Position 2022: Forward Discussion

[mpollock]

Every year there are multiple guys in that price group, I agree last year as an outlier where not only were there a solid dozen of them but pretty much all the good ones with strong narratives even worked.

Across the formats and my draft teams I either started or traded into before price changes: Cumming, Dale, Hind, Ziebell, Heppell, Impey, Daniher, Jiath (technically had a price change in AFLF), Aliir, Walker and Atkins. That's across a total of 6 teams but I can say that outside of Walker and Aliir I considered every single one of them at round 1.

This year's group isn't as strong at this point but it must be said that the major guys to target in that price range aren't even known yet because they'll be the position change guys, predominantly you're looking for genuine midfield roles or rebounding defender roles. Of that group Daniher and Heppell (to a degree) are the only guys who were returning from injury, Walker was a flat out unpickable miracle, Aliir was from a coach who hated him playing him out of position. Cumming and Jiath was just getting a run in the team but the main guys and the most solid were Ziebell (albeit, he does fit in injury but that's not his main driver), Hind, Dale and Impey who got genuine HBF roles.

Now part of that many success stories making that change is there will be imitations but also there are now a lot less available slots.

Coleman and Rioli are the two very obvious ones right now, they made the changes last year and they both played very well and scored well doing it. Doesn't hurt that both their sides also had their secondary rebounder from last year retire.

Coniglio is an obvious Heppell type of story, years of well above pass level scoring and the captain of the side. He's best 22 if fit and the if fit is the only question. Like Ziebell last year, not picking him will be a bigger risk if he's fit.

Berry only has one year of huge scoring but the 2 years prior to that are well and truly pass level scoring for his price and he's got the ability to put up very big scores which are huge for cash generation.

Rest need to find their way into the sunshine but I'm confident we should find a half dozen good targets in that price range, ultimately it comes down to if the rookies look good and the extra cash can be better used elsewhere.

I do think that the position changes will inflate primarily the forward pass mark this year and that as a result the chance of getting a keeper from any of those guys except for Coniglio is not high, although Coleman and Rioli are both DPP and could scrape in down back but I don't see that going below 100 either so it's unlikely.



It's actually funny how differently we can all see a group of players. I've personally moved my forward pass mark to 100, which basically means I expect there to be 8 guys above that mark at seasons end and thus to have a F6 that's below that you need to have paid peanuts for it.

For mine I think all of the following have very strong 100+ cases:

Dunkley
Duncan
Taranto
Hawkins
Stringer
Martin
Wingard
Treloar
English
De Goey
Heeney
Coniglio

Then I also think Thomas, Butters, McKay, Dixon, Bolton, Graham, Sidebottom and Greene can have good cases made.

Throw in the likes of Danger, Petracca, Marshall, Gawn, Fyfe and Yeo who all are chances to get FWD tag among many others and it could be a very loaded position.

To be clear, not saying they all will score 100+ just that I can very easily paint the story for them doing it. Heck for several of those it's easier to paint that they will than they wont.

It's so hard as I see great value in the group but also know that someone like a Marshall or Danger getting FWD status and you've got 5 forwards can actually derail your season (another reason I don't like invisible position changes) as suddenly your F5/6 types are WAY under par.

Right now I'm finding it very hard to strike the balance in team building between allowing the flexibility for those changes, which primarily hit the forwards, and also taking the best value starting picks which, imo, are also in the forwards. Like I'd ideally start 2-3 premium forwards at most but that generally means more backs and I hate the value down back which means paying full price and I hate that even more! So conflicted!

100 as a forward pass mark? Only one managed that last year ...

 

[OnTopBar]

People have the caught the key thread here pretty well I reckon...

With the DPP incoming mid-season, there's every chance a second tier midfielder averaging a nothing 97 becomes a FWD and surges into relevance. If you're loaded up with sub-premium picks that are sitting closer to 90 it starts to hurt.

So as @wogitalia was saying, I think you want a FWD premo pick to look like they will hit 100. If you can't find those starting picks, go for value instead and trade up.

That's my thinking, especially after the rnd 12 additions, there's 12 trades available over the bye rnds which screams to me UPGRADE. So start the value FWD's and treat those extra 5 trades as an opportunity to cash in on those DPP's that present. Covid upsets that but there's still opportunity.

 

[mpollock]

Your thoughts on Connor Nash this year?

