Discussion Rookie Discussion
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@Professor can you please repost this!
North Melbourne looks set to turn to untried small forward Jack Mahony to ramp up the forward line pressure in the Round 1 clash against St Kilda.
Kayne Turner’s foot injury will keep him sidelined for months, opening up a spot for the man taken with pick No. 34 in November’s national draft in the forward pocket.
Mahony can lock-in his spot in the season-opener with another hard-nosed effort in the club’s second Marsh Series clash against Sydney Swans in Kingston, Tasmania.
Former Cat and Brisbane Lions’ backman Josh Walker is likely to be the second new face in the Roos’ Round 1 team after an impressive start to his new chapter at Arden St.
But Mason Wood’s hopes of playing against the Saints have taken a hit after he was left out of both of the Kangaroos’ Marsh games.
Wood, who was put up for trade but did not attract much interest in the exchange period, has spent time training in defence and attack over summer.
While he played 18 senior games last year, the Geelong Falcons’ product could start the season in the VFL.
The club remains hopeful gun forward Ben Brown will also overcome a calf complaint in time for Round 1.
Former Collingwood defender Marley Williams and ex-Demon Dom Tyson were also omitted for the clash against the Swans.
BOMBERS LOOK TO USE FINAL LIST SPOT
Essendon is weighing up taking back-up Norwood ruckman Henry Crauford with its final list spot.
The 204cm big man, who was a former talented swimmer, is in talks about joining the Bombers after developing rapidly last year, winning Norwood’s reserves best and fairest.
Essendon chiefs are also considering Nigel Lockyer, an exciting utility from Alice Springs, and West Australian big man Brynn Teakle, but have also not ruled out leaving the spot open for someone else in the mid-season draft.
The Bombers will make a final call this week after completing some more tests on Crauford, 22, who is recovering from a broken arm and was unable to train over the pre-season.
Crauford was stuck behind Norwood’s first-choice ruckman Sam Baulderstone in the SANFL this year but has impressed with his mobility around the ground, athleticism and marking power.
Essendon is considering bolstering its ruck stocks to support Andrew Phillips, Tom Bellchambers, who underwent pre-season knee surgery, and Sam Draper, who is on the way back from a knee reconstruction.
Phillips will lead the ruck in Essendon’s Marsh Series clash against Geelong in Colac on Monday and is in the box seat to secure a Round 1 berth against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.
The Bombers can add another player under the supplemental selection period rules after moving draftee Lachie Johnson to the inactive.
HILL FACING TIME OUT WITH QUAD INJURY
Fremantle has been dealt a blow with dashing wingman Stephen Hill sweating on the results of further testing for a left quad injury.
Hill, 29, had scans on Sunday which confirmed the injury but the full extent of the damage will not be known until the “coming days”.
Hill, who has been troubled by quad injuries for the past two seasons, left the ground at three-quarter time and did not return in Fremantle’s one-point Marsh Community Series win over West Coast.
“Stephen experienced some discomfort in his left leg during the game, so we rested him for the last quarter with intention of having scans today (Sunday),” Fremantle football manager Peter Bell said.
“The subsequent report from the scans confirmed that Stephen sustained an injury to his left quad.
“He will undergo further testing in the coming days to determine the extent of the injury.”
HOW DIMMA VIEWS PICKETT
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick expects cult figure Marlion Pickett to become a “valuable chess piece”, as the full strength Tigers roll towards Round 1.
Pickett, 28, was elusive in spurts on Sunday, operating through the midfield and forward of centre, in the Tigers’ 14-point Marsh Community Series loss at Wagga Wagga.
The “valuable role player”, who sensationally debuted in the Grand Final last year, finished with 20 disposals.
“We’re excited with what he’s going to bring, he’s a lot leaner, a lot fitter than what he was this time last year,” Hardwick said.
“He’ll be significantly better for the preparation, he’s got a better understanding of how we play but he’s one of 22.”
“(He) reads play pretty well, uses the ball very well so he’ll play predominantly through the midfield with stints up forward.”
Pickett is one of several Tigers auditioning for Round 1 selection, along with Toby Nankervis, Kamdyn McIntosh and Jack Graham, who all sat out Sunday after playing in a VFL practice match.
The Tigers will have one more run at Punt Road this week before Thursday week’s season-opener against a “reinvigorated” Carlton.
“This time of year we’re probably excited for Round 1 to come but we’re playing some reasonably solid footy without being at our very best, we know the hard work is in front of us,” Hardwick said.
“We’ve got, touch wood I think, everyone available to play for Round 1 which is a great place to be.”
-GILBERT GARDINER
Kayne Turner’s foot injury will keep him sidelined for months, opening up a spot for the man taken with pick No. 34 in November’s national draft in the forward pocket.
Mahony can lock-in his spot in the season-opener with another hard-nosed effort in the club’s second Marsh Series clash against Sydney Swans in Kingston, Tasmania.
Former Cat and Brisbane Lions’ backman Josh Walker is likely to be the second new face in the Roos’ Round 1 team after an impressive start to his new chapter at Arden St.
But Mason Wood’s hopes of playing against the Saints have taken a hit after he was left out of both of the Kangaroos’ Marsh games.
