DHF Dream Team Picks 09 – The Midfielders

Talk about options! Every year there’s a ton of choice in the midfield, and just the 8 spots to fit everyone in! Do you get the high-priced Cats straight away, or look to snag some value early and pick them up later on? Do you start your rookies, or instead go for the mid-rangers and keep your rooks on the bench?

To be honest – we wish we knew! That’s the fun of Dream Team – there’s so many different structures and strategies. What we can do is take a look at some of the better options for you to make up your own mind. So let’s get amongst it!

Keepers:

Jimmy Bartel ($501k) vs Gary Ablett Jnr ($495k): A keeper decision most coaches have been tossing about this Dream Team opened for 2009. One has established himself as the king of DT over the last few years (Jimmy), another almost unanimously crowned the games best player (Jnr). One this if for sure, any legitimate contender is planning how to get both of these guys (and maybe a few more from Geelong’s middle) into their side by year end. If you are choosing one, go for Gary Ablett just to save that little bit of money, the fact he will receive more game time this year by being rested up forward and hope Bartel has a price drop at some stage for you to upgrade a cash cow.

While you might be concerned with spending the big money early to get one or both – just think of all the Captains points you can rack up from day dot. IMO – you can not go wrong with either.

Jimmy:
2008 Season – 113.2 DT (led the league)
2009 NAB – 106.7 DT

Gary:
2008 Season – 111.7 DT
2009 NAB – 104.7 DT

Dane Swan ($455k)
2008 Season – 102.5 DT
2009 NAB – 80.0 DT

Joel Corey ($485k)
2008 Season – 109.3 DT
2009 NAB – 90.7 DT

Scott Thompson ($441k)
2008 Season – 99.5 DT
2009 NAB – 89.7 DT

Kane Cornes ($438k)
2008 Season – 98.5 DT
2009 NAB – 85.8 DT

In that order, and trust me, I spent around 45 minutes adjusting that. If you are looking to save money and not go for the Cats top guns or just loading up your mid field with a second premium, these are your keepers. Solid performers year in and year out, they can provide you with a solid captain option on any given week and they come a fair whack cheaper than the likes of Jimmy and Jnr (remember that Corey started off 2008 leading the league DT wise – also remember there is a young bloke by the name of Joel Selwood who could be hot on his heels…speaking of…

Joel Selwood ($404k) vs Bryce Gibbs ($387k):

Like we need more on this argument. It has been discussed since the draft. Now fittingly we are heading into the 2009 season with both expected to step into their potential and have banner years (Sam Newman has even proclaimed Joel as the leagues best player). This holds true for DT also, you know all the arguments, they both draw less attention than their team mates, they are both very talented and can get lots of the ball, Selwood’s team is more likely to dominate possession, but Selwood is also fighting for the footy with harder competition than Gibbs. Many will jump on both at this price and ride them all year.

Similar to the Jimmy vs Ablett debate, you can’t go wrong with either at this money – slight edge Joel Selwood.

Joel Selwood
2008 Season – 91.0 DT
2009 NAB – 91.0 DT

Bryce Gibbs
2008 Season – 87.3 DT (101 over the last 8 rounds)
2009 NAB – 91.0 DT

Want a few more premium keepers to choose from? Sure – you could run with Marc Murphy ($431k), Daniel Cross ($427k), Brent Stanton ($413k), Sam Mitchell ($409k), the underrated Matty Boyd ($406k) or Tiger Shane Tuck ($403k).

Or you could take a flier on the hottest kid in DT – Bradd Dalziell – all $420k of him but we could be saying what a bargain come year’s end?

The Former West Coast Star Trio Value Pack:
Chris Judd ($378k)
Ben Cousins ($364k)
Daniel Kerr ($339k)

Again, in order. Judd looks to be finally over the injury troubles of 2007 and 08, which could see him back to the 100 per DT average of 2006 (as well as 101 through 10 rounds in 07). If he can come close to matching those numbers again you have a bargain – plus you know Judd won’t miss many through injury as he has shown ability to play with pain. Everyone knows what a gun Cousins was, 3 straight years well over 90 DT per with the Eagles, the only worry is time out of the game, hamstring concerns and the ever dreaded drug test. And rounding up the group is Kerr, Eagles hopeful expect him to return to previous form that had experts questioning if he wasn’t the best of that premiership mid field. Unfortunately even if he does, well I don’t know if there is a cure for crazy (yes the dreaded suspension).

Want some potential keepers at not so premium prices? Try these on for size – Travis Boak ($369k), Scott Pendlebury ($389k), Brad Sewell ($379k), Nathan Van Berlo ($377k), Jarrad McVeigh ($372k) and Daniel Wells ($368k).

Keepers to take at other positions:
Richo, Deledio, Hodge, Boomer

DHF Lock: Gary Ablett Jr.

