Teams 2026 Rate My Pre-Season Team

[Jiska]

The big structural quadary for me is - do I go a rookie + $300k versus a Jordan Ridley type; do that twice over, and suddenly I have enough money for a rolled gold premium - only, my perspective is that there are maybe one or two players in that $575k+ bracket worth starting (overall, they might be decent picks for the entire season, but I'm not going to pick one of the plethora of early bye midfield premiums when they'll miss a game, and a down game could see a $50-75k saving.

Add to that the no sub rule, 23 on field (do teams now pick a dedicated R/F), new ruck rules - there are so many changes. Do I absolutely want to pick Sean Darcy? No, but he could be good value, at least to begin with (it wouldn't surprise me if I made a heap of ruck trades - I think Xerri's fixture is really good to begin with, so if I'm spending up, it's probably for him. Jackson and English are nice because I think the jumping rule helps, as well as English being good around the ground. Gawn might benefit from sitting behind play and intercepting, because players might kick more to keep the ball in play.

How much cash generation and spare cash is worth offsetting lost points. Of course, if a rookie outscores a midpricer, then that's an instant win. If I start more rookies than anyone, does that improve my chances of hitting all the winners

If I'm picking on a philosophy of

1: I'm aiming to have an average of 110+ for defence, midfield and ruck keepers, and 100+ for forwards.
2: I'm trying to limit early bye exposure as much as possible.
3: If I'm paying up, I need to have a geniune reason for doing so.
4: If no other parameters are fulfilled, I have to be reasonably confident that, barring injury, I'll make at least $150K+ from the pick;

Then a team structure looks something like this:

View attachment 2499864
Now, the big difference is between my earlier lineup, with McKercher, Houston, Newman, Bergman and Ridley all missing. I think the six fall in that 95-110 range, with various issues with health and role. They could all feasibly work out and sit in that high 100's range, which probably puts them at least breaking even, even if someone like Nas goes at 115ish, just because of the savings. Serong I see as okay value, but am I certain he breaks over 110 again? No - normally I'd take him on value though. LDU is another option, but I like Wardlaw as a breakout option who I have the feeling will take over the mantle as the #1 mid at the Roos. Sean Darcy is cutting things close. Will he be a full ruck share with Jackson, or will Jackson be a utility. Can Darcy stay healthy? Is Sam Draper going to be the #1 ruck at Brisbane? In the forward line, there is a bit more leeway to gamble. For instance, I could put Sid Draper and Treloar in the midfield, and pick up Max King (STK) (even though he's injured until Janurary, and Todd Marshall (defence but concussion risk I think), just because of Job Security and Role benefits. I could maybe take a risk on one of McKercher/Houston etc, and try to weigh up who I think has the best chance of hitting 110+? Jordan Clark is another safe, get what you pay for over the course of the season, 105 avg player. Could you get him cheaper? Probably. How much is that solid role, solid average pick worth, even if he's not going to be top 6 by average in all likelyhood? I don't know.

I think if you're picking an early bye premium player, you have to be reasonably confident that they'll outscore a similarly priced non-bye player by about 10 ppg over the first six weeks, to offset the extra rookie score you'll be taking on. Obviously, best 18 mitigates the risk somewhat, but generally speaking, everyone will have the best rookie scores anyway, barring outliers like a missed selection or benching the wrong rookie.

Knowing all this, can one genuinely look at a team like this, View attachment 2499875and think - yes, I can envisage creating a winning team from this structure. There'll be early pain, but by the time upgrade season comes along, there will be no stopping things, because not only with the cash generation outstrip everyone else in the competion, the cash reserves will be the highest, and the available options will be endless, because not only have we skipped the early bye, but we'll take advantage of an early blip in scoring because of settling in to the season, the magic number has adjusted, pushing prices down.

Say with the cash remaining, one could grab 3 more premiums off the bat. And say you nail the worst rookies, the ones that make $100k, and say that the premiums you pick end up falling about $50k - so you lose about $450k of extra value, on top of spending most of your cash reserve. But the benefit is - about 1000 extra points over the first six weeks (3*195 + 3*130), assuming you're picking bye-effected players who will score 115ppg. The question is, can you make up those lost 1000 points, over the remaining 18 rounds of the season, if your team value is $2m higher than anyone else. I think the mid-season byes hurt a little bit, if you get consistency. If you nail the ceiling options, like the rucks, maybe that warchest helps you instead. And just for clarity - 19 out of the top 25, and 22 of the top 30 most expensive players, have that early bye. The outliers are:

Gawn - he's up there in age now. New ruck changes - I don't think he's definitively going to be hamstrung, but I'm reluctant to spend up on someone with his profile.

Xerri - probably the ruck I'd be willing to spend up on, just due to the fixture - because I think targeting ruck fixtures are a gold mine.