Wood, who was put up for trade but did not attract much interest in the exchange period, has spent time training in defence and attack over summer.
While he played 18 senior games last year, the Geelong Falcons’ product could start the season in the VFL.
The club remains hopeful gun forward Ben Brown will also overcome a calf complaint in time for Round 1.
Former Collingwood defender Marley Williams and ex-Demon Dom Tyson were also omitted for the clash against the Swans.
BOMBERS LOOK TO USE FINAL LIST SPOT
Essendon is weighing up taking back-up Norwood ruckman Henry Crauford with its final list spot.
The 204cm big man, who was a former talented swimmer, is in talks about joining the Bombers after developing rapidly last year, winning Norwood’s reserves best and fairest.
Essendon chiefs are also considering Nigel Lockyer, an exciting utility from Alice Springs, and West Australian big man Brynn Teakle, but have also not ruled out leaving the spot open for someone else in the mid-season draft.
The Bombers will make a final call this week after completing some more tests on Crauford, 22, who is recovering from a broken arm and was unable to train over the pre-season.
Crauford was stuck behind Norwood’s first-choice ruckman Sam Baulderstone in the SANFL this year but has impressed with his mobility around the ground, athleticism and marking power.
Essendon is considering bolstering its ruck stocks to support Andrew Phillips, Tom Bellchambers, who underwent pre-season knee surgery, and Sam Draper, who is on the way back from a knee reconstruction.
Phillips will lead the ruck in Essendon’s Marsh Series clash against Geelong in Colac on Monday and is in the box seat to secure a Round 1 berth against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.
The Bombers can add another player under the supplemental selection period rules after moving draftee Lachie Johnson to the inactive.
HILL FACING TIME OUT WITH QUAD INJURY
Fremantle has been dealt a blow with dashing wingman Stephen Hill sweating on the results of further testing for a left quad injury.
Hill, 29, had scans on Sunday which confirmed the injury but the full extent of the damage will not be known until the “coming days”.
Hill, who has been troubled by quad injuries for the past two seasons, left the ground at three-quarter time and did not return in Fremantle’s one-point Marsh Community Series win over West Coast.
“Stephen experienced some discomfort in his left leg during the game, so we rested him for the last quarter with intention of having scans today (Sunday),” Fremantle football manager Peter Bell said.
“The subsequent report from the scans confirmed that Stephen sustained an injury to his left quad.
“He will undergo further testing in the coming days to determine the extent of the injury.”
HOW DIMMA VIEWS PICKETT
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick expects cult figure Marlion Pickett to become a “valuable chess piece”, as the full strength Tigers roll towards Round 1.
Pickett, 28, was elusive in spurts on Sunday, operating through the midfield and forward of centre, in the Tigers’ 14-point Marsh Community Series loss at Wagga Wagga.
The “valuable role player”, who sensationally debuted in the Grand Final last year, finished with 20 disposals.
“We’re excited with what he’s going to bring, he’s a lot leaner, a lot fitter than what he was this time last year,” Hardwick said.
“He’ll be significantly better for the preparation, he’s got a better understanding of how we play but he’s one of 22.”
“(He) reads play pretty well, uses the ball very well so he’ll play predominantly through the midfield with stints up forward.”
Pickett is one of several Tigers auditioning for Round 1 selection, along with Toby Nankervis, Kamdyn McIntosh and Jack Graham, who all sat out Sunday after playing in a VFL practice match.
The Tigers will have one more run at Punt Road this week before Thursday week’s season-opener against a “reinvigorated” Carlton.
“This time of year we’re probably excited for Round 1 to come but we’re playing some reasonably solid footy without being at our very best, we know the hard work is in front of us,” Hardwick said.
“We’ve got, touch wood I think, everyone available to play for Round 1 which is a great place to be.”
-GILBERT GARDINER
I just saw the Sunday games for Round 1. They include North v Saints, Hawks v Brisbane, WCE v Melbourne.
Extended benches are going to cause havoc before that Thursday night lock out. I imagine that Bonar, Mahony, Xerri, C.Taylor, Robertson, Starcevich, Brander, BWilliams will all be on an extended bench.
Fingers crossed the clubs are a bit better about debut announcements before the Thursday night.
At least we'll know on T.Watson, Williamson, McInerney, Sharp, Budarick, M.Hibberd though.
Extended benches are going to cause havoc before that Thursday night lock out. I imagine that Bonar, Mahony, Xerri, C.Taylor, Robertson, Starcevich, Brander, BWilliams will all be on an extended bench.
Fingers crossed the clubs are a bit better about debut announcements before the Thursday night.
At least we'll know on T.Watson, Williamson, McInerney, Sharp, Budarick, M.Hibberd though.
It's not that silly. I started a team from scratch with these players, and with a bit of tweaking to use up the rest of my cash came up with a side with only 2 rookies on field. Using Marsh averages, it would score just over 2K excluding the captain score, and that is with Grundy/Gawn both scoring in the 60's in the Marsh series.
