Teams 2026 Rate My Pre-Season Team

[footyfnatiC]

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!

Ive gone Jackson & English for now but no idea with rucks to be honest.

Id rather Walsh or Gulden for about the same price or just over v TDK personally.

Big watch next week on rucks, so open for me right now.

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

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

I think this is a great point and very significant. Its also a positive that Roma is there so TDK doesnt get overworked. If he is efficient, there is a fair bit of value there i think. I think he is the only attractive option in that price range as he has proven he has big scores in him. For me, the bye round is significant too. Since im leaving money in the bank, if it doesnt look like its working with the combination, ill upgrade TDK to English/Grundy fresh off their round 3 bye. Hopefully it doesnt come to that, but its my exit strategy.

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

Ive gone Jackson & English for now but no idea with rucks to be honest.

Id rather Walsh or Gulden for about the same price or just over v TDK personally.

Big watch next week on rucks, so open for me right now.

Ive considered both Jackson & English too. The one i think people are sleeping on a bit is Grundy. His end to last season was incredible SC points wise. I havent watched the Swans yet this pre season but im not sure if they play a backup other than McLean? Ladhams is not much chop.

I dont feel the new rules disadvantage Grundy that much either. Im fairly neutral on this one, i dont think he gets an advantage from it either. If Gulden gets plenty of CBAs you could argue that may help Grundy slightly with hit outs to advantage. I dont see many negatives really.

Definitely other options look decent but you could do a lot worse for a POD.

Xerri, Gawn, Grundy, English, Jackson, Cameron & TDK are the relevant premium (or just below in the case of TDK) priced rucks.

If i look at the draw, i feel compelled to lock in Xerri. Rules may well negatively affect him but he can go huge and consistantly. I think at around 40% ownership, i dont want to take him on. I admit, not essential by any means but even with new rules countering some of his approach, he wont forget how to ruck overnight. Around the ground, he is still a beast and as many have highlighted - just look at his draw to open the season!

The other options all have potential in the right circumstances. We will see

 

[footyfnatiC]

Ive considered both Jackson & English too. The one i think people are sleeping on a bit is Grundy. His end to last season was incredible SC points wise. I havent watched the Swans yet this pre season but im not sure if they play a backup other than McLean? Ladhams is not much chop.

I dont feel the new rules disadvantage Grundy that much either. Im fairly neutral on this one, i dont think he gets an advantage from it either. If Gulden gets plenty of CBAs you could argue that may help Grundy slightly with hit outs to advantage. I dont see many negatives really.

Definitely other options look decent but you could do a lot worse for a POD.

Xerri, Gawn, Grundy, English, Jackson, Cameron & TDK are the relevant premium (or just below in the case of TDK) priced rucks.

If i look at the draw, i feel compelled to lock in Xerri. Rules may well negatively affect him but he can go huge and consistantly. I think at around 40% ownership, i dont want to take him on. I admit, not essential by any means but even with new rules countering some of his approach, he wont forget how to ruck overnight. Around the ground, he is still a beast and as many have highlighted - just look at his draw to open the season!

The other options all have potential in the right circumstances. We will see

Grundy for sure a sleeper.

A lot would pick him over Gawn/Xerri if not for the bye, totally agree.

May even just stump up and get him in to go against others dunno.

 

[Jiska]

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

The only question is how long until he misses a game

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

The only question is how long until he misses a game

Legitimate question for sure!

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

Little idea how i got here but im here now so....

A few features

• Lots of Saints
• NWM & Sinclair instead of picking one and going Sheezel forward
• Dropped Naicos. Doesnt feel good but he will be in my side soon. My midfield really is set except for the question of Naicos or Parish. Obviously requires a restructure if im to go back to Naicos
• TDK punt in the rucks. Plenty of $ to upgrade him in round 4 if the punt goes poorly
• My forwards are a ****en shambles...but in a good way? Decided id like to punt on all 3 of Kozzie, Freijah & MacDonald. Lots of cash to 'fix' whichever one of those 3 fails if need be.
• Butler is locked in even at that 'premium rookie' price. I see him going at 70s and his DPP is valuable.