A few points on Nash:
- his four games in the midfield averaged 78
- this was majorly affected by his 3rd game when he gave away 6 frees (due to being ultra aggressive. In fairness he was playing the role he was asked to and the hawks beat runners up the dogs that day
- main issue is job security however played the last 4 games
- Mitchell was the reason he played midfield in the seniors those last 4 games ... now coach which helps

Having said all of that at 300k pass.

 

[OnTopBar]

Every year there are multiple guys in that price group, I agree last year as an outlier where not only were there a solid dozen of them but pretty much all the good ones with strong narratives even worked.

Across the formats and my draft teams I either started or traded into before price changes: Cumming, Dale, Hind, Ziebell, Heppell, Impey, Daniher, Jiath (technically had a price change in AFLF), Aliir, Walker and Atkins. That's across a total of 6 teams but I can say that outside of Walker and Aliir I considered every single one of them at round 1.

This year's group isn't as strong at this point but it must be said that the major guys to target in that price range aren't even known yet because they'll be the position change guys, predominantly you're looking for genuine midfield roles or rebounding defender roles. Of that group Daniher and Heppell (to a degree) are the only guys who were returning from injury, Walker was a flat out unpickable miracle, Aliir was from a coach who hated him playing him out of position. Cumming and Jiath was just getting a run in the team but the main guys and the most solid were Ziebell (albeit, he does fit in injury but that's not his main driver), Hind, Dale and Impey who got genuine HBF roles.

Now part of that many success stories making that change is there will be imitations but also there are now a lot less available slots.

Coleman and Rioli are the two very obvious ones right now, they made the changes last year and they both played very well and scored well doing it. Doesn't hurt that both their sides also had their secondary rebounder from last year retire.

Coniglio is an obvious Heppell type of story, years of well above pass level scoring and the captain of the side. He's best 22 if fit and the if fit is the only question. Like Ziebell last year, not picking him will be a bigger risk if he's fit.

Berry only has one year of huge scoring but the 2 years prior to that are well and truly pass level scoring for his price and he's got the ability to put up very big scores which are huge for cash generation.

Rest need to find their way into the sunshine but I'm confident we should find a half dozen good targets in that price range, ultimately it comes down to if the rookies look good and the extra cash can be better used elsewhere.

I do think that the position changes will inflate primarily the forward pass mark this year and that as a result the chance of getting a keeper from any of those guys except for Coniglio is not high, although Coleman and Rioli are both DPP and could scrape in down back but I don't see that going below 100 either so it's unlikely.



It's actually funny how differently we can all see a group of players. I've personally moved my forward pass mark to 100, which basically means I expect there to be 8 guys above that mark at seasons end and thus to have a F6 that's below that you need to have paid peanuts for it.

For mine I think all of the following have very strong 100+ cases:

Dunkley
Duncan
Taranto
Hawkins
Stringer
Martin
Wingard
Treloar
English
De Goey
Heeney
Coniglio

Then I also think Thomas, Butters, McKay, Dixon, Bolton, Graham, Sidebottom and Greene can have good cases made.

Throw in the likes of Danger, Petracca, Marshall, Gawn, Fyfe and Yeo who all are chances to get FWD tag among many others and it could be a very loaded position.

To be clear, not saying they all will score 100+ just that I can very easily paint the story for them doing it. Heck for several of those it's easier to paint that they will than they wont.

It's so hard as I see great value in the group but also know that someone like a Marshall or Danger getting FWD status and you've got 5 forwards can actually derail your season (another reason I don't like invisible position changes) as suddenly your F5/6 types are WAY under par.

Right now I'm finding it very hard to strike the balance in team building between allowing the flexibility for those changes, which primarily hit the forwards, and also taking the best value starting picks which, imo, are also in the forwards. Like I'd ideally start 2-3 premium forwards at most but that generally means more backs and I hate the value down back which means paying full price and I hate that even more! So conflicted!

I'm assuming that Dunkley and Duncan would be your 2 starting premiums, for me I'm only starting 1 which will probably be Duncan as I'm unsure of Dunkley's role, the choice then comes down to the value picks and out of the 12 that you mentioned I reckon De Goey, Heeney and Thomas are the standouts with Cogs rounding them out and a rookie at F6.

