JV's pre final POD's: Defenders edition

[jvalles69]

So finals are upon us, and whether you're going for league win or overall ranking the decisions made over the next few weeks will be crucial to reaching your goals.  POD's become match winners as many teams start looking similar, if you can find the high risk high reward guys, they could be the difference between raising the cup come season's end.  As a thank you for everyone's advice this year I'm putting together a fairly substantial bunch of guys that I think could see you find a missing link to your team.  My only rules for picking said players are; must be owned by less than 5% of teams, and  must be under 510K.  Let's get started with defenders tonight, I'll update tomorrow with mids and forwards.

Defenders

Cale Hooker (464K) BE - 76 Ave - 81.1 Last 3: 118, 87, 84 Owned: 2.87%
The def/fwd has been quietly doing his job in a Bombers outfit that are barely there each week.  Solid average to start with, but has improved his form over the last 3 weeks.  The problem is, can you you bring in a Bomber at all at this stage the way they are traveling?

Sam Gilbert (357K) BE - 31 Ave - 71.7 Last 3: 90, DNP, 87 Owned: 1.56%
Once a staple in our back lines, Gilbert has fallen into DT obscurity having a few awful years in a lowly Saints outfit.  Finally putting the injuries behind him, he's starting to find a bit of form.  Very cheap and Saints seem to play a fairly fantasy friendly game.

James Kelly (432K) BE - 6 Ave - 80.6 Last 3: 90, 81, 97 Owned: 4.74%
My how the great have fallen, a Cats side that used to fill every line in our teams has now been met with poor form and inconsistency, but...the Cats look like they've woken up and look to be pushing into the top 8 from here.  Considering Kelly was in a hell of a lot of teams last year, it's very suprising how his form has dropped off, but as said before, the whole Cats side were looking old and tired for most of the year. Kelly will be vital to the Cats success here on in and is very cheap for what he can produce.

Michael Johnson (408K) BE - 137 Ave - 73 Last 3: DNP Owned: 1.12%
Of all the defenders this is the highest risk, but prob the highest reward as we all know what Johnson is capable of with the +12 pts racking up in the back line.  Finally looking to make his return to the Dockers lineup, he should pick up where he left off, but I'd wait one week with that super high BE to see what he can do, and pounce when/if he falls under that 400K price tag.

Apart from Hodge, Boyd, Mundy, Shaw and Picken, defenders have been fairly hit and miss this year.  Apart from the above mentioned POD's, guys like Hibberd, Newnes, Smith, Enright, McVeigh have all been serviceable and are still underpriced, but have failed the heights expected of them and the above POD's deserve a look in when completing your teams to get the one up on your opponent, especially if you're trying to spend your cash wisely.

[Thunderbolts]

Nice read - look forward to seeing the other lines :)

[jvalles69]

Nice read - look forward to seeing the other lines :)

Cheers, I've got some very unexpected players to come.  ;)

[pommyadam]

I'd actually throw in Houli as a POD with a friendly run in

[jvalles69]

I'd actually throw in Houli as a POD with a friendly run in

Looked at him but he's over 5% ownership so doesn't fit my profile.  ;)

[jvalles69]

Fantasy Freako has stolen some of my upcoming POD's!  :'(

[timmyparso]

Nice work JV. Rory Laird is another to consider.

[jvalles69]

Nice work JV. Rory Laird is another to consider.

Great call, wasn't on my radar, I'm assuming he's under 5% ownage? Cam Guthrie was another I missed.

[jvalles69]

Defenders report card.

Sam Gilbert (96) - B+
21 touches and 8 tackles playing off a wing.  Good spot for a defender, I reckon he should average around 85-90.

Cale Hooker (91) - B
Active in the fwd line again. 19 touches and 6 marks. Should do well for the rest of the year but will throw in a spud game every ow and again.

Michael Johnson (44) - C
Rusty as and only 11 touches, wasn't cutting off Eagles fwd line like you'd expect.  Wait till next year if at all.

James Kelly (49) - C-
Subbed out with only 10 disposals.  You've been a good option, but bye bye to fantasy Mr Kelly.

I think a 50% hit rate here?

[mikeg12]

Thoughts on M. Rosa for defender?! i only have  $360k  to spend !!

gilbert would be handy but he is $385k not $360