Which Mid-Pricer? – Forwards

Shaun Higgins $305,400

Why is he so cheap?

Because he’s Shaun Higgins! That’s why! He’s cheap every year, he receives the Shaun Higgin’s discount, you know? The one where a player with a crap load of potential get injured every year. So his price isn’t that high to start with, then get’s discounted practically every year. Averaged 71 points from his 3 games start to the season before missing the rest with a foot injury.

Why Should I pick him?

Because you have a devil may care attitude and never learnt not to touch the hot stove…
In all seriousness, he is guaranteed to be in the Bulldogs best 22 and can pump out occasional big scores when the mood strikes him, started last year with 115 against Brisbane. If he stays fit you’ll get upwards of a 70 point average, averaged 101 points per 100 minutes in the NAB comp.

Verdict

Seriously… 101 in the NAB comp… maybe? Nope! Don’t do it, that 101 average is inflated. Only played half a game and came on in the second half in as the sub, this possibly raises concerns over whether Higgins is match fit yet. Also, this kid is made of glass. Incredibly talented player who could be amazing if injuries leave him alone, I wouldn’t take the risk though.

Nope nope never nope nope never never nope

Josh Caddy (mid) $343,500

Why is he so cheap?

Caddy is priced at an average of 62 points per game after wearing the sub vest and playing multiple positions in his first season as a cat.

Why Should I pick him?

Because it looks like Caddy has learnt a lot during his Geelong apprenticeship last year. If his NAB form is anything to go on, he’s added a bit of muscle and adopted Selwood’s in an under style. Playing predominately midfield throughout the campaign, Caddy averaged 104 points per 100 mins.

Verdict

I don’t feel like I needed to sell anyone on this kid. So much so, I’m going to fill space here with an extra DT league code: 76P55Z72
We’ve all been waiting for Caddy’s breakout year, if he keeps playing as a pure midfielder, this is it.

Luke Dahlhaus $381,100 

Why is he so cheap?

There’s no reason for him to really be considered cheap unless you’re basing it on consistent potential? Dahlhaus played every game last year and never wore a vest. With the exception of the odd cork or tag his scoring wasn’t really hampered by anything. Priced at an average of 70.

Why Should I pick him?

The only reason to pick Dahlhaus is because you believe that his natural progression will see him truly break out in his 4th season. Adding weight to that decision would be his 117 point average per 100 mins over the NAB competition.
Also the fact that up to the half way point of last season he was averaging 60 points per game. His last half of the season saw him produce an 80 point average. Progression?

Verdict

Dahlhaus is one of those players who is an absolute joy to watch go about the game. I just personally won’t be trusting him this year. Could be an absolute smokie of a pick if he breaks out and you’re one of the few who took the punt but I think there are much safer options on this list.

Not this year for me

Matthew Wright (mid) $368,900

Why is he so cheap?

Matthew Wright played 16 games last year. In 5 of those he was used as a sub. In 4 for the non sub games he was used as a tagger. Averaged 68 points for the season.

Why Should I pick him?

When he’s not wearing a vest or a player (that sounded better in my head, you know, as in tagging) he is a very fantasy friendly scorer. Take out the above mentioned games and we see an average of 84 points per game.
During this years NAB challenge he’s averaged a massive 130 points per 100 mins!

Verdict

If I could guarantee that Wright would be left to just play footy like he was in the NAB comp then he would be one of the biggest locks on this list. Unfortunately given his history we can’t. Don’t blame the player on this one, blame the coach!

What a waste… do not touch

Dayne Zorko (mid) $400,100

Why is he so cheap?

Zorko the magnificent! Watch as he makes himself disappear during a game… This was his favourite party trick last year. Was very good at it too as he had thousands of fantasy coaches looking for him! Finished the season on a 73 points averaged.

Why Should I pick him?

