TIPPAZ Season Guide 2008

TIPPAZ SEASON GUIDE 2008
Pre-season is over and Rd1 is just around the corner, which means a new year of DreamTeam is about to commence. Time to knuckle down and sort out your squad. So sit back, take a deep breath (you might wanna hit the save/print button for this!) and enjoy reading through Tippaz Season Guide 2008. This guide is simply designed to help you pick your team. I have compiled my own take of each club’s starting22 (please note: no.1 taggers are in brackets) along with potential good buys for the upcoming season.

Players have been separated into 4 catergories:

1) big gun – a proven fantasy pick who is expected to score highly. (barring injuries)
2) hot prospect – a player who I feel is underpriced and is expected to score much better than last year.
3) smokey – an “under-the-radar” player who could potentially step up this year.
4) cash cow – a dirt cheap player who could significantly increase in value.

ADELAIDE
The pre-season form of the Crows suggests there will be big changes to the structure of the team. Nathan Bock looks more settled in defence and will probably stay at CHB, Simon Goodwin & Andrew McLeod have excelled up forward, while Brad Symes looks comfortable at his new club. Niell Craig is set to employ a much more attacking gameplan, and despite the pundits low expectations, I give this team a real chance of making top4.

FB – Johncock, Rutten, Stevens
HB – Symes, Bock, Vince
C – (Shirley), Thompson, Reilly
HF – Porplyzia, McGregor, McLeod
FF – Goodwin, Hentschel, Burton
R – Maric, Edwards, VanBerlo
i/c – Griffin, Knights, Bassett, Douglas

big guns: All-Australian half-back-flank Andrew McLeod looks set to play forward this year. This could have a negative impact on his possession tally, but we can expect to see more goals. He is generally a midfield orientated player who is advantageously classified as a back. Strong-bodied Scott Thompson is the new leader of the Crow’s midfield. Last year, he amassed 2192pts (10th overall) averaging 99.64ppg, although he did have the luxury of not being tagged. If Goodwin’s move to the forwardline becomes permanent, Thompson will struggle to repeat that. Good old Tyson Edwards has spent less time in the midfield during this Nab Cup, but the 31yr veteran is very professional and brings a touch of class. He rarely misses games, and has always proven to be a reliable pick. Just don’t expect the same 2159pts (12th overall) from last year because the crows want to blood some younger players into the midfield.
hot prospects: Small back-pocket Graham Johncock only played 16 games in 2007 due to an injury restricted year. He played some games off the bench and around the forwardline which significantly lowered his stats to 69.13ppg. If McLeod’s move to the forwardline is permanent, Johncock will need to lift his game. He is responsible for kickout duties and is a “go-to-man” in defence. New recruit Brad Symes had a great debut season in 2006 for Port Adel, but he only managed 6 games in 2007. 23yr old Symes has got a fresh start at Adelaide, and his pre-season form suggests he’ll be a starting player. He is great at mopping up uncontested marks across halfback, and can even reach 30 possessions on a good day. High flying Brett Burton played through injury last year, and his statistical output was well below par. The Birdman certainly hasn’t lost any spring as we witnessed him take a massive speccie over Zac Dawson the other day. I expect him to play a forward pocket type role (not the best place to get stats), but he has the ability to push up the ground and will surely kick more goals this year. 23yr old Jason Porplyzia has had a big pre-season and is expected to step up. He was a non-established half-forward-flank last year who only played 14 games. This year, he is set for a much greater midfield load and should play every game. He has a handy misclassification of “forward” to go with it. 21yr old Richard Douglas is another on the rise. He didn’t get many fantasy points last year, but he will surely improve on that. I see him as a part-time-forward/part-time-midfielder who could play off the bench. He has been correctly classified as a “forward” this year. 22yr old young gun Bernie Vince has really impressed me this pre-season. I’m unsure if he’s considered a starting player, however, I have found a place for him off halfback. He probably won’t take many marks, but can get the ball, has good skills and can run-and-carry. He delivered very weak stats last year, so you’ll find his price very cheap (still classified as a forward). I’m predicting he’ll be one of Adelaide’s most improved players.
smokeys: the pre-season form of Nathan Bock is undeniable. He is clocking up SuperCoach points as well as DreamTeam points playing across halfback, regularly getting 25possessions 10marks. CHB is not a good position for fantasy points because their primary objective is to shut down the opposition CHF. However, Bock may not always take the CHF and is capable of going forward. Potential future captain Nathan Van Berlo is a star in the making. The 21yr old midfielder played all 22 games last year and is showing every indication he can take the next step. If Goodwin & Edwards receive less gametime in the midfield, Van Berlo is likely to benefit from this by playing inside mid. His recent 28pos performance against Hawthorn was one to savour. 24yr old Brent Reilly is in the same boat as Van Berlo. He too, is likely to benefit from more time playing inside mid. I am uncertain as to who Neill Craig would favour (Reilly or Van Berlo), but I suspect they’ll share the midfield load around a fair bit. Reilly is a bit small, but hard at it. With Bock moving to defence this year it appears cult figure Ken McGregor is the obvious choice to play CHF. He struggled through injury last year and only played 8 games. He is a much-maligned player and shouldn’t be forgotten about. His pre-season form has been quite sound kicking goals, taking marks, and most importantly providing a target.
cash cows: midfielder Bryce Campbell was taken as a mature age recruit at pick no.78 in 2006 draft. The 23yr old played 1 game last year and is likely to get more games this year. 20yr old ruck prospect Kurt Tippett was also taken in the 2006 draft at pick no.32. He has been super impressive throughout the Nab Cup and is set to play rd1 (in place of Hentschel). There’s a bit of Justin Westhoff about him. This is a top recommendation! pick no.14 of 2006 draft James Sellar starred against Collingwood in the Nab Cup opener. He is 195cm tall, can take a strong mark, kick a goal, and could get a regular game soon.

BRISBANE
The Lions are set for a big year. They picked up Travis Johnstone to add to their midfield array of Black, Power, Lappin, and Adcock. And Daniel Bradshaw is almost ready to return after missing a full season of football. Suddenly the forwardline is looking pretty ominous with Brown, Bradshaw, and Brennan all available. I think they are ready for finals, and possibly top4?
FB – MacDonald, Merrett, Roe
HB – Drummond, Patfull, Lappin
C – (Selwood), Black, Adcock
HF – Notting, Brown, Sherman
FF – McGrath, Bradshaw, Brennan
R – Charman, Johnstone, Power
i/c – Leuenberger, Stiller, Copeland, Rischitelli
big guns: Josh Drummond was one of the most improved players in the competition last year. He is a deadly accurate kick of the ball, and obviously the “go-to-man” in Brisbane’s defence. He is efficient in rebound50s, takes kickouts, and is often the 1st link in the chain that results in shots on goal. I find him extremely well suited to SuperCoach, but his DreamTeam worthiness is no exception. He is fast becoming the new Joel Bowden. 31yr old Nigel Lappin has legendary status when it comes to dreamteams. The silky smooth Lappin will always go unnoticed around players such as Black, Power, Johnstone, etc. and he can rack 30pos without anyone noticing. His possession tally in the 2nd half of 2007 was the highest of any player in the competition, and, his possession tally for the season was the highest of any Brisbane player despite the fact he missed 4 games. 28yr old Luke Power is a hardened inside midfielder who racks up disposals, tackles, clearances, hardball gets. He remains a key player and is unlikely to get tagged. I think less people will buy Power after a leaner year – which could be a mistake. Small defender-turned-midfielder Jed Adcock had a huge breakout year in 2007. He played all 22 games and managed to compile 1949pts (ave. 88.59ppg). A shift to the midfield in the 2nd half of the year meant he was really averaging around 100ppg by the end, and was mighty unlucky to miss out on All-Australian. He probably won’t be as good (especially with Johnstone now) but he is a highly statistical player, however, no longer listed as a “back”. Superstar Jonathon Brown put together his best and most consistent season of footy. The powerhouse CHF is capable of mega points but has struggled with injuries in the past. He has slowly eased himself back into pre-season to ensure he’s right for rd1. Brown is capable of conjuring up 150+pts on a good day. His starting price is possibly quite generous.
hot prospects: Simon Black was a surprise runner-up in last year’s Brownlow. His statistical output was respectable, but he is capable of more. He is clearly Brisbane’s no.1 midfielder and one of the elite midfielders in the competition, which makes him a prime target for taggers. He will still get stacks of possessions, tackles, clearances, and should benefit from being part of a stronger midfield. I believe Travis Johnstone is going to be the trade of the season. The ex-Demon was always the prime target for taggers, and never really got the stats he deserved. With Black in the team, he won’t have to worry about taggers anymore, so I’d expect his stats to spike. He is a very dangerous kick, which will only benefit the Brown/Bradshaw forwardline even more. The wraps on 19yr old Matthew Leuenberger has been enormous. The no.4 draft pick of 2006 has been earmarked as the best ruck prospect in the last 10 years, and drawn comparisons to Dean Cox. He played 9 games last year (which makes him eligible for this year’s Rising Star Award) with only minimal gametime. He didn’t achieve too many stats last year, so he’ll have a great 2nd year price on him. I have named him 2nd ruck to Charman, but don’t be surprised if he finishes the year as Brisbane’s no.1 ruckman. Full-forward Daniel Bradshaw is set to return to the lineup after missing the entire season with a knee reconstruction. The 29yr old hasn’t done a full pre-season, so his fitness is a bit behind the rest of the squad. Brisbane is saying he’ll be right by rd3 but could miss the opening two rounds. Bradshaw is a 50+ goalkicker who is well underpriced.
smokeys: 21yr old Justin Sherman had an horrendous season with injury/illness last year. 768pts from 14 games (ave. 54.86ppg) is well below his 1912pts of 2006 (ave. 86.91ppg). I doubt he’ll be playing the same halfback flank role of 2006, but I suspect he’ll be playing part-time-forward/part-time-midfield, and unfortunately he’s been misclassified (ouch). Nevertheless, he’s an exciting young player who has been a proven pick in the past, and is well underpriced. Possibly the smokey of all smokeys has to be Jared Brennan. He is one of the most exciting enigmatic players in the competition. He can play a number of positions, but he has been starting pre-season games in the forwardline. I anticipate he will play as a loose 3rd tall across half-forward and could be somewhat of a Brad Fisher or Kayne Pettifer.
cash cows: 19yr old Albert Proud (nicknamed “punch”) was taken at pick no.22 in the 2006 draft. He is a tough hard player in the Byron Pickett mould, and played 2 games last year. He is on the verge of playing a lot more senior games this year. You’ll find him in the “backs” priced just above base. The no.8 draft pick of 2007 Lachlan Henderson made an impression in rd1 of the Nab Cup against Essendon by kicking goals and providing a target. The tall forward is listed at 195cm and could debut rd1 in the absence of Bradshaw.

