Grant Birchall

[kfewster]

With major injuries to Suckling and Whitecross, with Lake & Burgoyne taking a while to recover from minor operations over the pre-season - What are people's thoughts on Birchall?

Is he still an automatic lock, I'm not feeling as confident as before suckling went down with an ACL.

I think teams will clamp down on Birch a bit more, maybe consider the possibility of others such as: Hartlett, Heppell, Duffield, Hurn or Hanley?

Thoughts......

[batt]

If there was any time not to have Birch in your team I imagine it would be round 1.  More likely to either get tagged or get a job on a half-forward AND a really weak SOS.

Personally I haven't considered him as a starter purely because of SOS.

[GoLions]

I have him atm, but really considering turning him into one of Hanley/Hartlett/Heppell/Duffman. He's very consistent, but his scores may drop a little with Suckling injured, and his ceiling isn't as high as others. Wow, I'm basically convincing myself to definitely get rid of him now...

[kfewster]

LOL feeling the same GoLions.

At this stage I'm thinking either Hartlett (have Hepp already) or H.Shaw if have enough coin left over

[tbagrocks]

I have considered ther Birch but, Hartlett is a fantastic player, he is fit so get him!

[quinny88]

I would be getting one of those young up and comers over Birch anyway. Birchall is a safe option but 95 seems to be his limit wheras those guys like Hanley and Hartlett could break out way past that

[b_math]

Better to go an up and comer with a sealing e.g. Hartlett that has a good ceiling,  birchall will bring you safety in a league but no penetration up the rankings overall

[ando_10]

had him all pre season untill this week. duffield has taken his spot in my side.

[vtaced]

I'm taking Hartlett over Birchall. Hopefully he stays fit!!