DHF Dream Team Picks 09 – The Forwards

Dream Team forward lines always raise an interesting dilemma. When you think of the big gun forwards – Fevola, Franklin, Brown – their dominance does not always translate to Dream Team. Instead, it is the more mobile types who can be the ones to carry you through to DT glory. There are a ton of great forward options to get through this year, so we better get started!

Keepers:

Matthew Pavlich ($440k): Cemented for now as the king of frw’s as far as DT goes, the Pavlova is as big a favourite as his namesakes desert. A beast of a man who not only marks (7.3) and goals (3.5), but also runs all over the field picking up a high scoring volume of possessions (18.2). It is this style that makes him the most consistent of the big name forwards, with only 2 games scoring lower than 85 last year.

2008 Season – 99.3 DT
2009 NAB – 56.3 (pay no attention)

Nick Riewoldt ($441k): The most expensive forward in the game, Nick finished 2008 with a blast, from round 13 to round 22 he was just an absolute DT machine notching an average of 118 per game (no that is not a typo). St Kilda’s style of play and the way it uses Riewoldt up the ground might not be the most entertaining football around, but it makes for massive DT scores. So why isn’t he the first locked in? Well he does seem to take a few rounds to warm up, and this year might not be any different with him having a light preseason due to injury.

2008 Season – 99.4 DT
2009 NAB – 43.0 DT

Lance EMU/BUDDY Franklin ($428k): Fresh off a banner year, the Budmiester cracked the ton, won the coleman, won a grand final, managed to give all post game interviews without looking anyone in the eye and perfected the best strut in the AFL. All this, at age 22, has solidified in him with a spot in the best players in the game argument.

DT wise there are two implications, at his age who knows how much he could improve season to season. If his kicking straightens up or he uses his athleticism around the ground more you could be seeing averages in the 110+ vicinity. If he doesn’t, then you are stuck with a player who week in and week out could score anything from 50 to 150.

2008 Season – 96.5
2009 NAB – 122.0

Brett Deledio ($433k)
2008 Season – 97.6 DT
2009 NAB – 85.3 DT
Matthew Richardson ($434k)
2008 Season – 97.8 DT
2009 NAB – 94.3 DT
Nathan Brown ($434k)
2008 Season – 91.8 DT
2009 NAB – 104.3 DT

This Richmond trio will end up on a lot of peoples squads this year. Richo is fresh off a DT explosion where the 34yr old big man pulled a Barry Bonds and completely changed his game, unleashing a V8 sized motor and running all over the ground to increase his DT average by over 10p from the year before. You may want to wait on Richo and upgrade later incase his age catches up with him.

Deledio on the other hand is just 21 and a gimme pick up forward giving his ability through the middle. Had a huge finish to last season and he looks set to continue on his merry way.

If you don’t want to spend up big on those two, then Nathan Brown might be the perfect fit. It’s taken him a couple of years to get back amongst things after his horrific leg injury, but he looked very sharp in the NAB Cup, and seems ready to return to the heights of 2005 when he averaged 101.5.

The premiums far from stop there however, there’s plenty more worthy of taking your fancy … Boomer Harvey ($419k) is a staple year in year out … Alan Didak ($420k) took the next step last year, and if you think he can stay out of trouble he’ll continue to rack it up … Daniel Giansiracusa ($413k) is another proven performer … Paul Chapman ($410k) and Steve Johnson ($408k) is a damaging Cat duo both worthy of a crack – if you can live with Chappy’s hammys … Matty Stokes ($391k) will shine in junk time week in and week out … The smiling assasin Brad Johnson ($386k) is getting on, but can still land you big scores … Jonathon Brown ($389k) has long been a premium – but is he better to pick up mid season? … And are you going to take Paul Medhurst‘s ($389k) last season on face value or will he turn when we least expect it?

DHF Lock: Matthew Pavlich

Mid-Rangers:

Leon Davis ($379k): Ok – so this is probably pushing it as a mid-ranger, and I realise Neon can go missing at exactly the wrong times, but with his increased role through the midfield this season, Davis has to be worth a look at this price. Last year was a breakout for Leon, and he should be able to improve on his average again as he continues to improve in his new role in the middle.

