2014 Predictions

[Ziplock]

Spanish Stallions- Vinny
Predicted ranking- 12th (1322)

Team:

Backs: Taylor (79), Dunn (70), Docherty (65), Dempster (68)
M.Baugley, S.May, K.Hardingham, S.McMahon, M.Clarke, J.Kolodjashnij.

Mids: Kennedy (C, 202), Swallow (98), Heppell (100), Omeara (90)
D.Rich, J.Melksham, M.Grigg, J.Macrae, P.Cripps, E. Kavanagh, J Newnes, A.Miles, T.Temay, J.Tutt

Rucks: Naitanui (85)
Moller

Forwards: Dangerfield (105), Crameri (70), Karnezis (70), McGlynn (75),
T.Vickery, S.Kersten, D.Markworth, N.Kommer, N.OBrien, L.Jetta, L.Taylor.

Utility: Thomas (80), Billings (65)

Analysis: Let's be honest, the next few years are going to be tough for the stallions

Backs: By far their biggest problem, without a single 80+ defender. I'm assuming that's harry taylor, who's a solid scorer, but shouldn't be D1 in any team... at 28 this year he doesn't fit the Stallions very well age structure wise either. Dunn's an average scorer- if he gets back to his DT best he'll be serviceable, but at the moment is really just there for JS. Docherty is promising, and really the only shining light in this backline, while Dempster is old and average. Baguley is another average scorer, only in his second year, but he's not young either, May is a KPB and a showerhouse scorer, both only represent any value in their JS at this stage. Mcmahon and Clarke are even worse- have the same average scoring, but none of the JS,  while Jake Kolo didn't really show much DT wise as a junior.

Midfield: Going from those backs to this midfield is a bit of a shock. Kennedy and Swallow are both beasts (albeit, Swallow is coming back from an ACL). Omeara is also a machine, as is Heppell. If fit Thomas (I assume Daisy?) is also a more than serviceable scorer, and rich (who'd I'd be playing as the second utility) should be good for 80+... might even become a legitimate premium if he can learn to break the tag. Coverwise, Melksham's a bit of an average scorer, but has good JS, Macrae, Cripps, Billings, Kavanagh, Billings and Miles all have a decent shot at becoming legitimate DT options one day, and not just for euros. All in all, a good line.

Rucks: Nic Nat, if fit, would be the no.1 DT ruck in the comp imo, and Moller developing is pretty decent... there's no cover for Nic Nats constant niggles but... does Vickery still have dpp? if not, a bit short there.

Forward: Danger will probably be the highest scoring forward this year. Given the strength of the Stallions midfield, and the desperation from forwards from other teams, I probably would have considered offloading him to a desperate team (I'm sure nails would have given Minson, Watson and another 90-100 mid for him, at the least :P). Oh well, too late. He won't be keeping dpp past this year though. Everyone else in the starting line is pretty average- Crameri if he develops properly might be an 80 average player, while Karnezis will probably only be a solid scorer if he runs through the mids (in which case he'll lose dpp). Mcglynn is average score wise. The cover's a bit average too- alright from a JS perspective, but probably only Taylor could become a DTer of any huge significance.

Summary:  The back and forward line are too weak atm to pose a real threat to the 8, let alone the premiership, and are probably lacking the ability to really develop much further. Next draft an average ruck should be picked up to cover for nic nat probably in the second rookie round, if at all possible. The mids shouldn't be touched at all, and just allowed to continue developing- if anything, one or two of the youngsters could be offloaded if they have ok seasons for a decent forward/ back. (*note* just realised danger should be captain, not kennedy- not that it changes anything). At this point I'd say the defence is the number 1 priority, the Stallions need to get either some immediate scoring power, or at least potential. If they can add an 80+ back and a couple of 80+ forwards over the next two years (of which I'd consider shopping off high rookie/ nat picks for), they could be very dangerous in a couple of seasons.

[Justin Bieber]

That ruck depth :o

[Nige]

If NicNat goes down, vin's gonna have a lot of fun playing an OOP ruck.  :P

[Ziplock]

So Vickery did lose dpp?

[Ricochet]

Yep Fwd only

[Vinny]

Haha Thanks for the review Zip, well done.

Yeah you are right, it's going to be pretty tough earlier on really.

I haven't done much trading so hoping to do so next season and strengthen the forwards and backs as you said.

I think Dunn will improve, killed it at the end of the year as did Dempster. Reckon Docherty will do little bit better.

Hahaha Yeah rucks are flowered, I couldn't really do much though.

Thanks again :)

[Nails]

I offered him Minson... he didn't want him  >:(

[Vinny]

Come on Nails, Minson for Buddy would have been stupid for me. I can't just have Minson chilling on the bench or NicNat.

[Nige]

Come on Nails, Minson for Buddy would have been stupid for me. I can't just have Minson chilling on the bench or NicNat.

You could have played the other as U1 or U2 instead of Billings.  :P

[Vinny]

Hahaha Nige you know it would have been smarter to chase other players with Buddy rather rhan Minson whilst I've got a good young ruck.:P

[Nails]

a good SC ruck

NicNat isn't any good at DT.

[Justin Bieber]

a good SC ruck

NicNat isn't any good at DT.

Better than you

[Vinny]

a good SC ruck

NicNat isn't any good at DT.

NicNat is 23, haha.  Minson is 28.

Naitanui hasn't even hit his prime yet, young.

[elephants]

NicNat isn't any good at DT.

Really? I'd say an 86 ave over 20 games is a pretty damn handy average for a 22 year old ruckman who is 'no good at DT'..

[Nails]

Makes him okay LE

In that season he had like 8 or 9 (forgot/lost count) sub 80 games.

He's okay, not really Minson quality good though.