First Team of the Year

[kazam]

This is my first attempt at making a team, althought I am sure there will be many changes due to NAB Cup/Challenge Form, injuries, etc... So feel free to compliment areas, or give advice to some areas. However, be aware that there are a few players I have picked that have that word 'potential', so I am relying on them to play well in NAB cup! Cheers

BACKS: Goddard, Deledio, J.Grimes, Connors, Gwilt, A.Otten, Heppell
Coad, Talia, Toy
MIDS: Swan, Gibbs, Corey, Mzungu, D.Swallow, I.Smith
Atley, Conca, Harris
RUCKS: Sandilands, Cox
Z.Smith, Campbell
FWDS: N.Riewoldt, J.Brown, Goodes, Higgins, Kennedy, Knights, Walker
Gamble, Prestia, Dixon

Due to the byes, a big thing was I tried to not have more than 2 players from the same team in any area... I also found that I have a lot of variety, after I counting I realised I have at least one player from every team.

Still have $271,400 remaining on the salary cap, and as I said this is probably nowhere near my final team, depending on what happens over the next 50 odd days  ;D

[Jugganauts]

Starting 3 rookies could be risky but if they all perform very well it could pay off big time. In saying that i would probably put Atley ahead of Harris.
Backline is very unique but i like it, Good to see Connors and Gwilt get into a team no problem there from me
Rucks are solid thats it
Forward line again is good, Thought about Gamble may watch him in the NAB cup to see if he can finally live up to his potentinal

I like your team so 8.5/10

[kazam]

Yeh as a Saints fan, I feel Gamble could add something to our team, which I will watch NAB Cup and look out for, otherwise I may as well have another rookie there. Yeah Any of those 6 mid rookies (Harris included in that for price reasons) could fill the 3 spots, I do like Smith and Mzungu due to having played VFL and WAFL and both being 21 and 25 yet still taken at pcik 10 and 19 respectively.

[kazam]

Connors had a reasonable year last year, if he can keep off the drink and straighten himself out then he could be gold, especially with Cousins gone. Gwilt will be interesting to watch, he played great last year as a runner or key defender. I am hoping that if Gilbert spends more time up fwd, that will leave Gwilt to find more of the footy running of the backline.

[Jugganauts]

Connors had a reasonable year last year, if he can keep off the drink and straighten himself out then he could be gold, especially with Cousins gone. Gwilt will be interesting to watch, he played great last year as a runner or key defender. I am hoping that if Gilbert spends more time up fwd, that will leave Gwilt to find more of the footy running of the backline.

Yeah your right Connors and Gwilt did have great years i actually do rate Connors very highly and if he just stuck to his footy could really be a star at Richmond.
I liked Gwilt upforward he was a good lead up player when Riewoldt was out hopefully he can still reach them 20 dispoals a game

[kazam]

I also considered the MPP's a bit, as I could've done with them more. It was as simple as putting Gibbs in the midfield (can swap him with Deleds and BJ) and I have Smith in the Mids (can swap with Higgins and Prestia). I did reneg on my old rule of if a player is a mid but can go somewhere else, put them in their other spot... although I thought two players in the mids that are a def and fwd wouldn't hurt, especially considering one is a possibly reserve player and not on the field. It just opens up more avenues.

[Jugganauts]

Yeah im trying the same idea but a little bit different, Trying to get a MPP player in each position that can switch anywhere
Having a back swtich to the mid then another switch the forward line
Having a mid switch the back and another to the forward line
Having a forward switch to the back another to the forward line another to the ruck line
This way i am counting alot on my bench players but hopefully i can avoid the donut

[kazam]

Yeh, I wont be putting that much thought into it.. Just make sure you don't make it that much of a focus that you can't put in some players you want to put in.

[ando_10]

im a saints fan to but not so sure on gwilt sc wise
gamble is a risk
i think get petrie into the ruck

7/10

http://www.fanfooty.com.au/forum/index.php/topic,24588.0.html

[kazam]

Yeah I know Gamble is a big risk, which is why I'll watch NAB to see how he goes, otherwise I may as well get another rookie in his spot and save 20-50k. But it's just a starting team at the moment. If Gamble locks in a spot in FP of HFF then he could be a good cash cow.

And yes Gwilt may not be a great SC player but I am hoping as I said if Gilbert is fwd more, then Gwilt might have the ball a bit more too. His SC average over the last three years has been 55, 64, 74... Here's hoping it picks up to 84. But i'll be watching the NAB form for that.

[PiggyPommy]

Strong side.

I agree with no Petrie, madness to have him as 2nd ruck in my opinion.

[kazam]

he'd better better as a third ruck to see how he goes, or as a 6th or 7th fwd. But his past injuries (broken foot three times), concerns me.

[BAMA]

backline seems to be a bit weak with Gwilt, Connors and Otten, I would upgrade atleast one of them.

Midfield looks good with Harris, Conca or Atley starting.

Rucks are great

Forwards are good, beware if Brown are Knights are injured at this stage of the year.

All up a good team just work on your backs
7/10

[kazam]

Cheers BAMA. I am working on a few things depending on what happens in the NAB cup. I am hoping Gwilt continues to rise his av, and Dan Connors averaged 77 last year, but has been ripping up the training track in preseason, so could lift his av a bit more. I'll see how Otten comes back from his injury... My fwd line I'm paying a lot of attention to Knights to check his match performances, and Walker and Kennedy I will need to see signs that they can hve 50+ goal seasons. Walker has looked good in preseason apparently. I will be considering A.Krakeour for his price, and he may replace one of Knights, Walker, Kennedy or Gamble if I'm not convinced with them.

I was happy having 271k left over, gives me a lot of room to move from now until the season starts.