This is the latest result of my tinkering. It's not perfect, but unlike most of my efforts it doesn't have any placeholders I've put in because I've hit a dead end. I can't see myself going any more expensive on the bench than I have already unless the rookie situation gets even worse.
Backs- Pretty stock standard with the exception of Ryan being there over Short. There's no doubting the fact that Short's the safer pick, it's just his ceiling that worries me. Houli or no Houli he tops out in the 120s which may limit his scope to be more than a slight improver. Sicily I don't particularly like and would happily dump if there was an alternative to Coleman for that D4 spot. It's basically a value pick because 3 rookies on field doesn't look viable and 4 close to fully priced premiums doesn't interest me either. He does have a history of coming out all guns blazing before dropping off quite badly, slingshot? Boyd at D6 will just be whoever turns up round 1 in that price range with some sort of JS.
Mids- I'm still liking the idea of the 3 super premos here. Losing Oliver for Petracca would gain a little bit of cash if I really need it, I was keen on Petracca for a while but he'd really have to start doing something about the number of points he loses to clangers. M10 + 11 I figure at least a couple of cheap rookies will get the job done in these spots.
Rucks- Darcy's an obvious risk, I can't deny that. He's a bit of an all or nothing pick in that I think he's the only ruck who could put a substantial gap on the others, or he could blow up completely. That combined with English at R2 is probably a bit much, hmmm.
Forwards- As much as I'd like to fade Dunkley, I've accepted that there's a good chance he at least puts a big gap points and price wise into other forwards before his usual injury. He becomes a bit of a necessity in a team so light on premium forwards. The alternative is English at F1 and a 2nd premium ruck. If Brodie really does look like a must have in rd3 I'll find a way to get him, until then I'm staying strong in my anti Brodie stance. Rachele at F6 doesn't worry me as much as some, expectations for on field and even bench rookies seem to have gone through the roof recently. That said, I'm not at all keen on Durdin and would love an alternative like Martin to appear.
