This might sound very stupid... but I am wondering what the best way is to attack 2020 in pursuit of full premo.
Value, value, value and get the team done quickly,
500k mids, 450k fwds and defs
Proven scoring options with a heftier price tag,
600k mids, 550k fwds, 525k defs
The balanced approach
550k mids, 500k fwds, 475k defs
For this case study, my 'full premo' includes all players that score 80 - 90, even though this output would not be acceptable in a regular season, i.e. Pittonet R2, Dev Smith F6, Viney M8, Houston D6... you get the point. The bottom line is, there are no rookies on field. Luxury sideways trades can be made later.
I suppose that if we take the balanced approach, we might be full premo by the start of round 12 or 13 (this is best case, without LTI's to popular players, unlikely). Let's say you are full premo at the start of round 13.
By going the value path, we probably only hit full premo one or maximum two games earlier. We target players like Yeo, Cogs, Baz Smith, Jack Steven, etc. We use less trades to achieve full premo because we save $$$ on every trade. After trading in 3 x 450k players instead of 3 x 600k players means you have already saved 450k which could essentially be another value premo. Full premo at the start of round 12.
The old 'aim for the top 6 - 8 in each position could take another trade or two compared to the balanced approach, delaying full premo by approximately 1 more week... full premo at the start of round 14.
But of course for rounds 14 - 17, you have the strongest 22 onfield, and the bargain hunters are leaking points but they already opened up a lead by reaching quasi-premo two rounds earlier.
The balanced approach seems the obvious answer but this really seems to me like the $50k question. Keen to hear the wisdoms of the community and would be especially keen to hear an opinion on this from someone who fancies their maths skills.