Opinion Forward Discussions

[GrainFedBeef]

I'm actually the opposite. I think the forward line is the easiest to find good options other than the midfield this year.

Barlow and Dusty are locks for me, as both as huge potential and little chance of dropping considering their scoring history.

I also like Wingard, as he's had 2 good years now, is going into his 5th year and Port should rise up the ladder.

Dahl and Zorko could be risky given Liba and Beams' returns, but both should at least average 95+ as they've had 2 good years in a row, and are moving into their peak.

And then there's always Lids who's not great value, but has averaged 110+ across his last season and a half.

Must say I am in the camp that forwards are hard.

Deledio a lock if he starts ok - however - risk is his achilles flairs up so safe choice is to target him.

Barlow - if not playing in centre his scoring was closer to 60-70 levels so has downside risk. Bennell in the side, which if Fyfe plays more forward, he takes that spot, so how does Barlow fit into rotation with Neale now sitting in front of him.

Wingard - only interesting if he receives midfield time. Not sure where the improvement comes from except Port maybe improving.

Zorko - benefitted from all the injuries last year so could drop 5pts at least on last year, unless he replaces Reddens role. See Rowsus analysis.

Dahl - does Libba back reduce his midfield time.

Lots of questions, NAB cup hopefully provides some answers. Happy to see the counter arguments if you think I am jumping at shadows.

 

[Bontempele]

Must say I am in the camp that forwards are hard.

Deledio a lock if he starts ok - however - risk is his achilles flairs up so safe choice is to target him.

Barlow - if not playing in centre his scoring was closer to 60-70 levels so has downside risk. Bennell in the side, which if Fyfe plays more forward, he takes that spot, so how does Barlow fit into rotation with Neale now sitting in front of him.

Wingard - only interesting if he receives midfield time. Not sure where the improvement comes from except Port maybe improving.

Zorko - benefitted from all the injuries last year so could drop 5pts at least on last year, unless he replaces Reddens role. See Rowsus analysis.

Dahl - does Libba back reduce his midfield time.

Lots of questions, NAB cup hopefully provides some answers. Happy to see the counter arguments if you think I am jumping at shadows.

I think you are right about Zorko and Dahlhaus, which is why they are not in my team currently. Although a drop of 5 points isn't disastrous as long as they stay above 95.

Yes Wingard might not improve, but the key is that he is unlikely to fall, and he will play 22 games. Likewise, Barlow has never averaged below 94 when fully fit, and is just too cheap to pass up given his scoring potential.

There is certainly no one with no reason to avoid them. However, I would argue that there are many more pitfalls in the defence and rucks.

 

[Courtesans]

Montagna, Martin, Barlow and Harvey at the minute, all seem 'safe' picks. Would like to give Bennell a guernsey but don't like what's going on with his preseason.

 

[Ben's Beasts]

Montagna, Martin, Barlow and Harvey at the minute, all seem 'safe' picks. Would like to give Bennell a guernsey but don't like what's going on with his preseason.

Out of interest, how many games are you expecting Boomer to play this year?

 

[benderiffic]

Out of interest, how many games are you expecting Boomer to play this year?

All of them! Breaks the record in rd 19 off the top of my head and also with our aspirations for a flag, he will be pressing hard

 

[Ben's Beasts]

All of them! Breaks the record in rd 19 off the top of my head and also with our aspirations for a flag, he will be pressing hard

I think he will be managed all year. He was the starting sub twice last year so with no sub rule this year I think he will miss at least two games.

 

[Courtesans]

Out of interest, how many games are you expecting Boomer to play this year?

I think from memory he needs 19 to break Michael Tucks record. I would think he would want to get on the park every game up until that stage. He would certainly want the record this year. He may miss a game or two, but so might everyone else.

Edit: oops a bit slow, didn't see Benders #185.

 

[Goodie's Guns]

I think he will be managed all year. He was the starting sub twice last year so with no sub rule this year I think he will miss at least two games.

Yeah I agree mate, must say I've been very surprised in the amount of interest in Harvey. Great scoring history, but surely he is managed this year.
The risk off him getting rested and resultant donut issues don't interest me one bit going by past experience of having too many guys that are either injury prone or injured.

 

[Ben's Beasts]

I think from memory he needs 19 to break Michael Tucks record. I would think he would want to get on the park every game up until that stage. He would certainly want the record this year. He may miss a game or two, but so might everyone else.

Edit: oops a bit slow, didn't see Benders #185.

He might want to be on the park but it's up to the coach.

I know he wasn't happy about being the starting sub twice but not his call.

 

[Courtesans]

He might want to be on the park but it's up to the coach.

I know he wasn't happy about being the starting sub twice but not his call.

True enough Ben.

