5 Squared: Post-NAB Cup Week 1
5 Squared is a series that will aim to give you the best advice and educated opinions on the big topics facing DT coaches. This edition features the 3 DT Talk pioneers Warnie, Roy and Calvin, rookie expert Chook of Chook’s Rooks fame, and weekly Bullets writer Tbetta.
1. Which rookie-priced player impressed you the most on the weekend and is now definitely in your team?
ROOKIE: Sam Gibson
Warnie - Jon Giles is the easy answer, but I’m going to say Gerrick Weeden (that’s with a soft ‘G’ thanks very much Fox Footy commentators). He kicked the first goal in both games on Sunday night and gave us 55 points in the game against the Bombers and 27 against the Dockers. Maybe he can replace LeCras? He averaged 15 disposals with 4 tackles per game in the WAFL last season, so at $104,200 he can be a nice little bench option in our forward lines.
Calvin – Sam Gibson. This dude is a 25 year old ball magnet. He was the captain of Box Hill last year and B&F winner averaging 28d and 4t at the VFL level. I interviewed Nathan Grima last week (will be up soon) and the Roos are pumped with how he is going. He played one game over the weekend for 9d, but did enough at this early stage.
Roy – Jon Giles was always going to be in my team but I have been in two minds about starting a rookie in the ruck division. If big Orren looks set for games and another rookie priced ruck steps up, it is an option I will consider on the back of Giles strong performance. I also loved Sam Gibson who is cheap as chips and Gerrick Weeden was sensational and has been in the system long enough to step up and have an impact.
Chook – I’m not sure about “definitely in my team”, but the performances of GWS defenders Sam Darley and Tomas Bugg gave me hope that I can look outside of the Richmond ranks to find some adequate cheap options in the backline. Both scored 36 points (Darley in the first game against the Western Bulldogs and Bugg in the second against Collingwood) but, more importantly than their scoring at this stage, both looked composed – even comfortable – trotting around at AFL level. Hopefully coach Kevin Sheedy’s on the same page and we get more than a handful of games out of these guys. I’m looking forward to monitoring both when the GWS take on Hawthorn in our home-town Launceston next weekend.
Tbetta – I’m on the Lachie Neale bandwagon! Seeing him at ground level gave me an insight you can rarely get from your living room – his poise, awareness and positioning was exceptional, no wonder he is a favourite of Lyon’s. Whether he can regularly produce decent scores is his next hurdle into my side.
2. What are you thinking regarding your ruck structure after dominant performances by the veteran Cox and GWS ‘rookie’ Giles?
STARTING RUCK: Jon Giles
Tbetta – I didn’t mention Cox in the Bullets (bordering on blasphemy), but he was awesome on the weekend. He had me thinking twice about him, but I think I’m going to stick to my guns and go with Sandi and Giles/Stephenson as my starting pair. Cox will always be there as an upgrade option after all.
Warnie – My thoughts have been to save some cash and start with McEvoy and then go with Giles/Stephensen as the second ruck… but after Cox being a DT scoring beast on the weekend, I think I want to get him – even if he is priced at 107. Coxy did play without NicNat in the side and Giles was without Brogan. I’ll wait a couple of weeks before committing to my ruck structure.
Calvin – As much as I’d love a big Cox (yeah I went there)… I can’t pay that much money for him. Especially after he had his best year ever in 2011 (avg. 108) and is 30yrs of age. There are ‘younger’ rucks with more upside this year. Giles was brilliant and may even start on my field… but Cox is tempting after what he did. But for me… it’s a pass for now.
Roy – Haha, maybe I should have read all the questions before answering! Cox was a standout and West Coast will continue to improve which may provide him with even greater uncontested ball over the year. His game promped a re shuffle at destROY where the starting rucks are now Cox and Giles, where I previously had McEvoy.
Chook – I love what having a rookie ruckman on the ground does for the rest of my team. There are more guns on the field than during the annual Coloumbian Correctional Services’ prisoners v guards soccer match! Let’s see how Big O fares this weekend, but those performances by Giles certainly buoyed my hopes that a gun-rook structure in the rucks can work this year.
3. With Brian Lake ($255,200) in over 23% of teams, Ryan Hargrave ($232,700) and Christian Howard ($251,400) showing plenty of Dream Team goodness on Saturday night, are you looking to go all mid-priced with any of these Doggie Defenders?
