Discussion 2025: Super Early SC Planning Thread - Team Picker Open
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I think the issue for Cumming is injuries. He has had a calf and several hamstring injuries in recent seasons and currently has got another hamstring just recently in pre season. He has been sent for scans for that. If he can get fit and play the HB role agreed he looks a value prospect but those hamstrings are a worry.
D1 D2 seem the most difficult at this point in time.
Sheezel moving to midfield will loose all those cheap points from last year. I do think he will be top 6 defender but slightly over priced for me. Really like McKercher for this year before Daniels was drafted.
Rioli to the Suns could effect Flanders role, so little bit overpriced and early bye round.?
Sinclair is in at this moment Seems to be the safest option with a good bye round.
Freo DEF seems most settle so probably Ryan.
So
Ryan Sinclair Short Cummings Coleman
Bont Butters Tracca Oliver (Ashcroft) Peatling Draper Smillie.
Xerri English
JFH Macrae Smith Phillipou Daniels Lynch.
Flex (Flynn)
Could be my starting template. Now need to wait to see how much left over for the the other rookies and who i can squeeze in.
Sheezel moving to midfield will loose all those cheap points from last year. I do think he will be top 6 defender but slightly over priced for me. Really like McKercher for this year before Daniels was drafted.
Rioli to the Suns could effect Flanders role, so little bit overpriced and early bye round.?
Sinclair is in at this moment Seems to be the safest option with a good bye round.
Freo DEF seems most settle so probably Ryan.
So
Ryan Sinclair Short Cummings Coleman
Bont Butters Tracca Oliver (Ashcroft) Peatling Draper Smillie.
Xerri English
JFH Macrae Smith Phillipou Daniels Lynch.
Flex (Flynn)
Could be my starting template. Now need to wait to see how much left over for the the other rookies and who i can squeeze in.
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no word on why SA teams didn’t pick him. Adelaide maybe understandable.
Also note Saints didnt pick him either, until Brad Crouch retired recently opening up a spot. Maybe having looked at Soldo who didnt pass fitness test, went to the draft and like most, wanted young players given depth of draft.
Why did Eagles and Freo miss Tim Kelly? Sometime once a player matures late many team don’t rate or have spots for state league players.
Also note Saints didnt pick him either, until Brad Crouch retired recently opening up a spot. Maybe having looked at Soldo who didnt pass fitness test, went to the draft and like most, wanted young players given depth of draft.
Why did Eagles and Freo miss Tim Kelly? Sometime once a player matures late many team don’t rate or have spots for state league players.
I'm not trying to sway your thoughts here regarding Ryan, but I was one of the unfortunate souls that bought him for $666k after his bye (that number alone should have made me steer well clear) He averaged 130 in the games pre bye and was sickening to watch not having him, the amount of +6's being generated in that backline was astounding. Of course, Longmuir decided on a reset over the bye and fairly ripped into those players that were stat padding in the process, he demanded a much more direct ball transition from defence, this resulted in Ryan's average plummeting to 102 over those rounds post bye. If that direct game style continues then Ryan is overpriced and maybe Clark comes into play?
Don't get me started on Rowell either, who I managed to do exactly the same with, bought him high in round 8 (131 ave. to that stage) for $640k then promptly and I mean immediately, shat the bed and delivered a 90 average for the rest of the season.
Those 2 effectively ended my season, was ranked in the top 1% for most of the year but those 2 put paid to any hope of rising in the rankings.
Don't get me started on Rowell either, who I managed to do exactly the same with, bought him high in round 8 (131 ave. to that stage) for $640k then promptly and I mean immediately, shat the bed and delivered a 90 average for the rest of the season.
Those 2 effectively ended my season, was ranked in the top 1% for most of the year but those 2 put paid to any hope of rising in the rankings.
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Day is under strong consideration for me despite the double bye.
His first bye is in round 4 & he is playing opening round so would of had his first price change by then - at 491K he is hard to resist when you look at this block of scores before injury derailed his season last year :-
Was subbed off on 53 the following week, injured very early in the game in round 23 when on just 10
Hawks share the round 4 bye with just 1 other team - Essendon. I am unlikely to start any Essendon premium & Day is the only hawk I am very keen on so that actually works well with my structure.
Freo & Saints having the best bye in round 13 makes Sinclair/Clark/NWM/ Macrae/Phillipou appealing.
His first bye is in round 4 & he is playing opening round so would of had his first price change by then - at 491K he is hard to resist when you look at this block of scores before injury derailed his season last year :-
Was subbed off on 53 the following week, injured very early in the game in round 23 when on just 10
Hawks share the round 4 bye with just 1 other team - Essendon. I am unlikely to start any Essendon premium & Day is the only hawk I am very keen on so that actually works well with my structure.
