Teams 2026 Rate My Pre-Season Team

[jdstorm]

Pretty good start!

Wouldn’t go Meek they’re playing 2 rucks which limits his scoring and wouldn’t go JUH/Hogan as KPF scoring is very hit and miss to Hogan to Flanders who will be a must have

Als Draper and Smilie both injured and unlikely to player early look at and Lombard up forward and swing a farrow or grlj into the mids and pick up Lindsay

If the hawks are going 2 rucks then Reeves might be the stopgap answer we’re looking for hawks mids should make him look good and only needs to average 70 including a spike game against Essendon to be a solid pick

 

[rf04]

Looking for suggestions how to fit Langford from the Demons into this team, but also want to keep my D1-4, M1-5, rucks and F1-3. I think Steele will be value until he inevitably gets banged up and think I’ll trade him up after the first bye rounds are done. Finn O’Sullivan, Langford and Jagga are the stoundouts from last years crop that I’m bullish on becoming earners. The forward arrangement beyond F3 is giving me grief. F4 in particular. Not sold on Degoey and not confident that Phillipou will hold up although happy to keep for F5,6.

 

[Ed_Gein]

Looking for suggestions how to fit Langford from the Demons into this team, but also want to keep my D1-4, M1-5, rucks and F1-3. I think Steele will be value until he inevitably gets banged up and think I’ll trade him up after the first bye rounds are done. Finn O’Sullivan, Langford and Jagga are the stoundouts from last years crop that I’m bullish on becoming earners. The forward arrangement beyond F3 is giving me grief. F4 in particular. Not sold on Degoey and not confident that Phillipou will hold up although happy to keep for F5,6.

Kinda get the impression you probably would have to drop one of your M1-5 to bring in Langford, otherwise you might be overloaded, but you might've answered it yourself already - drop Degoey if unsure on him to a rookie priced player for the cash to get Langford. (Although that still might not be enough unless you have cash ITB)

 

[jdstorm]

Looking for suggestions how to fit Langford from the Demons into this team, but also want to keep my D1-4, M1-5, rucks and F1-3. I think Steele will be value until he inevitably gets banged up and think I’ll trade him up after the first bye rounds are done. Finn O’Sullivan, Langford and Jagga are the stoundouts from last years crop that I’m bullish on becoming earners. The forward arrangement beyond F3 is giving me grief. F4 in particular. Not sold on Degoey and not confident that Phillipou will hold up although happy to keep for F5,6.

Seems like the answer then is Steele to Langford and use the extra $$$ in your forward line

 

[stevebbb]

no parish?

I don't want any of Young or Parish but need to grab one for cash for the expensive rookies. Not against either, but neither are essentials in my eyes. I think Young has a better chance of playing 23 games and he's a player I like to watch. I'll see how Parish goes next praccy match and make a call then.

 

[Petrify]

Here's an extreme overreaction to the practice matches team. I desperately want Hayden Young

26

Hayden Young

Age

25

Ht

189cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.0

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.4

3star

CL

0.2

2star

D

10.0

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.4

2star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.4

2star

CL

0.2

2star

D

10.0

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

CL

0.2

2star

in the team too but this version only has $800 in the bank so I'm going for Rowston instead.

I can see cutting Rowston/Bruhn so Brodie can get on the field and then upgrading one of the others to Young though.

Doubt Reidy gets named so I think this team isn't possible if he doesn't.

 

[Silky23]

Been a long 4 months since my last post, as I usually dive out of BF and Collingwood to give myself a breather before footy season sparks up again. Feels good to be back.

DEF - NAS & Rozee are locks, a dozen good rookies and don't love the other premos apart from Sincs and Whit (who share the same bye as NAS so can't go there, intrigued by McCarthy but would rather wait)

MID - Felt like I could load up here, rookies don't seem as strong as first advertised. Butters, Daicos, Anderson and Serong have never really left my side. Young and Parish are locked. HReid could easily be Langford, I will be taking 1 or the other so will be keenly watching the next fortnight to make my selection.

RUC - Hate paying up for X this year, Gawn worries me with his lack of supporting cast and potential shut down at any moment?? Jacko never left my side and feel English will enjoy the new rules.

FWD - Sheezel & Flanders speak for themselves, Freijah my 8% POD to take the jump this year (priced at 79), and De Goey (not in love, but happy to shift him to Binga if need be). The rookies are the norm.

