The latest and longest, untouched iteration of my team in its full glory. I’ll go through every pick and my reasoning, while also breaking down on each line who has been a locked-in pick practically all pre-season. You’ll notice the team is based upon the new SC buzzword “value”, I’ll break down at the end an insight into my thinking.
Defenders
First thing you may notice is that there isn’t James Sicily to be found, I know, I’m a traitor. The added 20k that Doch provides, while also playing an unbelievably friendly SC role just makes him too hard to pass up-on. Dawson is the other contender in this spot, while fading Stewart (who I started last season) is something I’m bullish on considering the impending tags and the lack of KP games early on. Liam Jones found himself in the team after his impressive performance against North and Nick Larkey. He is someone Gunboat Diplomacy had flagged a while ago, and between Crozier, Coffield, and Jones, that D3 spot had been up for taking. Constable has really impressed me off that move to defence. Originally had flagged him to be too slow, and lacking quality usage of the pill to be able to get a gig at AFL level so early into the year, to now starting at D6. He’s really surprised me, slightly concerning with the returning GC defenders in the early season, but great on-field until then. Cincotta, and Cowan do both concern me, one bad game away from getting the arse is never a good thing for your money makers. If anyone else pops up I’ll look to shift.
Locked in: Jordan Ridley has been in serious considerations since SC opened, and found his place in my team shortly after, only getting shifted for a brief period as I played with Daicos at D2. He was a head-scratcher to a few initially, and has now seen his ownership unfortunately (for me) spike to 9%. Between Redman pushing up the ground more, Brad Scott’s arrival at the club and introducing what seems to be a positive system for Ridley to thrive in. At 500k I think it’s a gamble worth taking. Yeo has practically been in my team since the beginning barring a couple days of flirting with two 600k defenders. Ultimately, he’s just too cheap for what he can potentially produce. I don’t expect 100’s and for him to be a keeper, but I do expect him to make good cash and offer a decent scoring stream. Also avoids the potential, scores great first two rounds, bring him in, and then later on trade him out again. Ginbey, not much to say, looks like a gun, has been at D3-D4 for what seems like the whole pre-season, waiting to get a proper look at him. And boy did he deliver, lock! Wilmot on the other hand has also been there, initially on-field, but his less than inspiring role/performances have seen him moved to the bench.
Midfielders
No Laird, no Oliver, no Neale, no Value! Oliver is someone I’ve been happy to fade for a good while now. Neale I still believe to be a strong pick, loves to explode in the early season, and can only see Dunkley further helping free-up Neale. Laird has been the constant, in and out of my team all pre-season, solely due to the fact he’s as consistent as it can possibly get. Pay 700k, get your 120-130’s every week, no stress. Reminds me of someone else, the man sitting at my M2 position. Started 2022 off as the most expensive mid in the game, yet had a lacklustre year by his standards. A strong start to the season was halted due to getting Bevo’d lost on a wing, and seeing his CBA’s drop by about 15%. Sitting at only 634k, it seems he’s largely gone under the radar. from 2018-2021, he averaged 120+ points, and hasn’t missed a game in what feels like forever. Last year his average dropped to 115 due to less OB time, but he still finished a top 8 mid. Worst case scenario here, he goes about 115 again. But with the departure of Dunkley, the durability, the glorious R15 bye that he has, and what we’ve seen from him in the pre-season, I can see him going back to his 120+ best in 2023.