MID-PRICE DEF: Ryan Hargrave
Chook – Mid-priced. It can be dirty word, or a dirty compounded modifier, if my old English teacher is reading. After having mid-priced Sydney disaster defender Ondrajs (you-don’t-deserve-correct-spelling) Everitt in my initial squad last year, I’m a little hesitant to draft in a Lake/Hargrave type, although that high-possession game looked to have made a comeback in the Doggies’ back half on Saturday. At this stage, a tentative “yes” to Ryan.
Tbetta – Hargrave is definitely on the radar, and if he continues his rare vein of form, he could possibly supplant Conca from my backline. Dual 47′s was a really pleasing effort from such a cheap option I thought. Meanwhile, Lake and injuries is like Shaw and stupid ideas, they just go so well together, while Howard is a bit of a stretch for me.
Warnie – How awesome was it seeing Hargrave’s numbers tick over like that on Saturday night? Wowee! I’ve been skeptical of him as he has only had one ‘big’ DT season, but that was Dream Team sluttery at it’s very best. I did like Howard though… and especially after Roy talked him up heaps last year!
Calvin – I just bloody looked at that Dawg, great question. Yeah I think I might. They are sooo cheap and guys like Heppell, Shaw, Delids etc are worth so much more and have the potential to score the same. These mid-priced guys come with such a ‘risky’ aspect to them though. Lake, Hargraves and even Grimes all have the potential to give us headaches… but so does Heath Shaw doesn’t he?
Roy – I have a soft spot for Hargrave after he played under me a few years ago, but after a couple of poor seasons I will keep a close eye on him over the next couple of weeks before putting him in. There was no form of forward pressure against the Pies and GWS so he had a field day. Having said that, his form did evevate him to my watch list. As Warnie said, I do like Howard and he is being groomed as the quarterback replacement for Gilbee which could potentially produce good scores. Once again, will need to watch him against teams the put some pressure on the defenders releasing the ball from the backline.
4. What are your current thoughts on the most expensive player in the competition, Dane Swan?
PICK HIM?: Dane Swan
Roy – He is a fantacy pig so the bigger the better. Swanny is still firmly entrenched in the starting mids at destROY and he won’t be going anywhere. Mind you, he did look heavy, so I doubt I could move him even if I wanted.
Chook – I didn’t have him in my mids before the NAB started and that hasn’t changed… yet. I’m stubbornly sticking with teammate Scott Pendlebury at this stage, although the fact that Swannie didn’t know about McCaffer’s injury because he was checking his laptop at half-time (did he say that?) makes me wonder how clever it is to leave out someone who’s that obsessed with their DT output that they can’t even wait until the end of the game.
Tbetta – I couldn’t believe people were logging on to switch out Swan for Boyd after Saturday night; to me that is such an over-reaction. Actually, it would have been interesting to see how much his % ownership went down that night… Anyway, there’s nothing to worry about with Swanny! He couldn’t give any less of a sh*t about the nab cup, so we can’t take his scores there seriously. He’s still firmly entrenched in my side.
Warnie – Ahh, Swanny wasn’t in my controversial Pre-NAB Cup team that I put up on here, but I do want him and I think I’m moving towards starting with the Fantasy Pig and Gazza now. Don’t read anything into his games on the weekend – he didn’t even know whether they won or lost.
Calvin – Ha ha, what a bloody legend! Swan averaged 21d in NAB matches last year from 4 games and then averaged 35d in the first 4 games of the actual season. He doesn’t care about NAB sh*t and didn’t even know they won. He doesn’t care. You want to turn your back on Swanny… do so at your own risk!
5. Which player did you have your eye on that disappointed you in the first weekend of NAB?
LETDOWN: Koby Stevens
Calvin – Zaharakis had 4d in his only game and he was on my radar, as was Koby Stevens who managed just 12 handballs (NO KICKS) in his 2 games. Both are on the outer of team Calvinator for now.
Roy – I had Koby Stevens locked despite obvious vest concerns but he has “kicked” himself out of consideration.
Chook – Not too many, really. It would have been nice if dual-position rooks like Devon Smith and Curtly Hampton smashed one out of the park, locking them into our mid/forward lines, but there’s still time to put up some big numbers yet.
