Discussion 2025 Fantasy Pre-Season Planning Discussion

[Duke of Windso]

lol. yeah, it's my pet peeve about the game. Coniglio I don't think is the best example because he's been a premium before.

At the moment, the pool of potential players to choose from is about 5%. That's rookies, premiums and the extremely rare value player like Bailey Smith, Kiddy Coleman etc. 95% of the playing pool is ignored and that's why everyone's teams are near identical.

Players like Jake Lever, Zac Jones, Sam Taylor, Connor Idun, Sam Draper, Ben Hobbs, Will Hayward, Neal-Bullen etc. There's about 300 of these players that are automatically excluded from the game due to the pricing.

In no way, shape or form would teams be more similar if you increase the potential playing pool by 300 players. No way. If Neal-Bullen was 340k, are you taking him or Jagga Smith. It's tough. These sort of decisions would be faced with 300 players making all of the teams much more different.

Like why is Jake Lever priced more than Jagga Smith? No-one would ever select Lever at his price. Make him cheap rookie priced and they may consider it.

A way to do this without completely changing the pricing system is to massively increase starting prices for rookies. Instead of ranging from 200-300k, make it 400-500k. There's nothing unfair about this price range, because it matches the scores you can expect from rookies if they do get consistent games. This significantly reduces the number of obvious bargain players, as well as reducing the number of premiums people can afford.

 

[happy_eagle]

A way to do this without completely changing the pricing system is to massively increase starting prices for rookies. Instead of ranging from 200-300k, make it 400-500k. There's nothing unfair about this price range, because it matches the scores you can expect from rookies if they do get consistent games. This significantly reduces the number of obvious bargain players, as well as reducing the number of premiums people can afford.

This won't make teams more unique.

Everyone will just switch to mid price teams, and select the same mid pricers.

If you want unique teams, the salary cap format isn't ever going to provide that. As long as there are players who are priced outside their performance (which your suggestion will only increase), there will always be vanilla.

 

[1Bally1]

This is my mock 1st draft team
Defenders

3 C H. Sheezel DEF $1153k | $0k PA112

9 M. Holmes DEF, MID $971k | $0k PA94

0 D. Houston DEF $966k | $0k PA94

18 K. Coleman DEF $522k | $0k PA51

0 B. Allan DEF, MID $295k | $0k PA29

0 L. Trainor DEF $280k | $0k PA27

Midfield

18 VC S. Walsh MID $1091k | $0k PA106

35 N. Daicos MID $1076k | $0k PA105

1 C. Rozee MID $998k | $0k PA97

26 H. Young MID $955k | $0k PA93

8 W. Ashcroft MID $844k | $0k PA82

0 J. Smith MID $334k | $0k PA32

0 S. Draper MID $331k | $0k PA32

0 L. Ashcroft MID $328k | $0k PA32

Rucks

44 T. English RUC $1076k | $0k PA105

12 T. De Koning RUC $902k | $0k PA88

Forwards

18 J. Horne-Francis MID, FWD $920k | $0k PA89

0 J. Macrae FWD $734k | $0k PA71

25 M. Phillipou MID, FWD $657k | $0k PA64

0 B. Smith MID, FWD $599k | $0k PA58

8 E. Hewett MID, FWD $333k | $0k PA32

0 I. Kako MID, FWD $304k | $0k PA30

Emergencies​

DEF 30 J. Leake DEF $230k | $0k PA22

DEF 5 J. Busslinger DEF $230k | $0k PA22

MID 0 X. Lindsay MID $310k | $0k PA30

MID 0 M. Reid MID $292k | $0k PA28

RUC 22 A. Reid RUC , FWD $230k | $0k PA22

FWD 0 J. Berry FWD $298k | $0k PA29

FWD 0 H. Davis MID , FWD $230k | $0k PA22

UTL 13 H. DeMattia MID $230k | $0k

 

[danster168]

Players are priced according to their average (with the exception of discounts).

So what you'd be ultimately suggesting is a different scoring model.

Draftees aren't though. They're all priced at 200k with first round draftees being more but still drastically underpriced compared to the list. So let's say 95% of the players in the league average 60 and are priced between 400-500k but a draftee who will average the same or more is priced between 200-380k. it's just a deeply flawed pricing system. 95% of the players in the pool are ignored.

But yeah, regarding scoring. Goals need to be worth about 12 points, not 6. Or even like 15. There should be no reason that all of the best forwards are ignored.

