Position 2023: Midfield Discussion
- Thread starter KLo30
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That really is just a you decision. The guy has a rounded SC game, shown preseason he's still racking it up and full of hunger, last year came of a limited preseason and killed it, then there's the 'what if he does do it again' issue where you're possibly losing points (captain option) straight of the bat if you haven't used the funds well and the headache of funding him to get him in your team.
He's just one headache I can do without early. If he spuds or gets injured I can trade him to anyone - I'll have other issues in my team to worry about.
He's just one headache I can do without early. If he spuds or gets injured I can trade him to anyone - I'll have other issues in my team to worry about.
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True about the trading him to anyone.
I'm not saying I don't buy it. He's been floating in and out of my team. I'm just not loving it - I think for the 700k I want to be 100% when I'm probably like 95% confident
When I read your first line, all I heard was a sassy "That sounds like a you probleeemmmmm"
I'm not saying I don't buy it. He's been floating in and out of my team. I'm just not loving it - I think for the 700k I want to be 100% when I'm probably like 95% confident
When I read your first line, all I heard was a sassy "That sounds like a you probleeemmmmm"
I don't want to sell Laird because I want him as unique as possible but...
1. Captaincy option, not a huge one as can get with other players that are cheaper but he's a good one.
2. Interrupted preseason last year - Came in round 3, if you break his season into thirds he averaged 123/126/136, that's a guy who built fitness as the season went on and got to peak fitness at the end. This year he should start there.
3. Avenues of scoring - He's probably the best tackler in the league, he's an elite ball user, he wins contested ball and clearances and spreads as well as anyone. He's basically got a perfect SC game.
4. Consistency - He had two scores under 100 last year, 93 in his first game back and 97 in round 22. A 105 was his only other game under 114!
5. Schedule - I don't really think it matters for a guy like him but GWS, Richmond, Port, Fremantle, Carlton, Hawthorn and Collingwood is a pretty good first 7 games, which for top end picks is the most important period, last thing you want on top dollar purchases is them to drop 100k right as upgrade season is swinging into full gear and have everyone else get one of the best players at a discount, if those premiums defend until round 10, they most likely have already done their damage and put you in a position to win.
Of these, #2 is my personal reason for having not even thought about taking him out of my side the entire preseason, I don't think the 133+ average over his last 12 games is unsustainable, I genuinely think he could have upside even at his price.
There's always risks but he and Dunkley are the same for mine, it's not often that I look at the #1 player at a position and think they're underpriced, normally you're sacrificing upside/value for security, so when I see both, that's when I throw the key away!
1. Captaincy option, not a huge one as can get with other players that are cheaper but he's a good one.
2. Interrupted preseason last year - Came in round 3, if you break his season into thirds he averaged 123/126/136, that's a guy who built fitness as the season went on and got to peak fitness at the end. This year he should start there.
3. Avenues of scoring - He's probably the best tackler in the league, he's an elite ball user, he wins contested ball and clearances and spreads as well as anyone. He's basically got a perfect SC game.
4. Consistency - He had two scores under 100 last year, 93 in his first game back and 97 in round 22. A 105 was his only other game under 114!
5. Schedule - I don't really think it matters for a guy like him but GWS, Richmond, Port, Fremantle, Carlton, Hawthorn and Collingwood is a pretty good first 7 games, which for top end picks is the most important period, last thing you want on top dollar purchases is them to drop 100k right as upgrade season is swinging into full gear and have everyone else get one of the best players at a discount, if those premiums defend until round 10, they most likely have already done their damage and put you in a position to win.
Of these, #2 is my personal reason for having not even thought about taking him out of my side the entire preseason, I don't think the 133+ average over his last 12 games is unsustainable, I genuinely think he could have upside even at his price.
There's always risks but he and Dunkley are the same for mine, it's not often that I look at the #1 player at a position and think they're underpriced, normally you're sacrificing upside/value for security, so when I see both, that's when I throw the key away!
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I agree with what you said, but there is the problem of 36 trades right there. If he doesn’t work just trade him out, it should be a big decision as in years past you wound never sideways a premium like that.
