Discussion 2024 Round 0: Teams & In Game Discussion
- Thread starter KLo30
- Start date
Swans vs Demons - It's so weird to do one of these for a real game where everything actually means what it means! Very sloppy game between two teams with no forwards or forward structure that like to defend. Swans got completely on top after the early sub was instantly rewarded with a game ending injury and then the Swans sub had big impact fixing an overly tall forward line, Horse winning a coaching battle, who'd have thunk it!
Swans - Happy with that, Grundy was exceptional, the forwards did the job without Heeney, who was even better, and got out seemingly without injuries. To beat one of the best sides is always a good sign, especially with a few good players out.
Heeney - I put him in my final draft before the round, I hate this game because now I'm going to have a lot of company. Figure he's 10 points underpriced on his normal role and the midfield role suits him, it always has. Most of Horses' best moves as coach are from necessity and this one has a great chance at being another. There's just no reason he can't be a 110+ midfielder, he's an excellent tackler, he's got great hands, is skillful and he's a ridiculous marking target as a midfielder, who will rest forward and kick goals as well. Given he's a forward, that kind of ceiling, especially in this crop, is pretty hard to resist. I've locked him personally.
Grundy - I hate this also as he was an easy lock for me, was hoping Gawn would give him a bath and have people doubting it. He used the new rule to perfection and he's right up there for the guy it suits the best. He worked harder around the ground and was well positioned behind the ball often. It still feels too easy to have this choice there and take the ruck decision down to R3.
Blakey - He's so good. Hard to see him being fantasy relevant as he doesn't get enough of it but I really wish he did, just makes things happen.
Roberts - Perfect role, Lloyd shifted to wing for him to get the HB, taking kick-ins. He's a must field and have rookie. Easy choice. Nice little bit of junk by him also. Won't be perfect but role and scoring potential too good. Should get DEF status also as a bonus.
Warner - Huge Q4 to salvage a bad game, was the guy who really lifted to change the game and drag us home. Role still underwhelming given how many outs we have you'd like to see a lot more midfield and less forward. There's a premium mid there if he ever does get the role.
Jordon - I find him so hard to judge. He's scored great, he's so utterly vanilla as a player but he knows it and plays within it which means he doesn't make big mistakes (1 clanger that wasn't a FA), he tackles and he works hard. His role wasn't perfect, lot of time forward, but it was solid. If he was 220k he's a lock, at 275k he's a very interesting decision. For me, it really depends on how many rookies come along but he's definitely worth selecting and given he had two bad quarters in this game, might have low end keeper relevance if he can sort it. With Billings ripped away from us, hard to argue he's not the clear best of the 220-300k group.
Gulden - Disaster gaem for him. Played predominantly wing, really bad sign with our outs, and had a mare on top of that. Probably his worst game of the season but the role is the bigger issue. If he'd had the game Oliver had you could easily still pick him but he didn't. Kudos anyone who takes it on if it works out. The balance was much better last year of inside/wing. Still an absolute jet though so could overcome it and was still really solid the first 10 rounds of last year on the wing mostly.
Lloyd - Pushed to the other wing to make way for Roberts in defense, not as good a fantasy role for him.
Melbourne - Just a terrible last quarter for them, it really looked like the Bowey injury costing a rotation and carrying Oliver wore them down a bit as he faded out for the most part in the 2nd half. Bad kicking killed them early as well, especially at goal. They might actually make Sydney look good up forward as well, which is crazy.
Viney - He averaged 108 over his last 10 last year and looks really good physically. The bye really takes away any good reason to risk it but wouldn't be shocked if he has that Libba random jump this year.
Salem - Role got a bit more traditional HB after Bowey injury, be interesting to see who they bring in for him as will impact. He also had a terrible Q1, an epic Q2 and ordinary Q3 and Q4. That bye is probably enough but think this should be a pretty solid indicator of him, would normally expect a better ratio from him, so would expect the 95 to generate 100 normally. He's an option.
Gawn - Did not have Grundy smashing him on my bingo card! Soundly beaten, mostly by getting outsmarted and not really having a solution for it. Grundy pushed in, fended off and worked back to the ball and Gawn had problems with it. We forget sometimes how good Grundy was at the Pies and he looked back to that, so will personally take this with a grain of salt. Grawndy for me is a lock and always was. Those who want to take and English/Marshall/Xerri do have a genuine conundrum of which to take on though.
