Luke Bruest – Deck of Dream Team 2013

Name: Luke Breust
Club: Hawthorn
Position: Forward
Assistant Coach 2013 Price: $389,100
Bye Round: 11 – Shared with Brisbane, Richmond, Port Adelaide, Fremantle and Bulldogs
2012 Average: 75.52
2012 Games Played: 21
Predicted Average: 95

Why should I pick him?

Well, when he starts racking up +6  and kicking goals  you can yell Breeuuuuuuuuuuuuusst at the TV. No – you wont look like a prick to your mates at all.

Last year, Breust got rid of the super-sub tag of his first season and established himself in Hawthorn’s first team, playing 21 games. Breust played predominantly as a forward with bursts in the midfield and lifted his average from 65 to 76ppg ,  showing us his DT potential with a high score of 107 and 3 more scores over 90.

Going into his ‘magical’ third season there has been talk of him having increased midfield time (being compared to playing like GAJ cant be a bad thing either) but then again, we thought the same thing about this bloke last year. I am inclined to believe that Breust will get some more midfield time in 2013 as  some of Hawthorn’s Midfielders like Mitchell, Sewell and Lewis are not getting any younger and they will be looking to put games into the next generation to stay near the top of the tree.  Ross Lyon isn’t his coach either.

Another reason to pick Bruest is the way he accrues his DT points. The kid loves to tackle! Last season, Breust got 23% of his points just from tackling so he doesn’t need to kick a bag to consistently get points. In only his second year of AFL he is already classified elite as a general forward (thank you prospectus!) and the same kicking efficiency % as Sam Mitchell – these are the sort of stats that Clarko will take note of when deciding who the next generation of midfielders will be. Now get running Lukey and build that tank up!

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

One of the main reasons to not pick the Breuster is probably because of his price. Priced at 76, you are going to pick him with the intention of him turning into a keeper and if you’re looking for a midpricer to turn into a keeper, there is whole lot less risk picking someone like Knights because he at least has more cash generation potential if he doesn’t reach a keeper average.

Like any developing player,  Breust went missing in some games last year, with 6 scores under 60 and  not copping a vest (green or red) in any of those games. He’s probably going to have a few more of them games in the future. Is he ready to take the step up this year? Or is he still a year or two from peaking? Obviously if the midfield time was something to fill a slow news day on the AFL website,  Breust will have to kick a whole lotta goals to improve his average significantly and when he shares a forward line with Buddy, Roughy and Cyril – its unlikely that will happen. Bruest also only has fwd eligibility and with a plethora of mid/fwds available, it could be one factor he doesn’t get a guernsey in your team.

 

Deck of DT Rating.

QUEEN –  Bruest screams breakout to me. From all reports the kid is a gun and I believe that his midfield time WILL go up and he will average 90 for the year. Does he fit your structure? Is Dustin Martin a safer pick for $47k more? With a FWD only position and only needing 6 forwards, I think he may be a year away from being seriously considered. But hey, 2 trades a week you can afford to take a few risks with your starting squad. Will Breust be one?

PS any flack for Breust being apart of the DODT can be directed at yours truly as I picked him. Just be thankful that I didn’t do Robbie Gray!

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