Rico's Advice Thread 2015

[Ricochet]

Rico I've noticed a common thread in your responses is to tell people they need ruck cover, which is of course a smart idea!
My question is what do you think is the best form of ruck cover? An expensive R3 (and I'm struggling to find one under $200k that will actually play) or Belly/Lycett/Sinclair linked in the Fwd Line?

Yeh I'm pretty big on us needing cover this year. Especially with only one bench spot.
I've started planning for life without Belly as well, just in case he does get a ban.

So we have two options

You either start a fwd/ruck in your fwd line like Lycett/Ryder/etc

Or we have a 200k rookie at R3, which gives us enough room to move down (or up slightly) if a rookie ruck is named round 1.


Atm I'm running with the second option, with a Mummy, NicNat (Phillips) ruck line. Its not ideal, and I'm not entirely happy with it but it gives me room to move leading into RD1.

I'll change this slightly, since they all share the same bye.

[clackerz]

Hey mate, can you have a look over my team and see what needs tinkering?
Backs are a bit weak, I think I may need another premo in the Mids......and still looking at Rookies

DEF: Shaw,H, Gibson,J, Newens,J, Lumumba,H, Ibbotson,G, Whitecross,B  (Edwards,S, Saad,A)
MID: Ablett,G, Rockcliff,T, Pendlebury,S, Barlow,M, van Berlo,N, Newton,B, Vandenberg,A, Freeman,N (Anderson,J, Heeney,I, Lambert,K)
RUC: Goldstein,T, Naitianui,N (Cox,M)
FWD: Gray,R, Martin,D, Swan,D, Bellchambers,T, Karnezis,P, Hogan,J (Laverde,J, Krakouer,N)

DEF I don't mind this backline strategy man so I wouldn't worry about it. I've done similar. Your top end premo's are fine as are your midpricers. And Whitecross gives you enough room to move when we see who's named RD1.
MIDS Top end premos are very very strong and love the Barlow pick. Going 4 premos may put you back a little early but your other lines should make up for it. Rookies are fine at this stage mate.
RUCKS great premo picks and Belly up front gives you cover. Perfect.
FWDs Hard to falt mate. I'm not a fan of starting Gray but thats just personally. I'd look at MClarke, Salem, Lamb over Laverde too man

Cheers for that mate.
Gray has been in/out sooooo many times tbh, I'm not sure whether to leave him in, or get a cheaper option like a Bennell, and trade a fattened rookie to Gray later on.......
Just gotta try and way it up.

[TexR74]

Hannebery, Macrae, O'Meara, Goddard, Cotchin, Bennell, Greene, Hartlett and Tyson. Pick one (if you dare.....)
Once again love your work mate.

[Omz1990]

Hey Rico, wondering if I can get in on the additional help. Any suggestions to my team?
Def: Shaw, Hibberd, Hurn, Lumumba, N. Brown, Saad (Oxley, Goddard)
Mids: Ablett, Pendlebury, Fyfe, Deledio, Griffen, Van Berlo, Anderson, Heeney (Cockatoo, Vandenberg, Freeman)
Rucks: Natanui, Bellchambers (Cox)
Fwrds: GOddard, D. Martin, Swan, J. Martin, Clark, Karnezis (Hogan, Daniel)

Thanks for any input mate.

[BlackOrWhite]

Hey Rico love your work wondering if you could give me advice on my team.

DEF: Simpson, Shaw, Birchall, Taylor, Newnes, Saad (Brown, H. Goddard)

MID: Ablett, Pendlebury, Selwood, JPK, Newton, Heeney, Boekhorst, Vandenberg (Ellis-Yolmen, Steele, Lambert)

RUC: Maric, Naitanui (Cox)

FWD: Gray, D. Martin, Swan, Belly, Salem, Clark (Hogan, Lamb)

21k in the bank.

[NickyBoy]

Hey Rico, I would love your advice on 2 possible teams for myself.

