Position 2025: DEFENDER DISCUSSION
- Thread starter KLo30
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@wogitalia may have some info on this.
I'm happy with Sheezel, Roberts, Mills and ZReid in my team. The question is how do I fill the other 4 spots. Defensive rookies are looking a little bit thin and the value on other lines lends itself to 5 premos or value premos in the backline. I'm also comfortable with ZReid on the ground so hoping for 2 cheaper bench rookies.
Having Roberts and Mills rules out another rnd 3 bye player for me.
None of the other premos, value premo's are jumping out at me.
Milera and Schoenmakers could end up in my team.
Having Roberts and Mills rules out another rnd 3 bye player for me.
None of the other premos, value premo's are jumping out at me.
Milera and Schoenmakers could end up in my team.
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yeah, it's tough in defence, I'm struggling to find a balance for my team atm. Can't seem to fit everyone I like in the midfield. The Bont may have to make way 
. Hopefully a D Rookie pops up to field. What's the go with Travaglia?
. Hopefully a D Rookie pops up to field. What's the go with Travaglia?
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Sheezel & Mills are the only two players locked into my defence.
I had Flanders and Sinclair but given they’re touch and go for round one, I’ve cooled on both of them.
Whitfield is probably the best premium in line for me. I can’t see he’s scoring slowing down and he appears to have become relatively durable (touch wood)… The round two bye sucks but given he’s the only other premium I’m super confident in, I reckon I’ll just suck it up!
I had Flanders and Sinclair but given they’re touch and go for round one, I’ve cooled on both of them.
Whitfield is probably the best premium in line for me. I can’t see he’s scoring slowing down and he appears to have become relatively durable (touch wood)… The round two bye sucks but given he’s the only other premium I’m super confident in, I reckon I’ll just suck it up!
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I can’t see much upside in Holmes this season, last season was the season to be on him.
You have Bailey Smith added to the midfield, his role is undefined, if he plays that midfield role it’s likely to require explosive pace breaking away from the contest and I’m not confident his hamstrings are built for that type of football.
I love him as a player, but just don’t see the value this season and combined with the bye it’s a no for me.
You have Bailey Smith added to the midfield, his role is undefined, if he plays that midfield role it’s likely to require explosive pace breaking away from the contest and I’m not confident his hamstrings are built for that type of football.
I love him as a player, but just don’t see the value this season and combined with the bye it’s a no for me.
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Getting closer
D1 Sheezel ✓
D2 Flanders or Ryan or Whitfield or Zorko or McGovern or Sinclair or Houston or Martin or Clark or Ridley or NWM or Holmes or Stewart or Sicily
Even thinking Hinge or Vlastuin and just wait
Laird gets DPP he might end up being in the Top 6-8 again as well.
D3 Short - almost a ✓
D4 Mills ✓
D5 Schoenmaker (price point) - can he defend though ?
D6 Kiddy (price point only at this stage)
D 7 Allan
D8 Reid 🙏 can he stay on the park long enough to make money.
I am sure their will be other defender priced rookies that show up between now and Round 1
D1 Sheezel ✓
D2 Flanders or Ryan or Whitfield or Zorko or McGovern or Sinclair or Houston or Martin or Clark or Ridley or NWM or Holmes or Stewart or Sicily
Even thinking Hinge or Vlastuin and just wait
Laird gets DPP he might end up being in the Top 6-8 again as well.
D3 Short - almost a ✓
D4 Mills ✓
D5 Schoenmaker (price point) - can he defend though ?
D6 Kiddy (price point only at this stage)
D 7 Allan
D8 Reid 🙏 can he stay on the park long enough to make money.
I am sure their will be other defender priced rookies that show up between now and Round 1
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I wonder if McInerney moving to the wing pushed Lloyd further back into defence.
Would be interesting to understand this. I think Roberts is the preferred distributor out of defence and I think Cox will look to the future and give him the opportunity to cement that role.
I like Roberts but again his bye isn't ideal.
Would be interesting to understand this. I think Roberts is the preferred distributor out of defence and I think Cox will look to the future and give him the opportunity to cement that role.
I like Roberts but again his bye isn't ideal.
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Clark actually underpriced based on how he finished last year, Ryan overpriced on the same basis, obviously invert that if start of season is what you want to use for them. They had a pretty clear style change later in the season that meant a lot more go from backline and less chipping which obviously explains the change from Ryan to Clark. Ryan has started the last couple of seasons like a house on fire though so could be a very good case made that is a trend to back.
Sinclair needs to play the preseason games for me to be interested, had the calf, iirc, last preseason and started very slowly as a result, was also playing more midfield which he doesn't score as well in generally.
