Jack Steven and Devon Smith are two popular picks up front this year and given their potential, rightly so.
Jack Steven ($361.7k) had a 2019 he would like to forget as a battle with demons took a mental toll on him. Affecting his output, Steven just managed the seven games at an average of 74. His ball winning ability is undeniable though and has averaged between 23.1 and 27.9 disposals per game between 2013-2018. Over this time, he averaged 98.5 SuperCoach points a game, with included a premium midfielder season of 110 points over 22 games back in 20113 – so given his potential, $360k and listed as a forward could be a huge steal. Now down at the Cattery, with the support of Danger, Duncan, Jelwood and the likes, we hope that with a change in scenery ans support he can get some of his former life back and if that translates to becoming a premium footballer again, fantastic! There was news last week that sounded like he was just injured, but media at it click-baity best left out the part he was actually about to return back to full training.
Devon Smith ($335.8k) like the former, also had a rather unforgettable 2019 as he just couldn’t get his body right and injured himself in Rd4 before going down again in Rd8 to finish the season with a SuperCoach average of 68.7 from seven games. After 6 seasons with GWS fighting for a half forward spot, he moved to Essendon at the end of 2018 in efforts to get more midfield time. As he requested, this was the case and in his first season with the Bombers saw 22 games at 97.9 points, mainly driven from the monumental amount of tackles he would lay hitting double figure tackles on eight separate occasions. With a full pre-season behind him now, if he can get his body right he too, will be a steal. Word of warning – his role did look to have a slight change at the start of the season.
If both of these players get through the rest of the season unscathed and have favourable roles, which one are you set to start?
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Sorry Hutta! Great minds…
For the record, I’m passing on both. Can’t see either being top 8 or making enough cash. Hope they both have solid seasons though.
Agree totally. Very tempting, but I don’t want them stuck there at round 23 because they are averaging 70-85 and keep giving them a pass due to other issues.
More interested in doedee and roberton.
As commented in Press F3… maybe Smith but depending on structure and availability. If Gawn doesn’t get up it will probably be Smith, Hill, Rook.
A lot can change in the next few weeks however!!
There very tempting but don’t see either as keepers, I’m considering going against the grain and possibly starting tom lynch and mcdonald. I hate having key forwards in my team but they are more likely go big, and have a quicker price rise, as my intentions would be to updrade them
I like lynch as well. Mid 90s average seems probable to me.
Lynch, Patton and McD are better options than Smith.
Essendon are really looking like a non team at present. the best performers will be those playing for contracts at other locations…
There are huge cultural issues internally that will destroy their 2020 season.
Thanks Hutta for getting the conversation started on these 2. I feel Smith has the potential to be a top 6 FWD but that all depends on his role/fitness throughout the year. Not as confident with Steven, though I hear he’s trimmed down and is in great shape.
It would be great to see a similar poll on other discounted picks like Doedee, Roberton, Hill, etc. (not sure if the likes of Bonar and Cockatoo are worth a thought too?)
I have Steven in my side, He’s been a 90+ average player for the majority of his career, assuming he’s good to go R1 he’s very hard to pass up on, Smith is a little different just because I could see him moving permanently to HF line but have to take into account that his knee flared up again last season along with a shoulder issue which meant he could barely tackle, it was a write off season IMO. structure wise I can’t fit both but I’m certainly not against it.
Both in atm will be watching fitness and role like a hawk during the jlt games
If my math is correct, Smith is priced at approx 62pts and Steven priced at approx 67pts. Of the 2020 FWDS, only 8 players averaged 90+ last year. I think Smith & Steven could finish in top 10 fwds. In any case I am confident that both will average 20pts above their starting price, so even if they do not crack it into “keeper” category they will make some $cash and points to go with it. This makes the risk worth it IMO. My strategy (pending pre-season form) is select them both. Hope that they become keepers. If not then hang on to them until “luxury trade” time or until they break down – whichever comes first :). The break down is obviously the risk, but should breakdown occur late season then = upgrade, should it occur early season = downgrade. If I can get 8 games out of them then down grade is acceptable.
I like fallen premos over breakouts.
Essendon are a rabble and a departure club right now.
Given Zerret missing the leadership group with Fantasia, and Daniher’s desperate attempts to leave…. I can’t choose anything but maybe rookies at Essendon any time soon.
Dodoro certainly messed in his own nest this time