GM's Journey 2015

[GM]

This year I've decided to put my team on paper , revealing 3 players each week and the reasons why I am picking them.
Changes can ,  and will occur with injuries and role changes but obviously these players are chosen at the start for a reason.
When I select my starting line up there are many important ingredients I look at.
1. Spending my $ on the proven guns.
2. Finding value on discounted or club changing players that look fantasy relevant.
3. Identifying a smokie or 2 that if successful will put you in a great early position.
4. Identifying the Top rooks that will give you good output and security , in which will generate $ to enable more keepers.
5. Research , listen and watch for every bit of helpful information.
6. Ultimately, after ticking off these 5 pointers , go with your gut.

I will hold back a player on each line as they are my smokies that could make me a winner.
Once the season starts I will reveal all , and  give weekly updates on trades and rooks on the bubble.
My aim is to win , but for this to happen everything must go right from start to finish.
But to finish inside 1k would be a great year.
So let the journey begin.

[GM]

Team Name  :  Apache Cats

Def    :  K.Simpson    M.Hibberd      G.Birchall                               B.Waters

Mid    : G.Ablett   S.Pendlebury   J.Selwood    J.P.Kennedy

Ruck  :

Fwd   :  R.Gray   B.Goddard                                                             M.Clark



DEFENSE

K.Simpson        - His selection initially wasn't easy. I remember a few games last year he had hardly troubled the scorers at half time.
                              This was making me look else where.But when you look a little deeper you see he consistently gives you good return ,
                              especially for a defender.
                              A fit Judd and Murphy will free him up and even a better 2015 from Walker will help.
                              Having no McVeigh , Bartel , Mitchell or Swallow to pick this year his selection became easier .
                              Simmo ave 95 in 2014  and I can't see this decreasing.

M. Hibberd       - He has become a reliable SC defender who's the go to man in transition from the Bomber defense.
                              He has trimmed right up in the off season to help solve his soft tissue issues and to possibly have a run in the mids.
                              Scores well in SC and will certainly get better and better.



MIDFIELD

Gary Ablett      - In the end a no brainer. Initially because of his off season shoulder surgery I was hesitant on his initial output so I was
                             trying to form a strong midfield without him. Thinking money saved would enable me to strengthen my other lines.
                             By all reports he is back on track and ready to resume full body contact in late feb.
                             The Suns early draw is a belter so I can not see Gary dropping in value. Also it is very difficult to upgrade to someone
                             at his price.It would take several weeks , using multiple trades or sideways trading.
                             He is your Perma Captain and will be No 1 mid.

S.Pendlebury   -What a fantastic player Pendles is. He is a great back up captain choice aswell.
                             He scores really well as his efficiency is exemplary. Along with Gaz , he is a must have in my team.
                               

[johnnytheboy1]

Simpson is a logical pick could have gone Brodie Smith as he is after more midfield oppurtunities.
Your first midfield premium would have to be either Ablett or Pendles.
Nic Nat is probably the best valued ruck with Cox now retired.
Forwards many will have buddy as there first pick.

[GM]

Simpson is a logical pick could have gone Brodie Smith as he is after more midfield oppurtunities.
Your first midfield premium would have to be either Ablett or Pendles.
Nic Nat is probably the best valued ruck with Cox now retired.
Forwards many will have buddy as there first pick.

Yeah first Two fairly obvious mate.But lots will be looking elsewhere like I was initially.
I think we need to see if we can manage differently , but in the end the side looks so much stronger with their inclusions.

[Money Shot]

Love all 3 picks so far.
Good start mate ;)

Would love your thoughts on my team.

[GM]

Love all 3 picks so far.
Good start mate ;)

Would love your thoughts on my team.

Yeah mate thanks , pretty vanilla so far
With the Ruck strategy you are taking ,  your current side is a ripper.

[Money Shot]

Love all 3 picks so far.
Good start mate ;)

Would love your thoughts on my team.

Yeah mate thanks , pretty vanilla so far
With the Ruck strategy you are taking ,  your current side is a ripper.

Cheers!

[fasttrack13]

Definitely no surprises :P

Just one worry though... What happens when some of your players change when you've posted. If you edit it then we will look like idiots...? Or is that the plan ;)

Nice GM

[GM]

Definitely no surprises :P

Just one worry though... What happens when some of your players change when you've posted. If you edit it then we will look like idiots...? Or is that the plan ;)

Nice GM

No plan here mate.
Changes may well happen due to many reasons , like injuries or rule changes etc.
All apart of the journey.

[GM]

The new ruck scoring changes will change a lot of coaches original decisions.
5 points for taps to advantage , but no points for hit outs.
Efficient tap ruckman that pick up possessions will be gold.
I will study these new rules once SC opens and see who will stand out.
On face value , Jacobs looks a great choice with 30% of taps to advantage ( no 1 in 2014)  and gets the ball around the ground.
Jacobs , Martin , Goldy and Nic Nat are the ones with a set and forget strategy imo.

[fasttrack13]

The new ruck scoring changes will change a lot of coaches original decisions.
5 points for taps to advantage , but no points for hit outs.
My plan for set and forget rucks will not change.
Efficient tap ruckman that pick up possessions will be gold.
I will study these new rules once SC opens and see who will stand out.
On face value , Jacobs looks a great choice with 30% of taps to advantage ( no 1 in 2014)  and gets the ball around the ground.
Jacobs , Martin , Goldy and Nic Nat are the ones with a set and forget strategy imo.

Genius  8) and 100% spot on

[crowls]

The new ruck scoring changes will change a lot of coaches original decisions.
5 points for taps to advantage , but no points for hit outs.
My plan for set and forget rucks will not change.
Efficient tap ruckman that pick up possessions will be gold.
I will study these new rules once SC opens and see who will stand out.
On face value , Jacobs looks a great choice with 30% of taps to advantage ( no 1 in 2014)  and gets the ball around the ground.
Jacobs , Martin , Goldy and Nic Nat are the ones with a set and forget strategy imo.

Genius  8) and 100% spot on

Got to agree,  too many risks associated with midprice rucks.  Either way injuries seem to determine most effective ruck strategy.  I got burnt big time last year with Dixon as fwd and ruck cover.   This year 2 premo strategy.  Trade if I need coverage to another ruck premium.

[GM]

New scoring system and field structure requires deep thought into which plan we take with our ruck set up in 2015
I will take the minimal risk approach

[GM]

Starting to settle on the Guns in my team but the rucks are on hold until we study the new scoring system.
We will get a better idea when the Nab challenge is underway.

[ben_020285]

Surely Gray could be picked up at a much cheaper price at some stage. Much better options in the forward line imo.