NAB Cup Round up Week 2...

[Wild Thing]

Fellow Supercoaches,
         Here is a formline and breakdown from the weekend’s NAB Cup games.  There were some very interesting scores on the weekend and bear in mind that the SC scoring system dictates that the median score for every game (both teams combined) is 3,300, which means that even though the games were 20 minute halves, the scores reflected a full game.

ESSENDON

Michael Hurley â€" 7 possessions and 3 goals for 172pts against Brisbane then started as a sub against the Saints for some late touches.  Looked good but let’s preface everything by saying Brisbane are nothing short of disgusting and St Kilda were at half rat power.

Stewart Crameri â€" Cracked the ton in both games (5 possessions, 3 marks, 2 goals and 168pts against Brisbane and 2 goals, 8 touches and 128pts against the Saints).  Looked good but only listed as a midfielder so he won’t be in many teams.  It’d be sweet if he was a MID/FWD, but he’s not.

Dyson Heppell â€" 9 possessions, 2 tackles and 116pts was a great sign.  Looks the goods @ $163k and should play the majority of the year.

BRISBANE

I’m not even going to waste my time on this rabble.  They will finish bottom 4 this year and have a distinct chance of winning the Spoon.  Admittedly, their 5 best players didn’t play on Friday night (Brown, Black, Power, Fev, Drummond) but with Fev now gone, I can’t see how they’re going to do anything but stink it up all year when you consider that their best players are all on the slide and either injury prone or over the hill.

ST KILDA

Ryan Gamble â€" The Cats might have made another mistake here (along with Laidler).  3 goals, 9 touches, 2 marks and 143pts against Brisbane then 8 possies, 5 grabs, a goal and 127pts against the Bombers.  For $184k, he could be an absolute steal this year.  Just watch how he might be used when that useless Koschitzke returns.

Bredndon Goddard â€" The most expensive player in SC this year, but also a must-have.  You’re just starting behind the 8-ball if you don’t have him from the start.  11 touches, 3 marks and 142pts against the Lions and then backed it up with 8 posessions, 2 marks, 3 tackles and 125pts against Essendon.  Just pick him and work the rest of your team around him.

Leigh Montagna â€" SC scoring machine who backed up his reputation (10 touches, 3 marks, 2 tackles and 77pts against Brisbane then 7 possies, 5 tackles, 3 marks and 170pts against Essesndon).  I think he’s actually under the odds a little at $558k this year and he’ll be in my team.

SYDNEY

It’s only worth talking about the game they played against Gold Coast and vice versa, as a blindfolded Stevie Wonder would’ve got possessions against GWS on Saturday night.

Kieren Jack â€" Went head to head with Daniel Harris but they ran pretty wide of each other.  8 possessions, 2 marks, 2 tackles and 137pts was a good start though.  He could easily have a better year than he had last year and at $487k, he could be a great #4 midfielder as a keeper all year.  Watch this space!

Andrejs Everitt â€" Off season recruit started pretty well in the first half but drifted out of the game, which is all too familiar if you’re a Bulldogs fan, so it’s a worrying trend already.  Had 6 touches and 2 tackles for 67pts but if he’s going to play that running half back role, he’s got to beat out Shaw, Malceski, Mattner & Kennelly for a spot and that’s no easy gig.

GOLD COAST

Brandon Matera â€" 7 possessions, 4 marks, 2 tackles and 71pts was a ripping start.  He should be in any decent SC team this year in the forward line.  For $110k, you can’t go wrong.  He might not score big every week, but play every week he will.

David Swallow â€" Get on this kid!  Not much more to say, really.  Ran fourth in the Liston Trophy in the VFL last year as a 17 year old and only played 17 of 22 games to boot.  Ball magnet who will greatly appreciate little Gaz getting the hard tag every week.  14 possessions and 125pts in 40 minutes of footy on Saturday night against the Swans.

Karmichael Hunt â€" The biggest mistake of all in SC this year, in my opinion.  It doesn’t matter if he’s cheap, because you should only have a player in your side for 2 reasons…1) to score points and 2) to increase significantly in value…and I don’t believe he’ll do either.  Still can’t read the game, is too reliant on his opponent taking him to the footy and his disposal is very questionable.  Stay away!!

NORTH MELBOURNE

Cam Richardson â€" Easily North’s best player across the two games yesterday.  Mature age recruit who looked very comfortable across half back.  Could be an absolute steal at $110k!!

Robbie Tarrant â€" Was pretty solid yesterday in two good hitouts for him.  His only problem is the question of whether he’s in North’s best team this year, especially with Rawlings, McMahon, Thompson and Grima to come back into their backline from the weekend.  Has loads of potential but I’m thinking next year might be his year.

Todd Goldstein â€" Will start the season as #1 ruck and with HMac’s injury concerns, could play the majority of the year there.  He’s relatively cheap at $320k and has showed he can score well as he’s more than capable on the ground as well as in the air.

GEELONG

Steve Johnson â€" Only played the second game, but looked awesome against a very good shut down player in Liam Picken.  3 goals, 12 touches, 4 tackles and 182pts was a cracker.  He’s still very much an enigma though.  Yo-yo scores throughout the year are so frustrating for SC’s who have him, as he gives you a 150+ game then backs it up with a 50pt game the following week.  If you’re a gambler, he’s your man, if you’re not, there are more consistent forwards out there.

Tom Hawkins â€" Like Johnson, only played against the Dogs, but looked the goods.  The only problem is, we’ve been saying that for 4 years now.  It’s time he stepped up and showed what all the hype is about.  No doubt about his ability, but there’s been something missing in the past.  Let’s hope he finds it this year.  The substitute rule will only help him too, as it may very well spell the end of Mark Blake’s career (if Ottens stays injury free) and Hawkins can play the Leigh Brown @ Collingwood role very effectively.

Jimmy Bartel â€" Looked to have a change of role, playing a lot deeper forward at times.  One of the best marks for his size in the league and can do a variety of damage in the forward line.  Could be his last year as a Cat, so he’ll want to go out with a bang.  Probably priced about right at $497k but you won’t go far wrong if you pick him.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Jarrad Grant â€" The Avatar looked awesome yesterday (apart from his chops).  2.2 from 7 marks and 12 touches for 153pts against North and the kicked 2 goals against a stronger Geelong team in game two.  Could be a snip at $367k in the forward line.  Will get to $430k-$450k this year, in my opinion.

Shaun Higgins â€" He’s burnt so many people in the last 2 years, but f*** he looked good yesterday.  Has so much raw talent and the potential to move into the Chapman and Didak class, but injuries have ruined his last 2 years.  9 possessions, 4 marks, 3 tackles, a goal and 127pts against North, then 11 touches and 2 marks for 93pts against Geelong.  He’s such a tease at $369k too, it will be hard not to put him in, but past performances make it so difficult at the same time.  Flip a coin!!

Patrick Veszpremi â€" Will start the season as a HFF/FP but how well he’ll go remains to be seen.  A very good finisher when he gets it, but will the Dogs be Hall conscious again this year, and will it be detrimental to his performances?  That’s the big query.  From a value perspective, he’s great at $214k, but it’s definitely a punt!!

[j959]

nice wild, good work ...

[bjrouse]

Nice work mate.

I am thinking the same thing with Higgins. He burnt me 2 years ago...Stayed away last year
hmmmm

[nathan11]

lions might stink but Polec looked very good will get a start now for sure worth considering i reckon