Three rounds into season proper and Toyota AFL Dream Team is in full swing, so this week westernbulldogs.com.au takes a look at who is providing the best value per dollar spent.
First out of the ranks is draftee Clay Smith ($149,100) who averages 1 point for every $2,571 of his worth.
Playing every round so far this season, Smith’s price has already increased by $41,400 after scoring a total of 174 points in 2012.
The 18 year old looks to have the support of Coach Brendan McCartney for his love of the contest and is likely to get a number of games under his belt as the year continues.
Last week saw versatile key position Ayce Cordy getting his first call-up in 2012 scoring a solid 60 DT points.
While injury has prevented Cordy ($178,100) in previous seasons from making an impact at senior level, his solid preseason campaign and VFL form indicates he will be pressing for senior selection consistently this year.
His first DT score for the year sees him earning one point per $2,968 and indicates he is one to watch as the season progresses.
Ryan Hargrave’s injury ravaged 2011 saw his price drop to $232,490 for the opening Dream Team rounds but his efforts so far have seen his price increase by $34,200 (up to $266,900).
Averaging 79.67 points per round, Hargrave is earning Dream Team Coaches one point for every $3,350 that they spend, putting him in the top 50 in the AFL.
Hard-nut Liam Picken is making a name for himself for his ability to shut his opposition player out of the contest but he is also emerging as a more valuable Dream Team player this season with a higher tally than ever before.
His Dream Team stats have lifted this season, collecting 246 points so far, and earning Dream Team coaches value for money with a point for every $4,066 spent.
Brian Lake ($266,100) is emerging as another cost effective stalwart with Dream Team coaches spending $4,073 per point from his output.
His price tag has also increased by almost $11,000 so far this year and will be a valuable asset for those who selected him early.
Continuing to impress this year is Luke Dahlhaus ($327,100) who is also proving to be value for money in the Bulldogs line-up averaging 79.33 Dream Team points in only his second season.
His solid scores see him earning a DT point for every $4,123 of his price tag.
If Matthew Boyd’s consistently high scores were not enough to secure his selection then perhaps the fact that coaches earn a Dream Team point for every $4,471 of his of his price tag will help justify his worth.
Currently ranked 2nd in the AFL for total Dream Team points Boyd ($576,800) should be a lock-in for serious coaches with an average of 129 points a round.