NWM is more an upside play, he's so silky and the team clearly want the pill in his hands so more a case of hoping he can make the jump to the elite tier, I rate him and love watching him so that biases me though!
He's on my watchlist but would need to see a lot of things go right to move beyond that. The r0 bye is a huge factor, basically take away the first 10ppg in improvement off him for the first 6 weeks. New coach is another huge factor, gameplan, how will he be used and the like are all valid questions. Blakey, Florent, Paton and Lloyd all other names that could take rebounding turns. Will Lloyd be wing or defense? If McCartin plays forward, can we cover for having multiple non-defenders down back in Roberts, Florent and Lloyd? Just a lot of questions. Throw in small sample size that could be a blip. Also have Mills return, if he plays midfield he'll still sweep as that's his natural style, which again cannibalises from the other defenders.
He definitely could be a great pick, natural ball finder and good user but I've got a lot of questions to ask. Doesn't help that he obviously shares both byes with Mills who is a much better option, imo, at this point in time. Worth noting that Sydney share the early bye with Geelong (also Brisbane and Pies who aren't as relevant, imo) who could also have multiple options and then also share with GC & Collingwood who have two of the top DEF carryover options and several options on other lines as well at round 14.
At the moment I've got a few other names I like more than him in that price region such as Rivers, Duggan, Saad, McKercher, Farrell and Short but I think you can make at least as good a case against for all of them as well. Realistically, it's just not a great batch of options right now.
My dream remains that 3 startable rookies come along, I'm not actually worried about the bench guys, they'll be there, but if there can be 3 starters then I can just pick Mills at D3. At the moment I'd say that Smith and Williams are probably the best bets but both have some battles to win.
It hurts that even all the forwards playing defense this year are already DPP so can't actually be swung back early (Daniel, Maric and Baker).
Other positions all look strong though to me, so will probably just be hoping to put a heavy early focus on DEF upgrades. The positive is that all of GC, GWS, Brisbane, Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon and Hawthorn have good potential targets post bye and the byes are pretty early, especially the GWS/GC one where we can actually get them before price changes.
Sinclair needs to play the preseason games for me to be interested, had the calf, iirc, last preseason and started very slowly as a result, was also playing more midfield which he doesn't score as well in generally.
NWM is more an upside play, he's so silky and the team clearly want the pill in his hands so more a case of hoping he can make the jump to the elite tier, I rate him and love watching him so that biases me though!
He's on my watchlist but would need to see a lot of things go right to move beyond that. The r0 bye is a huge factor, basically take away the first 10ppg in improvement off him for the first 6 weeks. New coach is another huge factor, gameplan, how will he be used and the like are all valid questions. Blakey, Florent, Paton and Lloyd all other names that could take rebounding turns. Will Lloyd be wing or defense? If McCartin plays forward, can we cover for having multiple non-defenders down back in Roberts, Florent and Lloyd? Just a lot of questions. Throw in small sample size that could be a blip. Also have Mills return, if he plays midfield he'll still sweep as that's his natural style, which again cannibalises from the other defenders.
He definitely could be a great pick, natural ball finder and good user but I've got a lot of questions to ask. Doesn't help that he obviously shares both byes with Mills who is a much better option, imo, at this point in time. Worth noting that Sydney share the early bye with Geelong (also Brisbane and Pies who aren't as relevant, imo) who could also have multiple options and then also share with GC & Collingwood who have two of the top DEF carryover options and several options on other lines as well at round 14.
At the moment I've got a few other names I like more than him in that price region such as Rivers, Duggan, Saad, McKercher, Farrell and Short but I think you can make at least as good a case against for all of them as well. Realistically, it's just not a great batch of options right now.
My dream remains that 3 startable rookies come along, I'm not actually worried about the bench guys, they'll be there, but if there can be 3 starters then I can just pick Mills at D3. At the moment I'd say that Smith and Williams are probably the best bets but both have some battles to win.
It hurts that even all the forwards playing defense this year are already DPP so can't actually be swung back early (Daniel, Maric and Baker).
Other positions all look strong though to me, so will probably just be hoping to put a heavy early focus on DEF upgrades. The positive is that all of GC, GWS, Brisbane, Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon and Hawthorn have good potential targets post bye and the byes are pretty early, especially the GWS/GC one where we can actually get them before price changes.
The problem for me (and probably for most people) is that I both want to bat deep in defence, and that I have lower confidence on the picks on offer. Right now Mills is sitting at D6 and I can't see my structure putting him anywhere higher than D5.
Looking at the options:
Flanders: Early bye, top price, injury concerns. Not to mention question marks over his role and whether he gets fed the ball in 2025.
