Position 2022: Midfield Discussion
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It's interesting and the jury is still out for me but if it means sub 40 rookie scores are replaced on D/F lines with 90+ scores and JS than its not too extreme for me.
True regarding captain options but again I can see plenty of options over the 4 lines to cover this. The key is being confident that the rookie mids a) have good JS and b) will score 70+ to make it worthwhile. The cash generation and points on field should cover the lack of a couple of extra premiums but it doesn't always work like that
True regarding captain options but again I can see plenty of options over the 4 lines to cover this. The key is being confident that the rookie mids a) have good JS and b) will score 70+ to make it worthwhile. The cash generation and points on field should cover the lack of a couple of extra premiums but it doesn't always work like that
This is why I don't like X vs Y type scenarios.
Putting Rayner, who I think is a poor pick at this point in time, in to diminish Berry is a very flawed ideology. Especially when you go with a 650k spend vs a 550k spend of which 150k of that is just to throw in a weak option.
Berry needs to be assessed entirely on his own, throwing in extra pieces just diverts the focus.
I'm not 100% on picking Berry, he has to tick the perfect preseason box for mine but he's got the potential to be among the very best cash cows available. If he's going to make me 100k more than an alternative pick, then he's worth picking and I'll find the cash elsewhere to do it. At this point he's in my draft though as him going out is likely to free up a lot of cash if he doesn't look good and that's always an easier move!
I'm totally open to a very low premium count in the mids if the rookies support it, at the end of the day it's the easiest position to upgrade as there are way more options available and with the super premiums only needing a poor game to drop 50-100k early in the season they're very targetable, especially with the extra trades.
The weakness in an extreme rookie balance anywhere is the vulnerability if a couple go missing early, be it injury or otherwise, and all of a sudden it's hard to fix. I will say though that one thing the DPP changes to is massively cover for this as lots of rookies will get DPP and it becomes a lot easier to cover absences for a week or two. The other hidden cost is you do end up overloaded in other positions somewhat which can harm the flexibility of upgrade targets there and can have a big opportunity cost if there is a big breakout premium or two that you don't have and no where to slot them in.
Putting Rayner, who I think is a poor pick at this point in time, in to diminish Berry is a very flawed ideology. Especially when you go with a 650k spend vs a 550k spend of which 150k of that is just to throw in a weak option.
Berry needs to be assessed entirely on his own, throwing in extra pieces just diverts the focus.
I'm not 100% on picking Berry, he has to tick the perfect preseason box for mine but he's got the potential to be among the very best cash cows available. If he's going to make me 100k more than an alternative pick, then he's worth picking and I'll find the cash elsewhere to do it. At this point he's in my draft though as him going out is likely to free up a lot of cash if he doesn't look good and that's always an easier move!
I'm totally open to a very low premium count in the mids if the rookies support it, at the end of the day it's the easiest position to upgrade as there are way more options available and with the super premiums only needing a poor game to drop 50-100k early in the season they're very targetable, especially with the extra trades.
The weakness in an extreme rookie balance anywhere is the vulnerability if a couple go missing early, be it injury or otherwise, and all of a sudden it's hard to fix. I will say though that one thing the DPP changes to is massively cover for this as lots of rookies will get DPP and it becomes a lot easier to cover absences for a week or two. The other hidden cost is you do end up overloaded in other positions somewhat which can harm the flexibility of upgrade targets there and can have a big opportunity cost if there is a big breakout premium or two that you don't have and no where to slot them in.
I don't think you'd be that short captain wise tbh.
Macrae, Steele, Neale, Darcey, Grundy (and you could probably vc Dunkley/Lloyd if you were bold enough) I think you'd be alright Captain wise.
I'm more concerned about not being able to trade in these big mids during the season. I feel like thats been my biggest issue the last two seasons. None of the big guys really dropped, I struggled to make enough cash to bring them in, so I just settle for a couple of the cheaper mids just so I could stop fielding dud rookies.
Macrae, Steele, Neale, Darcey, Grundy (and you could probably vc Dunkley/Lloyd if you were bold enough) I think you'd be alright Captain wise.
I'm more concerned about not being able to trade in these big mids during the season. I feel like thats been my biggest issue the last two seasons. None of the big guys really dropped, I struggled to make enough cash to bring them in, so I just settle for a couple of the cheaper mids just so I could stop fielding dud rookies.
This is the key point. You'd only go so light on mod premiums if you could see probably 6 rookies that were not duds (5 on field, 1 on the bench for cover).
Feels like JHF and Daicos are shaping well as great choices.
Some good signs around Ward, Hobbs, Macrae.
Maybe some serviceable bench backup from Goater, G Clark types.
So we're not there yet and probably won't know until the second pre-season game at the earliest.
Feels like JHF and Daicos are shaping well as great choices.
Some good signs around Ward, Hobbs, Macrae.
Maybe some serviceable bench backup from Goater, G Clark types.
So we're not there yet and probably won't know until the second pre-season game at the earliest.
There's a round of 'practice matches' before the community series. I'm calling it a pre-season game because it's inter-club and we'll get a look.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/692790/aami-community-series-fixture-reveal
https://www.afl.com.au/news/692790/aami-community-series-fixture-reveal
I don't think we'll get a 130 Neale but can't see why we don't get a 120 Neale. Despite playing injured last year Fagan kept giving Neale one of the highest CBA's percentages in the AFL. And there is no point in waiting for him when his price might go up as much as a cash cow. MacRae and Steele are very good picks but I don't think they're must haves like Ablett and Danger in their prime. I wouldn't try and chop them but if there is a real squeeze in the mids you could.
