MS 2K16 Team Thread

[Money Shot]

TEAM NAME: Finally Happy
DEF: H. Shaw, B. Smith, N. Malceski, E. Mackenzie, R. Bonner, M. Brown (M. Hibberd, D. Tucker)
MID: N. Fyfe, S. Pendlebury, G. Ablett jnr, T. Rockliff, T. Liberatore, B. Crouch, N. Freeman, J. Dunkley (B. Keays, R. Mathieson, L. Partington)
RUC: N. Naitanui, K. Tippett (C. Loersch)
FWD: B. Deledio, L. Montagna, L. Dahlhaus, H. Bennell, M. Leuenberger, C. Petracca (M. Adams, H. Balic)
CASH LEFT: $16,600

Happy with this team.
If all goes to plan I'll have 17 keepers. (Leuy a R3/F7 keeper) hopefully crouch scores well.
Can't complain there.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts guys :)

[GCSkiwi]

Can't say I like those rucks sorry MS.

NicNat maybe worth the risk (though personally I don't think so), and I don't see Tippett bumping his average enough to be worth it either. Goldy and Smartin will be very popular (and very expensive!) picks, if you're wanting a POD then I reckon Sauce is worth a nudge with NicNat. But I think it's worth just forking out the cash for set and forget rucks, PODs are only worth if if they might out perform their opposition!

[Money Shot]

I guess we will agree to disagree then. I am very happy with my rucks.

[GCSkiwi]

I guess we will agree to disagree then. I am very happy with my rucks.

They're not bad rucks for sure, but I just think they're also not good rucks. Neither are priced to be stepping stones, and I feel Tippett definitely will not be a top ruck by seasons end. NicNat maybe, I'm less concerned with picking him but I'd want a more definite option to pair with him. Goldy is expensive, fair enough, but I think is worth the security. Smartin I think justifies his price tag, as does Sauce. Sandi and Mummy more risky, but all 5 of them I would expect to comfortably outscore Tippett. It looks nice across the park but if there's a position I think could burn you every week, it's rucks. But as you say, if you're happy with them then agree to disagree :)

[Money Shot]

I guess we will agree to disagree then. I am very happy with my rucks.

They're not bad rucks for sure, but I just think they're also not good rucks. Neither are priced to be stepping stones, and I feel Tippett definitely will not be a top ruck by seasons end. NicNat maybe, I'm less concerned with picking him but I'd want a more definite option to pair with him. Goldy is expensive, fair enough, but I think is worth the security. Smartin I think justifies his price tag, as does Sauce. Sandi and Mummy more risky, but all 5 of them I would expect to comfortably outscore Tippett. It looks nice across the park but if there's a position I think could burn you every week, it's rucks. But as you say, if you're happy with them then agree to disagree :)

Tippet averaged 117 in his last 8 games. He has an incredibly easy start to the season Collingwood, Carlton, GWS, Adelaide, Eagles, Brissy and Essendon in his first 7 games. Youd think he would be able to score well as a ruck or a forward in those games. If he is only doing average through out those games he could easily turn into a cheaper Goldy who has a hard run first up.

Natnui is probably the if not one of the most athletic players in the game and with him only getting better I see him being a great ruck this year.

[Southstorm]

Rucks are really interesting mate, like the choice of Tippett if you're prepared to take the risk with him. Like the midfield picks, you shouldn't have any trouble there. Looks like the weakest part of this team is down back but as long as you get two rookies playing and E.Mack putting together some consistent scores it shouldn't be a problem.

If you had to spend some more money down back, maybe go Fyfe -> Sloane? Both should be top eight mids by the end of the year.

[BomberSam]

You have almost tempted me to go with Tippett instead of Sinclair, with the easier draw... although that will help Sinclair too.

My worry is that Tippett may not perform as well with Buddy in the side. We only have a small five game sample from the end of last season to go by, but without Buddy in the side, Kurt averaged almost 20 points higher.

[Money Shot]

Rucks are really interesting mate, like the choice of Tippett if you're prepared to take the risk with him. Like the midfield picks, you shouldn't have any trouble there. Looks like the weakest part of this team is down back but as long as you get two rookies playing and E.Mack putting together some consistent scores it shouldn't be a problem.

If you had to spend some more money down back, maybe go Fyfe -> Sloane? Both should be top eight mids by the end of the year.

I'm not confident in Sloanes scoring potential with out Danger. I agree I have went very weak in defence and it may have to change if the rookies I'm looking into don't get up.

