CherryPickers 1.0

[mezzoculo]

Goddard B/C, Stanley, Jack Grimes (B/C), Gibbs (B/C), Docherty, Terlich
Sam Colquhoun*, Leigh Osborne*

Swan, Ablett, Cotchin, Pendlebury, Lower, Wines, Lonergan, O'Meara
Matt Jones, Dean Towers

Goldstein, Leuenberger
Nathan Vardy, Sam Rowe (R/F)

Johnson (F/C), Rockliff (F/C), Thomas (F/C), LeCras, Krakouer, Varcoe (F/C)
Brent Staker (F/B), Ben Kennedy (F/C)

Salary cap left: $261,200.

I've left money to allow for the upcoming MN change and have included two players that should be drafted next week (Colquhuon to Port and Osborne to GCS). At this early stage, most players have alternatives (i.e. Brougton for Stanley, Murphy for Pendles or Morton for Krakuoer), although I'm pretty happy with most of my rookies (Lonergan and Kennedy are the two most likely to be swapped out).

At this stage I have dual position players in the forward/back/ruck lines but none in the mids!I just can't find DPP rooks that have the potential to score close to the mid-only rooks this season (like Treloar etc did in 2012). I don't see this as too much of a problem as I can trade across lines (last year's best DT rule change) if someone pops up.

There's plenty of 'mature' rookies in the mix (Terlich, Osborne, Jones, Towers), as these guys got earlier opportunities in 2012 than the 18yo rooks - and they copped the vest much less often.

Bye structure should be ok as the new 'best 18' rule means MBR headaches will be a thing of the past (as long as you don't go overboard on Rnd 13 premiums too early). I've also backloaded my team with a fair few Rnd 13 rookies that will be used to upgrade to any outstanding R11 or R12 premiums (e.g. Boyd or Lids).

Rucks are cheap as I believe that the extra trades gives you licence to take a punt here. Vardy could go Bang! or fizz, depending on injury but if he plays consistent footy in tandem with HMac, he will be either a great R3 or handy stepladder to Maric in Rnd12 (fingers crossed the mullet keeps flying!).

Anyway guys, please have at it!

Also, does anyone else think that Stanton could really fire with Goddard in the team? I'm very tempted!

[kilbluff1985]

not a bad team but i'd go Ball or Embley instead of Lower glad to see someone else besides me has Jones

just watch Krakouer, Varcoe in the NAB see how they go

i'd give your team 8/10

[mezzoculo]

Thanks for the feedback.

not a bad team but i'd go Ball or Embley instead of Lower glad to see someone else besides me has Jones

I see Lower as this year's Brett Ebert. Ball and Embley are more like 2012's Lenny Hayes (at best). I'd rather an under-appreciated midpricer in his prime than an old one recovering from serious injury.
That said, Ball is definitely in the mix for this spot. Biggest upside for Lower is that I think he could post some consistently large scores in 2013 at the Dogs. He only has Boyd ahead of him as big-bodied inside mid. Personally, I think that McCarthy's policy of blooding youngsters will see plenty of rotations among the younger mids with Boyd and Lower being the regulars.
Also, not knowing what effect Lower's addition will have on Boyd's output is the sole reason that I am not starting with the Bulldog's captain this season - a first.

Just watch Krakouer, Varcoe in the NAB see how they go.

Reckon Krak is the most likely to be traded out - if I can find a decent replacement, that is. There seems to be fewer quality options in the rookie forwards this season.
Varcoe OTOH has been recently reported to fill the 'Chris Yarran' role at the Cats in 2013 and could post some pretty decent scores as an unaccountable rebounding defender.

i'd give your team 8/10

Well thank you, kb!

[Mr.Craig]

Thanks for the feedback.

not a bad team but i'd go Ball or Embley instead of Lower glad to see someone else besides me has Jones

I see Lower as this year's Brett Ebert. Ball and Embley are more like 2012's Lenny Hayes (at best). I'd rather an under-appreciated midpricer in his prime than an old one recovering from serious injury.
That said, Ball is definitely in the mix for this spot. Biggest upside for Lower is that I think he could post some consistently large scores in 2013 at the Dogs. He only has Boyd ahead of him as big-bodied inside mid. Personally, I think that McCarthy's policy of blooding youngsters will see plenty of rotations among the younger mids with Boyd and Lower being the regulars.
Also, not knowing what effect Lower's addition will have on Boyd's output is the sole reason that I am not starting with the Bulldog's captain this season - a first.

