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http://www.fanfooty.com.au/forum/index.php/topic,895.0.html

The link above is to my article at the start of the dream team season last year.  Please at least read the opening post before continuing so you have a feel as to what I am trying to get to work.  I was roundly ridiculed and abused for going into the season without a quality ruck (read: Dean Cox) and instead going in with four rookie rucks and redistributing the money into my midfield where I believe more value is to be had.

Last year was my first foray into following a theory with DT, and although I didn't end up going too well I stuck with my theory throughout the season.

My starting team last season was:

Backs: Goddard, C.Cornes, Malceski, Hodge, R.Houlihan, Raines, Hill (Petrenko, Suban)

Mids: Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Cousins, Swan, Boak (Anthony, Rich)

Rucks: Bellchambers, A.Browne (Jacobs, Spencer)

Forwards: Franklin, B.Harvey, Higgins, Skipworth, Ziebell, Ben Reid, Deledio (Sidebottom, T.Walker)

To start with I got hurt by swapping Braughton out for Suban, listening to Wallace and not going with Angus Graham in the ruck instead of one game Browne, Cousins hurt me, Bellchambers hurt me, Harvey hurt (low scores finished off by an injury) and Malceski hurt.  I also was forced to play with less than 22 on the ground a number of weeks but was still pulling in 1850-1950 those weeks and didn't really get stung until the last few rounds (the DT finals rounds).

The trading went as follows:

OUT Wright ($136,100)     IN Brennan ($308,300)
OUT Ross ($246,600)    IN Wilson ($75,300)
ROUND 18
OUT Petrenko ($140,400)    IN Gilbee ($315,400)
OUT Higgins ($345,900)    IN Riewoldt ($431,000)
ROUND 14
OUT Suban ($176,200)    IN Silvester ($75,300)
OUT Franklin ($273,200)    IN Chapman ($439,200)
ROUND 11
OUT Cornes ($347,400)    IN Lockyer ($373,700)
OUT Ziebell ($273,300)    IN Ballantyne ($86,600)
ROUND 10
OUT Walker ($212,700)    IN Wright ($86,600)
OUT Raines ($190,500)    IN Ross ($238,000)
ROUND 9
OUT Krakouer ($275,400)    IN McGlynn ($274,500)
OUT Hill ($251,500)    IN Grimes ($186,400)
ROUND 7
OUT Meesen ($148,800)    IN McIntosh ($358,800)
OUT Cousins ($364,000)    IN Coughlan ($176,400)
ROUND 6
OUT Harvey ($371,400)    IN Johnson ($406,400)
OUT Skipworth ($250,800)    IN Krakouer ($294,300)
ROUND 5
OUT Bellchambers ($176,000)    IN Meesen ($86,600)
ROUND 4
OUT Browne ($75,300)    IN Graham ($86,600)
OUT Reid ($156,800)    IN Brown ($115,100)
ROUND 3
OUT Malceski ($298,800)    IN Harding ($292,800)

So I feel the trading I did ok but not outstanding.  The one thing that did help was not selecting Cox as the injury bug hit him and a lot of teams.

This year is a bit interesting and requires a bit more thinking.  The lack of outstanding back and forward rookie options will make the whole selection process interesting.  At the moment my team looks like the following:

Backs:
Goddard, Hodge Buckley, Hurn, Drum, Waters, Ladson (Hunt, Sheppard)

Mids:
Ablett jnr., Gibbs, Stanton, Swan, Selwood, Trengove (Barlow, Kayler-Thomson)

Rucks:
Vickery, Lobbe (Trengove, West)

Forwards:
Riedwoldt, Brennan, Dangerfield, Knights, Polkinghorne, Veszpremi, Gumbleton (Rockliff, Tapscott)


The reasons I have picked some of the players are as follows:
Drum: I rate this bloke and feel has doe pretty well when given an opportunity but will he get a go at Geelong?
Waters/Dangerfield: Under an injury cloud both but as long as they can perform and I can upgrade I will be happy here.
Gumbleton:  I need a forward that is going to play and between him and Rusling I think these players are the most likely.
So right now before the actual DT positions are out are the following issues:
Goddard:  If he isn't a back Enright will come in here
Jack Trengove: If he is a forward he will play there and someone else will come into the mids
Bastinac/Cunnington: If they are named as forwards they will come in for Rockliff and Gumbleton
Bate/Wilkes/Adams: other options to come in but will really have to fit into my plans and available positions

Other issues are:
Gumbleton: Will he play?  If he doesn't and Rusling does there is a straight swap there
Buckley: I actually don't think he will play so my backup for him will be any of X. Clarke, Kennelly, Polak or Farmer
Drum: Same players as Buckley are options as is Hunt on the bench.
Both Drum and Buckley not playing: Hurley, Drummond, Geary or Pettard and a rookie will come in.

So this should have all my dilemas covered.

The rucks I have picked are for the following reasons:
Vickery: I feel he will play for Richmond all year alongside Simmonds and will hopefully build on his $200,000 starting price.
Lobbe/Trengove: One will play for Port but both will get a go so one will start on the ground and one will start on the pine
West: Someone has to back up Ottens and I feel West will get an early go at that. 

I have waivered a touch this season to include Vickery.  Originally I also had Hille but Now that it is speculated that he won't play until towards round 9 I feel it is prudient to have an extra rookie ruck who I can trade out for Hille when he becomes available.

So the first part of the theory is complete.  The next bit is where real planning and self control comes in.  Trading.

What needs to happen here is I need to decide who are the keepers and who are the non-keepers and the possible keepers.  Some are obvious and here is my current list:

Keepers:
Goddard, Hurn, Hodge, Ablett jnr., Gibbs, Swan, Stanton, Selwood, Trengove (this year's Rich in my opinion), Riedwoldt, Brennan, Knights.

Non-Keepers:
Barlow, Kayler-Thomson, Lobbe, Trengove, West, Gumbleton, Tapscott

Possibles:
Hunt, Rockliff, Ladson, Vickery, Sheppard, Polkinghorne, Veszpremi, Drum, Waters, Dangerfield, Buckley

So the imediate thought here is that I have too many players who I want to get rid of.  If I need to get rid of all my keepers and possibles then that leaves me with only two trades, which could really hurt when injury strikes.  I honestly don't think this will happen but it is definately something I need to keep in mind.

To sumarise, This theory is that rucks are not worth the money due to more inconsistantcy than the average player.  Yes, they can have blinders but their poor games tend to be very poor that is why I have chosen to redistribute the money saved here to upgrade a mid player to a premium to hopefully make a more consistant player.

I am sort of hoping people will open their minds and see this for what it is: an option that I have chosen to play and an option for others to tinker with if they choose.

I will follow this up further with my final team selection when DT opens.

Great post Nick, good luck.

nice

massive post!!!!!  all good tho haven't finished reading it yet lol ;D

I should have said that last years post probably gives the best indication as to why I am doing this and this year's post sort of polises the idea

righto i just fin reading it... yea feel similar but im starting either cox or sandi with 3 rookies.. these 2 aren't inconsistent like others - esp cox
kreuzer may be as consistent as cox this year - i'd say have one elite ruck?? but i see where u are coming from- although i swear i read recently that forwards are statisically the most inconsistent out of each of the 4 positions - guess the FWD pool is much larger than the ruck pool which contributes to that being the case...

Quote from: Torress on January 23, 2010, 06:04:24 AM
righto i just fin reading it... yea feel similar but im starting either cox or sandi with 3 rookies.. these 2 aren't inconsistent like others - esp cox
kreuzer may be as consistent as cox this year - i'd say have one elite ruck?? but i see where u are coming from- although i swear i read recently that forwards are statisically the most inconsistent out of each of the 4 positions - guess the FWD pool is much larger than the ruck pool which contributes to that being the case...

I tend to agree with you, Torress.  Forwards are incosistant that is why I only went with one key forward in Riedwoldt and the rest are small forwards/mids and as such I think they will see a lot more posessions and as such you are not looking for your key position player to kick minimum of four goals every week

for sure the mid sized FWDS are def the go from start of season - and the ones who rotate thru the mid being the best buys. prob is most of the good ones (mid rotating FWDS) are all very expensive ie. didak, davis, lids (must have), ect. look for the big timber half way thru season seems to be the go - ala goodes, maybe petrie, brown

ah im in DT!!!!  ahhhh i'm not doing DT anymore it annoys me - SC is alot better

lids only named as a mid:(
:'( its hurt me

i read your post last year and was very interseted to see how it panned out. i half tried ur approach and started with cox and jesse white as my ruckman.

you're right in saying that premium mids have alot of value but then again i drather be starting cheap midfielders than cheap rucks as they should score more.

for example;
YOUR TEAM
selwood - 497,200 - avg. 100
stanton - 469,300 - avg. 100
vickery - 208,700 - avg. 50
lobbe - 90,700 - avg. 40

These ae just my predicted averages but from these selections you should score a total of roughly 290 points per week at the total cost of $1,265,900.

