Defence Talk

[RaisyDaisy]

I see some real value down back this year, but picking the right ones is the hard part that could make or break things

I'll assume that most people are picking one of Shaw, McVeigh and Boyd, and then guys like Bartel and Brodie Smith will be very popular picks, but I'm seeing a few guys in the sub 450k bracket that I am very tempted to start

Michael Hibberd
Shannon Hurn
Elliott Yeo
Nick Malceski

Now in addition to these guys I know that players like Rich, Yarran, Jaensch etc are being considered by some too, but I'm tempted to start with McVeigh and Bartel and then 2 of these sub 450k players plus Smith

I like Hibberd and Malceski because they are proven and shouldn't really lose value at all, but can they bounce back to 90+? Or do I outlay the addition 100-150k and pick more proven players like Simpson etc?

What strategy and players are you going with down back this year?

[_wato]

Definitely choosing Mcveigh, Bartel, Smith

Then after that everybody will go in different directions. Am also tempted by Hibberd and definitely Malceski at $383k

Currently have

Mcveigh, Bartel, Smith, Malceski, Mackenzie, Brown (Bonner, Brown)

First three choose themselves, Malceski will be a wait and see but should be helped by half the side returning, had a fairly good run at the end of last year, Mackenzie averaged 75 last year so if he could get anywhere near that he makes $160k and could be sideways traded to a fallen premium, and the rookies will make cash and hence upgraded when need be

[Gigantor]

My current setuo is:

Shaw, Simpson, Yeo, Smith, Emac/Aish/Harwood, Rookie

Shaw will be top 2 imo
Simmo reliable 90-95
Yeo 90+ could be Hibberd or Hurn
Smith could go 90+
Emac/Aish/Harwood leaning towards Emac for JS

If 4 solid def rookies pop up I will downgrade Emac. People are saying the defence rookies are strong this year but I'm not convinced. Last year every one was saying that about forward rookies and they turned out to be the weakest line by a good margin. I'm happy to go one less premo in the Midfield as I have more trust in the rookies.

I've seen teams with 5 defenders in the 400-500k range which is way too risky imo. It could pay off but you could also end up with 5 players in the 86-92 ppg range which is a bit low.

[Southstorm]

Most people will inevitably pick value in the defenders and I think that's the way to do it. The most expensive player I have is Shaw and the rest of the keeper spots through to D4 will be filled with players that are sub-500k. The ones I'm leaning towards at the moment are Yeo, Bartel and Smith as I think there's some good value to be had there.

Think Yeo is the pick of the sub 450k players for me. If he gets time in the midfield this year, he'll be a very well scoring player.

Simpson was the epitome of frustration last year and I think only Lumumba caused me more headaches, so I'll be staying off him this year.

At D5 I'll go with Plowman/Aish/Harwood/Mackenzie until I figure out what's going on with Jaensch. He's also a steal at 400k.

[jfitty]

Out of the ones you mentioned, Yeo is definitely my favourite.

Had a few really good games this year - but his role kept changing with the Eagles injuries in defence. I think with a full squad he could easily go 95+!

I'm finding a way to fit him in at the moment, but am currently already playing around with Shaw, McVeigh and Bartel meaning he's a little too expensive

[Money Shot]

What are people's thoughts on Laird? I like him as a pod but will He's role change at all with Seedsman, Hampton, Smith, Jaensch and Hendo all playing similar roles?

[Southstorm]

I'd take Jaensch and Smith over Laird, and I don't think either of those two will be super common picks anyway.

[MC]

I like 3 of your 4, barring Malceski. Malceski is getting older (will be 32 by year's end) and doesn't have the same support he had at Sydney. Very unlikely that he'll ever get back to a 100 average, KK more likely for mine.

My players to watch under 450k:
Broadbent: Averaged 90 for their last 10 games after a slow start. Has gone 80+ for 4 years straight.
Hibberd: Low year, 90-95 previous 2 seasons, hoping he jumps back up.
Yeo: Return of Eagles defenders frees him up to play mid/wing as he did for a short time last year.
Rich: Not as keen as some, though worth watching. Possible he jumps to 90 I guess.
Smith: Smashed out of the blocks before double concussions brought him down - never really recovered. Avg 93 in 2014 shows what he's capacble of. Also had 2 red-sub games of 16 and 43 to take into account from last year.
Hurn: See Yeo. Though running off HB.
Jaensch: 10 points underpriced. Worried about his body though. Also can't fit so many Crows defenders in!
Duryea: One of 3 Hawks to consider in the bracket. Big player in the finals series and with no vest rule his scores increase instantly.
Salem: Averaged 86 unsubbed.
Malceski: Getting old but there's surely 10+ points to be gained here.
Z Williams: Value! Look at his scores from last year to see what I mean ;)
Lumumba: Has proven to be a 75ish scorer for years, with one up at 88. Could jump back a bit, one to look at for Draft probably.
Seedsman: Plenty of vests in 2015, should jump up a bit if he makes their 22.
Jones: 5 of his 9 games were vested, could be the man to step up and replace Shaw.
Litherland: Pegged to take Suckling's role.
Mullett: Rookie priced and could go 75+ if he returns to 2013 form.