2008 Season – 84.4 DT
2009 NAB – 75.5 DT

Shaun Higgins ($211k): Only 4 games for Higgins last year means he is an absolute bargain for 2009, and he is a lock for your side. He’ll be one of the most selected players this year and for good reason – a big preseason and looks set to get amongst the Bulldogs midfield. At his price he is a no brainer and he’ll make you a ton of cash. Leave him out at your own risk.

2008 Season – 47.7 DT
2009 NAB – 78 DT

Hayden Skipworth ($196k): Another player that everyone is jumping all over – more an indication of where Essendon is at that then ability of Skipworth however. That said, he was able to average 65.8 back in 2005 for a strong Adelaide side, and he may now have matured for AFL footy and be ready to make a fist of things at his second time around. His preseason definitely indicates so – he’s been one of the few shining lights for the Bombers, and looks locked in to the 22 for as much as the whole season. At his price – you gotta take him.

2008 Season – DNP
2009 NAB – 85.8 DT

Here’s some more mid-range options if you’re not super keen on those 3 … Nathan Krakouer ($189k) is a bit of a spruik around the traps, especially after he was seen skulking around half back in the preseason … Jarrhan Jacky ($195k) is another cheaper option who looks locked in to the Crows 22 – at least to start the season … Scotty Lucas ($222k) is back from injury at a bargain price and if he gets through the season injury free he might prove to be the biggest bargain of all … Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas ($325k) is another who’s been swanning around half back collecting the kind of shrapnel we all love … JP is convinced this is the year of Travis Cloke ($334k) – are you also game?

DHF Lock: Shaun Higgins

Cash Cows:

Trent Hentschel ($122k): Averaged 66.4 back in 2006 before a shocking knee injury took him out of the game for 2 years. A wonderful effort to get back this season, and showed much the same ability through the preseason that he promised early in his career. He won’t give you huge scores, but he will play a lot of games (fingers crossed) and will make you cash.

2008 Season – DNP
2009 NAB – 53.3 DT

Chris Yarran ($130k): Showed a bit against the Cats with a 55 during the NAB Cup, and comes from the West with very big wraps. Appears to be in Carlton’s best 22 already and has experience against the men in the WAFL which should hold him in good stead. Looks likely to play a lot in season 1 – is he this year’s Cyril Rioli? Or is he more likely a downgrade target – keep an ear out for team news.

2008 Season – Rookie
2009 NAB – 28.3 DT

Jack Ziebell ($118k): Are you prepared to put your faith in the Junkyard Dog? DTers have grown to hate Dean Laidley and his reluctance to play the rooks, but let’s face it – Ziebell looks a much more likely option than Thompson and Hansen in recent years. Often described as ‘AFL ready’ – expect Ziebell to get a lot of action in 2009, and he’s worth paying the little extra that separates him from your standard rookie.

2008 Season – Rookie
2009 NAB – 43.7 DT

Steele Sidebottom ($110k): Everyone knows Steele for his incredible TAC Cup Grand Final effort, where he had over 30 possessions and dobbed 10 of the best, but I’m a bit wary that he’ll walk straight into a strong Collingwood team. Dayne Beams appears to be ahead of him on the pecking list, so I’m going to hope to snag him as a downgrade target later in the year. He’ll make the grade, it’s just a matter of when, so if you want to stash him on your bench you could do worse.

2008 Season – Rookie
2009 NAB – 44.5 DT

There’s also a good selection of $86k rookies out there – West Coast’s Mitch Brown is set to see a lot of game time at a nice discount because of his injury last year … Adelaide’s Taylor Walker has impressed in the preseason and should also play round 1 … Geelong’s Simon Hogan has been good in the NAB Cup and if he can sneak into the team he’ll definitely make you some cash … Scott Gumbleton has had a setback and now appears to be more likely as a midseason downgrade target, as does Fremantle’s Hayden Ballantyne … Robin Nahas from Tigerland could be a very cheap option at $84k …

DHF Lock: Trent Hentschel

It’s a lot of fun picking out the big names, as well as spotting the gun rooks – this years forward options seem to have plenty of both. Let us know who you’re liking and leave a comment below!