Currently:

DEFS: Shaw, Hibberd, Newnes, Lumumba, Macmilan, Dick (Saad, Edwards)
MIDS: Ablett, Pendles, Jelwood, Barlow, A.Swallow, Van Berlo, Anderson, Vandernberg  (Heeny, Dumont, Lambert)
RUCKS: Nic Nat, Belly (Read)
FWDS: Bartel, Goddard, Martin, Swan, Hogan, Clark (Karnezis, Krak)
salary left $9,100

Or

DEFS: Shaw, Hibberd, Newnes, Lumumba, Macmilian, Saad (Brown, Dick)
MIDS: Ablett, Pendles, Jelwood, Barlow, Cripps, Van Berlo, Steele, Vandernberg  (Heeny, Dumont, Lambert)
RUCKS: Nic Nat, Mummy (Read)
FWDS: Bartel, Goddard, Martin, Swan, Hogan, Clark (Karnezis, Krak)
Cash left $25,900

[brudski]

Hey Mate,
Can you just have a quick look over my team and let me know what you think

H.Shaw, J.Gibson, M.Hibberd, H.Lumumba, J.Geary, B.Whitecross (H.Goddard, A.Saad)

G.Ablett, N.Fyfe, J.Kennedy, C.Ward, R.Gray, N.Cockatoo, A.Vandenberg, N.Freeman (C.Ellis Yolmen, J.Steele, K.Lambert)

T.Goldstein, N.Naitanui (M.Cox)

J.Bartel, D.Martin,D.Swan, M.Clark, P.Karnezis, J.Hogan (T.lamb, N.Krakouer)

The rookies will change based on round 1 selections. Gray in the mids will be a place holder until after the byes when one of the fwd rooks get traded out and gray comes into the fwds and i get a prem mid.
I didn't go with van berlo just based on how he has been doing and plus free up some cash to get goldy

DEF: Soild mate and I like the structure. 3 premos + a borderline premo in Lumumba + a mid pricer + an expensive rook is a prefect setup at this stage. No real concerns here at all except if Hibberd cops an ASADA ban. But he can easily be swapped.Rookies are fine at this stage. Also consider NBrown as your solid, plays every week, D8

MIDs: Can't fault your top end premos, they're perfect. I do have question marks over Gray but if your sold on him then go for it. Rookies are fine at this stage but still consider NVB. He'll play every week and make you cash, thats all you can ask for. Ellis-Yolmen will struggle to be there RD1 imo.

RUCK: Very solid but with weak cover. Think you'll need to keep some cash on hand to find some cover at R3 mate.

FWDS: 3 premos, 3 rookies is a solid setup. And you're premos are perfect. Love the Bartel pick.

Not much wrong with this side at all mate. Just keep in mind you'll have to find ruck cover though

Thanks heaps for the advice mate.
I'm really thinking of just taking a risk on the 2 rucks and if one got injured it should be to hard to downgrade unless i only start with a 4 prem mids and use the money for a ruck. I don't really want to scarifice Martin or bartel because they are looking like cracking picks.
I made a few changes let me know what you think

H.Shaw, J.Gibson, J.Newnes, H.Lumumba, J.Geary, B.Whitecross (H.Goddard, A.Saad)

G.Ablett, N.Fyfe, J.Kennedy, C.Ward, R.Gray, N.Cockatoo, A.Vandenberg, N.Freeman (N.Van berlo, J.Steele, K.Lambert)

T.Bellchambers, N.Naitanui (A.Cordy)

J.Bartel, D.Martin,D.Swan, M.Clark, P.Karnezis, J.Hogan (T.lamb, C.Salem)

[BomberSam]

Thanks for the response Rico!

This is my team at the moment:

DEF: Shaw, Hurn, Newnes, Lumumba, Jaksch, Saad (Oxley, H. Goddard)

MID: Ablett, Pendlebury, Selwood, Griffen, Swallow, Neale, Boekhorst, Lambert (Steele, Ellis-Yolmen, Vandenberg)

RUCK: Maric, Naitanui (Read)

FWD: Martin, Goddard, Swan, Salem, Clark, Daniel (Lamb, Hogan)

Cash left: $23,200

Do you think that my midfield runs too deep with Neale in M6? I am tossing up the possibility of downgrading him to a rookie and further shoring up my defence by upgrading Jaksch to Hibberd? The idea of a steady defence is almost as exciting as a midfield that runs 6 deep. Absolutely stumped, thoughts?

[Ricochet]

Hey mate, can you have a look over my team and see what needs tinkering?
Backs are a bit weak, I think I may need another premo in the Mids......and still looking at Rookies

DEF: Shaw,H, Gibson,J, Newens,J, Lumumba,H, Ibbotson,G, Whitecross,B  (Edwards,S, Saad,A)
MID: Ablett,G, Rockcliff,T, Pendlebury,S, Barlow,M, van Berlo,N, Newton,B, Vandenberg,A, Freeman,N (Anderson,J, Heeney,I, Lambert,K)
RUC: Goldstein,T, Naitianui,N (Cox,M)
FWD: Gray,R, Martin,D, Swan,D, Bellchambers,T, Karnezis,P, Hogan,J (Laverde,J, Krakouer,N)

