I'm pretty confident in my own numbers but wouldn't mind a 2nd opinion and figure a few are in the same scenario...
What's the reasonable return needed from a NicNat/Darcy type for a trade of Grundy to be worth it assuming Grundy is out for the 2 games as expected?
Cheers as always mate, love your work
It's one of those questions, that at first glance seems simple enough, but when you start to think of the possibilities, it becomes quite complicated.
As always, with complicated questions, it comes down to what your goals are, and how you are placed.
The year Impromptu won SC he traded Sandilands around his bye. Out for his bye, and back in again. 98% of the time a very wasteful move, but it's quite possible, it was a big factor in him winning!
It's also one of those ironic situations, where someone travelling (really, really) well, can call the move a success, with a smaller return, than someone travelling moderately well. Or put in other words, potentially a 130 point injection is worth more to someone at the pointy end, and carrying sufficent trades, than 170 points might mean to someone ranked 10,000th.
So let's look at some simple scenarios, even though it won't cover everyone's perspective.
If you are currently looking at multiple donuts, exacerbated by Grundy missing until Rnd 15+, then using Grundy to NicNat has the potential yield 250 points (110 v Carl, bye, 140 v Rich). For most people, that would be a happy result. Once again, depending on position/goals 200 points might be the Mendoza Line in this situation.
You might elect to trade Grundy to Reeves (+$503,800) or CCJ (+$466,500) and hopefully get 2 scores from them, and potentially get TWO upgrades from the loose change! How do we make an equation to decide what you need from that scenario? It's almost impossible. You might potential be replacing Grundy 125, Rookie A 60, Rookie B 60 with Rookie C 70, Prem D 110, Prem E 100. So replacing 245 points with 280 points, which hopefully gets you 420 points by seasons end. That's 140 points/trade. Good short term fix, but once again, depending on your position, a poor long term result for 3 trades. You probably want closer to 600 points, which means a net return of around 50/week. If you can get to the 110 and 100 point Prems by trading out current 40-45 point Rookies, then you'll turn it into a success. The problem is, will you have enough cash to do that? Probably not!
If you are well placed, and depending on selections, not looking at donuts, then bringing in a NicNat pushes your worst Rookie off the field, and gives you NicNat. Lets call that a (110 + 140) - (40 + 40) = 170 point win. Line ball call. A great success, if you are playing for Leagues, and it grabs you an important win or two. Probably a good success if you are at the pointy end, and you want to keep in touch over the byes. A slightly disappointing result, if you are placed 10,000th, and want to make a late run at the top 2,000. You probably want more than 170 from a Round 12 trade, if you are to achieve that. A poor result, if you lose your League games anyway, and you burnt a very valuable trade, better used in the finals.
The other problem, in determining whether this can be successful or not, is
whether you intend to trade Grundy back in. His current BE is 162. If he is still a bit hampered when he comes back, and scores around 100 against Freo in Rnd 15, then he drops $27k, and faces a new BE of around 180 against St Kilda. While this is a component of the success of the move, there are too many possibilities to list here, as to what is required for success or not.
For those contemplating trading Grundy down to a Rookie, it should be noted, that both Reeves and CCJ have exceptionally fortuitous Draws for such a move!
Reeves: bye, Syd, Ess
CCJ: Ess, bye, WC.
Ess are giving up more 110+ Ruck scores than anyone other team this season, and Syd are in the top 3 in the same catagory. Reeves in particular, looks to have the potential to post 2 good Rookie scores over the byes!
Summary.
Pointy end, I'd do it.
Potential close match ups, in your most important League, I'd do it.
Not looking at multiple donuts, and your Ranking isn't that great, I'd take the risk and pass, and see what happens.
Looking at multiple donuts, and already have a poorish Ranking? Get a coin out!