Alright, straight into it. No preamble, no disclaimers. I’ll go through the picks line by line, selection principles and alternative moves after. Here’s my team:
ITB: 13.9k/1-5-2-5
DEFENDERS
Yep, that’s right: none of the 600k DEFs. Have had 1-2 in all my drafts but ultimately concluded that 600k is sucking out way too much cash that could be better spent on MID premos and is required for depth. I’ve gone for Cumming as my only premium defender. Could easily be Ridley or Daicos but they’ve got their own issues. Kingsley looks to really understand where the lists optimal positions are and with Himmelberg slated for the forward line, Cumming can return to his consistent best. The only two rookies that are fieldable are Ginbey and Constable and I’m actually excited to see them both play. I’ve then gone a triple barrel of Jones, Crozier and Cole. Their utility is simple: preserves my non-commitment to the 600k guys and makes up for the lack of serviceable rookies. Cole hasn’t left my side since SC opened and it’s nice to see more on him, he’ll do 60-70. I was also on Jones in the first RMT and having seen him playing, he’s back in, and then Crozier is a known quality who, provided he’s in that back six, can score the best out of the 3 and make some coin. There’s only 2x viable on field rookies and it’s not feasible to fill out those D1-4 spots with all premos, so think this triple barrel can get the job done. Many will say Yeo can do the job better than those three and score as a keeper but I really didn’t like his presentation the other day and think he and the rest of the side will struggle without Nic Nat heading into Round 1.
MIDFIELDERS
More so a matter of structure than selection in the midfield. There’s literally only a single digit amount of MID rookies who will line up Round 1, so I felt I couldn’t go light in the midfield despite the flexibility it would have afforded. Could easily go for less big premos and plug midpricers in but I’ll get to why I’m not a fan of that later.
Laird and Satan are must haves on talent and fixture. I understand 700k is a lot and does hamstring team building but their early fixtures are insane and I’d rather just have them and not have to scramble to burn boosts and cull cows before their peak to get them early. Neale super under the radar for mine, going to benefit a lot from Dunks arrival. I’ve then grabbed Brayshaw on trajectory and the obscenely soft fixture he has after the Saints. Decided to back in Green due to a full time OB rule in a revamped GWS side, trajectory, his CP profile and, most importantly, the fact that GWS play the four of the literal softest SC midfields in their first six. The value he presents at 530k is also nutty: compared to a 600k DEF he’ll score +5 PPW and save me 70-90k. You’ll notice I’ve mentioned fixture a lot. That’s really the key criteria for MID selection early when you can take your pick of the lot. If you missed it, I broke down all the numbers on tags and fixtures for premo MIDs here.
Hopper is a notable omission and a big bet against to make but I can see him having a lot of awkward games given his lack of attributes outside of contests and CBs. Given I’m off him as well as the other MID midpricers, that’s why I’ve gone 5x deep MIDs and paid up rookies.
RUCKS
The rucks was the line I swore I wasn’t going to waste money on and for the longest time I had Lycett and Pittonet lol. RoMo, who the Saints had spoken of second fiddling due to King’s absence, put in an emphatic enough performance to show the Saints coaching staff he can handle things solo – he gets a gig. Witts then looked still super honed in over the pre-season, will bat to one of the competition’s most ascendant midfields and opens the season against a Hickey-less Swans – which is a huge boon given Hickey’s the most restrictive opposition ruck. I toyed with taking maximum cash gen and running no loop with Ratugolea but seriously question him as a defender and ultimately didn’t have the cash.
