Honestly having a tough time settling on a team I like.
There's a number of top end premiums I'm really interested in as I either don't see them taking a backwards step or there being potential upside in them still and a heap of mid price attractions that seem too good to pass up.
Backs -
Few top end premiums that look like really easy set and forget picks / ones I'd rather start with then use a trade to bring in (looking at you Whitfield).
Hewett and Sicily are alright but for their price range, there are a heap more I'd have ahead of them at that price, although they're in other positions. Not sure I can really put Milera into this group, I'd start him if he was playing round 1 but I'm guessing that's unlikely at this stage.
Would love to load up on rookies in this area however not sure the depth exists to do that. That said, I forced it anyways last year and made the quick switch after a couple of rounds to trade out some scrub premium (Gaff) and move it into Mills which sured it up a bit and could easily be on the cards again I suppose.
Mids -
The top 3-5 priced picks look amazing and would be happy with any/all of them in my side and with how consistent they all were last year, I'd happy start with them all if I could.
Neale is too hard to overlook, Cripps at his price has to be given a shot and I'm still interested in Matt Crouch given what he can do when on / price. Rowell looks too good to turn down.
And then the premium priced rookies all come in who look worth the shot.
Rucks -
Gawn + Grundy would be an easy set and forget. More interested in Grundy as there is more upside in him possibly getting back to his best scoring compared to Gawn who has Jackson to compete with for time in the middle.
Marshall without Ryder for the season and I'd be keen however it's a touch off-putting. O'Brien looks like he should float back but I don't have it in me to pick him again, he annoys me too much to watch. English, maybe this is his year and the fwd status could be handy.
Preuss is cheaper then some top end draft picks, scored well on the weekend and we saw GWS constantly drop Flynn (and drag Mummy out again)/play him as a forward last year which makes me feel they're not super confident in his ruck work. R3 and it's easier to relax, R2 like I'm currently toying with could backfire so badly and it also requires an R3 to play in round 1.
Forwards -
The Doggies premiums have most interest here. Duncan would be a lock if he wasn't dealing with the injury. Happy to pass on Taranto myself but will be a top 6 forward on average come the end of the season I'm sure. Shout out to Sidey who scored poorly enough to be at least one guy who let me put a cross through his name...
Next bunch has a heap of interesting options and I'd like to run with Martin the most I think given durability history and it looking like he'll spend more time through the middle. Heeney as a mid is always tempting but hard to believe it'll ever happen. De Goey, TT could both come good but happy to pass. Cogs and Brodie pretty hard to pass up at price / pre season form.
Xerri is another at that top end draft pick price but looks to have the #1 ruck role for North with Goldy doing (???). The score makes me want to pick him however not sure if that's the best move. Come round 6 he'll get ruck status however not sure that really helps a hell of a lot by that point either. Rookie depth seems kinda weak but I honestly don't know.
Feels the hardest starting team to pick in quite some time.