Position 2023: Midfield Discussion

Joined
15 Oct 2018
Messages
3,912
Likes
12,177
AFL Club
Essendon
I have Laird, and I recently ditched Clarry.
I try to follow a set format for picking my team.
The first step is: Choose your 2 or 3 C/VC options, and don't look at the dollars.
I'm struggling to find a safer option than Laird, given his consistency since his Midfield move.
If there were no C/VC's to be had, or there were 3 or 4 consistent types I was tossing up, I'd probably go without Laird.
That’s a fair call, I do expect Laird to be more consistent than Clarry and it might be hard for me to bring him in. Clarry has the bigger ceiling, which does appeal to me a lot as C/VC.

Certainly if I had the extra money I’d start both (expect them to finish M1/M2) but I only want to start one of the two and I would rather the player who has done it a few times in a row.

I won’t be surprised if Laird starts where he left off last year, but it goes against my instincts to start someone who has had a stand alone super premium season that late in their career.
 
Last edited:
Joined
23 Feb 2021
Messages
768
Likes
2,447
AFL Club
Adelaide
According to post #2011 Herald Sun Supercoach thread, using the calculator, he only needs to ave 122.27 to be rated a successful pick
 
Joined
18 Sep 2012
Messages
1,229
Likes
3,129
AFL Club
Geelong
That’s a fair call, I do expect Laird to be more consistent than Clarry and it might be hard for me to bring him in. Clarry has the bigger ceiling, which does appeal to me a lot as C/VC.

Certainly if I had the extra money I’d start both (expect them to finish M1/M2) but I only want to start one of the two and I would rather the player who has done it a few times in a row.

I won’t be surprised if Laird starts where he left off last year, but it goes against my instincts to start someone who has had a stand alone premium season that late in their career.
Trying to get to both myself, but finding it near impossible $ wise. I'm in the Oliver over Laird camp with you.

Current side has Oliver M1 with Neale M2 (Bont and Green M3-4). This feels more than strong enough to start. Neale ownership is well unders for a player of his quality.
 
Joined
17 Mar 2020
Messages
332
Likes
2,021
AFL Club
Richmond
Watch the Melbourne/Tigers game.

I thought I saw a much different approach the there style compared to last year.

Oliver playing off half back I don't like at all for SC.

Much faster on the spread from stoppages and lots of different rotations through the middle and stoppages
They looked great BUT I have Oliver at M2 and I'm thinking he drops to 110 average.. 💬 Ng now he could be a wait and see until Salem is back. Then reassess.

Any thoughts from the Melbourne Supporters ?
I tend to think Oliver playing off half back is something they may use as a last resort if he is being beaten by a tag (which is very rare), and they were using the preseason game/s as a way to practice it against actual opposition

Oliver was the leading clearance winner in the league last year. You don't take that away just to 'look a bit different' in there, or at least you shouldn't
 
Joined
15 Oct 2018
Messages
3,912
Likes
12,177
AFL Club
Essendon
Trying to get to both myself, but finding it near impossible $ wise. I'm in the Oliver over Laird camp with you.

Current side has Oliver M1 with Neale M2 (Bont and Green M3-4). This feels more than strong enough to start. Neale ownership is well unders for a player of his quality.
Looks like a very reliable midfield to me, I have the same but with Steele in over Neale
 
Joined
18 Feb 2019
Messages
1,370
Likes
5,768
AFL Club
Carlton
I think at the end of upgrades season you want all three of Laird, Oliver and Neale. Doesn’t worry me to much if they drop 5 or so points as to hard to predict that.
Have Laird atm because he has the best consistency, Neale and Oliver seem to get those one or two stinker game and hopefully easier to upgrade too. Doesn’t mean Laird doesn’t start getting solid tags but history says the other two definitely do.
 
Joined
23 Feb 2021
Messages
768
Likes
2,447
AFL Club
Adelaide
J Rachele named in centre in some predicted R1 lineups. Interesting, any love there as a pod midpricer?
 
Joined
2 Feb 2014
Messages
290
Likes
1,362
AFL Club
St Kilda
Callum Mills seems to be a bit of a forgotten man. Hasn't even been mentioned in this thread for over 4 weeks.