Worpel had been in my team for a healthy chunk of the pre-season. After his poor showing against the cats I put a line through him, and swapped him to Sheed who I believed to be much safer. Then Worpedo in only three quarters of OB time, and a slightly managed TOG, grabbed thirty possies against the Pies and found himself back in the team. Still not 100% sold on him though. Callaghan another that I’d been hearing about all pre-season, so found himself originally on my watchlist, before finding himself at M6. Wing on GWS isn’t the same as wing on most teams. The only thing that makes this injury a bust is Callaghan‘s durability. Has the quality to go 75+ easy. Mackenzie has been on the watchlist all pre-season, and he done more than enough in his first official showing to find himself on-field. The Ward 2.0 comparison is entirely unjust. Ward retained a healthy midfield load going into the 2022 season, but due to his poor usage was scored horrendously. Mackenzie is a much better user of the ball, and I personally have him going around the 65 mark. Not a must-have by any means, but a definite good choice for M8. Baker really impressed on the weekend, and literally won himself a R1 spot as a result in a game he wasn’t even set to play in. Lock him in.
Locked in: Bont is Bont, will be relying on him as a VC/C early in the season, hasn’t left my side. Green another I have been hyping up as if I was his agent all pre-season. Again, also flirted with my boy Titch in the side a while ago, but Green had too much upside to pass up, unfortunately everyone has begun to realise that. Hopper is great value for the role and track record he has, hasn’t left the team. Ashcroft has looked unbelievable, I don’t believe in “must-haves”, but he’s as close as anyone to that label. Phillips and Chesser has also been in the side for pretty much the whole pre-season. Phillips however has seen himself moved to the bench (not that he isn’t good to start on-field, has a great role).
Rucks
Darcy is treated as royalty over at my team. Brought him in for his monstrous 2021 as a POD to clean up a few leagues, what a player. Surprisingly stays on the park, albeit always battling some injury. With a pre-season under his belt, and good showings in the practice games (don’t put too much weight into those, Jackson played only a half in the first, and Darcy beat up on an unfit Lycett in the second), I can see Darcy setting a new bar this season. The inclusion of Jackson doesn’t phase me all that much. RoMo, well everyone has him, and for good reason.
Locked in: Madden, the ultimate loop.
Forwards
Cogs has seen himself moved to the likes of Bruhn, and Ziebell to free up cash, however, I think at his price, with his new role, and his early fixture, he’s too hard to pass up with the money being used poorly elsewhere. The practice game may have turned a few off of him, however, he had a high PPM, good role and looks set to continue with where he left off. In regards to future DPP’s in Gawn and Petracca, I’m not phased at all, firstly no-ones guaranteed to get it. Secondly, I do intend on trading 2-3 of my R15 bye players to the best available to get points on the board, and that means I’ve got an extra option for that manuevre. Gulden found himself in the team off the back of that performance. Third year player that has some absolute quality about him, it’s a risk you have to take. F6 has been a trip, Flanders, Bruhn, Sheezel, McLean have all found themselves there. Personally think Flanders is the best of the lot, strong finish to the season in the VFL followed by a strong pre-season, and decent showings in the pre-season games. Also allows for an easy correction to any of the cheaper boys if they show-out. One thing I will not about these younger mid-pricers in the pre-season, is that they are all playing for a B22 spot. That’s why Yeo for example is scraping to a 78, while the likes of Bruhn and Flanders are busting their ass to ton up. Davey had a good showing, moved up the ground well, should be in everyone’s considerations for the bench.
Locked in: Dunkley, will be my other reliant VC/C in the early parts of the season. Can’t remember the last time he wasn’t in my team. He’s my smokey Brownlow prediction as well. Taranto who I’m not exactly a fan of has been in my side all pre-season. There just isn’t a way he doesn’t finish top 6 in the forwards barring an unfortunate injury. Rozee wasn’t in my team until early January, but hasn’t left since, he’s an absolute gun, strong pre-season showing is just the cherry on top. Greene has been locked at F7, and the pre-season games only further affirmed that decision.
Final Thoughts
10.9k ITB
Quite happy with the overall team. Have a lot of options to run too if a certain pick fails, and I’m happy to burn trades in the first two rounds correcting failed picks. Potentially looking at: Worpel, Cogs and Flanders to Sheezel, Steele and Bruhn. Let me know what you think of the team and that move. Cheers fellas!