CARLTON
The Blues are the sleeping giant of the competition. The arrival of Chris Judd has sent a wave of euphoria through Carlton supporters as they realise they will no longer be a bottom side. Add a fit Nick Stevens plus 2007 no.1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer to the side, and you’ve got yourself a finals contender. Coach Brett Ratten plays high stats football. They’ve got a fantastic midfield, and I wonder if the 500 possession barrier can be pushed by this mob. Plenty of good buys here!
FB – Gibbs, O’Hailpin, Thornton
HB – Walker, Waite, Houlihan
C – Murphy, Carrazzo, Simpson
HF – (Hadley), Fisher, Pfeiffer
FF – Betts, Fevola, Kreuzer
R – Hampson, Judd, Scotland
i/c – Cloke, Stevens, Bentick, Russell
big guns: Andrew Carrazzo was one of eight players to crack to magical 2200pts and average 100ppg in all 22 games. He spent the entire season playing in the centre whilst misclassified as a “back”. I was lucky enough to go a Carlton game last year and thought he had a pretty quite day… so I open up the paper the next morning to check the stats, only to discover he had 35pos 8tackles 7clearances (whaaaaa???). I quickly learnt this guy is absolute gold in dreamteams. He is a stats-machine who is not worth tagging (excellent!!). Heath Scotland was the 9th highest scoring player in dreamteam with 2197pts (averaging 99.86ppg). He’s predominantly a midfielder who plays a kick behind play around halfback. This is a great way to escape the tag! His is also a pinpoint accurate kick of the ball – none of his possessions are junk. Scotland was ranked no.2 in the competition for disposals in 2007, yet was unbelievably left out of the All-Australian shortlist.
hot prospects: The best player in the competition Chris Judd has come down in price. His struggle with osteitis pubis wrecked his stats in the later stages of 2007, only to finish with 1530pts from 18 games (average 85.00ppg). His pre-season has been a slow process, but Carlton expects he’ll be right for rd1. Judd has been made captain of his new club and is eager to lead the Blues new-look midfield. I think he’s more suited to SuperCoach though. 28yr old Nick Stevens came close to ending up in a wheelchair last year after fracturing his neck. Now, he is up and running in pre-season and set to return to the Carlton midfield. He used to be Carlton’s no.1 midfielder, and would usually draw opposition taggers. This year, I foresee a role coming off the bench (a bit like Scott Burns). He will be severely underpriced because he only played 3 games last year. 20yr old midfielder Marc Murphy is set to lift his stats. The 2005 no.1 draft pick copped opposition taggers on a regular basis last year in the absence of Nick Stevens. The inclusions of Judd and Stevens will free him up immensely, and Murphy has shown signs of ball magnetism over his first two seasons. It’s good news for 19yr old Bryce Gibbs also. The 2006 no.1 draft pick is said to spend more time in the midfield. He played small back pocket in 2007, and didn’t get many stats. However, a recent display of 30pos against Hawthorn in the Nab Cup shows his true stat potential. I struggle to see a permanent spot in the midfield for Gibbs, so, decided to leave him in the backline. He will have an attractive 2nd year price on him (unfortunately listed as a “centre”). And let’s not forget about key forward Brendan Fevola – arguably the best full-forward in the competition. He dreadfully underperformed last year with just 1349pts from 19 games (average 71.00ppg). His price will be well below par, and he ought to shine with Judd’s delivery into the forwardline. You can expect more marks and goals from the Fev this year.
smokey: Key position player Jarrad Waite has been given the responsibility of playing a full season at CHB by coach Brett Ratten. Although it’s not the best place for stats, Waite has got a big tank and can cover a lot of ground. He is a very influential player who can take marks, and is versatile enough to play forward. His pre-season form suggests he’ll be a contender for All-Australian. Statswise, he could be worth a punt.
cash cows: 21yr old Dennis Armfield was taken as a mature age recruit at pick no.46 of the 2007 draft. He caught my eye in the Nab Cup as someone who could play off the bench, and I expect him to get some games this year. 20yr old Shaun Hampson has done a huge pre-season and is seriously vying for Carlton’s no.1 ruck spot. He was taken at pick no.17 in the 2006 draft (the 2nd ruck behind Leuenberger that year) and played 2 games last year. He will be cheaper and better than Kreuzer! All the smart people will buy him, so I suggest you get on board. 20yr old ex-Crow Darren Pfeiffer has made a super impressive Nab Cup debut for his new club. He is listed as a min wage back, but is set for a role in the forwardline. I think this kid will start rd1 and play every game. He comes highly recommended. The 2007 no.1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer is also likely to feature in most games. Even though he’s a known ruck prospect, I think he’ll spend more time up forward. Brad Fisher will miss the first 4 rounds of the season with a thumb injury, and Kreuzer is the most logical choice to fill the void.

COLLINGWOOD
The Magpies are heading into the season a little underdone. Their pre-season loss to the Crows shows they’re nowhere near match fitness, and that coach Mick Malthouse doesn’t care about winning practise games. In all seriousness, they remain a strong finals contender because they will play 18 of 22 games at the MCG. They were not a high statistical team last year, and don’t have any big stars. Collingwood are a very well-drilled team and always play as a unit.
FB – Cox, Wakelin, O’Brien
HB – H.Shaw, Maxwell, R.Shaw
C – (Holland), Swan, Lockyer
HF – Thomas, Cloke, Didak
FF – Davis, Rocca, Rusling
R – Fraser, Pendlebury, O’Bree
i/c – Wood, Burns, Johnson, Medhurst
big guns: 22yr old Heath Shaw was unlucky to miss the All-Australian shortlist last year. He often plays loose man in defence and collects a truckload of uncontested marks. He is becoming a true leader at Collingwood, and is very professional in his approach. Dane Swan has become one of the competitions most pure stat machines. Ranked 5th overall in 2007 with 2234pts (average 101.55ppg). He’s a slow moving player who doesn’t have a penetrating kick, and is unlikely to get tagged. Wingman/onballer Tarkyn Lockyer had the season of his life in 2007 raking in 2229pts (average 101.32ppg) which made him the 6th highest scoring player in the competition. He was controversially left out of the All-Australian shortlist, and IMO he really should’ve made the ‘team of the year’. Lockyer rarely misses games, but don’t expect a repeat of last year’s performance. Dane Swan is the one you want!!
hot prospects: Rising Star runner-up Scott Pendlebury is truly a star in the making. He’s an elusive midfielder who moves like Nick Dal Santo. He is also deceptively tall, which enables him to take more marks. He collected 1623pts from 20 games (average 81.15ppg), but towards the end of the year, he was really averaging 90ppg. No.1 tagger Brodie Holland only played 7 games last year due to injury. His price has dropped away considerably. Most taggers are non-statistical but the best ones still find the ball. Holland has been a proven fantasy player before averaging 80ppg two years ago (as a tagger). Ruckman Josh Fraser played through injury last year, and as a result, lowered his stats. His price is lower than it should be. Fraser is one of the big gun rucks who can get 30pos, 10marks on a good day. B&F winner Travis Cloke improved immensely last year holding down CHF, and was easily Collingwood’s best player in the finals. The 21yr old has bulked up over summer and could step another notch. He is capable of 10+marks 20+pos. He just needs to improve his accuracy and kick more goals. Bad boy Alan Didak only played 15 games last year and didn’t have his best year due to off-field dramas. He is undeniably one of the best small forwards in the game and can push up into the midfield. In 2006 he made All-Australian and averaged 75-80ppg.
smokeys: Shannon Cox is a neat back pocket player who could be a permanent fixture in Collingwood’s defence. He played 8 games last year and showed a lot of poise and skill. His starting price should be low enough to fit into your 7th defender slot, so he could be a handy to start off with (a bit like Roger Hayden). 20yr old Irishman Marty Clarke made an impressive start to AFL football. He played 9 games and scored 588pts (average 65.33ppg) mostly as a tagging midfielder in replacement of Brodie Holland. Clarke is a good athlete who has enormous midfield potential, but he’s pre-season form has been quiet. I couldn’t quite find a spot for him in their best22, but expect him to be a 1st team regular. He reminds me of Brent Stanton, and could potentially step up at some stage during the year.
cash cows: John Anthony is a 3rd year player yet to make his debut. He is a tall defender who looks ready to play some games. The injury to Prestigiacomo ought to enhance his chances, but finding stats will not be his primary objective. Nathan Brown (twin brother of Mitchell Brown) was taken at pick no.10 in the 2006 draft. He is a tall versatile player with good athleticism, and has a bright fantasy outlook. Collingwood have been playing him down back this pre-season, possibly in the Birchall mould. I expect him to play 10-15 games this year. Ben Reid was taken pick no.8 in the 2006 draft. He is a 196cm key position prospect who was a shining light in the loss against Adelaide (Nab Cup opener). I can’t see him starting ahead of Cloke/Rocca/Rusling, but the wraps on this kid are pretty big. He should get some games and improve in value.

