Team Reveal – Alza

Written by Alza on March 11 2022

Welcome to my first team reveal on this wonderful site. My team is not set but I feel that a good majority is, obviously it will all depend on rookie selections. In previous years I tend to avoid mid pricers unless they force my hand such as Ziebell last year. My preference is to run with about 13 genuine premos with a structure of 3-5-2-3 depending on rookies. Usually I start slow and then gradually work my way up in the rankings. For example my season ranks for last year were: Rd 1 I was 40,630, Rd 5 6,122, Rd 8 was my season best of 1,904, Rd 15 7,903 and finished with a final rank of 8,337. My best finish was in 2020 when I was 1,043. All of that aside here are my selections for 2022…

DEF

Crisp is a lock and 1 of my first picked, will get more mid time but even if he doesn’t he will still score enough down back. Whitfield and Sicily are under priced. Whitfield should go 100 but could even push 110 and I like to watch him play. Sicily I expect to return to his 95+ and prevents great value. Now Hewett is a pick I wouldn’t usually go for but I need that extra cash in other areas. I feel he will have a great role at Carlton even with Walsh back he can average 90 which will be serviceable at D6. Now the rookies, the news on Hinge recently isn’t promising but if he’s named Rd 1 I’ll pick him. I’m not that sold on Gibcus and McCartin but they are our best options and De Koning should have done enough and at a genuine rookie price he’s in.

MID

Not sure what to say about Steele apart from his strong finish to 2021. Averaged 137.6 from Rd 11, massive! I’ve started with Oliver the last 4 years and 2022 will be no exception, he doesn’t miss games and has increased his ceiling and floor. Now Mitchell has been in my side all pre season but missing the AAMI game worries me slightly but for now he’s in. My thoughts are that he will increase his scoring back over 120 and he hasn’t missed a game since returning from his broken leg. Neale is great value. I started with him in 2020 and that was incredible. Now that won’t happen again but he will bounce back after being injured last year, 115 incoming. Berry was originally Caldwell but I don’t trust his role to be what we need so Berry is in. He won’t be as good as he’s been in pre season games but I think 80+ is very achievable. Horne-Francis and Daicos are locks, not much more to say on them while Stephens is into his 3rd year and only needs to average 60 to make enough cash. I think he does that but a few poor games could see him on the outer. Ward will be there Rd 1 but McEntee and MacDonald are hopefuls.

RUC

No mucking around here as I’ve starting with Gawn and Grundy for numerous years now. They’ll be the top 2 scoring rucks yet again. Hayes will depend on Ryder’s selection.

FWD

Dunkley is a must have. His start last season is fresh in mind and also his form this pre season. Thomas and Butters are my breakout contenders this year. More mid time is guaranteed but Thomas may lose some when Cunnington and Anderson return. I owned him at the end of last year and enjoyed the ride and I’m sure he’ll go even better this year. Butters has a huge ceiling and barring injury will be a top 6 forward. Coniglio at that price with forward status is a lock! He’s fit and will see enough mid time to be top 10 come years end. Rachele will play every game and should score well even without kicking goals. The other forwards aren’t set yet although I think all of Durdin, Martin and Dixon will be there in Rd 1.

After all of that I’m left with $4,800. It’s not perfect but I am mostly happy with it. I do have back up plans for Titch and some of the rookies but I’m hoping to not need them. Let me know what you think and what changes need to be made.

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21 thoughts on “Team Reveal – Alza”

  1. I like it. I guess there is pressure when you have to publish a team and want to have something distinctive to say. But I am glad you resisted.

    I think the three 102k rookies is the issue. If Kemp is named (and I suspect he might be) then Hinge to Kemp will cover 1. You might also consider hewett and Hinge for two of the 200k players – Chapman, Bowey, Milera, Richards Answerth Jones to save some coin to put on the heads of those 103k rookies. I think only Hayes plays, but then only until Ryder comes back. So he might end up being a loophole. Hinge concerns me. He may be a one game rookie, and as FD says a one game 102k rookie is a loophole, a 180k rookie who doesn’t play us a problem.

    I am trying to find a way to put McCartin and DeKoning on separate lines so McCartin can cover both forward and back. At the moment, it feels like I have to undermine other parts of my team to achieve it.

    Good luck for the year, and thanks for posting

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    1. Great points Phil, I agree with them all. Ideally TDK and McCartin on separate lines but with our def rookies being limited it’s hard to work around.
      I do have some contingencies in place. Hinge out for another rookie hopefully freeing up some cash, Thomas regrettably to Brodie/Ralphsmith and using the extra cash for basement rookies and if anything left over Titch up to Macrae. I’m not that keen on any of the mid priced defenders currently.

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  2. Nice Alza.

    I’m a little worried about Hinges shoulders. He could easily go to a Kemp / Boyd and throw Gibcus on field. Frees up some cash as well. Titch worries me a little too, starting anyone with a preseason niggle is risky and groins can be quite debilitating , I would have a plan B for his spot. The rest of the side looks great. T Thomas as a Breakout Forward looks the most durable guy in that price range. I hope he can get enough midfield time, as he looks to have the talent to take his game to the next level.

    Overall a great side Alza. Best of luck in 2022..

    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks FT. Yeah Hinge is a massive worry. In an ideal world I’d have a cheaper rookie and use the cash to go Titch to Macrae, hopefully come selection I can do this. I really like Thomas but I am a tad worried after the AAMI game with the other mids to come back, he should do enough early but will he be a top 10 fwd

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      1. It’s totally up to you, but Crisp to Short should mean you can afford Titch to Miller. Touk has the later games like Titch so is a great low owned Captain option.