I'm not starting Gawn for the reasons that you identified but if he gets FWD status then he's a must have, I'll be starting Petracca and if he gets DPP then that's a bonus. Marshall is one that I'm really keen on and if he gets DPP then it's a simple flip of the worst performing of my value picks, I'm not considering Fyfe or Yeo, again for the reasons that you identified.

Obviously these changes require trades but we have an extra 5 which gives a bit of flexibility in covering those players that gain DPP status, but like every other season there'll be more important things to deal with rnd by rnd

 

[BIGB0Y]

Dunkley is far from a lock for me yet, looked a shadow of the player post shoulder return last year, want to see that he's actually fit and injury free first.

Taranto is a firm no for me, mainly because their best forward is out for 5 weeks find it hard to see him not slotting into that Greene role and dropping in price and becoming a prime upgrade target.

Dusty is just a massive unknown for me going into the season, usually starts slow anyway but when hes had such a serious injury and lost plenty of size and strength I find it hard to see him getting that all back just off one pre season, may very well never be the same player again.

Forward structure is a real problem for me right now, really not liking much at the moment.

My old man saw dusty train last week and said he looks the fittest his ever seen him. Losing 10kg as a 30 year old probably is a blessing in disguise. Let’s him play more midfield. Don’t rule out a champion.

 

[wogitalia]

People have the caught the key thread here pretty well I reckon...

With the DPP incoming mid-season, there's every chance a second tier midfielder averaging a nothing 97 becomes a FWD and surges into relevance. If you're loaded up with sub-premium picks that are sitting closer to 90 it starts to hurt.

So as @wogitalia was saying, I think you want a FWD premo pick to look like they will hit 100. If you can't find those starting picks, go for value instead and trade up.

Exactly. I think the starting crop is a lot stronger this year at this point in time but it only takes a couple of the whacky changes and the threshold moves quickly. Those low end keepers are a lot harder to justify this year, I think it's more important than ever to target the guys you think will be playing genuine midfield roles and scoring at that level.

100 as a forward pass mark? Only one managed that last year ...

Last year had Zorko, Ziebell, Hall, Dunkley and Danger all average 100+ and Marshall was at 99.

If you include the DPP guys who gained forward last year in AFLF you also have Darcy, Kelly and Fyfe who were 100+ averages.

The top 5 of that group all 105+ and 20+ games. Danger was 104 coming in at perfect upgrade time and playing 13 games.

I think there's a very strong case that this years crop is better at this point in time as starting picks.

Dunkley, Duncan, Martin, Coniglio, Hawkins, Anderson and Treloar all have career highs of 105+ and I while I wouldn't back it, I don't think there's any reason they couldn't do it again if things fell their ways.

The list of guys with a 100+ season is also very long.

That's not even including the Stringer, De Goey, Thomas, Butters, Heeney, Bolton, Graham, Bailey et al young guns who definitely have the ability to do it.

A few points on Nash:
- his four games in the midfield averaged 78
- this was majorly affected by his 3rd game when he gave away 6 frees (due to being ultra aggressive. In fairness he was playing the role he was asked to and the hawks beat runners up the dogs that day
- main issue is job security however played the last 4 games
- Mitchell was the reason he played midfield in the seniors those last 4 games ... now coach which helps

Having said all of that at 300k pass.

Yeah, Nash at 250k would be very interesting, at 300k would take a pretty special preseason showing. There's quite a few midfielders in that team that aren't bad players. Mitchell playing favourites could help him a lot though if he went that path and for all their midfielders the thing they definitely don't have is that big bodied type. JOM, Mitchell and Worpel are all good inside players but they're not big.

 

[wogitalia]

I'm assuming that Dunkley and Duncan would be your 2 starting premiums, for me I'm only starting 1 which will probably be Duncan as I'm unsure of Dunkley's role, the choice then comes down to the value picks and out of the 12 that you mentioned I reckon De Goey, Heeney and Thomas are the standouts with Cogs rounding them out and a rookie at F6.

I'm not starting Gawn for the reasons that you identified but if he gets FWD status then he's a must have, I'll be starting Petracca and if he gets DPP then that's a bonus. Marshall is one that I'm really keen on and if he gets DPP then it's a simple flip of the worst performing of my value picks, I'm not considering Fyfe or Yeo, again for the reasons that you identified.