Don't get me wrong, I love the game, but I just don't like how everyone's teams are the same.

 

[danster168]

This won't make teams more unique.

Everyone will just switch to mid price teams, and select the same mid pricers.

If you want unique teams, the salary cap format isn't ever going to provide that. As long as there are players who are priced outside their performance (which your suggestion will only increase), there will always be vanilla.

With 300 mid pricers to choose from, teams won't select the same mid pricers. And I'm not suggesting that they will be mid-priced. I'm suggesting the 300 odd players that are disregarded, should be close to rookie priced. So instead of teams being mostly the same premo's and all the same rookies, it would be mostly the same premiums and completely different rookies.

Literally by Round 14, everyone's team is the same and our ranking is decided by whether Rowan Marshall outscores Xerri or something like this. This shouldn't be the case. It's the main flaw in the game. It takes less skill to do well as you just have to follow the crowd and cross your fingers for a good captain choice.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Draftees aren't though. They're all priced at 200k with first round draftees being more but still drastically underpriced compared to the list. So let's say 95% of the players in the league average 60 and are priced between 400-500k but a draftee who will average the same or more is priced between 200-380k. it's just a deeply flawed pricing system. 95% of the players in the pool are ignored.

But yeah, regarding scoring. Goals need to be worth about 12 points, not 6. Or even like 15. There should be no reason that all of the best forwards are ignored.

Don't get me wrong, I love the game, but I just don't like how everyone's teams are the same.

Given there are only 30 spots on your team and 800 or so players, it's not unreasonable that 95% of the players are ignored.

As others have said, go play draft if you want uniqueness. Fantasy is great and has better distribution of players than Supercoach, it's only competitor.

 

[happy_eagle]

With 300 mid pricers to choose from, teams won't select the same mid pricers. And I'm not suggesting that they will be mid-priced. I'm suggesting the 300 odd players that are disregarded, should be close to rookie priced. So instead of teams being mostly the same premo's and all the same rookies, it would be mostly the same premiums and completely different rookies.

Literally by Round 14, everyone's team is the same and our ranking is decided by whether Rowan Marshall outscores Xerri or something like this. This shouldn't be the case. It's the main flaw in the game. It takes less skill to do well as you just have to follow the crowd and cross your fingers for a good captain choice.

As long as everyone reads the same sites, and listens to the same podcasts I reckon teams will be just as vanilla regardless of what you do with pricing.

 

[danster168]

As long as everyone reads the same sites, and listens to the same podcasts I reckon teams will be just as vanilla regardless of what you do with pricing.

I guess we'll never know. I just don't personally see how teams wouldn't be dramatically different if there were 300 players injected back into the game with reasonable prices. If there's 300 options to choose from versus 10 options, there's going to be much more variance in even the podcasters opinions. Like Jesse Hogan at 440k versus the 780k that he's at would make owners have to actually think about picking him. And then add in the 299 other players with reasonable prices, it would really open the game up. Like would you go Jake Lever at 300k who will average 55 or risk it on a rookie?

I personally don't see how playing draft is the answer to the problems with classic. I love classic don't get me wrong, but I think it could just be so much better.

Anyway, we've probably gone backwards and forwards on this bit too much

 

[Mezzoculo]

Apropos of nothing, but category scoring draft keeper league is the chef's kiss of fantasy football. Just provides the most flexibility when it comes to positional relevance.

 

[danster168]

A way to do this without completely changing the pricing system is to massively increase starting prices for rookies. Instead of ranging from 200-300k, make it 400-500k. There's nothing unfair about this price range, because it matches the scores you can expect from rookies if they do get consistent games. This significantly reduces the number of obvious bargain players, as well as reducing the number of premiums people can afford.

yep. spot on. that's definitely a way

 

[WaynesWorld19]

 

[Barrybran]

Damn it Ross. I'm trying to find reasons NOT to select Macrae.

 

[Shaunn]

Damn it Ross. I'm trying to find reasons NOT to select Macrae.

Would be to risky not starting him when he will be owned by 50%+ probably.

 

[JADED]

Damn it Ross. I'm trying to find reasons NOT to select Macrae.

Exactly this, and I keep seeing ppl have him as a lock. Damn it.
He'd need a 110 pre season game for me to get sucked in (AGAIN)

Edit, more to the point, I'll just watch him run contest to contest before I pick him. Any signs of PLOD, = no go.