Freo & Saints having the best bye in round 13 makes Sinclair/Clark/NWM/ Macrae/Phillipou appealing.
There needs to be a Truth and Reconciliation Council set up for all of us that got sold the pup that was Matty Rowell 2024.
We need to be able to express our grief, our hurt, to have the feeling that we are SEEN, that we are no longer silent victims.
Was absolutely excruciating. Full points for creativity to big Dimmdog Millionaire for trying to add to his bag of tricks by playing him forward in spurts, or whatever the tactic was, but the end result was pretty much Titanic Reloaded.
Never, ever, ever again, I don't care how much grass he eats or how well tucked in the polo shirt is.
We need to be able to express our grief, our hurt, to have the feeling that we are SEEN, that we are no longer silent victims.
Was absolutely excruciating. Full points for creativity to big Dimmdog Millionaire for trying to add to his bag of tricks by playing him forward in spurts, or whatever the tactic was, but the end result was pretty much Titanic Reloaded.
Never, ever, ever again, I don't care how much grass he eats or how well tucked in the polo shirt is.
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In general, are there any early takes on how best to use the Flex position?
I understand the general idea around a ruck (relative scarcity, typically good scorers and / or cash generators), but am not 100% sure where I stand on the idea of loading up on 3 rucks at around 600k outlay each in the starting side, which seems to be the way a few are going.
Has anyone tried to think about the best strategies?
I understand the general idea around a ruck (relative scarcity, typically good scorers and / or cash generators), but am not 100% sure where I stand on the idea of loading up on 3 rucks at around 600k outlay each in the starting side, which seems to be the way a few are going.
Has anyone tried to think about the best strategies?
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He averaged mid-70s post bye after he moved to defense. And that was boosted by a big 126. I think at that price you would either want him to be a keeper- where you need 100-105. Honestly can’t see that. Or to grow a minimum of $100k which would need him to average 90. Honestly can’t see that either.
If he was a fwd in SC, then 90 might nearly be worth a punt. But because he’s only a DEF in SC, the appeal is far less.
If he was a fwd in SC, then 90 might nearly be worth a punt. But because he’s only a DEF in SC, the appeal is far less.
My view is the optimal strategy will shift across the season. Early it’ll be a case of the best rookie you could quite fit in a line (probably a mid rookie) and it allowing you to go 1 deeper on opening round players so being more open minded with those teams.
Across the middle part of the season I think it’ll be stashing a player from a line that would otherwise be “complete” or taking advantage of a value pick that would otherwise be pushing the wrong rookie off field.
At the last part of the season, I’ll be to use it to get the best 23rd premium. Which will be a combo of who has a favourable draw, and whether a ruck or mid will net the most extra points.
Across the middle part of the season I think it’ll be stashing a player from a line that would otherwise be “complete” or taking advantage of a value pick that would otherwise be pushing the wrong rookie off field.
At the last part of the season, I’ll be to use it to get the best 23rd premium. Which will be a combo of who has a favourable draw, and whether a ruck or mid will net the most extra points.
Bugger! Now you've done it! Got me started!
I've reconciled myself to the point that I now know how much of a tease Rowell can be, his game style is unsustainable. By that I mean he goes so hard and intensely at the start of the season that he burns himself out, pretty much exemplified by his debut season where he smashed it for 4 rounds then couldn't play for the rest of the year. He has fits and spurts where he looks like a world beater but then falls in a heap.
He's awesome when he's manic and 'on' but can't maintain that level of intensity for a full season, let alone half of it. What let's him down is the lack of an outside or marking game.
What's frustrating is that I knew that but was still sucked in by that 7-8 game stretch.
Fool me once, then shame on you, fool me twice then shame on me
I've reconciled myself to the point that I now know how much of a tease Rowell can be, his game style is unsustainable. By that I mean he goes so hard and intensely at the start of the season that he burns himself out, pretty much exemplified by his debut season where he smashed it for 4 rounds then couldn't play for the rest of the year. He has fits and spurts where he looks like a world beater but then falls in a heap.
He's awesome when he's manic and 'on' but can't maintain that level of intensity for a full season, let alone half of it. What let's him down is the lack of an outside or marking game.
What's frustrating is that I knew that but was still sucked in by that 7-8 game stretch.
Fool me once, then shame on you, fool me twice then shame on me
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First draft of Post Nut Clarity’s 2025 season!!!
Defence
Sheezel: Will easily be in the top handful of defenders come end of season and has a favourable bye. I’m not as concerned as others and think he’ll dominate regardless of if his playing on ball or down back.
Sinclair: Favourable bye and finished off last season averaging 120 over the last 11 games he played. Also been a consistent scorer for three seasons now so just seems like a safe pick.