ESSENDON
The baby Bombers have surprised many over the Nab Cup series. New coach Matthew Knights has brought a new attacking gameplan and aims to rebuild the team with youth. They have a lot of exciting young players aged between 18-23 with plenty of flair and pace. Although the common perception of Essendon has been bottom 4, there’s a lot of room for optimism. The quick handball, fast moving style of play is going to bring a lot of stats, so I’m expecting a lot of good buys here.
FB – Ramanauskas, Michael, Fletcher
HB – Peverill, Ryder, Nash
C – (Monfries), Watson, Winderlich
HF – McPhee, Lucas, Lovett
FF – Davey, Lloyd, L-Murray
R – Hille, Stanton, McVeigh
i/c – Laycock, Houli, Dyson, Welsh
big guns: Adam McPhee will be playing a different role as a forward/midfielder in the Ryan O’Keefe mould. He will no longer get easy kicks around halfback, but should still score well enough to justify his pricetag. He has got a good endurance base and will continue to take lots of marks around the ground. Veteran defender Dustin Fletcher had an outstanding All-Australian year in 2007. He often plays loose and is the “go-to-man” in Essendon’s defence. Fletcher is one of the best long kicks in the competition and is a real weapon in setting up goals. However, the 32yr old may struggle to reproduce under this new style of play. He’s far better suited to SuperCoach. 21yr old Brent Stanton is Essendon’s no.1 midfielder. Although he’s not an elite player, he has a huge motor and will outrun any tagger. He regularly picks up 30+ possessions and usually gets about 90% gametime (very high for a mid). 30yr old Scott Lucas is set for another big year. His recent 5 goal haul against the Bulldogs was one of the standout performances in the Nab Cup. He’s kicked 179 goals over the last 3 seasons (in a bottom side), yet has never made All-Australian. Lucas rarely gets injured and hardly ever misses games. Captain Matthew Lloyd will once again spearhead the team at full-forward. The last 3 years have delivered lower goal tallies than the Matthew Lloyd of 1999-2004, but nevertheless, he remains a proven fantasy pick who can take marks and kick lots of goals.
hot prospects: 23yr old centreman Jobe Watson is becoming a true stat-rat and is on the verge of big gun status. He is an in-and-under type player who specialises in clearances and racking up possessions. He also takes marks and lays plenty of tackles. His pre-season form has been good. 22yr old Ricky Dyson has been the form player of the pre-season Nab Cup and has got to be one of the most improved players in the competition. He looks set for a spot in Essendon’s midfield (most likely on a wing) where his stats could go through the roof. This is surely a great bargain! 2nd year player Bachar Houli has also had a massive pre-season and is likely to start rd1. This 19yr old is extremely profressional in his approach and has a strong enough body to play as an inside midfielder. I anticipate he’ll play off the bench and rotate with Watson/Stanton/McVeigh. He has been clocking up possessions at will in the Nab Cup series, and is going to be bargain centre. This could be the next Priddis (fingers crossed) – get on board! Misclassified forward Angus Monfries looks set for a midfield tagging role. His Nab Cup form has been very good and he appears to be finding more stats. The 21yr old has always been a promising young talent, but this could be a breakthrough year.
smokeys: Mark McVeigh is an under-rated player. He played a number of positions last year, but was predominantly a midfielder. This year, he is set for a full season in the midfield which could easily help his stats. His pre-season form has been quiet, but the 27yr old Bomber is a recognised leader and has always been a consistent player. Jay Nash has disastrously been misclassified as a centre and would probably have to emulate Nick Malceski to prove his worth. But the 22yr old halfback flank has improved out of sight over the past 12 months after establishing himself in the 2nd half of last year. His pre-season form is on a par with Malceski, so he’s actually worth considering. 19yr old Leroy Jetta played the first 4 games of 2007 before injuring his groin which ultimately kept him out for the season. He is a 2nd year player with electrifying pace who is clearly gifted in performing ‘chasedowns’. He recently got 8 tackles against the Bulldogs. Although I don’t consider him to be in their best22, I expect him to get a regular game. You will find he’s cheap enough for your 7th forward slot and could be a handy selection to start off with.
cash cows: 20yr oldrookie elevation Heath Hocking has shown potential over the Nab Cup campaign and is bound to get senior games this year. I am led to believe this is the son of Gary Hocking, and like his old man, is a bit of a ball magnet. 20yr old Sam Lonergan is a 3rd player who hasn’t had senior experience. He’s been good this pre-season and has obviously had a big summer. Matthew Knights will be keen on putting games into these younger players, so I’m expecting to see Lonergan play too. 20yr old Jay Neagle (son of Merv Neagle) is another 3rd year player on the rise. I thought he was Essendon’s best player against St Kilda (in the Nab Cup semi-final) kicking 4 goals as a lead-up forward. He looks quite tall and strong, and it seems likely he will play games this year. 19yr old hardnut Kyle Reimers is a ferocious young talent who has had a great pre-season. His forwardline pressure has been outstanding, and he’s been kicking goals too. He is very close to Essendon’s best22 and his fantasy outlook is looking pretty good. His price is slightly above base, but it’s worth paying extra for him. 18yr old David Myers was taken at pick no.6 in the 2007 draft. He is listed at 191cm, and described as a versatile defender who can also play midfield. He will probably play about 10 games with a limited amount of gametime, but has some stat-potential.

FREMANTLE
Could this be the sleeping giant of the competition? They have been teasing us for a long time, but I think the penny has finally dropped under new coach Mark Harvey. When he took over midway through last year they started winning games. He brings a tough, uncompromising attitude which reflects in the way they play. A lot of their fortunes rest on the shoulders of skipper Matthew Pavlich. However, the season-ending injury to Paul Hasleby will hurt them immensely.
FB – Hayden, McPharlin, Grover
HB – Mundy, Mi.Johnson, Black
C – (Dodd), J.Carr, Peake
HF – Headland, Pavlich, Crowley
FF – Solomon, Tarrant, Farmer
R – Sandilands, Schammer, Bell
i/c – Warnock, Palmer, M.Carr, Ma.Johnson
big guns: 32yr old ex-captain Peter Bell could be heading into his final year of football, but his presence will be invaluable due to the loss of Hasleby. He should play as a small inside midfielder for the majority of the season. He won’t take a lot of marks, but he is prolific in possessions, tackles, clearances, and effective disposal. Bell scored 1950pts from 22 games last year (average 88.64ppg), but I think he’s better suited to SuperCoach. Midfielder Josh Carr is a tough in-and-under player who has had reasonable success at the fantasy level. He is a fierce natured character who continually misses games through suspension (his ultimate downfall). Nevertheless, he is capable of producing big numbers, and wouldn’t often get tagged. Star player Matthew Pavlich is the focal point of this team. He is an elite fantasy pick who hasn’t missed a game in over 5 years. In the 2007, he was the 4th ranked player overall with 2244pts (average 102.00ppg), and was the highest scoring player in the forwards. The 26yr old is at his peak, and is an obvious selection.
hot prospects: 22yr old halfback David Mundy has all the makings of being a top fantasy pick. He’s listed at 192cm, has a good motor, and reads the play quite well. He just needs to be more influential. Mundy is heading into his 5th season – and it’s about time this guy delivered! 22yr old midfielder Byron Schammer had a year to forget. I believe he had complications with an appendix operation, which kept him down to just 7 games. His price is well below par. Schammer can play inside midfield or wing, and is expected to return to the starting lineup. I don’t know much about his pre-season, but the Hasleby injury makes him important. 24yr old wingman Brett Peake had a similar year to Schammer. He only played 10 games due to injury, so his price has gone down too. Peake was the no.1 player in the competition for running bounces in 2006. He is important to the Fremantle lineup, but his fantasy outlook is probably more suited to SuperCoach. The inconsistent Des Headland has been re-classified as a forward. And it couldn’t have come at a better time… (in light of the Hasleby injury). He is capable of producing midfield stats and could spend a lot more time onball, which makes him one of the best misclassification tips going around. He recently starred against West Coast in the Nab Cup. If Freo are serious about moving up the ladder Headland needs to deliver! Erratic full-forward Chris Tarrant made headlines for all the wrong reasons last year, and his form was inconsistent. He needs to have a big year. He is quite good at moving up the ground earning extra marks & possessions, but his goalkicking needs to improve. 50+goals is the target.
smokeys: Michael Johnson is a mobile tall defender who can pinch hit in the ruck. He takes a lot of marks across halfback, and is an excellent reader of the play. The 23yr old CHB has some statistical benefits, and could improve his game. Small defender Roger Hayden was a surprise nomination for the All-Australian shortlist last year. His defensive mindset stops him from producing the big numbers, but I expect him to be more attacking this year. He just needs to find some cheap ball. Dean Solomon look-a-like Ryan Crowley is a clone of his older teammate. A tough, hard, team man! The 24yr old utility could find some extra time in the midfield (wing/onball), which would help him lift his stats. 211cm ruckman Aaron Sandilands is the tallest player in history, and will inevitably get the most hitouts in the competition (barring injury, of course). Before his injury last year, he showed glimpses of big gun potential, but his season faded badly. If he can get his body right he ought to improve his fantasy status.
cash cows: 20yr old Garrick Ibbotson is heading into his 3rd season and is priced just above base. He’s listed at 187cm, and described as a speedy defender. He played 1 game last year, and I would expect to see more of him this year. Everyone is going to buy Rhys Palmer. Taken at pick no.7 in the 2007 draft, the 18yr old inside midfielder was a stats-machine throughout the U18s carnival. He looks set to play rd1, and the Hasleby injury is going to boost his gametime significantly. This is my idea of the new Joel Selwood, and is pretty much a must-have. Buy him! 19yr old Chris Mayne has caught my eye in the pre-season. He was taken at pick no.40 in the 2007 draft, and is described as “a powerful leading medium forward”. Freo could do with some more goalkickers, so keep an eye on him. He might play some early games.

