Discussion 2025 Fantasy Pre-Season Planning Discussion

[Phar Ace]

Yeah I'm more concerned how he comes back from that spleen laceration (Dusty was never the same after his injury) plus don't think Melbourne will be much good.

A Demon with demons!

 

[Nunez]

It's a rainy day in Bali so have been plugging away at the team. Think I've struck a good balance. Leaving Coleman out as I am not convinced he's fit and want to see him play before I bring him in.

 

[matty lloyd the champ]

Bont for sure. Still had the ceiling and consistency but for some reason had the shocking floor once or twice last year that really cooked his average. Priced at 107 and could easily hit 115+ again

For two years running, Bont has been a slowish starter early in the season. I've had him the last two years and reckon he'd be perfect as an upgrade target.

 

[Coasters7]

For two years running, Bont has been a slowish starter early in the season. I've had him the last two years and reckon he'd be perfect as an upgrade target.

Yeah good call. Still reckon he’s worth a crack at that price.

He’s always going to be the safest scorer of the top end mids: hits every stat, role won’t change and he’s the best player in the comp

So if he’s potentially underpriced I don’t see the value in trying to be smart with it. Start with him and leave him there all year, even if it’s for something as small as a 5 point increase.

I didn’t start him last year and it was always a mission trying to find ways to get him in whilst watching, and missing out on, his ceiling scores.

The other question there is, who is starting at M1 in his place? I do like starting with at least one proven bloke at the top of the pile.

 

[dennorevolvr]

Yeah good call. Still reckon he’s worth a crack at that price.

He’s always going to be the safest scorer of the top end mids: hits every stat, role won’t change and he’s the best player in the comp

So if he’s potentially underpriced I don’t see the value in trying to be smart with it. Start with him and leave him there all year, even if it’s for something as small as a 5 point increase.

I didn’t start him last year and it was always a mission trying to find ways to get him in whilst watching, and missing out on, his ceiling scores.

The other question there is, who is starting at M1 in his place? I do like starting with at least one proven bloke at the top of the pile.

 

[Lukesera]

Thoughts on only going 2 rookies in the midfield? It's been noted that there are heaps of good value options in the midfield and not many in defence, so instead of having a 3rd rookie in the mids and spending the money in defence, you could spend that money on a mid instead. The argument would be, say, W. Ashcroft and Travaglia versus McKercher and Draper.

I've just had a play around with this. With question marks over Draper and no news on FOS, I've scrapped those two and managed to fit in Cumming at M6. Running Jagga, LAshcroft, Smillie & Lindsay.

 

[tigs2010]

I've just had a play around with this. With question marks over Draper and no news on FOS, I've scrapped those two and managed to fit in Cumming at M6. Running Jagga, LAshcroft, Smillie & Lindsay.

I've got same except currently gone Peatling but hard to pick between those 2.

 

[Lukesera]

I've got same except currently gone Peatling but hard to pick between those 2.

 

[tigs2010]

View attachment 2202378

Think that's going to be my bail out plan if Kiddy at D5 isn't going to work lol. I'll downgrade Day and upgrade Kiddy

 

[Shaunn]

I've just had a play around with this. With question marks over Draper and no news on FOS, I've scrapped those two and managed to fit in Cumming at M6. Running Jagga, LAshcroft, Smillie & Lindsay.

Been looking at versions of 2 mid rookies aswell.

For me its something like,

3 mid rooks - Duggan-Taranto-Ashcroft (means missing out of both Doch/Peatling to start season) but have all of Jagga, Ashcroft, Smillie, Lindsay, Draper and Langford.

or

2 mid rooks - Farrell-Doch-Peatling (Means missing out on Taranto and either Draper or Langford)


I've been using Bolters system to put teams together and put in what you think players will average which helps interms of projected points and Estimated cash gen which is really nice for making teams.

 

[doubleparked]

Genuinely considering going 1 onfield mid rookie. Largely depends if we have two fieldable defender roookies but the value in the mids is too good to ignore

 

[RustNeverSleeps]

Of the cheapest 'rookies', El-Hawli, Reid, Bice, Stone, Davidson and Busslinger seem to be currying some favour at the moment.

 

[Thelethal97]

Been looking at versions of 2 mid rookies aswell.

For me its something like,

3 mid rooks - Duggan-Taranto-Ashcroft (means missing out of both Doch/Peatling to start season) but have all of Jagga, Ashcroft, Smillie, Lindsay, Draper and Langford.

or

2 mid rooks - Farrell-Doch-Peatling (Means missing out on Taranto and either Draper or Langford)


I've been using Bolters system to put teams together and put in what you think players will average which helps interms of projected points and Estimated cash gen which is really nice for making teams.

I'm thinking that besides Jagga and Levi, and with injury possibilities for Draper and Xavier, the only other person who's a scorer is Smilie

So looking at 2 rooks too

5 underpriced premos (TT, Roz, Clarry, Day, Cerra)
1 mid pricer (Peats)
2 rooks (Jagga, Levi)

 

[wahooo]

Genuinely considering going 1 onfield mid rookie. Largely depends if we have two fieldable defender roookies but the value in the mids is too good to ignore

I've tried this to fit in Nathan O'Driscoll, I really like the look of him at M7. He could potentially drop some shit scores but so much value there.

 

[powerrrrrrrrrrrr]

Playing around with the “value” midfielders and have come to this lineup which could end in two ways.

