Buddy v Tippett?
Rucks are likely to be NicNat and Lobbe, if that matters.
Buddy clearly ahead on points in the first 10 rounds. Neither are likely to play all 22 games.
Both are likely to miss games - Bud hasn't played a full season since 2008 and Tippett since 2010.
Not as keen on Buddy as I might have been in the past and Tippett is R/F, which might be handy if you have a R/F on the ruck bench for covering donuts if Nic Nat or Lobbe miss a game (if Tippett doesn't miss at the same time). Never know quite what you get with these two...Tippett's R/F has me swayed towards him.
With Buddy, he's good for about half the season before his scores start dropping off and he starts missing games. So from past experience, start and stick with him or avoid him for the whole season if you don't want to be losing your mind. If lucky, you could use him as a stepping stone as such but the timing has to be right.
Thanks gents - I'm inclined to agree with much of this.
Weighing up the injury risks and Tippett's cover value is a bit tricky, but this is what I've come up with. It assumes both play 18 (about right for both, maybe slightly generous to Buddy given he has recently had mental health issues as well, and a fraction harsh on Tippett given he is presumably starting the year fit). I've assumed both meet their 2015 averages as well:
Buddy v Tippett
Assume 18 games @ 2015 average for each
Buddy 18 @ 87.1
F7-8 covers Buddy 4 games @ 65
Loose change buys 2.5/game x 20 games played
1878 points total (average c. 85)
Tippett 18 @ 89.6
F7-8 covers Tippett 4 games @ 65
Rucks miss 5 games combined, Tippett plays c. 80% of games and therefore covers only 4 of those
F7-8 covers R1/2 4 games @ 65
2133 points total (average c. 97)
Of course, either could beat (or miss) their 2015 average - although I think Buddy needs to improve by c. 12 points
relative to Tippett just to match him for points scored on a PIT basis.
I think a side with Tippett in it is also somewhat less likely to use trades (reflecting better ruck cover, and Buddy's higher likelihood of a season-ending issue).
This is swaying me in favour of Tippett.