Petracca - Given his game, epic score. Thought he was terrible, especially his ball use. Feels like he got an incredibly generous clanger count and was contested as normal so that saves him. I know lots love him but I don't see the upside here to justify taking on the bye. I love him as a player but he can't kick and it's a major flaw that he sometimes can't overcome. He's a top 10 mid I feel pretty comfortably but I'm not sold on the upside potential.
Oliver - Started really well, did fade as you'd expect. TOG similar to last year. Like Petracca, with all the risks of no preseason and that damn double bye, I find it really hard to justify starting him. The track record of guys with no preseason picking up injuries is pretty solid. Only 7 points underpriced on his best ever season which is, imo, around the mark for how much the double bye costs.
Howes - Another game I hated. Bowey injury all but cements his spot on top of being one of Melbourne's best players on the night. I had him as my D5 on the pre-R0 draft, I dare say I'll get some company. He wont score like this every week but he's an excellent ball user that wasn't afraid to get involved on the rebound movements. He's, imo, clearly the best DEF rookie option. I think he's a slightly better fantasy prospect than McVee, playing a similar role, last year simply because Howes is a bit better ball user and the Brayshaw retirement opens a bigger role. McVee was a solid 60ish rookie, think Howes can be a 65 type. The 90 to kick off price changes doesn't hurt.
Sparrow - Role didn't really seem markedly better than last year. Midfiled mix but not a dominant role. Not worth the risk, imo with the double bye on top.
Bowey - That looked like a broken collarbone to me in just about every facet from the mechanism of the injury, to the way the arm was carried, to the pain point when trying mobility movemetns and finally to where they had the ice pack strapped as well as the being ruled out definitively from the game. That's 6 weeks of job security for Howes.
Rivers - Poor game, was expecting more, ruled out of my consideration with that game and the double bye. Needed to see a 110 with demanding presence, saw neither.
Windsor - Fringe game. I thought he showed more than enough to get a game (Spargo, Chandler, Billings and Laurie all much worse), his role was solid and he's clearly got the talent and wheels to have impact. I stand by my Hollands comparison, who started with a 44/56 last year just to make it feel even closer. Hollands averaged just under 60 and made it to 290k, I think there's probably going to be better options come round 1. Max Holmes the other one who compares for mine, who also averaged around 60. Positives is I think his JS increased and he'll have some good games and if he was 123k, I'd say lock him but he's borderline at the moment.
Schache - He's rookie priced so will mention him but just no. He showed nothing in his limited ruck minutes to suggest he can score in that role any better than as a KPF. He's out as soon as any of the others are fit, imo. I'm mostly still just impressed he's had 9 AFL preseasons and seemingly managed to not lift a single weight in any of them.
Laurie - Also rookie priced. I was surprised he didn't start as sub, not at all surprised he was subbed out. He's fringe 22, in a very bad role. There are just flat out better options.
Billings - Saving us from ourselves 101. I don't get him as sub, he's a compiler who builds into games, not a burst impact guy. They don't have an obvious replacement for Bowey but I'd actually love to see them use him at HB. I don't think you could pick him even if they said they would, but it's a role I think his skills actually suit very well. Either way, anyone who starts him next week has balls of steel and deserves everything that comes to them, whether it be good or bad
Swans - Happy with that, Grundy was exceptional, the forwards did the job without Heeney, who was even better, and got out seemingly without injuries. To beat one of the best sides is always a good sign, especially with a few good players out.
Heeney - I put him in my final draft before the round, I hate this game because now I'm going to have a lot of company. Figure he's 10 points underpriced on his normal role and the midfield role suits him, it always has. Most of Horses' best moves as coach are from necessity and this one has a great chance at being another. There's just no reason he can't be a 110+ midfielder, he's an excellent tackler, he's got great hands, is skillful and he's a ridiculous marking target as a midfielder, who will rest forward and kick goals as well. Given he's a forward, that kind of ceiling, especially in this crop, is pretty hard to resist. I've locked him personally.