[Ringo]

Nice Team MS - No love for Bartel in defence.Taking out his injury effected 5 in Round 2 Bartel averages 95 last year and has been consistently 95+ for his career. I am concerned with defence in that you will have to find at least 2 playing rookies from Round 1. Would prefer to see only one but a personal choice.
You have explained reasoning for rucks and that is fine can not have too many teams the same.

With this team you will really have to nail playing rookies from Round 1. Have a look at players like Wells and Kerridge who are rookie priced and have huge upside.

[BomberSam]

My only criticism is that your expensive forward line might be costing you on other lines, particularly in the defence. You have 4 premiums and a mid-pricer up forward, but only 2 premiums (including Smith) and a couple of mid-pricers in defence.

I would look at running with the 3 premiums plus Leuey in the forward line and turning McKenzie into a premium.

[Kewell]

TEAM NAME: Finally Happy
DEF: H. Shaw, B. Smith, N. Malceski, E. Mackenzie, R. Bonner, M. Brown (M. Hibberd, D. Tucker)
MID: N. Fyfe, S. Pendlebury, G. Ablett jnr, T. Rockliff, T. Liberatore, B. Crouch, N. Freeman, J. Dunkley (B. Keays, R. Mathieson, L. Partington)
RUC: N. Naitanui, K. Tippett (C. Loersch)
FWD: B. Deledio, L. Montagna, L. Dahlhaus, H. Bennell, M. Leuenberger, C. Petracca (M. Adams, H. Balic)
CASH LEFT: $16,600

Happy with this team.
If all goes to plan I'll have 17 keepers. (Leuy a R3/F7 keeper) hopefully crouch scores well.
Can't complain there.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts guys :)

There's a few left field selections here which is great to see. A couple of thoughts:

Eric McKenzie: Not convinced with him coming back from injury and has never been a prolific scorer. Even at 250k, will he average more than 70 (he's done that once in his career)
Kurt Tippett/Matthew Leuenberger: I toyed with the R/F switch for cover and may still go back to it if Currie isn't picked R1. Big risk/reward here. I don't think I could bring myself to having a ruckman occupying a spot in my forward line. And Leuenberger has played 20 games just once in the past 4 seasons...albeit he averaged 97 that season.

[Money Shot]

TEAM NAME: Finally Happy
DEF: H. Shaw, B. Smith, N. Malceski, E. Mackenzie, R. Bonner, M. Brown (M. Hibberd, D. Tucker)
MID: N. Fyfe, S. Pendlebury, G. Ablett jnr, T. Rockliff, T. Liberatore, B. Crouch, N. Freeman, J. Dunkley (B. Keays, R. Mathieson, L. Partington)
RUC: N. Naitanui, K. Tippett (C. Loersch)
FWD: B. Deledio, L. Montagna, L. Dahlhaus, H. Bennell, M. Leuenberger, C. Petracca (M. Adams, H. Balic)
CASH LEFT: $16,600

Shaw: He is the only defender I am confident in apart from McVeigh but I think Shaw is more likely to score better than McVeigh and I want at least one gun defender to start with.
Smith: He has never really had an opportunity to prove him self and with Danger leaving it gives him an opportunity to cement him self in the midfield and go 100+ and become a top 5 defender.
Malceski: Not 100% on this guy but we all know he can score well enough to be a top 5 defender and with pretty much all of the suns midfield coming back it means guys like KK will go back to defence and play more of a key role meaning that Malceski could go back to the loose half back which is where he scores well he was also injured last year which would have hindered his performance. Watching his preseason closely.
Mackenzie: With him being at 250K I almost have to lock him in even if I don't want too. Worst case scenario he scores somewhere in the 60s but even still would make 100k or so but he could go around 75 as well which could see him get close too 400k. Watching him in the NAB as well but is a lock for now at that price.
Brown: Will come in and play straight away and no reason he cant score well.

Fyfe: He is a brownlow medal winner who isn't in his prime yet. He will get better and better and in my opinion he is to risky to start with out.
Pendles: Mr Consistent. With Treloar coming in I think it will improve his output a little as well with less attention going to him. Know that you are going to get a top 10 mid with him.
Ablett: Even at 623K you could argue that he is underpriced. He is still the best in the game I would say and he is too big a risk to start without. If he goes out and averages 150 in his first 5 games you would not want to miss it.
Rocky: 550K for a guy who can go 130 in avg is a lock. All he needs to do is stay fit.
Libba: Had him as a pod two seasons ago and I was impressed. At 350k he is a lock.
Crouch: Was considering him at 500k last season so he is a no brainer this season. Danger going gives him the opportunity to step right in to the mids and be a key part of next season.
Freeman: Heard he has had yet another set back so will be watching but he is now a ready made player at 123k who will slot straight into the saints 22.