DEF I don't mind this backline strategy man so I wouldn't worry about it. I've done similar. Your top end premo's are fine as are your midpricers. And Whitecross gives you enough room to move when we see who's named RD1.
MIDS Top end premos are very very strong and love the Barlow pick. Going 4 premos may put you back a little early but your other lines should make up for it. Rookies are fine at this stage mate.
RUCKS great premo picks and Belly up front gives you cover. Perfect.
FWDs Hard to falt mate. I'm not a fan of starting Gray but thats just personally. I'd look at MClarke, Salem, Lamb over Laverde too man

Cheers for that mate.
Gray has been in/out sooooo many times tbh, I'm not sure whether to leave him in, or get a cheaper option like a Bennell, and trade a fattened rookie to Gray later on.......
Just gotta try and way it up.

Yeh its going to be a tough year with so many decent fwd premo options

[Ricochet]

Hannebery, Macrae, O'Meara, Goddard, Cotchin, Bennell, Greene, Hartlett and Tyson. Pick one (if you dare.....)
Once again love your work mate.

Cotchin/Hannebery > Macrae/Greene/Goddard > Tyson/Bennell

O'Meara is injured
Hartlett is injured

[Ricochet]

Hey Rico, wondering if I can get in on the additional help. Any suggestions to my team?
Def: Shaw, Hibberd, Hurn, Lumumba, N. Brown, Saad (Oxley, Goddard)
Mids: Ablett, Pendlebury, Fyfe, Deledio, Griffen, Van Berlo, Anderson, Heeney (Cockatoo, Vandenberg, Freeman)
Rucks: Natanui, Bellchambers (Cox)
Fwrds: GOddard, D. Martin, Swan, J. Martin, Clark, Karnezis (Hogan, Daniel)

Thanks for any input mate.

DEF: The end of this line is too weak mate. D1-D4 are all ripper picks but Brown at D5 and Saad at D6 is far too weak mate. Most teams won't even have Brown at D6. Both need to be upgraded slightly here
MIDS: Keep an eye on GaJ. He won't play in NAB3 and is now in doubt for RD1. Penles and Fyfe are ripper picks and Griff is good value. Not sure how i feel about Lids in the middle though mate. If you want a dpp link then look at using rookies. He is also managing an achilles injury. Your rookies are fine at this stage but also consieder Newton.
RUCKS: Need to look at cover here mate. Either upgrade your R3 to a 200kish rookie to give you room to move when rooks are named round 1 or flick Bellchambers into the fwd line and upgrade R2. NicNat is a perfect pick
FWDS: Strong start mate, love the premo picks. Not sure on JMartin though. He'll need to average 85 to make you 150k and even then he'll still need to be upgraded to a premo. Your rookiesa are find but also consider Salem, Lambert and Lamb

[Ricochet]

Hey Rico love your work wondering if you could give me advice on my team.

DEF: Simpson, Shaw, Birchall, Taylor, Newnes, Saad (Brown, H. Goddard)

MID: Ablett, Pendlebury, Selwood, JPK, Newton, Heeney, Boekhorst, Vandenberg (Ellis-Yolmen, Steele, Lambert)

RUC: Maric, Naitanui (Cox)

FWD: Gray, D. Martin, Swan, Belly, Salem, Clark (Hogan, Lamb)

21k in the bank.

DEF Very strong backline mate. Not sure on Taylor as a pick and Birchall is still injured with a knee issue. But structurally its very strong.
MIDS:  Keep an eye on GaJ. He won't play in NAB3 and is now in doubt for RD1. In terms of structure you've gone with 4 premo's which may be one less than a lot of teams. You might want to consider upgrading your M5. In terms of your rookies, I'd look to swap out Boeky, Ellis-Yolmen and Steele for guys like NVB, Heeney, Cockatoo, Anderson.
RUCKS: Perfect premo picks and you have cover with Belly in the fwd line.
FWDS Strong mate and I like the structure. Personally not a fan of starting Gray because I feel he'll cop a hell of a lot more attention this year but back yourself in there. Rookies are fine mate

[Ricochet]

Hey Rico, I would love your advice on 2 possible teams for myself.