GEELONG
The reigning premiers deserve to go into the new season as favourites. Their comfortable 119pt win over Port Adelaide was a Grand Final record margin. They scooped nearly every award, and will go down as one of the greatest teams in club history. This team has got some serious stats power, but unfortunately, all the good players are going to be expensive. Not many bargains around here. All-Australian CHB Matthew Egan has not recovered from his foot injury and will miss the 1st half of the year (I have left him out of their starting lineup).
FB – Hunt, Scarlett, Milburn
HB – Mackie, Harley, Enright
C – (Ling), Bartel, Kelly
HF – Chapman, Mooney, S.Johnson
FF – Stokes, Lonergan, Hawkins
R – Ottens, Corey, Ablettjr
i/c – Blake, Selwood, Wojcinski, Byrnes
big guns: The ever reliable Darren Milburn was finally named All-Australian. He has been a top fantasy pick for the last 5 years, and probably too consistent for his own good. The 30yr old defender wins a lot of junk ball chipping around the backline, and often plays as a loose man. He’s also very effective with his disposals. 23yr old Andrew Mackie found his niche on the halfback flank last year and stepped up. He finds a lot of uncontested marks and loose footy around the backline too. This year, he’s been classified as a back, which makes him a formidable buy. Brownlow Medalist Jimmy Bartel had the biggest year of stats I’ve ever seen scoring 2288pts from 20 games (average 114.40ppg). He is the ultimate stat machine who greatly benefits from not being tagged. Unfortunately, his dramatically high scores have made him the most expensive player in history, which means he offers very little value for money. Wait until he drops 100k before you buy. Believe it or not, Joel Corey was 1 of 2 players to outscore Bartel by collecting 2290pts from 22 games (average 104.09ppg). He is even less likely to get tagged, and consistently racks up 25-30 possessions without anyone noticing. Corey’s price is significantly cheaper than Bartel, and he would be a smarter choice to start off with. MVP Award winner Gary Ablett jr reached stellar heights as a fully qualified fantasy big gun by scoring 2168pts from 22 games (average 98.55ppg). He has the curse of drawing the opposition’s no.1 tagger each week, but his improved fitness levels enable him to outrun those nasty scraggers. He is very prolific in possessions, tackles, hardball gets, goals, and hardly ever misses games. Ex-Tiger Brad Ottens finally proved his worth by having a great year, and was an instrumental player in the finals series. His 1559pts from 19 games (average 82.05ppg) made him one of the highest scoring players in the ruck catergory. The 28yr old ruckman has lifted his workrate around the ground, whilst becoming more dangerous at stoppages. Everyone knows Paul Chapman loves a stat. The hardnut midfielder has once again been misclassified as a forward, yet will inevitably deliver midfield stats. He plays forward/wing, and basically clocks up stats in every form. He normally averages 100ppg, so expect him to be a popular fantasy pick. The enigmatic Steve Johnson capped off 2007 with a Norm Smith Medal. He’s another half-forward-flank who can deliver midfield stats + kick goals. He was also the no.1 player in the competition for goal assists, and made All-Australian despite missing 6 games. In pre-season, he recently booted 6 goals against Melbourne in a Nab Cup match.
hot prospect: Tom Hawkins has added some muscle to his 197cm frame over summer, and is expected to be a 1st team regular. The 19yr old goalsquare behemoth is potentially another Jonathon Brown in the making. His stats will obviously improve by taking more marks, and kicking more goals.
smokeys: Back pocket Josh Hunt slightly underperformed last year only playing 13 games with a limited amount of gametime. He is a beautiful kick of the football who usually takes kickouts. The 26yr old defender might step up his game by cementing a spot in Geelong’s backline, and being somewhat of a “go-to-player”. Corey Enright is a severely under-rated player who got a stack of footy off halfback last year. You will find he’s been misclassified as a centre (to his disadvantage). There is a bit of Nigel Lappin about him though, so I wouldn’t underestimate his fantasy value. Rising Star winner Joel Selwood made a phenomenal rise into senior footy last year. He scored 1539pts from 18 games (average 85.50). Those are the best numbers I can remember from a 1st year player. Unfortunately, he’s going to be a mega rip-off but I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of this kid improving. He is obviously a stat king of the future. 21yr old Brent Prismall has been set back by a number of injuries over the past 2 years. His pre-season form has been really good, and I would expect him to become a 1st team regular. He has been topping stat-sheets in the VFL for long enough. Prismall is a likely addition to the Cats strong midfield.
cash cows: 23yr old Tom Lonergan has been earmarked as the next full-forward in replacement of Nathan Ablett. He was named best-on-ground in the VFL Grand Final booting 6 goals. His pre-season form has been good and I would expect him to play rd1. He can take a strong mark and kick a goal. I presume he will be this year’s version of Tim Boyle, and comes with good recommendation. 21yr old Harry Taylor was surprisingly taken at pick no.17 in the 2007 national draft as a mature age recruit. He is listed at 193cm, and described as “a versatile player who can play a number of positions”. The Egan injury could provide a spot for this kid as a tall defender. He has looked alright in pre-season and I rate him a strong chance to play games this year. Medium sized forward Ryan Gamble is heading into his 3rd season. His great pre-season form suggests he will have a breakthrough year, and wouldn’t be too far off their starting lineup. He is statistically well-rounded, and certainly worth a *punt*.

HAWTHORN
Will Lance Franklin do it again? They will certainly be a force if he provides another 70+ goal season. The popular view of this team is a top 4 finish. But on the back of last year’s rollercoaster ride, I’m predicting a slide. They have a young inexperienced list that is building towards a 5-10yr dynasty. The Hawks play a high possession brand of football and like to overload the midfield. As a result, there are a lot of uncontested marks in the backline. The forwarline, however, is all about Franklin.
FB – Guerra, Gilham, Brown
HB – Birchall, Croad, Ladson
C – Crawford, Mitchell, (Sewell)
HF – McGlynn, Franklin, Young
FF – Boyle, Roughead, Williams
R – Campbell, Hodge, Lewis
i/c – Taylor, Bateman, Ellis, Rioli
big guns: Vice-captain Luke Hodge is a goalscoring midfielder who often gets tagged. He produces quality possessions, tackles, hardball gets, clearances, which all rate well in SuperCoach. However, he is carrying over a suspension from last year, so will miss rd1. Inside-midfielder Jordan Lewis will also miss the first 2 rounds through suspension. He accumulates plenty of junk stats, and has the luxury of not being tagged. Wait until he starts playing before you buy him though. Newly appointed captain Sam Mitchell is a DreamTeam points-machine. He regularly provides 30+ possession hauls, takes uncontested marks in the back half, and lays plenty of tackles. Like Lewis, he avoids opposition taggers, and is also one the best centre clearance players in the competition. If you’re looking for a Hawthorn centre Mitchell is the one you want!
hot prospects: 20yr old Grant Birchall has all the makings of being a top fantasy pick. The tall halfback flank has a good motor and reads the play quite well. He gets a lot of easy kicks and uncontested marks just by chipping around the backline, but is capable of getting hardball too. His style of play is very much in the Adam McPhee mould, and he’s a continually improving player. 20yr old Xavier Ellis is heading into his 3rd season of football and is expected to be a 1st team regular. His pre-season form has been good, and his stats are ready to improve. He didn’t reach any great heights last year, so you’ll find he’s been generously priced. The former no.3 draft pick has been listed as a back, but is very much a midfield orientated player. 21yr old superstar Lance Franklin is on the verge of big gun status. He kicked 63 goals at CHF in the home-and-away season but only managed 1587pts from 20 games (average 79.25ppg). He kicked more behinds than goals last year, and was the most inaccurate player in the competition. He was also a constant offender of free kicks, and had the highest differential of frees against vs frees for in the competition. Lance can only get better from here. He is a tall mobile player who takes contested marks, and is also good at ground level. Goals are the key to his success.
smokeys: no.1 tagger Brad Sewell stepped up into an elite defensive midfielder last year. He regularly shut down key players, and was good enough to win his own ball. I think there is room for improvement in his fantasy output. He will certainly benefit in the first few rounds without Hodge, Lewis, and Crawford. Forward Mark Williams is regarded as one of the best set shots in the competition. He only played 4 games last year due to injury. He doesn’t generate a lot of stats, but is a proven goalkicker who is capable of 50+ goals. His price is below par, and Lance Franklin ought to take the pressure off him. 28yr old Stuart Dew has made a surprise comeback to AFL football. He is a booming long kick who is expected to play off the bench as a forward. I couldn’t quite find a spot for him in their best22, but he should play every game. His statistical output will be hard to predict, but his starting price looks attractive enough to buy.
cash cows: 22yr old Zac Dawson is a tall defender with senior experience, and his price has dropped to base. I can’t see a spot for him in their starting lineup, but I would expect him to play games. He’s not a statistical player, but anyone could find a stat in the Hawthorn backline! 20yr old midfield prospect Travis Tuck (brother of Shane Tuck) is a 3rd year player and should play most games this year. He’s had a good pre-season, and will probably start rd1 due to Hodge, Lewis, Crawford’s unavailability. 19yr old Jarryd Morton (brother of Mitch and Cale) has really impressed me during the pre-season, and is extremely close to their best 22. He plays a tallish forward/midfielder role (similar to the Ryan O’Keefe mould) and has some serious stat potential. I highly recommend him! 18yr old star recruit Cyril Rioli was taken at pick no.12 in the 2007 draft. He has been electrifying this pre-season, and will bring the Hawks some much needed forwardline pressure. I think this kid will make an immediate impact, and looks certain to be the next Alwyn Davey. Get on board!