Grundy - I hate this also as he was an easy lock for me, was hoping Gawn would give him a bath and have people doubting it. He used the new rule to perfection and he's right up there for the guy it suits the best. He worked harder around the ground and was well positioned behind the ball often. It still feels too easy to have this choice there and take the ruck decision down to R3.
Blakey - He's so good. Hard to see him being fantasy relevant as he doesn't get enough of it but I really wish he did, just makes things happen.
Roberts - Perfect role, Lloyd shifted to wing for him to get the HB, taking kick-ins. He's a must field and have rookie. Easy choice. Nice little bit of junk by him also. Won't be perfect but role and scoring potential too good. Should get DEF status also as a bonus.
Warner - Huge Q4 to salvage a bad game, was the guy who really lifted to change the game and drag us home. Role still underwhelming given how many outs we have you'd like to see a lot more midfield and less forward. There's a premium mid there if he ever does get the role.
Jordon - I find him so hard to judge. He's scored great, he's so utterly vanilla as a player but he knows it and plays within it which means he doesn't make big mistakes (1 clanger that wasn't a FA), he tackles and he works hard. His role wasn't perfect, lot of time forward, but it was solid. If he was 220k he's a lock, at 275k he's a very interesting decision. For me, it really depends on how many rookies come along but he's definitely worth selecting and given he had two bad quarters in this game, might have low end keeper relevance if he can sort it. With Billings ripped away from us, hard to argue he's not the clear best of the 220-300k group.
Gulden - Disaster gaem for him. Played predominantly wing, really bad sign with our outs, and had a mare on top of that. Probably his worst game of the season but the role is the bigger issue. If he'd had the game Oliver had you could easily still pick him but he didn't. Kudos anyone who takes it on if it works out. The balance was much better last year of inside/wing. Still an absolute jet though so could overcome it and was still really solid the first 10 rounds of last year on the wing mostly.
Lloyd - Pushed to the other wing to make way for Roberts in defense, not as good a fantasy role for him.
Melbourne - Just a terrible last quarter for them, it really looked like the Bowey injury costing a rotation and carrying Oliver wore them down a bit as he faded out for the most part in the 2nd half. Bad kicking killed them early as well, especially at goal. They might actually make Sydney look good up forward as well, which is crazy.
Viney - He averaged 108 over his last 10 last year and looks really good physically. The bye really takes away any good reason to risk it but wouldn't be shocked if he has that Libba random jump this year.
Salem - Role got a bit more traditional HB after Bowey injury, be interesting to see who they bring in for him as will impact. He also had a terrible Q1, an epic Q2 and ordinary Q3 and Q4. That bye is probably enough but think this should be a pretty solid indicator of him, would normally expect a better ratio from him, so would expect the 95 to generate 100 normally. He's an option.
Gawn - Did not have Grundy smashing him on my bingo card! Soundly beaten, mostly by getting outsmarted and not really having a solution for it. Grundy pushed in, fended off and worked back to the ball and Gawn had problems with it. We forget sometimes how good Grundy was at the Pies and he looked back to that, so will personally take this with a grain of salt. Grawndy for me is a lock and always was. Those who want to take and English/Marshall/Xerri do have a genuine conundrum of which to take on though.
Petracca - Given his game, epic score. Thought he was terrible, especially his ball use. Feels like he got an incredibly generous clanger count and was contested as normal so that saves him. I know lots love him but I don't see the upside here to justify taking on the bye. I love him as a player but he can't kick and it's a major flaw that he sometimes can't overcome. He's a top 10 mid I feel pretty comfortably but I'm not sold on the upside potential.
Oliver - Started really well, did fade as you'd expect. TOG similar to last year. Like Petracca, with all the risks of no preseason and that damn double bye, I find it really hard to justify starting him. The track record of guys with no preseason picking up injuries is pretty solid. Only 7 points underpriced on his best ever season which is, imo, around the mark for how much the double bye costs.
Howes - Another game I hated. Bowey injury all but cements his spot on top of being one of Melbourne's best players on the night. I had him as my D5 on the pre-R0 draft, I dare say I'll get some company. He wont score like this every week but he's an excellent ball user that wasn't afraid to get involved on the rebound movements. He's, imo, clearly the best DEF rookie option. I think he's a slightly better fantasy prospect than McVee, playing a similar role, last year simply because Howes is a bit better ball user and the Brayshaw retirement opens a bigger role. McVee was a solid 60ish rookie, think Howes can be a 65 type. The 90 to kick off price changes doesn't hurt.
