Craig Bird for me. I have been trying very hard to fit both him and Leuey in at F4/5. Definitely one to watch. Lock him in if he plays that pure mid role in NAB Challenge. Hearing Crowley will be a top-up, which eliminates the risk of him tagging. After all, Worsfold recruited him to be a ball winning midfielder and play a bit off half back, before the suspensions, so his role could only be better now.
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sorry to butt in. Bombers obviously didn't have a great season. were a few players in a and out and obviously roles were hard to figure out and I wath every bombers game!
Zach just finished his 2nd season, he looks like a smart footballer and makes quick and good decisions and is good disposal - he can play all over the ground really. another pre season, extra conditioning for his tank and the vacant midfield is his for the taking this season. he will be within the top 4 players at essendon in the guts rotations for mine this season. he had a few games last year with 10+ tackles. i feel he will be tackling all year! i think a 95 average is on table this year. besides the fresh rookies, he is the standout type on our list to give full midfield time to this season. i feel a similar scoring to that of rischitelli in the early GC days.
decent price, looks certain for a SC friendly role all year. i get and see the hype. this pick is starting to feel more obvious than starting a 550k forward besides dusty.
Zach just finished his 2nd season, he looks like a smart footballer and makes quick and good decisions and is good disposal - he can play all over the ground really. another pre season, extra conditioning for his tank and the vacant midfield is his for the taking this season. he will be within the top 4 players at essendon in the guts rotations for mine this season. he had a few games last year with 10+ tackles. i feel he will be tackling all year! i think a 95 average is on table this year. besides the fresh rookies, he is the standout type on our list to give full midfield time to this season. i feel a similar scoring to that of rischitelli in the early GC days.
decent price, looks certain for a SC friendly role all year. i get and see the hype. this pick is starting to feel more obvious than starting a 550k forward besides dusty.
if you pick bird, you are really picking someone whilst wearing a blindfold. you just don't know what type of return you will get! bird was picked before they got worsfold i vaguely think? so who knows how worsfold views him for this season, but if he is trying to establish how things will look at the bombers in the upcoming years, does he value development of players with perceived more potential and give them better roles? or does he give a better role to a bird type more often? at the time he was picked i thought he was simply a like for like replacement for the loss of Melksham - and initially i thought he would be in the best 22 most weeks. nice footballer coming from an awesome team in Sydney. with the developments at Essendon i guess naturally any senior type player at Essendon warrants a look in this year!
Bird doesn't give me the impression that he is oozing confidence or the young players are going to feel that they have to give him the ball or that they must give him the ball. now that obviously is only a personal, completely non tangible point of view! even despite appearing not confident, that doesn't equate to poor performance on game day. every athlete obviously has different personalities - maybe id rather get an impression that he is oozing leadership and will rub off on the team as that is what i think Essendon really needs this year. perhaps it is a random reason to be against picking someone, but the stats aren't really going to help with warranting picking him with this one.
i think for midpriced forward/mid he is a poor pick priced at 348k, i base this on gut feel and his previous numbers aren't convincing for mine. if worsfold doesn't see a long term type of role past this season, i don't feel he will get the more rewarding roles for SC scoring this season. he will average in the 70s for mine, much like a matty wright pick a few years ago when people thought he would break out after going 90 average one year?
feel that this post has no structure, apologies! don't see enough upside on that very awkward priced pick. wells or lyons are way safer or better picks.
i don't think he has enough class to perform at a good enough SC standard in this team to be a good pick at 348k - no matter what team structure i look at, bird is not even on my watchlist!
Bird doesn't give me the impression that he is oozing confidence or the young players are going to feel that they have to give him the ball or that they must give him the ball. now that obviously is only a personal, completely non tangible point of view! even despite appearing not confident, that doesn't equate to poor performance on game day. every athlete obviously has different personalities - maybe id rather get an impression that he is oozing leadership and will rub off on the team as that is what i think Essendon really needs this year. perhaps it is a random reason to be against picking someone, but the stats aren't really going to help with warranting picking him with this one.
i think for midpriced forward/mid he is a poor pick priced at 348k, i base this on gut feel and his previous numbers aren't convincing for mine. if worsfold doesn't see a long term type of role past this season, i don't feel he will get the more rewarding roles for SC scoring this season. he will average in the 70s for mine, much like a matty wright pick a few years ago when people thought he would break out after going 90 average one year?
feel that this post has no structure, apologies! don't see enough upside on that very awkward priced pick. wells or lyons are way safer or better picks.
i don't think he has enough class to perform at a good enough SC standard in this team to be a good pick at 348k - no matter what team structure i look at, bird is not even on my watchlist!
