Tuesday 9 March 2010
Walker into Dream Team Calculations!
Taylor Walker would not be one on many peoples Dream Team watch lists this pre season. He was just OK last year possibly making his owners enough cash before dumping his inconsistent cash cow arse. He finished the year averaging 51 and comes to this season with the fairly reasonable price tag of $221,000. This may not seem like great value when you think of the stay at home full forward type Walker was last season. But with Tippet making the goal square his own walker has been forced further up the ground meaning he has had to develop more of an all-round game. Walker has done just this. Reports are that he has worked extremely hard on strengthening his body as well as his endurance. Running 3km time trials equal to that of the mid-fielders. According to assistant coach David Noble the plan is for him to play more of a McLeod like Half Forward come Mid-Field role. I'm not saying lock him in or anything crazy but with some more game time in the last NAB cup round he may just hit a decent point return and show us a glimpse of things to come. Slotting him in to the Dream Team over the likes of Ballantyne and Dangerfield may be a gamble but Walker may just repay the faith.
Monday 1 March 2010
Top 5 Cash Cows after NAB Round 2
Yes! No Scully, Trengrove or Martin. Martin is the one that I could have squeezed in but at the prices of these 3 I believe a cheaper alternative is a much better option when choosing your Cows. Reason being there price will rise a whole lot quicker as well as greater potential to make money on price rises.As well as that, with the extra $150,000.00 left over you can turn one of your mid price players into a lock in keeper.
1. Michael Barlow- All he needs is rookie elevation and he is a must have. absolute ball magnet and Mature means he has the ready made body to go. averaged over 30 possessions in the VFL an dlooks like continuing his form if the first to NAB matches are any guide.
2. Jarrod Kaylor-Thomson- If he gets elevation jump on board! Another mature age player, at 24 Jarrod arrives at Hawthorne as one of their 2 mature age recruits under the new rule. after spending the last 5 seasons in Perth JKT has developed his game to the level where he should be able to slot straight into the Hawks line up. Used most as a half back over the past years he is known for his great ability to hit targets from long range by foot. Due to this he has a very high kick to handball ratio and has always been a big ball win. Should be one of the Cash Cows of the year. Started with 98 Dream Team points in his first NAB game against the Dogs, in which the Hawks were smashed.
3. Luke Shuey- In his second year at the club Shuey as fitted in beautifully so far finding a lot of the pill and is at the right price.
4. Mitch Banner- Mitch averaged more DT points than anyone else through 2008 TAC cup and u/18 Champs (105) Next best was Dangerfield with 92. He has tones of class loves a goal and looking more and more like a lock for round one of the season proper.
5. Tom Rockliff- He played just one game late last last year scoring 23 against Collingwood. In the 2 NAB Cup games so far he has scores of 87 & 89 making him the clean stand-out bottom price forward at this stage. If you are one who likes to take a couple of Risks Starting Tom on your field in your forwards could be a master stroke. Just make sure you have good depth as Brisbane's starting lineup will be hotly contested.
1. Michael Barlow- All he needs is rookie elevation and he is a must have. absolute ball magnet and Mature means he has the ready made body to go. averaged over 30 possessions in the VFL an dlooks like continuing his form if the first to NAB matches are any guide.
2. Jarrod Kaylor-Thomson- If he gets elevation jump on board! Another mature age player, at 24 Jarrod arrives at Hawthorne as one of their 2 mature age recruits under the new rule. after spending the last 5 seasons in Perth JKT has developed his game to the level where he should be able to slot straight into the Hawks line up. Used most as a half back over the past years he is known for his great ability to hit targets from long range by foot. Due to this he has a very high kick to handball ratio and has always been a big ball win. Should be one of the Cash Cows of the year. Started with 98 Dream Team points in his first NAB game against the Dogs, in which the Hawks were smashed.
3. Luke Shuey- In his second year at the club Shuey as fitted in beautifully so far finding a lot of the pill and is at the right price.
4. Mitch Banner- Mitch averaged more DT points than anyone else through 2008 TAC cup and u/18 Champs (105) Next best was Dangerfield with 92. He has tones of class loves a goal and looking more and more like a lock for round one of the season proper.
5. Tom Rockliff- He played just one game late last last year scoring 23 against Collingwood. In the 2 NAB Cup games so far he has scores of 87 & 89 making him the clean stand-out bottom price forward at this stage. If you are one who likes to take a couple of Risks Starting Tom on your field in your forwards could be a master stroke. Just make sure you have good depth as Brisbane's starting lineup will be hotly contested.
Thursday 25 February 2010
AFL Dream Team Smokies to Consider
Matt Suckling (Haw) $158,500: After 3 years on the Hawks Rookie list Sucking looks set to be given his chance this season. At 22yrs of age Suckling has a massive chance to make himself a regular in the Hawks backline. After playing just the one game in round one last season against Geelong when covering for the Hawks massively depleted list. In Suckling's first NAB cup game he put his best foot forward collecting 16 touches and kicking a goal. As a back and at a first year player price he is one to monitor closely through the remainder of the pre-season.