However if you took the option of having better rucks you could possibly choose;
palmer - 293,800 - avg. 85
martin - 150,700 - avg. 65
sandilands - 444,200 - avg. 95
kreuzer - 349,700 - avg. 80

Taking this path you should be able to score 325 points per week (35 more than i beleive your players will score) at the total cost of $1,238,400 (spending $27,500 less than your team).

So my thinking you would make more points, spend less money, and have players with less risk of being dropped.

cheers. good luck if u stick with your theory

Hmm, that is an interesting way to look at it as well. 

I don't think Kreuzer will peak this year at 85 as I think Warnock will take the #1 ruck spot.  Why else would Carlton spend big on him when they knew they had Kreuzer at #1 pick anyway?

Just my opinion though.  I do like the idea you posted though

Hmm very interesting.

Personally, I don't buy it. Basically your exchanging two centre rookies for  2 ruck rookies. One would think that centre rookies would score more than ruck rookies so you could be down 30+ ppg from the get go. Frankly, you don't discuss WHY this strategy is superior and just pad out your post with meaningless discussion.

But good luck with it.

Quote from: shog on January 23, 2010, 08:39:40 AM
Frankly, you don't discuss WHY this strategy is superior and just pad out your post with meaningless discussion.

I'm not trying to provide a superior stratergy, just another way of playing.

My original post from last year (link in OP) was supposed to provide my reasoning.  Obvisually it doesn't so I'll try and think up some better way to explain it.

The reasonn I went for the ruck rookies over the centre rookies was I feel the 30+ppg that I lose by not having the centre rookies is made up by having 5 premium mids instead and a slight upgrade to a forwards and backs as well.

I think u need at least one quality ruck cos theres plenty of points to be had from a good one. If u only have chumps in the ruck u better hope u are making up for it in another part of the ground.

Quote from: StuL on January 23, 2010, 10:29:06 AM
If u only have chumps in the ruck u better hope u are making up for it in another part of the ground.

Spot on Stu.  That is exactly what I am going for

Duer Meister Stool!

Quote from: Prospector_1 on January 23, 2010, 10:47:18 AM
Duer Meister Stool!

Vielleicht, aber ich etwas anderes, als ob sich alle an den gleichen Weg dann gefällt was ist der Sinn von einem Spiel wie diesem?

Ob solch ein Sinn neurologisch lokalisiert werden kann!

New rules make for an interesting way around ruck problems - everyone should check Walesey's blog at tooserious you know!

I agree in principal to your theory. I have Mumford and Warnock who I think will be first choice ruckman for their teams. Skipper and Lobbe on the bench who I think will get some game time but prob not 22 games. And I have Tippett in the forward line as back up who can sub with Lobbe if needed without using any trades. Im looking outside of the box like you.

Ok, so now final prices are out I have made a couple of changes from the original team I posted but nothing too serious:

Lobbe for Warnock
West for Skipper
Rockliff for Lockyer
Barlow for Bastinac

Most of the changes speak for themselves.  The reason I went for Jackson Trengove over Lobbe may not be as obvious but it is simply because I feel Trengove will play more games for Port than Lobbe.  Both players are the same price so if one is picked and the other isn't in round one then it is a simple change back.

Now I will wait for pre-season form and the Friday before the second match and make the final changes required for my team (e.g. who to swap Ladson for) and post it back here.

As most of you will see my initial team has some players that are unlikely to get a game for round one.  This was done delibrately.  The idea behind this was to take advantage of the rolling lockout for round one.  The Richmond and Carlton players I have picked (Vickery, Gibbs and Warnock).  I plan on trying to get Dustin Martin in for Kayler-Thomson in the dreaded hours between the release of teams and the first lockout if one of my backs (or Veszprimi) are not selected.  Realistically a NAB Cup injury to one of my cheaper players will not hurt me too much and could honestly be an advantage as it means I get another highly rated rookie mid in the side.

It is an unusual way to set up a team to look for players that won't be selected (either because of a NAB Cup injury or otherwise) but this is why I feel that posting my stratergy is worthwhile.  It will give people a different idea on how to look at things.  I think that selecting the initial team this way will also give enough cover for early injury (e.g. NAB Cup injury) but unfortunately not for the Liam Anthony injury (if anyone can tell me how to beat this please feel free to share!).

Quote from: DWEBBY5 on January 23, 2010, 06:43:19 AM
lids only named as a mid:(
:'( its hurt me

same here, i put him in as a midfielder and it didnt look right expecially when cooney was 80k cheaper!! so hes gone now!!

im still not convinced on this rookie ruck thing, your 2 ruckmen  should be keeper from the start allowing you to upgrade elsewhere on the field, you dont choose young KPP because they tend to take longer to develop, its the same with ruckmen! its going to be really hard to upgrade vickery or lobbe during the year they should ONLY be used to make money, where as if you look at midfielder type players as the ones to upgrade they have a LOT better chance to make a lot more money!!! and if it gets late in the season and Lobbe and Vickery are still around the 250k averaging 40PPG you are going to be wasting money trying to upgrade them, or worse losing games in your league because you didnt put in decent rucks from the start!!

Quote from: Trav0 on February 07, 2010, 08:36:16 PM
im still not convinced on this rookie ruck thing, your 2 ruckmen  should be keeper from the start allowing you to upgrade elsewhere on the field, you dont choose young KPP because they tend to take longer to develop, its the same with ruckmen! its going to be really hard to upgrade vickery or lobbe during the year they should ONLY be used to make money, where as if you look at midfielder type players as the ones to upgrade they have a LOT better chance to make a lot more money!!! and if it gets late in the season and Lobbe and Vickery are still around the 250k averaging 40PPG you are going to be wasting money trying to upgrade them, or worse losing games in your league because you didnt put in decent rucks from the start!!

Hence why I got Warnock and Skipper in the side now (as per previous post).  Both still fit the bargin ruck theory and both should be developed by now.  Remember last season any of Tippet, Kruezer, Ryder or Clark could/would have fit this mould (as long as they were rucks last season.  Was Ryder or Clark?  Tippet and Kruezer were).

Ok, here we are on the eve of the pre-season and I guess it is a good time to put up my pre-NAB Cup team:

Backs: Brendan Goddard, Luke Hodge, Shannon Hurn, Josh Hunt, Rick Ladson, Simon Buckley, Marcus Drum Beau Waters, Brad Sheppard

Mids: Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood, Leigh Montagna, Dane Swan, Bryce Gibbs, Jack Trengove Ryan Bastinac, Dustin Martin

Rucks: Tyrone Vickery, Robert Warnock Wayde Skipper, Jackson Trengove

Forwards: Nick Riewoldt, Tarkin Lockyer, Jarod Brennan, Graham Polak, Patrick Dangerfield, James Polkinghorne, Chris Knights Trent Dennis-Lane, Luke Tapscott

Rick Ladson being named for the match against the tigers threw up something I didn't expect but so be it.  At the moment I am only tossing up between Skipper and Jordan Roughead but I think Skipper will get the nod due to his previous experiance - even if he has only produced low scores.

My other thought is whether to two backs are dropped for round one.  I am thinking of getting rid of Hunt and one other (probably Ladson) so I can hopefully get Gilbee but this will require a bit of tinkering to actually make it work and I have to ask if it is worth it or not.

*Edit*
One game in and I can say I have nothing to change.  I was impressed with Naitanui but my main concern with him is how many points Cox will take off him.  Sheppard's 30 points from a bit over a quarter is promising but Hurn concerned me.

Essendon-wise Bellchambers had a good first half but fell away in the second half.  Nothing else to note really as I haven't selected any Essendon players.  I will keep my eye on Bellchambers though as he is another option for the bargain ruck at $153,800.

thats the best midfeild i have seen yet!! but its too expensive imo downgrade at least one to a cheaper player eg masten, dalziell or mackay and use that money to upgrade at least one of your players in defence iwould suggest beau waters

Quote from: JUDDY on February 13, 2010, 10:07:36 AM
thats the best midfeild i have seen yet!! but its too expensive imo downgrade at least one to a cheaper player eg masten, dalziell or mackay and use that money to upgrade at least one of your players in defence iwould suggest beau waters

Yeah, I understand where you are coming from.  The plan is for one of my backs to not be picked in the first round and use the money to upgrade either Waters or Ladson

i agree. I think you should have at least one quality ruckman. I tried 2 cheaper rucks last year and it didn't really work, having said that I won my GF in DT last year, but I don't think I would be competative against the top sides as I only averaged (from memory) around 1900 ppr. Be careful with Trent West, good player though he is I think he would only get a game if Otto or Blakey fell over. Geelong (or St.Kilda) are poor clubs for cheap options.
I think if there is money to be saved it may be in the forward line. I might try some cheaper options up there after looking at NBA cup form and beefing up the center and back lines. As the year progesses you can recruit forwards that  will work for you.

ruck cheapies are typically far inferior to cheapies in other positions - it makes no sense to choose the former over the latter

Time for another update.  After NAB Cup round one and on the eve of round two my team currently looks like the following:

Backs: Goddard, Hodge, J. Hunt, Enright, Ladson, Webberley, Polak, Lisle, Sheppard

Mids: Ablett, Swan, J. Selwood, Trengove, Montanga, D. Martin, Bastinac, Gibbs

Rucks: Naitanui, Vickery, Warnock, Roughead

Forwards: Riewoldt, Giansiracusa, Rockliff, Dangerfield, Polkinghorne, Lobbe, Lockyer, Pavlich, Dennis-Lane

Now, two spots I am not sold on at the moment are Lobbe  in the forward line and Webberley in the backline.  My reserves for the backline are Jackson Trengove and Marcus Davies. 