Thanks Torress - not butting in at all, I appreciate your thoughts. I noticed that his SC score seems to be high when he tackles a lot, as well as when he kicks the ball (his K:H can be low at times).
I would have thought 95 is probably in the ball park as well. It's also around what Rischitelli scored first year at GC, before going downhill. With that said, it's not overly appetising if he is to be picked as a keeper in the forward line. It would also be picking a weakish potential keeper who is unproven, which is not really how I tend to approach it. He should outperform his price, but it's not like he's all that cheap either.
I agree that there aren't many dear-but-attractive forward options this year, so I'm running with Dusty, Boomer and Barlow. Merrett looks to be clearly behind the latter two for me even with the new info, and I may just leave my forward premo line-up at that!
I'm not keen on Bird either (from a much less informed perspective) but happened to come across the below on Footywire, indicating that Worsfold was at the Bombers when Bird was picked up. Those plans may have changed now anyway, as it happens.
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Former Swan Craig Bird says he was successfully wooed by John Worsfold and the Bombers.
"'Woosha' saw a spot for me in the team and he was pretty keen to get me down here. I was obviously disappointed to leave Sydney," Bird said.
"I loved my time in Sydney and we had great success there but I think Essendon were a bit more keen to get me down here than what Sydney was to keep me, so at the end of the day I was pretty excited by that and I'm looking forward to working under Woosha."
I would have thought 95 is probably in the ball park as well. It's also around what Rischitelli scored first year at GC, before going downhill. With that said, it's not overly appetising if he is to be picked as a keeper in the forward line. It would also be picking a weakish potential keeper who is unproven, which is not really how I tend to approach it. He should outperform his price, but it's not like he's all that cheap either.
I agree that there aren't many dear-but-attractive forward options this year, so I'm running with Dusty, Boomer and Barlow. Merrett looks to be clearly behind the latter two for me even with the new info, and I may just leave my forward premo line-up at that!
I'm not keen on Bird either (from a much less informed perspective) but happened to come across the below on Footywire, indicating that Worsfold was at the Bombers when Bird was picked up. Those plans may have changed now anyway, as it happens.
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Former Swan Craig Bird says he was successfully wooed by John Worsfold and the Bombers.
"'Woosha' saw a spot for me in the team and he was pretty keen to get me down here. I was obviously disappointed to leave Sydney," Bird said.
"I loved my time in Sydney and we had great success there but I think Essendon were a bit more keen to get me down here than what Sydney was to keep me, so at the end of the day I was pretty excited by that and I'm looking forward to working under Woosha."
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So despite my rule of no key position DEF's or FWD's after the failed McGovern experiment and Buddy not doing as well as usual. I have still somehow come across Kurt Tippett with his RUC/FWD DPP.
At an average of 89.9, Tippett has had a decent year with a slowish start, small bare patch through the middle but had a very strong finish.
A quick look at his scores and it seems he struggled against the stronger teams, especially Hawthorn. Without having watched many of his games, I am presuming he did a fair share of rucking in the games he scored big in, and also converted a few goals.
Swans supporters, and any SCS members, what's his role going to be in 2016, still a full forward who will rotate through the ruck with Sinclair?? Will he do more ruck work this year? Would love to hear some thoughts, thanks
At an average of 89.9, Tippett has had a decent year with a slowish start, small bare patch through the middle but had a very strong finish.
A quick look at his scores and it seems he struggled against the stronger teams, especially Hawthorn. Without having watched many of his games, I am presuming he did a fair share of rucking in the games he scored big in, and also converted a few goals.