I'm sure you meant Brad, not Brett. :D

I think the issue with Lower is that he'll be starting at a higher price than Ebert did last year (even after taking into account adjustments to the salary cap and MN from 2012) and he'll be fortunate to get within that 85-90 average. So, I can't see him making more than 100k. Plus there's always the risk the Bulldogs will go sour on him, after all it's happened at two clubs already.

Ball has risks attached too, but they aren't overwhelming and the reward could be so much higher.

[mezzoculo]

I'm sure you meant Brad, not Brett. :D

Ha ha, yes. ;D

Considering Lower is definitely a risk. But then, so is choosing pretty much any midpricer.

I don't think that the club will sour on him. If there's been one thing that Brendan McCartney has pushed since the end of 2012 is that the club will only recruit players with good character. Its a big thing for him. Also, Lower has been on the Dogs' radar for awhile (Jason McCartney was Freo's development coach at the time Lower started with them).

Scoring wise, he is best when in-and-under. That's where he was played his best at Freo (second part of 2011 and his 3 games last year). Taking into account the fact that Ross Lyon is the current DT anti-christ, I think that Lower could at least maintain this score in a developing, under-sized midfield. If he starts as a tagger though, forget about it.

[mezzoculo]

Well, time for another team!

DEF: B. Goddard, J. Grimes, B. Gibbs, J. Pittard, B. Goodes, J. Thurlow (S. Colquhoun, D. Terlich)
MID: D. Swan, G. Ablett jnr, S. Pendlebury, J. Redden, M. Murphy, J. O'Meara, D. Towers, N. Hrovat (M. Jones, J. Viney)
RUC: T. Goldstein, M. Leuenberger (C. Sinclair, D. Currie)
FWD: D. Cox, S. Johnson, D. Zorko, T. Rockliff, G. Broughton, S. Mayes (B. Staker, J. Lamb)
CASH LEFT: $400

A few changes since my last but I'm pretty happy with it. Cherry on top would be somehow squeezing Embley in at M6 (without cutting into my premiums). May be difficult.

EDIT:
Here's a team with Embley at M6. Had to go Goldy -> Vardy. Thoughts?

DEF: B. Goddard, J. Grimes, B. Gibbs, J. Pittard, B. Goodes, J. Thurlow (S. Colquhoun, D. Terlich)
MID: D. Swan, G. Ablett jnr, S. Pendlebury, J. Redden, M. Murphy, A. Embley, J. O'Meara, N. Hrovat (M. Jones, J. Viney)
RUC: M. Leuenberger, N. Vardy (C. Sinclair, D. Currie)
FWD: D. Cox, S. Johnson, D. Zorko, T. Rockliff, G. Broughton, S. Mayes (B. Staker, J. Lamb)
CASH LEFT: $41,400

[GoldDigger]

What you like better - and why?

[Andrew]

Well, time for another team!

DEF: B. Goddard, J. Grimes, B. Gibbs, J. Pittard, B. Goodes, J. Thurlow (S. Colquhoun, D. Terlich)
MID: D. Swan, G. Ablett jnr, S. Pendlebury, J. Redden, M. Murphy, J. O'Meara, D. Towers, N. Hrovat (M. Jones, J. Viney)
RUC: T. Goldstein, M. Leuenberger (C. Sinclair, D. Currie)
FWD: D. Cox, S. Johnson, D. Zorko, T. Rockliff, G. Broughton, S. Mayes (B. Staker, J. Lamb)
CASH LEFT: $400

A few changes since my last but I'm pretty happy with it. Cherry on top would be somehow squeezing Embley in at M6 (without cutting into my premiums). May be difficult.

EDIT:
Here's a team with Embley at M6. Had to go Goldy -> Vardy. Thoughts?

DEF: B. Goddard, J. Grimes, B. Gibbs, J. Pittard, B. Goodes, J. Thurlow (S. Colquhoun, D. Terlich)
MID: D. Swan, G. Ablett jnr, S. Pendlebury, J. Redden, M. Murphy, A. Embley, J. O'Meara, N. Hrovat (M. Jones, J. Viney)
RUC: M. Leuenberger, N. Vardy (C. Sinclair, D. Currie)
FWD: D. Cox, S. Johnson, D. Zorko, T. Rockliff, G. Broughton, S. Mayes (B. Staker, J. Lamb)
CASH LEFT: $41,400

Embley at mid 6 just seems ridiculously strong. If Goldy -> Vardy is the change you made to make it happen, then I think it's a risk you're in a position to take with Cox sitting in the forward line able to be traded into rucks if Vardy underperforms. 5 premium mids + a mid-pricer has to be getting close to a winning midfield structure. It's just which premiums you pick from there...

