TooSerious

<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 17.990449905395508px;]Cookie-cutter&amp;rdquo; is a term often used in fantasy football, particularly in the pre-season, to describe a generic team line-up. As with an actual cookie-cutter, if everyone uses them then all our cookies end up looking the same.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 17.990449905395508px;]While there certainlyisn'tanything wrong with using cookie-cutter players, whom the majority of coaches will select, it is important to consider how many of them to select and which ones.
The term POD&amp;rdquo;, or Point Of Difference, is another one bandied about often in fantasy football, and is essentially the opposite of a cookie-cutter. These players are the ones that will hopefully score at a similar level to their cookie-cutter counterparts, but that will for whatever reason not be selected by as many coaches and can therefore offer a significant advantage.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 17.990449905395508px;]The right mix of cookie-cutters and POD's is essential for success in all form of fantasy football, POD's are great but only if they score higher than their opposing players, but more often than not the cookie-cutter players are cookie-cutters because they are amongst the best in their position. Clich&amp;eacute;'s become clich&amp;eacute;'s for a reason.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 17.990449905395508px;]Here we'll take a look at what the cookie-cutter line-up will most likely be for 2013, and which players you should and probably shouldn't consider including in yours. We'll break it down position by position, starting with the back-line.

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DEFENSE
Each line is looking decidedly...

<p style='font-family: Cabin, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 28.796875px; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px; color: #6b6b6b; font-variant: normal; background-color: #ffffff;]Today, DTI's The Addict, takes us throughValue Based Drafting and how it should help you in your draft leagues.
<p style='font-family: Cabin, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 28.796875px; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px; color: #6b6b6b; font-variant: normal; background-color: #ffffff;] font-size: 16px;]As someone who has played many American fantasy sports over the years, I have looked forward to the day that draft style leagues became widely available to the masses. This year the official dreamteam game includes the option of participating in a draft league. For those of you unaware of what a draft league is, head over to[span style='font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; color: #121212;]www.dreamteamtalk.com font-size: 16px;]to get down with the basics.
<p style='font-family: Cabin, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 28.796875px; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px; color: #6b6b6b; font-variant: normal; background-color: #ffffff;]Let's be clear about one thing, it is extremely difficult to do well in a draft league if you stuff up your draft, if you dominate your draft you will go a long way to dominating your league.
<p style='font-family: Cabin, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 28.796875px; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24px; color: #6b6b6b; font-variant: normal; background-color: #ffffff;]Doing well in traditional dreamteam has always relied on value. Be they rookies, underpriced players or discounted players, the key to any successful starting squad has never been Dane Swan or Dean Cox but rather...

Before we get into the reviews, I want to have a quick look at who is already confirmed to either be promoted or relegated for next season.
In Premier League, Fudge will be going down to Div 1 after a terribly injury influenced season, and he will be joined in Div1 by either Dabombers or Maggots.
Jet is the only player confirmed to be promoted to PL next season, and the other PL teams need to watch out as he has now been promoted two years running!
Two teams are definitely being relegated from Div1 to Div 2 after losses this week, and they are[span style='font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; outline: 0px; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;]spm67 and[span style='font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; outline: 0px; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;]rodgo.
[span style='font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; outline: 0px; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;]and in Div 2, two teams are definites to go up to Div 1, although I'm not sure of their TS Usernames...<a title='Laino's Nuggets (Alain Lecoq)' href='http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=10201&teamId=6&seasonId=2013' target='_top' style='font-size: 9.600000381469727px; color: #c77b03; font-family: verdana; line-height: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; background-color: #f2f2e8;]Laino's Nuggets[/url]and<a title='Mookie Blaylock Athletic Club (Scott Minetti)' href='http://games.espn.go.com/fba/clubhouse?leagueId=10201&teamId=3&seasonId=2013' target='_top' style='font-size: 9.600000381469727px; color: #c77b03; font-family: verdana; line-height: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; background-color: #f8f8f2;]Mookie Blaylock Athletic Club[/url]
[span style='font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height:...

Kevin Bartlett's Laws of the Game panel has come under fire from AFL coaches but[span style='font-family: Arial, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000;]CHARLES HAPPELL
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]frombackpagelead.com.aureckons capping interchanges is just what the game needs.