Not too sure on my forward line backups yet.  I am thinking Mitchell Duncan or James Podsiadly but this will then give me five Geelong players in my team.  Can they all score well?  Gerrick Weedon is another on the radar but I am unsure if he will get a game early on.  Gumbleton is under consideration but again, will he make get the games?  I will most probably go with Podsiadly so I can use the saving elsewhere.

You may have noted the players that have changed since my last writeup.  I will list and explain why:

Skipper:  Swapped for Roughead.  Skipper did show something but I think Roughead will offer more until Minson comes back and gives me a good idea of when to trade him as well

Buckley:  Not enough of a go in the Collingwood NAB Cup game.  I chose Lisle in his position after his NAB Cup game, but it was only Richmond.

Hurn:  Poor outing against a weak Essendon.  Chose Enright after his outing against North Melbourne

Drum:  Hard decision this one - especially now Corey is out for a while as I think Drum will come into his position.  My reason was because Geelong didn't select him in the first game or the NAB Challenge outing against Richmond, which is an ideal outing for new players in my opinion.  Drum is also a country Victorian so an interesting player for Geelongto leave out.  If it is good enough for them it is good enough for me to leave him out.  Player selected in his position was Webberley.  I think he will take Nason's spot in the Richmond side and being a mature age rookie should score well, but am not fully convinced yet.

Waters:  Still not back after how many years out?  Swapped for Polak due to him playing more games this year.

Kayler-Thomson:  Swapped for Martin due to Martin's NAB Cup outing

Stanton: Swapped for Montanga.  All due to gut feeling.  No other reason.

Trengove:  Swapped for Naitanui due to his NAB Cup outing.  I wasn't going to make this swap as I wasn't sure of Naitanui's output when Cox came back but after Worsfold said he will play as a midfielder after the first outing I found room to swap him in

Brennan:  Swapped for Pavlich.  I would have liked to have kept Brennan but due to Pavlich's consistancy I have chosen him

Knights:  Injured.  Swapped for Giansiracusa.  Was a gun in the wet of Canberra and has had a full pre-season so he comes in

Veszprimi:  Wasn't sure when I picked him so to drop him for Lockyer didn't hurt.

Gumbleton:  Didn't get a gig in the new Essendon forward line so doesn't get a gig in my forward line.  Swapped for Lobbe.  Not sure on this one as explained above

At the moment I am fairly comfortable with the side but one of my concerns is the four players I have from Richmond.  This is also my main reason I am not sold on Webberley and Polak to a lesser extent.  I am more comfortable with Polak but it will all come down to Davies' and Wrbberley's game reports this week.  If Polak does go I don't know who I will bring in.  I may even just leave it and keep the cash for the future.  I don't like spare cash as I see it as wasted but I also see the upside as well.

I guess that's why it makes this game so interesting!

interesting theory..I wouldn't put polak in my team..I put in Gia after the rd 1 NAB game as well

I wouldn't be worried about 5 Geelong players..They all share the ball well..rack up heaps of possessions..

Thanks for the vote of confidence Flame.  I agree about Polak but I am really not sure who to swap him for.

So here we are again for probably my last update before the season starts.  The current bargain ruck team looks like this:

Backs: Goddard, Hodge, J. Hunt, Enright, Ellis, M. Davies, Maguire, Lisle, P. Stewart

Mids: Ablett, Swan, J. Selwood, Barlow, Montanga, D. Martin, Bastinac, Gibbs

Rucks: Naitanui, McEvoy, Warnock, Roughead

Forwards: Riewoldt, Giansiracusa, Rockliff, Dangerfield, Westhoff, Hall, Lockyer, Hitchcock, Podsiadly

Not too many changes that really need explaining in my opinion.  Montanga was close to being swapped but holds on due to his NAB Cup final match.  Hall was the biggest decision but the consecutive high scores made me want him.  The only way I could get him is was to trade Pavlich.  Big call but it allowed me to bring Xavier Ellis into the backline for Rick Ladson.

Both these selections I feel may be the undoing of me but you have to have faith.  To compare the players here are there NAB Cup/Challenge socres:

Ladson: 43, 40
Ellis: 57, 48

So similar scores but vastly different price.  Big gamble.

The Hall/Pavlich comarasion is as follows:

Pavlich: 85, 43
Hall: 77, 91, 106

My plan here is to get Hall up to $340k-$370k then trade him for a rookie and bring in someone who is on top of their form.  He may also help the later upgrading of ruck options.  This is why I like this theory - the ability to wait and see which rucks are playing well.  I still feel rucks are the hardest position to select.

Good luck, Nick, keep us posted on how the theory pans out.

Good to see something take a punt with McEvoy; I think he will play a lot of games this year as Gardiner and King are put out to pasture.

NicNat will be hit and miss IMO. If Cox goes down, NicNat will avg 90ppg+ IMO, but if he is just a back up ruckman and FP specialist, I can see him struggling to get more than 70ppg (which is still a great improvement from 232k)

Good luck with it.

I agree with Gerco about NicNatPaddyWhack

Funily enough, I do too.  I am waiting to see the final practise match scores before finalising the squad

I have made a couple more changes to the lineup:

Gibbs out, Stanton in
Ellis out, Geary in
Lockyer out, O'Keefe in

Not sure about the Lockyer one yet and leaqving Gibbs out is a big call but I think it will work.  Geary was  the easy decision

Well, the final teams are in which means the Bargain Ruck Theory team is in.  Final team looks like the follows for round one:

Backs: Goddard, Hodge, Waters, Enright, Harbrow, Nason (49 points so far), P. Stewart, (Silvani, Maguire)

Mids: Ablett, Swan, J. Selwood, Stanton, Montanga, D. Martin (62PSF), (Bastinac, Barlow)

Rucks: Hille, McEvoy, (Warnock (85PSF), Trengove)

Forwards: Riewoldt, Giansiracusa, Ballantyne, O'Keefe, Hall, Westoff, Hitchcock, (Roberts (38PSF), Rockliff)

I decided to leave Rockliff in as I feel he may be a late inclusion for Banfield or at the worst be in the Brisbane team by round three.

Hindsight says I should have left Nason on the bench and put Warnock on the ground.  Besides that, I am extremely happy with this team which should allow me to upgrade players such as Hall, Ballantyne, Westoff, etc to better players later in the season.

Quote from: nick1408 on March 27, 2010, 08:21:41 AM
Mids: Ablett, Swan, J. Selwood, Stanton, Montagna, D. Martin (62PSF), (Bastinac, Barlow)

all i can say is :o :o :o :o :o :o :o.

hope it can carry the rest of the team ;D

Quote from: Hellopplz on March 27, 2010, 09:27:59 AM

Quote from: nick1408 on March 27, 2010, 08:21:41 AM
Mids: Ablett, Swan, J. Selwood, Stanton, Montagna, D. Martin (62PSF), (Bastinac, Barlow)

all i can say is :o :o :o :o :o :o :o.

hope it can carry the rest of the team ;D

That is pretty much what I am aiming for.  I feel there are more points for midfielders (or easier points) and as such the higher quality midfield should then suppliment the lower quality rucks

a few risks down back and forwards as well.

Hope the team can score well with those mids carrying it :D.

Nothing wrong going with Cox, he is human and had injury..he is elite, wont take him long to pick up.

So far so good for you Nick...Awesome Mid section..Ablett and Swan!!!

MP--Cox is a buy for later in the season if he stays fit..

yep im hoping he drops so i can trade hille for him

2055 points.  Only mistake was having Martin on the ground instead of Barlow.  could have been 2117 if I did that but I am happy with that as a start.

I was hoping to get over 2000 and if I can average over 2000 for the whole season I will be happy.  Nearly all players worked for me but I was very dissapointed in Gia and Hall.  So far, so good for Bargain Ruck 2010.

