Backline Premiums

[Bennny]

Mitchell's scores are on the decline, Bartel & McVeigh are both set to play forward (which means scores likely to decrease... Hanley pulls out too many shocking scores for a premium, i dont like Scotty Thompson either hahaha thoughts??

[LF]

Mitchells scores are quite fine for a back
Bartel i agree is not a good pick
McVeigh I`m not really sure on just yet
Hanley avoid for the start look to upgrading to him if he learns how to handle the tag
Kade Simpson I assume you already have locked in

[eaglesman]

Simmo a watch for me ... Honestly think all the premo backs are good picks it's just about structure and strength of other lines

[Bully]

I think this is the year to go top heavy in the backline. McVeigh, Mitchell, Simpson, Hurn & Suckling are pretty close to being locks for me, unless another defensive rookie put's their hand-up. Cooling on Swallow given the round 8 bye.

[ubeaut]

Mitchell's scores are on the decline, Bartel & McVeigh are both set to play forward (which means scores likely to decrease... Hanley pulls out too many shocking scores for a premium, i dont like Scotty Thompson either hahaha thoughts??

U make some good points. I'm in 2 minds. On 1 hand there's stuff all rookies/cheapies and heaps of viable premium options (usually it's the opposite) so loading up could be the way to go.

On the other hand rookies are expensive in general and more points are eventually going to come from Mids,Rucks and Fwds. Which is why we hate spending too much in the backs.

Bartel I agree looks like he'll go forward so he's out. Where did u hear McVeigh going fwd too? I have considered this but have no confirmation yet.
Thompson I agree, he's a KPP back. Hanley worries me with the tag and early draw.
Mitchell will be Mitchell can see why most are starting him but like McVeigh,Walker and Bartel is SOOO expensive for a back.
I'm going with Hibberd. Should be POD. Simpson I like too but along with Walker depends on the role.
Having a look at his early draw and scores against last season it's hard to go past Walker if he maintains that HB role, despite his price.
Anyway that's my 2 cents.

[Speculator]

The back line this year is the hardest it's been for years and the reason for that is that the best defenders are all overpriced. Mcveigh won't average 106 again nor will bartel or walker. Mitchell maybe but I doubt it given his age and likelihood to attract the tag. There's just no value at all. Hanley can't handle a tag but at least is on the rise, Simpson has never averaged 100 and certainly won't now, Thompson and Taylor are KPD's so flower that, and then you're down to enright and birchall these actual defenders. Hodge is one who nobody is talking about who I think could rise again. And then it's swallow, suckling, atley, watts etc. none of whom are sure things. There are no underpriced gems the other lines have to offer like beams, sandi, franklin etc. It's tough back there.

[Bully]

The back line this year is the hardest it's been for years and the reason for that is that the best defenders are all overpriced. Mcveigh won't average 106 again nor will bartel or walker. Mitchell maybe but I doubt it given his age and likelihood to attract the tag. There's just no value at all. Hanley can't handle a tag but at least is on the rise, Simpson has never averaged 100 and certainly won't now, Thompson and Taylor are KPD's so flower that, and then you're down to enright and birchall these actual defenders. Hodge is one who nobody is talking about who I think could rise again. And then it's swallow, suckling, atley, watts etc. none of whom are sure things. There are no underpriced gems the other lines have to offer like beams, sandi, franklin etc. It's tough back there.

good summary, picking premiums is tough, that's why I think it's better to sacrifice a little lost earnings and just load up on the very best. No doubt that McVeigh will come down in price but by the same token, he's almost a certainty to be a top 6 defender. On top of that, he plays round 8 & 9, a pretty big advantage imo.

Simpson is another player who will probably be top 6 by years end. over the past 5 years he's averaged 99, 94, 94, 93, 95. He's also ever reliable, has only missed 3 games in 5 years and he scored 10 tons from round 9-23. He also plays round 8 which allows a bit of breathing space for bye management.

Mitchell is a certainty and will be the leading points scorer in defence, he's this year's Goddard IMO. He also plays round 8.

D4 is up for debate, there's a number of good options pressing claims. I've gone Hurn because I think he's underpriced and West Coast have a favourable early draw, he also plays round 8.

D5 is a no brainer - Suckling all the way

D6 is a raffle, I will wait on KK, McDonald & Fuller to press their claims.

It's certainly an expensive backline but hopefully won't require too much tinkering down the track. I'm feeling very risk averse with my defenders, even though I realise they will drop in value. Set & forget, here's hoping anyway.

[ubeaut]

The back line this year is the hardest it's been for years and the reason for that is that the best defenders are all overpriced. Mcveigh won't average 106 again nor will bartel or walker. Mitchell maybe but I doubt it given his age and likelihood to attract the tag. There's just no value at all. Hanley can't handle a tag but at least is on the rise, Simpson has never averaged 100 and certainly won't now, Thompson and Taylor are KPD's so flower that, and then you're down to enright and birchall these actual defenders. Hodge is one who nobody is talking about who I think could rise again. And then it's swallow, suckling, atley, watts etc. none of whom are sure things. There are no underpriced gems the other lines have to offer like beams, sandi, franklin etc. It's tough back there.

Yeah great summary. The backline is giving me the sh1ts along with lack of and expense of rookies.

[Grufflez]

Reckon this is the year to find value in the backline priced in the 430-500k ish range and save money for similar score outputs,
let others go top heavy down back and watch those 575k blokes come back to 475-500k then pick em up cheaper.
I'm sure they will be top 8 defenders but no defender is worth much over 500k in my mind.
cheaper options include..

Hurn,simpson,hanley,thompson,hibberd, all of which i think can score the same if not close for a lot less cash
swallow,henderson and even j grimes are breakout/improvement contenders at 430-460k ish
so much to choose from down back this year,ill be picking up your mitchells and mcveighs later on at discount.

[sammy123]

Mitchell is a great pick

Simpson good pick

Thompson was worth it last year.

Shaw could be worth a gamble

Hanley,mcveigh, bartel are all to watch.

[#1 Stkilda]

I have picked Mitchell, Hanley, Hurn and Henderson back there. Suckling as D5. 

I think Hurn and Henderson are integral to their teams rebounding out of defence and both have good skills by foot.  Thoughts?     
I have picked them as i am running 2 onfield rookies in the midfield.

[Bully]

I have picked Mitchell, Hanley, Hurn and Henderson back there. Suckling as D5. 

I think Hurn and Henderson are integral to their teams rebounding out of defence and both have good skills by foot.  Thoughts?     
I have picked them as i am running 2 onfield rookies in the midfield.

Ellis could take Hurn's role sending him into the midfield, that to me is a big plus. I also really like West Coast's draw, they pretty much have a mortgage on all the easy beats in the first 8 rounds, the likes of Hurn, Naitanui & Ellis are definitely ones to closely monitor.

[Southstorm]

I think it's down to Mitchell or Walker to be the best scoring defender, personally I'm leaning towards Mitchell at this stage.

As a POD, I'm fancying Hibberd at D2/D3.

[Grufflez]

Malthouse has mentioned playing walker forward more this year,usually take what Malthouse says with a grain of salt but walker is a proven goal scorer and with the blues lack of real goal kickers i tend to believe this will happen..plus 575k is his maxium price anyway..can only go down IMO