Is Ablett really a lock?

[GCSkiwi]

Not sure youd of generated enough cash by round 4 to get him, you'll need to burn 2 trades in round 4 and then another 2 in rnd 5 to get him that early unless your leaving alot of cash in the bank from the start. 4 trades to get one man removes alot of your extra 6 trade advantage this year while those who start with him will still have them and need less to ugrade their M5-M8's. That will also only be possible if there are other rookies worth purchasing in rnd 4 and 5 as you could be stuck with duds by going this route.

Listen to this man! Hence I say the only reason not to start him is that you never plan to get him... by mid season if he's gunning it you'll be too far behind, you basically have to bet that he's going to have a crap year overall and wont significantly outscore the likes of pendles, swan, cotch, selwood etc. I'm not ballsy (silly?) enough to make that call myself ;)

[quinny88]

I have no doubt that he will tear it up and dominate once again. Despite what a lot of people seem to think, the GC will still be a bottom 4 side in 2013 and Gazza will still be the main man running the show.
In saying that, I haven't locked him in. The team I can create using the spare cash I save without him looks a lot more satisfying across the board than with him in.
His B/E will be extremely high and although he is more than capable of reaching it, an off score of even 100 would see his price plummet. Every player has their off days. You would just have to hope that it doesn't hurt you too much not having him early on.
If it's your league you care about then starting without him is a very sensible option to consider. For over all its a huge risk but still one that could be a stroke of genius.

[Mykonos FC]

Its the same story we see every year. Coaches seeing Gaz's price having a heart attack then trying to justify to themselves that he is to expensive at that price ie "His price will drop considerably"  "His role will change in the team"  "The GCS midfield has improved to the point he wont get as much ball" even though at the Cats he was playing in one of the best midfields we'd seen for awhile. All the same stuff that continues to be wrong year in year out and 3 games into the season we will start seeing "bloody hell should of started with Gaz" or "Why didnt i start with Gaz when i had the chance he's killing me every week in oppositions sides".

People who continue to throw up well we have 30 trades to get him in, i say you'll need the extra six trades to get him as you'll burn 3 of them atleast to secure him while i'll still have those 3 trades. Ask yourselves how many times in the past have i eventually realised not starting Gaz was a blue, then ask yourselves how many times starting Gaz was a blue, theres your answer right there.

THIS!
+1 Could not say it any better.

[Ringo]

For those that maybe having second thoughts remember last year he played through injuries as well.

Those thinking he may drop in price I would think again

Looking at his draw for first 7 rounds and last years scores:

St Kilda 143
Sydney 171
Brisbane 129/150
Port 111
GWS 125/126
Freemantle did not play
Melbourne 165

If those scores maintained for this year can not see much of a price drop if any as he requires est 138 average to maintain price.

[tbagrocks]

What about his developing team mates to start taking a few points off him? Think you're right though probably have to start the champ

[Hagebear]

Not starting him in DT as I think Cotchin will go close to him for the first third if the year but he is IMPOSSIBLE to leave out of SC.

[Jay]

He is still a lock but not as much of a 'must-have' as he has been in recent years.

[FactHunt]

Did this thread start in 2009? I swear I see the same thing every year, and guess what... the answer still hasn't changed.

[MC]

His average for the past 5 years has been 133.

I think that's all I really need to say.

[FonFatty]

Chris Judd used to be a lock as well. With a developing side around him his scores have dropped over the years, I can see the same thing happening with GAJ, GAJ will still average 120+ dont get me wrong, i'd rather pay that little less for him when the times right.
But then again I still think the Champion Data points system is flawed when it comes to GAJ. He gets bonus points for being GAJ not for the things he does on the field. Last season he had a shocker (for his standards) and still ripped out a century.

[Ricochet]

Judd has never averaged 140 tho

[SydneyRox]

What about his developing team mates to start taking a few points off him? Think you're right though probably have to start the champ

If i was an opposition coach I would be targeting those up and comers. No point tagging Ablett, it doesnt work. Didnt work at Geelong, hasnt worked at GC...

But getting hold of the younger guys will work...

[westy501]

Whats everyones thoughts....
Ive had him from the start but am now looking for some cash and he seems the easiest place to make it... drop him to judd for an easy 180k but with that comes the drop of at least 20 points per week...
Whats everyone thoughts on this?

[LF]

no that would be a really bad idea
You need to look elsewhere to free up some cash.

[quinny88]

I have had him in and out as well. I can make such a better looking side without him but it could really hurt not having him