Tbetta – Probably some of the rookies, like Devon Smith and Brendan Lee. Devon didn’t catch my eye at all, and Lee only had the 6 handballs in his single outing for the Bombers. Both sit down towards the bottom of the watchlist now, but a decent showing in a full-length match will have them right back in contention.
Warnie – I’ve always wanted Timmy Mohr in my team ever since I heard he was picked up by the Giants – knowing what he did running out of defence in the VFL last season. While the clangers mean nothing in DT per se, his role as the straight up full back isn’t going to be good for scoring. Sorry Timmy, I think I’m going to jump on another GWS rookie defender.
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the next edition… next week!
Follow the boys on Twitter: @WarnieDT, @CalvinDT, @RoyDT, @ChookDT, @tbetta9.
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Great read.. never had Koby Stevens in my team and watching him closely at ground level confirmed my decision. Especially after he cramped up near the end!
Also hoping the tried and true method of set and forget 2 gun rucks will pay off with all these people starting a rookie as their 2nd!
a cramp is no reason to confirm a player should not be in a team!?! Cramps happen in an endurance games such as AFL to almost every player at some time during some game in a season. Seriously.
40 mins of football is hardly an endurance test and he has had soft tissue issues ever since he’s been in the system.
That was in the final game, wasn’t it? That’s 80 minutes of footy.
Vested. Thats what it means.
first
Lol. Fail
actually you were not
+1
Nice article guys! As an overseas follower of dreamteam this sort of info is gold for me. I have brought Cox into my side after watching him on the weekend but really struggling for a second ruck. I would like to go set and forget with Mcevoy but the rest of the team looks so much better with Giles as 2nd ruck….oh well plenty of time(and changes) yet.
good read fellas, one question but….
pendels & sidebum or thomas & fyfe for my team.
why not all 4?
Hey guys, nice article. Im really liking 5 squared. Just wondering does anyone know where daniel connors has gone?
Loving this virtual TV show…it rocks.
Gibson…lock a doodle do. Now if memory serves me correct there was a certain Carlton rook last year who was B&F winner with Box Hill that was also mature aged and started like a new Barlow…..hmmm…like the similarities.
Hargrave may have snuck his way into the Rainmen…but will watch him against further opposition.
Zaha was on my watch list, we know the bombers are such a crap side when they jump on a plane..not sure if it is DVT or CBF’s but needless to say, I wasn’t impressed.
Thanks again guys, great article
lock and loading gibson when heez a rookie…is he a monty to be put on the list ??..or has he allready
Not a Monty, but from what I hear the scales are tipped in his flavour, obv if he stays on the rookie list I will reassess but like what I have seen.
Brilliant answers….
Now I have to bring Cox in, wait, no must bring Goddard! Hmmmm, can I fit Swan & Ablett too? argghhh
This time of preseason is like watching your last leg of a basketball mutli, there’s always half a point in it!
Tkol without Coxy/Ablett/Swan/ Goddard is definately not believable.
Howard’s price caught my eye when the Assistant Coach came out…but after seeing him go around I’m highly sceptical. In that game where he racked up possessions he had no-one near him and seemed to have instructions not to get involved in contests. There’s an easy way to keep him out of the game – put someone on him.
It may have caught your eye but it missed your brain!
The upside on the boy is hugeeeee, he’ll play on a wing and average 75+
A mid=price cash chow/potential keeper special!
All advice is courtesy of the TKOL-CODE (The King Of Leon Centre of Dreamteam Excellence).
I’m liking this old TKOL….just keep within a bees dick of being ‘banned’ again like LY. That my friend was GOLD.
The way you’re talking mid-pricers up I think you were Secret Squirrell all along!
…..so does this mean that Howard (version 2011) = TKOL’s Suckling (version 2012)?
I am leaning towards Davis at this stage.
That would be a fair comparison but TKOL didn’t start with Suckling – he started with Cam Bruce and slut superstars Jason Gram and Leigh Montagna.
Ahhh those Sainters do like their loose women dont they…..
lol Cam Bruce
@ McScoundral, check mate :(
Aye. Love it how everyone wants to talk about Swan and Cox but players like this don’t generate much discussion!
Is Howard best 22 yet? I think he is definitely close but only one bad game might change it.