Butters - gold early fixture. Helps that there's just about no other uberpremium midfield option around him without that early bye.

Brayshaw - who knows who gets the lion's share out of the Freo midfield. Young comes in. Does Serong bounce back? Does Jackson eat up some of the pie? Does Sean Darcy, indirectly?

Dawson - I like him, but he drops stinkers. His three lowest scores were between Rounds 5 to 9; prime for cheap upgrade; and he was decent value at $550k - $610k is too steep.

Jackson - I think the ruck rules probably help, but so many other question marks over role, ruck share. If Darcy goes down, I probably pick him though.

Zerrett - who knows; could be a 115 player, or could languish in that 105-110 range after the disappointment of not getting an off-season move.

Sheezel - everyone serious is picking him. No point discussing.

Even looking at the bye options, can I see anyone going 10ppg higher than their starting priced to average; over the first 6 weeks? Barring an outlier 170+, probably not. Maybe Jack Sinclair or Tim English could hit a 120 average early; but I think the most likely thing is that these players come into their own in the middle of the season, and that's when they hit their stride.

Redefining the term “mid price madness”

 

[Jiska]

v1.3.5

View attachment 2500018

starting with bont and butters feels like the right play. its a scary pair to go up against. let alone the gax ruck combo. nas and nd are the nice little kicers, with ex-uber reborn premo mid trac, and one of my newest favourite players in fletcher.

lawlah is my sneaky pod.

If past years are anything to go by, your structure needs two mid rookies 180k+

 

[Sherman41]

Version 1 of plenty.

 

[Eagling]

What you describe at the start is what people commonly refer to as midprice madness.

It’s the risk reward of what if I can get a premium keeper massively underpriced. If it works they are the best value picks in the game.

If it doesn’t your either burning 2 trades to upgrade them or being stuck with 10ppp less then other teams at full premium.

In general you want as much money on the field as possible. Cheap bench rookies and all 9M on the field. Cash gen doesn’t typically offset early season losses fast enough to be worth keeping too much in the bank. 100-200k is about the max you want left over for corrections if you have more then that pick another premium

Now I love a good midprice team. Just need to make sure you count out how many trades you will need to use to fully upgrade your team. Typically 2 for regular premiums and 3 for 120+ guys

If you can get to full premium with about 10 trades left for injury it’s looking good.

I am convinced that, both in general, and especially this year, a slept on strategy will be to leave a hefty chunk of change in the bank. Exactly how much that is, is the question, but I believe we've moved away from a trade economy to a salary value economy. Problem is, wasting trades because there's not enough liquidity to grab the best of the best at the right time. I am also of the belief that most uber elite premiums are most vulnerable to performing below standards during the first quarter of the season; that's when teams are figuring themselves out, and that's when the Tags are most prevelant. Add the byes to that fact, and it wouldn't surprise me if we can save $50-75k on a lot of uber premums, who are averaging between 5-10ppg below their starting price.

I might just bite the bullet and test it myself; I'm a consistent 5 figure rank player, so I don't have much to lose anyway.

 

[jdstorm]

I am convinced that, both in general, and especially this year, a slept on strategy will be to leave a hefty chunk of change in the bank. Exactly how much that is, is the question, but I believe we've moved away from a trade economy to a salary value economy. Problem is, wasting trades because there's not enough liquidity to grab the best of the best at the right time. I am also of the belief that most uber elite premiums are most vulnerable to performing below standards during the first quarter of the season; that's when teams are figuring themselves out, and that's when the Tags are most prevelant. Add the byes to that fact, and it wouldn't surprise me if we can save $50-75k on a lot of uber premums, who are averaging between 5-10ppg below their starting price.

I might just bite the bullet and test it myself; I'm a consistent 5 figure rank player, so I don't have much to lose anyway.

If you believe that then may I suggest aside from a set and forget ruck setup avoid all Ubers.

Load up on defensive and forward premiums who have lower expected points and load up with value mids

10-12 2 rucks 4 def 4 forwards maybe a lower priced mid like gulden.

Won’t hurt you to start the season where value is king. Just need to be willing to cop the fomo and always chase value in mids

Edit:

In terms of this year right now I’m thinking due to the abundance of forward rookies it might be worth having Sheezel and Trac start in the midfield.

 

[A Bit Dusty]

If you believe that then may I suggest aside from a set and forget ruck setup avoid all Ubers.

Load up on defensive and forward premiums who have lower expected points and load up with value mids

10-12 2 rucks 4 def 4 forwards maybe a lower priced mid like gulden.

Won’t hurt you to start the season where value is king. Just need to be willing to cop the fomo and always chase value in mids

Edit:

In terms of this year right now I’m thinking due to the abundance of forward rookies it might be worth having Sheezel and Trac start in the midfield.

Who are the abundance of forward rookies?

