*Tweak, trade, tighten, loosen, structure move.*
Its the Supercoach pre-season and as much as I love it, my team gets 'adjusted' constantly (not sure if it is for better or worse)... Here is an early Dec version:
What has happened in the month since asked no-one? How have the marvellous posters at SCS changed my thinking asked even less people?!
Team PC 2.0
B: Rance, Laird, Hodge, McGrath, Berry, Newman, [Ryan, Stewart]
M: Danger, Pendles, JPK, Rocky, Bont, Fyfe, Pet-Set, Foote, [PP, Myers, Barrett]
R: Grundy, Sandi, [Stranarananananada]
F: Dahl, Macrae, Heeney, Scottishsuitcase, Knight, Pickett, [Rioli, Eddy]
Bank: 90k odd
Back changes:
- I have been swayed by the PIT thread (an excellent thread imo) and put Rance in for Adams. First time I have had Rance in my team (ever) and am hoping he pays off through his durability and golden pass. Adams is probably fully priced and can be traded in if required.
- Hodge for Monty. As a Hawks supporter I love The General and reports of him being 'trim and terrific' and knowing that the team needs another mid to fill the big shoes of Mitch and Jordan, I am hoping it will be Hodgey. Have also been swayed by the Rowsus talk of 'just start these types, don't trade them in'...
- Thought long and hard about a 2/0/4 structure in the backs and may go back there (Hodge the victim) if rookies show themselves. I like my back line to be solid and consistent in its scoring, and can see the $550k+ types fall in price and be ready for a trade in. Doch hasn't proven himself, Simmo is old, Shaw I have my doubts over the quality of his team not making the ball stay in the fwd line and a tag being shoved on him, never considered Boyd, and Monty just doesn't sit right with me.
Mid changes:
- Really only one change here, and it is a big one - Bont for Beams. I didn't start Libba last year although I was very tempted at times, and I see this as a very similar situation. By the end of the season I want my M8 to be a value pick that I have found along the way rather than one I started. Beams has a long and recent injury history (chronic by what I have read), will be very popular, hasn't played much over the last season or so, will cop the tag if playing well, plays in a weak team and has a new coach - all signs that say look elsewhere to me. Bont, well Bont will go 105 at least and I would rather shut a semi-popular pick like him down from the start than a value pick that has injury concerns.
- Lock in the big mid prems early, don't play the mid-pricer roulette, enjoy the points income, have ample VC and C options and trust the rolled gold mid selections. This is my mid mantra.
Ruck changes:
- Grundy has been playing hokey pokey with Goldy at R1 for some time and will probably continue to do so. Grundy the risk pick but I have a bad itch about Goldy and the Roos this year.
- Sandi for Gawn. Just can't pass up on a fit Sandi, no third man, Fyfe back, lots of early home games and a cost of $300k. Gawn will be cheaper at some point this season and history is against him - I was sure of Goldy being in the top two rucks last season and payed a premium for him, Gawn I am not so sure of.
Forward changes:
- Sandi for Gawn has allowed enough coin for a rookie to Heeney. I have read the Mod thread with interest and enjoyed the over analysis/good discussion (depending on your point of view). Heeney will be top 10 forwards this year, if not top 6. GC Lynch had a brief stay at F3 but has an early bye and is a KPP. Heeney looks to be the logical popular pick shut down move.
Bank: $90k odd
Rookies: They have shifted and moved every time I have read something or picked up a 'tasty tip'. The key thing being I have enough $200k rookies to allow flex if needed (free up coin or not miss a selection) and still have the prem structure I like.
In a month, my team will have changed I am sure. I need to keep an eye on injuries, SC Gold %s and ignore the pre-season games...
Ah, January Sat mornings are all about coffee and SC pre-season - love it. Now to teach my missus, 2 yr old and 3 week old to love it just as much