KANGAROOS
Are they set for a tumble? The Roos are a tough team to predict. They have very few stars, and probably one of the worst lists, yet miraculously finished in the top 4 last year. According to Champion Data, this is the least statistical team in the competition. They play a direct brand of football, which results in fewer disposals per goal. Not a lot of big guns here. Jess Sinclair will miss the first 4rds with a thumb injury, which is a major blow.
FB – Pratt, Firrito, Gibson
HB – Je.Smith, Petrie, Sinclair
C – Swallow, Simpson, (Rawlings)
HF – McMahon, Edwards, Grant
FF – Jones, N.Thompson, Thomas
R – McIntosh, Wells, Harvey
i/c – Hale, Harris, Hansen, Campbell
big guns: Brent Harvey had a career-best season last year playing as a traditional rover-typed midfielder. He is prolific in both looseball & hardball gets, and is one of the top goalscoring midfielders in the competition. He can be targeted by opposition taggers, but a fit Daniel Wells should take the pressure off him this year. Harvey is a consistent player who rarely misses games. 32yr old captain Adam Simpson has been a consistent fantasy player for many years. He’s a top clearance player who just keeps clocking up the possessions. He rarely misses games and certainly won’t get tagged. 2000+pts is his regular yearly output. 23yr old Hamish McIntosh was robbed of All-Australian honours last year. The 203cm ruckman scored a remarkable 1762pts from 22 games (average 80.09ppg) which made him one of the highest scoring players in the ruck category. This kid has a massive tank and covers a lot of ground, picking up marks, possessions, goals, and hitouts. Not as good as Dean Cox though.
hot prospects: 21yr old Jesse Smith had a breakthrough season last year playing 16 games and scoring 992pts (average 62.00ppg). He is quite a good athlete and is 191cm tall, best suited to playing off the halfback flank in the Adam McPhee mould. I think he’ll take his game to the next level and improve his stats. His pre-season has been thwarted by injury so he might be unavailable for rd1. The dynamic Daniel Wells is yet to prove himself at the fantasy level. He is undeniably an elite midfielder, but some of the things he does just won’t get you dreamteam points. Wells began 2007 like a house on fire, but a knee injury ruined his form & fitness. If he can sustain his early season form of last year, he’ll be a great buy. 20yr old midfielder Andrew Swallow can only get better from here. He played off the bench last year as an inside mid rotation, and was great at winning clearances. He should get much more gametime this year, and obviously, more stats. Makeshift CHF Aaron Edwards was one of the recruits of the season last year. The 184cm ex-Eagle is a strong marking player who is particularly tough to match-up on. I anticipate he’ll play CHF, and be forced to cover more ground. This should bring about more marks, possessions, assists, and goals. Nathan Thompson is returning from a knee reconstruction that kept him on the sidelines in 2007. He is a key forward and a former 50+ goalkicker for the club. He has been eased through the pre-season, but is expected to play rd1. Although his price seems generous, don’t expect his stats to reach previous great heights.
smokeys: 21yr old Scott McMahon brings good pressure to the forwardline and is an improving player. He has the ability to generate midfield orientated stats and is available in the backs/forwards. Leigh Harding is also returning from a knee reconstruction. Although I don’t see him as a starting player, his price is way below par. Dean Laidley indicated he’s been training him up as a defender, so he could be a replacement for Sinclair in rd1.
cash cows: Ex-Magpie Ben Davies has joined the Kangaroos over the summer and is vying for selection. The 21yr old has some senior experience, and has a good eye for a stat. He is listed as a centre and is priced just above base. 21yr old Scott Thompson was taken at pick no.37 in the 2007 draft as a mature aged recruit. He’s been very good in pre-season, and would be close to their best 22. He’s a 190cm defender who clocks up marks in the backline. 19yr old Lachlan Hansen was taken at pick no.3 in the 2006 draft and played 2 games last year. He’s had an excellent pre-season and looks like stepping up this year. He’s a tall versatile defender with a good engine who could feature off halfback. I’m sure a lot of people will buy him. 19yr old Gavin Urquhart was taken at pick no.21 in the 2006 draft and is a rough chance for selection in rd1 as a replacement for Sinclair. He’s been touted to receive a halfback/midfield type role. He appears ready to play some games this year. 18yr old Robbie Tarrant (brother of Chris) was taken at pick no.15 in the 2007 draft and should also play games this year. He is listed at 196cm, and could give the forwardline some much needed height.

MELBOURNE
This is a tough team to predict. They had the longest list of injuries last year, which caused them to slump badly. The trade of Travis Johnstone upset a lot of fans, but new coach Dean Bailey wants to rebuild with players aged 18-24. They have plenty of midfield talent, so I would assume this will be a high stats team. Most players on this list will be given an opportunity. Plenty of good buys around here.
FB – Whelan, Carroll, Bell
HB – Wheatley, Rivers, Petterd
C – (Bartram), Green, Jones
HF – Bate, Newton, Davey
FF – Sylvia, Neitz, Robertson
R – White, Bruce, McDonald
i/c – Meesen, McLean, Miller, Maloney
big guns: Cameron Bruce is an elite midfielder. He is one of the hardest running players in the competition who covers enormous ground. He finds stats at will and has no trouble breaking the opposition tag. He has not done a full pre-season due to medial ligament damage in his knee, and may miss rd1 – be cautious! 31yr old James McDonald is enjoying career best form as an onballer. He is a top ballgetter and a fierce tackler who has scored an incredible 4201pts (average 95.48ppg) over the past 2 years. His fantasy value is severely under-rated. Brad Green is a workman-like midfielder who is deceptively strong overhead. He doesn’t get as many possessions as Bruce or McDonald, but is capable of taking extra marks. Green is more likely to suffer from midfield rotation. Jeff White was the no.1 ranked ruck in DreamTeam last year scoring 1921pts (average 87.32ppg). He’s a hard working mobile ruckman who finds marks and possession around the ground. White has played a lone hand in the ruck for many years.
hot prospects: 19yr old Ricky Petterd is lucky to be alive after suffering from a compressed lung. As a result, his 9-game debut season was cut short. The no.30 draft pick of 2006 showed us plenty of stat potential, and is pushing for a starting spot on the halfback flank. He has been listed a back, but is capable of producing midfield stats. Small defender Matthew Whelan only played 5 games last year due to injury. His price has dropped considerably. He’s a starting player who normally plays back pocket or halfback flank, and is capable of 20+ possessions on a regular basis. Brock McLean was another to succumb to the injury curse last year. He broke his leg in rd1, and came back to play 14 games off the bench. His stats were well below par, so he’ll be significantly underpriced for the season ahead. He’s an inside midfielder who wins plenty of hardball, and really should be one of the Melbourne “big guns”. 20yr old Nathan Jones stepped up in the absence of Brock McLean last year. He finished runner-up in the Demons B&F. He is a razor sharp stat-rat of the future (reminds me of Paul Chapman), and is bound to see more gametime this year. His stats can only get better. 20yr old Matthew Bate is an improving player who has been re-classified as a forward. He is one of those high half-forward-flanks that play up the ground as a midfielder (like Ryan O’Keefe). He’s a deceptively tall player (192cm) who takes a lot of marks with his possessions. His new classification has seriously increased his fantasy value. But unfortunately, he’s done a hamstring, and will probably miss the first few rounds. Livewire forward Aaron Davey played through injury last year which reduced his stats. He plays half-forward, wing, and occasionally onball. He won’t take a lot of marks, but certainly makes up for it with goals. He has the ability to produce midfield stats and will be available in the forwards.
smokeys: I was surprised to see Paul Wheatley scored 1139pts from 14 games last year (average 81.36ppg). This will make him expensive, but if he can reproduce those numbers over the 22 rounds he’ll be worth his weight in gold. He’s tall, versatile, and kicks the ball well. 24yr old Brent Maloney has struggled with osteitis pubis over the past 2 years. He played 10 games last year with a minimal amount of gametime. A fit Maloney belongs in the starting lineup, best suited to a wing. He has trained well over summer and should play rd1. 22yr old Colin Sylvia re-invented himself as a forward pocket last year. His career has been riddled by injuries, but I’m predicting he’ll step up into a reliable goalkicker. He can take a contested mark, and find a bit of the ball. He could be somewhat of a Corey Jones.
cash cows: 21yr old ruck prospect John Meesen has been tipped to play senior football this year. He was traded by the Adelaide Crows over summer, and is searching for an opportunity. His pre-season form suggests he’ll be vying for selection rd1. 20yr old Clint Bartram has some senior experience under his belt and is priced just above base. He only played 1 game last year due to injury, but is still regarded as Melbourne’s best tagger. 19yr old Isaac Weetra was taken at pick no.62 in the 2006 draft and is likely to play games this year. He’s a quick, creative, indigenous player who can play back/forward. 18yr old Jack Grimes was taken at pick no.14 in the 2007 draft and should play most games. He’s a midfield/halfback who registered huge stats in the U18s. He comes highly recommended. 17yr old Cale Morton (brother of Mitch and Jarryd) was taken at pick no.4 in the 2007 draft and would be very close to the starting 22. This kid was the Chad Cornes of the U18s – an absolute stat machine – and pre-season form suggests he could start rd1. I highly recommend him!