 

[jdstorm]

Who are the abundance of forward rookies?

There’s your midpricers like Flanders/trealor

Then Pou, + CDT and Reidy + Devrob.

Then a few other cheapies. Haven’t made a comprehensive list but a few guys who’ve been in system a while that are bargain basement.

 

[4tune8]

There’s your midpricers like Flanders/trealor

Then Pou, + CDT and Reidy + Devrob.

Then a few other cheapies. Haven’t made a comprehensive list but a few guys who’ve been in system a while that are bargain basement.

I'm not seeing the forward rookies that you would want on field, their production and JS don't warrant picking them. Robertson (if he gets a run with role) and Phillipou are the only 2 that I would find comfortable fielding at F6 and I think that I'll just be fielding one at F6 anyway as there seems to be relatively good value in the MP forwards along with Sheezel as F1 and Flanders F2.

That being said, there're still doubts on F3, F4 & F5. The choices for me would be coming from Sam Draper (who could easily be R2) Kosi Pickett (not much value at his price) Treloar (doubts on role & Being injury prone) and Petracca (fairly priced)

CDT will be a pass at his price and I don't have much faith in Reidy's production (that may change after preseason games) F7, F8 and M9 might consist of Robertson, Macrae & Peucker.

Something like this....

 

[South of the Yarra]

Really struggling with what to do with Rucks.

 

[jdstorm]

Really struggling with what to do with Rucks.

Set and forget

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Latest version. Is Rozee/Butters/Bergman too much Port? $76k itb

 

[Me Myself and I]

Latest version. Is Rozee/Butters/Bergman too much Port? $76k itb

View attachment 2500442

Not really. Butters and Rozee will have high ownership so not really an issue with them. Bergman a POD worth a punt.

I'd be more worried with Serong and H. Young. From my previous experiences (plural unfortunately) there's plenty of frustration owning those two. I've always thought it would be better for Freo to let Young explore his options. Just feel the team becomes somewhat unbalanced when he plays.

 

[Lord De Goey]

Latest version. Is Rozee/Butters/Bergman too much Port? $76k itb

View attachment 2500442

Not too different to mine


I don’t love the 3 port guys either but the draw is so good. Worst case Bergman is an easy sideways to the other 400k defenders

 

[Lord De Goey]

Not really. Butters and Rozee will have high ownership so not really an issue with them. Bergman a POD worth a punt.

I'd be more worried with Serong and H. Young. From my previous experiences (plural unfortunately) there's plenty of frustration owning those two. I've always thought it would be better for Freo to let Young explore his options. Just feel the team becomes somewhat unbalanced when he plays.

Couldn’t disagree more. I honestly believe Young is their best midfielder. Just needs a good run of health but he is way more damaging than any other midfielder they’ve got

 

[SaintWrld]

Latest version. Is Rozee/Butters/Bergman too much Port? $76k itb

View attachment 2500442

Love the Bergman pick. Josh Carr has come out and stated that he will be deploying him as a MID/FWD this year, and in games where he had more than 50% cba last year he averaged 108.3. Ports first 6 rounds are unbelievably juicy also

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Not really. Butters and Rozee will have high ownership so not really an issue with them. Bergman a POD worth a punt.

I'd be more worried with Serong and H. Young. From my previous experiences (plural unfortunately) there's plenty of frustration owning those two. I've always thought it would be better for Freo to let Young explore his options. Just feel the team becomes somewhat unbalanced when he plays.

Serong seems unders to me this year. I see Young back in helping him. Young I agree isn't a great pick due to the injury risk, I'll consider anti-PODing him - it's really just assessing how long until he breaks (same as Parish, neither are keepers, both hopfully get to $500k+ quickly and get traded).

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Not too different to mine
View attachment 2500453

I don’t love the 3 port guys either but the draw is so good. Worst case Bergman is an easy sideways to the other 400k defenders

I'd love to get Whitfield in there, and probably will before R1.

 

[South of the Yarra]

I'd love to get Whitfield in there, and probably will before R1.

Same here with Whitfield. Keen to get him in.

 

[Lord De Goey]

I'd love to get Whitfield in there, and probably will before R1.

Hated that i couldn't get him in last season. Hope i didnt miss out on his last good season

 

[South of the Yarra]

Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

on my radar. Injuries pending.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

 

[blueiris]

Really struggling with what to do with Rucks.

Draper is killing it this preseason likely going to start him and X

 

[BOMBERBLITZ]

Not seeing many teams with Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

32

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

...

Apparently he's been traning the house down!

 

[Kadog]

Xmas edition

 

[Choppers]

Latest version. Is Rozee/Butters/Bergman too much Port? $76k itb

View attachment 2500442

The thing I noticed is, you have 7 players over $400K with R12 bye.....and 4 of them are Defenders....and Zeke Uwland as well.............a few upgrades coming I suspect.