Naicos & Sheezel are the two id love most in my side but i cant get the mix right. There is a version of my side where i downgrade NWM & a mid-priced forward and move things around to get Daicos for Parish.

I expect after opening round more people will be jumping on MacDonald/Freijah

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

Or (Excuse me using multiple posts...)

I think i like this one better!

 

[Saints4ever]

Little idea how i got here but im here now so....

A few features

• Lots of Saints
• NWM & Sinclair instead of picking one and going Sheezel forward
• Dropped Naicos. Doesnt feel good but he will be in my side soon. My midfield really is set except for the question of Naicos or Parish. Obviously requires a restructure if im to go back to Naicos
• TDK punt in the rucks. Plenty of $ to upgrade him in round 4 if the punt goes poorly
• My forwards are a ****en shambles...but in a good way? Decided id like to punt on all 3 of Kozzie, Freijah & MacDonald. Lots of cash to 'fix' whichever one of those 3 fails if need be.
• Butler is locked in even at that 'premium rookie' price. I see him going at 70s and his DPP is valuable.

Naicos & Sheezel are the two id love most in my side but i cant get the mix right. There is a version of my side where i downgrade NWM & a mid-priced forward and move things around to get Daicos for Parish.

I expect after opening round more people will be jumping on MacDonald/Freijah


View attachment 2533579

Why not just spend your remaining salary and go MacDonald to Sheezel.

Great team.

I couldn’t leave over 200k in the bank.

Interested to see how your plan plays out.

 

[Saints4ever]

Or (Excuse me using multiple posts...)

I think i like this one better!


View attachment 2533588

Elite

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

Why not just spend your remaining salary and go MacDonald to Sheezel.

Great team.

I couldn’t leave over 200k in the bank.

Interested to see how your plan plays out.

I do keep asking myself that, and the simple answer is that id like to 'have fun' & play out this strategy. There are many thoughts i have on the matter, that i can explain in a 'long version' but i wont go into everything. I'll do a small amount of analysis below though

The biggest 'value discrepancies' are present at the start of the season. By that i mean that the game is in a state of flux. You have premiums needing to average 10%+ more than they did in the pre season to maintain price. The Magic number drops rapidly to accommodate the influx of rookies and you have players that unexpectedly dominate or unexpectedly regress and there are always plenty of injuries, that directly or indirectly affect your team.

So, the cash in hand does 2 things mainly
- Helps deal with the unknown by offering a 'safety' blanket which increases trading options
- Helps planning ahead and trading flexibility to capitalise on the results of the 'state of flux'

Now, i know that my team would be better initially if i frugally invested the 210+k i have in my hand. However, i am not 'backing myself' to nail enough selections so instead im playing the 'value game' and 'postponing that 210k+ upgrade' until such a time as i think i can gain maximum value from it.

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

Elite

Thanks. Id love Sheezel but other than that im really happy. I think if i was to get cold feet i would do the MacDonald or Freijah > Sheezel upgrade but im going to keep the cash in hand. If im lucky Sheezel doesnt average more than 20 or so above MacDonald/Freijah anyway.

Losing 20ish points a week is something i can absolutely deal with. I believe the 212k is 'worth' between 38 & 42 points based on the magic number. If i can find enough value to halve that by picking MacDonald over Sheezel, i think thats a success.

 

[AflNerd22]

77k left in the bank really like this prob not going to stick with it though with the three backline rooks

 

[Obese Arachnid]

Grundy for sure a sleeper.

A lot would pick him over Gawn/Xerri if not for the bye, totally agree.

May even just stump up and get him in to go against others dunno.

I agree with both of you.

 

[King Max]

We really just need the footy to start, stop this BS hourly chopping and changing. Next round of games should help us all or gives us sleepless nights.

Defence has the same 3 dogs for months now, only change could be Windsor/McDonald to a Whitfield/Ash plus a Fwd rookie.

Mids, I do miss Bont but I’ll just live with it. Butters/Daicos pick themselves.
Heeney over Gulden because he’s more fun to watch, plus typing HEEEEENNNNEEEY when he goals is rewarding and annoying to non owners.
Young for value, Parish for the headaches.