Obviously these changes require trades but we have an extra 5 which gives a bit of flexibility in covering those players that gain DPP status, but like every other season there'll be more important things to deal with rnd by rnd

I need to settle on a structure. Given the DPP stuff I'd lean towards going probably Duncan and a Heeney type. I kind of hope De Goey cops a couple of weeks so I can sidestep that decision, I think I probably overrate him but I think he's an absurd talent on the field.

Right now I've actually got 4 value plays but that's more about the defenders. I think at the end of the day I might end up with 6 premium mids this year, I feel there is both value and safety in most of the top names, something I don't vibe on most of the backs or forwards!

Edit to add that as always the rookies will ultimately decide things, if there's 6 mid rookies and two forward rookies, at the end of the day they force the structure. Although I think the DPP alleviates that a lot as you need to get to round 6 before the rookies all gain DPPs anyway because very few play as actual mids.

My old man saw dusty train last week and said he looks the fittest his ever seen him. Losing 10kg as a 30 year old probably is a blessing in disguise. Let’s him play more midfield. Don’t rule out a champion.

Will be watching very closely, always been one of the easiest guys to pick fitness on in the preseason. Not being able to go to Vegas certainly doesn't hurt his cause either!

Big question is obviously his dad's passing and how he reacts to that. I'm very torn on him, he strikes me as an all or nothing guy in that regard with going off the rails or hyper-focusing on football the two options that really stand out. From what I've seen so far he seems to have gone the latter.

I reckon he's somehow getting neglected this year which is odd. If he plays midfield and is fit for once he's very capable of 100+ and a fair bit more if he's chasing a Charlie to honour his old man.

 

[BIGB0Y]

I need to settle on a structure. Given the DPP stuff I'd lean towards going probably Duncan and a Heeney type. I kind of hope De Goey cops a couple of weeks so I can sidestep that decision, I think I probably overrate him but I think he's an absurd talent on the field.

Right now I've actually got 4 value plays but that's more about the defenders. I think at the end of the day I might end up with 6 premium mids this year, I feel there is both value and safety in most of the top names, something I don't vibe on most of the backs or forwards!

Edit to add that as always the rookies will ultimately decide things, if there's 6 mid rookies and two forward rookies, at the end of the day they force the structure. Although I think the DPP alleviates that a lot as you need to get to round 6 before the rookies all gain DPPs anyway because very few play as actual mids.



Will be watching very closely, always been one of the easiest guys to pick fitness on in the preseason. Not being able to go to Vegas certainly doesn't hurt his cause either!

Big question is obviously his dad's passing and how he reacts to that. I'm very torn on him, he strikes me as an all or nothing guy in that regard with going off the rails or hyper-focusing on football the two options that really stand out. From what I've seen so far he seems to have gone the latter.

I reckon he's somehow getting neglected this year which is odd. If he plays midfield and is fit for once he's very capable of 100+ and a fair bit more if he's chasing a Charlie to honour his old man.

My dad was saying he was running laps by himself. That tells me his pushing himself to get fitter for more mid time. If he was gonna play forward you think in his spare time he would be in the gym trying to put some of that weight back on not running laps. As a tiger fan I want to see dusty as a midfielder supporting all the kids that are coming through.

 

[BIGB0Y]

Dusty is my F1 atm

 

[BIGB0Y]

What are we all expecting out of Rayner this year?

 

[elzorko16]

My dad was saying he was running laps by himself. That tells me his pushing himself to get fitter for more mid time. If he was gonna play forward you think in his spare time he would be in the gym trying to put some of that weight back on not running laps. As a tiger fan I want to see dusty as a midfielder supporting all the kids that are coming through.

When I played footy (at a much lower level) running laps on your lonesome normally indicated that you were behind the group and just needed more miles in the legs to be ready to join in again. Also would not be convinced losing 10 kg or so would be ideal either. Dusty's strength has been his strength and ability to break tackles. A lighter frame probably not going to help, and although a lighter frame may help his endurance it is unrealistic to think that a 31 yo is going to increase his pace or sharpness. Alas a pass for me to start

 

[wogitalia]

What are we all expecting out of Rayner this year?

Not an awful lot. He's flashed a bit but mostly been a mediocre player to date and all the reports on his training habits don't really sound promising. Coming back from an ACL it's possible he found motivation, sometimes having the sport taken away can lead to a dedication to it.

Needs to show a lot in the preseason because with Lyons, Zorko, Neale, Clug, Bailey and Berry all ahead of him for midfield minutes that's a pretty damn steep hill to climb for any minutes. That group are all light years ahead of him at this point as players.