Whew! My 2c anyway, let me know what you think!

[ben_020285]

I'm not buying into the whole plenty of rookies available in the backline groupthink. I think it's wishful thinking tbh.

So with that in mind I'm planning on starting 5 players that I think will be keepers as there aren't any midpricers that I'm particularly a fan of. At the moment I'm running with one 500k+, two 450k+ and two 400k+ players then three rookies.

One pick I don't like at all is Malceski. I think he's next to no chance of averaging enough to be a keeper.

[Holz]

Anyone on the yaz?

He lost me 50K maybe this time he makes it back to me. Could go 85+ easy if on

[kilbluff1985]

under Bolton i believe he will unleash Simmo and want him playing attacking football backing him to go 100+

[jfitty]

What are people's thoughts on Laird? I like him as a pod but will He's role change at all with Seedsman, Hampton, Smith, Jaensch and Hendo all playing similar roles?

That's the one thing that's turning me off the Crows defenders, even if there's a few bargains to be had.

Their back 6 at the end of last year seemed pretty settled, then Jaensch has to come back in, with spots for Seedsman and Hampton up for grabs. Perhaps Jaensch plays forward? You'd assume Smith would take up a full time roll on the wing?

Have to wait for the NAB Challenge to see where all these pieces fit in.

[eaglesman]

What are people's thoughts on Laird? I like him as a pod but will He's role change at all with Seedsman, Hampton, Smith, Jaensch and Hendo all playing similar roles?

That's the one thing that's turning me off the Crows defenders, even if there's a few bargains to be had.

Their back 6 at the end of last year seemed pretty settled, then Jaensch has to come back in, with spots for Seedsman and Hampton up for grabs. Perhaps Jaensch plays forward? You'd assume Smith would take up a full time roll on the wing?

Have to wait for the NAB Challenge to see where all these pieces fit in.

I really like laird. he is a better footballer than jaensch .... i am just doing my second draft as we speak and i scrolled to hampton ... here is a player i think could have a real breakout

[kilbluff1985]

What are people's thoughts on Laird? I like him as a pod but will He's role change at all with Seedsman, Hampton, Smith, Jaensch and Hendo all playing similar roles?

That's the one thing that's turning me off the Crows defenders, even if there's a few bargains to be had.

Their back 6 at the end of last year seemed pretty settled, then Jaensch has to come back in, with spots for Seedsman and Hampton up for grabs. Perhaps Jaensch plays forward? You'd assume Smith would take up a full time roll on the wing?

Have to wait for the NAB Challenge to see where all these pieces fit in.

Seedsman will play a lot in the midfield will probably make up a bench spot and Hampton wont be best 22

[TomK]

What are people's thoughts on Laird? I like him as a pod but will He's role change at all with Seedsman, Hampton, Smith, Jaensch and Hendo all playing similar roles?

That's the one thing that's turning me off the Crows defenders, even if there's a few bargains to be had.

Their back 6 at the end of last year seemed pretty settled, then Jaensch has to come back in, with spots for Seedsman and Hampton up for grabs. Perhaps Jaensch plays forward? You'd assume Smith would take up a full time roll on the wing?

Have to wait for the NAB Challenge to see where all these pieces fit in.

At the moment I reckon it is going to look something like this
Brown, Talia, Lever
Laird, Hartigan, Smith
Knight, Thompson, Seedsman

Pyke already said Smith will play on HB most of the time. I think Seedsman will give a bit more than Henderson and Hampton(At the moment) so he starts over them. Our best 18 is pretty straight forward imo so there will be spots on the bench for Hendo/Hampton if they perform. Jaensch will also have to fight his way into the 22 through the SANFL when he is back. So only Laird and Smith are the two locks in the side with Seedsman the front runner for the next spot but fighting with Hendo/Hampton/Jaensch. No room for all 6 in the same team, four at most.