Both in contention for R1. Not really competing for the same spot either.

Has Lumumba ever done much centre square work previously though? Because his new role at Melbourne has included a lot more MID time. SC scoring likes this.

Don't pigeonhole your thinking on him based on the role that he used to have.

I'm just not convinced that this is Harley's year. Don't let that stop you from selecting him though, he *could* go large as you say.

Gee, when you say thin on DEF you really meant it! Not a structure that I would be comfortable with, but if you have picked the best value in doing so then you could smash a lot of teams. Your structure won't be that commonplace.

In general, I think you simply have too many mid pricers across all lines though.

The thinking on GNR (guns-and-rookies) is that by starting with as may guns as you can, you will to make slightly less upgrade trades over the middle rounds compared to other teams with a bunch of mid-pricers to start with.

How many of your starting team do you think are 'keepers', when you take off your optimistic hat for a moment? I can see 4 MIDs and 1 FWD who I'd be happy to call a keeper.

Newnes, Ibbotson, Geary, Davis, Jaksch, Nealem, Steven, Rich, Naitanui, Bellchambers, Swan, Walker, Thomas are all mid-pricers. A lot of coaches will start Newnes, Naianui and Swan hoping they are keepers, but really that are currently 'almost-keepers', because they need to improve on last year's form line to get to the scoring required for a keeper. They all have a decent chance to do so, which is fine. But the rest are a bit more of a long-shot as to whether they will increase their output significantly enough to become a keeper. You might nail one or maybe two of these selections, but history says that there are only a handful of mid-priced players in any given year who breakout to keeper level. For every one of these midpricers that doesn't break out, you will need to trade them up at some stage if you want to keep up with the GNR teams.

If you're going mid-price then Wells is your man because Rich, who's cheaper hasn't scored better, and Wells is proven to be a 100avg scorer, and you don't pick mid-pricers to keep anyway. So he's your best bet if that's your strategy I think.

I wouldn't worry about his age so much, it doesn't stop people picking 31 year old defenders with one ok season.

Would rather pick Ibbo if people think there's value and points up for grab in the Freo defence

I wouldn't pick Smith unless Nichols goes down personally, but should be on the improve this year.

Structure looks pretty good, albeit a little light in DEF. If all those DEF rookies show up for R1, you're laughing. As above, don't like Wells selection much.

Yeah, if Ryder gets suspended, I'll be getting Lobbe in to.

85 isn't much off being a DEF keeper this year.

Lambert now elevated at Richmond

All of that Jason.

It will be something of an anticlimax if Dons players don't cop some sort of penalty. From what I have seen of Lycett (one game) he has worked hard on his physique and fitness + doing the little things. Think he will be regular 22 whereas NN remains injury prone.

Second whoop, whoop of the day.

Lobbe.

Happy to defer to Port experts, but the guy is easily in the top 5 rucks. He will score well under the new system as he has upped his tackling. I cannot understand why people are holding off to see what happens with Ryder. That's like hanging off Steff in case Lewie comes good. With or without Ryder, and where Ryder plays, Lobbe will continue to give good return with the occasional monster. If there is any concern it should be over the coach's plans to try and fit Redden in as well.

V. true.

I agree Lycett will play regularly, but will he score enough to belong in your SC team?