So time for the final draft before teams, I actually didn't tweak nearly as much as I expected and this is very much a "throwing poop at a wall and seeing how it smells" team. Will be pretty detailed
Backs
Lloyd - Not sold still but I think if I'm picking 5 I kind of have to pick him or I pigeon hole myself into him as an upgrade target. Still very tempted to flip for Stewart as he's breaking my "no preseason issues" rule.
Laird - Not as sold at all on him but he's still a run and spread guy (see midfield) so happy with him. Definitely capable of 110+.
Daniel - Has been in most of my drafts, of all the things tags are genuinely my biggest concern with this pick. The new rules suit him.
Short - Finally forced his way into my team. New rules suit him and think he continues his progress to the 105 land.
Docherty - New rules suit him also and expect big things from him. Reckon Saad distracts some attention but he should really benefit from the rules is the main reason here. I don't love this pick but the value is strong.
Clark - I don't love this and will jump at rookies if they appear, I tend to believe Scott that he's on the fringe still, Duncan will take his role from the weekend when fit. I still think the rule changes suit him and he's too good to keep playing in the reserves or they'll lose him.
Kosi - As close to a lock down back.
Highmore - Highly speculative pick but hoping basically. Just need one rookie.
Structurally if Briggs wins the ruck contest at GWS he will mess my team up completely but would also be an on-field rookie I have to start. I like Cox from Clark if I need money. Not sure what I do if Highmore doesn't make it or a replacement isn't available.
Premiums I really like but couldn't fit - Ridley, Stewart, Mills, Crisp, Houston and Rich...
Mids
Macrae - Happy with his role in the hitout and think he's the standout benefactor of the new rules who also looks fit. I'd love Neale but I haven't liked either of his preseason games and that worries me given how bad his preseason was.
Merrett - There is a theme here for those playing at home. Contested ball winners with elite spread. Merrett has been in since the first weeks games and cemented. He'll be in my team barring injury.
Kelly - Durability is a risk but he ticks the perfect preseason box and, theme...
Fyfe - Doesn't fit the theme as well but also had a big preseason and just looks good. There are all kinds of alternatives here.
Walsh - Theme. I don't think he kicks AS bad as he did last game, he's not a good kick but he's not that bad. His role was great, he's an elite spread player and he's good enough in the contest. His average to end last year is real enough for me.
Campbell - Elite kick, playing half back and I couldn't afford Dow
so that was an easy choice. Rate him very highly and hoping for 80 but expecting 70s.
Powell - Elite spread guy also but mostly just seems to have found a spot and shown some real scoring ability. At his price there are alternatives if I need them and I'm happy starting Gulden and Scott also.
Downie - Just rate him, it's Clarko so wouldn't shock me if he's not there round 1 but I'd still be surprised.
Brockman - Don't want to start him on field but he should make cash.
Gulden - Happy to start him, he looks a ripper.
Scott - Bit more speculative but I imagine one of him and McNeil will be there round one, DPP and better role wins the tick between them.
Structurally I'd actually like to pick one more defender premium and get another rookie on the field in the mid/fwd but I can't back in picking 6 with no Whitfield and the expectation he's cheap. This team is a conscious decision to shade inside midfielders, who I would traditionally gravitate towards based on the stylistic changes from the rules. No Cripps as I just didn't like his game, I'm sure he'll torch me again this year, such is our love/hate relationship
Premiums I like - Neale, Pendlebury, Bont, Coniglio, Taranto, Cripps and Rowell.
Rucks
Grundy - I like Gawn more, I actually am not liking either because the stoppages seem way down and the preseason trends on those normally stack up. Unfortunately there is no midpricer I actually feel confident on making cash, Draper, Hickey, Martin and Nank probably the best 4 and they all range from the bad to terrible picks on my radar!
Flynn - See the Briggs comment above, if he's not the ruck everything changes. If Hunter or both Treacy/Fullarton play I'd be very tempted to start Meek and Flynn. I think he looked better than Briggs and will play if fit.
Meek - Loved his game, looks good, JL saying he's firming for round one is good. I really like Darcy as a prospect but he's not put any runs on the board to deserve a game round one after Meeks' preseason. Happy to start him also.
Structurally I'm still drawn to just starting Grawndy and riding it out but sometimes you have to take a punt and back a trend (couple of years ago it was kick-in takers) and I honestly think I'm leaning towards shading Grawndy if there is a reasonable way to do it. Shame we can't handcuff Flynn and Briggs!
Negative of taking the risk here is you're forced into targeting ruck upgrades early in the season just for security reasons but if the rucks flounder then that's possible.
Forwards
Dunkley - Was in my team before the weekend. Hardly taking him out now.
Phillips - Danger down to him is one of the bigger changes, most of the others were just Neale to Macrae, Gawn to Grundy type moves but the combination of those with this gets me a Doch level guy down back extra. Phillips, again, fits the theme. Played a much more contested role which is good for him as it's harder to kick it from there and his kicking is the problem but the threshold is lower and with Walters, Marshall and Sidebottom injured, the 90-95 guy who plays 22 just became a good shout at being a premium.
Ziebell - Just locked. Looks too good in that role to not.
Daniher - Value is there though with how many rookies popped up I'm not sold he's as much of a lock as I'd had him previously. Definitely a case for the Chandler or even Dow type picks.
Cahill - Flexible pick here but liked his role.
Warner - Impey/Dow down to him allows Clark from Cox down back which can be reversed in the event teams are terrible to us.
Bergman - Liked his role and his game. Hopefully Hartlett is there alongside him in round one but this is the guy I think is most likely not to make it round 1 of my rookies. Fair few switches available.
Rowe - Looks a safe pick, will be in every team I imagine.
Structurally I'd love Danger, I'd also love one premium but struggling where to re-direct the cash.
"Premiums" I like - Danger, Martin, Butters, Bailey, Langford and Caldwell
Would love thoughts, suggestions
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