Plenty of people worrying so thought I would again point out that Zaharakis only played 10 minutes of football..
Yeah i must say i didn’t think he was on the park for very long either.
Nice work guys, it’s a great format!
I think Giles looks like one of the best rooks this year. I don’t want to start him and upgrade a ruck. I’d rather ‘set and forget’ in the rucks and have Giles to cover the odd game before he is traded in.
I think I will need Giles cash to get a midfield gun. I am having trouble finding midfield cash cows this year. Old McDonald and Sam Gibson look great, Clifton looks OK. But I was hoping for another two that were really solid! I have to pray to Teddy Whitten!
Cheers
There will be quite a few to look at this week. Hogan will be the one that interests me the most. See what role he has. Seb Ross will be another to keep an eye on.
The one that hasn’t gotten much mention was Baguley. Also DPP as well (backs/mids). He may get elevated and play early games. Didn’t look out of place.
Is it just me or is Clifton waaaay shorter than the 184cms he’s listed as in the Prospectus?
The most impressive rookie priced player for me was MacDonald. Showed he is still very DT relevant points wise. I reckon he may even push a 75 ave which is great dividends for someone priced under $100,000.
I have a question…. What will be people’s plan B in regards to the second ruck if the season starts poorly for the rookie ruck you are playing on the ground?
A wasted trade RU, agreed he looks the goods and is a lock for anyone with a clue but not sold on the R2 spot..
Looking forward to watching st saad on Friday…
It’s not a wasted trade if that extra cash has turned a couple of mid price hopefulls into full blown premiums. It could actually save trades if that’s the case. It’s all about how that money is spent.
It wont be just one wasted trade. Could be up to 3 especially if it goes really wrong. You will need to generate cash somehow as you only have rookie priced players.
Then there is the whole round 11 bye as well. If you are starting with Giles on the field then Cox (the only super premo ruck) or Jacobs (one of the supposed young improvers this year) or Hmac (maybe the best valued ruck option) shouldn’t be an option.
I am not saying Giles wont score well but it is a really big risk at the start of the year and if it doesn’t pay off then bye bye to the rest of the year.
The best thing about this scenario is that it will not be unique….
How could it be three trades ???
Worst case scenario is if one Giles, Stpehenson, isn’t playing or gets injured then you may have to trade down one the extra premo you were able to get at the start of the year by going with the 1/3 strategy to upgrade to a second ruck premo.
Lot would have to go wrong.. I think you can be quietly condifent that one of Giles or Stpeehsnon will playplenty of footy in the first ten rounds, by which time they will have fattened up nicely to be turned into your second ruck premo…
Giles and Stephenson are great rooks to have on the ground as the have great JS and very littel chance of a vest. Can you say the same about many or fot that matter any of hte various def/mid or fwd rooks ??
All you are doing by having Giles or Big O as your second ruck is decidng to have an extra premo fwd/back/mid and one less rookie fwd/back/mid.
I would have thought considering the great JS and low vestage chance of the rookie rucks it has to be given serious consideration !!!!
Then there is the likes of Derickx and Witts who can give you a hearbeat as both lilkey ot get some games early on….
Crazy Joe. Let me try and explain it better for you.
You wont be trading Giles, you will need to trade one of the bench players if Giles isn’t scoring as well as you would have hoped. So if you are looking at getting a better performed ruck option like a Jacobs, McEvoy or Sandi then you will need to find $300,000+. This would mean that a premium would need to go to a rook in another position. In the forwards and backs to generate this kind of money you would need to downgrade a decent premium, maybe 2 mid pricers to get that moolah. People wont want to be downgrading their premium midfielders.
I think people are kidding themselves that Derickx and Witts will get much game time early on. The tigers have Maric, Graham, Vickery, Browne. Wouldn’t say there is much JS there.
Collingwood are rapt with how Jolly is going this year fitness wise. He will spend a lot of time playing on the field. They might try a pinch hitter again ala Leigh Brown. Maybe a Dawes or Cloke or a Keefe.
Not many people will be just using the money saved by picking Giles as a ruck 2 on just getting an extra premium Crazy Joe. They might upgrade three different players and spread the money around.
