Ask Ziplock pre-season

[Ziplock]

Well, most of you know the drill by now with this, for those that don't, basically fire questions, and I'll answer them. Since there are several team rating threads in RMDT, full teams aren't really necessary.

anyway, looking forward to seeing what you kids come up with for me in the pre-season :P

[c4v3m4n]

IYO, who looks to be the Barlow of 2012?

[Ziplock]

ahhhh rooks have always been my weak point c4, but I'll give it a shot.

at this stage, without NAB, it's really hard to tell who's up to scoring at an afl level. At the moment, I'd probably go with zorko- he's mature aged, has the ability to fill a spot in brisbane's line, and is playing in a team that should be improving considerably this year.

but really, the barlows of this world are hit and miss- nab is probably the best indicator, but as seen by richardson this year, isn't flawless.

[Fyfe_gun]

Can Dyson Heppel improve his average in 2012 or at least maintain it

[4820]

Thoughts on J. Brown & I. Maric (as second ruck).
thanks,

[PowerBug]

What a surprise that this thread will come up. ::)

My question: How many posts do you expect to have by the end of the 2012 season?? And will any of them be in the SC board??

[Panther]

Which teams have spots available to promote rookies before the start of the season without needing to put a player on the LTI List???

[Fyfe_gun]

Thoughts on Freo's DT output with Harvey gone and Lyon coaching?? Especially Barlow?

How any games will James Macdonald play?? And how many in fist 10 Rounds?

Thoughts on DT's new bye rules?

Chances of Lee Spurr and Darren 5FA getting promoted?

[Ziplock]

Can Dyson Heppel improve his average in 2012 or at least maintain it

in a short answer- yes. If you look at comparable first year averages from 2010 (Martin, Trengove- excluding scully due to injured 2011), you'll notice that players of their calibre,  i.e high draft picks that rack up DT points as rookies, are liable to increase their output, Martin increasing by 18, and Trengove by 13. If Heppell has a likewise increase, you'd be damned happy.

[Ziplock]

Thoughts on J. Brown & I. Maric (as second ruck).
thanks,

Brown in a no brainer from my point of view- coming off his first full pre-season in a decade, seriously underpriced due to an injured 2011, and possibly with a 10% discount (note that I don't know if he has one, just that he's eligible). The guy should be good for 80+ and has a shot for 90-100.

Maric should be first ruck, and is priced at something like 53 ppg am I right? That makes him underpriced, and honestly I think he can average around 70. But that's not really enough to warrant him a second ruck spot- you'd really be wanting an 80 average. Hmac for that price range is probably a better pick.

[Ziplock]

What a surprise that this thread will come up. ::)

My question: How many posts do you expect to have by the end of the 2012 season?? And will any of them be in the SC board??

I'm aiming for 8000 plus. about 1/3 of that should be on SC boards :P

[Ziplock]

Which teams have spots available to promote rookies before the start of the season without needing to put a player on the LTI List???

mmm, I actually don't know this one. It is really that relevant to DT atm though is it? I mean, when the rookies get promoted (BEFORE season start), then we'll hear of them, and considering them for our teams should start then :P

[Jukes]

Who are the best forward line rookies to get?

This is the only spot that has me stumped.

[Ziplock]

Thoughts on Freo's DT output with Harvey gone and Lyon coaching?? Especially Barlow?

How any games will James Macdonald play?? And how many in fist 10 Rounds?

Thoughts on DT's new bye rules?

Chances of Lee Spurr and Darren 5FA getting promoted?

in general, I think we should see freo's general output go up, whether it's because of lyons coaching, or simply just because they'll be a stronger team without injuries, I'm not really that sure :P In case of Barlow, he should be returning close to, if not onto his 2010 average- he's reaching prime DTing age, playing in a team that should be able to shoot for top 4, and recovered from injury. I can't see Lyon really changing his role considering how good he is at what he does.

I think that, despite what people seem to think, we'll be seeing MacDonald play more than half the season. If his body holds he'll probably play out a large majority of the season. At his price, and DT potential, he has to really be considered, despite his age. He averaged over 90 playing at 34 from memory, there's no reason why he shouldn't be able to back this up with an 80+ average at 36ish. Out of the first 10 games, with the exception of injury, you'll probably be seeing McDonald play 8+. The only concern is his body letting him down late season- early on he should be fine.


as for the dt rules, in general I'm ok with them. I like the mpp change, one that I thought should have been in place last season tbh, I'm not a fan of the bye difficulties- imo, even with the 3 trades, they still made it a touch too difficult- from memory it's going to be close to impossible to dodge doughnuts, given the lack of spread with R/Fs. Honestly, they would have been better off going either with a 16 league system, or by making the byes substantially easier to deal with. But w.e, have to deal with it right?

I personally hope Spurr gets promoted- it'll give broughts more midfield time, which is what I want so I can drop him in my team :P As for piff... well, he plays for port, so I guess he has more of a chance than most people to break into an 'afl' side :P

[Ziplock]

Who are the best forward line rookies to get?

This is the only spot that has me stumped.

unfortunately, rookie stocks are looking a little thin atm in the backs and forwards,  but for the fwd line, some that spring to mind (rookies, or rookie priced)
Panos
Ah Chee
Zorko
Walsh
Treloar
Skinner
Michie
Folau
Pfeiffer
Dick
Gumbleton
Saad

obviously nearly all these guys have various issues- job security, injury concerns, scoring potential etc. Those are probably the best ones though...