A quiet day at home today so I've been tinkering away with my side for 2023. This is where I'm at -
Backs - Lloyd, M Duncan, Salem, Yeo, L Jones and McKenna (Ginbey/Chesser)
Mids - Oliver, Neale, Bont, MaCrae, Hopper, Ashcroft, MacKenzie and Phillipou (Humphrey/Phillips/Hewett)
Rucks- English and Cameron (Madden - R/F)
Forwards - Dunkley, Rozee, Fyfe, T Thomas, Allen and McLean (B King/VanRooyen)
Explain selections -
Backs - Lloyd and Duncan are proven performers that provide consistency which I'm unsure likes of Daicos can for same price. Salem priced $500k in 2022 so underpriced as is Yeo if he can stay on the park.
Mids - Oliver and Neale will be "C" and "VC" each week and Bont/MacCare should benefit from Dunkley leaving. I don't want to not take MaCcare for him to come out and light it up as he has done for past 5 seasons.
Rucks - Think English top 3 ruck come seasons end and I'll swing Cameron forward once I can identify the next best option in the ruck through the season.
Forward - Dunkley is a must. Rozee was fantastic after being moved to midfield during last season and surely Port need to put him in there to get some youth into their midfield. Fyfe is the same as MaCrae, I don't want to not have him and he lights it up early. With his injury record I'd say he should be good for a stepping stone to a gun. T Thomas I believe is going to be used off half back which should be good for him as he is good with ball in hand. Allen plays each week for Eagles and you'd think McLean is best 22 for Doggies.
I have taken only 2 $123,900 rookies (not including R/F) as I think both may play early but more importantly by taking higher price rookies allows more flexibility if cheaper ones are named but the dearer ones are more likely to play therefore I shouldn't need to change my set up that much.
I think most of my players selected (non-rookies) will be in their round 1 teams but unsure on rookies of course.The only dear rookie I don't have that I think may play early is Sheezel but it'll be a wait and see on him I think as a small/medium forward in a poor team.
I count 10 keepers in current set up with Lloyd/Duncan as 5th/6th defender come season end (both could average 95+) but there are a few others in my side that could turn into keepers if they stay fit/play to their potential in Salem, Yeo, Hopper, Fyfe, Thomas and McLean. Fingers crossed>
Good luck to everyone. Wish everyone a merry Christmas with a safe New Year.