So, a quick analysis for Round one:

Highs:
- five of six midfielders over 100 (I want to average 105ish here)
- eight 100+ scores across the ground

Lows:
- eight 70 and less scores (including Gia and Hall)
- not having Barlow on the ground


So overall at the moment the only change I will make is to bring Barlow onto the ground.  Some may suggest to bring Maguire on for Nason but I feel Nason will have more chance of getting the higher score more often than Maguire getting the higher score.

Hall was fine 55 isn't that bad against presti given that the dogs got thumped. He'll kick a bag next week against the tiges :P

Good work Nick..I'm not sure who to pick between Maquire and Nason either. I also have Hunt and hope he performs better. ablett and Swan did well for you!!

Thanks Flame.  I am glad I traded Hunt for Waters but since Milburn is out now I think Hunt may get a bit more of a run with the ball.

Since the dogs have Richmond this week Hall, Gia and Harbrow hopefully will be back to their best.

The only changes to the team this week were Warnock onto the ground for McEvoy and Barlow on the ground for Martin.  I am still tossing up between Warnock and McEvoy as I think that the Brisbane rucks may have it over Warnock but I think McEvoy will be far better against a slightly weakened Roos ruck lineup.  No partial lockout could damage a few teams but I hope mine isn't one of them.

Go Warnock..I have him on my bench..Barlow should be a definite starter. The rucks didn't have a good weekend all round.

I chose to go with McEvoy and I am glad I did looking at Warnock's score so far

Quote from: nick1408 on April 02, 2010, 02:10:22 PM
I chose to go with McEvoy and I am glad I did looking at Warnock's score so far

I think its fair to say Warnock's round 1 score is not going to be repeated by him every week.

Quote from: Flame on March 29, 2010, 10:12:52 AM
So far so good for you Nick...Awesome Mid section..Ablett and Swan!!!

MP--Cox is a buy for later in the season if he stays fit..

Yeah I see that now Flame.

Nick took me a while to read your previous link and this post also. I am very impressed at the amount of work you have put into your research.

Hope your theory pans out for you. You are a nice addition to this site. Loving your posts.

Quote from: MissPiesFF on April 03, 2010, 09:20:08 AM

Quote from: Flame on March 29, 2010, 10:12:52 AM
So far so good for you Nick...Awesome Mid section..Ablett and Swan!!!

MP--Cox is a buy for later in the season if he stays fit..

Yeah I see that now Flame.

Nick took me a while to read your previous link and this post also. I am very impressed at the amount of work you have put into your research.

Hope your theory pans out for you. You are a nice addition to this site. Loving your posts.

Thanks for the kind works, much appreciated.

84 from Swan was very unexpected.  He was my captain as well.  Oh well, take the good and the bad I guess.  I am expecting lower scores from Stanton as well but he should still get over 100.  If Hitchcock, Ballantyne and Waters get 10-15 points more this week it should cover the lost points I think.  At the moment I am still looking at over 2000 points this week.

Edit: Bloody Hurn!  Paul Stewart going down will cost me.  Will need to see how long he is out for.  At least it is before price rises as now I can wait and see the scores from the two Sydney boys and decide who is a better fit.

grundy and malceski look good..Swan hurt me too

1708 with Ablett, Selwood, Hodge and Enright to come.  Should get over the 2000 mark again.  Hall's poor score concerns me.  He needs around 85 to break even next week now. I wish I just stuck with my original plan to take Dangerfield.  I made this cahnge based on NAB Cup scores.  Bad move.  I just needed to listen to myself and not go with a KPP other than Riedwoldt.

I also think I am going to ride out Stewart's injury as long as he is not out for more than 4 weeks.  If Nason or Maguire are dropped inside this timeframe I will reconsider but I am not happy with the current players I can afford.  None are standing out to me unfortunately.  The only other option (and it is a bad one) is to trade Hall for Dangerfield and then use the spare cash to upgrade Stewart - but again, not a lot to choose from.

Decisions, decisions!

hmmm... hall to dangerfield has me thinking aswell

well, 2116 this week so I am pretty happy with that finish, all things considering.  Hille and McEvoy's low score didn't hurt me too much and this is the sort of thing that Bargain ruck tries to do - offset the poor consistency of rucks with good consistency of midfielders - even if mine did perform about 130 points less than last week.

The bonus points this week were found in the forward line with about a 150 point jump in this area, with one less player contributing (Roberts).  Rucks were 90 points down (pretty much Warnock's difference from last week to this week) and backs were roughly the same - even with Stewart's injury.

At the moment no trades will be made but the Hall to Dangerfield one will definately be considered.  I am not really a fan of trading this early but I don't think in the big scheme of things it should hurt me too much.  The score I managed will has me considering since my last post as I was only expecting a touch over 2000. 

Again, decisions, decisions!

Well Paul Stewart named so i have decided against any trades this week.  Hall is still a concern but I will hold onto him for a bit longer now.  Tom Rockliff is in so that helps the forward line a bit.  Hitchcock will make way for Rockliff.  McEvoy has gotten the arse after two poor games so Warnock comes in for him.  I think Warnock can get 50-60 points against Essendon's ruck division so I am semi-happy with McEvoy being dropped - especially since Trengove is still in the Port side so that leaves me with three rucks still playing.

Maguire remains as my back emergency due to Nason playing Sydney and me judging Sydney as capable of slowing him down.  Due to Sydney playing a poor Richmond who have lost two defenders in Farmer and Thursfield I have installed O'Keefe as captain.  Poor Richmond needs to find defenders to shut down O'Keefe, Goodes and Bradshaw and I don't think they have the cattle.  Swan is demoted to vice captain this week.

I will be hoping to build on my score from last week but as usual I will be happy with over 2000.  I now have close to my best side on the ground so hopefully the scores continue to go up from here.

So the final side looks like this:

B: Waters Harbrow Silvani
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga
HF: Rockliff Hall O'Keefe
F: Ballantyne Riedwoldt Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett Selwood
Bench: Stewart Swan Warnock Westoff
Emerg: Maguire Bastinac Hitchcock

(Hope you liked my team list format this week)

Quote from: nick1408 on April 09, 2010, 09:26:50 AM
B: Waters Harbrow Silvani
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga
HF: Rockliff Hall O'Keefe
F: Ballantyne Riedwoldt Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett Selwood
Bench: Stewart Swan Warnock Westoff
Emerg: Maguire Bastinac Hitchcock

(Hope you liked my team list format this week)

what Swan only good enough for the bench? ;D
switch Roo and Hall. Switch Harbrow and Enright and it's set ;)

not feeling the drops which means you set the team up well. hope you (and me) can crack the 2k this week :D

Ok,  am seriously thinking of righting a wrong.  The decision is whether I should trade Hall out and then if I should get in either Dangerfield or Brett Ebert.  Dangerdfield has the edge at the moment as his average of 85 has been against two tough teams in Freemantle and Sydney whereas Ebert's average of 95 was against North Melbourne and West Coast.

I have a tough decision to make in the next two hours

danger looking tempting compared to ebert. ebert only going so well as he is getting alot of the ball when motlop (and gray) not up there.

hall to danger will probably best but burning another trade. but if danger isn't a keeper, 2 trades in total you will have spent on him.

Hmm, that is a good point.  If Dangerfield picks up by 5 points though that is almost a keeper though

willing to take the risk nick? and will it be the right one in the long run trading out hall for danger?

I am really not sure to be honest.  I wanted Dangerfield in preseason so that is swaying me a bit too

lockout yet? better hurry up with your decision or your stuck with it for the next couple of weeks or for the REST OF THE YEAR ;)

PANIC TRADE much?

nah, I was actually after opinion.  The trade is going through now.  The team is now:

B: Waters Harbrow Silvani
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga
HF: Rockliff Riedwoldt O'Keefe
F: Ballantyne Westoff Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett Selwood
Bench: Stewart Swan Warnock Dangerfield
Emerg: Maguire Bastinac Hitchcock

still have swan on bench ::) why doesn't anyone see he deserves a spot on field :P

Quote from: Hellopplz on April 10, 2010, 10:39:37 AM
still have swan on bench ::) why doesn't anyone see he deserves a spot on field :P

Poor game last week as captain has got him relegated

Well with Riedwoldt gone it is time to consider his replacement.  It will be a pretty easy decision I feel.  Jonathan Brown, welcome to Warrenbayne

lucky i don't have him for dt ;D. last minute trade before round 1 lock out to higgins *phew. paying off already :D.

but spewing in sc. got gray and now roo in there. at least i can save some cash and get some premiums on the downfall ;D

roo going to go down in price and brown going to go up. might cost you a bit extra though.

Lucky I got that trade of Hall to Dangerfield in before lockout.  Means I should be able to get any forward pretty much

well done nick. a good read

Well, I am going to have to re-evaluate my total this week.  After some sub-standard games from Stewart (expected after last week), Waters and Westoff I think I may only crack 1900's this week.  Oh well.  I guess that's how the game is played

Well, if I hit the 1900's this week it will be good.  I am currently on 1003 from 12 players and my captain has played.  997 points from Ablett, Selwood, Barlow, Hodge, Silvani, Enright, Harbrow, Giansiracusa, Ballantyne and Dangerfield.  I don't think the boys can but I hope they do!