Mills/Coleman: Both underpriced and could easily be in the top dozen or so defenders come end of season. Will be popular selections & for good reason!
Rookies are place holders but Travaglia and Allan seem like good chances to play early. Smith has been praised internally this preseason and appears to be one of a few tigers eyeing off a half back flank role. Hopefully Bice can break into Sydney’s side for round 1 because he’d be the perfect cash cow if he can.
Midfield
Bont/Butters: There appears to be a plethora of enticing value options to choose from this year so why not compliment them with two of the competitions genuine superstars… Easy VC/C options who should both be in the top handful of players in the comp come seasons end. Happy to pay the price for both players.
Walsh: Full disclosure… I’m letting my inner Carlton nuff take full control of this selection… Anyways, Walshy was carrying injuries/niggles for pretty much the entirety of last season and still managed to cap off the year with an average of 108. Carlton are taking a much more cautious approach with his preseason this year meaning he’ll be raring to go come round one! I genuinely believe his about 10ppg underpriced so happy to lock the great man in.
Petracca/Oliver: Prior to last season, Oliver had 4 straight seasons of 120+ averages and Petracca had 4 straight seasons of 110+ averages. Given their respective starting prices for this season, I believe both of them select themselves assuming they get through preseason unscathed. I dare say they’ll both have a point to prove as well this year.
Rookies: Allan is high of the magpies variety is high on my watchlist this preseason and could potentially be the pick of the top end of the rookie priced options this year. Smith, Draper & Ashcroft not only look like playing early but should get decent midfield minutes as well which means they’d be worth paying up for. Plenty of other guys around the mark like Langford and Smilie who could easily replace or join the aforementioned players in my starting side for round one. Three guys on the bench are purely place holders.
Ruck
Xerri: Pretty obvious selection here for me… This man had a post bye average of 130 across his final 12 games of the season. Too much of a risk to not start him this year in my opinion.
TDK: Similarly to Xerri, it’s hard to ignore TDK’s form to finish off the season. If you take out his last two (injury affected) games of the season, he finished off the year with an average of 144 over the last five rounds… I think it was pretty evident that we played better footy with him as the number one ruck & Pittonet out of the side so I’m LOCKING HIM IN!!!
Boyd: Hopefully will be bargain priced & come straight in for Riddle when his able to be selected.
Forward
JHF: Another easy selection given his forward eligibility. Natural progression alone makes him a worthwhile starting option with averages of 63.4, 77.6 & 99.7 to start his AFL career. I can only see him improving again this year and being in the top couple of forwards come seasons end.
Macrae: St. Kilda trading for Macrae is a blessing from the heavens as we’ll finally get our SC pig back in all his glory. Obviously his a couple of years older now but still more than capable of averaging well over 100+ across the season and another lock to start the year.
Smith: Bailey’s got to be playing as an inside midfielder for Geelong doesn’t he!? It’s scary to think how good this guy can be playing as an inside midfielder for one of the strongest teams in the comp… Another player that I’ve locked into my forward line.
Phillipou: I’m not as bullish as others on this selection. Clearly his underpriced given he averaged 94.5 across the final four games of last season which was a direct result of playing on ball. I think it’s fair to assume that he’d average around that mark across a whole season IF he continues to play as an inside midfielder. Steele and Macrae are surely the first two midfielders picked with Phillipou as the third I’d assume!? My concern is the likes of Clark, Windhager, Dow, Garcia & new recruit Carroll will all be in the mix for best 22, all of whom appear to be somewhat “one dimensional” as they all rely heavily on playing predominantly on ball to impact games… At this stage the values too good to pass on but I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on the saints this preseason…
Daniel: North Melbourne have stated that Daniel was brought in to play as a distributor off half back. Given the likes of Zieball, Fisher, Sheezel & McKercher have flourished in the exact same role, starting Daniel is an absolute no brainer for me.
Hewett: There’s a lot of reasons to be selecting Hewett at this stage of the season. Hewett showed promising signs in his first year at the club but didn’t play a single game last season due to ongoing injuries… Seems like an absolute must have if his selected round one!
Rookies: Robertson and Davidson are both place holders for now.
Would love any thoughts/feedback but am pretty happy with this game…
Defence
Sheezel: Will easily be in the top handful of defenders come end of season and has a favourable bye. I’m not as concerned as others and think he’ll dominate regardless of if his playing on ball or down back.
Sinclair: Favourable bye and finished off last season averaging 120 over the last 11 games he played. Also been a consistent scorer for three seasons now so just seems like a safe pick.
Mills/Coleman: Both underpriced and could easily be in the top dozen or so defenders come end of season. Will be popular selections & for good reason!