FORWARDS
Then pretty intuitive to cap things off. Dunks, Cogs and Taranto are must haves as FWDs playing pure OB, Gulden a value, ceiling and ownership flyer who can get a rookie off field and then Ziebell, despite being a bum, is a palatable enough proposition at 350k for 90s minimum in that cushy role. Not kidding myself that he’ll return to his 2021 107 average however. My mostly filled out forward line very much a product of that single premo backline. F6 has been tricky. I think Phillipou can be serviceable but did have Allen there for the longest time but worried a Nic Nat-less Eagles side will struggle and not give him enough service. Our draw is also quite tough for a key forward after North in Round 1. Rozee the obvious FWD premo I don’t have and actually don’t mind Cunnington. Have considered getting Ziebell up to him but Ziebell still feels like free real estate. I was able to get Flanders in at F6 in previous structures but feels like a reactionary pick off the practice match and in a thankless HF/wing role you need to bet on him to have BOG effort performances each week to get from contest to contest amongst Miller, Anderson, Rowell and the other HFs and wingers who would come up to the stoppage.
ALTERNATIVE MOVES
Witts -> Darcy to allow Phillipou -> Allen
Cumming -> Ridley if Cowan gets named ahead of Cincotta
MID premo -> Hopper, D2/F6 -> 500k premo
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Absolutely speechless over that backline :O :O :O
Unclear how you would recover if a couple get dropped/injured in Rd 2/3
Well, injury can happen to anyone but don’t see any JS issues, Nato? They’re all pretty clear B22 role players.
My biggest concern is if Doch or Dawson just get off the chain early. There’s of course a risk.
Otherwise, I’m happy to bet against the 600k price tag. For the same price, I was able to get Brayshaw (120), Green (110) and rookie depth.
Richards, Duryea and Crozier all injured in preseason game but all look available for Rd 1. Wouldn’t surprise me if they switch around.
Dale and Daniel also off HB, slightly more mid time.
Ryan Gardner looks available for Rd 2
Potential slow burners??
“There’s a lot of competition for spots. I’m really looking forward to working with the likes of Tom Cole, Liam Duggan, Alex Witherden, Luke Shuey a little bit as well,” Jayden Hunt told 6PR.
– 2 days ago
Richards had a corky… basically a big deep bruise, Crozier had a dislocated finger and Durea had a knock to the neck and was sent for scans “just in case”… none of these are injuries of note. All 3 were going to be available for R1. None of them should have been discounted for R1 SC.
Richards was the 3rd best performed SC defender towards the end of 2022 season, after Sinclair and Hurn. He’s in my team, even though at his price he should be treated as a keeper.
Crozier is the wildest one for me. Is he even in their best 22.
I like it. I was expecting MOAR EAGLES.
No flanders frees up some cash you’ve spent well else where…. as well as you following the ‘rookie dictate structure’ idiom and going light down back.
Aha. Hey, GP.
Yeah, I had Yeo at one point but didn’t like the look of us as a unit last week.
Cole and Ginbey will do me for now.
Hope your team’s coming along nicely.
If Nic-Nat was fit and firing I’d be a lot keener on some of the Weagles players that will benefit from his tap work. Going to miss round 1 by the sounds of it?
Wow GB
Refreshing not to see cookie cutter team and definitely risk vs reward team.
Well done for backing your instincts and giving SCT community something else to think about .
I don’t have any 600 backs either with Ridley and W Day by highest priced backs,
Strong Midfield structure and rucks .
Forwards good too – Just not yet sold on Phillipou scoring consistently well .
Thanks, P.
Good to see someone else off the 600k DEFs. It’s just ridiculous.
Yeah, Phillipou not ideal. Can get him to Allen or Phillipou by going Witts to Darcy.
Best of luck to you this season. Catch.
The team of a man with amazing football & SC knowledge, yet will finish 20k 😉
Seeing it so much easier to upgrade to a forward over a defender this year since there are so many more 600k defenders
Great team GD, although I was really hoping ‘Redacted’ was going to be Preuss
It was, Dyanasis! aha!
It was Preuss the whole time until his 7 frees against and 9 clangers performance in the practice match. He actually beat Witts on HOs for the day but just going to be frustrating watching him give away -4s every week.
Witts just looked super dialled in. Disgustingly dialled in.
