Opinion Forward Discussions

[BigRuss]

Is anybody else struggling to pick premiums in their forward lines?

For me there are only two that I am comfortable with for my starting team and then two that I think are too expensive to start with so will be upgrade targets.

I'm thinking of starting with a 2-2-4 setup.

Most certainly the line I'm struggling most with. I'm assuming Barlow and Martin are locks. I'm structured at the moment with Montagna Dahl Dusty and Barlow. Not entirely happy with it but like you said there really isn't too many others I feel comfortable with.

Really hoping someone like Greene pops up in the NAB.

 

[Leroy]

I'm struggling with the same problem.

Lids is a great scorer but comes with an injury cloud - will certainly be top 6 for average but has missed 4 and 5 games respectively the last two years.
Montagna will be a top scoring forward but may slip to 100-105 when priced at around 110 which makes him tricky to pick.

And did anybody actually watch Barlow last year? He struggled to kick a ball more than 40m - something was seriously wrong with his legs (one instance that really sticks in my mind is of him lining up for goal, the start of his run up just beyond the 50 but he was looking to give it off. He didn't back himself to make the journey ) Anybody know if this will be any better in 2016?

After Dusty then there are only relatively "risky" picks (Bennel, Zorko, Wingard types).

So I'm looking at something like a 3-1-5 at the moment, purely for not wanting to risk 500k on a flaky premo.

 

[Frankel]

The forward rookies look potentially strong this year, there are a handful of 200-250k options with big upside too. Might be the year to cheap out in the forward line.

 

[jaca]

Is Daisy Thomas being considered by anyone? I guess at that price you'd almost want to keep him, but could be a stepping stone? Has scored well in the past when uninjured (i know, I know...)

 

[Monya Meow Meow]

Is anybody else struggling to pick premiums in their forward lines?

For me there are only two that I am comfortable with for my starting team and then two that I think are too expensive to start with so will be upgrade targets.

I'm thinking of starting with a 2-2-4 setup.

Same here mate, thinking of going light in my forward line this year (like I do every year ha).
Currently have Dusty, Dahl and Barlow as the only premium selections.

 

[t.thomas6]

Watch Wells over the pre season. If fit you almost can't afford to leave him out. An absolute steal at current price. One of a few players you'd really pay to watch when at 100%.

Anderson on the other hand...as a North supporter...not sure. Heard good things from Hawks supporters (who weren't filthy with him going), but no idea how Scotty wants to use him. Bit awkward at current price and various unknowns.

 

[Darkie]

Is anybody else struggling to pick premiums in their forward lines?

For me there are only two that I am comfortable with for my starting team and then two that I think are too expensive to start with so will be upgrade targets.

I'm thinking of starting with a 2-2-4 setup.

Same issue here. The forwards looked the toughest line for good options when SC Gold opened, and I don't think anything has changed for me.

I think it's a combination of fewer really good M/F options (no Gray, Swan, Goddard, Bartel, TMitch, Bont) and last year's top scorers being overpriced (Lids, Montagna), unproven (Dahlhaus), not durable/reliable (Bennell) or at risk of slipping due to role/structure change (Zorko, maybe Wingard).

I think Martin is the safest pick there is, with some TOG upside. Boomer and Barlow are both fallen premiums with either a sub or injury discount. I have all three, and they're the only ones I'm comfortable with. I also have Wells as a deep value pick, although he's really only just above a top rookie price.

I've gone with five hopeful keepers in the def line to compensate for a lack of good options up forward. It sounds like that will also work well with the forward rookies being fairly attractive, although Petracca may be less viable now given his toe injury.

 

[Darkie]

I've also given Buddy and especially Roughy much more consideration than normal (given they are KPFs).

Buddy looks high risk but potentially high reward. More of an upgrade target for me, if he looks the goods.

Roughy is an interesting one. Consistently just outside the very top forwards, which is pretty attractive given this year's crop. Also more durable than I might have guessed.

 

[Dynamo]

I've also given Buddy and especially Roughy much more consideration than normal (given they are KPFs).

Buddy looks high risk but potentially high reward. More of an upgrade target for me, if he looks the goods.

Roughy is an interesting one. Consistently just outside the very top forwards, which is pretty attractive given this year's crop. Also more durable than I might have guessed.

Do we think that Roughy might ruck a bit more this year with Hale's retirement. Might make him a few more points through the year.

 

[IDIG]

Is anybody else struggling to pick premiums in their forward lines?

For me there are only two that I am comfortable with for my starting team and then two that I think are too expensive to start with so will be upgrade targets.

I'm thinking of starting with a 2-2-4 setup.

