improved but he's still a couple of weeks away."

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Brown Should Be OK

Collingwood's doctors expect popular DreamTeam defender Nathan Brown to be fit to play Sydney in the latter-half of the split round despite jarring his knee on Monday.

Brown had scans on his knee after injuring it in Monday's win over Melbourne, and the results were positive revealing no structural damage.

The Magpies defender has played every game this season for the Pies and has many DT admirers with around 18,000 DT coaches enjoying his services at the reasonable price of $155k.

Collingwood revealed they expect Brown to be okay to take on the Swans on June 20, although they weren't 100 percent confident.

"Our docs are fairly confident that with the week off he should be right for selection for the Swans game,” Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

In more injury news for the Magpies, young midfielder John McCarthy injured his hamstring on the weekend in the VFL and will be out of action for several weeks.

“It’s only a slight strain but it’s certainly bad enough to keep him out for probably a couple of weeks,” Walsh said.

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Around The Grounds

• Essendon are claiming injured defensive pair Dustin Fletcher and Michael Hurley could return for the club's next fixture on June 19 in the second-half of the split round. Bombers assistant Scott Camporeale revealed to The Age, "We'll get a couple of defenders back in 'Fletch' and possibly Michael Hurley after the break." Hurley in particular, is of interest for DT coaches (over 15,000 still have him) after he injured his wrist early this season after a decent Round 1 score of 69.
  

• The Australian reports Kangaroos midfielder Daniel Wells is likely to miss out this weekend due to a hip injury he aggravated against St Kilda on Saturday. It also claims Lachie Hansen will play against Adelaide on Sunday after being out since Round 5 with a hamstring injury.

• The Australian claims Richmond will give a debut to DT ruck/forward Tyrone Vickery this weekend against the Eagles. Vickery was the 8th pick in the last AFL Draft and is valued at $122k, with around 14,500 DT coaches owning him.

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Harvey Set For Early Return?

According to the Herald Sun North Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey could be ready for an early return from his elbow injury which has sidelined him since Round 5.

Harvey, who is a DreamTeam midfielder and forward, told the Herald Sun he believes he could be fit to return straight after the split round.

"I've got to see my surgeon next week and nut a few things out. If the surgeon gives me the all-clear, it would certainly be the Bulldogs game (June 28). And that depends what the coach wants to do, whether I play with Werribee (in the VFL) or come straight back," Harvey said.

"I reckon I've probably gained a week by doing all the little things to help aid the recovery," he added.

Harvey, who underwent surgery on his dislocated elbow, had been expected to return in Round 15.

Just under 10,000 loyal DT coaches still have Harvey on their books and news of an early return will be music to their ears.

Meanwhile, Harvey's Kangas midfield teammate Sam Power told the Herald Sun he was confident of playing this weekend after being concussed on the weekend by St Kilda's Steven King.

Power said, "I've got to get through training and I'll be monitored by doctors, but we don't play until Sunday which gives me extra time. I'm pretty confident I'll play."

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DT Round 11 Movers & Shakers

We'll go through all this chronologically starting with Friday night's Richmond-Bulldogs clash and going through up until Monday's Melbourne-Collingwood game.

For the Western Bulldogs, 2008 Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney's value continues to improve after a score of 111. Cooney is now at $350k having been as low at $323k a few weeks ago, so if you wanted to buy him, you may have missed your chance.

Also for the Bulldogs, forward Daniel Giansiracusa is in the same boat as Cooney with his third price increase in a row taking him up to $372k with a score of 99. Young midfielder Callan Ward is still reasonably good value despite a $25k increase, at $245k.

For Richmond, if you're in the market for a quality backman or forward, then Joel Bowden and Brett Deledio could be good pickups after both dropped in value. Bowden's at $352k following a 118, while Deledio drops to $364k following a poor 56.

On the other hand, you may have missed the chance for a cheap pickup in Mark Coughlan as his value soars again up to $294k, while if you've still got Alex Rance you probably should've sold him already after his price dropped $13k to $186k after a weak 40.

For St Kilda, defender Brendon Goddard will be worth a look over the next few weeks after a weak score of 46 sees his value drop almost $20k. Goddard's price should slide for a week or two following that, and while he's a bit expensive at $415k at the moment, he might be affordable soon.

Saints teammates Nick Riewoldt (120) and Lenny Hayes (114) also have slight price drops, but both are still rather expensive, although definitely good pickups if you've got the cash to splash.

For North Melbourne, backman Nathan Grima is worth noting after he played his third game, his value soared up $48k to $135k with a score of 85. If you've got him already that's great, but I'm not so sure he'd be a great pickup now. Beyond that there isn't alot happening with the Kangaroos.

For Carlton, star midfielders Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Kade Simpson all see their value drop with the latter the most significant decrease.

Also, Brendon Fevola soars to $343k with a $37k increase from his mammoth score of 136, while young forward Jeff Garlett is up $20k to $165k.

