Midfield-Forwards: Chad Wingard and Luke Parker

[Impromptu]

I have a sense of dejavu and awkwardness writing this SuperCoach article on Chad Wingard and Luke Parker. In particular, Chad Wingard as some of you may know I had Chad Wingard as my 2013 SuperCoach Smokie when Wingard was not a SuperCoach Gun, but at the last minute didn't select Wingard.

Chad Wingard

• Details - PTA, $531,800, MID/FWD
• History - 98.59(22), 51.68(10)

I had a read of my previous Chad Wingard (2013) article and I was pleasantly surprised my rationale for selecting Wingard as a smokie was quite sound. Unfortunately, the fact that Wingard was categorised as a MID and the $280K starting price was a bit too awkward for me.

Interestingly, the Wingard selection poll results were:

• Locked - 0 / 0%
• Likely - 3 / 6.5% (voted by me)
• Watch - 5 / 10.87%
• Unlikely - 18 / 39.13%
• No - 20 / 43.48%

Fast-track to SuperCoach 2014, Wingard is no longer priced 51.68, but now priced at 98.59 (obviously now more proven). We all know how good Wingard was in 2013, but is Wingard now a Forward premium?

The obvious questions are:

1. Will Wingard be a Top 6-10 Forward?
2. If so, is it worth having Wingard at the start or should we trade Wingard in?

I think Wingard will be a top 6-10 Forward and from what I saw, I'm very impressed with young Wingard. One thing I didn't like from a SuperCoach point of view was that Wingard played a bit too much forward for my liking.

At this stage, I have Wingard with Dangerfield and Martin as my Forward locks, but I'm not sure my small budget can afford it. I can't see Wingard increasing his average significantly as he already averages 98.59. I see Wingard averaging about 95 to 105, so I can't see value in Wingard, but I can see him finishing Top 6-10, which should be enough of a reason to select Wingard.

Wingard had 6x90s and 8x100s with a few hundreds near the end of the year.

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 700, align: center"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Rd
[/TD]
[TD]Opponent[/TD]
[TD]Venue[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]TOT[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]KI[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]HA[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]MA[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]TA[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]GL[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]BH[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD]Melbourne[/TD]
[TD]MCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]87[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD]GWS Giants[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]145[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]16[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD]Adelaide[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]123[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]15[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD]Gold Coast[/TD]
[TD]Metricon Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]95[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD]West Coast[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]93[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD]North Melbourne[/TD]
[TD]Blundstone Arena[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]94[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD]Richmond[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]72[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD]Carlton[/TD]
[TD]Etihad Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]71[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]15[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD]Geelong[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]93[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD]Western Bulldogs[/TD]
[TD]TIO Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]95[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]18[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD]GWS Giants[/TD]
[TD]Skoda Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]110[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]18[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD]Sydney[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]103[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]17[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]14[/TD]
[TD]Collingwood[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]89[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]15[/TD]
[TD]Essendon[/TD]
[TD]Etihad Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]88[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]16[/TD]
[TD]Hawthorn[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]77[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]17[/TD]
[TD]St Kilda[/TD]
[TD]Etihad Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]130[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]14[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]18[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]110[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]19[/TD]
[TD]Adelaide[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]151[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]15[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]20[/TD]
[TD]Geelong[/TD]
[TD]Simonds Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]69[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]21[/TD]
[TD]Gold Coast[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]106[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]22[/TD]
[TD]Fremantle[/TD]
[TD]Patersons Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]77[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]23[/TD]
[TD]Carlton[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]91[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
[/TD]
[TD]Totals[/TD]
[TD]
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2169[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]288[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]183[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]95[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]45[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]40[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]19[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]


I really don't like paying this much for someone who spends a lot of time in the forward, but geez this kid was impressive in 2013. Averaged 13 kicks and 8 handballs in 2013. The 151 was from a 5 goal 'beast mode' against their cross-town rivals, saw that game on TV

Probably a likely to a lock for me unless I can find value elsewhere. However, I can just picture myself having Wingard at the start and then he scores 5x80s then I trade Wingard out and he scores 173 then 147 (hello Patrick Dangerfield).

Verdict - Likely (but I don't like my decision)

Like my Robbie Gray (and Dayne Zorko) article, I would love some views on Wingard from Port supporters (and everyone else).