        Just a thought anyway. Best of luck in 2022.

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    2. Freo Tragic, I’m sure you’ve talked about him already but wanting your view on Chapman’s potential this year?

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      1. W2W ..

        He’s in my side atm. I do see him with purple tinted glasses, but I will try to be unbiased . I actually had my eye on him before the practice game v WC. He really impressed as you can see here..
        https://youtu.be/ivopnnfQ2OY

        This made him get some notice, so I’m not totally alone on this one. A very famous YouTube coach, ( Jords ) agrees he can hold his own as a D4 or 5. I’m hoping for ~80 average. This should means he gets to ~$400K
        He is just a second year player, so doesn’t come without risk. He may have some down games at times. Though with the lack of defensive rookies, he could suit your structure and be worth a shot.

        Best of luck what ever you decide.

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  3. 13 keepers, 2 midpricers and all the rookies paid up.

    Very, very nice, Alza.

    Only knock might be MID premos? No Macrae saves coin, I get that, but Titch doesn’t have a whole lot of upside. Think if you’re passing on Macrae you probably need Miller along with Steele and Satan.

    Other than that, love how you’ve backed in G&G. Watch it be rock solid again.

    Great side, good luck!

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    1. Thanks GD. I would love to go Titch to Macrae, with the right rookies I will do that or even Thomas down to Brodie/Ralphsmith to afford it. My preference would be Macrae over Miller

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    2. Hewitt is not a keeper. 90 just isn’t enough, especially with the McGraths and Pendles of the world incoming. Will need to be upgraded around the byes.

      And agree with GD. Midfield needs a fair bit of tinkering, like the other lines though.

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        1. On Hewett ..With his DPP in an ideal world he ends up D7 / M9.

          You would have to nail all the other selections , and I’m not sure the rookies are up to that sort of cash flow this year. It still maybe possible.

          I think he has enough upside to be a very solid pick.

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      1. Thanks Maxy but for me with the current rookies we have to select from and the structure I’m looking at, Hewett seems to be the best option. Personally I am not keen to pick Chapman, Bowey or someone like that. Hewett going at 90 will be good enough to hold until final upgrade if trades allow it. I would love to have someone like Short instead but there is not enough money to do so without dropping someone else and sacrificing other lines.
        With the midfield I think if Titch was someone else it would look better. Before the AAMI game I was keen but now I will be trying to find the cash to upgrade him to Macrae.

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    1. Macrae would be ideal but will come down to rookies. Petracca is probably my 2nd option but hesitant with already having Oliver and Gawn

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      1. I think petracca could be in for a massive year… He gets plenty of it, just needs to tighten his efficiency

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  4. Think overall you have a solid team but I personally think there is a few holes that have already been touched on in the other comments but I’ll give my two cents anyway as it may spark some ideas into your mind.

    Personally think Titch doesn’t have much upside. Will score big in wins (Ave 125.1) but his scores in loses (100.1) aren’t great (Stats from last year only). There is a too much of a gap in average between wins and loses and I don’t think Hawks will win many games.
    I think this year it is so damaging to our teams to try and go for 13 premos. I’d look to drop a forward, probably Thomas, to fund the cash to hopefully get another rookie defender (if there is one named) by swinging McCartin forward. You can utilize the DPP then.
    This is a bit controversial but I don’t think JHF is much of a lock. If he is going to be playing forward for North its quite concerning and I don’t want to pay 200k for that.
    I’m pretty huge on English this year and I’m trying to talk people into him (or maybe trying to convince myself) He has the ability to go big. Martin old, injured and can’t get onto the park only give English more ruck time. Discounted price with DPP, I think he is great value for someone that can average 100 and end up being your F6 at the seasons end. Maybe something to consider if you need some cash.

    Hope that helps!

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    1. Thanks TJ, some good points there especially on Titch in wins. I am also big on English actually but I just couldn’t start him there’s too many unknowns. Thomas could come out as I’ve said but that will come down to selections. I think JHF will have solid JS and will have enough contested possessions to post decent scores. He will be inconsistent but that is natural. Until Cunnington and Anderson are back he will get a decent chunk of mid time (maybe 30/70 mid/fwd) and hopefully do enough to retain some when they return.

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      1. I’d love to hear your thoughts on English Alza.
        But agree on JHF. Job security is what I want to pick him for but I just have that feeling he’ll be a really slow burn and we might see him drop a low score and really stunt his growth. I’d rather play Ward on field with the piece of mind he’ll be more midfield/wing than forward. Saying that my midfield is Macrae, Steele, Miller, Neale, Rowell, Berry, Daicos and Ward and that 200k allows me to get that extra ‘premium’ rookie in the forward line.

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        1. I just get the feeling that English playing as sole ruck he can score well. He averaged 102.6 in 2020. If he was sole ruck this year then 105 would be at least where he’s at but unfortunately he wants to play as a forward as he said this pre season. This could mean anything, could be 50/50 with Stef but no one knows until it happens.
          Picking a ruckman in any other line is always a great option provided they have a decent role. He average 88 last year and could go 95 with a shared role still and be worth picking but who knows what role he will have.
          With JHF I think that he will score well enough and should get DPP as a bonus. If you can use the cash elsewhere to more effect then go for it, don’t let me talk you out of backing yourself in. That is a stacked midfield

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