I highly doubt some of those players match that form in the regular season and it only realistically leaves me with 10 possible keepers, but it's a reasonable base to work from. Issues are I expect cash generation could be an issue, and it may take a bit longer to get to full premium, but it wouldn't be the worst team I've ever started with.
Despite the rookies looking bad, there's a reasonable selection of 200-300K players this year. Worth noting.
I highly doubt some of those players match that form in the regular season and it only realistically leaves me with 10 possible keepers, but it's a reasonable base to work from. Issues are I expect cash generation could be an issue, and it may take a bit longer to get to full premium, but it wouldn't be the worst team I've ever started with.
Despite the rookies looking bad, there's a reasonable selection of 200-300K players this year. Worth noting.
26, and as I mentioned some of these are a bit dubious. There's others I thought were borderline in the Marsh games that I left out such as Bewley (93 and 58, which is not too bad on reflection for $252,700). Just my thoughts based on scores - I didn't see the matches.
Def: Bailey Williams ($300,500), Zac Bailey (Mid), Dylan Roberton, Isaac Cumming, Jack Madgen, Changkuoth Jiath, John Noble, Lachlan Ash (Mid), Brandon Starcevich (Mid), Jarrod Brander (Fwd), Bailey Williams (Ruc)
Mid: Jackson Hately ($301,600), Josh Daicos, Matthew Rowell, Caleb Serong, Tom Green, Marlion Pickett, Deven Robertson
Fwd: Alex Sexton, Ben Long, Bailey Banfield, Zac Langdon, Lachlan Schultz, Tom Sparrow, Darcy Cameron (Ruc), Connor Budarick (Mid)
Still 2 games to go, so there will be more to come and I may have dismissed a few too easily, but I'd expect those names above will be the main cheap ones I'd be considering at this stage.
Def: Bailey Williams ($300,500), Zac Bailey (Mid), Dylan Roberton, Isaac Cumming, Jack Madgen, Changkuoth Jiath, John Noble, Lachlan Ash (Mid), Brandon Starcevich (Mid), Jarrod Brander (Fwd), Bailey Williams (Ruc)
Mid: Jackson Hately ($301,600), Josh Daicos, Matthew Rowell, Caleb Serong, Tom Green, Marlion Pickett, Deven Robertson
Fwd: Alex Sexton, Ben Long, Bailey Banfield, Zac Langdon, Lachlan Schultz, Tom Sparrow, Darcy Cameron (Ruc), Connor Budarick (Mid)
Still 2 games to go, so there will be more to come and I may have dismissed a few too easily, but I'd expect those names above will be the main cheap ones I'd be considering at this stage.
One of my many versions of my sides had a < $ 300k defence
Williams , Birchall , Lukosious , Doedee , Roberton , Cumming , CJ , Noble , Ash , BZT , Guthrie , Hill , Young etc etc
and then something similar in the forward line with the likes of Long , Rayner , Bewley , ZGL , Poholke , Schultz , ZGL etc etc
The theory being stack the Rucks and 5 mids + Whitfield & Rowell/Pickett where the points are and it will be easier to upgrade to fallen F & D at about $ 500k
Problem was you would have 14 upgrades to do so probably be short of $$$.
Another option is to go light up forward with the likes of TJL , Tom Tom , Steven , Smith , Brayshaw who theoretically could all reach keeper level + JJK then Doc at D1 and spread it out that way.
Your idea is definitely worth considering though.
Williams , Birchall , Lukosious , Doedee , Roberton , Cumming , CJ , Noble , Ash , BZT , Guthrie , Hill , Young etc etc
and then something similar in the forward line with the likes of Long , Rayner , Bewley , ZGL , Poholke , Schultz , ZGL etc etc
The theory being stack the Rucks and 5 mids + Whitfield & Rowell/Pickett where the points are and it will be easier to upgrade to fallen F & D at about $ 500k
Problem was you would have 14 upgrades to do so probably be short of $$$.
Another option is to go light up forward with the likes of TJL , Tom Tom , Steven , Smith , Brayshaw who theoretically could all reach keeper level + JJK then Doc at D1 and spread it out that way.
Your idea is definitely worth considering though.
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I know we are crying out for starting rookies BUT if the main purpose of our bench rookies is to generate $$$ (supposedly to get that magic $ 150k as quick as possible) should we actually even pick them from the start if we don't even think they can achieve that ?
Guys like Georgiades/Rankine/King etc probably need to score at 60 for 6-8 weeks to make that $ 150k profit , looks as though Crocker would need to go closer to 70.
Yes I understand the theory behind GnR , one of the more frustrating things I find in this game is when my bench rookies (maybe I pick the wrong ones) fail to generate as much cash as I need that then leads itself to compromised upgrades.
Maybe it is all about value from the start and spreading the $$$ to even more realistic bench options.
Guys like Georgiades/Rankine/King etc probably need to score at 60 for 6-8 weeks to make that $ 150k profit , looks as though Crocker would need to go closer to 70.
Yes I understand the theory behind GnR , one of the more frustrating things I find in this game is when my bench rookies (maybe I pick the wrong ones) fail to generate as much cash as I need that then leads itself to compromised upgrades.
Maybe it is all about value from the start and spreading the $$$ to even more realistic bench options.