Swans supporters, and any SCS members, what's his role going to be in 2016, still a full forward who will rotate through the ruck with Sinclair?? Will he do more ruck work this year? Would love to hear some thoughts, thanks
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So despite my rule of no key position DEF's or FWD's after the failed McGovern experiment and Buddy not doing as well as usual. I have still somehow come across Kurt Tippett with his RUC/FWD DPP.
At an average of 89.9, Tippett has had a decent year with a slowish start, small bare patch through the middle but had a very strong finish.
A quick look at his scores and it seems he struggled against the stronger teams, especially Hawthorn. Without having watched many of his games, I am presuming he did a fair share of rucking in the games he scored big in, and also converted a few goals.
View attachment 821
Swans supporters, and any SCS members, what's his role going to be in 2016, still a full forward who will rotate through the ruck with Sinclair?? Will he do more ruck work this year? Would love to hear some thoughts, thanks
At an average of 89.9, Tippett has had a decent year with a slowish start, small bare patch through the middle but had a very strong finish.
A quick look at his scores and it seems he struggled against the stronger teams, especially Hawthorn. Without having watched many of his games, I am presuming he did a fair share of rucking in the games he scored big in, and also converted a few goals.
View attachment 821
Swans supporters, and any SCS members, what's his role going to be in 2016, still a full forward who will rotate through the ruck with Sinclair?? Will he do more ruck work this year? Would love to hear some thoughts, thanks
Hmm, i don't need this Buddy. I was just feeling happy with my team!
Mobile Franklin stars in Swans' scratch match
Adam Curley January 22, 2016 10:39 AM
LANCE Franklin has continued his solid pre-season with an impressive performance in the Sydney Swans' intra-club practice match on Friday.
Opposed to off-season recruit Michael Talia for most of the 40-minute hit out in Sydney's inner west, Franklin moved well, covered plenty of territory and won numerous possessions around the ground playing as a leading forward.
The three-time Coleman medallist also laid several big tackles and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his pressure, showing off a defensive side of his game that is largely underrated by the footy public.
Franklin had a minor finger operation before the Christmas break but appeared untroubled during the spirited scratch match.
Regular defender Dane Rampe was prominent in his usual role, but also showed some good signs when he spent some time playing as a midfielder, while Brandon Jack was lively on ball and as a permanent forward.
Experienced heads Heath Grundy and Nick Smith looked sharp playing in defence, as did star midfielders Luke Parker, Dan Hannebery and co-captain Kieren Jack.
Of the younger brigade, injury-riddled rookie Nic Newman looked polished off half-back, while the Swans' first pick in last year's NAB AFL draft at No.3, Callum Mills, showed class and composure under pressure.
Co-captain Jarryd McVeigh, reigning club champion Josh Kennedy, young gun Isaac Heeney and exciting forward Sam Reid were some of the key Swans to sit out of the match as they continue to be managed through the pre-season.
Mobile Franklin stars in Swans' scratch match
Adam Curley January 22, 2016 10:39 AM
LANCE Franklin has continued his solid pre-season with an impressive performance in the Sydney Swans' intra-club practice match on Friday.
Opposed to off-season recruit Michael Talia for most of the 40-minute hit out in Sydney's inner west, Franklin moved well, covered plenty of territory and won numerous possessions around the ground playing as a leading forward.
The three-time Coleman medallist also laid several big tackles and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his pressure, showing off a defensive side of his game that is largely underrated by the footy public.
Franklin had a minor finger operation before the Christmas break but appeared untroubled during the spirited scratch match.
Regular defender Dane Rampe was prominent in his usual role, but also showed some good signs when he spent some time playing as a midfielder, while Brandon Jack was lively on ball and as a permanent forward.
Experienced heads Heath Grundy and Nick Smith looked sharp playing in defence, as did star midfielders Luke Parker, Dan Hannebery and co-captain Kieren Jack.
Of the younger brigade, injury-riddled rookie Nic Newman looked polished off half-back, while the Swans' first pick in last year's NAB AFL draft at No.3, Callum Mills, showed class and composure under pressure.
Co-captain Jarryd McVeigh, reigning club champion Josh Kennedy, young gun Isaac Heeney and exciting forward Sam Reid were some of the key Swans to sit out of the match as they continue to be managed through the pre-season.