Mid-Rangers:

Chris Masten ($306k): This kid will win the Rising Star (barring injury) and the good news for your Dream Team is he is an absolute in and under magnet who loves to tackle. What a great combo! So why isn’t everyone jumping all over him? Two letters – OP. Masten has ongoing groin issues which plagued his first AFL season, and is potentially a big worry for his second season. If he was to get through the season unscathed, he’s one of the best value picks going around, but he might be one to simply watch again and hope to get him cheap next year as his body gets stronger and his injury worries hopefully lessen.

2008 Season – 69 DT
2009 NAB – 62.7 DT

Travis Tuck ($276k): With all the injury worries at Hawthorn, the door is open for this man to get off to a flier this season. Had a promising start last season but had problems securing his spot in the 22 with the wealth of talent at Hawkland. Will be no such problem at the start of this year, and some good showings should help him keep his spot. If not – he’ll still have earned you some cash and you’ll be able to upgrade him when the time comes.

2008 Season – 62.2 DT
2009 NAB – 69 DT

Paul Hasleby ($257k): Another great value pick here coming from a year off through injury – is Hasleby this year’s Nick Stevens? Before he missed last year, he averaged 83, 74.5 and 80.2 in the 3 years prior – these 3 years were down on consecutive 90+ years. A worrying downward slope? Maybe – but I can’t see him not hitting 75-80 this season – especially if he plays across half back as he’s been shaping to during the preseason and starts chipping it around.

2008 Season – DNP
2009 NAB – 57.7 DT

Sam Butler ($216k): Here’s another high injury risk, but potentially high reward pick. Very high reward. A member of the 2006 Eagles premiership team, Butler missed the entire 2007 season and only managed 5 games last year. Knows how to get the ball, and is a favourite of Coach Worsfold’s, so if his body is right, he’ll be playing and getting every opportunity. In 10 games in 2006 he averaged 81.7, with a high of 130, a 106 in a final against the Bulldogs, and a 66 in the GF against the Swans. And you can get all this for only $216k. Sammy – please don’t break down!

2008 Season – 61 DT
2009 NAB – 73.3 DT

Not keen on our above picks? There’s a few other options out there for you – why not take a look at future guns Trent Cotchin ($304k) and Brad Ebert ($288k) when they get a few games under their belt, put yourself through pain with Brent Staker ($274k) and hope he runs through the midfield, or you could try Shaun Grigg ($266k), Craig Bird ($233k), David Mackay ($227k) or a couple of Tigers in Mark Coughlan ($176k) and Tom Hislop ($169k).

DHF Lock: Can’t separate them – Hasleby is the safe bet but Butler could be the real value.

Cash Cows:

A ton of great value cash cows in the midfield! We can’t pick them all, but we can definitely highlight our best picks:

Liam Anthony ($86k): Picked up at 43 in the draft, Anthony has caught the attention of DTers nationwide with an incredible NAB campaign. His 79 average is even more impressive because he was used as a sub in game one and only scored 32! If he wasn’t at North Melbourne he would be an absolute total lock – but who knows what goes through Dean Laidley’s head sometimes. Either way, he should play sooner rather than later, and with his WAFL experience this kid is ready!

2008 Season – Rookie
2009 NAB – 79.3 DT

Daniel Rich ($126k): Everyone’s favourite comparison with DT rookie god Rhys Palmer. Showed he’ll be straight into the Lions best 22 with flashes of brilliance through the preseason comp. However – he is a different player to Palmer, so if you’re banking on Rich pumping out the 70s and 80s that you can keep long into the season, you might be disappointed. I’ll be taking him anyway, and I think you should too.

2008 Season – Rookie
2009 NAB – 51.8 DT

Andy Otten ($126k): TH loves this kid – has earmarked him as a star of the future. And being a ball magnet makes him very attractive at this price. A good preseason gave the impression he’s going to slot into the Crows 22 this season after getting a taste of things last year. Providing he’s picked for Round 1, he’s an excellent option and guaranteed cash for you!

2008 Season – 28.5 DT
2009 NAB – 62.5 DT

Furthermore from these 3 big names – take a look at Hamish Hartlett ($138k), James Polkinghorne ($133k), Patrick Dangerfield ($115k), Dayne Beams ($86k), Tom Swift ($86k), David Zaharakis ($86k), Mitch Robinson ($86k) and Jason Davenport ($86k). Remember – if they don’t debut early, keep a close eye out because these are all likely downgrade options as the season rolls on.

If you want some real cheapies – maybe Garry Moss, Danny Meyer and Matt De Boer (all $75k) are for you.

DHF Lock: Liam Anthony

So there’s our views on the best options for your midfield – do you agree? Leave us a comment with who takes your fancy and what structure you’re going to run with!