The Casserole Kids in 2015

[My Chumps]

Cant take teams seriously without gaz in there.  His score doubles each week.
Go into player profiles and go through his individual scores from the past few years. If you can leave him out after that, you're a brave man.

Believe it or not I have done a fair bit of research around individual scores. Here's my logic with Gaz;

- coming off long term shoulder surgery that he's still recovering from
- near career best average of 136 last season meaning a ridiculous price - GAJ -> Hanners allowed me to go Kruezer -> Minson/Goldy which I think is a lot better than a GAJ+ Bellchambers/Luenberger combination.
- improving Gold Coast side that relies on him less this season i.e. less handball receives, more rotations
- and most importantly, even if you think my last three are completely moot points you have to consider the new scoring rules for scaling that are x2 during the end of close games rather than x4. Straight up that just means he's going to be getting half as many points as he used to for doing clutch things.

I dunno, I will probably end up with him come round 1 but for now this is what I'm looking at.

Can understand your first few reasons man, but don't let the last one affect you. It will affect all players and is impossible to predict exactly how much. GC might have a lot more close games this year compared to last which could counter the change in scoring. Or he may not have had as many clutch points in 2014 as we think.

That's a good point that I hadn't considered.

I'm still iffy. Not starting him is make/break, could give me a big boost or put me way behind.

[Nige]

Very interesting side there Richard, it's different and I like different, but it still has me a little worried in parts.

The backs look somewhat similar to mine, especially with Lumumba, Whitecross and Jones as D4-6. That could go disastrously wrong for us, particularly with Whitecross and Jones, what's the back up plan there?

As someone who hasn't started GAJ in the past, it's a mistake that I never wanna make again. I'd say you have to him or Rocky and while I think Pendles is a gun, I don't think he's quite GAJ tier. I'd personally replace one of Pendles/Fyfe/Jelwood with GAJ. Hannebery is an interesting pick, I'm a fan. The mid rooks are an interesting bunch. I'm not sure whether Laverde will play straight away and Brayshaw is a tad expensive. Look into Vandenberg or Lambert for example and you're saving 100k there.

Minson is definitely different and I reckon he'll go back to his 2013 form and he's looking to be a POD so you could definitely be on to a winner there.

I prefer guns and rooks in the forward line, especially with the rookie forward options available. I reckon turning Mitchell into a proper premo like Lids or Swan or downgrading him to a rookie like Caleb Daniel or Tim Membrey will help and it should give you cash to work wonders elsewhere.

Nice work though buddy.  8)

[djzontheball@gmail.com]

Haha you weren't joking about a few PODs.

DEF: Love the Lumumba pick man, and you're premos. Not 100% sold on Jaensch, think he might cop more attention and the new coach might change things up back there. But thats more a gut feeling. Smedts at D5 is probably too weak though mate. You might want to consider upgrading him to someone like an Ibbo, or higher to a full premo.
MIDS: Hannebery is a great POD pick and your top end premos are perfect. Not a fan of Greene, see reason below. Rookies are perfect at this stage. Not much wrong with this line man
RUCKS: Same as mine. Perfect :P
FWDS: Very strong and unique. Especially without one of Swan, Lids, DMartin or Goddard. If you're looking for cash you could look to downgrade Gray to one of those for similar output. Can't wait to see TMitch play this year after a full preseason and rookies are fine. Just keep an eye on Clark, he is still battling a calf injury atm.

Just wondered about people's thoughts on Toby Greene as a genuine midfield premium option.

When he came back from his suspension last year - over the last 9 rounds - he averaged 120.3 and one of those scores was a 63 (his first game back funnily enough).

Considering all of this I am wondering about whether he is deserving of a midfield position.

Yeh he did dominate from RD17 onwards but

Congilio only played up until round 16
Scully only up to round 18
Whitfield only up to round 17

So add those 3 back in, along with Griffen and Greene could be severely hampered. Just something to consider.

can i get your thoughts on my team please.  http://forum.fanfooty.com.au/index.php/topic,100814.0.html

[My Chumps]

Cheers Nige, appreciate it pal!