<p style='margin-bottom: 1.3em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px;]A word here in support of Kevin Bartlett, the AFL Laws of the Game Committee and, more generally, the game of football itself.
<p style='margin-bottom: 1.3em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px;]Bartlett's committee, which has proposed a cap on the number of interchange rotations each match, has copped a forearm jolt from a range of coaches, headed by Mick Malthouse, Alastair Clarkson, Brad Scott and now Mark Neeld. In fact, I can't think of one coach who hasn't given Bartlett and co a whack for their bench restriction plans, which are now being trialled in the NAB Cup.
<p style='margin-bottom: 1.3em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px;]The coaches' beef is that such a move is not player-friendly, that it will make players exhausted and therefore more prone to injury.
<p style='margin-bottom: 1.3em; font-size: 15px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,...

Franklin has brought himself right back onto the fantasy radar, Dangerfield looks potent, while rookies Goodes, Kane Mitchell and Vlastuin all make strong cases for selection.



Let's check out the games as they played out.



Western vs Hawthorn



Result: Western by 1.



The Bulldogs were 14 points down, half way through the final quarter, but as is the way with the NAB, two goals were enough to make up the different. A regular kind to DAHLHAUS and a super goal to Smith saw them sneak over the line by a single behind.



Griffen, on just 17 touches managed to top score for the dogs with 99DT Points, which was certainly helped with 2 goals, 7 marks and 6 tackles, while Boyd was just 1 point behind on 98DT, but suffered a little from leather poisoning with 31 touches. Ten more than anyone else on the field.



Goodes again impress, and is surely in every squad with his 12 touches and 70DT. Should only scale upwards in SC as well, considering the 91% Disposal efficiency on hand.



Bit of a problem for the rookie, Stringer, who was subbed on in the third quarter, kicked a goal with his first, and only touch, before being subbed back off with an ankle issue. Looks like he'll be out for a month and probably comes into equations as just a downgrade option now.



Franklin tried his darnest to pull the Hawks over the line with 17 touches, 4 goals, 99DT points and a form line that is screaming to fantasy coaches- Forget about...

Round 2 of the NAB cup is here, and with team lists being cut, let's check out which chaff has beenseparatedfrom the wheat.



NAB CUP ROUND TWO: Etihad Stadium (Friday, March 1)

Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn (7.40pm EDT)
HAWTHORN

2. Jarryd Roughead, 3. Jordan Lewis, 4. Matthew Suckling, 5. Sam Mitchell, 6. Josh Gibson, 10. Bradley Hill, 13. Kyle Cheney, 16. Isaac Smith, 18. Brent Guerra, 19. Jack Gunston, 20. David Hale, 21. Shane Savage, 22. Luke Breust, 23. Lance Franklin, 24. Ben Stratton, 25. Ryan Schoenmakers, 27. Matt Spangher, 29. Will Langford (emergency), 32. Jonathan Simpkin, 35. Sam Grimley, 37. Jed Anderson, 38. Mitch Hallahan (emergency), 41. Taylor Duryea, 43. Amos Frank, 46. Derick Wanganeen, 47. Jonathon Ceglar (emergency)
WESTERN BULLDOGS

2. Robert Murphy, 3. Mitch Wallis, 4. Daniel Cross, 5. Matthew Boyd, 6. Luke Dahlhaus, 9. Jake Stringer, 10. Easton Wood, 11. Jack Macrae, 13. Daniel Giansiracusa, 14. Clay Smith, 15. Jason Tutt, 16. Ryan Griffen, 19. Liam Jones, 21. Tom Liberatore, 23. Jordan Roughead, 27. Will Minson, 29. Tory Dickson, 31. Tom Young, 33. Nick Lower, 37. Lukas Markovic, 38. Dale Morris, 39. Jason Johannisen, 42. Liam Picken, 44. Brett Goodes, 45. Tom Campbell, 49. Ayce Cordy
NAB CUP ROUND TWO: Simonds Stadium (Saturday, March 2)

Geelong v Adelaide (2.40pm EDT)
GEELONG

1. Mitch Brown, 2. Billie Smedts, 3. Jimmy Bartel, 4. Andrew Mackie, 5. Travis Varcoe, 7. Harry Taylor, 9. James Kelly, 11. Joel Corey, 19. Taylor Hunt, 20. Steve Johnson, 21. Jordan Murdoch, 22. Mitch Duncan, 23. Josh Caddy, 25. Jared Rivers, 29. Cameron Guthrie , 31. James Podsiadly, 32. Steven Motlop, 33. George Horlin-Smith, 34. Josh Walker, 35.Paul Chapman, 37. Cam Eardley, 39. Shane Kersten, 40. Jackson Thurlow, 41. Jesse Stringer, 44. Corey Enright,45. Joel Hamling, 46. Mark Blicavs
ADELAIDE

2. Brad Crouch, 3. Brent Reilly, 4. Josh Jenkins, 5. Scott Thompson, 7. Nathan van Berlo,...

Finding value for your dollar is one of the biggest part of fantasy football. As we know, snagging that mid-pricer that takes off, or that rookie that is going to play out of his skin and deliver you both points and profit are the keystones to any good team.

