After some quick research on the web, I’ve found out that BHAJ means “to share, to possess”. So with great pleasure I give to you (share) the chance “to possess” a four-of-a-kind hand winner that could get on the nerves of your opponent round 1. It’s not my team yet but it’s shaping as a real contender.
BHAJ – Bartel, Hodge, Ablett, Judd. All in one team. Yes, that’s right.
We’ve seen a lot of debate about whether to pick the Great Man, Gary Ablett Jr, and a few people have gone either way. To be honest after seeing him give my Magpies a good flogging, I’m willing to consider again that the price might be right. I mean I can hardly complain when he’s carried my team singlehandedly the last 2 years. Time for respect and payback.
A SC legend in the last few years is the Brownlow Medallist of 2007, Jimmy (don’t call me James) Bartel. Knocks out points like Boonie knocks down beers, particularly at the Cattery. Bartel always picks himself in SC, and after selecting Kirk ahead of him last year costing me a chance at the big $, don’t I know it. So this time you’re in from round 1 Jimmy. Don’t let me down.
One man won Hawthorn the Grand Final last year, a guy with weak hamstrings and carrying a bit of extra bulk. And it wasn’t that “I can haz cheezburgers?” loafer from Port Adelaide, but the general of the defence, Luke Hodge, who put in a sterling performance. Though he’s always under an injury cloud, he always racks up the points. Yes to Hodge, you’re in too – but banished to the backline.
The man who “works for Visy but doesn’t work for Visy if you know what I mean” Chris Judd, has now silenced the critics who thought his OP operation was just so he would enjoy better experiences with the better half. Judd, at his best in 2006 was amazing in Supercoach, and after a year trying to carry the Blues, the reinforcements are coming. And so will be the points. Climb aboard the team Mr Judd.
What can be perceived in the mind can be achieved in reality. So what if people say you can’t have Ablett in the side? Just stuff them and chuck in the other 3 guns for good measure. They will go down, sure, but they are absolute keepers, pending injury. Everyone else would trade them in but you have them already there. If your rookies go well, you have the decided advantage of “score on the board”.
So – in reality – how is this achieved? Well we have to skimp on a few areas, and rely on our injured heroes returning. The good news is though, that you can put this team into play, and bank more than 10000 of the points that you will need towards the 50000 that will win you $50000! (Captaincy points included of course).
Defence – Hodge is the leader, but you need to give him reinforcements. These come in the form of 2 players between 450 and 500. I’ve pumped in Chadwick and Drummond, but others are equally good. Weakness comes in DEF4 to DEF7. Nothing good comes easy, or cheap. But Hunt’s injury makes D Johnson attractive. Smith’s “hamstring” may not be that bad. Raines is there. Hill can do a job. Plenty of options for other defenders in those price ranges. What you want are appreciating rookie/returning backs who can make your already potent BHAJ even more tasty.
Midfield – Do I need to work on this at all? Well, actually, yes. Even though you have MID1 to MID3 covered by three future Hall-of-Fame legends, MID4 to MID6 need to be precisely chosen. The two best low rated Mid options I see as Kerr and Adcock. Both promise far more than they have done last year, and both have proven capability. What a wonderful top 5 mids. Final spot – Kerr or Ziebell – whoever gets a round one nod. Beams and Whitnall Junior seem pretty nice on the bench…but there are others as well who could snag a spot.
Forwards – Feeling left out after not getting any of the big 4, I decided to be nice on my forward line and make FWD123 a nice little Buddylove, Deledio and Chappy combo. I figure if the BHAJ can’t work out a 160 score in the week, surely these three gun forwards can. The 4 other starting forwards, now that takes some sacrifices. But not that many as average forwards who can appreciate are staring us in the face. Ignoring the namesake Scott Lucas from the Dons, I decided heck Fevola is another 150+ scorer on his day, whack him in as well. Then some really low priced players from 5 to 9 can round it out. You can choose anyone but Trent Potential, Higgins, Ziebell, Brown and Grant are all fair players and there are probably others who will run out on Round 1 so just swapperoo.
Rucks – Now this is an area where you gotta skimp. I could have just taken walesy’s advice and gone the JollyWhite Currie, but I decided I could only have one of the 3. So I went for players who burned at the end of the 2008 and could just carry it forward into 09: Sandi and Otto. An odd couple really, both love the miles in the legs and can put a bad one in, but both to my mind undervalued. I then said which two undervalued rucks are likely to play early on and give me some cash cow money to spend on more champions. Cue White and Spencer.
So, though it’s not the best balanced team of all time, with the BHAJ and some handy reinforcements you can put your Round 1 opponent under the blowtorch and start the year with a win.
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