Currently:

DEFS: Shaw, Hibberd, Newnes, Lumumba, Macmilan, Dick (Saad, Edwards)
MIDS: Ablett, Pendles, Jelwood, Barlow, A.Swallow, Van Berlo, Anderson, Vandernberg  (Heeny, Dumont, Lambert)
RUCKS: Nic Nat, Belly (Read)
FWDS: Bartel, Goddard, Martin, Swan, Hogan, Clark (Karnezis, Krak)
salary left $9,100

Or

DEFS: Shaw, Hibberd, Newnes, Lumumba, Macmilian, Saad (Brown, Dick)
MIDS: Ablett, Pendles, Jelwood, Barlow, Cripps, Van Berlo, Steele, Vandernberg  (Heeny, Dumont, Lambert)
RUCKS: Nic Nat, Mummy (Read)
FWDS: Bartel, Goddard, Martin, Swan, Hogan, Clark (Karnezis, Krak)
Cash left $25,900

Option 1 has the better balance in terms of structure mate, but Belly at R2 is too weak with no cover and a basement rookie at D6 is also too weak. Maybe drop one of your fwd premos down to a rookie. Most teams will go 3 premo fwds, with some going with only 2

[Ricochet]

Hey Mate,
Can you just have a quick look over my team and let me know what you think

H.Shaw, J.Gibson, M.Hibberd, H.Lumumba, J.Geary, B.Whitecross (H.Goddard, A.Saad)

G.Ablett, N.Fyfe, J.Kennedy, C.Ward, R.Gray, N.Cockatoo, A.Vandenberg, N.Freeman (C.Ellis Yolmen, J.Steele, K.Lambert)

T.Goldstein, N.Naitanui (M.Cox)

J.Bartel, D.Martin,D.Swan, M.Clark, P.Karnezis, J.Hogan (T.lamb, N.Krakouer)

The rookies will change based on round 1 selections. Gray in the mids will be a place holder until after the byes when one of the fwd rooks get traded out and gray comes into the fwds and i get a prem mid.
I didn't go with van berlo just based on how he has been doing and plus free up some cash to get goldy

DEF: Soild mate and I like the structure. 3 premos + a borderline premo in Lumumba + a mid pricer + an expensive rook is a prefect setup at this stage. No real concerns here at all except if Hibberd cops an ASADA ban. But he can easily be swapped.Rookies are fine at this stage. Also consider NBrown as your solid, plays every week, D8

MIDs: Can't fault your top end premos, they're perfect. I do have question marks over Gray but if your sold on him then go for it. Rookies are fine at this stage but still consider NVB. He'll play every week and make you cash, thats all you can ask for. Ellis-Yolmen will struggle to be there RD1 imo.

RUCK: Very solid but with weak cover. Think you'll need to keep some cash on hand to find some cover at R3 mate.

FWDS: 3 premos, 3 rookies is a solid setup. And you're premos are perfect. Love the Bartel pick.

Not much wrong with this side at all mate. Just keep in mind you'll have to find ruck cover though

Thanks heaps for the advice mate.
I'm really thinking of just taking a risk on the 2 rucks and if one got injured it should be to hard to downgrade unless i only start with a 4 prem mids and use the money for a ruck. I don't really want to scarifice Martin or bartel because they are looking like cracking picks.
I made a few changes let me know what you think

H.Shaw, J.Gibson, J.Newnes, H.Lumumba, J.Geary, B.Whitecross (H.Goddard, A.Saad)

G.Ablett, N.Fyfe, J.Kennedy, C.Ward, R.Gray, N.Cockatoo, A.Vandenberg, N.Freeman (N.Van berlo, J.Steele, K.Lambert)

T.Bellchambers, N.Naitanui (A.Cordy)

J.Bartel, D.Martin,D.Swan, M.Clark, P.Karnezis, J.Hogan (T.lamb, C.Salem)

Yeh don't mind these changed mate. At least Cordy can give you some cover at R3, or if a better option comes up Rd1 you have room to move

[Ricochet]

Thanks for the response Rico!

This is my team at the moment:

DEF: Shaw, Hurn, Newnes, Lumumba, Jaksch, Saad (Oxley, H. Goddard)

MID: Ablett, Pendlebury, Selwood, Griffen, Swallow, Neale, Boekhorst, Lambert (Steele, Ellis-Yolmen, Vandenberg)

RUCK: Maric, Naitanui (Read)

FWD: Martin, Goddard, Swan, Salem, Clark, Daniel (Lamb, Hogan)

Cash left: $23,200

Do you think that my midfield runs too deep with Neale in M6? I am tossing up the possibility of downgrading him to a rookie and further shoring up my defence by upgrading Jaksch to Hibberd? The idea of a steady defence is almost as exciting as a midfield that runs 6 deep. Absolutely stumped, thoughts?

Yeh that is too deep mate. One thing to consider with Neale mate, even though he will be a gun soon, he scored well on the wkend without Barlow in the team and Mundy only played just over 50% game time. So I would definitely downgrade him to a rookie