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@Buddy Starmart
I know this is like getting financial or vaccine advice from Tik Tok, however, the preseason vid on Lachie Neale looks to show his body in cracking shape. After a poor 2021 due to injury and close to leaving the Lions, who failed on their quest in last couple of years, expect Neale will look to make a statement this year. He finally has realised how important preseason is (his words) and expect he may have done extra
training.
If this video doesn't make you pick him, nothing will.
https://www.lions.com.au/video/1055...dal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1643934247001
I know this is like getting financial or vaccine advice from Tik Tok, however, the preseason vid on Lachie Neale looks to show his body in cracking shape. After a poor 2021 due to injury and close to leaving the Lions, who failed on their quest in last couple of years, expect Neale will look to make a statement this year. He finally has realised how important preseason is (his words) and expect he may have done extra
training.
If this video doesn't make you pick him, nothing will.
https://www.lions.com.au/video/1055...dal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1643934247001
I think a 4 mid premo is for sure the likely structure at the moment. I am actually liking a structure with 3... Steele MacRae Neale, JHF, Daicos, Stephens, Ward, Hobbs, Erasmus, Mead, Clark.
I can't see at this stage which of those rookies I leave out. Moving back to a 4 premium mid feels easy with so many good options to add back a premium unless one of those rookies drop out.
Playing with this structure for now helps me get a lot of looks at my team with the more speculative break out types (eg 2 of Heeney, butters JDG Thomas at F2,3) plus a will day at D5.
The next 6 weeks will of course tell the storybut I like it for now
I can't see at this stage which of those rookies I leave out. Moving back to a 4 premium mid feels easy with so many good options to add back a premium unless one of those rookies drop out.
Playing with this structure for now helps me get a lot of looks at my team with the more speculative break out types (eg 2 of Heeney, butters JDG Thomas at F2,3) plus a will day at D5.
The next 6 weeks will of course tell the storybut I like it for now
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Lot of talk developing around Mead
Where does he fit in ?
Boak , Drew , Wines + Gray
Butters & Rozee all getting more mid time , SPP will want some.
Amon & Duursma as well.
Goater (NM) potentially could be a mid starter as well.
3-0-8 certainly would allow stacking the other lines from the start though.
Where does he fit in ?
Boak , Drew , Wines + Gray
Butters & Rozee all getting more mid time , SPP will want some.
Amon & Duursma as well.
Goater (NM) potentially could be a mid starter as well.
3-0-8 certainly would allow stacking the other lines from the start though.
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I hope so, as it will mean that their other positional lines will be compromised.
3 of those 630k+ guys with Neale at M4 makes more sense to me, especially since a handful of the premo priced rookie mids look like they're going to be in contention for Rd1 spots. Lack of viable on-field cheap rookies for D5/D6 & F5/F6 another reason to bat only 4 premo's deep in the mids to start.
3 of those 630k+ guys with Neale at M4 makes more sense to me, especially since a handful of the premo priced rookie mids look like they're going to be in contention for Rd1 spots. Lack of viable on-field cheap rookies for D5/D6 & F5/F6 another reason to bat only 4 premo's deep in the mids to start.
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Appreciate the patience on rookies, think I was the one last year saying that at this time of the year. Yet when they came they were poor.
What we do need is decent rookies on other lines. Took a long time for Bergman, McNeil, Sharp, Fullarton, Kozzie to get going last year.
Even without Berry/Caldwell, I count 8 and maybe 10 decent mid rookies to pick from. Starting to think 3 premium mids could be the go. Ideally if going 8 mid rookies up to 200k you would want 1-2 not selected to eventually trade those that don't pan out as we expect. That luxury rarely exists in the fwd and def lines.
Players like Gibcus will be interesting at 170k, given his scoring level at previous levels wasn't high, yet we may need to rely on him or hopefully at $200k DGB in defence. Once again though, it is 200k rookies or 270k players that are standing out.
Currently running premiums (+500k) 4-3-2-1 (+Heeney and Butters F2/3) with an average spend of +$170k at D6/M8/F6 plus expensive mid rookies on the bench - yet most of the rookies look good except for defence where there are question marks on potentially playing or output.
What we do need is decent rookies on other lines. Took a long time for Bergman, McNeil, Sharp, Fullarton, Kozzie to get going last year.
Even without Berry/Caldwell, I count 8 and maybe 10 decent mid rookies to pick from. Starting to think 3 premium mids could be the go. Ideally if going 8 mid rookies up to 200k you would want 1-2 not selected to eventually trade those that don't pan out as we expect. That luxury rarely exists in the fwd and def lines.
Players like Gibcus will be interesting at 170k, given his scoring level at previous levels wasn't high, yet we may need to rely on him or hopefully at $200k DGB in defence. Once again though, it is 200k rookies or 270k players that are standing out.
Currently running premiums (+500k) 4-3-2-1 (+Heeney and Butters F2/3) with an average spend of +$170k at D6/M8/F6 plus expensive mid rookies on the bench - yet most of the rookies look good except for defence where there are question marks on potentially playing or output.