Money Shot 2017

[Money Shot]

TEAM NAME: Mid Price Maniacs
DEF: H. Hartlett, B. Smith, M. Hibberd, R. Murphy, M. Williams, A. McGrath (L. Ryan, A. Witherden)
MID: M. Bontempelli, N. Fyfe, D. Heppell, J. Watson, D. Beams M. Murphy, J. O’meara, D. Swallow (B. Scheer, Z. Fisher, J. Graham)
RUC: T. Goldstein, A. Sandilands (D. Cameron)
FWD: J. Macrae, S. Higgins, P. Ryder, H. Bennell, J. Roughead, J. Elliott (W. Drew, S. Bolton)
CASH LEFT: $23, 200

Defense
Hartlett: He had a lot of off field issues this year and was put on the trade table. I think he now has a point to prove and needs to show port fans why he is on such a long contract. In previous years he has averaged around 100 and I cant see why he wont be able to do that again.

Smith: Although overall his average last season wasn't that good if you take out his concussion effected games he didn't do too badly. With Lyons gone he could get more midfield time which would allow him to get to that above 90 average and become a keeper. I don't see him as injury prone and think that he is a risk worth taking.

Hibberd: A fresh start in an up and coming team can only be a positive for Hibberd. He has shown that he is capable of a 90+ average and although he did miss a year of footy I cant see why he shouldn't do well this season. At 400k it is definitely a risk worth taking.

Murphy: He has been a consistent scorer throughout his career and although he did have a knee reco he is back and training and should get a full pre season. They love Bob down at the kennel and love the ball in his hands. His firsts few games of last season were amazing and I cant see why he wouldn't replicate that again this season.

Williams: He has a point to prove at a new club and a running half back is an area that North are lacking in. He had a solid season at the pies a few years back and I cant see why at 24-25 years of age he cant break onto the scene and become one of the better running half backs in the game and become a keeper although I am expecting a low 80s average which is enough to get some much needed cash but not enough for him to become a keeper. Watching his pre season very closely.

McGrath: He could easily average 80+ and be a solid scorer in my team for most of the season. At 200k it would be stupid not to have him on your field. GWS really wanted him as well so there must be something special about him.

Midfield

Bontempelli: First picked player this year. He could easily be the top scorer come seasons end. I was hoping he would be a bit of a pod this year but a lot of people seem to like him as much as I do. He is only going to improve and I am confident in him with a price tag which isn't too expensive. 

Fyfe: Pretty obvious choice. Again he isn't too expensive but could be the top scorer come seasons end. Obvious captain/vice captain choice and if you leave him out and he goes 130 for the season It is going to be extremely hard to make up for the lost points.

Heppell: He is too cheap to ignore. 500k and you could get a potential top 10 mid. He is probably Essendon's best player and although he had a year off I don't think that should hinder his scoring too much. If you leave him out and he averages 110 which is a real possibility you will be kicking yourself.

Watson: He still has the desire too play football and he is reportedly in career best fitness which shows how committed he is too his club. I don't know what I expect from Watson and don't really see him being a top 10 mid but I think at 460k if he can get a 105 average which he is more than capable of I will happily stick with him for most of the season.

Beams: 430k for a potential top 10 mid and keeper is a no brainer in my eyes. He has consistently been one of the best scorers in the game over many seasons and Brisbane would love the ball in his hands. A few years ago Beams was about 300k from memory and everyone was on him. At 400k I don't understand why so many people are hesitant.

Murphy: This may be my patriotism kicking in but although I don't see Murphy averaging enough to be a keeper I cant see why he wouldn't go around that 105 mark. Cripps and Gibbs will take some attention off him and allow him to score well. It is well known that he struggles with a tag but he may not be teams number one concern anymore so I am happy to start with him and keep him for a lot of the season.

O'meara: Hawthorn were willing to give pretty much anything to get this guy. He wants to play for them and everyone knows how talented he is. 370k is an awkward price to pay but he could do anything this season and I think if he is named one round and you don't start him it is going to be a very hard season for you.

Swallow: Too cheap to ignore. If Gold Coast can get a healthy list he should score well with the likes of Ablett, Hanley and Miller around him. Paying less than 300k for a 100+ average seems pretty obvious and I'm surprised at how many teams I have seen without him.

Rucks

Goldstein: I think he will be the number one ruck come seasons end. He had a bad season for his standards and he is a safe option for the captaincy/vice captaincy each week. A lot of people say Daw will steal some points but from what I hear North want him to be a forward and he will just help out like Petrie did.

Sandilands: I honestly don't think he will play a full season but I think he will play enough to get some easy money and he will score decently as well. I intend to turn him into a cheaper Gawn at some stage during the season as I don't think they will score too much differently. for 300k cheaper I am happy to lose 10-15 points and use it else where.

forwards

Macrae: He could be the top forward come seasons end. He is a ball magnet and can easily rack up 30 plus possessions. At his price he is a no brainer for me. He is still young and improving and I cant see why he cant go back to a 100+ average in the forward line.

Higgins: Although he does seem to be injury prone I always think that clubs wont let players play if they don't think they are 100% fit. He has shown that he can score and I don't see why he cant get a 95 average at a weaker north team that will probably give him some midfield minutes. watching his pre season closely.