In terms of early byes, Rd 3 I'm hit hardest with Anderson, English & Freijah (which means I'll go anti-Pod on Bont), but happy to take the risk.

Hoping to get 12-13 keepers out of this lot. Have at it. Will try and get to looking over others and giving feedback. Footy is back!

 

[Kadog]

Still a lot to play out before rd1 obviously but I sit with this today.

Def: I think this is a very solid back 4 and confident they will be top 6-8 defenders for the season. Would really love to have Jaicos in there but the bye hurts. Will watch closely rd0. If talk of a more prominent midfield role presents, he will be very enticing. TMac another pushing for selection.

Mids: A stack of vc/c options here. Bont Butters Naicos all locks from the get go. Gulden presents great value and I love the ceiling. Parish gets the nod ahead of Young at the 5 spot.

Rucks: As far as the ‘new’ rules go, I’m on the overreaction side. Players adjust so I’m sticking with the Xerri/Jackson combo. If it doesn’t pan out I’d much rather be in the stronger position to downgrade and spread the cash elsewhere.

Fwds: Definitely the weakest line. Sheez Flanders and Pou are automatic picks. Darcy is another I’m keen on and will watch closely. Could trade a 4th premo defender to Darcy if needed. Rosas & Latrelle are lively types but don’t expect too much in terms of scoring. Potential for spike games are there for the cash boost but they are placeholders at the minute.

Rd2 byes: Naicos
Rd3 byes: Bont Gulden
Rd4 byes: NWM Ash Flanders Pou
Rd12: Rozee Butter Xerri Sheez

 

[Red4]

Still a lot to play out before rd1 obviously but I sit with this today.

Def: I think this is a very solid back 4 and confident they will be top 6-8 defenders for the season. Would really love to have Jaicos in there but the bye hurts. Will watch closely rd0. If talk of a more prominent midfield role presents, he will be very enticing. TMac another pushing for selection.

Mids: A stack of vc/c options here. Bont Butters Naicos all locks from the get go. Gulden presents great value and I love the ceiling. Parish gets the nod ahead of Young at the 5 spot.

Rucks: As far as the ‘new’ rules go, I’m on the overreaction side. Players adjust so I’m sticking with the Xerri/Jackson combo. If it doesn’t pan out I’d much rather be in the stronger position to downgrade and spread the cash elsewhere.

Fwds: Definitely the weakest line. Sheez Flanders and Pou are automatic picks. Darcy is another I’m keen on and will watch closely. Could trade a 4th premo defender to Darcy if needed. Rosas & Latrelle are lively types but don’t expect too much in terms of scoring. Potential for spike games are there for the cash boost but they are placeholders at the minute.

Rd2 byes: Naicos
Rd3 byes: Bont Gulden
Rd4 byes: NWM Ash Flanders Pou
Rd12: Rozee Butter Xerri Sheez

View attachment 2533211

I really like it bar the 3 rooks in the fwd line, I think I would rather drop a defender, play Lindsay / jaques on field and get Petracca or something

 

[Red4]

This is me for now, really liking JDG & Rowstons work, could change to an extra premo defender and McAndrew flex, still deciding

 

[kenneyswarriors]

Pretty happy with this. I keep reducing the amount im keeping in the kitty but its still >250k so im fine with it currently. I like NWM & Sinclair a lot so taking both. I wish i could fit Gulden in but the bye is a small factor and unless i downgrade/upgrade Young & Parish, i dont like how it affects the rest of my team. Ive toyed with the idea of dropping MacDonald to a rookie or Sheezel to a mid-pricer or rookie but it doesnt feel right either.

While McAndrew at R2 has tempted me i think ill just be happy with him making cash on my bench and covering the round 3 bye for Grundy.

Non rookie starters that im open to changing but am yet to find a combination i like more than what i currently have

Sinclair & McCarthy
Parish
Grundy
Sheezel & MacDonald

Sheezel, MacDonald & Parish are the 3 that seem to be on the very edge of my team currently but i keep going back to that combo. As i said, id love Gulden but i just cant see how i do it without throwing out the team balance, using the cash in bank or doing a massive restructure.

To everyone that will say just do Parish to Gulden, ill say that i dont think that nets too many points, not as much as the value difference is anyway. I made a team with only $30-50k in the bank and i genuinely didnt like it. I think ive been so set on leaving cash in hand that either im not thinking straight (a real possibility haha) or im just viewing my team as though the salary cap is 250k less than what it is.