Jack Steven (StK) $200,400: Steven was the youngest player picked in his draft year and played his first
game in round 20 against the Hawks tasting success and in doing so picking up 14 touches and scoring 76 DT points. Stevns played in the round one NAB cup match against Collingwood however was troubled by an ankle injury he picked up in the first quarter and was subbed off in the 3rd. So don't let the low score put you off if you are keen on Jacky.
Nick Salter (PORT) $222,900: Salter has played most of is Career as a forward but according to Chad Cornes he is set to make a move to the Port Defence. In Salter's 5 matches late last year he put together a couple of nice DT scores including a 79 against the Hawks in R18 and an 83 against the Lions in R21. The first NAB cup game backed up Chad's claims as Salter racked up 86 Dream Team points which included a sensational kick to handball ratio of 17:2. This boy knows how to play Dream Team football. Keep your eye on him.
James Strauss (Melb) $94,500: After an injury interrupted first season Melboune's 3rd pick in last years draft and pick 19 overall, James will be very keen to turn his bad luck around after a smooth pre-season. Strauss improved as the match went on looking fairly comfortable is his first hit-out at the top grade. Strauss averaged 75 Dream Team points throughout the TAC Cup and with Melbounre looking to play as many talented youngsters from Round one he will be pushing for a start. Could also be a sneaky alternative to Scully or Trengrove and being a year old he may just outperform them both.
Jack Steven (StK) $200,400: Steven was the youngest player picked in his draft year and played his first
game in round 20 against the Hawks tasting success and in doing so picking up 14 touches and scoring 76 DT points. Stevns played in the round one NAB cup match against Collingwood however was troubled by an ankle injury he picked up in the first quarter and was subbed off in the 3rd. So don't let the low score put you off if you are keen on Jacky.
Nick Salter (PORT) $222,900: Salter has played most of is Career as a forward but according to Chad Cornes he is set to make a move to the Port Defence. In Salter's 5 matches late last year he put together a couple of nice DT scores including a 79 against the Hawks in R18 and an 83 against the Lions in R21. The first NAB cup game backed up Chad's claims as Salter racked up 86 Dream Team points which included a sensational kick to handball ratio of 17:2. This boy knows how to play Dream Team football. Keep your eye on him.
James Strauss (Melb) $94,500: After an injury interrupted first season Melboune's 3rd pick in last years draft and pick 19 overall, James will be very keen to turn his bad luck around after a smooth pre-season. Strauss improved as the match went on looking fairly comfortable is his first hit-out at the top grade. Strauss averaged 75 Dream Team points throughout the TAC Cup and with Melbounre looking to play as many talented youngsters from Round one he will be pushing for a start. Could also be a sneaky alternative to Scully or Trengrove and being a year old he may just outperform them both.
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Second Year Dream Team Bargains
When picking your team having a point of difference may be the key to a toyota, or at least success.
Most People will be filling their mids with 3 or even 4 of this years first round draft picks. Players like Trengove, Scully, Martin & etc will me extremely popular. Of course these players are probably a safe option but will be in almost every team.
Player you may want to consider :
Luke Shuey (WC):
Shuey is one to watch closley over this NAB cup campaign. He was drafted at No.18 in the 08 pre season draft after average a massive 12 contested possesions per game in the TAC Cup. In the Round one NAB cup ame against Essendon he played just the second half in doing so emassed 49 DT points with 36 of these coming in the last quarter. Yes Essendon were being steamrolled late but Shuey was clearly finding his feet more and more as the match progressed. He may not start round one but Worsfold will be looking to inject as much of his young talent as he can from day one.
Phil Davis (Adel):
Davis is of course not a mid but being one of those rare dual position forward/backs many AFL Dream Team coaches are sweating on his Round 1 prospects. On the surface his 16 DT points agains Port does not look all that encouraging. But don't give up on him yet. Davis was just given a small taste of it scoring all his 16 points in the 2nd quarter in a game in which he spent a lot of time warming the extended bench. Davis is the highest drafted player not to get a game in 09. After knocking on the door at the end of last season, one year later and with a very strong season in the SANFL behind him. This versatile big bodied utility will could be ready to start his AFL career. With further game time in the remaining NAB Cup challenge matches he should be right on the cusp of a round 1 start.
Rory Sloane (Adel):
Sloane is a tough inside mid who may have cauht a few Dream Team Coaches eyes in is one appearance last season in round 20 against Hawthorn. From limitted game time he aquited himself very well making a juicey 7 tackles to go along wit his 6 handballs. Sloane also played round one of the NAB cup in the Showdown slaughter. He started te match playing just over half the game in doing so collecting 52 DT points 44 of these in the first half. If named in round one don't hesitate to jump on. But beware the Adelaide line-up is red hot and he may be relying on an injury or 2 to get is chance.
Most People will be filling their mids with 3 or even 4 of this years first round draft picks. Players like Trengove, Scully, Martin & etc will me extremely popular. Of course these players are probably a safe option but will be in almost every team.