Ryder: He was a no brainer for me. Can easily go 100+ and should be the number one ruck at Port. Also can come in handy if/when Sandi gets injured. I see him as a keeper at this stage. A year off is concerning but I think as a ruckmen it shouldn't affect him too badly.

Bennell: Had him a few seasons back and he caused me some head aches as one week he would get 130 the next he would get 60 and then he would have a week off. I think at a new club if he can get fit he should find some consistency and at below 400K I am willing to take the risk and hope he becomes a keeper. If he is named round 1 he is in my side.

Roughead: Consistently has averaged 95+ in the past and although I don't expect that this season due to his illness I cant see why he cant go 85-90. He is back in training and everyone wants to see him playing again. If he is named round one it is going to be very hard to leave him out of my side. 

Elliot: He is still young and is heading into his prime. He has shown that he can average 85 consistently in the past and I cant see why he couldn't push that to a low 90's average. In saying that I don't see him becoming a keeper but at below 300k he should make a lot of cash and be very helpful for a lot of the season.

I know my team is full of risks but if they pay off I will be miles in front of the pack. (I know It is a very big if ;))

[The_Captain]

Benell is a long way from playing i reckon. There are just way too many risks in this side. Sure, you can take a few and it can pay of huge. But you have too many and some will weight your side down. Both Murphys i think will struggle early, Bennell, higgins i dont like chances of getting many games in, Jobe watson- not sure he wants to be there. And B smith has burnt everybody numerous times. Other than that, the other risks i dont mind.

Just my thoughts but :)

[meow meow]

9 keepers at most. Too many guys who won't score enough to be keepers and won't make as much as rookies. Injury risks galore.

Would you really prefer Hepp + Elliott over Danger and Luggage? No keepers, less points, no captain option.

[fasttrack13]

Ooft, Higgins! Rate that, especially with north not having many mids!
Way I see it only 4 keepers, but as you said that'll change.

Probably my advice for "mid-price strategy" is have 6 rookies onfield 2 on each of the main lines or 2def 1mid 3fwd... should get you to 10, 100%, keepers.
Eg. downgrade Williams, Swallow, JOM, Roughy, Bennell --> spread cash evenly

That's how i see it anyway! Welcome back MS

[fanTCfool]

If Murphy averages 105 as you say he will, incredibly unlikely, surely you would hang onto him? Even at M9?

David Swallow you say will be a 100+ average player, yet he has only averaged 100+ for the season on one occasion? Not to mention he has missed a heap of footy of late, there is no way he will average such an astronomical figure after what is basically a two year lay off.

Your going to have a very rough ride with guys like Brodie Smith and Higgins, it's not 2014/2015 anymore, players become fantasy irrelevant.

I think you need to settle down your expectations for some of these mid pricers and consider that you'll likely be much better off with rooks and premos.

[Peter]

Take a snapshot of it - will be at least 8 changes. Agree with you re Goldy and Ryder, but too few cash cow spots IMO

[shaker]

Haha Murphy avg. 105 I got him last year when cheap thinking the same thing , every time he walks onto the field he gets tagged he is on the never ever list for me

[Money Shot]

Haha Murphy avg. 105 I got him last year when cheap thinking the same thing , every time he walks onto the field he gets tagged he is on the never ever list for me

Both Cripps and Gibbs had great years last year and that will take a lot of pressure off Murphy.

[Ringo]

Nice team and reasoning - Just a little too many risks with players returning from injury/suspension for my liking but you are well aware of risks and as we know this will not be the line up round 1.
Also would like to see a premium Defender at D1.

Good start.

[shaker]

Haha Murphy avg. 105 I got him last year when cheap thinking the same thing , every time he walks onto the field he gets tagged he is on the never ever list for me

Both Cripps and Gibbs had great years last year and that will take a lot of pressure off Murphy.

Really even though they both had great years Murphy still got tagged what games he did play ?

[Money Shot]

Nice team and reasoning - Just a little too many risks with players returning from injury/suspension for my liking but you are well aware of risks and as we know this will not be the line up round 1.
Also would like to see a premium Defender at D1.

Good start.

Thanks mate. Considering Hartlett will average over 100 I would think that he is a premium defender ;)

[Money Shot]

Haha Murphy avg. 105 I got him last year when cheap thinking the same thing , every time he walks onto the field he gets tagged he is on the never ever list for me

Both Cripps and Gibbs had great years last year and that will take a lot of pressure off Murphy.

Really even though they both had great years Murphy still got tagged what games he did play ?

You are correct but teams will have to focus on all 3 now rather than just Murphy like they used too. If teams only focused on Murphy Cripps and Gibbs would run wild.

[Money Shot]

Macrae has been downgraded to Heeney. He wants more midfield time and with Mitchell gone I can't see why he wouldn't get it. 100 avg here he comes 8)

[fasttrack13]

Macrae has been downgraded to Heeney. He wants more midfield time and with Mitchell gone I can't see why he wouldn't get it. 100 avg here he comes 8)

Feel like he will still spend a lot of time up forward... swans have a very good midfield, if anything Jake Lloyd gets more time there for me. Plus he adds so much to there forward line. At that price though i reckon he will be a top 20 forward for sure, just wouldn't be picking him counting on a 90+ average. 85-90 any thing more is a bonus. He's a F7 for me

[Holz]

word of advice the only north guy you pick is Goldy the rest are fantasy irrelevant.