I am not saying don’t consider it. I personally think Giles will be a very good point scorer. It is very important to keep an open mind. I just want to make sure that people see both sides before making a decision.
exactly
By playing Giles on the ground I turn a rookie into Hargreave and another into J Brown, if they both turn into keepers then that has the potential to save 2-4 trades
I’ve always played set and forget rucks but Giles has me rethinking, he was probably the best player out there for GWS and I’m not talking dreamteam player either.
Like others have said you wan’t the to play the safest rookies on the ground and it seems like Giles is definitely one of those
so back to my original question……..
What will be people’s plan B in regards to the second ruck if the season starts poorly for the rookie ruck you are playing on the ground?
I was very interested in people telling me what they would do if Giles didn’t score well. So far everyone has told me that there is no need to worry about that because he will score very well. This was also aimed at Orren starting ruck 2 as well.
@Ridley It isn’t that much of a concern actually. If Giles doesn’t work out, play Orren (or vice versa). If neither are any good, then you’re stuck with a dud rookie, but that’s no different to having a dud rookie in any other position.
Fair point mate. I haven’t heard much about Geelong’s rucks and how they are going. Seems that all the Cats options are pretty close. Vardy being out injured will present opportunities for Orren along with West.
I was reading an article earlier with the below quote from Chris Scott.
“Orren will play significant game-time in the ruck, ” Scott said. “We’re confident he can do the job, but until we see him against genuine opposition we’re still not sure.”
They have none for the first 6 rounds apart from slipping into ranking oblivion.
Cheers mate. I tend to agree with you.
It’s very hard to read much into premium performances in the NAB Cup. Zaha was just getting eased into it and it was clear the Bombers had no interest in that game, so I wouldn’t be concerned at all.
I’m on the McEvoy, Giles ruck combo, because I think Giles will have at least as good a year as Zac Smith did last year. I doubt Brogan will kill his scores (if he plays more than a few games), as the days of playing 2 ruckmen with one always on the bench are long gone. Giles looks to be mobile enough to play forward when not rucking. Also, playing forward for GWS could well mean easy marks and possessions on wing to HB. I’m expecting Giles to be a starter in my team for at least a couple of months with Cox or Leuenberger the most likely upgrade targets.
Not convinced a ‘resting ruckman’ up forward will gather many easy possessions and marks on a wing and HB. More likely to do that when he is playing ruck.
What’s the thoughts on HMAC for R2, with Giles/O in R3/4
Thats where I’m at at the moment… nice safe option.. except for round 11 where you have only 1 ruck on the field.. might be better going cox>sandi
Thanks,
That was a good read ;)
nice info
I was happy with my set and forget ruck combo,but that has now changed because of Giles’ impressive performances, I brung Tom Derickx as my 4th ruck, do people think he is the next best option or somebody like Witts or Jenkins.
Stay with the set and forget combo. I have it and still have four premiums in every position (no Barlow/Shuey/Hayes/Sloan, I got Rockliff instead) with still 143k left. As far as I see it, a Premo ruck is going to average around the same as a forward or back you are going to get. However the Giles will give you a lot more money than what a back/forward rookie will. So you may as well use Giles money to upgrade one of your rookie backs to a premo or what not.
If Giles is going to make you a lot more money that a back or forward rookie, that means hes going to score a lot more points. Since everyone needs to have 5-6 rookies on the ground, why not go with the best, ie Giles. If you think he’s gonna make the most money, those 80s on your bench are gonna be annoying when Steven Morris (no offence meant, could be anyone) scores 25 at D7. Since you are going to trade Giles anyway, you don’t really save trades by going set and forget.
Also, something else I’ve just thought of now, Giles has absolutely zero sub risk. So playing him means you have to play one less “gun” forward rookie who plays a quarter.
Why is there a need to play five or six rookies? There’s more than one way to skin a cat, Tim.
I definitely don’t have 5-6 rookies on the field. Why is Giles more likely to score more than a Smith or a Neale or a MacDonald (not actually a rookie but priced like one)? My rookie price players on the field are Walsh (first game only vs GWS), Old MacDonald, Marty Clarke and Ellis.
I am also confused as to why there will be zero risk of Giles being a sub… It isn’t just rookie players that are sub affected e.g. Didak, Palmer last year. Sheedy has always been innovative as a coach so anything could happen.
One last thing is that by going set and forget you do save trades (barring long term injury). That’s the whole idea of set and forget.
