Lone Scout: Psst... here's who to trade!

Okay, how’d you do? Are you rolling in it? Did you astutely buy players who have now made you plenty of cash, giving you the chance to make some big trades this week and pick up some bargains? <br><br>Personally, I made up over $200K, which is fine… but would have liked to have done better. According to feedback on our Facebook page, some of you have made over $300K with money already in the bank – but it could all count for naught if you don’t trade wisely. <br><br>The big moneymakers (over $20K rise) ended up being Shaun Fensom ($+61,600), Matt Gillett ($+38,100), Sam Burgess ($+37,500), Ryan Hinchcliffe ($+35,700), Aaron Heremaia ($+28,800), Mark Flanagan ($+28,100), Aiden Guerra ($+25,000), Cory Paterson ($+23,800), Mitchell Aubusson ($+21,200), James Maloney ($+21,200) and Scott Prince ($+20,300).<br><br>Now if you have these guys, or any one else who has made you some decent cash, you have to decide whether to cash in now and trade, or decide whether they’ll continue to earn cash and points, in which case you can keep them. From the list above, for example, there are some guys screaming: “Trade now!”<br><br>Ryan Hinchcliffe is the main guy you want to think about trading. After the opening three weeks starting at hooker while Cooper Cronk was out, Hinchcliffe now returns to the bench for Cameron Smith to go back to hooker. I’m telling you, if you don’t trade now you WILL NOT get value for money, as he will score less than his average 41 points this week, guaranteed. Obviously, this will see his rolling average start to dip. <br><br>Another in the list worth trading is Scott Prince. He has made you money, but is now out injured for an extended time frame. Sure, he will eventually be back – but you can bank the cash and there is a deal waiting for you to pick up you can’t afford to miss. <br><br>Daniel Crawford (g’day Dan) asked on Facebook whether trading in Manly half Trent Hodkinson for Prince would be a good deal – my oath it is! By next week you will have made $50K from Hodkinson and you could possibly sell him for $250K or more if you want to buy Prince back in five or six weeks. You get a scoring player AND you could profit by up to $150K in the process. If you are in this situation I suggest you act before lockout. <br><br>Now, if you are looking to make some trades off your newly made cash, the bargains are out there! Several big name stars have had slow starts to the year, dropped in price, and now represent potential value.<br>&nbsp;<br>For starters Anthony Watmough ($-32,200) and Greg Inglis ($-26,000) are the biggest price-drop players. Both have been well below average – but how long do you think it will be before they step it back up a notch? Inglis has been super quiet (some have even labeled him “fat” this week) but with a massive match against the Dragons coming it is conceivable he could come out and have a blinder. Is now the time to get him, or will his slump continue a little longer? Decisions, decisions… <br><br>Watmough is another big name in a form slump. He managed only eight points last week despite playing 71 minutes. As Manly start to build, he may just lift again – although it appears he is missing Matt Orford more than any of his team-mates. <br><br>Other big name drops with potential as bargains are:<br><br>Jarrod Mullen – down $23,700 in value Mullen has been challenged by Andrew Johns to take more responsibility for the Knights. Will the legend’s rally call hit home?<br><br>Robbie Farah – down $21,400. Farah always scores highly and is one hooker you should seriously consider if you can afford him.<br><br>Greg Bird – down $20,800. Bird has had a slow start to his reintroduction to the NRL but with Prince out and more game time, his numbers will surely improve.<br><br>Ben Hannant – down $18,800. Hannant was a staple in last season’s Dream Team. Sure, the news about his future might be having an effect but with the Bulldogs lifting their game, Hannant is likely to go up a gear.<br><br>Nathan Hindmarsh – down $17,300. Hindmarsh tends to start seasons slow but lifts as the year goes on. The only question mark is just how much his bad wrist is affecting him.<br><br>Paul Gallen – down $15,700. The Sharks’ firebrand is doing his best to carry his side. It’s likely he’ll average more than 40 points all year so he represents reasonable value after the price drop. <br><br>Micheal Luck – down $13,200. Luck is another 40+ average player who won’t let you down. Plus, he’ll take on more responsibility as stand-in captain in Simon Mannering’s absence.<br><br>Cameron Smith – down $11,800. Smith now returns to hooker – will this increase or decrease his averages? He’ll kick a little less, but tackle a lot more.<br><br>Michael Jennings – down $13,500. Jennings has been presented a challenge for his representative jerseys and may well respond. With coach Matt Elliott making it clear they want to get him more ball he is a potential, although risky, good buy.<br><br>Okay, so plenty of food for thought there.<br><br>Now, remember: head-to-head starts this week, so check your league’s draw to see just who you are up against and then hit the coach’s box forum to talk up your chances. I know many of you have drafted me into your leagues and let me tell you, I won’t be taking it easy on you! This weekend’s games shape up nicely, starting with a cracker in Melbourne Friday. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait.<br><br>Have a great Easter!<br>Lone Scout