One way to track this value is through the NAB cup. Yes, teams do play their kids more through the NAB cup, but to view which kids take their chances when they are given, and which don't can really help in selecting your team.
<strong style='font-size: 14px;]Rookies, Dollars per point[/b]






<tbody>

Team
Position
Name
Salary
$PerPoint




MEL
MID
Dean Kent
$102,700
1316




COL
MID
Kyle Martin
$103,300
1434




PTA
F/M
Jake Neade
$108,500
1550




NTH
RUC
Daniel Currie
$102,700
1604




SYD
MID
Harry Cunningham
$102,700
1770




CAR
F/R
Sam Rowe
$108,500
1808




ESS
DEF
Luke Davis
$108,500
1870




GWS
DEF
Gerald Ugle
$137,000
1902




NTH
RUC
Majak Daw
$108,500
1903




WBD
D/M...

<p style='font: inherit;]They aren't everyone's cup of tea, but for some they are.
<p style='font: inherit;]And me, I've been tweaking my team daily since this darn NAB things started, so if you're doing the same, perhaps you wanted to discuss said tweaks?
<p style='font: inherit;]Here's the place.


As always, I'll get it started. Someone, RMT!



Defenders: Goddard, Gibbs, Grimes, Pearce, Pittard, <a href="http://tooserious.net/Player.aspx?id=2073&name= Sam Docherty">Docherty[/url] (VanUnen, <a href="http://tooserious.net/Player.aspx?id=537&name= Dean Terlich">Terlich[/url] )

Midfielders: Swan, Deledio, Cotchin, Jack, Selwood, PARKER, Crouch, O'Meara (Banner, <a href="http://tooserious.net/Player.aspx?id=2305&name= Jack Viney">Viney[/url] )

Rucks: <a href="http://tooserious.net/Player.aspx?id=472&name= Todd Goldstein">Goldstein[/url],...

With Concussions set to become more closely scrutinised, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to run an eye over the database to check out which (near) premiums in the past have missed games through concussion.



Sadly, I don't have the figures on players who got concussed, but made it back the next week- just the big ones that misses a match.



Tippett 3, all in 2012



CHRISTENSEN 2, in 2011, 2012

Dempster 2, all in 2011

McPharlin 2, in 2011, 2012

Riewoldt 2 in 2009, 2011

Selwood 2, in 2011, 2012

Taylor 2, in 2009, 2011



Adams 1 in 2010

Boak 1 in 2011

Bolton 1 in 2010

Breust 1 in 2012

Fisher 1 in 2010

FYFE 1 in 2010

Goddard 1 in 2011

Hale 1 in 2009

Lewis 1 in 2010

Johnson 1 in 2012...

Todays guest post comes from Liam Quinn at BackPageLead.com.au

The term superstar gets bandied around far too often in the AFL.

String together a few 30 plus possession games - superstar. Turn in one spectacular season - elite. The undue haste in which the footballing public, and media, spring forward to crown a very good player a 'great', and to begin preparations for their pending Hall of Fame induction, can be grating indeed.

Having said all that, I've set about the task of sorting the wheat from the chaff and identifying those players who do make the top-tier cut. There are literally dozens of very, very good players that the case could be made for, so a strict set of criteria was needed.

For those playing along at home, a premiership doesn't make a player elite, although it can certainly help - considering the circumstances. Neither does playing in excess of 250 games; that's a sign of incredible durability and longevity, not greatness - however, greatness isn't earned in a season or two, so players need a few notches under their belt.

In a similar fashion, Brownlow medals aren't a sure indicator of greatness, with a raft of other factors - teammate quality, one-hit wonder seasons - playing a role in who walks away Charlie each year. Further, the line had to be established between club greats and great players. No one would argue that Dustin Fletcher, Brent Harvey and Lenny Hayes aren't champion players for their respective clubs, but whether any of the aforementioned trio ever crossed over into elite territory is very much up for debate.

And, finally, for any player to be considered a superstar they must be untouchable to their club, in terms of trade value. To clarify, that means that their straight swap could tempt another club into parting with their superstar, unless it was another one of these elite players.

After meticulously poring over the candidates, and consulting with many a...