Keep an open mind. If you do go with Giles as a starter then don’t be one of those morons on Fan Footy calling him a spud etc because he has a bad game.
Totally agree Ridley… I am not convinced yet that starting Giles as number 2 ruck is as ‘Kuruki’ puts it “moving with the times”. (Kuruki and i have had a different opinion on this a few times in previous posts). However I do respect his opinion and can see the benefit of freeing up cash by using Giles as no. 2 ruck and it is a lot of cash compared to Sandi, Coxy, McEvoy etc. On the contrary I believe it is risky, if he fails you are left behind and are going to be wasting trades. Giles will be a great cash cow and a stand-in ruckman when needed IMO.
I agree Tim. I think it’s all about having the best rookies. If Giles is going to be this years Z Smith then that money saved will turn a rookie back into a premo back.
It is pretty simple, if you think that Giles will score more than one of your back or forward rookies then he is in.
Fingers Crossed!!!!
Pretty much simplified it and I totally agree, best rookies on the field
Spot on Tim makes perfect sense to me
Smith didn’t catch your eye tbetta? For me he was one of their standouts (although, admittedly what he did was good in a footy sense but not necessarily good in a DT sense).
The fact that gibson is a rookie, makes me not wanna get him.
But he is very tempting.
As for the rucks. i think 75% of DT’ers this year will have the 1 Premo, 3 rook system.
Giles is a life saver!
It Gibson is upgraded off the Rookie list then he is straight in my team.
Also, there is no way that 75% of teams will only have 1 premo ruck, i think it’ll be less than 50%
Lets not get too technicle on the percentage
We just know there will be a lot :)
To be fair to Zakka he only Played about the last 10 minutes of the game against freo. I really liked the look of Dell’Olio from the bombers if he gets elivated off the rookie list for Prismall or Gumby he will stay in my side.
Ellis did enough from Richmond to stay put in my side and with Giles performing well i replaced Z. Smith ad my 2nd ruck which freed up money to upgrade My foward line and chick in Nick Riewoldt who i think will play better then last year with a fresh new coach and is cheap!
Hi Lads, is there any way to contact you privately? The comments section in the Contact Us is closed – am I missing something?
Cheers
Sammy H
gotta be friends with them mate.
Priority pick rule has been SCRAPPED!
y
Expect a more competitive season and less tanking :D Alar Carlton in the early/mid 2000/ But it is arguable that they were just shit. Thanks.
I have no idea how that Y got inbetween my sentences.
Curse you ‘Y’
*Shakes fist*
I just thought is was for a little ” yay”
If anyone is interested the DT android app is now available !!!
well done for having the best Username ever!
Was excited to see this.. but its a major fail.
I love you so much right now!
This week gone by has really got everyone reconsidering their rucks. Originally had Berger and McEvoy, but now I’ve got no idea. Cox has definitely thrown himself as a contender for the top spot, and having Giles as R2 would upgrade a forward or back rook straight away.
Hoping the next few weeks make things clearer.
@ Warnie and Roy
Just wondering how one big game by Cox can have you reshuffling your ruck lineup. We’ve all seen him pull up the big numbers for years so if you’d already decided on an alternative then why would half a game make you want to change?
For me, mainly because of his price… and the worry that he isn’t going to get the big scores he used to being a year older and with NicNat being relied upon more. And yes, it is just half a game… and yes, no NicNat in that game… but I look at that and think – damn, I want him!
Simple explanation Daryl… Human Nature!!!! Most of us will be chopping and changing all Nab Cup until we finally get what we think is our best possible line up….
Then just when we thought it was done and dusted and all set…. we will make that one change again just before lock out!!!
Human nature my friend! We do funny things!!!
Why are people surprised by Cox scoring well? He’s been doing that consistently for five years.
Couldn’t agree more giants. I am blown away by people that are now jumping on because of one half game lol. Don’t know what they have been watching over the past 5 years……
The interesting thing will be what happens if the Berger or McEvoy have a good game this weekend – everyone will probably reshuffle again!
It’s not that we don’t know he is good, it’s the difference between statistical number crunching and actually watching the game.
You read the prospectus and note that Coxy has peaked and is 30 and you write him off as poor value. But then you watch him play his ruck-rover style of game and you remember how much you love big Cox…….Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Rookie ruck to go with “Gun and obvious two (Giles, Big ‘O’)?