For the Brisbane Lions, inconsistent forward Jonathon Brown goes up to $324k with his 126, while Daniel Rich becomes out-of-reach for potential purchasers moving just shy of $300k meaning it's a whopping $172k aggregate increase for those who had him early in the season.

Also for the Lions, Josh Drummond score remains level after a donut, while forward Lachie Henderson sees his value go up $23k to $162k after his 3rd game.

For Port Adelaide, Steven Salopek's slide continues, down again to $312k although considering he had such a great start to the season, he could be worth a punt when his form returns.

Fellow midfielder Travis Boak is out for at least a month after picking up a knee injury midmatch against the Dockers but being Port's 2nd top scorer this season, he could be good value when he returns at $358k.

For Fremantle, it's all about the rookies with defender Greg Broughton soaring up $46k to $182k, while Stephen Hill's value slides for the third week in a row and it's definitely time to trade him as he's now $227k.

Dockers youngsters Michael Walters (70) and Clancee Pearce (68) will attract interest, with DT coaches hoping they can emulate someone like Matthew De Boer, who's up to $139k with $22k rise from the weekend.

For Adelaide, Simon Goodwin could be good-value when he returns from a knee injury after he scored just 47 on the weekend, dropping his value down to $336k.

Another Crows' veteran, Andrew McLeod, is down to $252k after a score of 67, but that really represents great value considering what the two-time Norm Smith medallist is capable of.

For Essendon, Scott Lucas's return of 113 on the weekend will please loyal DT coaches as his value soars $18k to $283k.

Mark McVeigh's slow return from injury sees his value drop again, down an incredible $50k to $346k, so he could be good value soon, while Brent Prismall made a good Bombers debut but at $368k he's priced too high. Young defender Cale Hooker moves above $200k mark and into 'sell-territory' with a solid 63.

For Hawthorn, if you haven't already got midfielder Beau Muston, you may have missed the boat after he posted just 40 this weekend. Still his score soared up $75k to $162k and that's a great profit for any DT coach.

Also for the Hawks, defender Luke Hodge is down $22k at $307k which is outstanding value, along with Lance Franklin who's still hovering around the $300k mark. Also look out for midfielder Liam Shiels who could burst his bubble and play his third game next week after scores of 70 and 40 to start off with.

For Sydney, Adam Goodes and Ryan O'Keefe are in great form both soaring towards the $400k mark which will delight loyal DT coaches.

On the other hand, Nick Malceski's horrendous slide continues after a woeful score of 11 saw him fall to $217k. Malceski has dropped a total $81k this season, meaning bad bad value.

For Geelong, Paul Chapman is going to be good value soon, despite posting 105 on the weekend, as he slides down $29k this round to $416k overall. Also look out for something similar from forward Steve Johnson ($425k) in the next few weeks after he scored just 62 against the Eagles.

Staying with the Cats, exciting youngster Nathan Djerrkura has played 2 games and ready to burst the bubble. Djerrkura is a midfielder priced at $86k.

For West Coast, young midfielder Tom Swift is another ready to break the bubble and he probably looks the best of all the '2-gamers'. Swift is at $86k at the moment and likely to get a game next week with the struggling Eagles.

Matt Priddis copped a big drop of $26k on the weekend following an 88 and it may be worth noting his progress in the next few weeks if you're after a bargain. Also, forward Mitch Brown soars above the $200k mark up to $12k with a strong score of 66 on the weekend, which poses the question, 'is it time to sell?'

For Collingwood, Heath Shaw produced his best game of the season to score 116 and go up $14k to $346k which represents okay value for the fairly-popular defender.

Dane Swan's value continues to go through the roof after a score of 133. Swan is up $35k to $496k. Even if he's not really affordable, it'll be interesting to see if he cracks the $500k mark. Also for the Pies, Alan Didak's value is sliding despite a good score of 127 and youngster Steele Sidebottom's value is soaring which is good news if you've got him.

For Melbourne, everyone might be talking about one Demon called Jack, but it's defender Jack Grimes who's stealing the DT show with another increase of $6k moving him up to 'sell-territory' at $259k.

Rookie Jack Watts posted 24 against the Pies and you might want to wait and see how he goes in his second match before jumping on or off with him, although it's a worrying start for the loyal 15,000 DT coaches who've held him all season at $150k. Also good news if you've got Kyle Cheney as he's on the move, up $30k this weekend.

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DreamTeam Update: Tribunal

Over 43,000 DreamTeam coaches can breathe a big sigh of relief today after Essendon bigman Patty Ryder got off his rough conduct charge.

The news means Ryder is free to play Melbourne at the Docklands in the Bombers' next AFL match on June 19.

By challenging the AFL match review panel's one-match ban on Ryder, Essendon risked the bigman copping a two-match suspension.

But it all worked out for the Bombers, and rightfully so as the offence seemed like a fairly legitimate shepherd.

Ryder, valued at $335k, is Essendon's 5th highest scoring DT player this season.

Elsewhere, Toby Thurstans couldn't get off his charge of contact with an umpire, meaning he'll pay a hefty fine. Thurstans is, of course, free to play this weekend.

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