 

[Prochard]

Don't like Boomer, only one I have/everyone has locked in is Martin. Probably going for 3-0-5 structure, so will pick 2 from
Bennell/Barlow/Wingard/Greene/Lynch

 

[benderiffic]

Yes he was sub twice last year. The first was Scott giving him a rocket because we no longer need him to try and do everything for us to win games, and the second was in rd 23 when we rested everyone against richmond. The fact we didnt give him the week off and played him as sub was a clear indication to me that he will be playing most if not all games this year. Locked for me

 

[Jurn Stern]

Yes he was sub twice last year. The first was Scott giving him a rocket because we no longer need him to try and do everything for us to win games, and the second was in rd 23 when we rested everyone against richmond. The fact we didnt give him the week off and played him as sub was a clear indication to me that he will be playing most if not all games this year. Locked for me

Agreed!

Since 2009 I think he's been at the age where he could get rested. Post 2009 he's gone 22 games @ 100.4 ave, 22 @ 101.1, 22 @ 95.5, 16 @ 104.1, 20 @ 107.7, 22 @ 90.1. Every year he proves me wrong.

I think the chance of him averaging above 95 and playing 20 games is higher than the averaging less than 95 or playing less than 20 games. What is the reason for an accelerated slow down now? He's a professional, and has shown no signs of suddenly becoming injury prone, and no signs of slowing down his scoring.

 

[Dimmawit]

also quite interested in boomer. as i recall the subs vest had to do with his defensive efforts.
cant rule out however that his age wont catch up with him, eventually it will..

 

[Snowman]

Toby Greene? He slips nicely into my preferred side at F4 . 4 seasons played and twice averaging 95plus but for some reason I'm just not 100% sold on him. Anyone have any mail on how this kids preseason is going or any word of a possible move back into the midfield rotation for 2016, or could someone possibly just talk me out of him completely so I can just move on

 

[kakarot]

Toby Greene? He slips nicely into my preferred side at F4 . 4 seasons played and twice averaging 95plus but for some reason I'm just not 100% sold on him. Anyone have any mail on how this kids preseason is going or any word of a possible move back into the midfield rotation for 2016, or could someone possibly just talk me out of him completely so I can just move on

I read somewhere that he finished in the top 6 in the GWS 2 or 3km run recently. So he's probably going well so far this preseason. I like him too, though he's not currently in my side. Would free up some money though and a great price for a start-of-year F4 keeper (who may end up your F7 at worst, and can cover 2 lines).

We just won't know until NAB games, or possibly even the 3rd and final one, where GWS go with their most favoured setup. Treloar's minutes in the middle have to absorbed, this is likely to be through multiple players. The players that were already playing there, but also Greene, Steele and Hopper. Devon Smith is capable as well. Given Greene is the most seasoned of the grunt players I mentioned, Treloar leaving may be the stars aligning for him.

Long story short, will be keeping a very keen eye on him. I don't think you can ignore him and move on just yet - given the lack of information we have atm, it's no doubt frustrating

 

[Junior Wölf]

I am really lost to have as my F4 and will depend on my F3.

I am currently locking in Dusty, Dahl and Barlow. Barring pre season injury, these three blokes are in my side. There seems to be a smorgasbord of players to pick. Players I have eyes on are

- Cyril Rioli
- Toby Greene
- Zac Merret
- Craig Bird

Are currently coming in and out of my side. Also add Jarryd Lyons at F5 with the cheaper options. The four players have great upside but also a downside. But perhaps it looks like all four will increase (substantially) on their averages if given the right environment aka More. Midfield. Time.

 

[Juzzo]

My F4 is Tom Lynch GC, but very few would have him in their team, he's a similar price to those others you are debating. I'm expecting (hoping) Lynch will have a blinder of a season and av 3 goals/game.

 

[Darkie]

^^ On Boomer, unless I have read something incorrectly, the last time he missed a game through injury was 2009, when he missed about six after undergoing elbow surgery.

It appears he hasn't been rested in at least a decade.

His missed games in the last three years have been through suspensions, in two stints. He could obviously get suspended again, and can be a bit of an angry character, but he has a pretty big incentive to control himself this year (possibly two).

He played 20 full, and two half, games in the home and away season last year. He can't be subbed again, but even if you said they rested him twice (which I think is highly unlikely until he breaks Tuck's record, and he's shown no need to be rested before), he would play 20, which is the same or better than 7 of the top 20 forwards.

His elbow injury and two suspensions appear to account for his only three stints on the sidelines in 11 years. He's old, but I don't think he's any higher injury/rest risk than a lot of others, and you could argue he's actually a lower risk than many.

 

[Ben's Beasts]

I am really lost to have as my F4 and will depend on my F3.

I am currently locking in Dusty, Dahl and Barlow. Barring pre season injury, these three blokes are in my side. There seems to be a smorgasbord of players to pick. Players I have eyes on are

- Cyril Rioli
- Toby Greene
- Zac Merret
- Craig Bird

Are currently coming in and out of my side. Also add Jarryd Lyons at F5 with the cheaper options. The four players have great upside but also a downside. But perhaps it looks like all four will increase (substantially) on their averages if given the right environment aka More. Midfield. Time.

I like Zac Merrett. Actually had him in my side before the Essendon drama and now he should get even more midfield minutes albeit in a side that gets smashed every week.