Quote from: nick1408 on April 10, 2010, 12:18:48 PM
Well with Riedwoldt gone it is time to consider his replacement.  It will be a pretty easy decision I feel.  Jonathan Brown, welcome to Warrenbayne

Thats exactly the same as me!
Glad i didnt get him last week!!

Yep..think I'll go Brown too..

Looks like that Dangerfield selection is going to bite me big time. Just stretchered off and Hall ripping the hawks up.  I have the option of either getting Hall back, Kyle Reimers in or someone else.  I guess I will wait until the end of the hawks/dockers game and assess the damage then

okay mate hall is definitly not ripping up the hawks. he is being double teamed.
what has happaned to dangers???

Quote from: elephants on April 12, 2010, 06:25:21 AM
okay mate hall is definitly not ripping up the hawks. he is being double teamed.
what has happaned to dangers???

Hall had a good first quarter.  My comment came after that.

Edit:  Well, he did end up carving up but I am still happy I got rid of him - even if it does end up costing me two trades.

Dangerfield got smashed by three Melbourne tacklers.  Carted off in meat wagon.  Looks like a long term injury. 

I have realised though it may be possible for me to downgrade to any forward other than Brown for Riedwoldt then I can get Cyril Rioli for Dangerfield.  A very tasty option in my opinion

What a shocker of a round!  1804, two injuries and a lot of under-performers.  My cheapo rucks actually averaged more per player than my forwards!  Again, my midfield fell in scoring and the forwards were down 246 on last week.  My backs did pick up again, up 23 points.  The rucks, with only three playing this week were also up by 37.  My overall player average was down 10 points to 75 per player this week as well.

So, where does this leave me?  well, in need of a possible double forward trade this week.  News on Riedwoldt is he is out for the rest of the season as he needs surgery.  Dangerfield didn't look good getting piled into the back of the meat wagon so I am thinking at least four weeks there as well.  Once the updates for FF Genie are in then my final decision on trades will be done.  At the moment I am thinking Jarod Brennan for Riedwoldt and Rioli for Dangerfield.  Brennan I am concerned about but I will assess this fully when the final updates are in.

Last week was a hard round for all..

your trade ideas look good though Nick. I'll be trading out Roo this week. I think for Brown. Though your 2 options look tasty!!

Well, I only needed one trqade this week so I have gone a touch left field and drafted in Cyril Rioli.  I think in the coming weeks his scores will go up (Collingwood, followed by North Melbourne, Essendon, West Coast, Richmond then Carlton).  The reason I went against the Brisbane pair was they have played three games against poor backlines so far (West Coast, Carlton, Port Adelaide) but have Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, Sydney, Freemantle and Geelong coming up.  Only Melbourne have a poor defence out of those upcoming games.

What will hurt me this week is both Stanton and Paul Stewart going down to injury.  I have simply subbed these players this week but Stewart may be on his last legs unless he is picked next week.  I decided to bring Dustin Martin and Maguire onto the ground this week with Nason a sub and Bastanic a sub.  The final sub is Hitchcock.

I don't expect 2000 this week but I guess we will have to wait and see.  First league games this week too.

1958 this week which from the team entered isn't a bad score.  Rioli hurt and no Stanton hurt my midfield.  The mids were 109 down on last week so pretty much missing Stanton.  The rucks were up 24 points and managed to make up 9% of the score this week.  The forwards were again down, losing 99 points on last week and the backs were down 35 points. 

The choice to play Martin ahead of Bastinac hurt and was made due to opponents.  Hille's 114 was fantastic, as was Silvani and Waters' scores.

Ballantyne let me down with 29.  Dangerfield's 56 was expected after last week and playing Maguire in front of Nason was a silly decision in hindsight.

I have no plans to trade anyone this week but I am monitoring a couple of players. 

This week as I have a full team in I expect over 2000.  Run on team is as follows:

B: Waters Harbrow Silvani
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga
HF: Rockliff Rioli O'Keefe
F: Ballantyne Westoff Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett Selwood
Bench: Stewart Swan Warnock Dangerfield
Emerg: Nason Bastinac

I chose only two emergencies as I don't like to pick two from one area of the park.  The selection of Stewart over Nason is hard decision but I have to put some faith into my original starters.  A week off may have helped Stewart as well.

Still pulling out big scores nick?

P.S thinking of cashing in on hille or warnock anytime soon with Cox and Jolly/Hmac dipping now?

Got 2038 this week and lost my league game.  I am far happier this week as I am back over 2000 points but Swan, Goddard, Rioli, Dangerfield and Enright did let me down.  Paul Stewart repaid my faith with an 89 but overall most scores were about average.

I am thinking of getting Cox but I am unsure who to let go for him.  Warnock is the obvious choice but as I would need to double trade it may take a week or two before I can justify a dual trade.

After the round is finalised on DT I can make the decision then.

nic nat to cox seems more likely for me as am happy with warnock  as bench warmer
a little unsure whether to do the trade this rd or next

i am gonna trade hille for cox next round because hille will be up against the depleted ruck stocks of the hawks whilst coxxy will be rucking against aaron sandilands. this will bring their prices closer together IMO

good call elephants

i also want to see how cox goes in this high intensity match against sandi, ie,

1) whether he still can match it with sandi, if he can then that means he's
ready to be picked, if not and nic nat keeps improving, i'll wait again

2) whether he will pull through uninjured or sore ...

yep sounds good mate :)

Well none of my perceived trades look like working for me.  I think I will have to wait another week before I trade too. 

Dangerfield gone for a month.  Looks like this trade early will cost me more than expected.  I have 166k in the bank and may just use this to trade up to Dale Thomas.

Hopefully this won't hurt me too much.

The other option is to hold and see if one of my bench forwards will be selected.  If so I think I may just hold onto Dangerfield another week

You can hold him if you have cover. I would trade him soon.

Well I got hammered at the selection table.  3 starters and a emergency out and no backup.  Dangerfield, Rockliff (why Brisbane???), Warnock and Martin all out.  I think due to the amount of outs I will play 3 down as I cannot cover them all this week and then hopefully only have one zero next week.

The other option (And one I like a bit better) is to get rid of Dangerfield this week for Phil Davis or Jaensch (more likely) and then double trade to Cox next week.

Big decisions!

After being hammered this week at selection I went the double trade.  Cox and Jaensch in, Trengove and Dangerfield out.  Team will line up as follows:

B: Waters Harbrow Silvani
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton (c) Montanga
HF: Jaensch Rioli O'Keefe
F: Ballantyne Westoff Giansiracusa
R: Hille Bastinac Selwood
Bench: Stewart Swan (vc) Cox
Emerg: Nason Warnock Hitchcock

Warnock and Hitchcock are only selected as emergencies to make up numbers.  I am really hoping someone comes out of the Port Adelaide side so he comes of the emergency list as otherwise I will have a forward line zero.  The Cox selection is a week sooner than I wanted as I would have rather got him after he goes up against Sandilands but he does have a 78 breakeven so Sandi would really have to have a blinder to keep him this low I feel.

I could have taken the three zeroes on ground and still won my league game this week but I don't like to play like that and have really traded for the off chance that I get hit again next week at selection.

Good luck everyone!

Alot of people copping hits this week. Stanton as captain a bit suprising especially when you have Joey and Swan in there. Gave up on Swan after a few bad weeks nicky?

Hope you can breeze through this week and post a good score :)

Stanton hasn't scored under 100 this year where Swan has had 2 scores under 100.  That is pretty much my reasoning on the selection there.

Well, Stanton's 127 seems a good captain score (254) to me.  I have seven players to go and am currently on 1400.  Should sneak in just over 2000 so not too bad considering the zero on field.

2083 this week.  I am really happy with this score since I was one player down.  At the moment no players are on the trade block for me but it won't be too long before someone is though.  I am happy with the Cox trade and the decision to get Jaensch over Davis payed off this week.

Overall, pretty happy all round

Nice 8). Keeping up those great scores. Did better than most could handle this week :)

Thinking about trading hille next few weeks or is he a keeper for you?

bump

Quote from: Hellopplz on May 03, 2010, 12:03:27 PM
Nice 8). Keeping up those great scores. Did better than most could handle this week :)

Thinking about trading hille next few weeks or is he a keeper for you?

While he is still averaging 85+ he stays.  As soon as this drops, he goes but only for a Sandilands upgrade.  Anything less is a downgrade for cash

Bastinac has made way for Howlett this week.  Trying to cash in on Ryan before he drops.  He may meet his breakeven this week but he won't go up too much more.  I did think of bringing Paul Bower in for one of my backs but I am hoping that Nason or Silvani peaks this week and I can do that swap next week.

