Arbel's Aced 2025

[Bully]

Yes, nothing preventing one from starting all 3 from the get-go.

Pretty much, you just need to decide if they are safer than the available defenders and mids. I have been playing with structures, I might try one where I go with 3 premo rucks

It can be done, I have Mills at D3, Jagga at M5 but all of Gawn, Xerri & Marshall in the side. Makes sense to aim high with the flex, it should also iron out the low scores from Marshall who can put in some below par scores.

[arbel]

Starting to get tough to settle on a line up with all the injuries etc going on. Have settled on the following team for the time being:



Rookies are just placeholders until after the AAMI series and see who gets named.
DEF most worried about at the moment. Was going to go De Koning but wasn't thrilled with last night. Could look at Perryman. A bit light on but if all get named I'll probably leave as is.
MID Happy here just comes down to final rookies. Think Day and Oliver will get back to best and at worst should make money to upgrade if needed.
RUCK Happy to do the set and forget.
FWD Think the first 4 pick themselves so that is easy. Hutchinson is a watch but the role seems to be there.

Have gone with a Premo in the flex. At worst can make this a rookie or mid price and update elsewhere.

[arbel]

Go away for the weekend and come back to more injuries and uncertainties for the start of the season. After some adjustments have settled on the team below for the time being.



Pretty happy. Light on in defence but waiting to see what rookies get named. Pretty happy with the other lines. I still have 335k left in the kitty so unsure of where to spend it. If any of the backline rookies don't get the nod could turn one of them into Short. Not sure what else needs changing

[Bully]

I will be delighted if both Trainor & Bice get up, that really opens the door to go cheap in the backline. Very strong team, Neale is an excellent POD and Brayshaw was also on my shortlist.

For me personally, I'm only game for opening up D6, but I'm sure I'll toy with a rookie D5 if there's a viable option.

[Mat0369]

Bice didn't get a look in as an emergency. You could swap him to Paton to hold your structure, but I feel that backline is batting way too thin. I think you can only risk one or two rookies on field as a lot look to be poor scorers.

Using what you have in the bank to bring in a defensive gun seems like the play. You're batting deep through the midfield compared to most sides I have seen, so worst case if you need to make some changes you can probably drop one gun to a cheapie and use the cash to further upgrade the back half.

[Colliwobblers]

Agree Bice to Roberts would be my first move. Then if the backline is the wasteland we think it is Brayshaw to whoever else you like/need in defense.

[Ringo]

With $335k obviously upgrade to a defender you can afford Perryman, Short and Roberts 3 that come to mind,

[arbel]

Yeah I get a free shot at Paton this week so could see how he goes. Leake on the extended bench could be trouble but think he plays.

I could also go any of the back rookies straight to Short and still have 8k left. So that is a choice otherwise can go Brayshaw/Rozee down to Day to free up some cash while still keeping my mids strong.

I figured go strong on the mids this year. It is a bit different to most but could pay off for me

[arbel]

Well after the weekend need some adjustments. Sheldrick getting the vest wasn't positive and Daicos put up a stinker and looked quite bad with the cramps. Thinking need to get him out with the early bye and that score in his rolling average. Need to get Day back in, had him all pre-season but he comes back in, likely for Rozee and could make Daicos into Merrett, unsure there. Happy to just sit and wait for teams to come out and go from there.

[Mat0369]

I think I'd go Serong ahead of Merrett just to get the extra game in, Rozee to Day does make a ton of sense.

Adams looks to be out a while so hopefully Sheldrick can get more of a run at it. I really like him as a player and I feel he could benefit from an extended run, it's just tough to get one with Heeney, Rowbottom and Warner ahead of him.

[arbel]

Well baring any major changes this is going to be my team going into round 1. Have made some changes down back. Went with 1 less rookie there and happy with my choices.



Is it true about the Hewett injury? If so might go to Camporeale or see who else gets picked

[Bully]

1 weeker but Hewett does have history, I'm taking the plunge, I think he still has value as a floating donut so the downside is minimal. I also have Campo so that choice is solid.

[arbel]

Hewett named so will keep him for now and see if he stays on bench. If slightly injured could be a vest candidate but he is last game of the round. Lots of rooks on extended benches so will wait til tomorrow to see who makes the cut.
If Leake gets dropped he'll become Prior, stone in the team could as well ... think one of them gets the vest.
Ashcroft is now Camporeale as can't have that much on the bench.
Boxshall could become knevitt or reid if they aren't given the vest.

[Mat0369]

I hate the sub rule, just have an extra on the bench. It's such a screw around to try and predict it each week as well. I feel like a handful of teams picked their sub from the field last year as well which also throws more unpredictability.

[Ringo]

I hate the sub rule, just have an extra on the bench. It's such a screw around to try and predict it each week as well. I feel like a handful of teams picked their sub from the field last year as well which also throws more unpredictability.

Agree 100% especially with rooks eg Knevett is last named on Geelong's team which could mean sub. Geelong's emergencies are not named in number order which a lot of teams do, Makes it hard to predict subs as you say,