Sparrow - Role didn't really seem markedly better than last year. Midfiled mix but not a dominant role. Not worth the risk, imo with the double bye on top.
Bowey - That looked like a broken collarbone to me in just about every facet from the mechanism of the injury, to the way the arm was carried, to the pain point when trying mobility movemetns and finally to where they had the ice pack strapped as well as the being ruled out definitively from the game. That's 6 weeks of job security for Howes.
Rivers - Poor game, was expecting more, ruled out of my consideration with that game and the double bye. Needed to see a 110 with demanding presence, saw neither.
Windsor - Fringe game. I thought he showed more than enough to get a game (Spargo, Chandler, Billings and Laurie all much worse), his role was solid and he's clearly got the talent and wheels to have impact. I stand by my Hollands comparison, who started with a 44/56 last year just to make it feel even closer. Hollands averaged just under 60 and made it to 290k, I think there's probably going to be better options come round 1. Max Holmes the other one who compares for mine, who also averaged around 60. Positives is I think his JS increased and he'll have some good games and if he was 123k, I'd say lock him but he's borderline at the moment.
Schache - He's rookie priced so will mention him but just no. He showed nothing in his limited ruck minutes to suggest he can score in that role any better than as a KPF. He's out as soon as any of the others are fit, imo. I'm mostly still just impressed he's had 9 AFL preseasons and seemingly managed to not lift a single weight in any of them.
Laurie - Also rookie priced. I was surprised he didn't start as sub, not at all surprised he was subbed out. He's fringe 22, in a very bad role. There are just flat out better options.
Billings - Saving us from ourselves 101. I don't get him as sub, he's a compiler who builds into games, not a burst impact guy. They don't have an obvious replacement for Bowey but I'd actually love to see them use him at HB. I don't think you could pick him even if they said they would, but it's a role I think his skills actually suit very well. Either way, anyone who starts him next week has balls of steel and deserves everything that comes to them, whether it be good or bad
Swans vs Demons - It's so weird to do one of these for a real game where everything actually means what it means! Very sloppy game between two teams with no forwards or forward structure that like to defend. Swans got completely on top after the early sub was instantly rewarded with a game ending injury and then the Swans sub had big impact fixing an overly tall forward line, Horse winning a coaching battle, who'd have thunk it!
Swans - Happy with that, Grundy was exceptional, the forwards did the job without Heeney, who was even better, and got out seemingly without injuries. To beat one of the best sides is always a good sign, especially with a few good players out.
Heeney - I put him in my final draft before the round, I hate this game because now I'm going to have a lot of company. Figure he's 10 points underpriced on his normal role and the midfield role suits him, it always has. Most of Horses' best moves as coach are from necessity and this one has a great chance at being another. There's just no reason he can't be a 110+ midfielder, he's an excellent tackler, he's got great hands, is skillful and he's a ridiculous marking target as a midfielder, who will rest forward and kick goals as well. Given he's a forward, that kind of ceiling, especially in this crop, is pretty hard to resist. I've locked him personally.
Grundy - I hate this also as he was an easy lock for me, was hoping Gawn would give him a bath and have people doubting it. He used the new rule to perfection and he's right up there for the guy it suits the best. He worked harder around the ground and was well positioned behind the ball often. It still feels too easy to have this choice there and take the ruck decision down to R3.
Blakey - He's so good. Hard to see him being fantasy relevant as he doesn't get enough of it but I really wish he did, just makes things happen.
Roberts - Perfect role, Lloyd shifted to wing for him to get the HB, taking kick-ins. He's a must field and have rookie. Easy choice. Nice little bit of junk by him also. Won't be perfect but role and scoring potential too good. Should get DEF status also as a bonus.
Warner - Huge Q4 to salvage a bad game, was the guy who really lifted to change the game and drag us home. Role still underwhelming given how many outs we have you'd like to see a lot more midfield and less forward. There's a premium mid there if he ever does get the role.