Besides that the run out side looks like the follows this week:

B: Waters Harbrow Silvani
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga
HF: Jaensch Rioli O'Keefe
F: Ballantyne Westoff Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett(c) Selwood
Bench: Stewart Swan (vc) Cox
Emerg: Nason Warnock Martin

Rioli is killing me up forward but I am planning on keeping him as he was a premium trade from Reiwoldt and I plan on going back to Riewoldt a week after he comes back (big breakeven).  The other plan is to hold him until later in the season once all the original rookies are gone and trade him up then.  I am down to 15 trades and have $207,400 left to play with.

Trades so far and my comments on each follows:

Round 3:
Hall - Dangerfield  Poor trade in hindsight.  Should have just taken Dangerfield in pre-season if I wanted him (which I did) or kept Hall and saved the trade.

Round 4:
Riewoldt - Rioli  another poor piece of business.  Rioli showed something in one game which swayed me and has showed nothing since.  Has the ability to come good though

Round 6:
Dangerfield - Jaensch  Jury is out but made good money on this trade.  If Jaensch can keep his place in the team it should turn out ok
Trengove - Cox  Cox got to bargain basement price the same week Warnock gets dropped so time to trade in.  Trengove was pushed out here due to me thinking he wouldn't get another game (bad thinking) and that McEvoy would get back in the saints side soon (more bad thinking

Round 7:
Bastinac - Howlett  purely for the cash.  Bastinac may go up a bit more but I cannot see any other rookie mids keeping their spot more than Howlett - but as the last comment suggests I shouldn't trust my judgement

My first third comments on each player are as follows:

Hodge - As everyone expected, 100's every week.  Top selection
Goddard - Could be going a touch better but still averaging over 100.  Doing his job.  Good selection
Enright - Worries me each and every week but seems to knock out good scores each week.  Averaging 92.  Good selection
Harbrow - Up and down.  Was a toss up between Ellis and Harbrow.  Glad I went with Harbrow.  Seems to be starting to pick up his average.  Averaging 87 right now but I expect him to get up towards a 94 average very soon.  Good selection but may raise to top selection
Maguire - Making money and has a big score every now and then.  Suspension hurts since I want you to top out ASAP.  Good selection
Nason - Another I need to hit top price ASAP.  Averaging 64.  Good selection
Silvani - And another I want to top out but good selection so far
Waters - Averaging 80.  Glad I chose you over Hunt.  Seems the injury worries are over and may develop into a keeper.  Top selection
Stewart - Averaging 64.  Should be averaging higher I feel but injury hurt early.  Could get up to a 75 average but not for a while.  Average selection

Ablett - No-one expected you to go up in price! Top selection
Swan - Should be doing better.  Hopefully with Wellingham out you can find the ball more.  Mediocre selection
Montanga -  Happy with the output but worries me each game.  Good selection
Selwood - Needs to find the ball more.  Poor selection
Barlow - Everyone knew about you.  Top selection
Stanton - Under-rated at season's start and for no reason I feel.  Top selection
Bastinac - Done your job and now you are gone.  Solid but not spectacular selection
Martin - Could be doing better.  Could have gone with Trengove (and should of) or Scully.  Mediocre selection

Cox - One week, one ton.  Good selection but will raise to top selection
Hille - Glad I went with experiance here over Vickery and Naitanui.  Top selection
Warnock - Getting dropped is not good.  Started well but failed to keep up to lofty heights.  Average selection
Trengove - Could have been a good money maker but not.  Average selection
McEvoy - Two crap games followed by a omition.  bad selection

Hall - Could have been a good but I lost faith too early.  Good selection, poor trade
Dangerfield - Poor selection.  Should have done more while in the side
Jaensch - Too early to judge but seems ok so far.  Solid trade so far
Ballantyne - Doing the job and averaging 71.  Good selection
Roberts - Poor selection.  Needs to get back into a poor team.
Hitchcock - Needs more gametime.  Mediocre selection due to him getting dropped
Rockliff - Glad I picked you up at the start and covered for you on-field.  You are repaying me now.  Top selection
Riewoldt - Top pick, bad injury
Rioli - Should be doing more.  Very bad selection
Westhoff - I am happy with you.  It is possible you pick up your average a bit more from 71.  Average selection so far
O'Keefe - Can be doing better but good selection so far
Giansiracusa - Started poorly but is starting to pick up.  Good selection

so the breakdown is as follows:

Top:
Hodge
Ablett
Barlow
Stanton
Riewoldt
Rockliff
Hille
Cox
Waters

Good:
Goddard
Enright
Harbrow
Maguire
Nason
Montanga
Hall
Ballantyne
O'Keefe
Giansiracusa
Silvani

Solid:
Bastinac
Jaensch

Average:
Stewart
Warnock
Trengove
Westhoff

Mediocre:
Swan
Hitchcock
Martin

Poor:
Dangerfield
Roberts
Selwood

Bad:
McEvoy
Rioli

So there is my rundown so far.  Team is averaging 2009 per round so I am pretty happy but I still want to see improvment.

2090.  How I can gain an extra player and only 7 extra points is beyond me but the average is now up to 2020 and climbing.  Nason will be gone this week but I am undecided on whether to upgrade him to a premium back or to upgrade a forward.

Decisions will be made on selection night

B: Waters Harbrow Silvani
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga
HF: Jaensch Thomas O'Keefe
F: Ballantyne Westoff Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett(c) Selwood
Bench: Stewart Swan (vc) Cox
Emerg: Maguire Hitchcock Martin

You may have noticed Rioli is gone.  I traded him for Dale Thomas as I was sick of his scores.  I chose Thomas as he was $384k and only had one score below 90 before last night (which was a respectable 85).  Silvani comes back into the side and Ablett remains captain due to his form.

I am hoping to get over 2100 this week due to the trade.  I have 14 trades left but in oreder for them to be used to maximum potential I need to average one trade a week for the next 14 weeks I have worked out.  I have planned to trade the following players out before seasons end:

Silvani
Hitchcock
Martin
Nason
Maguire
Ballantyne

So there is 6 trades leaving 8 left for poor form and LTI's.  Hopefully the planning pays off

2022 this week.  I am actually pretty dissapointed with this score as a lot of the front line players let me down.  Harbrow, Giansiracusa, Stanton, Ballantyne and the list goes on.  I am 1-4 in my league and am averaging 2021 (up by 1)

so, where did the side let me down generally?  Forward.  Averaging only 67 per player.  In comparasion, the backs averaged 84, mids 101 and rucks 81.  It is pretty obvious where I need to upgrade.  Ballantyne may have played his last game for me but realistically, next week will be no trades as each of my cash cows has room to move.  Selection (or lack of) will decide what I am to do.

B: Waters Harbrow Maguire
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga (c)
HF: Hitchcock Thomas O'Keefe
F: Ballantyne Westoff Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett Selwood
Bench: Russell Swan (vc) Cox
Emerg: Silvani McEvoy Howlett

Two trades this week.  Dustin Martin to Tony Armstrong (who Adelaide then dropped!) and Paul Stewart to Jordan Russell.  I chose Russell due to his recent form and not wanting to be the same as everyone else by getting Scotland.  Maguire comes onto the ground due to him being the only key defender for Brisbane.

B: Waters Harbrow Maguire
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga (c)
HF: Hitchcock Thomas O'Keefe
F: Pavlich Westoff Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett Selwood
Bench: Russell Swan (vc) Cox
Emerg: Nason McEvoy Howlett

Another two trades this week after 2110 last week.  Campbell Heath comes in for Silvani who has performed superbly as a cash cow and become injured at the right time - unlike Nick Riewoldt.  The money released allowed me to move Ballantyne on who has dissapointed really and bring in his teammate Pavlich.

The plan going forward is to try and average at least 2100 from he on end.  Future trades will include Nason, Hitchcock and Rockliff to definately go, allowing me to upgrade Westhoff.  I will also be looking at moving on either Waters or Maguire before season's end (if not both).  This will bring me down to four trades left.  So far everything is falling into place.

2212 this week.  Pretty happy with tis really.  Hitchcock looks like he has done his dash in Warrenbayne so will be gone.  Leroy Jetta looks like he will come in to that position.  Hopefully that can push the score up 40-50 points a week.  Not too sure where else trades will come from.  Probably a good week to get Paul Bower in as well since Scotland went down today.  Will have to monitor that situation carefully

2120 this week with two zeroes as I forgot to trade when I got a last minute distraction.  I will update with more detail this week

It doesn't look like too many people are still following but I will continue to update....

So, after the debacle last week of forgetting to trade (long story) I have decided on two trades this week.  The forgetting to trade really did help me in the end.  Hitchcock would have been gone last week so now instead I get to save a trade.  Westhoff has been traded for Leroy Jetta and Howlett went to Gysberts.  This will leave me with eight trades which I work out will just reach the end for me.