The backs look somewhat similar to mine, especially with Lumumba, Whitecross and Jones as D4-6. That could go disastrously wrong for us, particularly with Whitecross and Jones, what's the back up plan there?

Yeah, this is one of my biggest concerns. Pretty confident with Whitecross tbh, although may have to cop a sub game round 1 depending on a few factors. Hopefully someone like Jed Anderson or Billy Hartung get a gig and take the green vest.
As for Jones, he's certainly shakier. A likely sub candidate if he does get a gig. It's either gonna be him, Smedts, Colquhoun or if none of them are named then I'll go Brayshaw --> bottom price mid rook and Jones --> Rohan (gotta back the Swans yaknow? :P).

As someone who hasn't started GAJ in the past, it's a mistake that I never wanna make again. I'd say you have to him or Rocky and while I think Pendles is a gun, I don't think he's quite GAJ tier. I'd personally replace one of Pendles/Fyfe/Jelwood with GAJ. Hannebery is an interesting pick, I'm a fan. The mid rooks are an interesting bunch. I'm not sure whether Laverde will play straight away and Brayshaw is a tad expensive. Look into Vandenberg or Lambert for example and you're saving 100k there.

This years different tho! He's coming off long term shoulder surgery haha. But I probably should try to slot him in there. Unfourtunately I have no idea who to drop out of Fyfe/Pendles/Selwood. Selwood has the perfect bye round, Pendles is super durable and I honestly believe Fyfe could go GAJ level this season.

Minson is definitely different and I reckon he'll go back to his 2013 form and he's looking to be a POD so you could definitely be on to a winner there.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I'd love to run with Minson + Goldy but I fear Nic Nat might actually reach his potential this season.

I prefer guns and rooks in the forward line, especially with the rookie forward options available. I reckon turning Mitchell into a proper premo like Lids or Swan or downgrading him to a rookie like Caleb Daniel or Tim Membrey will help and it should give you cash to work wonders elsewhere.

Nice work though buddy.  8)

In full seriousness, Mitchell > Swan this year. Don't trust Swanny at all. 

[Nige]

Yep, finger crossed on Whitecross. The backs are hard enough to work out as it is, need him up and about. Colquhoun is injured apparently, only found that out like yesterday checking the AFL injury list. Listed as 7-9 weeks with a knee, I've crossed him off. I'd also stay away from Smedts, dude just can't get a gig and when he does, he's not making the most of his chances.

I'd say squeeze out Fyfe tbh, pretty much for the reasons you said. Jelwood's bye is good, Pendles is so durable. I'd prefer Barlow over Fyfe any day.

Not a huge Nic Nat fan myself, but eh, I can see why people are picking him. He'll save you cash having him over Goldy.

Haha, I'm the opposite. Swanny > Mitchell, who I don't trust at all, bit like Bellchambers.  :P

[My Chumps]

The final stretch home...



Few picks I may have to defend:

Ibbo/Pearce/Goodes backline - With Whitecross almost a certainty not to play and it looking unlikely for 3 playing rookies under 150k, I think this is the safest option back there. All three have averaged 90 in the past and while I'm not expecting that output from all of them, anything above 80 is a win.

Beams over Pendlebury - I've been sliding away from Pendles most of the pre-season. I understand how good the guy is but I can imagine it's gonna be hard to stay motivated and performing when his team finishes in the bottom 6. Sidebottom is literally his only quality support, something Pendles hasn't had to deal with his whole career with Swan, Beams, Daisy etc. I can see him maintaining his average at best, whereas Beams has a ton of upside in a revitalised new group that requires him to get forward and kick goals.

Maric over Nic Nat - Nic Nat has been thoroughly unconvincing through the preseason while Maric has been dominant. Obviously preseason isn't everything, but I needed to see something from Naitanui to really get behind him. Richmond has one of the easiest early draws and I see Maric going big early and getting me off to a nice start.

[My Chumps]

So this was the team I finished up with that left me with the terrible score of 1930. Yuck.



