Backline Breakout Contenders

[Bully]

Thought I would start this thread because of the huge uncertainty surrounding the top 6 defenders this year. My general feeling is that there will be some real surprise packets and some of those are reasonably priced at present so it will be interesting to see if they can take the next step.

Sam Docherty - There's a separate thread on Sam but he must feature in this list because all the signs are pointing to a 90+ season, his work against Richmond was mighty impressive and he seems to have ironed out a few issues with his DE. I wouldn't jump on just yet but worthy of a watchlist.

Nick Vlastuin - Suffered a bit from the second year blues but is steadily building up his tank and will spend more time on the ball this year. He's in the Luke Hodge mold, tough as nails and will do all the stuff that attracts SC points. Started the season with a 115 and lead the charge whilst the headline acts struggled a bit. Dirt cheap at the moment.

Shane Savage - Another sub 400k player but someone who has found a niche at his new club. Finished 2013 with a bang and strung together some impressive scores between rounds 14-19, during this time he registered 94, 104, 119, 76, 136, 104. Given he notched up another ton this week it wouldn't be too far fetched to see him average 90+ this year.

Taylor Hunt - Too early to call given he has spent most of his AFL life as a tagger but a BOG performance against the Blues must shine the spotlight on him to some degree. If given some latitude he could become a worthy D6 or even greater. At worst he looks like he might be a good stepping stone to a proven premo.

Jarryn Geary - He's been spoken about a lot on FF but having watched him play on the weekend all I can say is keep an eye out, he looks to have the sweepers role and hopefully the coach leaves him there. The great fear is that he gets played as a tagger from time to time but this is the only negative I can see. The Saints will see loads of ball in defence this year so guys like Geary & Savage can only benefit.

[ubeaut]

Cheers for that. Even considering trading in Vlastuin to the mids selling Rocky and making 350K. Also gives DPP flexibility.

[brentman1]

Cheers for that. Even considering trading in Vlastuin to the mids selling Rocky and making 350K. Also gives DPP flexibility.

No, no ways. Never take a def in the mids, far better value to be had than Vlaustin.

[Bully]

Cheers for that. Even considering trading in Vlastuin to the mids selling Rocky and making 350K. Also gives DPP flexibility.

No, no ways. Never take a def in the mids, far better value to be had than Vlaustin.

At the same price one could get Rich in, but in the backline I can see some real merit. I would give it a week however, another ton and he becomes hard to ignore.

[Sabretooth Tigers]

 :)

Great write up Bully, and probably on the topic that could win someone SC this year. Definitely the hardest line to fill with any confidence, and the one I went very, very cheap on.  Scored 518 for the six on the field for a cost of $1,690,200 and another 86 on the bench for an additional $270,800 which is bloody good $ value. But it also means I'll need to watch this thread of yours very, very closely. Thanks for coming up with it, cheers and best of luck.    ;)

[honza]

Of the St Kilda lot I like Shenton more than Geary.

[pies124]

Of the St Kilda lot I like Shenton more than Geary.

Shenton is borderline best 22, won't play when wright and webster return.

[RaisyDaisy]

All look like legit options

I dare say that after rd 2, people with underperforming "premo's" will be looking to trade them out to one of these 4 and banking the cash

I picked Simpson and Heater and they aren't leaving unless an LTI occurs, but I took the risk on Lumumba so if he doesn't play the role he played during the NAB and has another 70-80 score I might just dump him for one of these options

Wait and see til Sunday night of course :)

[ando_10]

newnes will almost be my first go didnt look like it last week but i will not panic just yeat

[Bully]

My big concern with Lumumba was the fact he was tagged out of the match so easily, the other Melbourne mids don't really strike me as being lock down candidates so one could expect more of the same. If Cripps puts in a good one I can see myself making a couple of corrective trades in defence and freeing up some cash.

[H1bb3i2d]

Any would have been great options to start with. But boy, trading in a mid-pricer has an awfully bad track record.

[ben_020285]

My big concern with Lumumba was the fact he was tagged out of the match so easily, the other Melbourne mids don't really strike me as being lock down candidates so one could expect more of the same. If Cripps puts in a good one I can see myself making a couple of corrective trades in defence and freeing up some cash.

I thought it was very strange that Lumumba was tagged against the Suns. I would expect most teams to tag either Jones or Tyson ahead of Lumumba.

[H1bb3i2d]

My big concern with Lumumba was the fact he was tagged out of the match so easily, the other Melbourne mids don't really strike me as being lock down candidates so one could expect more of the same. If Cripps puts in a good one I can see myself making a couple of corrective trades in defence and freeing up some cash.

I thought it was very strange that Lumumba was tagged against the Suns. I would expect most teams to tag either Jones or Tyson ahead of Lumumba.

Tyson is a gun who hits the scoreboard and doesn't seem to have the running power to burn off a tagger. Surprises me very much he doesn't really get tagged. Jones is the heart and soul of the club, he'll get plenty of tags during the year. Doubt Lumumba will get it too often.

[AaronKirk]

Vlastuin and Geary are both in my draft side and will keep a close eye on both.

Savage's score was propped up by couple of goals, but did look pretty good for the St Kilda

Liked the look of Docherty as well last week. Hunt played a career best game and IMO will be unlikely to continue at that level.

Was only one week though so need more information before making any calls about bringing in any of these players mentioned.

[Big Mac]

My big concern with Lumumba was the fact he was tagged out of the match so easily, the other Melbourne mids don't really strike me as being lock down candidates so one could expect more of the same. If Cripps puts in a good one I can see myself making a couple of corrective trades in defence and freeing up some cash.

I thought it was very strange that Lumumba was tagged against the Suns. I would expect most teams to tag either Jones or Tyson ahead of Lumumba.

And look how that worked out for them!  ;D