So this weeks team looks like this after trades:

B: Waters Harbrow Nason
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga (vc)
HF: Hitchcock Thomas O'Keefe
F: Pavlich Jetta Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett (c) Selwood
Bench: Russell Swan Cox
Emerg: Jaensch Warnock Armstrong

So I may need to juggle emergencies but besides that a pretty solid side

I think it's been going well for you. I'm always amazed at the surprise benefits that can come from "accidentally" not trading. It just happens too often to ignore! I think a closer look at what went on when it happened may pay dividends in thinking about holding off on trades in the future!

Trust me it was an accident!  Got a phone call in the middle of sleep "Get to the airport now!" work says on a Friday arvo (was on lates so sleeping during the day) so in return DT was the last thing on my mind until it was about 10pm Friday night.

I lost last week by 20 points but still managed a pretty good score luckily.

Quote from: nick1408 on June 10, 2010, 08:15:17 PM
It doesn't look like too many people are still following but I will continue to update....
B: Waters Harbrow Nason
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton Montanga (vc)
HF: Hitchcock Thomas O'Keefe
F: Pavlich Jetta Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett (c) Selwood
Bench: Russell Swan Cox
Emerg: Jaensch Warnock Armstrong

Still following (started following late though) just not posting alot :P.

Hitch and Nason on field for the injured? Keeping Hille for the ride?

Keeping Hille for the moment.  He is in the plans to trade out but he isn't a priority to trade out though.  I am more concerned about trading out the players averaging less than 80  in the coming weeks

2134.  14 points more than last week and two extra players!  It is funny how DT works out sometimes.  Giansiracusa was back this week with a 108 which I am happy with.  Leroy Jetta let me down a touch but I am still happy with the trade.  Midfield really let me down this week.  Montanga, Stanton, Selwood and even Ablett let me down this week.  Russell was below par as well but you cannot expect 90+ scores when you take a gamble like I did with Russell (it was Russell vs Scotland).

Except for Russell all other defenders got 80+ so I am pretty happy about that.

Next week I will be looking to upgrade Hitchcock.  Not sure who to yet but I do want a premium.  I amso want to save my last trade to get Nick Riewoldt in for Jaensch so I will need to make the calculations and decide the perfect trade about two weeks prior.  He is currently at $445,000 with a 167 breakeven so what I need to do is wait until after his first game and see how he goes from there.

Nason won't last in the side too much longer.  He will help upgrade.....well, I'm not sure yet.  Possibly Maguire.  Interesting times ahead I think.

B: Waters Harbrow Bower
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Barlow Stanton (vc) Montanga
HF: S. Johnson Thomas O'Keefe
F: Pavlich Jetta Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett (c) Selwood
Bench: Russell Swan Cox
Emerg: Jaensch Nason Armstrong

Had a bit of a quandry this week.  How best can I go about getting Paul Chapman (BE 135) into my side?  I thought about this for a couple of days, then it hit me - Trade Hitchcock to Steve Johnson, Maguire to Bower (this week), Nason to Strijk, Armstrong or Gysberts (depending on who has made more cash) to any midfield rookie (next week) then Jaensch to Chapman in two rounds time (round 15).  A total of five trades used which will leave me with three trades and seven rounds to go.

Everything is going to plan so far.  I hope the LTI curse doesn't hit!

3 trades :o

3 trades doesnt sound too good in my books.

No, but I don't have to trade at all after Chapman makes it into the side.  Three trades should suffice

2118 this week.  I have no crows or demons playing.  My league opposition still has Jamar to play but I am 163 points ahead so should hold on.

Couple of dissapointments this week.  Hodge, Stanton, McEvoy, Pavlich and Steve Johnson should all have scored more.  Johnson will probably miss a match or two as well with his broken hand so hopefully Jaensch can stay in the side as I'm not quite ready to trade for another forward yet. 

Chapman going down has thrown a spanner in the works but it will allow me to have the decision between him and Nick Riewoldt as it looks like Nick will be back around the time I am ready to trade a forward in, roughly two weeks.

Trades I will be looking at this week will be Nason to Strijk and Armstrong to another cheap midfielder.  This will then allow me to upgrade Jaensch to a premium forward and thus finalise the team and also have three trades left with Jetta being my forward bench player, Strijk my back bench, Warnock my ruck and Gysberts and whoever I bring in for Armstrong my midfield bench players.

Carlton losing a ruck will hopefully mean Warnock gets another run but I am concerned that Hampson may get the spot ahead of him.  I have heard Carlton coaches talk about how much they rate Hampson so selection will be interesting.  Hille should also be back this week so the ruck department will be strong again.

good score nick

Save those trades for the finals Nick!!

Sorry for the no update last week.  The Barlow injury really caused me no issues.  Straight swap for Boyd.  I captained Swan last week for 322 so that boosted my score to 2135 which I am pleased with after some very low scores.

This week I front up with the following squad:

B: Waters Harbrow Bower
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Boyd (vc) Stanton Montanga
HF: Jaensch Thomas O'Keefe
F: Pavlich Jetta Giansiracusa
R: Hille Ablett (c) Selwood
Bench: Russell Swan (c) Cox
Emerg: McEvoy Strijk Blair

Steve Johnson is sitting on the bench and Chapman will come in next week for Jaensch.  This will leave me with two trades.  I am currently 11th in my league so I need to use my trades to upgrade players so I can cruise into the finals.  The league I am playing in is currently ranked 707 out of 43047.  This ranking is down from floating in the 600's for the past few weeks.

So you guys know how Bargain Ruck has been tracking here is my current stats:

weekly ranking:     
35,644 of 316,326    

weekly/overall change:
-29,720/-1,098

rounds played:    
14

avg score/ round:
   2071.07

league ranking:    
11

trades remaining:
   3
team value:    
$9,758,800

change in value:
   $1,029,000


Round & Score:
1     2,055     
2    2,116    
3    1,804    
4    1,958    
5    2,038    
6    2,083    
7    2,090    
8    2,022    
9    2,110    
10    2,212    
11    2,120    
12    2,134    
13    2,118    
14    2,135



OUT  Barlow ($454,600)     IN  Boyd ($450,300)
OUT Armstrong ($252,700)    IN Blair ($94,500)

ROUND 14
OUT Nason ($227,600)    IN Strijk ($77,800)

ROUND 13
OUT Hitchcock ($208,400)    IN Johnson ($395,300)
OUT Maguire ($286,600)    IN Bower ($313,100)

ROUND 12
OUT Howlett ($249,100)    IN Gysberts ($117,500)
OUT Westhoff ($283,900)    IN Jetta ($282,600)

ROUND 10
OUT Ballantyne ($256,800)    IN Pavlich ($422,700)
OUT Silvagni ($229,400)    IN Heath ($94,500)

ROUND 9
OUT Stewart ($252,400)    IN Russell ($396,200)
OUT Martin ($232,900)    IN Armstrong ($94,500)

ROUND 8
OUT Rioli ($297,300)    IN Thomas ($384,000)

ROUND 7
OUT Bastinac ($233,200)    IN Howlett ($77,800)

ROUND 6
OUT Trengove ($112,400)    IN Cox ($377,700)
OUT Dangerfield ($228,700)    IN Jaensch ($77,800)

ROUND 4
OUT Riewoldt ($445,000)    IN Rioli ($334,900)

ROUND 3
OUT Hall ($281,200)    IN Dangerfield ($232,000)


So barring the Dangerfield/Rioli trades I think I am tracking ok.  I am happy with the season so far.

Going pretty nicely nick :). 3 trades left means to hold on now for the long ride ;D.

Rioli playing well lately but you are doing well!!

Bit lower than usual this week - 2061.  Goddard hurt me as his sub only got 42.  Aome other poor scores but overall I think I am still looking strong.  I am still going to bring Chapman in this week but another decision needs to be made - Jetta or Jaensch to go?  Tough one in my opinion.  Jetta will play all year but Jaensch has better scoring ability.

If Waters is gone for a few weeks then there are a number of quality backs I can pick from so not too much concern there.  The only concern is that I will only have one trade left if I go both Chapman and Waters trade.

I love DT!

707 - Tough league you're in, sitting 11th with those scores, what's the W/L for the team in 8th? Can you catch them?
Jetta to go before Jaensch, at least Jaensch knows where the goals are!

You may just have to start playing finals type DT 2 weeks early to get into the 8 and then anything can happen ;D

yeah, I am going to go for broke and use those two trades I think.  I am up to tenth now but our league ranking is dropping due to a couple of duds who are averaging less than 1600. 

I'ts funny as I am fifth on points in my league (25081) but only 10th on the table so it goes to show you can score well but still be in the bottom eight.

You'd be leading the league I'm in points wise.
I'm top 25061, undefeated.