Rucks no idea what to do still.

Forwards, Sheezel/Flanders just following the crowds and Petracca for his early draw.

plus I hate the early byes and wtf is rd zero.

 

[HenrikLundqvist]

Still umming and arring over Xerri. Really not happy not having NAS and Naicos the little GOAT but will wait to see what happens opening round.
Grlj as flex with 50k cash in the bank. Thoughts and feedback?

 

[dabombers]

Seems like SBS evening has brought some excellent posts here.

Some well self-diagnosed structure and player decisions discussed.

Watched most of the match sims (did zone out at half time in some matches when B-Teams hit the track).

Glad for the work the X-Crew have given us in some form of stat gathering. It gives us all a rough guide to go by.

Though nothing really ever matches the eye test, especially when it comes to positional role changes along with form, fitness and skill set (for unseen rookies at this level) at this time of the year.

Current team building has been more about scouting number of rookies that could present themselves as credible options for reasonable scoring roles.

So far I have structurally come to the numbers of:

DEF - 4 Rookies
MIDS - 5 Rookies (maybe one more in flex)
RUCKS - 1 Rookie (2 would be a serious risk but could become one to try)
FWDS - 4 Rookies

The rest of structure building starts after this and it all depends on the amount of higher priced Rookies (preferably onfield must haves) as this then chews into number of Premo’s and turns them into more Mid-Pricers starting.

Finding the goldilocks zone of Mid-Pricers!!!

This is like choosing your favourite pizza topping's, some will say pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza while others love olives and anchovies. It is your tastebuds so it is all good what you decide to eat.
For me, any pizza will taste good as long as it is made with quality ingredients.

Back to deciding player choices.

The eye test always works first before looking at the stats. This is where the enjoyment of watching footy comes from before the rational part of the brain critiques it.

I noticed inner dialogue of ratings starting to form and sometimes even voiced out loud as I watched games.
Firstly was the “Yep Yep” then the “Yeah Nah” along with the players who brought on the occasional “Oooo’s” or “Aaahhh’s” and lastly the “Ah Bugger” or “WTF”. No player in my current side hit the last one.

Finally how much risk is too much?

As this is supposed to be a hobby and fun. After playing for over 15 years, I think the more risk the better. I already know and have no dillusions that I won’t win this season, but what happens if I could. This means less cookie-cutter structure and players, by including more debate worthy or controversial picks especially lower owned Uber Premo’s and those in the Mid-Pricer category.


Thanks for reading this book, not sure whether it will have a happy ending. One thing I will know is that I gave it a good try.

Current team below.
Cash ITB - $240K (could become another MP at flex or another mid Premo)

 

[King Patty]

Updated
in: 2 Port guys - Rozee + Butters, Langford, Farrow. Jaques, Mc Andrew, Curnow, Darcy



Would like Todd Marshall

4

Todd Marshall

Age

27

Ht

198cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.0

2star

K

6.4

3star

HB

2.5

2star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

8.9

2star

K

7.1

3star

HB

1.8

1star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.0

4star

G

1.1

5star

D

9.6

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.6

5star

, but worried about achilles, don't want to start with guys carrying injuries.

 

[Edmund hunt]

Anyone on the Heeney train this year or is he too expensive at 593k?

 

[Veer Right]

Anyone on the Heeney train this year or is he too expensive at 593k?

I am 50/50 on starting him. It's between him and Naicos. Naicos will get attention and he costs more. Heeney was in superb form in the match sim.

 

[Foxman98]

Anyone on the Heeney train this year or is he too expensive at 593k?

I am all aboard

New rules will suit him more then Errol IMO

See him getting back to that early 2024 form especially now with Curnow at FF

 

[TasSixer]

Anyone on the Heeney train this year or is he too expensive at 593k?

I have Errol instead. Hard to split

 

[Veer Right]

Final team heading in to this weeks official practice games.

I count 11 keepers.

Rozee and Clark in defence i am not doing cartwheels over but they have no bye, may benefit from the extra free flowing game. Luke Ryan may start the season in the reserves which can only aid Clark. Being keepers also means i can set and forget. Probably won't move in price either way so not overpaying. Ash to me is rolled gold. Bit underpriced imo.

