Player X v Player Y

[Bully]

Am I the only one who when looking through the defenders just simply ignores Hodge and Gibson being so high? It's like they are literally not an option for me at all lol

You're not the only one mate. Not even half a thought for me.

Hodge has burnt me in the past so no, I wouldn't look at him, just too many no shows to spend 500k.

[johnnyy23]

Am I the only one who when looking through the defenders just simply ignores Hodge and Gibson being so high? It's like they are literally not an option for me at all lol

Gibbo shouldn't be written off until we get a look at Hawthorns def. setup in the preseason. With Frawley and Lake likely to take the lock down jobs week in week out, Gibson could be on the end of a few more interceptions and take marks off opposition kicks (rewarded handsomely in SC). Def premiums aren't easy to come by this year, and I know he has a shocker bye and is a risk at that, but Gibbo won't be written off from me just yet. The chance of 20-25 touches, tackles and marks galore is too much to write off without seeing where he will be played exactly just yet.

[AaronKirk]

Am I the only one who when looking through the defenders just simply ignores Hodge and Gibson being so high? It's like they are literally not an option for me at all lol

You're not the only one mate. Not even half a thought for me.

Haven't considered them once.

[johnnyy23]

Speaking of players that aren't being given due consideration, Robert Gray??? Hardly seen him in forums. He hasn't had a massive injury has he?

Best season yet/highly priced/decent upgrade target etc. but everybody is tearing their hair out trying to decide between Lids/Goddard/Buddy/Dusty/Bartel... Goodes ;)

I'm waiting till preseason, but if he is racking up the stats like last year I'll fork the 50-60K more than Buddy for peace of mind any day.

Sitting on Gray/Deledio/Goddard/Bennell till NAB

[Jackross10]

Speaking of players that aren't being given due consideration, Robert Gray??? Hardly seen him in forums. He hasn't had a massive injury has he?

Best season yet/highly priced/decent upgrade target etc. but everybody is tearing their hair out trying to decide between Lids/Goddard/Buddy/Dusty/Bartel... Goodes ;)

I'm waiting till preseason, but if he is racking up the stats like last year I'll fork the 50-60K more than Buddy for peace of mind any day.

Sitting on Gray/Deledio/Goddard/Bennell till NAB

Surely you have to start Swan?

[djbics]

Great thread guys, coming from a slightly different direction here but.....

Staker vs Reid vs Salem vs Lennon?

Specifically looking at the D5/D6/D7/D8 positions (with Clark and Hogan pretty much locked in to two of the spots), trying this year to target point-scoring players in these positions rather than taking the gamble on unproven rooks.  Staker and Reid have both proven in the past the ability to score within the 75-85 realm, however are slightly more expensive and carry a significant injury risk.  Salem and Lennon both impressed me last year and had many sub affected games,  all reports on both are pointing toward much more gametime for their respective teams this season.  Interested in seeing what others think about them??

[Seamon8er]

Will be watching Gray in nab but likely to start him   
Cotchin v b crouch

[SydneyRox]

Am I the only one who when looking through the defenders just simply ignores Hodge and Gibson being so high? It's like they are literally not an option for me at all lol

Gibbo shouldn't be written off until we get a look at Hawthorns def. setup in the preseason. With Frawley and Lake likely to take the lock down jobs week in week out, Gibson could be on the end of a few more interceptions and take marks off opposition kicks (rewarded handsomely in SC). Def premiums aren't easy to come by this year, and I know he has a shocker bye and is a risk at that, but Gibbo won't be written off from me just yet. The chance of 20-25 touches, tackles and marks galore is too much to write off without seeing where he will be played exactly just yet.

yeah, gibbo defn an option for me, not having to play on a tall gives him so much more space to get around and mark the ball as the 3rd man up.

[RaisyDaisy]

Great thread guys, coming from a slightly different direction here but.....

Staker vs Reid vs Salem vs Lennon?

Specifically looking at the D5/D6/D7/D8 positions (with Clark and Hogan pretty much locked in to two of the spots), trying this year to target point-scoring players in these positions rather than taking the gamble on unproven rooks.  Staker and Reid have both proven in the past the ability to score within the 75-85 realm, however are slightly more expensive and carry a significant injury risk.  Salem and Lennon both impressed me last year and had many sub affected games,  all reports on both are pointing toward much more gametime for their respective teams this season.  Interested in seeing what others think about them??

I don't care what Collingwood say, you can never pick Reid. His body just cannot be trusted

Put a cross through Lennon too - Dima has already said they are going to take their time with him and don't need to rush him in like they have with previous rookies, so he is going to be in and out of the side

Keep and eye on Staker and Salem during NAB to what roles they're playing

Oh, and glad I'm not the only one who hasn't even blinked at Gibson and Hodge lol. Don't get me wrong, they're guns, but surely you can't shell out that much for them

[johnnyy23]

Speaking of players that aren't being given due consideration, Robert Gray??? Hardly seen him in forums. He hasn't had a massive injury has he?

Best season yet/highly priced/decent upgrade target etc. but everybody is tearing their hair out trying to decide between Lids/Goddard/Buddy/Dusty/Bartel... Goodes ;)

I'm waiting till preseason, but if he is racking up the stats like last year I'll fork the 50-60K more than Buddy for peace of mind any day.

Sitting on Gray/Deledio/Goddard/Bennell till NAB

Surely you have to start Swan?

Look IMO Swan isn't exactly as cheap as what people might think. At 460 I think a lot of the hype around Swan is misplaced, people are perceiving that 460 relative to what is paid for top notch mids/fwds (600ish) not 460 relative to Swan's potential upside and the risk/probability of it happening (or not.)

