The big question is the obvious question. How will the Blues perform without star forward Brendan Fevola??
Well, I don’t think even the price makers at “Dreamteam” know that answer as I believe that basically the whole Carlton list has been re-priced to the benefit of the “Dreamteam” coaches.
Of the 33 remaining & recruited players that played in season 2009, all bar 15 players are of value. The Blues have a better than even draw (.491) for 2010 & remain, I believe, in the race for that 4th to 7th spot on the ladder.
The Blues averaged 97.0 points & cost around $292,000 on average. I’m going to cut a long story short on this team.
Marc Murphy is an obvious Dreamteam pick but he is coming back from an interupted pre season, will that affect you picking him in your team?
Best Buys
Bryce Gibbs (midfield) $470,000 – One of the Blues prized No 1 draft picks in the Pagan era & a star at an average of 107.0 in 2009.
Gibbs was ranked 8th for inside 50s, 10th for Dreamteam score per game, 12th for inside 50s per game, 13th in Dreamteam score, 15th for disposals & 17th for disposals per game.
Once again, a top 10 inside 50 ranking means a lot of footy & at an estimated $9,400 discount, the price tag may be worth it.
Marc Murphy (midfield) $450,200 – He’s another of “Pagan’s Picks” with an average of 102.5 in 2009. Murphy racked up 30 or more disposals 4 times last season including a career high 37 .vs. Melbourne. Murphy also notched career best goal tally & tackle count for a single game.
Murphy ranked 14th for inside 50s, 15th for Dreamteam score & score per game, & 20th in disposals, handballs & inside 50’s per game.
At an estimated $9,000 discount, the young gun midfielders make a great combo.
Chris Judd (midfield) $414,600 – Amazingly, the former Eagle ball magnet averages 17 points less per game on “Dreamteam” compared to “Supercoach”. Judd racked up 30 or more disposals in 5 games & doesn’t shirk from good defensive plays equalling his career tackle count .vs. Brisbane.
Judd is ranked 1st in inside 50s & per game, 2nd in goal assists, 5th in goal assists per game, 17th in disposals & 18th in disposals per game. I guess it’s how he uses the ball that matters & with an estimated $8,300 discount, I guess it’s how you use your dollars.
Brett Thornton (defence) $350,400 – Arguably one of the old brigade, by which I mean the ones used to losing, that I would recommend. With an average of 79.8, for a defender is quite handy.
Racked up a career best 30 disposals .vs. Geelong & equaled his career best 14 marks .vs. the Bulldogs, so Thornton can play with the big boys. Ranked 7th in marks per game & 9th in marks, an estimated $7,000 discount for a player that the Hawks wish they grabbed.
Kreuzer is categorised as a ruckman but will he play a lot down forward? Will that be beneficial for your Dreamteam?
Matthew Kreuzer (ruck) $330,500 – Talented ruckmen are going to be like hens teeth in 2010 & Kreuzer is one of those rare talents.
Snapped up as No 1 in 2007 after losing the “Kreuzer Cup” to Melbourne, Kreuzer is ranked 11th in hitouts & 16th in hitouts per game.
At an estimated $6,600 discount, don’t let the young 20 year old pass you by.
Paul Bower (defence) $313,000 – Paul who?? Yep, the name isn’t a household one to those outside the Blues loop, but he averages 71.2 points per game.
His best was his career high 27 disposals & 10 marks .vs. the Eagles & at an estimated $3,100, there’s always one unfamiliar name that steels the spotlight.
Eddie Betts (forward) $274,300 – Being best known for his pre-season boat trip, Betts could be just a good one for your cheap forward.
Betts is ranked 2nd in goal assists, 3rd in goal assists per game12th in goals contributed & per game & 19th in goals. At 6 points per goal, & an estimated $5,500 discount, he’s not a bad “Bett”.
Dennis Armfield (defence) $219,400 – Always had a soft spot for Armfield from year one. Even though he had a 49.1 average in 2009, it may have been his free kick ledger that stuck in the mind of Brett Ratten. Watch & see if it improves come NAB Cup time because an estimated $15,400 discount is a massive pre-season viewing lure.
Carlton White Elephants
With so many Blues as a good thing, here’s a short list with a difference, mainly filled with Carlton has-beens.
- Kade Simpson (midfield) $391,900
- Heath Scotland (defence) $379,300
- Brock McLean (midfield) $367,900
- Jordan Russell (defence) $324,500
- Andrew Walker (midfield) $318,100
- Ryan Houlihan (forward) $317,300
- Brad Fisher (forward) $263,300
- Chris Johnson (defence) $262,800
- Mitchell Robinson (midfield) $257,900
- Shaun Hampson (ruck) $234,800
- Aaron Joseph (midfield) $225,700
- Chris Yarran (forward) $214,600
- Sam Jacobs (ruck) $196,600
- Joe Anderson (defence) $193,300
Don’t say you haven’t been warned on these.
Carlton 2009 Top 10
- Bryce Gibbs (midfield) $470,700 (-$9,400)
- Marc Murphy (midfield) $450,200 (-$9,000)
- Chris Judd (midfield) $414,600 (-$8,300)
- Kade Simpson (midfield) $391,900 (+$3,900)
- Matthew Kreuzer (ruck) $330,500 (-$6,600)
- Brett Thornton (defence) $350,400 (-$7,000)
- Brock McLean (midfield) $367,900 (+$18,400)
- Paul Bower (defence) $313,100 (-$3,100)
- Jordan Russell (defence) $324,500 (+$3,200)
- Heath Scotland (defence) $379,300 (+$3,800)
Your Feedback
Will you be having any Carlton players in your Dreamteam this year? If so who will it be? And who will kick the goals and will they be the ‘smoky’ for your Dreamteam, is it Kreuzer or Betts?
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February 10th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Agree that Kruezer will be one of the few ruckmen that people will all choose, I know he is in my team (at the moment)….
I am thinking Murphy will loose a lot in the first few weeks because
1) He is coming from an interrupted pre season (as you mentioned) and
2) Judd will missing for the first few weeks of the pre season, so he will probably get the number one tag.
Do think that Kade Simpson in your “dud list” is a bit harsh though.
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February 10th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Murphy is going to be a great pickup in DT but not from the start of the year! He has had an interrupted preseason. On top of this, Judd is out the first 3 weeks, so Murphy will be targeted with Tags! Wait and hope he drops price in the first 5 weeks and look for him as first upgrade target in about round 6!
Just an idea!
Phillip Molly Malone´s last blog ..CB AFL Dream Team and Super Coach Podcast #82: Preseason 2010
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February 10th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Great minds must think alike
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February 10th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Kade Simpson is similar to the bad old days of the petrol strikes…he only tops up on odd or even rounds.
The Blues are arguably heading towards that midfield that can even top the Cats midfield. You can tag one, but you can’t tag them all, & Murphy can move up forward.
craig eyles´s last blog ..Week 25 A-League X-Points Totals
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February 10th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Difference with Geelong is that once they win the ball, they have someone (many options) to kick a goal….
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February 15th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
You didn’t mention the guy swapped for Fev- Henderson. Not sure what his price is but he looked pretty good last year and he’s still young.
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February 15th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Lachie Henderson is $226,000 but I think he’s had 2 or 3 seasons at the Lions. I’d say around that priece bracket, I’d suggest looking at Leigh Brown or Chris Tarrant who are more value for the price.
craig eyles´s last blog ..13th February Moonee Valley Quaddie
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