Monday 12 March 2012

AFL Dream Team League

Yes, I've decided to start an AFL Dream Team League - 962237 - this means that the first 17 readers who join can take me on in the 2012 DT competition ... for bragging rights if nothing else!
Yes, I will also be posting bits & pieces here from time to time about the various fantasy AFL competitions.
This time I thought I'd post about back & forward premiums that I either have in my side at present, or who I would like to have in my side (based on my initial team selection changing or trading during the year) ... or at the very least, players worth keeping an eye on as possible late inclusions into my side!
At some stage in the future I might look into rookies, but at the moment its just too tough to make a proper decision, combined with the fact that everything changes with rookies when it comes to the round 1 teams being selected (when anything you may have been planning is changed completely because your favourite rookie is left out of the team).
Anyway ... my back & forward premiums worth watching:
Backs:
In my current team:
Heath Scotland (Car) - Possibly a bit pricey this year, but he always seems to score close to the 100 mark, if not over it, so he has a place in my side at present.
Brendan Goddard (StK) - Mr 'Do Everything' at St Kilda is a worthy addition to any DT side as he consistently finds the ball & although listed as a back/mid, he occasionally turns up in the forward line to kick a goal or two & can take a mark anywhere on the field.
Heath Shaw (Col) - Hopefully this year he decides to stay off the punt (and avoid suspension), but his on-field game is as good as ever & he's the go-to guy in the Collingwood defense, particularly if there's a turnover in Collingwood's backline - he quickly turns defense into attack!
Matt Suckling (Haw) - Had a breakout year last year, and Hawthorn's high-possession game is perfect for DT, so you really need one premium Hawthorn defender in your team & for me, Suckling is my man (although Birchall, and to a lesser extent Guerra, will put up similar, though hopefully slightly lower, numbers).
On the watchlist:
Corey Enright (Gee) - The main ball-getter in the Geelong backline & a consistent scorer, so definitely someone to keep an eye on.
Brett Delidio (Ric) - Lots of potential, particularly if he spends more time in the midfield. Had him last year & he was reasonable without being outstanding.
Jed Adcock (Bri) - Another one who picks up plenty of the ball. I picked him up in the middle of last season, right near the end of his purple patch of form early in the year. Might look to do something similar this year, but hopefully his purple patch comes a bit later in the year.
Dyson Heppell (Ess) - The must-have rookie of 2011 comes with a price tag this year. He can definitely get the points, the issue is whether he is worth the increased cost this year.
Paul Puopolo (Haw) - Another of the 2011 rookie class, Puopolo showed he could get the ball & DT points. His biggest issue is establishing himself in the Hawthorn side, so it would seem like a bit of a risk to have a $350k player on your bench hoping that he's picked for his team each week. If I was worried about that, I'd much rather have that issue with someone around the $100k mark.
Forwards:

In my current team:
Lance Franklin (Haw) - The must-have forward for 2012. Looks like he's also spending more time in & around the midfield, so even more opportunity to pick up possessions & points.
Adam Goodes (Syd) - Sydney's best player & he's one who plays all over the ground, finds the ball & racks up those DT points.
Nathan Fyfe (Fre) - 2011's breakout forward & someone I picked up midway through the year. Looks like nothing has changed if the pre-season is anything to go by & he looks like another excellent selection this year.
Robin Nahas (Ric) - My unique pick in the forward line. I had him in my starting team last year, but got rid of him mid-season due to some inconsistent & poor scorer (it seemed like he alternated between 20 & 70 each week). Of course the trading curse struck & he then produced a string of 100+ games pretty much as soon as I'd traded him out & maintained that form for most of the second half of the season. He's also someone who will be in very few teams, so I like him in my team as someone who will score, but will also be different from my potential opponents.
On my watchlist:
Steve Johnson (Gee) - Highest priced forward for a reason, though his scoring is somewhat inconsistent, so although he'll be watched, unless something changes I doubt he'll make my team this year.
Travis Cloke (Col) - Apart from Buddy, the only other true full forward that is worth considering for DT. Good kick & can mark well, so finds ways to pick up points. He was in my team for much of last year & did nothing to make me not want to consider him for 2012.
Matthew Pavlich (Fre) - It seems like the older he gets, the better he plays. He's another of the forwards who spend a decent amount of time in the midfield & as a result gain a decent number of possessions & DT points. Well worth considering ...
Dustin Martin (Ric) - This young Richmond guy just keeps improving & is one who I would love to have in my starting team if at all possible, particularly as he spends most of his time in the midfield ... and midfield = points in DT! At present I'm torn between him & Nahas & have gone with Nahas because of the price & uniqueness factor ... but its not set in stone ...
Nick Riewoldt (StK) - St Kilda's leader, who can hopefully put a forgettable 2011 behind him. He's definitely capable of scoring big, but unless St Kilda has more options in the forward line (other than Milne & other 'scrappers'), NRoo risks copping the best opposition defender week in, week out, which isn't going to help his DT scores! Will see how he starts the season & might consider bringing him in mid-season.
Jarryd Roughhead (Haw) - Roughhead is in my considerations primarily due to his Ruck/Forward dual position eligibility, particularly when it comes to the mid-season bye rounds. He can definitely score points, though is returning from serious injury this season, so will need to be monitored in the early rounds of the season, both to see if he gets games, as well as if he is able to recover his point-scoring ability from previous seasons.
Patrick Dangerfield (Ade) - Dangerfield has threatened to become a premium DT player for the last few years, but he seems to struggle to score points throughout the game, with brilliant patches combined with moments of laziness. He looks better than ever if his pre-season numbers are anything to go by, so definitely one to keep an eye on, perhaps with a chance of starting the season in my team.
Michael Hurley (Ess) - Hurley is Essendon's most promising player & like Dangerfield has shown both brilliance & laziness in the last few seasons. He was part of my team for a large portion of last year, but had extra flexibility as a Back/Forward. He's probably one who won't make my team this year, but there's a chance he could sneak in at some stage during the year.

So there you have my thoughts about a few potential players for my 2012 Dream Team side. My starting forwards & backs (well my premiums at least) will almost definitely come from this list of players.
I might get around to posting something about mids & rucks, as well as possibly rookies for 2012 at some stage in the future ... but if you're interested, definitely join my DT league!

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