Rowe, Witts, Pattinson, etc.?
Who looks the goods early?
witts was abut as impressive as izzy folou the other night, contributing a massive 4 points. he may be 209cm tall but maybe he should have chosen basketball to take seriously. the other 2, I’m not sure.
The big “Fcuk” Witts looks like a unit!
agreed Warnie…i gave Timmy Mohr the flick. Never liked the pure full backs as DTers. Might hope on that Bugg bloke instead
Current Coach Choices
Giles 42%
Orren 33%
Cox 26%
Sandilands 19%
Hmac 13%
Kreuzer 13%
Rowe 11%
Berger, McEvoy, Mummy all 4-9% range.
Goddard, Franklin and Ablett all 40-49% represented.
What does this tell us?
Less than 1/3 of people have Giles and Big O – amazing when you consider it
Cox and Sandi % well below some of the other big names. This would indicate that more than 50% of people are probably going one premium ruck and probably 70% are going one premo ruck and either midpriced or rookie ruck for R2.
This is a significant amount of scientific guessing (LOL) and based on total DT universe (not the quality 3-4k people on this quality site).
Ha! I must have a very mainstream ruck line-up given I have all 4 of the 4 highest picked rucks.
I’m a filthy sheep.
Hmmmm interesting… I have Jacobs, Kruezer, Giles, Stephensen… Looks like Jacobs is a unique for me :)
McEvoy and McIntosh all da way!!!
What people thoughts on Kreuzer/Hmac combo?
Risky but could pay off, only do it if you think they will both become keepers otherwise ur better off going 1 premo 1 rook, that way you can upgrade the rook and finish the year with 2 premo rucks, they are not going to be as bigger money makers as say Giles or O, so for sure go with one of them and a premo hoping that they will too be a premo by the end of the year, but I think having both is too risky and will kill you in the finals when you come up against a Cox/Sandi combo.
Could pay off big time or fail spectacularly!
If you have Giles on the bench there isn’t too much risk involved. Both are very good value this year.
If one goes down injured then you have a back up.
Giles and O would be on the bench
I need help. After you read why maybe in more ways than one.
Ricky Pettard or Robbie Gray
It may be the right year and yes the have both burnt me, RP lost me a GF berth in my league and I lost a hundo. Soft nuts.
@Barony Have you looked at Port Adelaide and Melbourne’s draws?
yep, you need (mental) help for if you pick either of them, especially Ricky Retard
Supercoach league: 494132
Very fertile ruck discussion. For me Sandi/Cox. Giles and Stephenson will hopefully make lots of cash sitting on the bench and either a good reserve if required. I think it is an unecessary speculative risk to go with one premium ruck. As with all risks, and I do admit it is a well calculated one, it may pay off well.
Am going 14 premiums this year, probably two recovering premiums, the rest rookies. Debating a three premium mid field…ummm.
You need 4 premo rucks this year. Coz of the byes and all.
And only rookies in your midfield.
What is everyone’s thoughts on Marty Clarke? His DODT article said he was a lock but havn’t heard anyone saying much about him.
People have stopped talking about him because he didn’t play on the weekend, and he is such an obviously compulsory purchase that there isn’t much need to debate further
Far from convinced of the bona fides of Marty Clarke. He’s had considerable time out of the game. He must break his way back into a formidable line-up. He was never a great DTer in the first place. Personally, he won’t get a gig in my team. You will get equal or better return from a cheaper first year player who’s first sport actually involves kicking a TW.
Career average of 69.5 from 46 games. I’ll take that from a 140k player. Mind you, there was no sub rule the last time Marty played.
Any1 going David swallow, should play every game and increase his avg a fair bit. (breakout year)
so what does every one else think about swan, he did look slow in the NAB cup but after all he is Dane Swan?
I agree with you that he is Dane Swan. At least, he certainly seems like Dane Swan to me.
I like how Roy states it …”You want to turn your back on Swanny… do so at your own risk!”
Calvin stated it !
He will get fatter and slower I would stay away
I like your work rob, But i dont think anyone is gunna fall for it….. Swannie is LOCKED!!!!
It’s the NAB Cup. It’s Dane Swan gently blowing out the cobwebs. Nothing to prove to anyone. Come Round 1: gameface Swanny
Anyone thoughts on pav? will he keep performing throughout the season?