Last year, when he had 26+ touches he averaged 136 (12 games) ... or 128 (11 games) if you discount his 214.

We saw in the QF last year vs Melbourne that he doesn't need to be an inside mid to get the scores, playing a role on the wing and scoring 132 SC. Also loves to tackle which we know translates well to fantasy.

I like that he has the first bye in Rd 12 sharing with only STK, BRIS and FRE so that I can then play him all through the bye rounds and trade in maybe a Neale, Brayshaw or Steele before Rd 13.

5% ownership, could be a nice pod to start the year, capable of some monster scores.
 
Joined
22 Feb 2013
Messages
9,668
Likes
20,502
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Callum Mills seems to be a bit of a forgotten man. Hasn't even been mentioned in this thread for over 4 weeks.

Last year, when he had 26+ touches he averaged 136 (12 games) ... or 128 (11 games) if you discount his 214.

We saw in the QF last year vs Melbourne that he doesn't need to be an inside mid to get the scores, playing a role on the wing and scoring 132 SC. Also loves to tackle which we know translates well to fantasy.

I like that he has the first bye in Rd 12 sharing with only STK, BRIS and FRE so that I can then play him all through the bye rounds and trade in maybe a Neale, Brayshaw or Steele before Rd 13.

5% ownership, could be a nice pod to start the year, capable of some monster scores.
Has had some preseason injury issues from memory and also Horse saying he is a 'flexible player' (translation - I am playing as a lock down in the back pocket)* :rolleyes:

*not an actual translation...
 
Joined
18 Jul 2016
Messages
3,769
Likes
26,257
AFL Club
Sydney
Think the pre-season stuff was to do with a finger in the practice game, hasn't skipped full training though as far as I'm aware.

One I might start and correct to the best premo if it's a flop. I'm bullish on him.
I'd recommend looking at his average over the last 10 or so games last year after his role changed, a role change that given it's Horse has no real reason to expect to go back.

He might but at that price I don't think it's worth the risk that he's continuing in the 110 role.
 
Joined
22 Nov 2021
Messages
497
Likes
1,860
AFL Club
Collingwood
I tend to think Oliver playing off half back is something they may use as a last resort if he is being beaten by a tag (which is very rare), and they were using the preseason game/s as a way to practice it against actual opposition

Oliver was the leading clearance winner in the league last year. You don't take that away just to 'look a bit different' in there, or at least you shouldn't
Goodwin has been a relatively trustworthy coach for Supercoachers, he doesn't play players out of position that often
 
Joined
9 Mar 2014
Messages
4,259
Likes
7,602
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Any love for Bailey Smith?

Dunkley gone only helps, perfect age, can clean up ball use and move towards the 105+ scoring possibly.

Looked quite good in the preseason.
 
Joined
24 Dec 2019
Messages
351
Likes
598
AFL Club
Essendon
Hi All
In a keeper league need some help. Please rate the following to what they will average this season and next.
Miles Bergman
Oscar Baker
Blake Acres
Mitch Owens

Much appreciated good luck to everyone this season.
 
Joined
8 Jan 2020
Messages
6,262
Likes
26,152
AFL Club
Geelong
Hi All
In a keeper league need some help. Please rate the following to what they will average this season and next.
Miles Bergman
Oscar Baker
Blake Acres
Mitch Owens

Much appreciated good luck to everyone this season.
Bergman, Acres,Owens,Baker, most would put Acres first but I'm very bullish on what Bergman can become now Amon has freed up a spot for him, kinda guy I'd love to own in a draft league.
 
Joined
21 Mar 2019
Messages
2,295
Likes
6,291
The issue for Macrae is the poor last quarter's. Clubs are constantly monitoring the players fitness while they play. Did he lose a step last year?
IIRC Macrae's poor last quarters were more down to being stuck on the bench for ridiculously long periods because the Doggies couldn't get their rotations going properly later in games, especially in junk time where a player like him who disposes of the ball well and gets in the right spots to link up typically adds another 20 easy points to their tally just from basic uncontested mark-effective kick actions after the pressure has come out of the game.
 
Top