PORT ADELAIDE
The Power surprised everyone by making the Grand Final last year. They have a relatively young list and one of the strongest midfields in the competition. Mark Williams likes to keep an open forwardline to allow extra men through the midfield, which helps generate more possessions. There won’t be many changes to the starting lineup, so don’t expect too many bargains around here. Cornes boys are always a good bet!
FB – Wilson, Thurstans, Pettigrew
HB – P.Burgoyne, Chaplin, Surjan
C – Salopek, S.Burgoyne, (Cassisi)
HF – Rodan, Tredrea, Pearce
FF – Ebert, J.Westhoff, D.Motlop
R – Lade, C.Cornes, K.Cornes
i/c – Brogan, Boak, Thomas, Logan
big guns: Chad Cornes was the 7th ranked player overall in DreamTeam scoring 2227pts from 22 games (average 101.23ppg). He is an elite midfielder who has been totally misclassified as a back. Chad is the full package stat machine and will be an absolute MUST for 2008. Midfielder-turned-halfback Peter Burgoyne was a revelation last year scoring 1876pts from 21 games (average 89.33ppg). His latest re-classification of ‘back’ will dramatically enhance his fantasy value. He regularly picks up 30+ possessions, and is Port’s “go-to-man” in defence. Younger brother Kane Cornes was the highest ranked player in DreamTeam for 2007. He’s scored 4675pts over the past 2 seasons (average 106.25ppg) – the most by any player! Kane is the king of dreamteam points. He hasn’t missed a game since rd16 2003 and is worth every cent of his ridiculous pricetag.
hot prospects: Another younger brother, Shaun Burgoyne, received a lot more attention from taggers last year. Many of them got the better of him, ultimately lowering his price for this year, but don’t underestimate his statistical output. He is an elite goalscoring midfielder capable of 2000+pts. 19yr old Travis Boak is an improving 2nd year player. He plays off the bench as an inside mid rotation, and is full of stat potential. His Nab Cup form against Carlton was really good. He can only get better from here. Champion CHF Warren Tredrea has battled through injury over the past 2 years. His statistical form slump has meant he’s dropped away in price. I doubt he’ll ever reach those lofty heights of averaging 90+ppg, but he is expected to do better than 979pts from 17 games (average 57.59ppg). His post-season surgery was a success.
smokeys: Tall defender Troy Chaplin could take up a role at CHB. He only played 11 games last year, but saved his best for finals. He racked up 30+possessions 10+marks against the Kangaroos in the Preliminary Final. He has the ability to play loose, and knows how to find uncontested marks. 22yr old midfielder Steven Salopek is in great pre-season form and could step up this year. He plays wing/onball and just keeps finding the footy. He also gets tackles and is starting to kick more goals. 21yr old Matt Thomas is a lowly priced centre who looks set to become a 1st team regular. I see him as a part-time-back/part-time-midfielder who could play a role off the bench. His unfortunate misclassification has dented his fantasy value. Nevertheless, he could be a handy selection for your 6th midfielder slot.
cash cows: 20yr old Nick Lower (twin brother of Ed Lower) is a 3rd year player who looks certain to play games this year and could even start rd1. He was good against Carlton in the Nab Cup, playing as a small defender and finding plenty of easy kicks. His twin brother Ed played 7 games for the Kangaroos last year. 18yr old Mitchell Farmer was taken at pick no.49 in the 2007 draft. He is strong bodied player who seems ready for some senior football. I saw him play for Calder Cannons last year and he reminded me of Mark Johnson. 17yr old Marlon Motlop (cousin of Daniel) was taken at pick no.28 in the 2007 draft and is one of the youngest players in the competition. He is a small fleet-footed player with exceptional skills who can play back/forward. He was really impressive against Carlton playing off halfback, and was even given kickout duties. He’ll play games this year.

RICHMOND
The Tigers deserve to go into this season as wooden spoon favourites. They have a young inexperienced list that is currently lacking in depth, and there is a 1st round priority draft pick up for grabs if they only manage 4 wins or less (start tanking NOW). Terry Wallace is doing the right thing by playing an attacking brand of football and blooding youngsters. However, there is an unhealthy reliance on Matthew Richardson and a lot of play is still directed through him.
FB – King, Thursfield, Bowden
HB – Newman, Polak, McMahon
C – (Johnson), Tuck, Raines
HF – Tambling, Richardson, Pettifer
FF – Brown, Deledio, Riewoldt
R – Simmonds, Coughlan, Foley
i/c – Pattison, Tivendale, O-Nicholls, Morton
big guns: Consummate defender Joel Bowden has been a top fantasy pick for many years. He often plays loose and is the “go-to-man” in Richmond’s defence. He accumulates plenty of unconstested marks and can rack up 30+ possessions on a good day. Bowden was the highest scoring non-midfielder in the backs category last year. He has only missed 2 games of football in the last 10 years. Midfielder Shane Tuck is a good old fashioned centreman that keeps registering stats without being noticed. He played through injury last year, but still managed to play 22 games. 2000+pts is his regular output. Tuck’s fantasy value is much maligned. 33yr old Matthew Richardson is the main target in the forwardline. He was the 7th highest ranked forward last year scoring 1894pts from 22 games (average 86.09ppg). He is a hard working CHF who takes marks up the ground and is capable of 50+ goals per season. Nathan Brown is a key player and proven stat rat. He plays deep forward, but pushes up into the midfield for extra stats. He collects marks, possessions, tackles, and is capable of 40+ goals per season. He appears to have finally overcome his leg injury.
hot prospects: Dashing halfback Jordan McMahon has crossed over from the Bulldogs. He will bring some much needed run-and-carry + neat kicking skills to the Tiger defence, and could be somewhat of a “go-to-man”. He suffered from injuries last year, which lowered his stats, so expect him to be underpriced. 22yr old Andrew Raines stagnated last year playing off halfback. He has a penetrating kick, but turns the ball over too much. The recruitment of Jordan McMahon will allow Raines to play in the midfield. His pre-season form has been quiet, but stats will come his way. This is one of the hottest misclassification tips going around. Let’s hope he’s the new Jed Adcock! Mark Coughlan missed 2007 with a knee reconstruction and is severely underpriced for the season ahead. He is a top inside midfielder and a proven fantasy pick. Richmond has eased him back into pre-season, but he’s ready to play rd1. He will be a popular selection. Troy Simmonds struggled with injuries last year and has severely dropped in price. He was the 4th highest ranked ruck in 2006 scoring an impressive 1975pts from 21 games (average 94.05ppg). I wouldn’t expect the 29yr old to repeat those efforts, but he will surely do better than last year’s output of 545pts from 10 games (average 54.50ppg). 2004 no.1 draft pick Brett Deledio is a star on the rise. He is set to play full-forward in a Brad Johnson-like role. I expect to see him push up the ground for extra stats, and have short bursts onball. He will basically kick goals and produce midfield stats. His latest re-classification of forward has dramatically increased his fantasy value. I highly recommend him!
smokeys: Back-pocket/plumber Jake King was a superb rookie elevation in 2007 scoring 1324pts from 19 games (average 69.68ppg). He is a feisty little defender who finds plenty of possessions and tackles. He was averaging closer to 80ppg by season’s end, and has been re-classified as a back. He could be a great selection. 26yr old Kayne Pettifer is a hard working half-forward that produces midfield stats. He scored 1800+pts for the 2nd year in a row last year, yet was only selected in 4,659 dreamteams. He produces marks, goals, assists, and inside50s. His fantasy value is much maligned.
cash cows: 20yr old Jarred Oakley-Nicholls is a former top10 draft pick who hasn’t played much senior football. I see him as a medium sized halfback flank that could play off the bench this year. He is listed as a centre, and is priced just above base. 18yr old Alex Rance was taken at pick no.18 in the 2007 draft and was touted as a potential top10 pick. He is listed at 192cm and described as a hard running tall defender. He has a good fantasy outlook and should play some games this year.