In his defense, he's clearly not a forward and never was so he's played completely out of position his whole career and it might just be a case that he's a pure mid only and finds his feet at that role.

 

[freowho]

What are we all expecting out of Rayner this year?

I recall it being a poor draft year (looks to be the case) and Brisbane said they picked him because he had an x factor! If only they knew that x factor really means unknown.

 

[wogitalia]

When I played footy (at a much lower level) running laps on your lonesome normally indicated that you were behind the group and just needed more miles in the legs to be ready to join in again. Also would not be convinced losing 10 kg or so would be ideal either. Dusty's strength has been his strength and ability to break tackles. A lighter frame probably not going to help, and although a lighter frame may help his endurance it is unrealistic to think that a 31 yo is going to increase his pace or sharpness. Alas a pass for me to start

That was my thought as well, you ran laps during training because you were restricted from contact work. You did extra work after training because you were behind on the required fitness level. Generally if you were trying to build fitness you did separate sessions that were focused on that, so a lot more power running and endurance training rather than rolling the legs over on laps.

No indication on how he was running laps though as can absolutely achieve the above doing those if done right!

 

[wogitalia]

I recall it being a poor draft year (looks to be the case) and Brisbane said they picked him because he had an x factor! If only they knew that x factor really means unknown.

I think they bought into the Dusty comparisons to the point of thinking he was Dusty and would be a game changing forward. Like most young midfielders who'd played nothing but midfield because they were always the best midfielder in their age he's a pretty terrible forward which requires very different skills.

That's me clutching at the only straws left for his career, hoping he was just playing badly out of position and if he does play midfield he can justify his draft hype.

 

[Under The Dome]

Exactly. I think the starting crop is a lot stronger this year at this point in time but it only takes a couple of the whacky changes and the threshold moves quickly. Those low end keepers are a lot harder to justify this year, I think it's more important than ever to target the guys you think will be playing genuine midfield roles and scoring at that level.



Last year had Zorko, Ziebell, Hall, Dunkley and Danger all average 100+ and Marshall was at 99.

If you include the DPP guys who gained forward last year in AFLF you also have Darcy, Kelly and Fyfe who were 100+ averages.

The top 5 of that group all 105+ and 20+ games. Danger was 104 coming in at perfect upgrade time and playing 13 games.

I think there's a very strong case that this years crop is better at this point in time as starting picks.

Dunkley, Duncan, Martin, Coniglio, Hawkins, Anderson and Treloar all have career highs of 105+ and I while I wouldn't back it, I don't think there's any reason they couldn't do it again if things fell their ways.

The list of guys with a 100+ season is also very long.

That's not even including the Stringer, De Goey, Thomas, Butters, Heeney, Bolton, Graham, Bailey et al young guns who definitely have the ability to do it.





Yeah, Nash at 250k would be very interesting, at 300k would take a pretty special preseason showing. There's quite a few midfielders in that team that aren't bad players. Mitchell playing favourites could help him a lot though if he went that path and for all their midfielders the thing they definitely don't have is that big bodied type. JOM, Mitchell and Worpel are all good inside players but they're not big.

It was reported on the 12th January, that Anderson hadn't recieved his second jab (Bad reaction to the first) Haven't found anything posted about since then.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/te...y/news-story/0b813c263dafbca98ccbfbff089ec23f

 

[Broar]

10 and 16 games the last two years.

He missed one game in 2020, I think most people are forgetting the season was reduced.

 

[manyproblems]

Forward line is very tough, already having whit down back makes me nervous and now there’s not much choice other than some sort of risk up forward. I’ve always liked a makeshift forward line til we figure who the top guys are. I don’t want to risk too many rookies because they need to hold it down for a third of a season or so.

F1 I’ll happily pick Dunkley, few work harder than this guy and with full mid minutes I think would be the games highest scorer. It’s a contract year, if they don’t give him some mid minutes he might ask to leave again. He doesn’t need that much to score either. Monitor shoulder in preseason, no strapping atm.

F2 is probably Degoey if he gets the role but I’m not sure he does, he’s a garbage stat padding midfielder with average clearance numbers. Hope the new coach sees this, currently training forward but only just got back. If not I’ll go for Heeney because of age, scoring history and mid role. Don’t mind Butters and Thomas but I’ll take Heeney.

