One of the biggest issues I've had in the past few seasons playing Supercoach is my tendency to have deadweight for the last 4-5 players; like Charlie Constable last season. For this team, I'm trying to avoid the temptation to avoid spending extra on rookies on the bench, because you can always turn a $150k bench rookie into a $124k rookie, but not vice-versa.
There is one major caveat with how I pick my side; anyone who is or will be 30 years old or older at any time during the Home and Away season does not come into consideration for my team. Gawn, Grundy, Jack Macrae and possibly Alex Sexton are probably the most glaring omissions under this.
I did flip between completely purging all early bye players from my starting side barring Zac Williams. but have come around to including some.
Starting with the defence. Sheezel, Young, Williams and Gibcus have been mainstays; Hore and Coffield if they play. I don't know if Sheezel will get the lucrative half-back role or whether he'll be up the ground more; I'm picking him for natural talent. Daicos and Sicily are shakier selections; I reckon Daicos is probably as solid a selection as they come barring the early run and the bye; but he's so prolific that hopefully he can pull out decent games as his floor. Sicily is the one I'm most likely to drop; I reckon he's the kind of player who's most likely to drop $100k.
Just missed out: Ryan, Sinclair, Budarick, Chapman
I had Sinclair as D1 for quite some time, but he's an upgrade target for now. Luke Ryan is a definite consideration; I just prefer to spread my premiums around different clubs. Budarick has the inconvenient early bye, and Chapman has just had a recent injury.
I think the only thing of note is how deep the midfield bats. Jordan Dawson is my soft-spot pick; with Matt Crouch in he could lose a few PPG. I've even considered some lineups with Nic Martin at M7, but I think this one brings more overall balance. Obvious Touk and Steele are riskier picks but I think I rather them who have the capacity to hit 115+ numbers over a Crouch who I reckon caps out in the mid 100s.
Obviously this side is only really viable if Conway and Sweet play; but I don't think they need to be outright #1. With the four early byes, I'm hoping to cover any early ruck scoring deficiencies with best 18 scoring, and playing rookie priced rucks are generally some of the best cash generators going around. At any rate, a trade of Sicily to Marshall is probably the way I'd go if Conway or Sweet aren't viable selections.
Toughest line. Had a team with Harley Reid F2 this morning. Brought Zac Fisher back in over Liam Baker. Harmes in over Billings. Spent a little at F5 and F6. Half the line could change by the day.
Only $1900 in the bank too so little room to maneuver, but it is probably the side that I'm happiest about in every position the whole pre-season.