On his day Zorko is capable of knocking out decent numbers. Averaged 94 points per game in his first season in 2012 which included 2 scores of 140. Definitely capable. Averaged 106 points per 100 minutes during the NAB challenge. Has Zorko reappeared?

Verdict

Based on last year you couldn’t justify spending this much on him. But if Zorko recaptures that 2012 form then he’s definitely a bargain. Does have a tendency to score all his points during little purple patches in games, did this again in NAB 1 which is a cause for concern. His 73 point average from last was exactly terrible but his deviation from his average score is purely terrifying. For example Round 12 – 60, Round 13 – 80, Round 14 – 57, Round 15 – 85, Round 16 – 53… That alone is enough to put me off.

Those NAB scores may as well be an illusion, no thanks.

Rhys Palmer (mid) $394,700

Why is he so cheap?

Palmer played only a handful of games (11) for GWS last year, one of which included wearing the sub vest. In these games he was used primarily as a forward tagger. Trying to limit opposition teams setting up out of defence by tagging players like Birchall, Hurn, Hartlett and Enright. Managed an average score of 72 points per game.

Why Should I pick him?

4 games last year he scored over 100. Has always been a ball magnet.
Went into the NAB challenge with something to prove, literally using his body as a battering ram and launching into multiple contests. Finished the NAB comp with an average of 115 points per 100 mins.

Verdict

Job Security is a massive issue here. While he gives the Giants another mature body it seems last year he was used quite specifically to curb certain players influence. Could be seen though as while Palmer is getting games, he’s taking the place of a young player who could be getting experience.

Not in anyway a reliable player

Craig Bird (mid) $387,300

Why is he so cheap?

Severely sub effected in 4 games last year (severe as in not used till the last quarter) then made a name for himself as an effective tagger. Given tagging duties in 9 games, finished the year with an average of 70 points per game.

Why Should I pick him?

Considering those sub scores, that 70 average isn’t actually too bad. Just taking out sub effected scores sees his average rise another 10 points.
Here’s the biggest reason I believe Bird should be at least considered. When he’s let run free, he racks them up pretty well. Averaging between 90 – 120 when allowed freedom. So I believe you should pick him, with a massive asterisks…*
Coming off a very impressive NAB game against WCE where he score 119 points from 68% TOG. That’s 152 points per 100 minutes!

Verdict

I don’t think Bird is a keeper, while he is slightly underpriced due to vestings, his tagging duties quite often leave him dishing out a 60 range score too often. But here come’s the asterisks *FREE HIT ALERT* Sydney has GWS in round 1. In the two full games Bird has played against GWS he has been allowed to run free and scored 127 and 116. Could be a handy inclusion.

Gotta take the chance round 1 but has to be gone by round 2, played Collingwood twice last year for 67 and 68 points!

Jack Darling $374,500

Why is he so cheap?

Darling had the definition of a roller coaster season last year. With WCE struggling, particularly towards the end of the season, West Coast forwards were left starved of opportunity. Averaged 69 points for the season.

Why Should I pick him?

The reason to pick Darling this year is based on his inclusion into the ‘midfield rotation’ club. Seemingly splitting these duties with LeCras, it looks like we will see Darling further up the field and getting on the end of a few kick mark combos along the wing if the NAB comp was anything to go by.
Speaking of the NAB comp, Darling averaged a tasty 99 points per 100 mins.

Verdict

With the Eagles using him as their get out of trouble kick when he’s running through the mids (floating along the wings) the potential for improvement is definitely there! Throw that together with West Coast’s ‘easy draw’ and we could certainly see Darling’s average rise. Unfortunately this is still too much speculation for me.

I’ll be monitoring Darling’s role in the first few games before making a decision still.

Matthew Pavlich $393,100

You wouldn’t be wanting to start too many of these guys in the same team, But with so little decent cash cow rookie fwd options this year fitting in one or two could provide some decent job security while scoring and still earning cash. Do any fit your structure? Who are you considering? Are there any smokies I missed?

Join the conversation below and let us know your thoughts?