Jordon - I find him so hard to judge. He's scored great, he's so utterly vanilla as a player but he knows it and plays within it which means he doesn't make big mistakes (1 clanger that wasn't a FA), he tackles and he works hard. His role wasn't perfect, lot of time forward, but it was solid. If he was 220k he's a lock, at 275k he's a very interesting decision. For me, it really depends on how many rookies come along but he's definitely worth selecting and given he had two bad quarters in this game, might have low end keeper relevance if he can sort it. With Billings ripped away from us, hard to argue he's not the clear best of the 220-300k group.
Gulden - Disaster gaem for him. Played predominantly wing, really bad sign with our outs, and had a mare on top of that. Probably his worst game of the season but the role is the bigger issue. If he'd had the game Oliver had you could easily still pick him but he didn't. Kudos anyone who takes it on if it works out. The balance was much better last year of inside/wing. Still an absolute jet though so could overcome it and was still really solid the first 10 rounds of last year on the wing mostly.
Lloyd - Pushed to the other wing to make way for Roberts in defense, not as good a fantasy role for him.
Melbourne - Just a terrible last quarter for them, it really looked like the Bowey injury costing a rotation and carrying Oliver wore them down a bit as he faded out for the most part in the 2nd half. Bad kicking killed them early as well, especially at goal. They might actually make Sydney look good up forward as well, which is crazy.
Viney - He averaged 108 over his last 10 last year and looks really good physically. The bye really takes away any good reason to risk it but wouldn't be shocked if he has that Libba random jump this year.
Salem - Role got a bit more traditional HB after Bowey injury, be interesting to see who they bring in for him as will impact. He also had a terrible Q1, an epic Q2 and ordinary Q3 and Q4. That bye is probably enough but think this should be a pretty solid indicator of him, would normally expect a better ratio from him, so would expect the 95 to generate 100 normally. He's an option.
Gawn - Did not have Grundy smashing him on my bingo card! Soundly beaten, mostly by getting outsmarted and not really having a solution for it. Grundy pushed in, fended off and worked back to the ball and Gawn had problems with it. We forget sometimes how good Grundy was at the Pies and he looked back to that, so will personally take this with a grain of salt. Grawndy for me is a lock and always was. Those who want to take and English/Marshall/Xerri do have a genuine conundrum of which to take on though.
Petracca - Given his game, epic score. Thought he was terrible, especially his ball use. Feels like he got an incredibly generous clanger count and was contested as normal so that saves him. I know lots love him but I don't see the upside here to justify taking on the bye. I love him as a player but he can't kick and it's a major flaw that he sometimes can't overcome. He's a top 10 mid I feel pretty comfortably but I'm not sold on the upside potential.
Oliver - Started really well, did fade as you'd expect. TOG similar to last year. Like Petracca, with all the risks of no preseason and that damn double bye, I find it really hard to justify starting him. The track record of guys with no preseason picking up injuries is pretty solid. Only 7 points underpriced on his best ever season which is, imo, around the mark for how much the double bye costs.
Howes - Another game I hated. Bowey injury all but cements his spot on top of being one of Melbourne's best players on the night. I had him as my D5 on the pre-R0 draft, I dare say I'll get some company. He wont score like this every week but he's an excellent ball user that wasn't afraid to get involved on the rebound movements. He's, imo, clearly the best DEF rookie option. I think he's a slightly better fantasy prospect than McVee, playing a similar role, last year simply because Howes is a bit better ball user and the Brayshaw retirement opens a bigger role. McVee was a solid 60ish rookie, think Howes can be a 65 type. The 90 to kick off price changes doesn't hurt.
Sparrow - Role didn't really seem markedly better than last year. Midfiled mix but not a dominant role. Not worth the risk, imo with the double bye on top.
Bowey - That looked like a broken collarbone to me in just about every facet from the mechanism of the injury, to the way the arm was carried, to the pain point when trying mobility movemetns and finally to where they had the ice pack strapped as well as the being ruled out definitively from the game. That's 6 weeks of job security for Howes.
Rivers - Poor game, was expecting more, ruled out of my consideration with that game and the double bye. Needed to see a 110 with demanding presence, saw neither.