Leave a comment / Scroll to bottom
Having your f5 end up being a dud pick.
That hurts a lot. What’s your back up and how long before you make the call to move him on?
Otherwise having gulden that deep will be very powerful if he comes off.
why thumbs down? I’m asking a very good player their thoughts on dealing with a very important SC issue. If your f5 fails it hurts a lot.
I think it’s a good player at that spot but have seen it happen a lot, pre season hype real thing bust. Just wondering what the plan is. Which Abs’ has.
In regards to Gulden, I just can’t see him going backwards this year, he’s a quality player with all but guaranteed inside mid minutes. If he’s plodding along with 90’s, I’m not too fussed, can get the flick at R5-6 when DPP’s come in.
If any of my midpricers are no good, they get flicked for any other midpricers scoring well in a strong role / downgrade to best available rookie. I’ll be trading after round 1 this year.
Happened with Mitch McGovern for me last year, and I flicked him fairly quickly for the best available. The flip side is I made a lot of $ from starting Xerri, and got a keeper in Cogs and Brodie.
Great stuff Abs.
I do rate Bont over Macrae, the rest looks ace.
Looking forward to a very competitive contributors league this year.
I cannot see Gulden being a dud pick, no chance or regessing and even if he maintains last years average, still a good selection at F5 until a DDP appears.
Cough Cough …The Beard one down one up trade.
Its time he moves into the engine room, he is the future of the Club, hope to see him and Mills controling things through the middle this year.
I like it. A lot of guns in common with me, as will soon be seen by all.
The only issue with Macrae and Bont is they are on the same team, which makes the VC/C thing not work with them.
Cheers FD!
I was very keen on getting Laird, but Macrae offers the same exact type of consistency for 70k less IMO.
Happy to bank on Bont / Dunkley for the majority of my VC/C until I get Oliver in around R6.
Great tea, got me thinking about excluding Laird who has been my (c) since opening day.
I definitely like Laird, and if you’ve been on him for that long, probably best to just leave him. I’m pretty bullish on my Bont / Macrae / Green midfield more-so, with all 3 having the last bye.
Yes I lose a very reliable captaincy option, but happy with my VC/C selections until Oliver comes into my team in R6.
Like it a lot.
Also love the feedback you give on this forum
I have 1 different on each line (Sicily, Titch, Grundy and Fyfe VS Ridley, Worpel, Darcy and Gulden)
Worpel is the only one I can’t have, and that’s coming from a Hawks fan. I want him to have a great year, but I fear he might make way for Stephens, McKenzie, Day, Moore. I know Sam loves him, and talking to Hawk fans who have watched training he hasn’t improved his disposal.
I’ll be honest, a good quarter of my reasoning for Worp is entirely due to just wanting him to have a good year lol. Bias definitely impacting the selection, and now that I’ve realised that, I’m considering moving him to get Bruhn and Steele in. Not even sure Worpel is in the Hawks B22 come round 6 unfortunately.
Cheers Derek, Sic was in for a long time in mine, gonna hate not owning him early in the year. Sounds like you’re running a strong team on your end as well. Best of luck this year!
AS a Hawks fan too, the thing in the back of my mind is last time Titch didn’t play (broken leg year) Worpel won our b&f.
Titch, Jaeger and Worpel literally all needed to play the same role as one another, you’re right. Boy was he fun that year to watch.
Good pre-season under his belt, contract year, this is pretty much make, or break time for him. You’d have to think Newc and him do the dirty work to let the guys like Day, Mackenzie and Ward who rotate in excel. At 300k, I can see him doing 85.
There’s also the obvious con-list, but I love a good mid pricer, sprinkle in my Hawk bias and I’m about 90% certain I’ll keep him in, and roll with him this season.
My Hawks bias has kept Sicily in my team. My option was Stewart, as a fellow hawk supporter you understand how difficult that is to do.
I think Worpel gets a fair crack at it to start the year and I really want him to kill it. At some point Sam will through Moore in guts and Worpel go forward.