Mitchell not being named forced my hands to take Goddard which proved a shower pick for round 1, but the wet doesn't suit BJ's outside game so long term improvement. Got a bit lucky with chucking McIntosh on the field late. Third highest scorer for the round  ::)

This week Sheed has to go. He doesn't look ready, not sure why I trusted him originally but ahwell. Ibbo poor too, so I've actually pulled the trigger on these trades:

Ibbo ---> Oxley - kept his spot and is the best option for under 200k back there. Saad looked good enough to start.
Sheed ---> Jack Steven - kids a gun, wanted to squeeze him in pre-season but didn't want to role with him and Hanners. Now I'm not off to the best start it's time to balls up and back a few PODs. Steven's a good place to start.

So...


Much better, even tho I've already burnt two trades #yolo

[Mat0369]

Ibbo ---> Oxley - kept his spot and is the best option for under 200k back there. Saad looked good enough to start.
Sheed ---> Jack Steven - kids a gun, wanted to squeeze him in pre-season but didn't want to role with him and Hanners. Now I'm not off to the best start it's time to balls up and back a few PODs. Steven's a good place to start.

I was the exact same but when Gaz had a cloud over him I was able to bring Steven in. Now Sidebottom is injured so I might end up with Gaz, Hanners and Steven  in the end anyway

[My Chumps]

Ibbo ---> Oxley - kept his spot and is the best option for under 200k back there. Saad looked good enough to start.
Sheed ---> Jack Steven - kids a gun, wanted to squeeze him in pre-season but didn't want to role with him and Hanners. Now I'm not off to the best start it's time to balls up and back a few PODs. Steven's a good place to start.

I was the exact same but when Gaz had a cloud over him I was able to bring Steven in. Now Sidebottom is injured so I might end up with Gaz, Hanners and Steven  in the end anyway

Gee I was happy with Hanners on the weekend. Not even close to some of his best games and he pulls out a tasty 133.

[Mat0369]

Gee I was happy with Hanners on the weekend. Not even close to some of his best games and he pulls out a tasty 133.

The best thing about it is he was looking to score a ton in a losing side. His scores when Sydney have lost is what has prevented him from becoming a super premium, so if those boost so will his average. Watching him his work in close was amazing, a lot of people were frothing over Parker's disposal count but Hanners was winning those tough balls and using it well. If he can keep it up he could be in for a huge year

[My Chumps]

The best thing about it is he was looking to score a ton in a losing side. His scores when Sydney have lost is what has prevented him from becoming a super premium, so if those boost so will his average. Watching him his work in close was amazing, a lot of people were frothing over Parker's disposal count but Hanners was winning those tough balls and using it well. If he can keep it up he could be in for a huge year

Yeah, exactly my thoughts. Part of the reason I'm okay with getting him and Steven now.

Although we've talked him up enough here he'll probably pull out a sub 80 score this weekend haha.

[Mat0369]

Yeah, exactly my thoughts. Part of the reason I'm okay with getting him and Steven now.

Although we've talked him up enough here he'll probably pull out a sub 80 score this weekend haha.

Yeah, it tends to come back and blow up in our faces haha. It will be interesting to see who Cornes goes to as he has run with both Jack and Hanners in the past.

[My Chumps]

Yeah, exactly my thoughts. Part of the reason I'm okay with getting him and Steven now.

Although we've talked him up enough here he'll probably pull out a sub 80 score this weekend haha.

Yeah, it tends to come back and blow up in our faces haha. It will be interesting to see who Cornes goes to as he has run with both Jack and Hanners in the past.

Reckon Jacks last quarter will sway Kornes towards him. Or at least I'm hoping so.

[Mat0369]

I reckon Hanners was robbed of a ton tonight

[My Chumps]

I reckon Hanners was robbed of a ton tonight

Was at a festival for the weekend and didn't get to watch the game but the stats it certainly seems that way, even with the Kornes tag. Hopefully I'll get to watch the game tonight.

Pretty pissed off about not being around to sub Goodes out, particularly when Oxley scored 116 on my bench. Could do with that extra 100 to be honest.