ST KILDA
The Nab Cup winners are tipped to have a good year. Most experts are rating them top 4, but they are yet to convince me. They’ve got a strong list and a great forwardline setup of Riewoldt/Gehrig/Koschitzke, but do not play to their strengths. Their style of play is very dour, and typically don’t produce many stats. Despite finishing 9th, they were the lowest scoring team in 2007. The inclusions of King, Schneider, C.Gardiner, and Dempster add depth to their list.
FB – L.Fisher, Hudghton, S.Fisher
HB – Goddard, Maguire, Gram
C – (Baker), Hayes, Montagna
HF – Fiora, Riewoldt, Schneider
FF – Milne, Gehrig, Koschitzke
R – M.Gardiner, Dal Santo, Ball
i/c – King, Harvey, X.Clarke, Birss
big guns: Tall defender Sam Fisher is an elite player. He is one of the competition’s best zone-off players and often finds himself loose man, which allows him to pick up cheap uncontested marks. He’s been a very consistent player over the past 2 years, and a top fantasy pick. 24yr old midfielder Leigh Montagna had a career-best season last year as a wing/onballer. He was the only player from the Saints to score 2000+pts (average 95.76ppg), and was one of the best tacklers in the competition. He seems to have developed into quite a stat rat. Co-captain Lenny Hayes is one of the classic DreamTeam midfielders. He pumps out 30+ possessions on a regular basis, and is prolific in tackles, clearances, hardball gets, etc. He has the luxury of not being tagged and is considered as one of the top possession getters in the competition. Superstar Nick Riewoldt was the 5th highest scoring forward last year, despite missing 2 games. Over the past 2 years he’s scored 4115pts from 42 games (average 97.98ppg). He is the hardest running CHF in the game, and covers an extraordinary amount of ground for a big man (193cm). He takes a million marks (both contested and uncontested) and is worth 50+ goals per year.
hot prospects: Michael Tuck medallist Jason Gram is growing into an elite halfback flank. His recent 30+ possession haul against the Crows could be a sign of things to come. He is the Saints “go-to-man” and offers a lot of rebound + run & carry. Elite midfielder Nick Dal Santo lowered his numbers last year. He draws the opposition’s no.1 tagger on a weekly basis, which largely affects his stats. However, he has broken the tag before, scoring 2073pts in 2006 (average 94.23ppg). He hasn’t missed a game since rd14 2003. Alongside him, fellow counterpart Luke Ball battled with osteitis pubis last year but still managed to play 18 games. His stats were sub-standard, so his price has come down. Ball is a courageous inside midfielder and one of the best tacklers in the competition. Michael Gardiner has trained the house down over summer and is set to take the no.1 ruck spot. Injury kept him sidelined in 2007, so his price has come down considerably. He is not an overly statistical player, but could be a valuable ruck selection. Injury-prone big man Justin Koschitzke is set to play forward this year alongside Gehrig and Riewoldt. This is going to cause massive headaches for opposition backlines, and I feel Kosi could be the one who benefits from this. He is a strong marking player who can also play ruck. He needs to kick more goals and deliver a 22 game season.
smokeys: Medium sized defender Leigh Fisher (no relation to Sam) was forced to play tall in the absence of Maguire and Hudghton throughout last year. This lowered his statistical output, and cheapens him up for this year. He famously produced a 20+ mark game against Hawthorn last year playing as a loose man across halfback. Although he’s no big gun, he certainly knows how to find cheap stats. Promoted rookie Clinton Jones has caught my eye in the Nab Cup. He’s a natural ball winning midfielder who could easily become a 1st team regular and will probably start rd1. He played 6 games last year. Commerce/Law student Charlie Gardiner has settled into his new club quite well. His Nab Cup form has been sensational, and I can see him starting rd1. The 190cm ex-Cat is providing an excellent lead-up option. He presents well, and takes plenty of marks (similar to Brad Fisher). It will be hard for him to hold down a spot alongside the 3-pronged forwardline of Riewoldt/Gehrig/Koschitzke.
cash cows: 19yr midfielder David Armitage was taken at pick no.9 in the 2006 draft and played 3 games last year. He’s had a great pre-season and looks certain to play rd1. He’s a bit of a ball magnet, and could be used as an inside mid rotation. He comes highly recommended! 19yr old Jarryn Geary is another rookie promotion who should play most games this year. He’s had a very good Nab Cup series, and could be used as a small back pocket or halfback flank.

SYDNEY
The Swans premiership window has passed by. Over the last 5 years they have finished 3rd, 5th, 1st, 2nd, and 7th. The season ending injury to Nick Malceski is a massive blow. They have an old list with hardly any young talent (haven’t had good drafts picks), and I give them no hope of making finals. They play an ugly defensive style of football that focuses on denying the opposition the ball. This severely lowers statistical output, so don’t fill your team with a bunch of Sydney players. Fantasy footy ain’t their game.
FB – Bevan, Barry, Richards
HB – Kennelly, C.Bolton, Mattner
C – (Ablett), Kirk, Fosdike
HF – O’Keefe, Hall, McVeigh
FF – Davis, O’Loughlin, Buchanan
R – Jolly, Goodes, J.Bolton
i/c – Everitt, Bird, R-Thompson, Mathews
big guns: 31yr old co-captain Brett Kirk is a tough, honest, courageous midfielder. He was Sydney’s highest scoring player last year with 1981pts (average 90.05ppg). He is widely regarded as the best tackler in the competition, and is Sydney’s top possession getter. Kirk hasn’t missed a game since rd14 2002. He is an extremely reliable pick. 27yr old Ryan O’Keefe is the hardest running half-forward-flank in the game who has set a benchmark for the rest of the competition. He basically plays as a midfielder and will obviously produce midfield stats. O’Keefe is available in the forwards, which makes him a classic fantasy pick. He hasn’t missed a game since the 2003 Qualifying Final.
hot prospects: Irishman Tadgh Kennelly began 2007 in brilliant statistical form, but a knee injury put a dent in his performances for the remainder of the year. He plays off halfback and offers plenty of rebound + run & carry. He was beginning to find more uncontested marks around the backline last year and could become a “go-to-man” in the absence of Malceski. Ex-Crow Martin Mattner has joined the Swans over summer. He will slot straight into Malceski’s position at halfback flank where he’ll be an important player. His pre-season form suggests his stats are going up, and like Kennelly, could be somewhat of a “go-to-man”. Dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes played through injury last year and lowered his stats. You will find he has been generously priced for the season ahead. He is a tall (194cm), athletic midfielder who gets possessions, marks, tackles, and goals. Although he is susceptible to taggers, he is a proven fantasy pick. Goodes has not missed a game since rd21 1999 – which is the longest consecutive games streak of the current players! ‘Big bad bustling’ Barry Hall was a shadow of his former self last year. He struggled through injuries, and severely lowered his stats, which ultimately cheapens him up for this year. They have eased him through pre-season and will be ready to play rd1. The 31yr old CHF isn’t expected to dominate games anymore, but is entrusted to kick 50+ goals.
smokeys: Inside midfielder Jude Bolton wasn’t a major ball winner last year. I feel he suffers from the defensive style of play. He only scored 1605pts from his 22 games (average 72.95ppg). Quite frankly, he’s better than that! If Paul Roos plays to Bolton’s strengths by allowing him to accumulate possessions he’ll be a great buy. 22ry old Jarred Moore has shown some good form in the Nab Challenge games and could start rd1. He is heading into his 5th season and has only played 7 career games, but should become a 1st team regular. His price is just above base, and could be a useful selection in your 6th centre slot.
cash cows: 25yr old Henry Playfair is versatile big man (198cm) with senior experience. He has moved clubs over summer looking for an opportunity. He has been listed as a forward and is priced just above base. I don’t think he’s in their best22, but he should play 10+ games. 19yr old Jesse White was taken at pick no.79 in the 2006 draft and has been earmarked to replace the injured ‘Spider’ Everitt in the ruck. I wouldn’t even know what this kid looked like, but he might be starting rd1, so take note. 18yr old Craig Bird was taken at pick no.59 in the 2007 draft and is seriously vying for a spot in the team. Champion Data rates him as an absolute steal in last year’s draft. He is described as a hard running midfielder who gets plenty of the ball. He also scored 84pts in rd1 Nab Cup against Hawthorn – which was the highest DreamTeam score by a Sydney player that day. He comes highly recommended! 18yr old Patrick Veszpremi was taken at pick no.11 in the 2007 draft and should play games this year. He is described as a goalscoring forward/midfielder who is highly influential. I think he has great fantasy potential.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
The doggies had a disappointing year in 2007. A highly fancied top 4 chance, turned into disaster when they lost key players to injury. They lost 6 out of their last 7 games by an average of 10 goals, and ended up finishing 13th. Despite all the scepticism, I think this will be a finals side. They have a strong list with lots of middle-aged stalwarts. The inclusions of Ben Hudson and Scott Welsh will improve their structure. They play a fast attacking brand of football that produces high stats games. Plenty of good buys around here!
FB – Callan, Lake, Morris
HB – Griffen, Hargrave, Gilbee
C – (Boyd), West, Eagleton
HF – Akermanis, Murphy, Higgins
FF – Harbrow, Welsh, Johnson
R – Hudson, Cross, Cooney
i/c – Street, Giansiracusa, Everitt, Hahn
big guns: Halfback maestro Lindsay Gilbee is one the most accurate kicks in the competition. He is the “go-to-man” in defence and would take 90% of kickouts. He doesn’t take a great deal of marks because he’s only small (180cm), but is prolific in possessions. He is a top fantasy player in both DreamTeam and SuperCoach. Veteran midfielder Scott West has a fantasy record of legendary status. The 33yr old centreman is the game’s no.1 possession winner over the past 10 years. He doesn’t take a lot of marks or kick many goals. The key to his game is kicks, handballs, and tackles. He has only missed 2 games since rd1 2003. The aging West may be winding down, but don’t underestimate old faithful! Defensive midfielder Matthew Boyd was the Bulldogs highest scoring player last year amassing 2127pts (average 96.68ppg). He’s primarily their no.1 tagger but knows how to find his own footy. Boyd stepped up as an onballer last year in place of the injured Cross. He will struggle to repeat those efforts and is overpriced. Daniel Cross is a super hard running midfielder who accumulates possessions, marks, and tackles. He has the luxury of not being tagged, and a lot of his work goes unnoticed. He only played 15 games due to injury, but has trained well over summer and is back to full fitness. His price is slightly down. 22yr old midfielder Adam Cooney produced career high stats of 2010pts (average 91.36ppg). Unlike West and Cross, he is a regular goalscorer, but usually cops the opposition tag. Despite concerns of osteitis pubis, he hasn’t missed a game since rd16 2004. He needs to find some more junktime stats. 31yr old captain Brad Johnson is the ultimate stat rat. This is a 50+ goalkicker who produces midfield stats. He pumps out numbers in every category and is heavily relied upon by his team. He rarely misses games of football and has been an elite fantasy player throughout his career. This is pretty much a must-have forward. Outside midfielder Daniel Giansiracusa has amazingly been re-classified as a forward. He is a proven ballgetter who usually plays wing/HFF/onball and is a handy goalkicker too. His pre-season was interrupted by injury, but he looks like playing rd1. This latest classification will seriously enhance his fantasy value. Don’t ignore!
hot prospects: 21yr old young gun Ryan Griffen succumbed to injury last year and only scored 553pts from 10 games (average 55.30ppg). His price is way below par, but I think his unfair classification of ‘centre’ has slightly dented his value. Griffen is a running halfback flank with serious midfield potential. The media-friendly Jason Akermanis put together a disappointing fantasy output last year, which has ultimately lowered his price. He played mainly as a true half-forward-flank and wasn’t able to produce midfield numbers. The 31yr old ex-Lion has been good in pre-season, and looks ready to get back into the midfield. Robert Murphy lowered his colours last year (coming back from a knee) and has dropped in price. He is somewhat of a makeshift CHF, and is a good lead-up option for the Bulldogs. He takes lots of marks and kicks goals.
smokeys: 19yr old Andrejs Everitt (brother of Peter) is an impressive young tall defender with nice kicking skills. He played 8 games last year and should become a 1st team regular. This kid has the makings of being a top fantasy player of the future (possibly a Sam Fisher or Dustin Fletcher). 22yr old defender Cameron Wight has been playing pre-season games at CHF. He is listed in the backs and could be a handy selection for your 7th defender slot. I don’t consider him as a starting player, but if he finds a spot in the team he could actually be a great buy. 26yr old Mitch Hahn has bulked up over summer and has been re-classified as a forward. He’s a versatile player who adds a bit physical presence. I would like to see him play forward in a Dean Solomon-type role.
cash cows: 24yr old Tim Callan has senior experience and is priced just above base. He was traded by Geelong in the off-season and looks set to play rd1. The Bulldogs have been playing him in the backline during pre-season, where he’s been getting typical mediocre stats. 19yr old Josh Hill was taken at pick no.61 in the 2006 draft and played 1 game last year. He caught my eye in the Nab Cup as a fleet-footed small forward who can take a speccie. I think he will play most games and could start rd1. 18yr old Jarrad Grant was taken at pick no.5 in the 2007 draft and will probably play some games this year. At 192cm, he is a key forward prospect who is said to have “excellent hands and is good at below his knees”.

