Another Bargain Down With Injury

Bargain No. 2 for this year's Dream Team has gone down with injury, following Andrew Raines (who is back in the VFL this week). Hayden Skipworth, selected by 89,991 Dream Teamers (basically everyone except this guy) has done a hammy and will be out until atleast round 8. He has only gone up 54K so far, and your rookies haven't gone up enough to turn him into a premium yet. So hang on, and play Walker (if you have him) or Brown on the field. 

Now, about everybody's favourite Captain (except Calvin of DTTalk.com who recommended not to put him as C and got flamed down by irate commentors), Gablett! He knocked up 46 touches last week and 3 goals, but only netted himself 155 DT points. Thats some Daniel "No Marks" Kerr style "underpointing" (I know its not a word, but I reckon it should be). He was laughably "tagged" by a combination of Robert Shirley and Michael Doughty who both go onto The Rushed Behind Shit List for their efforts. 

Facts About Players Selected In Dream Team:

Shane Valenti of Melbourne is the least selected player in all of DT, with only 352 people selecting him. 

Surprisingly, Brent Moloney of Melbourne has only been selected by 672 people, despite him being actually playing and fairly good. 

Nick Fosdike, who retired before the season started has been selected by 2663 morons. 

However, thats nothing compared with the 4576 people who have Pat Garner (Bris) who was on the Rookie list to start with and did his 3rd ACL in the preseason. A special mention to the people who traded him in last week (his change in selections was +22 last week)

Of course, the gold in stupidity must go to the 7843 people who have Matt Egan, despite him probably never playing again and definately being out for the whole season. 

So it clearly takes a special kind of skill to finish in the bottom 1000 of Dream Team. Why not try it next year?

My Dream Team and Abbreviated Match Reports for 3 AFL games and the Melbourne GP

You may have noticed (those of you who are paying attention and have, give yourselves a gold star) that I haven't blogged since my brief rookie DT round-up. I've been away in Melbourne for The Biggest Weekend of Sport Ever By A South Aussie (a registered trademark of the Rushed Behind corporatrox). Before we get into that, I said last time I would post my Dream Team for you guys. After some last minute tinckering (finding an internet cafe in Melbourne for the 160 minutes of madness, you need to get your priorities right :-)), it is as follows (ordered by first round score, becuase thats easier for me):
Backs:
"Better Than Fisher" Goddard (398,400)
Houlihan (244,900)
C.Cornes (379,500)
"Bockmeister" Bock (372,900)
Hodge (428,800)
Raines (188,100)
"Gears of War" Geary (192,100)
Reserve:
"Petrenkalenko" Petrenko (86,600)
Suban (86,600)
Mids:
"DT God" Ablett (495,700)
Dalziell (420,300)
Judd (378,600)
Otten (126,500)
Hasleby (257,800)
Kerr (339,200)
Reserve:
"Goddamn, Why Is He Injured?" Anthony (86,600)
Cook (86,600)
Rucks:
"McIntosser" McIntosh (296,600)
Cox (473,200)
Reserve:
Spencer (75,300)
Browne (75,300)
Forwards:
Skipworth (196,600)
"Lecture" Chapman (410,600)
Higgins (211,900)
"Cost Me A Prize" Pavlich (440,000)
T.Cloke (334,000)
"Cousin of" J.Riewoldt (257,800)
"Crack Smoker" Krakouer (189,300)
Reserve:
Walker (86,600)
Brown (86,600)

I saw 3 games live on the weekend, plus the F1GP in Melbourne. So I'll just give you some things I noticed.

Hawthorn vs Geelong
How did Hawthorn even get close? Geelong seemed a much better side for almost the whole game, but like in the GF last year, they just couldn't kick straight. Harry Taylor is officially on the Rushed Behind "Shit List" (I'll display this along the sidebar somewhere soon with links to the posts where they joined the list). He displayed a defensive ineptitude when opposed to either Roughhead or Franklin that has only been outdone by Stephen Gilham when he was on the Port list playing for North Adelaide (also a founding member of the "Shit List"). In the end, Geelong just managed to hold Hawthorn in an excellent quality game that showed why these sides will be competing for the flag on the LSIS.