 

[Thelethal97]

Exactly this, and I keep seeing ppl have him as a lock. Damn it.
He'd need a 110 pre season game for me to get sucked in (AGAIN)

Edit, more to the point, I'll just watch him run contest to contest before I pick him. Any signs of PLOD, = no go.

FYI, went off from training yesterday with a niggle (from saints preseason bigfooty chat, I'm trying to keep up with the gos lol)

Hopefully nothing and just precautionary

 

[Zevon]

Ah yes we’re up to the “read waaaaaay too much into club match simulation” stage of the pre season, soon to be followed by the “reading way too much into intra-club practice matches” and “reading way too much into the pre season competition” stages.

I’m here for it

 

[Phar Ace]

Ah yes we’re up to the “read waaaaaay too much into club match simulation” stage of the pre season, soon to be followed by the “reading way too much into intra-club practice matches” and “reading way too much into the pre season competition” stages.

I’m here for it

Just like we read way to much into your posts I suppose

 

[Zevon]

Just like we read way to much into your posts I suppose

Understandable though, I’ve barely posted here on the fantasy board in the last 6 months so I don’t blame you for hanging on every little morsel of wisdom I provide

 

[Phar Ace]

Understandable though, I’ve barely posted here on the fantasy board in the last 6 months so I don’t blame you for hanging on every little morsel of wisdom I provide

Wisdom is a fascinating word - let's use that for now

Good to see you back....

 

[Keystone agony]

A way to do this without completely changing the pricing system is to massively increase starting prices for rookies. Instead of ranging from 200-300k, make it 400-500k. There's nothing unfair about this price range, because it matches the scores you can expect from rookies if they do get consistent games. This significantly reduces the number of obvious bargain players, as well as reducing the number of premiums people can afford.

Been saying this for years now aswell

Rookies especially top 10 picks need to be substantially more

If the 340k for pick 1 is true then imo that should be 450k for this year and then a 5k price per pick till pick 10

Ie pick 10, 400 or 405k

These top 10 picks are just smashed by everyone, it should be telling the game something.... but they dont listen

 

[Maurice Mitchell]

Certainly seems harder to put a decent team together this year.

I am a million over the cap with my two rucks being the only players over a 106 avge; and I only have three above a million.

Just a comparison: last year's cap of 15,800,000 would buy you 17.497 players at a 100 average. This year's would get you 17.348.

Maybe put a better way: 2024 cap affords 30 players priced at 58.36. The 2025 cap affords 30 players priced at 57.82

The minimum 2024 price of 200,000 fitted into the 2024 cap 79 times, but this year's minimum of 230,00 fits into the 2025 cap 77.39 times.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Certainly seems harder to put a decent team together this year.

I am a million over the cap with my two rucks being the only players over a 106 avge; and I only have three above a million.

Just a comparison: last year's cap of 15,800,000 would buy you 17.497 players at a 100 average. This year's would get you 17.348.

Maybe put a better way: 2024 cap affords 30 players priced at 58.36. The 2025 cap affords 30 players priced at 57.82

The minimum 2024 price of 200,000 fitted into the 2024 cap 79 times, but this year's minimum of 230,00 fits into the 2025 cap 77.39 times.

I haven't tried to pull one together yet, but I doubt i''ll have any issues. There is a lot more value in the forward line and midfield this year.

 

[Shaunn]

I haven't tried to pull one together yet, but I doubt i''ll have any issues. There is a lot more value in the forward line and midfield this year.

Yep ive got all 3 lines set until we see praccy matches, defenders though ive changed 10 times already. Don't know if i wanna start with Mills/Roberts with the early bye or just try to find value from players with no byes.

 

[Keystone agony]

Defenders is the area of differentiation

The other areas seem very bland

Kiddy Coleman would be 1 lock but the early bye may even mean that he isnt necessarily.

Alot buying into Sheezel but im not convinced with his finish to the year and i see him playing more forward potentially and if onball does he get some heavy tags.

Mills i like aswell but he probably needs an onball role (hard with Gulden, Warner, Heeney, Rowbottom)

Rookies also probabky fairly weak in that area. Maybe Bo Allen plays but is very defensive and doesnt play a fantasy game

 

[Keystone agony]

Also i think its almost time the 30% discount becomes a 20% discount. Injury rehabs are much better now with research and science