Premium Midfield Conundrum

[Bully]

Depending on the rookie situation, I may even fly with a super enforced midfield.

Fyfe, Pendles, Ablett, Sloane, Rockliff, Wines, Libba, Crouch

This is a risky strategy but the Essendon sanctions have emboldened me somewhat, by that I mean added JS with the rookies.

I think Hartley & M.Brown are assured of their positions, I will also have Simpson & Bartel, so that makes 4 secure positions.

Position number 5 will be either Kieran Collins or Marcus Adams, I think the Dogs will play one to fill the massive hole in the backline.

Then there's the runners in Tucker, Byrne, Broad, possibly even Tippa who impressed in the intra-club match (and Essendon are screaming out for mids).

To round out the squad I'll probably go for M.Brown of the Eagles to give the line-up some stability.

I think it's doable this year and I also think there's not a great deal on the horizon as far as midfielders are concerned. The top 6 backmen this year are also unpredictable, I'd like to get a decent sighter before committing.

[RaisyDaisy]

Depending on the rookie situation, I may even fly with a super enforced midfield.

Fyfe, Pendles, Ablett, Sloane, Rockliff, Wines, Libba, Crouch

This is a risky strategy but the Essendon sanctions have emboldened me somewhat, by that I mean added JS with the rookies.

I think Hartley & M.Brown are assured of their positions, I will also have Simpson & Bartel, so that makes 4 secure positions.

Position number 5 will be either Kieran Collins or Marcus Adams, I think the Dogs will play one to fill the massive hole in the backline.

Then there's the runners in Tucker, Byrne, Broad, possibly even Tippa who impressed in the intra-club match (and Essendon are screaming out for mids).

To round out the squad I'll probably go for M.Brown of the Eagles to give the line-up some stability.

I think it's doable this year and I also think there's not a great deal on the horizon as far as midfielders are concerned. The top 6 backmen this year are also unpredictable, I'd like to get a decent sighter before committing.

The backline is all about value for me, and I'm going cheap too

Simpson, Bartel and Birchall who are all good value for money followed by 5 rookies. Even if I can just get 4 rookies then I am happy to sit Brown (WCE) on the bench at D8.

Going super strong in the mids and rucks which works for me too because I am not interested in any of the expensive mid rookies, so with more premo's there I only need 3-4 cheapo's to play rd1

[Mat0369]

The only issue I see with loading up with 7 or 8 mids (I have 7 currently) is you are limiting yourself if someone goes off a cliff like Selwood for three quarters of the season last year. Also the mid rookies can generate the cash the quickest so you might be missing out on cash to upgrade other positions.

Even if you are looking at Libba and Crouch as stepping stones, you're relying on 6 other guys to be locks as top line guys at the position or you're behind the 8 ball when 1 or 2 backfire. There is less risk in only picking 4 top line guys with the 2 stepping stones as the odds drastically increase in you hitting on them. It's also a large chunk of change you're having to commit and you can monitor the breakout candidates in case someone comes out and hits that super premium territory.

[RaisyDaisy]

The only issue I see with loading up with 7 or 8 mids (I have 7 currently) is you are limiting yourself if someone goes off a cliff like Selwood for three quarters of the season last year. Also the mid rookies can generate the cash the quickest so you might be missing out on cash to upgrade other positions.

Even if you are looking at Libba and Crouch as stepping stones, you're relying on 6 other guys to be locks as top line guys at the position or you're behind the 8 ball when 1 or 2 backfire. There is less risk in only picking 4 top line guys with the 2 stepping stones as the odds drastically increase in you hitting on them. It's also a large chunk of change you're having to commit and you can monitor the breakout candidates in case someone comes out and hits that super premium territory.

I'm confident that barring injury, the prems I am starting in the mids will be Top 10

I'm not taking shots with this approach

[Mat0369]

I'm confident that barring injury, the prems I am starting in the mids will be Top 10

I'm not taking shots with this approach

And people were also pretty confident with Selwood last year as well. While you have signs with some guys that they are going to drop off sometimes it comes out of left field. I would look at starting 6 or 7 including Libba/Crouch but I wouldn't go with 8.

[Bully]

The only issue I see with loading up with 7 or 8 mids (I have 7 currently) is you are limiting yourself if someone goes off a cliff like Selwood for three quarters of the season last year. Also the mid rookies can generate the cash the quickest so you might be missing out on cash to upgrade other positions.