Collingwood vs Adelaide
Another quality game, highlighted by the performance of "Bernard" Vince. Adelaide's young players performed exceptionally, showing that both Otten and Petrenko should be handy cash cows (or even keepers if they continue to improve). Otten plays like a Bock clone as a rebounding defender and Petrenko plays a rebounding half back or goal sneak. The umpiring was fine, despite what Collingwhine were bitching about. I reckon the supporters at the ground took it better than the president, probably becuase the average Pies fan has never read the rules (or anything more substantial than the TV guide). Both sides should be in contention for top 8 spots at worst.

St. Kilda vs Sydney
This game showed total dominance to one side at a time. Sydney were far better early, but failed to even score for long periods later. Zac Dawson was notable for not being shit. Jarryn Geary needs to buy some new deodorent because his team mates seem to want the ball anywhere but where he is. Riewoldt was almost unsighted, burning those DT coaches who chose him ahead of Pavlich as their most premium forward.

Melbourne F1 Grand Prix
Almost no passing occured (as is normally the case in F1) and yet it was an exciting race, with the new boys on the block, Brawn GP going 1-2 after 2nd and 3rd placed Vettel and Kubica collided, allowing Barrichello to take 2nd to his team mate Button. The twilight concept worked okay, although some fans would have struggled to see the action later in the day. The Who were excellent at the after race concert, proving that although their lyrics "I hope I die before I get old" may need to be re-written, they can still rock out.

The Rushed Behind is now lobbying to buy the naming rights for the newly re-named Etihad Stadium for next year, because almost every other corporatrox has endorsed the ex-Telstra Dome. I don't think this is quite as long as the Stat-tastic Aussie Cricket team was, but its still too long to put my thoughts on the Australia-South Africa test series into. I'll save that for the next post, at a relevent time during the ODI series.

Dream Team - Bargain Players

The AFL Dream Team Season (the only Dream Team season of note, there are not enough stats for fair scoring in anything else) is fast approaching and the most important thing in getting a good team is your first 30 players picked. A good side will have a mix of stars, bargains and rookies. Anyone can pick good stars (Dean Cox) so I will run through my tips in the bargain and rookie areas before the season starts. The rookies will be left until atleast preliminary teams are announced for round 1, because you will want rookies that are playing most games.

If anyone doubts my Dream Team qualifications, I came in the top 5 for Rd 22 last year, and would have won the round and prize if I didn't have a 0 scoring Matthew Pavlich in my team (I checked those above me and was only around 20 points behind those teams with 22 playing). I aim to go a little better this year and win a round.

So, with no further ado,
Crowmaniac's Bargain Picks for DT 2009:
Defenders:
Traditionally, defenders are the hardest picks to get right, and this year is no exception. Try to find players who will move from stoppers to rebounders, or those who are young and likely to improve significantly. For my team, I will be trying to get more stars into my defence this year, becuase the bargain crop looks pretty woeful. Still, I'll try to find some value for you.

Shannon Hurn ($197,400) (WCE):
Played the whole 2007 season but found himself on the fringe in 2008. Should play all of this season barring injury and will continue to improve, playing as a rebounding 1/4 back in a team that is expected to struggle and play young players.
Trent Croad ($182,400) (Haw):
Has played more defensively in previous years, reducing his output in DT games. However, with the development of the Hawks' younger backs, may be given the chance to move to a Bock-like rebounder again. Even if he doesn't, should still play all games and average atleast 60.
Matt Maguire ($145,300) (StK):
Is coming back from an injury derailed 2008 season. Should play CHB and get some cheap stats. Won't score big, but should be a consistant 50-60 average and play most games.
Scott Selwood ($207,600) (WCE):
Young, but showed promising signs last year. Should step up to play most games this year, as a def/mid role.
Andrew Raines ($188,100) (Ric):
In 06/07 averaged 18 and 19 disposals per game. Had his 08 season derailed and only played 2 games.Probably the likely highest scoring bargain so far in this list and so he should be in your team (assuming he plays Rd 1)
Andrew McLeod ($318,100) (Ade):
Barely counts as a bargain, but should still play well, rebounding from an Adelaide defence that likes to share the ball around. Only concern is age, which may be a factor in him missing some games.