Sheezel: I'd really love to fade him. The prospect of getting him in Round 13 is extremely tantalising. The question is whether he's the #1 or 2 mid or if he's that link between midfield and forward. He will obviously be involved anywhere he plays and by process of elmination he probably has to start.
Ryan: No interest. Could always come out flying but his starting price seems a bit too high.
Whitfield: Considering him. Early bye but not the worst one. Has missed a lot of games but through contact injuries. Playing off half-back is less contested and they want the ball in his hands.
Zorko: Old, worst early bye. Pass.
McGovern: Very good bye, definitely will be the main man down back. Price is a bit too expensive for me but he could be anywhere between a very good pick to an atrocious one.
Sinclair: I wasn't hot on him before the injury and even less so. Still think he was a fine enough option.
Houston: Early bye and it's the worst one; not sure how Collingwood utilise him (off half-back but does he monopolise the kick-ins) and we won't see it in Round 0.
Martin: Early bye but a better one than Houston; seems to pushing back up to a wing role with licence to hunt the pill. In consideration but the role probably isn't good enough.
Clark: Been in my side since the start. Great bye, plays HB and intercepts. I'm looking for a solid 100-105 player and he fits the bill.
NWM: Basically the same as Clark, except he probably doesn't intercept as much.
Holmes: Terrible bye but DPP could hide him a little. Still, think he's probably a 100-105 player and talk from the Cats doesn't have him as a pure inside MID.
Sicily: Question marks over whether he's pushed forward or not. He could be 10 ppg underpriced and even with the early bye, that's definitely someone to consider.
Dale: Round 12 bye is a killer; don't see him pushing much higher than a 100 avg.
Others I have considered:
McKercher: All the concerns I have with Sheezel but will probably have a worse role with stints in an excellent role.
Roberts: Early bye another killer here. In consideration but hard to know how a new coach will play his system.
SDK: If rucking to start the season I'll take a punt. Currently D5 but I could try to upgrade him if I had to.
Mills: Basically locked in from day one.
Looking at the options:
Flanders: Early bye, top price, injury concerns. Not to mention question marks over his role and whether he gets fed the ball in 2025.
Sheezel: I'd really love to fade him. The prospect of getting him in Round 13 is extremely tantalising. The question is whether he's the #1 or 2 mid or if he's that link between midfield and forward. He will obviously be involved anywhere he plays and by process of elmination he probably has to start.
Ryan: No interest. Could always come out flying but his starting price seems a bit too high.
Whitfield: Considering him. Early bye but not the worst one. Has missed a lot of games but through contact injuries. Playing off half-back is less contested and they want the ball in his hands.
Zorko: Old, worst early bye. Pass.
McGovern: Very good bye, definitely will be the main man down back. Price is a bit too expensive for me but he could be anywhere between a very good pick to an atrocious one.
Sinclair: I wasn't hot on him before the injury and even less so. Still think he was a fine enough option.
Houston: Early bye and it's the worst one; not sure how Collingwood utilise him (off half-back but does he monopolise the kick-ins) and we won't see it in Round 0.
Martin: Early bye but a better one than Houston; seems to pushing back up to a wing role with licence to hunt the pill. In consideration but the role probably isn't good enough.
Clark: Been in my side since the start. Great bye, plays HB and intercepts. I'm looking for a solid 100-105 player and he fits the bill.
NWM: Basically the same as Clark, except he probably doesn't intercept as much.
Holmes: Terrible bye but DPP could hide him a little. Still, think he's probably a 100-105 player and talk from the Cats doesn't have him as a pure inside MID.
Sicily: Question marks over whether he's pushed forward or not. He could be 10 ppg underpriced and even with the early bye, that's definitely someone to consider.
Dale: Round 12 bye is a killer; don't see him pushing much higher than a 100 avg.
Others I have considered:
McKercher: All the concerns I have with Sheezel but will probably have a worse role with stints in an excellent role.
Roberts: Early bye another killer here. In consideration but hard to know how a new coach will play his system.
SDK: If rucking to start the season I'll take a punt. Currently D5 but I could try to upgrade him if I had to.
Mills: Basically locked in from day one.
Currently my D1 to D4 are :-
Sheezel
Clark
NWM
Mills
Z Reid & Busslinger at D7 & D8
Hoping Bo Allan can be a viable starter at D5/ reports on him so far positive, looking fwd to seeing in the preseason games. Hoping 1 more def rookie becomes a viable starter - maybe SEH or Leake for example can impress over the next few weeks.
Sheezel
Clark
NWM
Mills
Z Reid & Busslinger at D7 & D8
Hoping Bo Allan can be a viable starter at D5/ reports on him so far positive, looking fwd to seeing in the preseason games. Hoping 1 more def rookie becomes a viable starter - maybe SEH or Leake for example can impress over the next few weeks.