I'm in the same boat freowho...
His rucking points bonus is certainly an attraction for me as a power forward who can kick goals. I think Rowsus mentioned in something along the line of keep a watch on how Sinclair (replacing Pyke) affects his rucking time. With that says, in the games which I've watch him playing the ruck/forward role, he looks to be a very competent ruckman who can dominate when going to the forward line...I think that's the key in selecting a R/F.
His rucking points bonus is certainly an attraction for me as a power forward who can kick goals. I think Rowsus mentioned in something along the line of keep a watch on how Sinclair (replacing Pyke) affects his rucking time. With that says, in the games which I've watch him playing the ruck/forward role, he looks to be a very competent ruckman who can dominate when going to the forward line...I think that's the key in selecting a R/F.
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What do we make of the fact that he's never averaged higher than 90 in a season? This of course in two very competitive finals teams in Adelaide and Sydney over the last decade. I can definitely see him making the jump to low 100s if he shoulders more responsibility in the ruck, but that seems like a risk not worth taking. With guys like Goldstein, Martin, Jacobs, Nic Nat and Mumford all capable of premium midfielder numbers in the ruck, you don't really want him playing there, and if one of those previous guys were to get injured, it would be more advantageous to just sideways to another. And in the forward line, 90 is hardly a premium score; +20 players are available this year in the fwd line. Too many ? marks for mine!
Interested in the Tippett discussion. Don't think you can reasonably expect more than 90 from him, but think it's more complicated than just saying 90 isn't a premo forward, because he's there as ruck cover as well once he's swung forward.
I think a viable R/F starting at R2 is the most elegant solution to the overpriced Goldy problem, but just not sure what you need from him to make that a better solution than the other three (1. Lobbe upgraded to Goldy; 2. Forget Goldy; 3. Pay top $$ for Goldy).
If you could guarantee 90 for Tippett, I think I'd lock him in.
EDIT: Some back of the napkin calculations have put me back in the Lobbe camp...
I think a viable R/F starting at R2 is the most elegant solution to the overpriced Goldy problem, but just not sure what you need from him to make that a better solution than the other three (1. Lobbe upgraded to Goldy; 2. Forget Goldy; 3. Pay top $$ for Goldy).
If you could guarantee 90 for Tippett, I think I'd lock him in.
EDIT: Some back of the napkin calculations have put me back in the Lobbe camp...
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I'm not disputing that he carries some risks but so do most players to some degree. I'm considering him for my team as a forward and not as one of the rucks. On the surface, history suggests that he has set his scoring pattern and there's not much scope for improvement in his scoring potential. However, I believed the landscape surrounding the rucks at the Swan have changed as pointed out by Rowsus in his players analysis thread.
If he was only available as R only then he would never come into consideration, but now that he's eligible as an R/F his stocks have risen for my team as a forward. Whether I decide to start with him will be hinged on the structure I adopt in the Rucks. He's no certainty, but currently my F4 at the moment.
If he was only available as R only then he would never come into consideration, but now that he's eligible as an R/F his stocks have risen for my team as a forward. Whether I decide to start with him will be hinged on the structure I adopt in the Rucks. He's no certainty, but currently my F4 at the moment.
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Yeah totally agree on that first point. I think Goldstein, Martin & Jacobs will outscore him by a good 10-20 ppg, though he will very likely be in the top 20 for forwards by end of this season. Just not sure if he can push that top 6-10 in the fwd line given he's competing with quite a few midfielders.
On his DPP, and ruck cover part, this is where I'm not so sure I'm sold and I'd like to hear others input on how valuable having the R/F is as cover. Last year was a bit of a test case with 2 bench spots in the ruck going down to 1. My thought process going into 2015 was that having an R/F cover in the rucks would be extremely important, as sitting a floating donut in R3 would create issues if either your R1 or R2 missed a game (essentially forcing a sideways trade). For this reason, I started with Bellchambers with the intention of keeping him all season. What ended up happening, was Bellchambers severely underperformed, forcing me to trade early into Jacobs.
Goldstein & Jacobs pretty much played every game for the rest of season with only Goldstein being rested in the final round.