Gone are the days were Swan racked up 35 touches. I can't see Swanny averaging anything more than 95-100 this year, and that's probably a 50/50. Seeing as I've only allowed myself 4 premiums in the forward line, 5 at most, I would much rather pay an extra 50K and give someone like potential 7-8th placing Bennell the chance to explode, while everyone else uses a trade on the (potentially) 85ppg stepping stone that is Dane Swan. Even someone with a better bye (Bartel, but yea 100K more)

Maybe I am being biased here I dunno. After all, I'd probably Captain Spangher before I selected Swanny. I hate Collingwood almost as much as I hate stepping stones (chew up unnecessary trades) and especially if they're risky! Why take a risk on something that isn't going to make you heaps of cash/score amazingly? But, even if I was aiming for a forward at around his price range - I'd go Bruest. Then Ziebell. Then Elliot. Then Motlop and probably (eh) even Higgins ahead of Swanny. They'd all more than likely be stepping stones too, but I think that they would score just as well.

I think Breust is about to explode I just can't work him into my side. I think he may be an exception to stepping stones but that's just a hunch.

So nah, no Swanny for me!

[djbics]

I don't care what Collingwood say, you can never pick Reid. His body just cannot be trusted

Put a cross through Lennon too - Dima has already said they are going to take their time with him and don't need to rush him in like they have with previous rookies, so he is going to be in and out of the side

Keep and eye on Staker and Salem during NAB to what roles they're playing

Oh, and glad I'm not the only one who hasn't even blinked at Gibson and Hodge lol. Don't get me wrong, they're guns, but surely you can't shell out that much for them

Cheers RD, I must admit that I rate Staker above Reid anyway, but his injury history is almost as bad  :(

Being a Melbourne supporter I'd like to take Salem, particularly if the word out of pre-season about him playing as a running rebounding hb is true.  I think we have a number of other vest options for this season so I can see Salem getting significant game time.

Oh and for what it's worth, Hodge and Gibbo aren't considerations for me either :P

[Jackross10]

Your loss imo Johnny, I see swanny going 110 at least this year. Last year was one to forget for him. Plagued with injuries while also fighting Glandular fever.

[AaronKirk]

Speaking of players that aren't being given due consideration, Robert Gray??? Hardly seen him in forums. He hasn't had a massive injury has he?

Best season yet/highly priced/decent upgrade target etc. but everybody is tearing their hair out trying to decide between Lids/Goddard/Buddy/Dusty/Bartel... Goodes ;)

I'm waiting till preseason, but if he is racking up the stats like last year I'll fork the 50-60K more than Buddy for peace of mind any day.

Sitting on Gray/Deledio/Goddard/Bennell till NAB

Surely you have to start Swan?

Look IMO Swan isn't exactly as cheap as what people might think. At 460 I think a lot of the hype around Swan is misplaced, people are perceiving that 460 relative to what is paid for top notch mids/fwds (600ish) not 460 relative to Swan's potential upside and the risk/probability of it happening (or not.)

Gone are the days were Swan racked up 35 touches. I can't see Swanny averaging anything more than 95-100 this year, and that's probably a 50/50. Seeing as I've only allowed myself 4 premiums in the forward line, 5 at most, I would much rather pay an extra 50K and give someone like potential 7-8th placing Bennell the chance to explode, while everyone else uses a trade on the (potentially) 85ppg stepping stone that is Dane Swan. Even someone with a better bye (Bartel, but yea 100K more)

Maybe I am being biased here I dunno. After all, I'd probably Captain Spangher before I selected Swanny. I hate Collingwood almost as much as I hate stepping stones (chew up unnecessary trades) and especially if they're risky! Why take a risk on something that isn't going to make you heaps of cash/score amazingly? But, even if I was aiming for a forward at around his price range - I'd go Bruest. Then Ziebell. Then Elliot. Then Motlop and probably (eh) even Higgins ahead of Swanny. They'd all more than likely be stepping stones too, but I think that they would score just as well.

I think Breust is about to explode I just can't work him into my side. I think he may be an exception to stepping stones but that's just a hunch.

So nah, no Swanny for me!

I hate Collingwood as much as anyone but your reasons for not selecting Swan are madness.

In the previous 5 seasons before last year he went 115+ in each season. If fully fit he would be likely to average at least 95-100+ and would be a worthy selection at his price.

Would be POD not to select him.

[johnnyy23]

Your loss imo Johnny, I see swanny going 110 at least this year. Last year was one to forget for him. Plagued with injuries while also fighting Glandular fever.

Swanny will be 31 before the season starts this year, I just don't see it happening. I haven't ruled him out entirely, but going him going above 110 is a ridiculous... Collingwood are in for a rough season. But let's make it interesting.

If by Rd 22 Swanny is averaging higher than 110, I will go to the Pies' last game dressed as an umpire and run onto the field during the 3rd quarter with a whistle and make as many calls as I can. Might even jump on with a footy and have a go from 50. Tell you what, in those few seconds alone, the security guards would lay more tackles than Swanny had all season and I'd kick just about as many goals ;) 

[Vinny]

Swan will go 100+ comfortably, don't write him off after one season of injury and illness, this is a man who averaged 120+ 5 seasons in a row, 117 and 2013. With all that went wrong for him in 2013, he still averaged 86. I don't see how he can possibly go less than that if he is free of that injury and illness. I'd pick him as a midfielder, leaving him out in the forward line is insane IMO.