Grant Birchall

[Money Shot]

Already seen heaps of teams with him so I thought I would make this post to get people's in depth opinions about him.

3-4 years ago he was a solid D6 keeper but every year his average was slowly declining.

2012: 94.7
2013: 92.1
2014: 88.9
2015: 86.1
2016: 84.1
2017: 63 (injured)

So assuming he follows his trend he should be averaging around the 80 mark this year.

Do you think an average of 80 is strong enough to lock him in your side?

[RaisyDaisy]

As long as he lines up Round 1 and is fit he is a lock for me

I think he can average anywhere from 80-90

Worst case scenario I have to use a trade to upgrade, but there is much more upside for me

- Could become a keeper
- Money saved allows me to load up and get more points elsewhere
- JS rock solid
- WIth Gibbo and Hodge gone I think he becomes the general and gets a lot of loose ball
- Not many prem defs that I actually like and want to start anyway

All of those benefits are worth the risk imo

[Ricochet]

No brainer if he's fit and ready. Proven scorer and rock solid JS. Plus with Docherty down there's one less lock/must have down back making it easier to fit him in

[meow meow]

Nope. You want that 30+ rise in price. Birch has to average 87 to get it done. I'd rather pay for a rookie who has to average 53 to get an equivalent price rise. Would only pick him if I thought he could become a prem keeper but he's past it and too injury prone.

[shaker]

Nope. You want that 30+ rise in price. Birch has to average 87 to get it done. I'd rather pay for a rookie who has to average 53 to get an equivalent price rise. Would only pick him if I thought he could become a prem keeper but he's past it and too injury prone.

Agree meow not for me either

[enzedder]

My initial feeling was no as it has been a while since he was season long good pick. His scores have been in decline but at his price he is hard to go past and 80-90s might be good enough as a D6. If trades allow he could be upgraded but I like the fact he gives another 250-300 k to spend elsewhere on your team in the first place. He’s like a 4th premo for a tad over a high end rookie price.

[Mantis]

When i first saw him at that price i thought he would be a lock, gut is telling me to stay clear though. I really think he will be around the 75-80 mark. I can see the appeal of having a consistent D4 but for me like meow meow said i see more benefit in a rookie and in no way would be comfortable with him being a D6. Will all depend i guess on how many rookies pop up for structure but at this stage I'm tempted by other mid pricers in other positions haha.

[LordSneeze]

As I said in the thinking about 2018 thread. This is a clear no for me.

Needs to become a premium to make it worthwhile and I see that as about a 15-20% chance of happening, prefer to go Prem and rookies unless it is someone that I cannot pass on.

[crowls]

Birchall is a non starter for me.  Best case is likely to be 80+ and worse 70+ so not a keeper,  expect better cash generation from Rookie and past couple of years we have found def rookies who avg 70+ so no points losses either.   Extra cash goes into starting Cognilio at M6

[RaisyDaisy]

I should probably add to what I previously said

I based that off the fact that we usually have bugger all def rookies line up Round 1

IF we have a plethora to choose from then there's every chance Birch doesn't start for me

IF there are bugger all rookies to choose from then he starts

[SilverLion]

Price is awkward, but as others have said will consider, but depends on DEF rookies available.

[Holz]

Nope. You want that 30+ rise in price. Birch has to average 87 to get it done. I'd rather pay for a rookie who has to average 53 to get an equivalent price rise. Would only pick him if I thought he could become a prem keeper but he's past it and too injury prone.

Agree meow not for me either

Depends if your going for overal ranking or league wins. If overall ranking then the points he is scoring over a rookie is very vital. If its 80 v 60 for example then your not making up the cash.

Its also depends if your comparing him to a rookie or a premo. If say you go Premo down to him then your picking up 300k. If he can put up 80 then your losing say 15 points a game.

Can you make that up elsewhere?

It could be getting 2 super premos over 2 premos.

For example

Tom Mitchell + Dustin Martin + Grant Birchall + Luke Davies Uniacke

v

JPK + Selwood + Howe + 120k rookie

[R.Griffen]

SC only game I’m willing to take him in. As I’m not sold on the premium defenders. I don’t see him averaging anything more than 85 but I’m not too worried with that anyway

[Money Shot]

Nope. You want that 30+ rise in price. Birch has to average 87 to get it done. I'd rather pay for a rookie who has to average 53 to get an equivalent price rise. Would only pick him if I thought he could become a prem keeper but he's past it and too injury prone.

Agree meow not for me either

Depends if your going for overal ranking or league wins. If overall ranking then the points he is scoring over a rookie is very vital. If its 80 v 60 for example then your not making up the cash.

Its also depends if your comparing him to a rookie or a premo. If say you go Premo down to him then your picking up 300k. If he can put up 80 then your losing say 15 points a game.

Can you make that up elsewhere?

It could be getting 2 super premos over 2 premos.

For example

Tom Mitchell + Dustin Martin + Grant Birchall + Luke Davies Uniacke

v

JPK + Selwood + Howe + 120k rookie

100% agree with you Holz ... And for me I will take option 1 every day of the week. Two top 5 midfielders a player who will play every week and average 75-80 and a top end rookie over 3 top 10-15 players and a basement price rookie.

That is my mistake every year. I start with to many top 10-20 players which means i start really well (top 5000 up until byes) because i can fit an extra premium or two in my side but i always drop off towards the end of the season because the elite teams all have top 10 players and im stuck with a team full of Trealors and Hannberys who are just off the pace.

[crowls]

That is my mistake every year. I start with to many top 10-20 players which means i start really well (top 5000 up until byes) because i can fit an extra premium or two in my side but i always drop off towards the end of the season because the elite teams all have top 10 players and im stuck with a team full of Trealors and Hannberys who are just off the pace.

quote of the day MS.    You can add Sloane to the list as well.    What is that name of that store --  "Not Quite Right"