I put him in my team after I thought about your redacted selection, but yes a combination of 7 frees against, a report of him breaking someone in half and Darcy’s form forced a change.
I saw a headline today that he is really striving to play more matches this year so if i need $50k when teams drop….
Yeah. He was #1 for HOs, HTAs and marks for the rucks at one point last year but just couldn’t get any continuity.
Definitely there as a break glass option.
Such a refreshing team, GD.
I like yourself am not sure I trust bruhn and have had ziebell in and out, currently in! And you being able to swing him back at round 6 will strengthen that line come then. I love the Cummings selection too I have ridley but only because I need the 20k and can’t split the two. But not sure I have the plums to run them at D1 ha
All the best for the season
Thanks, Mav.
You too!
I know you have Crozier as B22. I am a little less certain on that and his injury the other day concerns me.
McKenna has dropped out of a lot of sides. Personally think his scoring is better than Cole in particular and is a potentially better pick than Crozier.
The F6 that hasn’t been on any of our radar is Brent Daniels from GWS. I saw on AFL website that he is hoping to be ready for Rd 1. At 190 odd k, he’s cheaper than Allen who you are considering. I wouldn’t be suggesting a small forward except that it’s GWS. As you pointed out their early draw is so conducive to cash generation. And that’s the time we need it.
Thanks again GD for your contribution this preseason. We have all benefited from your advice.
Hey, Phil.
Always love your take. Yep, Daniels a mainstay before his injury. Will watch. You also flagged Pedlar earlier in the pre-season and he was good the other day; 55 from 56% TOG and looked very mature. Another one to watch.
Have to part ways there because I can’t stand the McKenna selection. Butcher, OOTF and clanger machine and don’t see what he offers with Rich and Coleman there. Lions backline surely cannot go in that small either. Crozier was just a finger, so he should be fine. Obviously if he isn’t, I’ll figure something else out.
Appreciate it, best of luck!
Daniels and Pedlar both look interesting, but honestly I see far too many cash generation midpricers who are gonna score well above their price point to be looking at either.
Love the difference of your side GD. My team is not far off the structure of yours, although I haven’t cut quite so hard on defence. Crozier is a risk. He’s struggled to play full seasons in recent history. But if he gets through to the bye he’ll have done his work for you. Was tempted myself, but taken a few risks elsewhere and it was one too many.
I do feel like your criticism of McKenna is a little unfair, and clouded a little perhaps by that first PS game vs Sydney when he looked to be trying a little hard. I feel he might be a slow burn, building on confidence as the season goes along. But I do agree his JS is probably less than Cole (who I’ve also picked over McKenna) . As you point out Rich, Coleman as well as Starcevich will probs make up the smalls in the backline
Looking the goods GD. Not sold on Bruhn? I would have him over ziebell coz I reckon he will get more opportunities even though the ball will be in Norths backline a lot!
Solid team though. Under a week to go bring it on……
Hey, FBS.
Not so much a matter as not sold just don’t have a lot to go on. Literally 1 practice match performance? Nothing previously at GWS.
Ziebell’s a bum but atleast he a known quality/seagull.
Will give it some thought. Tyvm!
Wow Gunboat.
Never one to go with the crowd are you ?
That backline gave me images of those tightrope walkers crossing the Grand Canyon. Risk V reward personified. The risk maybe outweighed somewhat by the absolute killer midfield. I’m still unsure where you go if things go wrong ?
My main concern is fading both Hopper and Yeo. Both have missed a heap of footy though injury and were just going through their paces in those practice games. Yes they didn’t look the best but hey they still scored decent enough. They have killer roles for super coach and have scored 90’s easily in the past. At their cheap starting price its pretty reliable points on field and easy money. There’s also very little risk as most of the comp have them. I see how fading Hopper gives you that midfield structure so I can forgive you for that one.