I flirted with the idea of a 2-4-2 but came to my senses almost straight away. Wells, Anderson, Lyons and Berger do have a heap of upside though!

I've only really got Dusty locked in at the moment, the rest have been in and out of my team depending on price/structure.

 

[IDIG]

Most certainly the line I'm struggling most with. I'm assuming Barlow and Martin are locks. I'm structured at the moment with Montagna Dahl Dusty and Barlow. Not entirely happy with it but like you said there really isn't too many others I feel comfortable with.

Really hoping someone like Greene pops up in the NAB.

You reckon there's any improvement in Wingard Russ? Averaged less than 20 possies a game last year in a toughish year for your boys, with an easier draw he could cash in with a bag or 10?

 

[Ben's Beasts]

I flirted with the idea of a 2-4-2 but came to my senses almost straight away. Wells, Anderson, Lyons and Berger do have a heap of upside though!

I've only really got Dusty locked in at the moment, the rest have been in and out of my team depending on price/structure.

With the news of Leuey's injury flare up I'm trying to do a 3-1-4 setup now. It's proving to be very hard!

 

[BigRuss]

You reckon there's any improvement in Wingard Russ? Averaged less than 20 possies a game last year in a toughish year for your boys, with an easier draw he could cash in with a bag or 10?

Yeah mate theres definitely room for improvement still. Averaged more in 2013 then he did last year also. Only thing turning me off him at the moment is that our forward structure has changed quite considerably from all accounts. For the most part Having Dixon down there should mean more crumbs which should mean more goals. Like you said we have a pretty soft run this year and we should hopefully belt some teams and I reckon hell be a big part of that. Whether he can add the + 6-10ppg youd want from him is anyones guess.

 

[IDIG]

With the news of Leuey's injury flare up I'm trying to do a 3-1-4 setup now. It's proving to be very hard!

Yeah unless he has a massive showing through the preseason he's off the shortlist for now. I'm settled on 4-0-4 for now, fingers crossed we get the rookies.

Yeah mate theres definitely room for improvement still. Averaged more in 2013 then he did last year also. Only thing turning me off him at the moment is that our forward structure has changed quite considerably from all accounts. For the most part Having Dixon down there should mean more crumbs which should mean more goals. Like you said we have a pretty soft run this year and we should hopefully belt some teams and I reckon hell be a big part of that. Whether he can add the + 6-10ppg youd want from him is anyones guess.

Cheers mate. 50 goals last season which is a massive effort all things considered. Not sure how much he can improve on that number though but a few more Port wins he should at least jump up a few points I think. 100-105 would be a solid result and have him right up there if he can play all games.

For now he's in my team because i've made a conscious decision to start blokes in his age bracket but as we all know alot can change between now and final lockout!

 

[PC]

Is Daisy Thomas being considered by anyone? I guess at that price you'd almost want to keep him, but could be a stepping stone? Has scored well in the past when uninjured (i know, I know...)

Jaca, you are not alone - I had in him the draft side for a day or two and then figured the risk was too high...that may change between now and lock out (probably not though). He is an elite runner and the injury last year was shoulder rather than lower body from memory. New coach, new team attitude, he needs to step up and priced at an avg of 60 odd, may be underpriced - MAY...

 

[Bontempele]

What are North's supporters take on Wells and Anderson? Awkward price, would need at least 80ave to be worth taking

Big no for Wells - he won't play enough games in a row to be worth getting.
Anderson is not quite cheap enough to be worth getting as he won't average more than 70 given his outside running style.

 

[Nathan]

Big no for Wells - he won't play enough games in a row to be worth getting.
Anderson is not quite cheap enough to be worth getting as he won't average more than 70 given his outside running style.

Anderson is a good clearance player and tackler, has kicked some bags in the VFL too.
Not in my team but he's more than just an outside runner.

 

[Bontempele]

Anderson is a good clearance player and tackler, has kicked some bags in the VFL too.
Not in my team but he's more than just an outside runner.

Yeah I'm sure he'll develop into an inside/outside player in a few years. But we have Ziebs, Cunnington, Swallow and Jacobs rotating between 3 on-ball spots, which leaves no room for anyone else.

 

[Bontempele]

With the news of Leuey's injury flare up I'm trying to do a 3-1-4 setup now. It's proving to be very hard!

Does anyone have more details or a link for Berger's injury flare up?

 

[Ben's Beasts]

Does anyone have more details or a link for Berger's injury flare up?

Nothing in concrete. My source is a guy who was at Essendon's training overhead Worsfold mention something about an injury flare up for Leuenberger.

It so happens that Leuey wasn't training that day either which adds fuel to the fire.