Hi qi,
I'm well, and hope all is well for you too.
1) I'm keen on Brayshaw, seeing the energy he brings to the role. I just temper my enthusiasm because I'm worried what Melbourne do with Jones and Viney. While Jones and Viney are streets ahead in experience, I'm not sure they are better at the explosive Mid role than Brayshaw. Hopefully the Club agree's, and Brayshaw gets a better than decent crack at it. I'd actually have him in front of those 2 for that sort of role. I guess the problem is more Viney. What do they do with Viney, if he doesn't play that Mid role? He's not much chop as a Forward, and Harmes seems better at the run with role than Viney. I'm picking Brayshaw in my SC team, but I will be watching closely, that he doesn't get pushed to the Wing/Half Forward too much. I'm not sure he can score to the level we need from the Wing.
As to using a Stepping Stone, while you assess Brayshaw, I think if you go down that path, it has to Libba. In general, I think it's a poor idea, and I haven't even considered putting Libba in my team, it's just that the other 2 are
only $100k cheaper than Brayshaw. It seems if you go in with a plan, that involves a Stepping Stone, I think the targetted player needs to be more like $200k in front of the Stepping Stone to start with, otherwise you may just well find the $100k by other means, and save a trade!
2) It's funny how you think there are a lot of viable options for F3. The Fwds (and the Rucks) are doing my head in. I really don't want to start Dangerfield. In short, I think people have been "seduced" because he's available as a Fwd. There is no way a $660k player should be in 67% of teams! Just think, we used to be a little gob-smacked, that 50% of teams started Ablett! There seems to be an attitude, sub-conscious with some, that you can't lose with him, because even if he somehow fell to 100/game, he's still in the top scoring Fwds. That is patently a ridiculous outlook, in a game with a budget. Let's flip it over. How many would start him if he was Mid only? Probably somewhere around 45-50%. Now here's the thing, success or not MUST have a price component in it. In theory, in your starting line up, the price component is more important in factoring the success of a pick, than the line they are playing on. This tells me, that Dangerfield is being grossly over estimated by the masses, just because you can pick him as a Fwd.
I currently have Dangerfield in my team
Why? Because try as I might, outside of Heeney, I can't find a Fwd I'm confident will be a top 8 Fwd by seasons end. It means to remove Dangerfield, I either have to take a punt, or play an extra Mid Prem, at the expense of what might turn out to be a decent Mid Rookie. I'm still not convinced I will start Danger, but you can see why I'm a bit puzzled by you having so many viable options for F3.
My Fwd line is currently: Dangerfield, Heeney, Wallis, Darling ........
Darling was a throw the hands up, I've gotta find somebody, type pick, plus I wanted one KPF.
I don't like Boak. He can really butcher the ball sometimes. I had him last season, as a bye bonus player, and it was terrifying watching him sometimes! He's close enough to 31, and hasn't gone over 91 in 3 seasons. Yes, he might have SC friendly role early on, but you need to look at the season as a whole, when picking your F3. What role does he play, when Wines comes back? Probably a similar role he has played the past 3 seasons, ergo we should expect something around 88-91, when he reverts to that role again.
I've chosen Wallis over Dunkley, because he's been up around 100 for a season before, and he reminds me of when Barlow broke his leg. It took him 2 seasons to get over it, then he bounced back to 110+ again. I'm backing Wallis to bounce back to around that 100 area again, while those backing Dunkley, are hoping he can reach new ground.
I had T Kelly in my team for a while. Then I looked at Geelong. Dangerfield, Ablett, Selwood, Duncan, Menegola - it's hard to see them all going around 100 or better. Then you've got Dahlhaus, Scooter, Parfitt and some younger players to get some time into, and it becomes even harder, as those "fringe" players will still eat some Mid time. You can see the other reason I'm wishing to not start Dangerfield.
Darling can be fragile, but to me, he looks the best/most reliable KPF, and given the new centre square rules, I wanted to squeeze a KPF in there somewhere.
In summary, if you find an F3 you have confidence in, please share him with me, and then maybe I can get my wish, and drop Dangerfield. Good luck, I hope whoever you end up on does well!