Midfielders:
A veritable array of talent is cheap in DT 09 that will play in the middle. It may be worth playing a cheaper midfield to strengthen up another area of your side. Not as many listed as for defenders, because they could all slot into your team easily. Also, good midfield rookies tend to be better than any other position (Selwood, Palmer, Dalziell etc.)

Daniel Kerr ($339,200) (WCE):
Like McLeod, barely counts as a bargain but is one of the best in the competition on the field and is available for $100K less than similar class players.
Paul Hasleby ($257,800) (Fre):
Is a seriously good in-and-under midfielder coming back from injury. Should be as good as your stars if he can keep his body right.
Brent Reilly ($284,000) (Ade):
A very capable midfielder who will alternate with rebounding from 1/2 back this year. Is capable of performing well above his price range if he can keep his body right.
Mark Coughlin ($176,400) (Ric):
A somewhat risky pick, despite his talent. But Coughlin is a class player and, if fit would be priced at $150K more than this.

Rucks:
Your second ruckman to Dean Cox should be a bargain type player. There are several worth looking at in the upper bargain range.

Kepler Bradley ($300,700) (Fre):
Also selectable as a forward, but good 2nd rucks are much harder to find. Kepler is now, with the departure of Warnock the obvious choice as 2nd Ruck to Sandilands at Freo. This would normally be a reason not to pick a player, but Kepler is the typoe of player who should hold down a key position and rotate into the ruck for 20-30 mins per game. Alsmost everyone has given up on him as a hack, so there shouldn't be too many who pick him either.

Justin Koshitzke ($319,700) (StK):
Not the player who he could have been, but still a solid utility key position player who will pinch hit in the ruck. Also selectable as a forward and should average 70 or so.

Hamish McIntosh ($296,600) (Ka):
Had a poor year last year, but starred in 07. Is better than his 08 form would show, but perhaps not as good as Kossie.

Ben Hudson ($263,600) (WB):
Appears to be dropping off towardsb the end of his career, but will still play every game as No. 1 ruckman. Main problem in DT is his refusal to kick the ball, opting for the cheap handpass instead.

Kurt Tippett ($191,300) (Ad):
Showed promise last year and with the Crows lack of quality up forward, should be picked for almost all games up there. Also selectable as a forward.

Forwards:
Travis Cloke ($334,000) (Col):
Good key forward who continues to improve. Plays a lead-out role, so he should get plenty of the ball and marks without too much attention.

Travis Varcoe ($271,300) (Gee):
Small forward/midfielder who should get more minutes this year and average over 70. Plays in a team that will share the ball, so should get cheap marks and kicks in forward 1/2 despite the more zonal defences this year.

Jack Riewoldt ($257,800) (Ric):
It may be too early for the brother of Nick, but he has abiltiy and should get more opportunities with Richmond needing to find a replacement for an aging Richo.

Scott Lucas ($222,800) (Ess):
Aging key forward, but should still play most games and is signifiacntly better than his price suggests. Will get picked in a lot of teams, he should be in yours too.

Hayden Skipworth ($196,600) (Ess):
Mature aged re-draftee who had heaps of games with Adelaide before being delisted. Despite what BS reckons, should be a very capable player who will play most games and get a lot of cheap touches for the 'Dons.

Trent Hentshell ($122,700) (Ade):
Was injured and has been absent from the AFL from the past 2 years. Howeverr, he played SANFL and reserves SANFL for the 2nd 1/2 of last year, and seems to have his body mostly working again. Should be a capable buy, and is at practically a rookie price. Get him.

So theres the run-down on your bargain buys for DT season 09. Check back here for a shorter run-down on the rookies you should be considering after 1st round teams are announced (hopefully that will be a bit earlier than the couple of hours before the DT deadline like last year, otherwise you might not hear from me at all on rookies).

Finally, I found a great run-down on the IPL teams for the coming season. It has prospective player lineups and the major team changes from last year's season.

More finally, if you want to compete with me in DT and compare teams, join my league number 135697 from the AFL Dream Team site
I will probably mention the league on this blog, and it has been started expressly for the readers of this blog. That means you. Yes you, sitting infront of the computer there.