Either, every player gets injured immediately or they prove their value.

Not sure i have the balls to pull the trigger on it come round 1 though. Although I must say, I do somewhat like the lineup from a bye perspective and their scoring history.

 

[Milo Cyrus]

Playing around with the “value” midfielders and have come to this lineup which could end in two ways.

Either, every player gets injured immediately or they prove their value.

Not sure i have the balls to pull the trigger on it come round 1 though. Although I must say, I do somewhat like the lineup from a bye perspective and their scoring history.

View attachment 2202527

Start with Will Day and switch to Cogs in R3?

 

[4tune8]

The byes are doing my head in!

Reckon it's vital to avoid the early bye players as much as possible without ignoring the value plays and keeper potential in the starting side.

Trouble is that by avoiding those byes I end up loading up on round 12 and 13 players.

I also don't want to end up in the situation where I have to budget trades for bye adjustments so have come up with the following team.

Avoiding Bont as he get's thrown forward as soon as there's a bit of attention, that being said, Treloar attracts attention too and can suffer accordingly.

Rookies are placeholders for now but there's enough cash tied up in them to allow for adjustments rather than pulling the team apart should there be a need to find extra $'s for a 'must have' expensive rookie.

Premos and MP's missing the byes:

Rnd 2: 0
Rnd 3: 2
Rnd 4: 1

Rnd 12: 5
Rnd 13: 3
Rnd 14: 1
Rnd 15: 4
Rnd 16: 1

After the early byes I'll be targeting upgrades for players with the Rnds 14 & 16 byes. Peatling and Cummings can hopefully hold down their spots until Rnd 13 when they can be upgraded to players that have already had their byes.

It's a rough plan for now but I can't see a major shift happening.

 

[stallon]

The byes are doing my head in!

Reckon it's vital to avoid the early bye players as much as possible without ignoring the value plays and keeper potential in the starting side.

Trouble is that by avoiding those byes I end up loading up on round 12 and 13 players.

I also don't want to end up in the situation where I have to budget trades for bye adjustments so have come up with the following team.

Avoiding Bont as he get's thrown forward as soon as there's a bit of attention, that being said, Treloar attracts attention too and can suffer accordingly.

Rookies are placeholders for now but there's enough cash tied up in them to allow for adjustments rather than pulling the team apart should there be a need to find extra $'s for a 'must have' expensive rookie.

Premos and MP's missing the byes:

Rnd 2: 0
Rnd 3: 2
Rnd 4: 1

Rnd 12: 5
Rnd 13: 3
Rnd 14: 1
Rnd 15: 4
Rnd 16: 1

After the early byes I'll be targeting upgrades for players with the Rnds 14 & 16 byes. Peatling and Cummings can hopefully hold down their spots until Rnd 13 when they can be upgraded to players that have already had their byes.

It's a rough plan for now but I can't see a major shift happening.

View attachment 2202597

I think 4 on the first bye is ok, as JHF, Xerri, Sheezel and Daniel are very popular players so you wont be alone.
5 might be pushing it a bit though

 

[4tune8]

I think 4 on the first bye is ok, as JHF, Xerri, Sheezel and Daniel are very popular players so you wont be alone.
5 might be pushing it a bit though

Yeah, 4 would be better and Merrett is the one that I'm looking to start at M1 instead of Treloar. I'm just waiting to get a bit more intel on his role.

The focus will be wholly and solely on upgrading the 5 on field rookies up to and including round 12 so barring ruck coverage shouldn't be relying on any rookie scores in those rounds of best 18

 

[Corkintheocean]

I’m starting ( currently with C Serong), fast season starter, with good bye position both at start of year and mid year!.. sorts out all this bye shitte talk.

Might be aided by Darcy being fit to start the year too.

 

[Corkintheocean]

The first iteration of my team for 2025. ($172k ITB)

Really fancy Carlton's fixtures in the first half of the season so Newman and Walsh go in. Newman potentially cannibalised by Doc if he goes back rather than floating in the quasi mid role he was playing before the injury so I'll be watching for that in preseason.

Sinclair no bye and can trust him so he goes in. Rivers, Short & Roberts will all have increased roles this year imo and I'm less certain on the defender rooks than I am those in the midfield or the value available in the forward line so keen to go 4 midfield rooks to start. Ashcroft is ready to tear the league apart, and I think Neale & Dunkley will be content enough to hand the reigns over to him, at least in the first half of the season as they build into it.

Back to set & forget rucks for me. There will be no 'Jordan Sweet' moment for me this year derailing my season. They are also the only 2 players who you fancy on a week to week basis to drop a 140+ so C/VC will be rotating between them until evidence to the contrary arrives.

Not really keen on any of the forwards as players, but they are so underpriced and the crowd is there so I'm content enough to cover that part of the field to start the season. Not keen on JHF at his price, has too many 50 point weeks when the role's not there or Butters & Rozee are tearing it up and the ball's avoiding him. Will look to get across to him at some stage after a flat patch or his inevitable soft tissue injury.

On the early byes, I'm still of the opinion that you're better off avoiding premiums and upper mid prices with byes, it's just that it broke the other way last year with Whitfield/Heeney etc. A one season sample size isn't enough to determine the best course of action.

Most importantly for my side, I'm back in Australia for the first time in years, so won't be needing to wake up a 4am to flick emergency loopholes around - surely that translates to a hat?!

Best of luck to everyone for the season - by far and away the best forum on BigFooty.