Midfield structure

[HashtagFooty]

It is widely accepted that the depth of talent among forward line rookies this year, is as shallow as it has ever been - you could count on one hand the number of players priced $150k or less that will feature for their clubs consistently in 2013. The talent among backline rookies is only marginally better.

On the flip side, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to midfield rookies, with guys like Toumpas, Wines, Mitchell, Lonergan, Viney, Crouch, O'Meara, etc all set to feature prominently.

That being said - one strategy that is being talked about recently (generally by people interested in league wins, rather than overall position), is starting with a midfield containing just 1, 2 or 3 premiums, and 7 - 9 rookies, allowing back lines and forward lines to be filled with premium options - removing the need to rely on guys like Kerridge, Lee, Docherty, Terlich, etc first of all getting named in round 1, but also getting games consistently.

So - do you see an advantage in using this strategy?
How many premiums/rookies will you be starting in your midfield?

The previous version of my team had Ablett, Swan, J Selwood, Murphy & Priddis all starting in the midfield - however I'm down to just Ablett, Swan & Pendlebury now, with the most inexpensive players starting in my forward line being Varcoe & Martin.

 

[longytap]

I personally see to much value in the mid pricers this year (Varcoe, Ball, Embley, Moloney, etc) to run a purely GnR midfield. But can understand the logic behind focusing all your rookie selections in the midfield, given the depth.

 

[blewhismindout]

I took a different approach.

It seems that nearly all the rock solid premiums this year (avg 110+) are in the midfield, so I've ignored the value selections like Ball and Moloney and gone straight for the $600K+ players. I've filled the gaps with rookies.

The only problem I'm having is finding a decent Mid/Fwd rookie to swap with my DPP's in the forward line.

 

[Yoda_]

I would like to know people's thought on the rookie mids?

It seems to be widely accepted that Jaegar O'Meara ($115,900) and Jack Viney ($109,900) will be the two highest scoring/popular mid rookies, are people willing to have a $164,000 Nick Vlastuin sitting on the bench purely for his DPP or do they feel obliged to select higher priced players on the field?

Just a little side note, never rule out the midpricers

 

[blewhismindout]

Well O'Meara, Crouch and Viney are the obvious ones. Simply because as a group, they're about $200K cheaper than they would have been if not for pre-selections and father son wheeling and dealing.

The most expensive rookie I have is Goodes at $128K, but he's also a DPP who'll open up my defence. As I said earlier, I'm still hoping a cheap Mid/Fwd rookie will pop up in the pre-season matches.

 

[HashtagFooty]

The most expensive rookie I have is Goodes at $128K, but he's also a DPP who'll open up my defence. As I said earlier, I'm still hoping a cheap Mid/Fwd rookie will pop up in the pre-season matches.

There is definitely value in the more expensive rookies this year in my opinion - Toumpas, Wines, Lonergan, and Mitchell in particular.

 

[GOAUS!]

Well I'm currently running with 4 600k+ premiums, Fyfe + 5 rookies.

 

[MightyMark]

Im going with 3 super premiums, 1 premium, 1 mid price and 5 rookies.

 

[rocker_oz33]

I've gone with 4 rookies at this stage.

 

[MightyMark]

I would like to know people's thought on the rookie mids?

It seems to be widely accepted that Jaegar O'Meara ($115,900) and Jack Viney ($109,900) will be the two highest scoring/popular mid rookies, are people willing to have a $164,000 Nick Vlastuin sitting on the bench purely for his DPP or do they feel obliged to select higher priced players on the field?

Just a little side note, never rule out the midpricers

Nick Vlastuin looks like a gun. In recent years higher priced rookies have been overlooked as you can usually pick up a cheap rookie with roughly the same scoring potential. I still think this year is much the same, but with Wines, Vlastuin and Toumpas showing pure class in the NAB cup, they could be worth the extra price tag. They seem like they can walk into the side, where as a lot of rookies need to be eased in.

 

[rocker_oz33]

Nick Vlastuin looks like he could be this years Ellis good young player riding the vest.

 

[Yoda_]

I get he could score well, is he going to outscored Viney or O'Meara? If not, do you warrant having $164,000 sitting on your bench?

 

[muttley45]

I get he could score well, is he going to outscored Viney or O'Meara? If not, do you warrant having $164,000 sitting on your bench?

if he outscores viney,o'meara consistently, wont be $164,000 for long, good cash cow prospect

 

[Yoda_]

if he outscores viney,o'meara consistently, wont be $164,000 for long, good cash cow prospect

Ok, I am going to dumb down my question even more for everyone.!

Do people have an overpriced rookie (Vlastuin for example) sitting on the bench in the midfield? If so, why?

 

[Mattrox]

Ok, I am going to dumb down my question even more for everyone.!

Do people have an overpriced rookie (Vlastuin for example) sitting on the bench in the midfield? If so, why?

Not right now. I don't mind paying a small premium on base price for rookies who might score well or get regular games and not have this money sitting on the bench.

But this might change depending on round one teams. I do want bench cover and not rely on the increased trades to cover short term ommisions.

I want to be in a position where the trades are used to improve the team/make money.