Player you may want to consider :
Luke Shuey (WC):
Shuey is one to watch closley over this NAB cup campaign. He was drafted at No.18 in the 08 pre season draft after average a massive 12 contested possesions per game in the TAC Cup. In the Round one NAB cup ame against Essendon he played just the second half in doing so emassed 49 DT points with 36 of these coming in the last quarter. Yes Essendon were being steamrolled late but Shuey was clearly finding his feet more and more as the match progressed. He may not start round one but Worsfold will be looking to inject as much of his young talent as he can from day one.
Phil Davis (Adel):
Davis is of course not a mid but being one of those rare dual position forward/backs many AFL Dream Team coaches are sweating on his Round 1 prospects. On the surface his 16 DT points agains Port does not look all that encouraging. But don't give up on him yet. Davis was just given a small taste of it scoring all his 16 points in the 2nd quarter in a game in which he spent a lot of time warming the extended bench. Davis is the highest drafted player not to get a game in 09. After knocking on the door at the end of last season, one year later and with a very strong season in the SANFL behind him. This versatile big bodied utility will could be ready to start his AFL career. With further game time in the remaining NAB Cup challenge matches he should be right on the cusp of a round 1 start.
Rory Sloane (Adel):
Sloane is a tough inside mid who may have cauht a few Dream Team Coaches eyes in is one appearance last season in round 20 against Hawthorn. From limitted game time he aquited himself very well making a juicey 7 tackles to go along wit his 6 handballs. Sloane also played round one of the NAB cup in the Showdown slaughter. He started te match playing just over half the game in doing so collecting 52 DT points 44 of these in the first half. If named in round one don't hesitate to jump on. But beware the Adelaide line-up is red hot and he may be relying on an injury or 2 to get is chance.
Thursday 4 February 2010
Early Intra Club Stand outs
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West Coast's Intra-Club Match:Masten could be ready to light it up this season, Sumich spoke glowingly of his performance in their recent intra club hit out. Ebert, Shuey and Kerr also performed well. (click to read full report)
Kangaroos Intra-Club Match:
Cruize Garlett was named best on round by both Thomas and Firrito who were guest commenators on the Kangaroos website. The almost forotten man Robbie Tarrant was also solid in his surprising backline role.
Lindsay Thomas: "Best players were Cruize Garlett who was pretty clean around the stoppages and had a good workrate, Robbie Tarrant down back and Marcus White, who repelled everything out of defence. Matty Campbell was exciting up forward as usual. It was a good first up hit-out for the boys. Thanks for reading our blog tonight."
Michael Firrito: "The boys got a little bit tired towards the end. The ball movement was good and the skills continued to improve in the second half. Best players in my opinion were Cruize Garlett, Brent Harvey, Robbie Tarrant down back, young Brayden Norris and rookie Marcus White. Thanks for your support and I hope you enjoyed reading the blog. Go Roos!"
Essendons Intra-Club Match:
Essendon played there intra-club at Shepparton and have kindly given us a very indept assesment on the two teams performances. The highlight being a super impressive return of the big Gumby.
Monday 25 January 2010
AFL Dream Team Strategies for 2010
Backline war horses:
The saying there are many ways to skin a cat has never been more relevant than when you sit down on day one looking at your blank team ready to embark on a brand new AFL Dream Team Season. But the one theory I will discus relates to almost all fantasy owners most despised position. Yes, the band-aid back line. I'm sure I am not the only one who as been struck down late in the season and had to limp home with at least one big fat zero in there backs. So what balance of risky injury returning players, playing rookies (first yr players) and Guns should you go with. My thoughts are...
-The backline is the position that makes the least money in most fantasy teams (Rucks aside)
-There are generally plenty of gun draft picks/cash cows sprinkled through the forwards and mids especially, so money can be easily made there.
-The backline is also the position that in the past has lent itself to a lot of injuries.
The idea is to look for at least 4 preferably 5 backs that have played close to every game in the past 2 seasons and any games they did miss were not injurys that are likely to reoccur. i.e. Hamstring, groin. Players Like Enright, Hargraves and Goddard spring to mind. No real upside, rather boring and obvious even, but a 22 game player that will net you more than a good points return is worth his weight in gold. Just like each trade.
Yes this will chew some dollar, but that's ok because we can gamble a little more in our midfield with one or 2 playing rookies and maybe another 2 players that are on the verge of a breakout season. Knowing that between the 2 rookies on the field and the 2 on your bench you will end up with 2 round one starters and if you have done your research at least one reserve.
Yes, choosing rookie backs can pay off for your AFL Dream Team. Broughton from 09 is a prime example. That said of course you can always jump on after 2 games if they are just too good to pass up. The other bonus with having extra rookies in your mids as opposed to other positions, is when it comes to selling off your cash cows. There is always a plethora of midfield rookies that have jumped out of the blocks with 2 big scores first up to choose from. Where you can have nailed it with a rookie back and are ready to cash in, only to find the there is not a single decent playing first year back to downgrade to.
In the end the less trades you have to waste the better. Picking a side where you can set and forget as many backs as possible might just be the key to get you a league win or who knows maybe even a crack at the a car.
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