Feeling pretty comfortable with this team. I've paid some attention to pre-season scores but more roles/fitness than anything.
Backs
Premos: Lloyd and Crisp pick themselves I feel. Lloyd is a real "what you see is what you get" pick, and in the past I've been frustrated whenever I don't have him. I also think Crisp is primed for some more midfield time.
Mid-pricers: Sicily and Hewett are both defensive picks, but I also absolutely see the merit in both to them. More to the point - for 847.1k, I'm getting what I perceive to be about 190-195 points per week. I'm happy with that calculation.
Rookies: I suspect that Kelly will play (just a gut feeling) but if not, then I will look to rejig - maybe Sinn gets a game. D7 is why I've left some cash in the bank. Other 3 pick themselves (because there are no other options.
Mids
Premos: Steele and Miller are two players I really enjoy watching. I think there's a lot to be said for picking players you enjoy watching. I think they are both able to tackle their way to respectable scores even when things aren't always going their way, and they're going to be the no.1 options for their respective teams. I'm content with fading Macrae, because he's got more competition for points.
Mid-pricers. This is the core of my team. I think all 4 of these players are great value, and maybe I'm backing myself into a hole here, but 35 trades + 2 trade boosts gives me the confidence that even if only 2 of them properly work out, I'll still be in a good position. Some will definitely disagree, but the rookies this year don't fill me with confidence, so this is how I'm filling out my team.
Rookies: People far more switched on than me have written tomes about the prospects of each of these rookies. Suffice to say that JHF, Daicos, Ward and Stephens will all play, and the right people are talking about McEntee.
Rucks
While I flirted with Preuss, in the end, I don't like messing around with my rucks. Maybe next year we won't be talking about Gawndy, but until we're not, I'm backing them in.
Fwds
Premos: Dunkley and Butters both offer some value I feel - I had Tarryn Thomas in this group as well until I readjusted the structure. I think Dunkley could really hurt any teams that don't pick him, and Butters looks set to take the next step.
"Mid-pricers": These are expensive rookies in my eyes, bar Coniglio who is the biggest lock in Supercoach 2022. Xerri looks set to have a role that's too good to ignore, and I really rate Brodie. Much like the defenders, there aren't a wealth of rookies, so I'm kind of forced down this route - not that I'm complaining.
Rookies: Rachele picks himself, Durdin should play, and I'm unsure about Hayes. Hayes could be replaced by Baldwin, as could Durdin if he doesn't get up for the game.
My overall thoughts are that it's a year for mid-pricers, and we're in for a world of hurt rookies-wise, which is why I've set up the way I have. Hopefully it doesn't leave me dragging behind those that have gone for less expensive options.
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