 

[toxic]

Ok, I am going to dumb down my question even more for everyone.!

Do people have an overpriced rookie (Vlastuin for example) sitting on the bench in the midfield? If so, why?

true value is rookies priced at less than 130K - search and you will find!

 

[muttley45]

true value is rookies priced at less than 130K - search and you will find!

but are all those el cheapo rookies gunna get a regular game early in the season, i reckon hardwick will be giving vlastuin games early just like ellis and morris last year, by the way i have him in a back pocket, not the midfield, and he will make an alright emergency while gaining $$$$$$$$$$$$$$'s

 

[Patty Healey]

Well I'm currently running with 4 600k+ premiums, Fyfe + 5 rookies.

Same!

Hopefully Fyfes bloody shoulders stay good! Touch wood*

 

[GOAUS!]

true value is rookies priced at less than 130K - search and you will find!

Unfortunately not for forward line rookies.

 

[LuvtheKangas]

Ok, I am going to dumb down my question even more for everyone.!

Do people have an overpriced rookie (Vlastuin for example) sitting on the bench in the midfield? If so, why?

Not in the midfield, given the range of cheaper options that would appear just as good or better. But he must be a chance to be your 'playing' rookie in defense.

Anyway, midfield I've gone 5 premium, 1 mid-pricer and 4 rookies. Left out O'Meara (more a highlights package than fantasy gun?) and Mitchell (this year's Rhys Palmer?) and gone with Wines (looks the goods, so paying a bit more for the points from Rd1), Viney, Crouch and one DPP rookie (who might be Lonergan by Rd1).

Of course, if O'Meara and/or Mitchell blitz in the first couple of weeks, I burn 2 of my 30 trades to get them in at bottom price.

 

[GOAUS!]

Not in the midfield, given the range of cheaper options that would appear just as good or better. But he must be a chance to be your 'playing' rookie in defense.

Anyway, midfield I've gone 5 premium, 1 mid-pricer and 4 rookies. Left out O'Meara (more a highlights package than fantasy gun?) and Mitchell (this year's Rhys Palmer?) and gone with Wines (looks the goods, so paying a bit more for the points from Rd1), Viney, Crouch and one DPP rookie (who might be Lonergan by Rd1).

Of course, if O'Meara and/or Mitchell blitz in the first couple of weeks, I burn 2 of my 30 trades to get them in at bottom price.

Leaving out O'Meara is a crazy decision, he'll do probably just as good if not a better job than wines for 50k less, he'll certainly have more JS.

 

[LuvtheKangas]

Leaving out O'Meara is a crazy decision, he'll do probably just as good if not a better job than wines for 50k less, he'll certainly have more JS.

You're probably right, but it's a strategy error more easily fixed at Rd3 than the other way around (i.e. Wines kills it, O'Meara doesn't). Plus I don't see a lot of risk with Wines' JS.

Having said that, I confidently predict that my Rd1 team will be significantly different from my 1st March team.

 

[fishtopher]

I would like to know people's thought on the rookie mids?

It seems to be widely accepted that Jaegar O'Meara ($115,900) and Jack Viney ($109,900) will be the two highest scoring/popular mid rookies, are people willing to have a $164,000 Nick Vlastuin sitting on the bench purely for his DPP or do they feel obliged to select higher priced players on the field?

Just a little side note, never rule out the midpricers

I don't think O'Meara and Viney will be the highest scoring rookies. Toumpas will have Viney covered purely from a points perspective. Reckon Dean Kent will outscore him too. Mitchell from Port will outscore both. Keep an eye on Simpkin too. If he gets himself in RD1 might surprise a few and become a big part of the Hawks midfield. Was the only Hawk who looked really good over both games last week.

 

[TheOz]

Going 4/0/6 with 4 ultra premiums. Way too many good rookies in the mids and none in the forwards, so will stack up there. At the most, will go with 4 premiums and 1 mid-pricer (Moloney) but most likely going 6 rookies, Wines, K.Mitchell, Lonergan, Crouch, O'Meara, Jones with Ablett, Swan, Pendlebury and one of Murphy/Dangerfield/Cotchin or Beams.

Only issue with Simpkin is his $198,000 price tag, need a guarantee that he'll definitely consistently be in the Hawthorn 22 before committing that much. Really like the look of Jed Anderson, will get on board if he's named round 1 I reckon.

 

[fishtopher]

Going 4/0/6 with 4 ultra premiums. Way too many good rookies in the mids and none in the forwards, so will stack up there. At the most, will go with 4 premiums and 1 mid-pricer (Moloney) but most likely going 6 rookies, Wines, K.Mitchell, Lonergan, Crouch, O'Meara, Jones with Ablett, Swan, Pendlebury and one of Murphy/Dangerfield/Cotchin or Beams.

Only issue with Simpkin is his $198,000 price tag, need a guarantee that he'll definitely consistently be in the Hawthorn 22 before committing that much. Really like the look of Jed Anderson, will get on board if he's named round 1 I reckon.

Simpkin is much more chance of consistent games than Anderson. Anderson is obviously light and has looked a little bit hesitant to me. Simpkin can step straight and not necessarily just as a fringe player either.