WESTCOAST
Testing time for the Eagles. The sudden departures of Ben Cousins and Chris Judd are a massive blow. They still have a strong young list, but the glory days seem over. I predict they will finish somewhere between 5th-8th. This is one of the highest possession teams in the competition who manage to pump out some incredible stats. They are full of midfield orientated players, so there’s plenty to choose from around here!
FB – Hurn, Glass, B.Jones
HB – Waters, Hunter, A.Selwood
C – (Stenglein), Priddis, Rosa
HF – Embley, Hansen, Braun
FF – Wirrpunda, Lynch, LeCras
R – Cox, Kerr, Fletcher
i/c – Seaby, Masten, Nicoski, Staker
big guns: The ferocious Beau Waters is back-pocket/halfback who gathers plenty of possessions, marks, and tackles. He wins a lot of hardball and presses into the midfield looking for more stats. The dynamic Daniel Kerr is an elite midfielder of the competition. He will receive the no.1 tagger each week, but is good enough to get away. He’s quite small (178cm) and doesn’t produce many marks. The key to his game is possessions, tackles, and goals. Kerr is recovering from a hamstring and is some doubt for rd1. Gun midfielder Matt Priddis stepped up last year in the absence of Ben Cousins. He was the Eagles highest scoring player collecting 1970pts (average 89.55ppg) and was one of the buys of the season. This guy gave me nightmares last year… “Oh-No, not Priddis!! Everyone’s got Priddis!!” With Judd and Cousins out of the way, his spot is set in stone. Chad Fletcher is a former All-Australian midfielder who racks up plenty of possessions without being noticed. He only played 9 games last year, but still produced big numbers. I expect him to win his spot back as a starting onballer. Big Dean Cox is undeniably the best ruckman in the competition. He’s a mega points machine capable of hitting 25+ possessions, 10+ marks, 30+ hitouts per game. No other ruck can score like him, so he’s an absolute must-have. If he goes down, we all go down. There are no risks involved – buy him! Rugged full-forward Quinten Lynch is a strong marking player who leads hard up the ground. He accumulates marks, kicks, and 50+ goals per year. His accuracy was atrocious last year and I feel he should do better.
hot prospects: 20yr old Shannon Hurn is an improving player heading into his 3rd season. He was drafted as a strong-bodied inside midfield prospect, but plays as a medium-sized defender. He doesn’t find enough stats down there, but he’s been widely tipped to come up the ground. This kid has enormous stat potential. Mark Nicoski succumbed to injury last year, only playing 3 games. His price has dropped significantly. He is a starting player, best used off a halfback flank, and basically produces midfield stats. This is a top bargain! Forward/midfielder Andrew Embley struggled with injury last year and only played 11 games. His price has slackened off a fair bit. He’s very much in the Ryan O’Keefe mould, but his latest re-classification of ‘centre’ has dented his fantasy value.
smokeys: 25yr old defender Brett Jones is a continually improving player. He is learning the art of taking cheap uncontested marks and getting easy kicks across halfback. He’s no Darren Milburn, but I expect to see more than 66.09ppg. Defensive midfielder Tyson Stenglein is a tagger who wins his own footy. He is a chance to spend more time onball this year and could be this year’s version of Matthew Boyd. He is an under-rated player. 22yr old Sam Butler has collapsed in price after playing 0 games in 2007 (due to injury). This is a premiership player, so he’d be very close to their best22. I recall a few Heath Shaw-like performances as a halfback flank in 2006, but I can’t see him playing rd1. 25yr old Ashley Hansen is an important player to their structure. His career has been riddled with soft tissue injuries, but we are yet to see his full potential. The 198cm CHF accumulates plenty of marks, but we need to see more goals + 22 games. 23yr old Brent Staker is a versatile player (forward/back) who could step up this year. He’s a deceptively tall 196cm, but is good at ground level and has good skills. I think he’s best played as a 3rd tall forward who leads hard up the ground (in the Brad Fisher mould), where he can produce marks, kicks, and goals.
cash cows: 21yr old Ben McKinley is a 3rd year player who managed 1 game last year. He’s been touted as a Russel Robertson-type forward and should finally play some games this year. 20yr old Matthew Spangher is another 3rd year player who is yet to make his senior debut. I hear he’s done alright in the pre-season games and could finally play some games. He’s a tall defender who probably won’t get too many stats. 19yr old Jamie McNamara was promoted off the rookie list and made a decent contribution in the finals last year. He will surely get more games, and has already shown stat potential. 18yr old Chris Masten was taken at pick no.3 in the 2007 draft and will probably be a 1st team regular. He’s an inside midfield prospect who gets all the good stats. He comes highly recommended! 17yr old Brad Ebert (cousin of Brett) was taken at pick no.13 in the 2007 draft and should play most games this year. He can play forward/midfielder and is full of stat potential. He also captained South Australia at the U18 Championships. 17yr old Scott Selwood (brother of Adam, Troy, and Joel) was taken at pick no.22 in the 2007 draft. He’s more of a defensive-midfield/tagging type, but still capable of finding the ball. He looks like playing some games too.

i hope you enjoy reading TIPPAZ SEASON GUIDE 2008

spent a month working on that.
23pages (14,500words) of information & analysis..... if you're planning to print all that... be prepared

Geez that's a great effort Tippaz, looks like you put alot of hard work and research into that...

Super effort Tippaz! Appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

GreaT SourcE said:

Geez that's a great effort Tippaz, looks like you put alot of hard work and research into that...

Click to expand...

yeeeepppppp
writing it was the easy part.
but the research, collecting bits of info/stats, and figuring out starting22's was a bloody nightmare.

Loved reading what I have already read, why did I waste $20 on a prospectus when I could of just read this.

Can you take the size things out of it or make them work? Would be easier to read..

Good effort btw.

DonMania#5 said:

Can you take the size things out of it or make them work? Would be easier to read..

Good effort btw.

Click to expand...

Don't be picky!!

Great effort mate...

Great effort Tippaz! And everything i have read seems spot on so far. Just a question, who would you choose.. R.Murphy or Akermanis to be a better buy this year? Anyone got any reasons as to why i should choose one over the other?

Good effort.

copy it into word and hit control + F. then go into find and replace and you delete all the size things in 1 go.

rooboy335 said:

Great effort Tippaz! And everything i have read seems spot on so far. Just a question, who would you choose.. R.Murphy or Akermanis to be a better buy this year? Anyone got any reasons as to why i should choose one over the other?

Click to expand...

Akermanis...Less injury prone, will play in the midfield more than Murphy obviously and yeah, I've got nothing else to add...

Great read so far - up to Essendon. Phenomenal effort. Not so sure about Heath Hocking being the son of Buddha though!

DonMania#5 said:

Can you take the size things out of it or make them work? Would be easier to read..

Good effort btw.

Click to expand...

done.

i have laboriously gone through each team and deleted them one by one.
a job's not worth doing unless it's done properly, i suppose

-TAZZA- said:

Good effort.

copy it into word and hit control + F. then go into find and replace and you delete all the size things in 1 go.

Click to expand...

ohhhhh great.

now he tells me

I keep hearing that McLeod and Goodwin will move back into the midfield during the proper season. Apparently Craig said it himself. This would mean Porps won't get as much midfield time and won't carry on his NAB form.

Have you heard this and disregarded it? Or you havn't heard it yet?

This should be stickied, great work mate

this needs to be bumped before it gets pushed out.

this definately needs to be stickied, its awesome work

S "Thinks He's Daicos" J said:

Great read so far - up to Essendon. Phenomenal effort. Not so sure about Heath Hocking being the son of Buddha though!

Click to expand...

He definitly isnt.

fantastic work! thanks a lot.

Well done Tippaz

The essence of good journalism, entertaining, informative and a thoroughly good read.

I've printed it off and expect it to be most useful as I put my line-ups together.

I'd be interested to know what you see as the main differences between the Dreamteam and Supercoach comps in terms of different attributes required to generate scores in each. I guess I'm thinking along the lines of which players are more suited to one than the other ie Leon Davis has a high tackle count or Lindsay Gilbee kicks very few clangers. I'd be interested in your comments.

Thanks again.