Defenders
Even though I don’t love selecting players over 620k, Harry Sheezel selects himself. I have him pegged as a certainty to be a top three SC defender come seasons end. Dayne Zorko finds his place at D2 due to an incredibly soft fixture and the potential for him to burn me one last time before heading off into the sunset with a premiership medallion. Jordan Clark has been rotating in and out of my team, currently has the spot ahead of Matt Roberts (pending R0). Harry Perryman & Jayden Short may not be long-term keepers, but offer good on-field scoring potential at nice price-points so they’re both in. James Leake I hope to be serviceable on-field until Tom Green returns. Zach Reid is best 22 and picks himself, while Ben Paton is a watch.
Midfielders
Firstly, all of Andy Brayshaw, Connor Rozee, Clayton Oliver & Adam Cerra have been in my pre-season side since I assembled it in January and haven’t left. I’ve played with a 5th premium and pending R0 I may still go that route. Even though I had both Butters & Serong all of last season, I opted for both Andy Brayshaw and Connor Rozee this season as both present much more value and upside. Oliver was always going to be in my team pending an uninterrupted pre-season which he’s ticked off. Adam Cerra I was slightly skeptical of but he’s also had a great pre-season and looks set for a big year in the Blues midfield. The midfield rookies look best set to be fieldable, and I’ve currently opted for Tsatas, O’Driscoll little Ashcroft & Sheldrick who I all think have great scoring potential (and R0 will hopefully determine how much of a sub/role-risk Sheldrick is with the return of Warner and Heeney). The midfield bench isn’t quite set, will wait for teams and R0 to confirm.
Rucks
Toby Nankervis has been largely my R1 throughout pre-season. I have played with TDK, Xerri and English at R1, but as it stands I’ve got Nank holding it down. TDK’s ceiling is irresistible, and even with Pittonet potentially returning the hope would be either Voss opts to run De Koning solo or TDK has made some solid coin and put out some nice scores in the process.
Forwards
JHF = lock. Rankine was first put on my radar by Bearded Burbler, and has been in and out of the team until I saw him in the pre-season game against the Lions, hasn’t left since. Jack Macrae, Caleb Daniel, if you don’t have either you’re not playing SC properly. Hugo Garcia currently has the spot, but have played with both Ryley Sanders and Bailey Smith. Sam Davidson is one I saw a few doggy fans talk up prior the pre-season game against the Hawks and he delivered plus some. Kako I fear will be a slow burn, but happy to run with him in hopes of a spike score. Hall also finds himself as a bit of a placeholder at the moment.
Flex
Running Matt Flynn on the back of his pre-season performance.
There it is, still a few directions I could go with the team and will wait for Round 0 to conclude to lock things in!
Nice team Abs.
It feels rude to offer team advice to someone who is so much more knowledgeable than me when it comes to SC, but I couldn’t help but feel when I looked at this side that you trimmed your bench rookies down to bargain basement in order to accommodate better choices onfield.
Feels like your thin benches might bite you early.
Love that you have both JHF and Rankine in. I have seen many sides choose only one. And I understand the logic- it does put pressure on other parts of your team structure.
Good luck for the season
Cheers Phil, definitely agree and the rookies have already changed since putting this together earlier in the week.
Last thing we want is to skimp on questionable rooks and then have to waste trades early correcting them.
Abs, thoughts on running Flynn R2 and using the TDK cash to grab an Uber in the midfield?
I’ve gone that route myself with Sheldrick being a dead rookie, except TDK at R1 while letting the ruck situation play out (and Xerri’s tough early run). Think it has risk attached, but it’s an easy fix with a boost if required.
Can’t win SC playing it safe and not taking calculated risks (like Zorko).
Thoughts on which way to go
T.u. tdk and libba or warner
T.d nank and rozee
Out of both options I prefer Nank and Roze.
Tigs were the lowest stoppage side in 2024 and Nank still churned out a 110 avg, while Rozee is someone I see pushing a 110 average.
Sheldrick out, reid in.
Kako out SPP in.
Just need a spike game from SPP to move him on. And can go down to almost any rookie.
Think SPP gets that spike score in R2 when he has the Tigs.
Definitely a valid choice, currently opting for Hugo Garcia as a Sheldrick replacement, but have had my eye on SPP.