Draft 3 - Edging closer
Taken a while to get here. Been another intriguing preseason. Probably the same as last year, but it did feel like every match on the weekend changed the team that little bit to where it currently stands. I've tried out every conceivable structure to try to be that little bit different. From a deep defensive line to R2golea. Nothing has really sat well. This feels about as good as it can get for me at the moment.
Bank: $7,600
DEF:
Docherty - Think he's the safest of the pay up options. Preseason form really good.
Ridley - Can he get back to the 2020 scoring? I'd even take the 2021 scoring to be honest.
Yeo - Really got no reason not to pick him. Not going to try to outwit the field here. Has a trend of throwing up the odd 50. Also has a trend for throwing up a lot of 100's when the body was right. The 50's hurt a lot more when his price started with a 5, not a 3.
Jones - Rock solid JS. Hopefully the intercept game can fire from the get go.
Crozier - Bit of a wildcard choice. Like many have alluded, has the scoring history of 3 straight season around that mid-high 70 mark. JS may be an issue.
Ginbey - Should be the lock of all locks.
McKenna - Don't love the pick. Like him more than Wilmot though, hence he is in. I'd call him a pure defensive pick in my team.
Cincotta - Let's hope he get's picked. Not enough $ to get to Cowan.
Structure - Crozier and Cincotta may cause issues. I don't mind rolling off Crozier to Cole if I have to. He's the next in line for me. Cincotta can then push up to Cowan if required. Trying to bat a bit deeper with more premium rookies given the lack of depth in my more premium choices.
MID:
Laird - C
Bont - VC
Green - Breakout
Ash - Important for my structure in that I fully expect him to become a defender and that's the area that I am weakest. Have strongly considered Setterfield for this position. At times have floated both, but it feels like too much risk.
Hopper - Will be at the coalface for the Tigers. I'm not going to get cute here.
Ashcroft - Gun rookie
Mackenzie - The Hawks look like they have a beauty here. Happy to have him on field.
Constable - Role looks good. JS looks above average to begin. Preseason say's he's a must. Has room to grow. Posted a really nice score with many turnovers on the weekend. He's been a bit of a turnover merchant in the past, but a couple of cleaner games should get the price going north quick.
McLean - Defensive pick. Another I dislike, but he does have the potential to hurt at his ownership.
Phillips - Role behind the more experienced mids means he's probably more a bench option to begin with.
Baker - Nice to get that cheap rookie have a decent outing. We sure needed it and it solidifies confidence in picking him.
Structure - Like the DP swings that Constable and McLean provide. I'm not batting deep here, and could possibly lose Ash to the backline after 6 rounds so I'm going to need to be savvy in upgrade choices. Oliver has barely been seen in drafts I have put together lately. Played around with Parish pre him getting tagged by Bytel. Nothing has stuck and have really only felt comfortable on those 3 pay up mids for majority of the preseason.
RUC:
Darcy - Form has been good. Don't have money for the other 2 big guns, but feel good about Darcy. He's a bit of a favourite of mine after 2021.
Marshall - Brave to go without him given his ownership.
Madden - Donut
Structure - Happy enough with this. If we can get Gawn as a FWD backup at some stage that would be nice for these 2.
FWD:
Dunkley - 3rd C/VC choice in the side.
Rozee - I don't love him, but he's in. On the fence that I'm probably being a little defensive, but who else do you pick and who has a better role?
Taranto - Definitely my number 2 premium choice. Haven't tried to out think this one.
Gulden - On the radar after the impressive game the other night.
Bruhn - Strong preseason. Prefer his role to Fyfe's.
Flanders - Been in form for a while now. 30 off HF on the weekend after he was closing out 2022 with VFL 30-40's.
Sheezel - Paying up for extra security. The kid may have many roles that could offer value so happy to go with him.
Greene - Think he's a really solid choice. JS looks solid. Don't see any reason why he can't keep his spot when Lewis comes back.
Structure - Stongest line by far. Have the DP open to cover changing up the midfield. Bench looks solid.
Overall structure - By my count it's kind of like a 9.5 premium team in that I would be hoping one of Ridley or Gulden can take the step up on their lines to push it to or beyond 10. Tried to be as flexible as possible with DP and depth. Hopefully come lockout the only thing I really have to deal with is the Crozier and Cincotta issue if those become a thing. Fully understand there will be question marks on parts of the structure and a mid priced option like Ash, but it's good for me and that's what matters. Copping a couple of defensive picks because you sort of have to play the game like that to a degree imo, especially with rookies that are highly owned. Couldn't get Callaghan in. Can't have them all.