Windsor - Fringe game. I thought he showed more than enough to get a game (Spargo, Chandler, Billings and Laurie all much worse), his role was solid and he's clearly got the talent and wheels to have impact. I stand by my Hollands comparison, who started with a 44/56 last year just to make it feel even closer. Hollands averaged just under 60 and made it to 290k, I think there's probably going to be better options come round 1. Max Holmes the other one who compares for mine, who also averaged around 60. Positives is I think his JS increased and he'll have some good games and if he was 123k, I'd say lock him but he's borderline at the moment.
Schache - He's rookie priced so will mention him but just no. He showed nothing in his limited ruck minutes to suggest he can score in that role any better than as a KPF. He's out as soon as any of the others are fit, imo. I'm mostly still just impressed he's had 9 AFL preseasons and seemingly managed to not lift a single weight in any of them.
Laurie - Also rookie priced. I was surprised he didn't start as sub, not at all surprised he was subbed out. He's fringe 22, in a very bad role. There are just flat out better options.
Billings - Saving us from ourselves 101. I don't get him as sub, he's a compiler who builds into games, not a burst impact guy. They don't have an obvious replacement for Bowey but I'd actually love to see them use him at HB. I don't think you could pick him even if they said they would, but it's a role I think his skills actually suit very well. Either way, anyone who starts him next week has balls of steel and deserves everything that comes to them, whether it be good or bad
Swans - Happy with that, Grundy was exceptional, the forwards did the job without Heeney, who was even better, and got out seemingly without injuries. To beat one of the best sides is always a good sign, especially with a few good players out.
Heeney - I put him in my final draft before the round, I hate this game because now I'm going to have a lot of company. Figure he's 10 points underpriced on his normal role and the midfield role suits him, it always has. Most of Horses' best moves as coach are from necessity and this one has a great chance at being another. There's just no reason he can't be a 110+ midfielder, he's an excellent tackler, he's got great hands, is skillful and he's a ridiculous marking target as a midfielder, who will rest forward and kick goals as well. Given he's a forward, that kind of ceiling, especially in this crop, is pretty hard to resist. I've locked him personally.
Grundy - I hate this also as he was an easy lock for me, was hoping Gawn would give him a bath and have people doubting it. He used the new rule to perfection and he's right up there for the guy it suits the best. He worked harder around the ground and was well positioned behind the ball often. It still feels too easy to have this choice there and take the ruck decision down to R3.
Blakey - He's so good. Hard to see him being fantasy relevant as he doesn't get enough of it but I really wish he did, just makes things happen.
Roberts - Perfect role, Lloyd shifted to wing for him to get the HB, taking kick-ins. He's a must field and have rookie. Easy choice. Nice little bit of junk by him also. Won't be perfect but role and scoring potential too good. Should get DEF status also as a bonus.
Warner - Huge Q4 to salvage a bad game, was the guy who really lifted to change the game and drag us home. Role still underwhelming given how many outs we have you'd like to see a lot more midfield and less forward. There's a premium mid there if he ever does get the role.
Jordon - I find him so hard to judge. He's scored great, he's so utterly vanilla as a player but he knows it and plays within it which means he doesn't make big mistakes (1 clanger that wasn't a FA), he tackles and he works hard. His role wasn't perfect, lot of time forward, but it was solid. If he was 220k he's a lock, at 275k he's a very interesting decision. For me, it really depends on how many rookies come along but he's definitely worth selecting and given he had two bad quarters in this game, might have low end keeper relevance if he can sort it. With Billings ripped away from us, hard to argue he's not the clear best of the 220-300k group.
Gulden - Disaster gaem for him. Played predominantly wing, really bad sign with our outs, and had a mare on top of that. Probably his worst game of the season but the role is the bigger issue. If he'd had the game Oliver had you could easily still pick him but he didn't. Kudos anyone who takes it on if it works out. The balance was much better last year of inside/wing. Still an absolute jet though so could overcome it and was still really solid the first 10 rounds of last year on the wing mostly.
Lloyd - Pushed to the other wing to make way for Roberts in defense, not as good a fantasy role for him.
Melbourne - Just a terrible last quarter for them, it really looked like the Bowey injury costing a rotation and carrying Oliver wore them down a bit as he faded out for the most part in the 2nd half. Bad kicking killed them early as well, especially at goal. They might actually make Sydney look good up forward as well, which is crazy.
