With the teams getting back into training today after the silly season, and said silly season also being the time where the prices were released, I reckon its a good time to knock up a quick fanplanner, just to get a good feel for how difficult the salaries are this year.

I mean, just take a look at the top priced Pendlebury, weighing in at a massive $700,500 after an average of 129.2. I guess we shouldnt be too suprised however, its simply a case of the Magic Number reverting back to its previous 30 man (2010) levels. Guess it makes us appreciate just how big a boon being given an effective $1 mil extra in order to field 3 extra bench spots actually was. (And thats not even counting the benefit of having the extra bench spots to use in cash generation!!)

Anyways, join us over the break as we take a look at the new cap, some of its implications, and the very first cut of my team.
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So, if salaries are just moving back to 2010 levels, why does it feel so damn hard to put together a strong team? Were we simply too spoilt last year? Are the inflated rookie prices pushed us too far? Perhaps the average of guns has gone up, making them more important that ever! Regardless of the reason, my first cut has 13 true guns, 2 mid pricers and a swag of rookies (counting anyone under the 1st pick a rookie - Hello Bower), which has left me with a ridiculous 8 rookies on the field come round one. Can you imagine trying to pull that off back in 2010, 6 was seen to be a huge risk. But hey, information is a beautiful thing, as is the influx of new players due to the GWS hitting the scene.

But I digress, before getting to my squad, I did want to take a look at the inflation of averages, particularly at the top end:



120+110+100+90+80+



DEF0123122



MID38123230



RUC01153



FWD035920






120+110+100+90+80+



DEF004922



MID310212729



RUC134310



FWD019920




So in short, nope, inflated averages dont look to be the cause. Inflated rookie prices? Not really, the Scully/Trengove/Martin combo of 2010 scaled from $179k to $169k, with this year starting at $196k, though for mine, with Patton out injured, its more a $191k price, or 10k per first rounder, maybe $100k from your total salary.

So its really just a perspective thing, 2012 wont be any harder than 2010, in fact, with the GWS, it really *should* be easier to pick rookies that will play, not to mention the bevvy of mature aged players that have made the cut to fill in the shallower player pool.

So have at it peoples, show us your teams, where are you putting your risk? Investing in the pricy 1st rounders? Or playing it cheaper with a few of the mature aged blokes?

And finally, my squad:

DEF: Goddard, Deledio, Shaw, Lake, Buntine, Bower, Frost (Ellis, Sierakowski)
MID: GAZ, Murphy, Selwood, Tyson, Hoskin-Elliot, Shiel (Kavanagh, McDonald)
RUC: Goldstein, McEvoy (Giles, Stepgenson)
FWD: Franklin, Beams, Martin, Zaharakis, Riewoldt, Porplyzia, Saad (Smedts, Rowe)

Im sure it will change significantly between now and round 1, but hey, its good fun to put together a quick structure.