Luke Parker

• Details - SYD, $468,800, MID/FWD
• History - 86.91(22), 70.94(16), 52.09(11)

Luke Parker is apparently quite popular due to his starting price and his rumoured moved to the Sydney midfield. You can see Parker has slowly progressed in his SuperCoach average in the last 3 years and based on the trend and/or natural progression, Parker should average 90s.

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 700, align: center"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Rd
[/TD]
[TD]Opponent[/TD]
[TD]Venue[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]TOT[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]KI[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]HA[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]MA[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]TA[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]GL[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]BH[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD]GWS Giants[/TD]
[TD]ANZ Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]96[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]14[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD]Gold Coast[/TD]
[TD]SCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]133[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD]North Melbourne[/TD]
[TD]Blundstone Arena[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]86[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]17[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD]Geelong[/TD]
[TD]SCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]43[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD]St Kilda[/TD]
[TD]Westpac Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]124[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]14[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD]Brisbane[/TD]
[TD]SCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]92[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD]Hawthorn[/TD]
[TD]MCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]85[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD]Fremantle[/TD]
[TD]SCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]108[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD]Collingwood[/TD]
[TD]MCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]62[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]14[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD]Essendon[/TD]
[TD]SCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]106[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]11[/TD]
[TD]Adelaide[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]106[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD]Port Adelaide[/TD]
[TD]AAMI Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]69[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]14[/TD]
[TD]Carlton[/TD]
[TD]SCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]113[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]15[/TD]
[TD]Melbourne[/TD]
[TD]MCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]91[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]16[/TD]
[TD]GWS Giants[/TD]
[TD]SCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]62[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]17[/TD]
[TD]West Coast[/TD]
[TD]Patersons Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]80[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]18[/TD]
[TD]Richmond[/TD]
[TD]SCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]70[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]16[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]19[/TD]
[TD]Western Bulldogs[/TD]
[TD]Etihad Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]95[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]13[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]20[/TD]
[TD]Collingwood[/TD]
[TD]ANZ Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]44[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]21[/TD]
[TD]St Kilda[/TD]
[TD]SCG[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]94[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]17[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]22[/TD]
[TD]Geelong[/TD]
[TD]Simonds Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]52[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]23[/TD]
[TD]Hawthorn[/TD]
[TD]ANZ Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]101[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
[/TD]
[TD]Totals[/TD]
[TD]
[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1912[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]230[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]221[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]64[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]116[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]18[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

Alarm bells for me are Parker had 4 very low games of 43 (GEE, R4), 62 (COL, R9), 44 (COL, R20) and 52 (GEE, R22) and none of them were sub effected games. I'm not sure what the connection is for Parker's low scores against the COL and GEE but they stand out. However the good thing is Parker only play COL (R2) and GEE(R10) once in 2014.

If you believe in the rumoured move to the midfield, then Parker should definitely be considered at that reasonable price. I don't think Parker will drop in value, but the real question is will Parker be a Top 6 to Top 10 finishers? At this stage, I don't think so. Is there value in Parker? Possibly, if you believe that those low scores was just part of being a second year learning curve.

I wouldn't mind watching some pre-season games to see if there are any good indications of where Parker will play. I have Parker on Watch.

Verdict: Watch

There has been great discussions on Parker and other Forwards at: 2014 Forwards thread.

I like WandP's post of Parker/Zorko/Gray who coincidentally, I've written about . I've quoted a few relevant posts below from the Forward's thread. Schmickop has also raised a really good question about which players the points with go to at the Swans with the 3300 Rule.

Note: I probably won't write about Tom Mitchell and it's not because I slept in and woke up too late to select Mitchell and had to select Hrovat (Hi Courtesans!!) in his place. I just think at Tom Mitchell's price, it's too risky to select him as we are not even sure if Mitchell is in the Best 22 and at that price, Mitchell must clearly be in the best 22. If anyone is confident on Tom Mitchell being in the Swan's best 22, but maybe, but if he is fringe 22, not worth the risk IMHO.

Liking the look of Gray too. Gray/Zorko/Parker keep sneaking their way into my forward line at this stage of the season. Definitely watching all three like a hawk in NAB cup.

Im interested at looking at Tom Mitchel. Im not a swans supporter but he looks like he is 2nd drop midfield. Thoughts?

