For last year’s iteration of this poll I had a lengthy preamble describing the season’s explosive and midfield landscape, however this year was pretty intuitive: Satan, Neale and Miller were all locks, Laird bust in late and charged to M1 in his accumulating best fashion and Brayshaw and Petracca were serviceable. That said, this year’s MIDs weren’t without a few bumps and surprises: Parish didn’t reach his 2021 backend heights, instead riddled with injury in a handball happy system, Cripps and Macrae tailed off, Walsh ended up being subjected to role volatility and Mills randomly announced himself as the highest ceiling MID.
With the Top 8 pretty much settled, now’s a good time to evaluate this year’s MID crop and look to 2023. So tell us, coaches:
Which premo MIDs did you start this year? Why?
Which premo MIDs are you definitely starting next year? Why?
Who else are you considering starting next year? Why?
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This year started Oliver, Miller, Steele, Brayshaw and Neale. Pretty happy overall, was a hard call between Steele and Macrae but not a massive loss.
Next year I will probably be looking at Oliver ($700k), Brayshaw and Walsh ($620k), Steele ($600k) and maybe a breakout in LDU, Warner or Green approx $550k. Also hopefully Hopper has a poor last game and can start around $350k for next year.
Started with Miller, Oliver, Neale, Macrae.
Touk, Oliver & Macrae was paying for quality and Neale at $540K was a no brainer.
I’m struggling to remember who I started with let alone why.
Next year my thoughts are, probably the same 4, and think about Warner, LDU & Newcombe. Depends on how many quality rookies there are and their positions.
Started Miller, Neale, Steele & Macrae.
Next yr I will be paying a lot of attention to those who dont handle a TAG.
Killed me in League finals
GD, that would be a great article for 2023 preseason.
Started MacCrae, Miller, Neale and Oliver. Happy to have had them all year with MacCrae being the only sour taste now.
Next year will seriously look at both Laird and Brayshaw. Doesn’t matter how their teams travelling but find plenty of pill.
Dawson and Daicos in defence will be tempting too.
If N.Daicos still has DEF eligibility then he’s a must have IMO. Seeing Clarke go and put a hard tag on Daicos on the weekend was an eye opener. When was the last time a team put a hard tag on a rookie?
Started Miller, Macrae, Steele, Neale, then mid pricers in Rowell & J Berry. Reasons – Neale too cheap to not have, Miller & Macrae killed it last season and I didn’t have either. Steele always worth it. Went against my usual start up of 5 premiums by spreading the cash around elsewhere, which looking at my R1 team, wasn’t a great choice. Can’t recall why I didn’t start with Clarrie – think it was because I decided on the extra mid pricer in the guts.
Next year – premo mids will start with Laird & Miller & Oliver. They are just guns and worth it. Although there is something to be said for finding that fine line between too many top priced players for round 1 that quite often drop in value.
For instance the top 4 mids by average as of now :
-Laird – started at $632k and retained his value – only dropped to season low of $623k in R12
-Oliver – started at $672k – dropped to $619k by R6
-Neale – started at $543k, his lowest for the season – went UP to $678k by R9
-Miller – started at $677k – dropped to $578k by R6
Others to consider for R1 in The Amazons will be N Daicos, Warner, LDU & Newcombe.
This year I started Brayshaw, always like to go a pod and tipped him to break out more. Macrae is mr consistent and I remember struggling to bring him in last year. Steele tackles a lot and always finds a way to score and Neale was underpriced and fit.
Next year, I’ll lock in Steele if he gets through pre-season since he’s cheap, laird who I think is the new Macrae, and Oliver who I always miss in rd 1 and regret it.
I really want to pick LDU, think he could match it with these boys. Miller if I can fit him in, the next premo in line. Walsh, if I think he’ll get more cba’s than this year.
Started Macrae/Steele as c loop for first 9 rounds, Petracca, Neale, and Rowell as hopefully keepers…Rowell didn’t last the year out. Others were Daicos, JHF, Soligo, Hough, McDonald and Ward.
Locked for next year is Laird, Satan, Neale, and one of LDU or McCluggage. Reckon both can take the next step to ultra premos. Sadly I traded to Lyons during the year instead of McCluggage.
Screen shot taken !!
Which premo MIDs did you start this year? Why?
Macrae, Miller, Neale, Steele.
Macrae, Miller & Steele we’re coming off 120+ averages pretty durable and have almost no brainers.
Neale was 100k+ Unders of what he could do due to his injury affected 2021 season.
Which premo MIDs are you definitely starting next year? Why?
Laird aka the new Macrae, Durable and set and forget), Oliver is durable set and forget, Steele who 10 odd points under will thrive with a full preseason. Probably Warner as the cheaper m4/m5 as we’ll likely need an underpriced guy who looks like who’s going to breakout and set for a 115 season.
Who else are you considering starting next year? Why?
LDU could be another option has averaged 115 post bye.