Last year I won my league GF, league ranked 900 something. I finished 6th I think on total points and 3rd on ladder in minor rnd.

ANYTHING can happen if you're in that 8 and all your players are on the park! Good luck :)

Well I bit the bullet this week and got Sandilands in for Hille.  This was due to having no backup.  I also got Chapman for Jetta due to Jetta's suspension.  They were the only changes and am hoping to get at least 2200 this week

Trades?

one left now.  Chasing a finals position

2214 this week.  I am happy to break 2200 and I have also gotten into the eight in my league and have the second-most points in my league (27295).

Hope I don't get hit with injuries!

i am going to get sandi cox next year. keeping it in the west and what i had in my first year of dream team.

Well done Nick.

No changes this week but Steve Johnson comes into the side for Matthew Jaensch.  Looking at about a 2250-2300 with the change.

Good trade there Nick. Good luck with Stevie J!

All the best for this round, come on Stevie J!

2127 this week.  Had some pretty poor scores from O'Keefe, Bower, Enright, Cox, Sandilands, Montagna and Stanton.  I calculate about a 165-200 point loss from these players scores this week.

Oh well.

No injury concerns yet but I wouldn't be suprised to see Enright carrying something by the looks of his last three scores.

So, overall a bit of a dissapointing score this week but a league win none-the-less.  Bring on finals!

Yeah it was a pretty dissapointing week all round, but still quite a solid score in context of the week with some absolute shockers by some stars.

No trades this week.  Probably looking at 2200-2300.  Still got one trade left so planning to leave that for the finals series.  Not too sure who I will spend it on though

2257 this week and into finals.  Still one trade left but not sure where to use it.  Hope to break the 2300 barrier soon

Nice score 8).

Guess we can say the experiment was a success?

Hope you last the distance Nick.

Quote from: Hellopplz on August 03, 2010, 10:50:59 PM
Nice score 8).

Guess we can say the experiment was a success?

I think we can, but it is a work in progress.  It all depends on the rucks you pick up though.  In my case I should have gone Goldstein first up instead of McEvoy but besides that it can definately work to your advantage

A few issues this week with Sandilands and Harbrow out.  Rumour is Harbrow has played his last game this year so my final trade may be used there and will depend on this week's result and next week's selection.

I put Warnock on the ground for Sandilands.  McEvoy did come into contention but in all honesty I just threw Warnock on without checking oppisition rucks.

Hope for 2100 this week

really struggled this week after Waters pulled out.  Only got 2005 but did win my league game.  Up against one of the tougher opponents this week though.  I will probably use my trade this week but I am unsure where to spend it.

You decided what you're doing Nick!!??

Ok, decided.  I have a must win game this week.  One of the leaders throughout the year.  My team will look like this:

B: Waters Harbrow Strijk
HB: Enright Hodge Goddard
C: Boyd (vc) Stanton Montanga
HF: Rockliff Thomas O'Keefe
F: Morton Johnson Giansiracusa
R: McEvoy Ablett (c) Selwood
Bench: Russell Swan (c) Cox, Chapman
Emerg: Warnock Bower Blair

McEvoy comes in due to oppisition having Warnock as his only ruck backup.  Morton comes in for Pavlich due to his 99 average over the last three and a gamble required to win. 

Opposition looks like this:

Goddard
Hodge
Scotland
Enright
Malcelski
Hargrave
Kelly
Nason
Strijk

Ablett
Hayes
Selwood
Bartel
Gibbs
Judd
Gysberts
Shuey

Sandilands
Cox
Warnock
McNamara

Didak
Giansiracusa
Pavlich
O'Keefe
Rockliff
Brown
Podsiadly
N. Riewoldt
R. Henderson

So I expect it to be close but a Brown late withdrawl would be nice!

Risky taking Pav out!!

Yeah, I needed to risk something and that seemed the best risk.  I think it was all for nothing now as Bower and Russell are doing bugger all.

Morton got 15 more points than Pavlich so that is in my favour so far.  Stanton killed me but it is still game on.  He is 704 from eight players, no captain score, I am 668 from 6 and captain has played

It's gonna go down to the wire!

1631 from 16 players, no captain to 1854 18 players and captain has played.  I am still in it but it is tight!  I need Brown or Reiwoldt to be late withdrawls or Goddard to pull out after scoring 1 point

Gameover.  Reiwoldt, Hayes and Goddard have consigned me to a loss

Unlucky nick :(. Roo and Goddard killed it today.

2292 to 2382.  Oh well, I guess the gambles through the year didn't work

I good score to go out on, but disappointing I guess...I have my elimination this weekend so hope to make it to the GF.

my rucks could be petrie and coxxy/jolly/nic nat(unlikely) next year. looking at some cheap premos

Petrie or Hale would be good but Kruezer would be my first cheap ruck I think

will kruezer get a discount? (under 10 games) if so would a petrie/kruezer be a better combo than petrie/seaby or petrie/cox?

hmm kroozer should be 300k and average 80ish, will hampson and warnock steal points from him, next year i want 2 cheap mid pricer rucks (lock and forget) that will average 80 or so

but then i would lose 20 points each round unless i had sandi?

so sandi or kreuzer?

What you need to do is identify who will be the Jamar or Goldstein next year.  McEvoy will probably get another run in my side next year along with the GC ruck.  Seaby will fall to a backup ruck behind Mumford so I will stay clear.  If Will Minson leaves then Jordan Roughead will be in my side as well.  The final ruck position will go to whoever playes well in pre-season.  Possibly Andrew Browne at Richmond depending on field time.

GC will be great for DT due to the amount of rookie players that will play.

This plan could work well in 2012 if u were to just grab the GWS 1st nd 2nd rucks

I am thinking that as well.  Lots of options available

Thinking of going a little on the bargain ruck theory. If Saints win the GF, Gardiner will retire giving room for McEvoy to grow 8).

If Day and Smith are both in the rucks could be good 8).

Quote from: Hellopplz on September 24, 2010, 10:00:31 PM
Thinking of going a little on the bargain ruck theory. If Saints win the GF, Gardiner will retire giving room for McEvoy to grow 8).

If Day and Smith are both in the rucks could be good 8).

thats a really good idea HP
worth thinking about

even with mcevoy on the brink of being dropped for the gf? also yes what are the chances of will minson leaving?

McEvoy is dropped for the GF because of Baker. But Gardiner has said if the Saints win, he'll be hanging up the boots. This gives room for McEvoy to step into the team for next season.

mcevoy should play nxt week

I like him and Stanley as they can also be used up forward. Stanley is athletic while McEvoy has the body to be a solid figure. Would make a good tandem to use against any team. Can change them around if one isn't working. The other goes up forward ;).

Will be looking carefully at either of those 2 if Gardiner does retire and the Saints shouldn't recruit another senior ruckman this off season.

okay thanks hp i get it now. possibly a chance for them but i dont think so. i might just start the GC ruck :)

I had McEvoy this year and was very happy with him

Anyone thinking about Jamie Charman for next year will be very cheap and i'm sure he'll be hungry. Along with the GC boys and Mc Evoy

Charman I doubt will break into the team at the Lions with Clark and Leu there. If he gets traded, a maybe.

GC rucks have to be considered, especially Day (MPP) and Smith.

Clarke did show glimpses in the forward line with that 5 goal haul, while fev was out. I wouldn't be surprised if Charmo is fit, they play Carke forward, push staker back and use Charmo as second ruck. If that happens.... bargain.

How many games did Charman play this year?  The key to bargain Ruck is to get a basement price ruck who plays the first 8-10 games then trade up.

i dont think he played any? he got injured during pre season.

He could become this year's Warnock then

He could. Although he has proven he can play AFL before :P.

If he moves clubs or if Clark moves, he's on my radar. If neither happen, doubt he'll get a gig at the lions next year unless Clark moves forward. I doubt that after his great move into the rucks last year.

Clark looks likely to move here to WA most probably to freo

source: AFL website :)

Quote from: elephants on October 02, 2010, 07:05:09 PM
Clark looks likely to move here to WA most probably to freo

source: AFL website :)

Yea but Contracted so Lions unlikely to agree to a trade... If Charman moves then I'll look at him if he stays and Clark leaves he'll be a lock.

Well now that the AFL has introduced a sub instead of a interchange player I see a lot of clubs using this position for their backup ruck and the St Kilda gameplan (1 ruck with a FF/CHB as backup) being introduced across the board.  This may force a rethink of bargain ruck as if clubs choose this route then the gameplan is shot.

On the other hand, clubs may choose to use a young player in this slot to see if they can make it.

yep nick u may find rukmen like hale,clark who are versatile may b a sub

Hale at Hawthorn has locked him in for me.  No competition really, will play every game with this new rule and has the potential to score well.

3 to go now

Petrie is another in consideration for me.  GC having the bye first up is an interesting consideration but I think most will be able to handle it