Pav/Fyfe/Goodes/o’keefe/zaharakis???
Pav and Fyfe. I think Lyon will coach Pav favourably for DT.
Pav has carried FFC for an eternity. His scores tend to go up & down. I would treat Pav with caution.
Everyone is thinking too much into Swanny. I watched the game and for the most part when he was around the ball he would either get it or it would be unlucky for him to not get it. He is still looking as fit and fast as ever.
Is something wrong with Watson as there is not much talk about him, All I was going to say was for the extra cash I think he is worth it more the zaka, he was a gun last year too until the injury
Cheers
Obviously he is worth more, I meant in dt valve etc
My dt valve is about to blow……..:-)
If Zaharakis was listed as mid only no one would be talking him up either. Swan, Pendles, Selwood, etc all have the same bye, which can make it hard to justify.
No worries, makes sense
Cheers
pavs a lock for me
I have gone with Fyfe but only just. If it wasn’t for this bye problem mid season might have gone both.
Pav is looking the goods again for another Pav like output.
Just read porps nursing a calf injury…….. out you go!! …………..hello the little Ranga.
TKOL, thanks in advance.
Why the hype on g rohan?
Rohan?????……….I was talking about Banfield.
Best option for my Mid6…
Andrew Gaff $322,900
Jake Melksham $344,400
Cale Morton $311,600
Shaun Burgoyne $354,700
or save my money
Chris Masten $278,500
Or save even more money and go with a rookie, like Wingard, Pfeiffer or Gibson
Especially for a M6, should be investing in cheaper stock!
Morton twinged his knee. Should be fine for round 1 but isn’t the greatest preparation. I would prob pick Caddy over all the ones you have mentioned although I am a very big Gaff fan.
Ridley,
I don’t need your pointless explanation ! You clearly don’t get it. I will let my ranking compared to yours at the end of the year provde my explanation for me.
Why would it be three trades ? If worst case scenario Giles and Stephenson are injured or both diabolically bad I may need to trade down the extra premo I got from this strategy to a rook on the bubble and then upgrade a rookie ruck to a premo ruck = 2 trades at worst !!!
By going with a rookie ruck as No. 2 all a coach is doingis backing in their ability to score the sameor better than the rookie fwd/mid/back they have foregone. Given the fact Geelong only have 2 fit ruckman the Big O has brilliant JS and zero vest chance. Similarly with Giles he will be GWS No 1 ruck so will get good game time and very little vest chance. I woul have thought the above facts make Stepehsnon and Giles rolled in gold rookie selections and more reliable picks to start on the ground than the various rooks who will be starting on the ground in other positions.
Why is it differnt having a rookie ruck on the ground to a rookie mid/fwd/back on the ground ??
No need for three trades mate ????
There is no right or wrong. Just ideas and opinions.
Zac Smith was a revelation last year. He was outstanding in his first year. Giles will be doing exceptionally well to match the output of Smith. Smith played 20 games last year and averaged just over 70. Overall points for the year was 1437. My starting rucks this year are Cox (2366 points overall from 22 games) and McEvoy (1900 points overall from 21 games).
I like Giles and he will serve me just nicely as my back-up ruckman and potential cash cow after the MBR’s. I just don’t see the need at the moment to be using him as my second ruck option. Cash isn’t too much of a worry for me. My team will be starting with 13 or 14 premiums and a couple of mid pricers then the rest rookies.
Either way, best of luck with the DT season.
Boyed or Steve Johnson
what one would you pick?
Can’t go wrong with either. Boyd is prob more consistent but very close call. Stevie J is like the forgotten man this year. Haven’t heard too much about him.
Treat Stevie J as an upgrade target- I am (let the cash cow $$ buy him, not your banks)
Boyd is a machine, look for SJ later in the year.
Agreed Ridley there is no right or wrong answer, both merits have pros and cons to weigh up. All that cnabedone isa bit of a ost benefit analyis for each strategy then cross the fingers and see what unfolds..
Good luck to you as well……
I’m running the same ruck at Tbetta.
Sandilands, Giles, Stephenson & Rowe or Witts.
Should I have Giles on the ground, freeing up the cash to upgrade Spurr and Porps to Shaw and J Brown? Or just go set and forget with two guns.