As for Yeo…
I’m not worried about the Nic Nat effect. If the Eagles are getting smashed Yeo will likely play more in defence and still rack up the touches. I also feel that if somehow he doesn’t work out Its easy to go down from that $$330k price to another mid pricer on the rise. Staring all those defenders around $200k gives you very few outs if something happens. Mc Kenna is literally the only one I can think of and he looked shite. Jones and Cole are solid enough but Crozier is brittle as and has already injured himself. I see him as fringe best 22 and as an experienced utility player he could be the perfect sub candidate. I may have a solution that mitigates the risk somewhat and allows you to keep that killer midfield. Hear me out !
I’m not sold on Ziebell’s role as we haven’t seen him with Hall in the side and he’s still sharing Kick ins with MacDonald. He seems to be playing higher up the ground and with McDonald deeper and I’m not sure this will help his scoring long term. Yeo’s midfield rotation means he should easily outscore Ziebell and he’s cheaper. Would you consider dropping Ziebell to Flanders and getting Yeo in for Crozier in at D2 ?
I seriously can’t believe I’m trying to sell you on Yeo, but here we are.
Love the Brayshaw pick he’s my boy !
Hey GD!
Unfortunately, much like the others I too share a little concern as to what your plan will be if that *refreshing* defence doesn’t hold up. I love the set up from the ruck down but feel as if what you’ll gain from the 5 deep midfield you’ll leak down back – with the added risk of uncertainty if things don’t go your way as there’s no straightforward out. My main concern ultimately is not having Hopper and Yeo which as FT points out are both easy points at a fraction of the price (I’m thinking Zieball from two seasons ago).
My recommendation – as much as I like the Brayshaw pick (I’m deciding between him or Neale here), fading him for a Docherty/Stewart type down back and turning Cummings into Yeo will cover you in matchups whilst freeing up some funds to turn one of your midfield rookies into Hopper. Maintains the scoring power through the middle and one less 600k defender to get. All for playing the odds but surely, it’s a higher probability that the higher priced defenders will remain that way and getting them will burn more trades then it would’ve if your structure was better initially.
Either way I’m excited to see how you’ll apply your knowledge as the season progresses. Goodluck and thank-you as always for the work you put in here.
Great feedback, LG. Appreciate it.
Will play around a little and then maybe do a major re-tool when teams drop.
Tough being different GD hey.
Lol. We need to be medicated, TOF.
I’m not sure on your logic.
You say “that 600k for a defender is sucking out way too much cash that could be better spent on MID premos”.
But they are priced at 600k because their average last year was the same as a 600k midfielder so you are basically saying that Sicily, Stewart, Docherty etc won’t average the same this year but Neale, Brayshaw and others will.
I like that it is not a cookie-cutter side and wish you luck but I just think that you are going to be spending a lot of time filling your back line.
Hey, Champ.
More so meant that for 600k upfront I can tack on a little extra cash for a MID premo that will do 120.
Cripps, Steele and Brayshaw will all cover the 600k DEF premos at the same price.
Been waiting for this team and I wasn’t disappointed, good stuff GD! Really like the Crozier pick – 79 from 53% game time at that price is certainly worth a look. Look, it’d be great peace of mind to have one of the 600k defenders but I can see what you’re going with filling out the forward and I think it’s not absurd by any stretch. Glad I wasn’t the only one keeping a sneaky eye on Preuss, but the bloke is just too much of liability at this point. Looking for Witts to light it up on Ladhams! All the best for next weekend.
Aha. Thanks, Fos. The team’s been nothing if not a discussion point.
Best of luck.
Cheers.
Very brave team. You went with your gut feeling and I respect that. You have the cojones to bet against Yeo, Sheed and Hopper to go for the cheaper ones.
I am however jealous of your mid. You went with value yet keeping the big hitters which is a smart way to go. Refreshing also to see few PODs like Brayshaw.
In the same time, you left yourself maybe 6 players to upgrade in defence. Like you I refuse to pay the top price for a line that every year gets 6 new members . It’s all about choices and you cannot pick them all.
Good luck