[mezzoculo]

What you like better - and why?

Honestly, I think its 50/50.
IMO Vardy will be a pretty average DTer (60 point average) but should get regular games early (at the least). This should be counterbalanced by Embley's proven scoring capacity (90 - 95 ave). This gives approx 150 pts for the combo.

Conversely, Goldy *could* return to premium levels (80-90 ave) while the mid rook will sit at around 70 ave. This also gives approx 150 pts! Buuut, the extra cash of this option ($40k) gives me more options when it comes to swapping rookies during Rnd 1 and Rnd 2.

Alternatively, I could swap Cox into the ruck for Vardy and bring in Varcoe (70-80 ave) to F5. This would give me approx 160 pts!

Just bring on Round 1!!!!

[Windigo]

Good team, mezzo. But if you have the extra cash why not just bring in the Budster. Will be a POD early this year.

Stevie J & Franklin just 'looks' stronger.  :P

[mezzoculo]

Good team, mezzo. But if you have the extra cash why not just bring in the Budster. Will be a POD early this year.

Stevie J & Franklin just 'looks' stronger.  :P

Ha ha. True - Franklin would look good. Perhaps I can ask VS for a $500k loan ;)

[mezzoculo]

Evening all.
Been fiddling with a two premium ruck team and have come up with this. Loving Mummy's early draw and Maric is... well, Maric. If either stink it up and/or Leuey fires then one of my early season trades will be used to bring him in.
Of the other lines, happiest with the mids and am tossing up whether to start a midpricer down back (waiting to see NAB form).

Thoughts?

DEF: B. Goddard, J. Grimes, B. Gibbs, J. Pittard, B. Goodes, S. Docherty (L. Stevenson, D. Terlich)
MID: D. Swan, G. Ablett jnr, S. Pendlebury, M. Murphy, A. Embley, O. Wines, J. Lonergan, J. O'Meara (M. Jones, J. Viney)
RUC: I. Maric, S. Mumford (D. Gorringe, D. Currie)
FWD: S. Johnson, D. Zorko, T. Rockliff, G. Broughton, C. Knights, S. Byrnes (B. Macaffer, B. Staker)
CASH LEFT: $39,400

[Windigo]

I'm not too keen on the two premium ruck division. It certainly is something different.

But Berger is flying and he could easily go 85+ and make plenty of dosh, even become a keeper. I'd rather have another premium elsewhere than in the rucks this year.  :-\

Solid back line with no real fault. Don't start a mid pricer down back. I reckon 3 premiums then rookies is the way to go IMO.

I think most teams are going with 5 premium mids, but I could be wrong. Embers is the best mid pricer at all of them this year I'd reckon.  :)

Solid fwd line, you confident on Zorko? Does have a good start, but I'm a little apprenshsive about selecting him from the get go. More confidence in a Robbo....If he doesn't get suspended.  ::)

The more I look at it, the more I like it. But I can't help but feel the cash used for Mummy is better spent somewhere else.  :-\

[mezzoculo]

Thanks, Windigo!

I'm not too keen on the two premium ruck division. It certainly is something different.
But Berger is flying and he could easily go 85+ and make plenty of dosh, even become a keeper. I'd rather have another premium elsewhere than in the rucks this year.  But I can't help but feel the cash used for Mummy is better spent somewhere else.  :-\

According to Footy Tragic, Berger is only now 'easing' back into full training - with the goal a couple of preseason games prior to Round 1. Mummy offers great value, with his first two games against GCS and GWS, followed by Nth and Geelong. Maric would be the one I'd downgrade to Leuey.

I think most teams are going with 5 premium mids, but I could be wrong. Embers is the best mid pricer at all of them this year I'd reckon.  :)

Yep. Great value in Embley. Happy to start him over Redden at this stage.

Solid fwd line, you confident on Zorko? Does have a good start, but I'm a little apprenshsive about selecting him from the get go. More confidence in a Robbo....If he doesn't get suspended.  ::)

I'll turn that around on you and ask what it is that makes you feel apprehensive on Zorko?  ;D
He ticks all the boxes for me and should at least maintain his average.

[Windigo]

I'll take your word for it on Mummy. But Berger is so cheap not to have. Mummy would have to absolutely destroy it, which he might.  :-\

Well I just think that he may  not be a true proven premium yet. Probably wrong, but it was such a good year last year for him that he may find it had to back it up... Moloney entering the fray as well, another hard nut.  :-\

Probably got no real reason not to pick him really.