F3 I’m coming around to the idea of Coleman which seems popular here. Good contested rate and he took a kick in or 2 in finals, and birchalls kick ins are up for grabs.

F4 Cogs

F5 I like Curnow. Last two games before his knee were 120 and 150. Carlton are better, he takes the 2nd kpd and is having a full preseason as far as I know. He can play higher up the ground and take a few marks, and even pinch in the midfield. Not going to panic if he drops 2 40s

F6 Hollands, was eased into the VFL and had 27 disp in his last game there. They gotta get games into him, probably stuck at HF though.

Bench - wait and see I guess,

 

[McLovin]

Forward line is very tough, already having whit down back makes me nervous and now there’s not much choice other than some sort of risk up forward. I’ve always liked a makeshift forward line til we figure who the top guys are. I don’t want to risk too many rookies because they need to hold it down for a third of a season or so.

F1 I’ll happily pick Dunkley, few work harder than this guy and with full mid minutes I think would be the games highest scorer. It’s a contract year, if they don’t give him some mid minutes he might ask to leave again. He doesn’t need that much to score either. Monitor shoulder in preseason, no strapping atm.

F2 is probably Degoey if he gets the role but I’m not sure he does, he’s a garbage stat padding midfielder with average clearance numbers. Hope the new coach sees this, currently training forward but only just got back. If not I’ll go for Heeney because of age, scoring history and mid role. Don’t mind Butters and Thomas but I’ll take Heeney.

F3 I’m coming around to the idea of Coleman which seems popular here. Good contested rate and he took a kick in or 2 in finals, and birchalls kick ins are up for grabs.

F4 Cogs

F5 I like Curnow. Last two games before his knee were 120 and 150. Carlton are better, he takes the 2nd kpd and is having a full preseason as far as I know. He can play higher up the ground and take a few marks, and even pinch in the midfield. Not going to panic if he drops 2 40s

F6 Hollands, was eased into the VFL and had 27 disp in his last game there. They gotta get games into him, probably stuck at HF though.

Bench - wait and see I guess,

"garbage stat padding midfielder with average clearance numbers" is the best description I've seen of DeGoey.

 

[warewolves]

My old 10,000 word friend...

De Goey - Depends on where he's at to start the season BUT if he's there round 1 he's very hard to pass up. Harvey worked out that he's a midfielder and he blossomed averaging 110 over those 8 games, another that Bucks didn't seem to like last year as he ended up marooned up forward in a team getting smashed through the guts.

Durability is a mess. Attitude is an issue. Like Wingard he seems to be a pretty awful person but he's 110+ capable and he's pure SC gold in how he plays. I also think the Pies are a much better side than they played to last year.

I think if he's there round 1, I'm going to die on this hill...

Buddy - No.

Bailey - I can see the case but basically he scores well when Neale, Berry and Zorko are out last year and he gets midfield burn. I'm not sure where the minutes or role comes from so you're 100% on natural progression. I really rate him but I reckon it's next year when him and Zorko switch roles.

Wouldn't begrudge anyone who took the punt this year if it came off though, he's going to be a gun.

Thomas - Another on the epic finishers group. Cunnington's unfortunate illness probably has the midfield minutes held open though I don't really think his dynamism was at risk to him anyway. 97 average over his last 12 and 109 over the last 5 and honestly didn't feel like he was doing anything "special" to get there. There was nothing he did that wasn't sustainable, his role should improve, he's too talented for them to hide him, another preseason should raise his floor (still an issue) and I think with the confidence shot from LY in a side that I personally think can be very competitive this year he should score very well.


Basically put aside the first 35 games that were a squibby mess and back the 12 games where he looked to have worked it out is all you have to do to easily pick him.

Value is extreme here, I think 100+ is definitely a highly possible outcome and that 105+ is not an extreme projection.

Bolton - I honestly have no clue here. Everything was there last year for him to go huge and he just didn't. He's such a scumbag that it's hard to get around him but his talent level is extreme and like I said with Martin they kind of need more from him through the midfield.

I'll be watching very closely because I think there's a 95+ guy in there pretty easily and realistically he's got 100+ talent. Think given some of the other options that have actually proven it, albeit for short periods, that he's more of an upgrade watch right now.

