Keep

With many singing the Sydney Swans' premiership praises, the fantasy performance of Adam Goodes [FWD, $461,800] went largely unnoticed.

As the Swans dug the boots in against Adelaide, Goodes managed just 46 points in an unsatisfactory effort.

But, after the bye this week, the Swans star should be ready to attack the second half of the season with vigour.

Stick by Goodes and watch him deliver.

Trade

Upgrade time.

Gold Coast's young gun Jaeger O'Meara [MID, $403,300] is still doing enough to keep his place in fantasy sides, but he's at that tempting price where you can cash in and upgrade to a genuine fantasy star.

If you have some extra cash lying around, Richmond's Trent Cotchin [MID, $442,700] looms as a viable option.

Luke Hodge [MID, $417,700] is another who should come in to the selection frame.

Invest

The trusty and consistent Dane Swan [MID, $525,800] was again at his fantasy best, amassing 39 touches and 130 points in a standout game against Melbourne.

The Pies midfielder scored exactly 130 the previous week against the Brisbane Lions and backed it up on Monday.

After a couple of 'off' weeks, Swan has shown he demands a spot in your side.

He is a proven fantasy beast.

New kid on the block

Following his so called 'debut of the decade', Tom Mitchell [MID, $108,500] backed up with a second AFL game to savior.

Mitchell was featured in this column last week, and even though his team has the bye, there's nothing stopping you from resting him on your bench before he returns.

His stat line was extremely impressive and the perfect formula for racking up big fantasy points: 31 possessions and 10 tackles. That all amounted to 144 points, in just his second game in the League.

The kid has some career ahead of him.

That hurts

Shane Mumford [RUC, $339,100] has been a disappointment in fantasy this season, averaging just 67 points from 10 games.

Mumford will be out for three to four weeks with a broken jaw, so – to coincide with the bye – his absence is a convenient excuse to give him the flick out of your side.

Matthew Kreuzer [RUC, $385,200] and Ivan Maric [RUC, $363,200] appeal as possible replacements.

Surprise Packet

Flying under the radar has been Gold Coast ruckman Tom Nicholls [RUC, $108,500].

Nicholls has scored 76 and 113 points in his previous two games and, with a season-ending injury to Zac Smith, looks likely to hold his spot.

The 21-year-old doesn't have a lot of fanfare, but he'll be a handy acquisition if he can keep this sort of form going.

The Last Word

The dreaded bye rounds are here, but this season AFL Fantasy coaches will have the luxury of operating under an improved and fairer system.

During the bye rounds (rounds 11,12,13), you will score points only for your top 18 from your selected on-field starting 22.

That means you need to ensure your best players are still on the ground and in your starting line-up.