Even if you are looking at Libba and Crouch as stepping stones, you're relying on 6 other guys to be locks as top line guys at the position or you're behind the 8 ball when 1 or 2 backfire. There is less risk in only picking 4 top line guys with the 2 stepping stones as the odds drastically increase in you hitting on them. It's also a large chunk of change you're having to commit and you can monitor the breakout candidates in case someone comes out and hits that super premium territory.

There won't be too many super premo breakouts, the rest will sit in the 110-115 range. My breakout contender will be Wines, and Crouch can be my stepping stone to Danger or whoever else jumps into the frame. The other thing to consider is injury, when a player goes down I'll jump on the best available.

As for the price increases, I'll be getting 3 ultra cheap rookies for the bench, I think there should be enough to choose from.

I'm confident that barring injury, the prems I am starting in the mids will be Top 10

I'm not taking shots with this approach

And people were also pretty confident with Selwood last year as well. While you have signs with some guys that they are going to drop off sometimes it comes out of left field. I would look at starting 6 or 7 including Libba/Crouch but I wouldn't go with 8.

That could happen whether you pick 4 or 5 mids, having a vacancy in the mids doesn't guarantee much at all.

[Mat0369]

That could happen whether you pick 4 or 5 mids, having a vacancy in the mids doesn't guarantee much at all.

But if you pick all of Fyfe, Danger, Pendles, Gaz, Rocky and mid X here you're increasing the odds of picking the one or two flops. While I get what you're saying in that it can happen regardless, minimising the total number of selections also minimises the risk.

[Bully]

That could happen whether you pick 4 or 5 mids, having a vacancy in the mids doesn't guarantee much at all.

But if you pick all of Fyfe, Danger, Pendles, Gaz, Rocky and mid X here you're increasing the odds of picking the one or two flops. While I get what you're saying in that it can happen regardless, minimising the total number of selections also minimises the risk.

I reckon a chance of a flop in the midfield is more remote than a flop in defence or attack. If you look at the premos from last year - Brodie Smith & Malceski being great examples, the fall from the perch can be a lot greater. Selwood had a very unSelwood like year but he was still ok enough to hold the 22 rounds. Those running with the above two were pulverised, me included, so I think it's more prudent to keep an open field in defence.

As for the mid rookies, I'm struggling to even fill 3 spots let alone 4 or 5. Those who want to spend 200k can do so, I'll be making more money on my 117k rookies in defence and making the dough much quicker.

[eaglesman]

That could happen whether you pick 4 or 5 mids, having a vacancy in the mids doesn't guarantee much at all.

But if you pick all of Fyfe, Danger, Pendles, Gaz, Rocky and mid X here you're increasing the odds of picking the one or two flops. While I get what you're saying in that it can happen regardless, minimising the total number of selections also minimises the risk.

I reckon a chance of a flop in the midfield is more remote than a flop in defence or attack. If you look at the premos from last year - Brodie Smith & Malceski being great examples, the fall from the perch can be a lot greater. Selwood had a very unSelwood like year but he was still ok enough to hold the 22 rounds. Those running with the above two were pulverised, me included, so I think it's more prudent to keep an open field in defence.

As for the mid rookies, I'm struggling to even fill 3 spots let alone 4 or 5. Those who want to spend 200k can do so, I'll be making more money on my 117k rookies in defence and making the dough much quicker.

If they play .... Mills will play .... I'm undecided at this point so will wait for the round 1 teams

[Mat0369]

I reckon a chance of a flop in the midfield is more remote than a flop in defence or attack. If you look at the premos from last year - Brodie Smith & Malceski being great examples, the fall from the perch can be a lot greater. Selwood had a very unSelwood like year but he was still ok enough to hold the 22 rounds. Those running with the above two were pulverised, me included, so I think it's more prudent to keep an open field in defence.

As for the mid rookies, I'm struggling to even fill 3 spots let alone 4 or 5. Those who want to spend 200k can do so, I'll be making more money on my 117k rookies in defence and making the dough much quicker.

Selwood was pathetic up until round 17 averaging 95 for the 600k price tag. I started him and he absolutely killed me. Smith to be fair had the concussions and injuries, Malcho was worse then Selwood but I wasn't forking out the cash for him to begin with.

I agree that it's not worth forking out the cash in defense, I don't plan on doing that either, but I think starting an extra premium up forward isn't a bad thing with the flexibility for pricier rookies if you need it. That is where my cash has come from to get the Fyfe/Pendles/Rocky/Gaz/Parker midfield.

[Ringo]

That could happen whether you pick 4 or 5 mids, having a vacancy in the mids doesn't guarantee much at all.