Hawks fans say Hustwaite and Long are going to be very good, plus Stephens will get plenty of chances, so Worpel will have everything to play for.
I really rate Hustwaite, looked good against the Cats too.
Worpel make or break this season, hoping the best for him.
Love the Sic pick. Have Doch ahead (mainly due to $), but he’s definitely going to outdo Stewart this season. The less Cats the better too aha.
Not sold on Flanders since Touk didn’t play in some preseason games. Preferring Bruhn since Menegola is out for the start of the season and Selwood has retired. This makes me feel he should get a decent run in the midfield and Geelong doesn’t really have a dominant midfielder other than Danger, but he isn’t what he use to be. He should then get some good CP and clearances in the middle
Definitely agree on both accounts. Can’t see myself not having Bruhn in the team come round 1. Loved his game in both pre-season matches, unbelievable how Geelong keep getting these young guns in. I think a healthy CBA load early in the year with stints at HF is feasible, and as a result can see him go 85+.
Either Bowes or Bruhn gets a flyer start. Don’t know who so staying away from both. If there were better forward rookie options I’d be grabbing Bowes at his price. Bruhn fills a nice hole at F5 (I have Fyfe slightly ahead)
Hey Nat, your reasoning for the switch is not valid, Flanders didn’t, doesn’t and won’t play the same role as Miller. Flanders JS is arguably better than Bruhn too.
Solid side Abs- like your mid prices and Gulden worth a punt. Especially after 45 touches in practice match and Mills a little injured. I keep trying to find a way in for him.
Just 3 more sleeps and we’ll start knowing a few sides and then we’re into it! Good luck!
Gulden just seems like he’s on the right trajectory, along with an increase in OB time making him a great selection.
Could easily top out at 90-95, but could also break the 100+ club. Worth the risk considering not much is happening in the forward-line IMO.
Best of luck this season Mick
Gidday ABS,
solid team but I would be getting Laird back in & I do agree with
Theoriginal force & FD commets . Good luck.
Cheers Willy, know I’ve got a few risks with the current team, not afraid to burn trades to correct those, while hoping the others pay-off.
Pretty firm on Macrae over Laird at this stage, unless I find myself some extra coin. But definitely hard to fade Laird knowing how bloody good he is.
Good luck this season!
Just read on AFL .COM GWS plan to put some work into Laird this week.
You’re correct, Perryman most likely to run with Laird.
Harry Perryman’s scalps as a tagger last season:
Rnd 11 – Lachie Neale – 12 disposals (only a half of tagging)
Rnd 21 – Zach Merrett – 15 disposals
Rnd 22 – Tom Liberatore – 18 disposals
Rnd 23 – Andrew Brayshaw – 18 disposals
Laird is not in my team for a few reasons, but being tagged is not one of them.. he’s untaggable… He was once tagged and held to 136 . The first thing he will do in the centre square is go stand next to Jelly and lay 10 tackles before they decide it was a bad idea.
Of course they will. Most teams will
Hey ABS, I really like your team. It’s a nice balance resulting in 7 on field rookies. Most teams are around 9 on field rookies and I think that’s a risk this season with the new sub rule and some lack of depth in areas.
What are your thoughts on Macrae for Petracca?
For myself? Doesn’t fit what I’m going for. Want as many R15 bye players to start, with the option to boost and flick them come round 15 and get a leg-up on others.
As a pick? I love Tracca, gone under the radar completely. Has had a strong PS. He’s going to come out with another mammoth score against the Dogs. The best part of Petracca is that he also most likely gets DPP round 6. Swing him straight to your forwards and you’re laughing.
Thanks ABS that’s great insight
Toying around with the idea of dropping Laird, given Bont/Doc/Marshall/Dunkley all represent real captaincy options
T/U – Laird & Daicos ($30k bank)
T/D – Macrae & Dawson ($0 bank)