Second year, big risk. Think Zorko last year.

This is true but I hasn't mitchell been in the system for a few years. not sure if that has any baring to anything but to crack it into sydney's team is quite hard.

If I recall, in 2012 Mitchell had an injury that kept him out for the year, he was highly rated. In 2013 his first game was much anticipated during the season, and those who got on board in his first two games were richly rewarded (ask Jay who rued missing the boat). Being his fathers son, you bet he can play footy. Your call.

Parker would be the one I'd go for. Strong rumours that he will be spending more time in the midfield this year and has shown steady improvement sc wise over his first 3 seasons.

How good was Mitchell last year as a rookie? Best thing ever to have him play on the field and not worry if one of your premium was out injured or suspended.
But second year? I have doubts especially in a Sydney team full of midfield scorers.

I honestly can not see where the points will be spread with Sydney, Tippett pinch hitting, Franklin, Jetta, Goodes, Reid ,Parker, Mitchell and H'Berry... Not to mention Jack, JPK, McVeigh and some of the defenders that get off the chain at times??? I see them all having a quiet game at times and ripe for the picking after Rd1, just my opinion tho?!

Let's wait and see mate. At this time of year, reckon there is almost a daily story in the papers about this player or that player getting more midfield time. I remember reading in one paper that Nick Riewoldt was due for more midfield time in 2014 - LOL - something I find very hard to believe!

Parker is a player that I rate and expect to get better each year. Thought of selecting him but the when I looked at his SC stats I noticed he went 8 games in a row from riund 15 to 22 where he failed reach 100 which has turned me off him.

 

[GrainFedBeef]

I remember reading your article on Wingard last year Jay, had him in my side for most of preseason but didn't have the nerve to follow through at the last minute. I did own him in his debut year as Port rated him highly and was disappointed with how many sub games he had and that Port didn't fully back him, maybe due to fitness issues.

Will be unlikely to pick him for two reasons.

1) He was off the radar last year for many teams and think this year they will be tighter on him (similar to zorko in his 2nd year who played more half forward I think, but tightly held by oppositions).

2) those two big scores I think we're partly due to close games and kicking critical goals. Whilst possible to happen again, more likely he may have 4-5 normal games early on which could see him track at 5 to 10 pct under last year average, leading to an early price drop.

Both are just a feeling with little go back up, but picking premiums tends to be about backing track records and process of elimination due to possible negatives. Latter will sometimes be incorrect but it does seem to reduce the amount of disappointments in the team.

 

[mpollock]

I think the fact that Wingard broke out last year puts people off him. Parker has a lot of guys trying to take points off him at Sydney and with Buddy their now, who could even play on the wing, i don't think that helps his case.

The other key factor here is that many teams may opt to start just 3 premium forwards given M.Clarke, Bock, Rohan, Fasolo, Lamb etc all available as cheap options. You need to go light somewhere and that seems the logical place to me ....

 

[Rowsus]

I like Wingard as a trade in prospect. I'm a bit concerned he has a touch of the Ingemar Stenmark's about him.
His figures last year really point to him being a downhill skier*. Let's look at a break down of his season:

His scores in his AAMI wins are 40% higher than his away losses! While we do expect some discrepancy between wins and losses, and home and away, it just seems too big of a discrepancy.
If we look at how his draw begins, leading up to his round 9 bye:
Rnd 1 - Carlton @ Etihad
Rnd 2 - Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
Rnd 3 - North Melbourne @ Etihad
Rnd 4 - Brisbane @ Adelaide Oval
Rnd 5 - West Coast @ Paterson
Rnd 6 - Geelong @ Adelaide Oval
Rnd 7 - GWS @ Skoda
Rnd 8 - Fremantle @ Adelaide Oval
No games at AAMI, his favourite hunting ground. (There are no AFL games at AAMI Stadium this year, all at the Adelaide Oval) Two games at Etihad, where he averaged 74 last season (in 2 games). One game at Peterson, where his only game last season produced a 77. One game at Skoda, where he scored 110 last season. Together with the 4 games at Adelaide Oval, where the question mark hangs. We can't be sure if his better record at AAMI was because he knows/loves the ground, or he's just not as good when he gets off a plane, but either way, it adds to his question marks, because of his pronounced better record at AAMI. I also think it's well within the realms of possibilty that Port Adelaide might be 2-6, or 3-5 going into the bye, and that also raises a question mark on Wingard. Like Jay, I like Wingards play, and style, but I am concerned he will be anchored in the Forward line, and if Port don't perform to last years level, he will be one of the big sufferers, scorewise in SC.
*The diiference between a Downhill Skier, and an FTB is the FTB needs weak opposition to shine, the Downhill Skier only looks good when the team is winning, The difference is subtle, but it's there.