Graham - Interesting he got FWD tag for mine, not a guy I'd have considered for it at all but here we are. He's got as much potential as anyone on this list, I think you could make a very strong case for a Dunkley 2019 type of season for him, his good is very good but his bad games are horrific but he's at that point where he really should be their main inside midfielder this year, it just seems like it's his role to lose going into the season. Has always reminded me of JPK as a player.

He's probably higher on my watch list than just about anyone else has him but he's definitely on my radar.

Gray - No thanks.

Heeney - And here we are again... For all my criticism of Horse, he's been extremely honest when it comes to positions. For years he said Mills and Heeney wouldn't play midfield and they didn't outside sporadic bursts, last year he said Mills would and he did. This year he says Heeney will and I believe him. Dawson was playing as an attacking winger for the last 10ish rounds last year and was the best in the league at the role but Heeney was also getting some burn on the other wing and his scoring took a nice bounce to 100 for the last 7 games.

He's got 115+ scoring potential playing as a genuine midfielder, as a winger I think that's more in the ~105 area, he does literally everything from a SC perspective at an elite level and all that has restricted him is Horse playing him in very difficult and limiting roles and, do I really need to say it...

Needs a perfect preseason, something he's never done. If he does that I find it hard to not have him locked in given the upside. Hewett and Dawson is two genuine midfield roles from last year's side opened. JPK was on his last legs 3 years ago. Mills is our best midfielder and Heeney has the potential to be even better, imo. All I know is that if Heeney can push Parker to the 3rd best midfielder then the Swans can go places this year, as huge a loss as Dawson was (what a steal for Adelaide if they can use him right, aka don't play him at HF).

Put it this way, with no preseason, playing out of position, in a relatively poor side and constantly getting hurt he'd been a 94-98 for 4 straight years, even if he only gets back to that, he's a winning pick.

And yes... durability.

Wright - Not my hill.

Butters - As if there weren't already way too many options. The way he started last year was 100% the quality of player he is. The injury is a worry and it remains a concern given how undersized he is for such a hard nut but I love him as a player, he seems like the kind of clint that you want on your team and would love as a teammate.

Another who I absolutely think can go 100+ if he stays fit. Port keep falling flat because their midfield isn't good enough and he's the plain and obvious answer to that.

Rate him super highly.

Cameron - There's a case here but given some of the other options, it's not one I'm going to make.

Snelling - He's that Jarryd Lyon guy where we all salivate over the super exciting, explosive and classy guys that I've named above and then the little worker bee just grunts his way to being the correct answer. Maybe it's just that every time I'd take him in DF he'd score 50 and every time I didn't he'd get 85+ but I noticed him. He does a lot of good things, wouldn't surprise me one bit if he ended up with a more genuine midfield role and average 95+...

Still not on my radar though

Reid/Membrey/Higgins/Elliott - Nope.

Daniher - Like Cameron, I think there's a very good case here but I think it's a 95 type ceiling in a sea of 100+ options and it's got as much downside risk as any of them so not really worth it. Wouldn't shock me at all though.

Stephenson - Hard to tell, felt like he and Thomas switch roles a bit and the side was better for it last year so expect that to continue. I think he's a bit more limited on the upside potential than most of this list, thus he's not really on my radar but I do think a low 90s is not beyond him.

McCarthy/Moore/Lambert - I think their role is just a bit limiting at this point, there's a bit of upside but not enough, they're guys where 85 seems a very strong season at this point.

McKay - Breakout year, draft league I'd be all over him and think he's going to probably go 90+ this year BUT that's not enough this year, imo and he's not that much cheaper than several of the guys I think can be 100+ and would back to do it before I went McKay.

Gulden - The potential is definitely there but I think it's a year or two too early but I wouldn't be shocked if he does it, just seems to be that kind of personality and everything he does is so classy it should be good for SC. I worry he might be a bit too much like Merrett or Sam Mitchell where their ability to elude players to effectively hurts them in SC where forcing contact is a far more desireable skill. The Merrett comparison remains though, I think that's what he should be aspiring to be long term.

Ladhams - If Hickey is injured and he's the #1, then he'd be a lock, I really rate him as a fantasy ruck. He's fairly priced as the R2 though.

Once again thanks @wogitalia for your excellent contribution.
There is a young Swans fwd – Hayden McLean ($316,800) that I reckon has real potential.
At his age with size & mobility, surely they try to capitalise on his assets.
Do you have any thoughts on his role this season? Any chance he gets decent on-ball minutes?
In round 9 last year he scored 117 when given the right opportunity.