Viney - He averaged 108 over his last 10 last year and looks really good physically. The bye really takes away any good reason to risk it but wouldn't be shocked if he has that Libba random jump this year.
Salem - Role got a bit more traditional HB after Bowey injury, be interesting to see who they bring in for him as will impact. He also had a terrible Q1, an epic Q2 and ordinary Q3 and Q4. That bye is probably enough but think this should be a pretty solid indicator of him, would normally expect a better ratio from him, so would expect the 95 to generate 100 normally. He's an option.
Gawn - Did not have Grundy smashing him on my bingo card! Soundly beaten, mostly by getting outsmarted and not really having a solution for it. Grundy pushed in, fended off and worked back to the ball and Gawn had problems with it. We forget sometimes how good Grundy was at the Pies and he looked back to that, so will personally take this with a grain of salt. Grawndy for me is a lock and always was. Those who want to take and English/Marshall/Xerri do have a genuine conundrum of which to take on though.
Petracca - Given his game, epic score. Thought he was terrible, especially his ball use. Feels like he got an incredibly generous clanger count and was contested as normal so that saves him. I know lots love him but I don't see the upside here to justify taking on the bye. I love him as a player but he can't kick and it's a major flaw that he sometimes can't overcome. He's a top 10 mid I feel pretty comfortably but I'm not sold on the upside potential.
Oliver - Started really well, did fade as you'd expect. TOG similar to last year. Like Petracca, with all the risks of no preseason and that damn double bye, I find it really hard to justify starting him. The track record of guys with no preseason picking up injuries is pretty solid. Only 7 points underpriced on his best ever season which is, imo, around the mark for how much the double bye costs.
Howes - Another game I hated. Bowey injury all but cements his spot on top of being one of Melbourne's best players on the night. I had him as my D5 on the pre-R0 draft, I dare say I'll get some company. He wont score like this every week but he's an excellent ball user that wasn't afraid to get involved on the rebound movements. He's, imo, clearly the best DEF rookie option. I think he's a slightly better fantasy prospect than McVee, playing a similar role, last year simply because Howes is a bit better ball user and the Brayshaw retirement opens a bigger role. McVee was a solid 60ish rookie, think Howes can be a 65 type. The 90 to kick off price changes doesn't hurt.
Sparrow - Role didn't really seem markedly better than last year. Midfiled mix but not a dominant role. Not worth the risk, imo with the double bye on top.
Bowey - That looked like a broken collarbone to me in just about every facet from the mechanism of the injury, to the way the arm was carried, to the pain point when trying mobility movemetns and finally to where they had the ice pack strapped as well as the being ruled out definitively from the game. That's 6 weeks of job security for Howes.
Rivers - Poor game, was expecting more, ruled out of my consideration with that game and the double bye. Needed to see a 110 with demanding presence, saw neither.
Windsor - Fringe game. I thought he showed more than enough to get a game (Spargo, Chandler, Billings and Laurie all much worse), his role was solid and he's clearly got the talent and wheels to have impact. I stand by my Hollands comparison, who started with a 44/56 last year just to make it feel even closer. Hollands averaged just under 60 and made it to 290k, I think there's probably going to be better options come round 1. Max Holmes the other one who compares for mine, who also averaged around 60. Positives is I think his JS increased and he'll have some good games and if he was 123k, I'd say lock him but he's borderline at the moment.
Schache - He's rookie priced so will mention him but just no. He showed nothing in his limited ruck minutes to suggest he can score in that role any better than as a KPF. He's out as soon as any of the others are fit, imo. I'm mostly still just impressed he's had 9 AFL preseasons and seemingly managed to not lift a single weight in any of them.
Laurie - Also rookie priced. I was surprised he didn't start as sub, not at all surprised he was subbed out. He's fringe 22, in a very bad role. There are just flat out better options.
Billings - Saving us from ourselves 101. I don't get him as sub, he's a compiler who builds into games, not a burst impact guy. They don't have an obvious replacement for Bowey but I'd actually love to see them use him at HB. I don't think you could pick him even if they said they would, but it's a role I think his skills actually suit very well. Either way, anyone who starts him next week has balls of steel and deserves everything that comes to them, whether it be good or bad