As to Parker, I like him as a player, and he was in, out, in and back out again in my Draft team last year. Given the strength of Sydneys Midfield, I can't see him getting too much time there. If we listen to every report, each team will have 14 Midfielders each game next year, and all the new ones are set for a break out year. Bottom line, he's awkwardly priced, and there are other players I have more confidence in than him. He's a well considered no from me.

 

[mpollock]

You would expect most players to average less when their team is losing i would think, especially young players

Given his starting price i have no doubt Wingard is a "trade in" target for most teams. Leaving stats aside, the guy has loads of talent and will almost certainly end up in the top 6 forwards imo.

 

[Rowsus]

You would expect most players to average less when their team is losing i would think, especially young players

I agree, I just don't expect a 40% variance!

 

[TeeButOne]

We can't be sure if his better record at AAMI was because he knows/loves the ground, or he's just not as good when he gets off a plane.

Thanks for the insights Rowsus. I'm imagine, for argument's sake, you can claim AAMI & Adelaide Oval to be one and the same, but you're right, overall there are too many question marks. For me, the big one is that he just 'broke out' ... definitely better value out there in the FWD line (i.e.: Franklin).

 

[Bontempele]

Both too unproven for me. Can't see either improving massively either.

 

[Rowsus]

Thanks for the insights Rowsus. I'm imagine, for argument's sake, you can claim AAMI & Adelaide Oval to be one and the same, but you're right, overall there are too many question marks. For me, the big one is that he just 'broke out' ... definitely better value out there in the FWD line (i.e.: Franklin).

Adelaide Oval doesn't have as deep pockets or flanks as AAMI, not that AAMI's are notoriously deep. I have no idea how that will affect anyone, it's just a different dynamic than they are used to.

 

[Philzsay]

I like Wingard as a trade in prospect. I'm a bit concerned he has a touch of the Ingemar Stenmark's about him.

Having a look at Ingemar back in his glory days maybe there is a vague similarity between him and Chad but honestly Rowsus I don't think anyone would really confuse the two or think they may be related!!

 

[Rowsus]

Having a look at Ingemar back in his glory days maybe there is a vague similarity between him and Chad but honestly Rowsus I don't think anyone would really confuse the two or think they may be related!!

I don't know, Phil. After a long day on the piste, they might start to look a bit similar!

 

[Batters31]

The diiference between a Downhill Skier, and an FTB is the FTB needs weak opposition to shine, the Downhill Skier only looks good when the team is winning, The difference is subtle, but it's there.

At what point do you stop saying "the Downhill Skier only looks good when the team is winning" and start saying the team is winning because A Player is playing well or the team is losing because B Player is playing poorly?

Whilst I accept that football is a team sport and you need more than one player to win there is a reason that we have taggers in the AFL and that is because when certain players play poorly or below average the chances of their team winning is greatly reduced.

I don't necessarily think Wingard fits in that category although his 151 against Adelaide in round 19 is an example of a game Port don't win without Wingard.

I would be interested to see whether, for example, Boomer Harvey fits into the category of "Downhill Skier".

 

[Goodie's Guns]

Wow I can't believe Chad Wingard kicked 40 goals last season, thats more than I would have expected.
At the moment I have Wingard in my drafts but I certainly haven't locked him in by no means.
Really hoping he has improved his tank a bit more so he can push more into the midfield and run out matches in there instead of floating on the flanks and only doing minimum time in the midfield.

Watch and see for me atm pretty much, although I would really like to pick him from the start

 

[IDIG]

Tough one, i wanna say Wingard because he's at least scored close to premium levels but there is a difference in price worth considering as well.

Possibly the other thing in Wingard's favour is his bye week. Parker shares a bye with Buddy and Pav, as well as Rohan and Hogan/Clark/JKH so depending on who you decide to start wtih, you may no fwd line at all in rd 10.