Hey all
Dunno if I speak on behalf of everyone, but feel I’ve gone a little crazy the last few days and the season’s start has caught me out a little! I feel totally under-prepared and don’t seem able to think objectively. I think my current team reflects that.
We do know that QTRs have been reduced to 16(.5)mins and that price changes will take effect a Round earlier than usual, after Rd2, so let’s focus on these for a second and their implications.
Shortened QTRs are likely to be better for good rookies, especially if they’re playing SC-friendly roles. Conversely, rookies playing roles that can see less footy could score really badly. The reason is that their TOG% is normally down around the 70% mark as they build their tanks to play at the elite level and these %ges should increase, despite the predicted increase in intensity that I expect us to witness. VERDICT: we are likely to see an even greater disparity in SC output between decent rookies playing a MID, outside or DEF role versus that sml FWD pocket role.
Early price changes simply mean that deflation will start a weak earlier. This is great for rookies and ‘value’ picks, but not so for uber premos. VERDICT: we will be able to trade earlier and harder than ever before. Get your rookie and ‘value’ picks right. If you need to, I reckon only 10 uber premos is a good way to start in 2020.
So here’s my revised team under these new rules and from pre-Marsh Series:
DEFs
Houston and Brodie are playing MID. Doch and Roberton are underpriced = value. The rookies I currently have are those I consider to be the best potential scorers, regardless of price. O’Connor is my loophole who has the DPP swing with Brander.
MIDs
The Dogs are prominent and the Bont has cemented his spot further after the news that he will only be ‘DeBeor’d’ once. Cripps is a beast and Prestia is my smoky. His SC output since Rd9 last year (incl. Finals) is very impressive. He has had a full interrupted pre-season for the first time in three years, and Dusty normally cops the tag. Tick, tick, tick … boOm! Or so I am hoping.
Am still not wholly convinced on Rowell. Dunno why, but the other onfield rookies are locked in and the bench may change based on selection news.
RUCs
Have to lock in Reg. Still not 100% convinced on Gawn and I really like what I see from English. I’m expecting massive upside when required, having got Grundy out of the way early. Am hoping Xerri is named, if not I may change him to Darcy Cameron who I do expect to get games once Cox has been dropped! Maybe not.
FWDs
This line continues to change by the hour. Currently as above, but I don’t like it since I’ve moved Whitfield FWD. Ceglar, Brayshaw and Brander are the only locks. I may dump Rowell, flick Whitfield back into the middle and make a few changes. Am just worried about FWDs scoring potential with the revised quarters. We’ll see.
So here she is in all her glory …
Yes, it’s definitely out there, but for some reason (perhaps these strange times in which we find oursleves), I’ve decided that a light-hearted approach in 2020 will provide more entertainment and excitement. Will get back on the serious train when things return to normality.
Each to their own and good luck to all SCTers in 2020!
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With shorter 1/4 how do you think this affect scaling.? Will it improve rookies scores .?
I think we’ll see ‘impact’ players get boosted. Players won’t tire so much, so games won’t blow out which should lead to tighter games?! All conjecture, but guys involved in late SIs and kicking winners could do very well = lottery 😉
Don’t think we can worry ourselves too much. It’ll send us all mad!!
Final observation: GCS could go better for longer!
Kicking late winners … so we should all get Sonny Walters into our team pronto?! The ultimate late in game match winner.
Sell me Ceglar over Petracca/Macpherson/etc.
I’ve moved Ceglar in for one primary reason. Gil has mentioned many times that at some stage later in the season they may have a condensed period of games where they may play 3 games across 2 weeks or something like that. Planning for that likelihood, i like the idea of a fwd/ruck who might be able to move into the ruck line to cover your R1 or R2 when they’re ‘managed’.
Also, Petracca might be ready to explode but i’ve been down that path with him before and i just can’t do it to myself again.
Playing RUC. Reduced QTRs will likely guarantee his 1st RUC%. Like Marshall in 2019, he’s priced as a FWD who is playing 1st RUC.
Have nothing against the other two tho!
Also provides swinging ruck cover.
Ceglar averaged 100 plus in the final three games of Hawthorns 2018 campaign as the solo ruck
Nice side, i like most of it! I’ve gone the same ruck combo, expecting a big increase from english this year.
I’m not 100% sold on your D1 and D2, but it allows you that extra midpricer at F4 so good luck!
Is Nit Nat a better option and English now with the reduced game time?
Tell me please – do reduced quarters mean?
T/U 3300 pts are still allocated per match
T/D 2640 pts are allocated per match (3300×16/20)
Confirmed by Fantasy Freako that the 3300 stays. There will be regular scores of 200.
Whats this Allsaints, have you got rid of Oliver?
I’m afraid so. With price changes coming earlier and his early games has put me off. First time in three years I haven’t started him 🙁
Dunkley vs J Kelly and
Clayton vs T Kelly
Help a brother out
i’d have both the non-Kellys ahead of either Kelly. Josh KELLY could be huge, but Dunks could be even bigger!
AS, liking the team. Interested in your thoughts of Laird vs B Smith?
Obviously price pays a big part but is the extra money worth it for Laird’s durability and hoping with Smith pushing up the ground he returns to his uber premium scoring.
Would love to hear your thoughts and good luck for the year!
Laird’s a great pick. Any normal year, it would have been he or Sicily at D1. I worry about FWD rookies (who actually play FWD) being onfield. To do that, I can’t afford Laird, so D1 is my compromise for players who I see making money and potentially becoming keepers. It could go horribly wrong for me, but I’m not that bothered this year. I’ll likely blaze trade my way out of any difficulties.
If you’re in cash Leagues (mine was closed for this year last week, due to all the uncertainty), then you are probably better off going with the best, safe pick. Which is an underpriced Laird!
Good luck this year mate.
I reckon teams will play a more attacking brand of football with shorter quarters and I see smith benefiting from this. The backman that boost their stats with kick to kick might get less opportunity to do so this year.