I think you need one of Laird or Oliver as a good captain options, I can’t really split them.
I think you need one of Laird or Oliver as a good captain options, I can’t really split them.
Bont and Dunks are probably just sufficient; although you'd probably have to lower your acceptable C score to about 115+ just to be safe. Laird is probably good for 120-130 each week; Clarry probably a bit higher but also riskier because he can drop a stinker now and then. Neale only had four scores above 130 last season but included were a 198 and a 187.
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Some great responses, whilst the sassy from NT 
was good, I think Wogitalia point 2 is excellent as is Connoisseur point about going back further in history. that is why he is in most teams. Doesn't have the Olivier make believe factor of playing half back as well as an overhang to create anxiety.
What could be the other side:
1). History against the no.1 player and every year everyone will tell you they are a must. Even to the days when our illustrate site owner (impromptu) skipped out on Goddard and Buddy Franklin two years in a two, when each were the highest price player.
2) Laird doesn't get tagged because Adelaide have been horrible. Maybe Adelaide improve so teams put more negating effort in.
3) Laird doesn't get tags as he fills all stats and small kicks and handballs a(less dangerous) vs Dawson long range precise kicks. However, Dawson may move to wing during a tag and this could lead to tag going to Laird.
4). Only one team tagged Laird, Port Adelaide in the last round. To be fair I think Eagles tagged him a little the week before, just in 3Q. So late 2022 history suggests he was becoming a focus. He scored 116 in the Port tag.
5) His early run is ok, not great. Potentially his higher scores in last third of 2022 was due to playing a lot of weak teams.
6). The risk may be Berry and other players getting greater CBA's. Dont think Laird plays another position, does his TOG drop a few % points.
7) You zig when everyone zags. Who knows if differentiating on Laird is the key or not. You did well last year starting Sicily, Hewett, Witts when many had reasons against it. Can throw in Cripps and some others yet he was a bit of a stronger pick.
Question is what can you do with the money, do you have other captain options, does Laird lift his average or just meet, when you get value elsewhere.
I traded Neale to Tex in round 3 in 2021 which shot me up the ranks. Last year Gawn out in round 3 was a disaster several rounds in when he was smashing it and my alternative of Heeney and Hall was somewhat mixed. l
was good, I think Wogitalia point 2 is excellent as is Connoisseur point about going back further in history. that is why he is in most teams. Doesn't have the Olivier make believe factor of playing half back as well as an overhang to create anxiety.What could be the other side:
1). History against the no.1 player and every year everyone will tell you they are a must. Even to the days when our illustrate site owner (impromptu) skipped out on Goddard and Buddy Franklin two years in a two, when each were the highest price player.
2) Laird doesn't get tagged because Adelaide have been horrible. Maybe Adelaide improve so teams put more negating effort in.
3) Laird doesn't get tags as he fills all stats and small kicks and handballs a(less dangerous) vs Dawson long range precise kicks. However, Dawson may move to wing during a tag and this could lead to tag going to Laird.
4). Only one team tagged Laird, Port Adelaide in the last round. To be fair I think Eagles tagged him a little the week before, just in 3Q. So late 2022 history suggests he was becoming a focus. He scored 116 in the Port tag.
5) His early run is ok, not great. Potentially his higher scores in last third of 2022 was due to playing a lot of weak teams.
6). The risk may be Berry and other players getting greater CBA's. Dont think Laird plays another position, does his TOG drop a few % points.
7) You zig when everyone zags. Who knows if differentiating on Laird is the key or not. You did well last year starting Sicily, Hewett, Witts when many had reasons against it. Can throw in Cripps and some others yet he was a bit of a stronger pick.
Question is what can you do with the money, do you have other captain options, does Laird lift his average or just meet, when you get value elsewhere.
I traded Neale to Tex in round 3 in 2021 which shot me up the ranks. Last year Gawn out in round 3 was a disaster several rounds in when he was smashing it and my alternative of Heeney and Hall was somewhat mixed. l
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