Rookies are place holders but Travaglia and Allan seem like good chances to play early. Smith has been praised internally this preseason and appears to be one of a few tigers eyeing off a half back flank role. Hopefully Bice can break into Sydney’s side for round 1 because he’d be the perfect cash cow if he can.
Midfield
Bont/Butters: There appears to be a plethora of enticing value options to choose from this year so why not compliment them with two of the competitions genuine superstars… Easy VC/C options who should both be in the top handful of players in the comp come seasons end. Happy to pay the price for both players.
Walsh: Full disclosure… I’m letting my inner Carlton nuff take full control of this selection… Anyways, Walshy was carrying injuries/niggles for pretty much the entirety of last season and still managed to cap off the year with an average of 108. Carlton are taking a much more cautious approach with his preseason this year meaning he’ll be raring to go come round one! I genuinely believe his about 10ppg underpriced so happy to lock the great man in.
Petracca/Oliver: Prior to last season, Oliver had 4 straight seasons of 120+ averages and Petracca had 4 straight seasons of 110+ averages. Given their respective starting prices for this season, I believe both of them select themselves assuming they get through preseason unscathed. I dare say they’ll both have a point to prove as well this year.
Rookies: Allan is high of the magpies variety is high on my watchlist this preseason and could potentially be the pick of the top end of the rookie priced options this year. Smith, Draper & Ashcroft not only look like playing early but should get decent midfield minutes as well which means they’d be worth paying up for. Plenty of other guys around the mark like Langford and Smilie who could easily replace or join the aforementioned players in my starting side for round one. Three guys on the bench are purely place holders.
Ruck
Xerri: Pretty obvious selection here for me… This man had a post bye average of 130 across his final 12 games of the season. Too much of a risk to not start him this year in my opinion.
TDK: Similarly to Xerri, it’s hard to ignore TDK’s form to finish off the season. If you take out his last two (injury affected) games of the season, he finished off the year with an average of 144 over the last five rounds… I think it was pretty evident that we played better footy with him as the number one ruck & Pittonet out of the side so I’m LOCKING HIM IN!!!
Boyd: Hopefully will be bargain priced & come straight in for Riddle when his able to be selected.
Forward
JHF: Another easy selection given his forward eligibility. Natural progression alone makes him a worthwhile starting option with averages of 63.4, 77.6 & 99.7 to start his AFL career. I can only see him improving again this year and being in the top couple of forwards come seasons end.
Macrae: St. Kilda trading for Macrae is a blessing from the heavens as we’ll finally get our SC pig back in all his glory. Obviously his a couple of years older now but still more than capable of averaging well over 100+ across the season and another lock to start the year.
Smith: Bailey’s got to be playing as an inside midfielder for Geelong doesn’t he!? It’s scary to think how good this guy can be playing as an inside midfielder for one of the strongest teams in the comp… Another player that I’ve locked into my forward line.
Phillipou: I’m not as bullish as others on this selection. Clearly his underpriced given he averaged 94.5 across the final four games of last season which was a direct result of playing on ball. I think it’s fair to assume that he’d average around that mark across a whole season IF he continues to play as an inside midfielder. Steele and Macrae are surely the first two midfielders picked with Phillipou as the third I’d assume!? My concern is the likes of Clark, Windhager, Dow, Garcia & new recruit Carroll will all be in the mix for best 22, all of whom appear to be somewhat “one dimensional” as they all rely heavily on playing predominantly on ball to impact games… At this stage the values too good to pass on but I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on the saints this preseason…
Daniel: North Melbourne have stated that Daniel was brought in to play as a distributor off half back. Given the likes of Zieball, Fisher, Sheezel & McKercher have flourished in the exact same role, starting Daniel is an absolute no brainer for me.
Hewett: There’s a lot of reasons to be selecting Hewett at this stage of the season. Hewett showed promising signs in his first year at the club but didn’t play a single game last season due to ongoing injuries… Seems like an absolute must have if his selected round one!
Rookies: Robertson and Davidson are both place holders for now.
Would love any thoughts/feedback but am pretty happy with this game…
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Lobb is priced at 70ppg which imo means there is definitely upside... but maybe not quite enough to make me pick him.
He was moved to defence out of necessity in the middle of last season and was a revelation, becoming a real strength in our team.
He's always had plenty of ability, but was one of the archetypal hot-and-cold confidence players.
I imagine (and hope) he will approach 2025 with lots of confidence and that he will rack up great intercept mark stats.
I'd be looking at an average around 85 - but there are probably even better value propositions.
He was moved to defence out of necessity in the middle of last season and was a revelation, becoming a real strength in our team.
He's always had plenty of ability, but was one of the archetypal hot-and-cold confidence players.
I imagine (and hope) he will approach 2025 with lots of confidence and that he will rack up great intercept mark stats.
I'd be looking at an average around 85 - but there are probably even better value propositions.