I guess it depends on who you intend on your R1 & R2 being and whether you think you will need cover for them.
I consider Goldstein & Martin as the clear targets for R1 & R2, and as such, I don't think the R/F will benefit a team with those 2 as your rucks. If one of those mentioned does go down with an injury, will likely just sideways them to Jacobs as he has proven durability, is unlikely to be rested, and will score at a similar output.
On his DPP, and ruck cover part, this is where I'm not so sure I'm sold and I'd like to hear others input on how valuable having the R/F is as cover. Last year was a bit of a test case with 2 bench spots in the ruck going down to 1. My thought process going into 2015 was that having an R/F cover in the rucks would be extremely important, as sitting a floating donut in R3 would create issues if either your R1 or R2 missed a game (essentially forcing a sideways trade). For this reason, I started with Bellchambers with the intention of keeping him all season. What ended up happening, was Bellchambers severely underperformed, forcing me to trade early into Jacobs.
Goldstein & Jacobs pretty much played every game for the rest of season with only Goldstein being rested in the final round.
I guess it depends on who you intend on your R1 & R2 being and whether you think you will need cover for them.
I consider Goldstein & Martin as the clear targets for R1 & R2, and as such, I don't think the R/F will benefit a team with those 2 as your rucks. If one of those mentioned does go down with an injury, will likely just sideways them to Jacobs as he has proven durability, is unlikely to be rested, and will score at a similar output.
I like covering the rucks from the forward line. It's just a strategy I feel comfortable with. I know there are many arguments about potential donuts vs quality players in the forward line and the player I use for cover can miss games but 3 rucks gives you a better chance of covering a donut than 2. Even the best rucks can get injured or rested. I covered 3 donuts late last year by having Ryder in the forward line and that makes me happy. 3 donuts with a bench players score equals about 200 points divided by 22 games is roughly 10 points a game. So if I have an 85 average player as ruck cover instead of a 95 average player as a proper keeper it's about breakeven. But if my rucks start missing 4,5 or more games during the year but don't have a "long term injury" than I think I'm in front because I've increased my chances of missing a donut and hopefully not gone through any trades just to avoid one. Some of the season reviews talk about using 4 or 5 trades during the year just on their ruck line.
Given that I have made this decision it is then a matter of who is the best cover. I had Ryder locked in until he got suspended for 12 months so who next? It's either a cheap rookie who stays on the bench but costs me a potential cash cow, so not ideal, or a keeper in the forward line who can get to 85 and with fingers crossed he gets more.
I must admit it's not a stellar cast to choose from. I think Tippett can do it with Sinclair and Lycett probably the other candidates.
3 donuts with a bench players score equals about 200 points divided by 22 games is roughly 10 points a game. So if I have an 85 average player as ruck cover instead of a 95 average player as a proper keeper it's about breakeven. But if my rucks start missing 4,5 or more games during the year but don't have a "long term injury" than I think I'm in front because I've increased my chances of missing a donut and hopefully not gone through any trades just to avoid one. Some of the season reviews talk about using 4 or 5 trades during the year just on their ruck line.Given that I have made this decision it is then a matter of who is the best cover. I had Ryder locked in until he got suspended for 12 months so who next? It's either a cheap rookie who stays on the bench but costs me a potential cash cow, so not ideal, or a keeper in the forward line who can get to 85 and with fingers crossed he gets more.
I must admit it's not a stellar cast to choose from. I think Tippett can do it with Sinclair and Lycett probably the other candidates.
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Everyone will have their own opinion and reason, but for me the R/F is more of a 'peace of mind' insurance for the scenario whereby one of my rucks is unavailable for the short term (1-2 weeks) either through a niggling injury or suspension, hence saving trades. It's by no means an absolute necessity for my team, however, if there's a forward that interests me and happens to have R/F, then he 'glows' that little bit brighter.
In the scenario you provided, would you still go ahead and trade if the injury was only a 1-2 weeks and potentially another trade to bring that player back if he happens to be the best ruckman?
In the scenario you provided, would you still go ahead and trade if the injury was only a 1-2 weeks and potentially another trade to bring that player back if he happens to be the best ruckman?