Natnui: Still young so he is going to improve and he is so athletic that he could play a ruck rover if he wanted too. He is a freak and for now he is locked in for me.
Tippet: I have had a lot of people questioning this pick so here is my reasoning.Last 8 games he averaged 117. Has an incredibly easy first 7 games. Has DPP which is another bonus. Is cheaper than most rucks and can score more. So pretty much he is in good form versing bad teams which means he could score well as a ruck but even better as a forward. If he is underperforming I can always trade him to a cheap Goldy but I don't think he will. Sinclair isn't that good so Tippet will be playing probably 50% ruck and 50% forward meaning he could get 3-4 goals and 10 hit outs too advantage a game playing against weak opponents. Franklin will take the number 1 forward meaning he will have a field day. Hopefully that gives you my reasoning behind my pick.

Delidio: Has averaged over 100 pretty much every season he has played and I don't see that changing so he is locked in.
Montagna: He is a solid midfielder and with forward status I don't see why people wouldn't pick him. He averaged 110 this season so even if he drops 10ppg he will still be a top 10 forward probably. How ever if Martin gets off and is playing round one I will probably downgrade to him and get him in later in the season.
Dahlhaus: He is only going to improve. When he got forward again this year I was stoked as it means another lock who isn't too expensive.
Bennell: Well all know how good this guy is and at a new environment he is a lock for me as well. He could be a top 10 mid in my opinion and could easily be the number 1 forward come seasons end.
Leuy: Will now be the number 1 ruck and we know from history if he is the number 1 ruck and if he stays healthy he can easily average around 100. DPP made him a lock for me.
Petrecca: Didn't think we would get him so cheap. Brayshaw was a good pick last year at 200k and Petrecca who is apparently better than him at 123k is a must.

Hopefully that gives you some insight to my selections.

[GCSkiwi]

Tippet averaged 117 in his last 8 games. He has an incredibly easy start to the season Collingwood, Carlton, GWS, Adelaide, Eagles, Brissy and Essendon in his first 7 games. Youd think he would be able to score well as a ruck or a forward in those games. If he is only doing average through out those games he could easily turn into a cheaper Goldy who has a hard run first up.

Natnui is probably the if not one of the most athletic players in the game and with him only getting better I see him being a great ruck this year.

Just giving opinions mate :)

Tippet averaged 117 in his last 8 on the back of a 157 against a ruckless giants (who he scored 39 against in round 3) and a 165 against the Crows. He's extremely inconsistent, yes, he can score big but he can also score very, very low, and in all his time hasn't cracked a season average of 90. With Pyke gone he's likely to bear the brunt of the ruck work even with Sinclair brought in so I wouldn't count on big efforts as a forward, the teams he's playing in that opening 7 might be considered weak but not half the rucks he's against... Grundy, ??, Mummy, Sauce, NicNat, Smartin, BellchoBerger... that's about as horrible a start as a ruck could have ;)

NicNat has always been a freakish athlete, but the reality is he's had injury issues, been managed, and only had one elite SC season. Doesn't really have any excuse why he couldn't have backed that up this year, he played a full season, and Lycett will continue to help him out.

All I'm saying is that they are both reasonable risks, I have no issue with that, just saying that I wouldn't take them myself :) You're obviously pretty happy with them so go for it, have to listen to your gut.

[Gigantor]

Naitanui games played

2009 - 10
2010 - 22
2011 - 20
2012 - 11
2014 - 20
2015 - 20

2009 was his rookie year so only 2012 was a problem. I would say only Goldy and Jacobs have had a better run over the last 5 years

[Hippo]

Sounds like Smiths role won't change to much.


The skilful Crow spent more time on the wing this year and could continue to earn more midfield minutes given the addition of versatile pair Paul Seedsman and Curtly Hampton.

But Pyke said Smith’s effectiveness down back remained a valuable weapon.

“I probably see Brodie more as a rebounding defender,” Pyke said in afc.com.au’s exclusive Fans on One feature.

“I know last (season) they explored him a little bit up on the wing, and we’ll probably do the same next year.

“But he’s an All Australian half-back for a reason. I think that’s probably his best spot.”


http://www.afc.com.au/news/2015-12-03/back-best-for-brodie