Bont and Butters paying up for the captain scores and the latter is in his contract year (think nas last year). Heeney flew in his match sim. Washcroft imo is the lions number one mid. So underpriced for what he could do.

Parish flying. Coniglio scoring last year i don't care cos he is fit this year. Training reports said he was back. SOO eye test confirmed it. 200k unperpriced and with the giants injuries, he has every opportunity to be a strong stepping stone where i can sideways him to a strong premo who has dipped.

Rowston benefits from the giants injuries. Number four mid with Finn in the team. Can see him two more times which helps.

Ruck line speaks for itself with the uncertainty.

In the forward line, just Sam Darcy i am paying up for. 208cm will help him monster it in the chop out ruck and in the air. Thilthorpe won't have it as easy as a chop out ruck at 201cm. Still want him though. Next two are keepers in my eyes. Rest are good money earners/stepping stones.

Coleman - Not sure i understand wanting to fade him. He ball use is so elite and he's moving lovely. Couldn't care less where he starts on the field at 230k.

 

[Foxman98]

View attachment 2534027

Final team heading in to this weeks official practice games.

I count 11 keepers.

Rozee and Clark in defence i am not doing cartwheels over but they have no bye, may benefit from the extra free flowing game. Luke Ryan may start the season in the reserves which can only aid Clark. Being keepers also means i can set and forget. Probably won't move in price either way so not overpaying. Ash to me is rolled gold. Bit underpriced imo.

Bont and Butters paying up for the captain scores and the latter is in his contract year (think nas last year). Heeney flew in his match sim. Washcroft imo is the lions number one mid. So underpriced for what he could do.

Parish flying. Coniglio scoring last year i don't care cos he is fit this year. Training reports said he was back. SOO eye test confirmed it. 200k unperpriced and with the giants injuries, he has every opportunity to be a strong stepping stone where i can sideways him to a strong premo who has dipped.

Rowston benefits from the giants injuries. Number four mid with Finn in the team. Can see him two more times which helps.

Ruck line speaks for itself with the uncertainty.

In the forward line, just Sam Darcy i am paying up for. 208cm will help him monster it in the chop out ruck and in the air. Thilthorpe won't have it as easy as a chop out ruck at 201cm. Still want him though. Next two are keepers in my eyes. Rest are good money earners/stepping stones.

Coleman - Not sure i understand wanting to fade him. He ball use is so elite and he's moving lovely. Couldn't care less where he starts on the field at 230k.

Why Lohmann?

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

View attachment 2534027

Final team heading in to this weeks official practice games.

I count 11 keepers.

Rozee and Clark in defence i am not doing cartwheels over but they have no bye, may benefit from the extra free flowing game. Luke Ryan may start the season in the reserves which can only aid Clark. Being keepers also means i can set and forget. Probably won't move in price either way so not overpaying. Ash to me is rolled gold. Bit underpriced imo.

Bont and Butters paying up for the captain scores and the latter is in his contract year (think nas last year). Heeney flew in his match sim. Washcroft imo is the lions number one mid. So underpriced for what he could do.

Parish flying. Coniglio scoring last year i don't care cos he is fit this year. Training reports said he was back. SOO eye test confirmed it. 200k unperpriced and with the giants injuries, he has every opportunity to be a strong stepping stone where i can sideways him to a strong premo who has dipped.

Rowston benefits from the giants injuries. Number four mid with Finn in the team. Can see him two more times which helps.

Ruck line speaks for itself with the uncertainty.

In the forward line, just Sam Darcy i am paying up for. 208cm will help him monster it in the chop out ruck and in the air. Thilthorpe won't have it as easy as a chop out ruck at 201cm. Still want him though. Next two are keepers in my eyes. Rest are good money earners/stepping stones.

Coleman - Not sure i understand wanting to fade him. He ball use is so elite and he's moving lovely. Couldn't care less where he starts on the field at 230k.

Don't think picking Cogs and Rowston is the right move. One or the other.