But if you pick all of Fyfe, Danger, Pendles, Gaz, Rocky and mid X here you're increasing the odds of picking the one or two flops. While I get what you're saying in that it can happen regardless, minimising the total number of selections also minimises the risk.

I reckon a chance of a flop in the midfield is more remote than a flop in defence or attack. If you look at the premos from last year - Brodie Smith & Malceski being great examples, the fall from the perch can be a lot greater. Selwood had a very unSelwood like year but he was still ok enough to hold the 22 rounds. Those running with the above two were pulverised, me included, so I think it's more prudent to keep an open field in defence.

As for the mid rookies, I'm struggling to even fill 3 spots let alone 4 or 5. Those who want to spend 200k can do so, I'll be making more money on my 117k rookies in defence and making the dough much quicker.

If they play .... Mills will play .... I'm undecided at this point so will wait for the round 1 teams

Think he means his defence rookies and looks like there may be quite a few of them all less than $200k which is his point.  Nice to have some differing opinions and until we get into season proper hard to disprove one way or another.  Just remember if using the strategy the DPP link may be very useful as well. but that can be set when knowing what rookies are playing.

[Bully]

That could happen whether you pick 4 or 5 mids, having a vacancy in the mids doesn't guarantee much at all.

But if you pick all of Fyfe, Danger, Pendles, Gaz, Rocky and mid X here you're increasing the odds of picking the one or two flops. While I get what you're saying in that it can happen regardless, minimising the total number of selections also minimises the risk.

I reckon a chance of a flop in the midfield is more remote than a flop in defence or attack. If you look at the premos from last year - Brodie Smith & Malceski being great examples, the fall from the perch can be a lot greater. Selwood had a very unSelwood like year but he was still ok enough to hold the 22 rounds. Those running with the above two were pulverised, me included, so I think it's more prudent to keep an open field in defence.

As for the mid rookies, I'm struggling to even fill 3 spots let alone 4 or 5. Those who want to spend 200k can do so, I'll be making more money on my 117k rookies in defence and making the dough much quicker.

If they play .... Mills will play .... I'm undecided at this point so will wait for the round 1 teams

Mills will play but not in the midfield, not for me this year.

Polkinghorne should get some opportunities, hopefully he gets them early.

MacPherson looked great and racked up 102 SC point, could be a likely starter.

Mathieson is a good player but still question marks over his ability to complete game, I will pick only on the condition I see him pay at least 80% of a game.

Menegola should get a few early games if the Selwoods are out

Gore looked good but there's a huge queue

Petracca is unlkely to get up for round 1.

Dunkley is a slight chance but how many of his type at the Dogs?

Jansen/Keays probably not ready at this stage

The question you have to ask is who are you willing to play at M7 & M8?

[Pkbaldy]

MacPherson a starter? You're surely joking? So many reasons why this won't happen.

1. So many midfielders' to come in.
2. He's a rookie.
3. It was one NAB game.

[Bully]

I reckon a chance of a flop in the midfield is more remote than a flop in defence or attack. If you look at the premos from last year - Brodie Smith & Malceski being great examples, the fall from the perch can be a lot greater. Selwood had a very unSelwood like year but he was still ok enough to hold the 22 rounds. Those running with the above two were pulverised, me included, so I think it's more prudent to keep an open field in defence.

As for the mid rookies, I'm struggling to even fill 3 spots let alone 4 or 5. Those who want to spend 200k can do so, I'll be making more money on my 117k rookies in defence and making the dough much quicker.

Selwood was pathetic up until round 17 averaging 95 for the 600k price tag. I started him and he absolutely killed me. Smith to be fair had the concussions and injuries, Malcho was worse then Selwood but I wasn't forking out the cash for him to begin with.

I agree that it's not worth forking out the cash in defense, I don't plan on doing that either, but I think starting an extra premium up forward isn't a bad thing with the flexibility for pricier rookies if you need it. That is where my cash has come from to get the Fyfe/Pendles/Rocky/Gaz/Parker midfield.

Selwood finished the year averaging 104.8, I'll accept that from my M8.

[Bully]

MacPherson a starter? You're surely joking? So many reasons why this won't happen.

1. So many midfielders' to come in.
2. He's a rookie.
3. It was one NAB game.

Needs to be promoted but a lot to like, he will play this year, question is when. Not sure on the exact status of GC's list but many clubs  promote a rookie to the main list before round one - this is commonplace. He obviously needs to back it up but with O'Meara not looking likely it's more probable than not.