I really dont like the word 'structure' when it comes to selecting a team but i admit it does have its utility. If it didnt, id do Sheezel to Gulden straight away but i do realise (as per discussions in the forwards thread) that there is an amount of inherent value in having Sheezel as a forward.

My team certainly 'looks better' with Sheezel at F1.

The reason i decided to try and make a team with 250k+ in the bank was to add some flavour to a game i was starting to get sick of. I find it funny because trying to justify its legitimacy to myself and others has already spiced up the game and the season hasnt even begun. I will stay true to it, but admit it has flaws.

That said, i do believe it has its merits. I've mentioned those 'merits' before so i wont go over it again.

Anyway, there you have it. Rip it to shreds if you want


View attachment 2531603

That's excellent, I'm chasing a more elusive dream thou,hate money in the bank.

 

[kyri]

That's excellent, I'm chasing a more elusive dream thou,hate money in the bank.

View attachment 2533253

the satisfaction of all the blocks falling into place. its just magical. im not far behind.



SELFCONFESDAFLNERD just dropped to his knees..

 

[A Bit Dusty]

the satisfaction of all the blocks falling into place. its just magical. im not far behind.

View attachment 2533258

SELFCONFESDAFLNERD just dropped to his knees..

I feel cashed up around you guys

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

the satisfaction of all the blocks falling into place. its just magical. im not far behind.

View attachment 2533258

SELFCONFESDAFLNERD just dropped to his knees..

You guys are killing me haha

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

You guys have <$1k in the bank and im sitting with the below figure and im still thinking id like more cash in hand! Different philosophies for sure

 

[The_Steadier]

That's excellent, I'm chasing a more elusive dream thou,hate money in the bank.

View attachment 2533253

Nailed it

 

[Eagling]

Reckon this is a relatively balanced side. Have swung towards picking more fwd keepers, obviously some potential volatility, but I'm hoping for good roles for Petracca, Pickett and Freijah. In the rucks, I'm looking at Xerri, TDK, Jackson and English; I'm hoping that TDK has a good early run with Marshall mainly up forward with King out, and Xerri beats up on his first couple of months.

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

Starting to like the idea of going TDK. Can trade to Grundy or English prior to round 4 if TDK doesnt show much!

 

[footyfnatiC]

Starting to like the idea of going TDK. Can trade to Grundy or English prior to round 4 if TDK doesnt show much!

Did his 8 hit outs get you going?

 

[Saints4ever]

Did his 8 hit outs get you going?

I think he had more than 8.

I’ll be interested to see this weekend when we get official stats.

From my eye he was the dominant ruck at centre ball up.

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

Did his 8 hit outs get you going?

Its not his form, its his price point and potential with new rule. Rowan looks OK up forward which hopefully means decent minutes in the ruck for TDK.

 

[footyfnatiC]

Its not his form, its his price point and potential with new rule. Rowan looks OK up forward which hopefully means decent minutes in the ruck for TDK.

Im just playing.

But Marsh might eat up 30%.

 

[St Steady]

he had more than 8 hitouts, as someone mentioned, the stats are a bit off and id imagine more focussed on new names rather than known players

im starting TDK mainly because of his price point,

he checked out last yr, got hurt a bit, then voss plonked him permanent forward to punish him for leaving so think hes the value of the rucks at this stage

 

[St Steady]

Its not his form, its his price point and potential with new rule. Rowan looks OK up forward which hopefully means decent minutes in the ruck for TDK.

roma was originally recruited as a KPF

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

Im just playing.

But Marsh might eat up 30%.

You're right, Marsh will still have a decent workload as backup. It'll be a matter of efficiency for TDK. They look like a formidable duo though. With the change in ruck rules and the extra bench spot, ruck combinations will be more significant. I think the TDK/Marshall combo will prove tough opposition for whoever they play but whether they are good for SC, definitely remains to be seen.

Personally, the main decision im considering is whether to go 2 set and forget rucks which would likely mean placing Parish at M5 or going with TDK as R2 and upgrading Parish to Gulden. Option 1, would involve either Grundy or Gawn & Parish vs TDK & Gulden. Option 1 leaves an extra $75k ish in the bank. In the ruck thread i have advocated strongly for set & forget but TDK is the one <530k option that i rate highly with reasonably low risk. Ill consider it for sure!