Fortitude wrote:Hey guys
This is my very first time doing Fantasy, id appreciate any feedback.
Lichaa, (Nikorima (S))
Bromwich, K,Evans, (Leuluai, Pauli)
Merrin, Sue, Soiloia, (Ah Mau (s), Cartwright (S) C.Welch)
Milford, Hastings, (Mcrone, Dockar)
Croker, CLawarence, (Gutherson (S), Griffin)
Tedesco, Mansour,Ferguson, (Wells Eden)
Welcome mate,
I haven't done the sums but just from the lack of guns compared to others would I be right in saying you have a reasonable bit of cap space left. While having some spare is good you want to try and maximize potential points as much as you can and I think you are leaving too many points in your cap.
As for your team:
Hooker- Lichaa is a solid option. Should definitely score as good as last year and there are reports/rumours he wants a bit more of an attacking role this year so could see him increase his average. Niko looks to be a decent cash cow (a cheapie who you hope will increase a lot in price) and many on here have him in your side. I am one of those however who advocate for running a 2nd hooker option so would prefer him in the halves. Generally come the end of the season a 2nd hooker is in most teams as a sub and they are consistent, and high scoring. Having Niko there means he needs to make up a lot of cash and you will also need to find a fair amount of cash to upgrade him come the business end of the season. Also if Lichaa was to go down for 2 or so games and isn't worth a trade out you then have to run Niko as a scorer and that is a risky call. If you after a cheaper gun hooker then look at Hodgson or run a slight risk with Granville.
Front Row- Bromwich is a proven gun regardless of his drop off the 2nd half of last year. Still the best in the game, he plays big minutes, scores at a steady rate and isn't tied up in Origin like other gun props. Evans is likely to see some benefit from JWH injury but you would be hoping he scores at a much better rate though because he still needs to make up some decent cash to be flipped come round 8 or so when JWH return rumours start. Would go much better as a reserve option in my opinion with a reliable second scorer there as there is no guarantee Evans starts every game and it could easily be rotated between him and Napa. Even switching Ah Mau there provides you with a reliable scorer with a reliable role in his team. Pauli is a good option and I like it, even better with Tapine leaving, while Leuluai is a TLT decision.
2nd Row- You've gone for a fair bit of depth here which is good. Merrin I like as he could be in for a big year, I've already mentioned my thoughts on Ah Mau but he is a solid scorer who many think can up his game this year. Cartwright is in a similar boat with many on here hoping he becomes a 60+ min backrower as he has the potential for some big games with his attacking abilities. Not sure on Sue, if he is named at lock then he is a decent option but anywhere else and I don't think he has much reason to expect a growth in his game. Same with Soliola. With that packed Raiders backrow, I can't see him growing his game and he isn't at that level yet where you don't care about an increase in price because you are playing for the points, a la Smith, Parker. Would be much better going for someone like De Belin, Matulino from the backrow who could see increased minutes/roles or looking at a gun prop like Woods, Graham, McGuire.
Half- Missing your big gun here. While Milford could be a good scorer and increase his average this year, I just can't personally go into a season without at least one recognized gun half. Even someone like AReynolds if you are trying to save some cash, but you will be hurt having Milford there when he is your big name half and he has an off night and scores 20 while someone like DCE has an off night and scores 40. Milford not being the dominant half needs a lot to go his way to score 60 points but the big 5 (JT, Hunt, DCE, SJ, ARey) don't need a whole lot as they should put up 35-45 in base stats pretty much. Besides that Hastings will be in pretty much everyone's team for a reason so good work there. Why have you picked McCrone? Do you think Benji or Widdop will go down injured because picking someone by hoping for an injury won't work out. Look at someone like Ash Taylor who is basement priced but should start each and every week. Same deal with Dockar. He isn't in line for a starting spot, and even then you have TMM likely above him in the pecking order but is the same price. Or if you pick up a second gun hooker then you can put Niko here.
Centres- Croker should score pretty well most weeks for you, but as with a lot of backs, you need to stick with them for the season because for most of them you are picking them for their average at the end of the season. The backs will fluctuate a fair bit from week to week as they will rely on attacking stats rather than base stats so it will vary from game to game. Croker is just as likely to follow up a 55 with a 25 then follow that up with a 20 and then a 60. You don't want to sell after the 20. Whereas Lawrence you can select as a centre, but will likely be playing 2nd row he will/should score more consistently week to week so you may want to be a bit harsher here if there is a bad patch. Still a very good pairing though, but there is a fair amount of cheap options in the backs this year and many are using them in order to fund a more highs scoring forward pack so just something to consider downgrading one. Gutherson is a solid 3rd option but I wouldn't take Griffin. Needs an injury to get a regular run at centre for the Storm I think with Munster likely playing centre whenever Billy is fit. Look at someone like Auva'a who should start most weeks for the bunnies.
WFB's- Your best grouping. Teddy is a gun and unlike RTS there probably isn't as much risk of a drop off in points. You've gone for him instead of a gun in another position and although in theory it doesn't matter if you have someone averaging 50 in fullback or someone averaging 50 at prop as they both average the same, I would just like to say that it is likely the prop will maintain that consistently, be that week to week or month to month. But regardless he is a nice pick and should be somewhat of a POD (point of difference) come the early stages of the season. Mansour and Fergo have been in a fair lot of teams so far as they are both mid range options who people think will increase in scoring this year. Both solid and shouldn't let you down.
The lack of an obvious captain options is a bit of a worry, but with that team there your best bet would likely be Merrin/Bromwich most weeks
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Bit light in fullback but if both start should make some $$ and score reasonably (compared to going weak in CTRS)