[Tippaz]

MELBOURNE
This is a tough team to predict. They had the longest list of injuries last year, which caused them to slump badly. The trade of Travis Johnstone upset a lot of fans, but new coach Dean Bailey wants to rebuild with players aged 18-24. They have plenty of midfield talent, so I would assume this will be a high stats team. Most players on this list will be given an opportunity. Plenty of good buys around here.
FB – Whelan, Carroll, Bell
HB – Wheatley, Rivers, Petterd
C – (Bartram), Green, Jones
HF – Bate, Newton, Davey
FF – Sylvia, Neitz, Robertson
R – White, Bruce, McDonald
i/c – Meesen, McLean, Miller, Maloney
big guns: Cameron Bruce is an elite midfielder. He is one of the hardest running players in the competition who covers enormous ground. He finds stats at will and has no trouble breaking the opposition tag. He has not done a full pre-season due to medial ligament damage in his knee, and may miss rd1 – be cautious! 31yr old James McDonald is enjoying career best form as an onballer. He is a top ballgetter and a fierce tackler who has scored an incredible 4201pts (average 95.48ppg) over the past 2 years. His fantasy value is severely under-rated. Brad Green is a workman-like midfielder who is deceptively strong overhead. He doesn’t get as many possessions as Bruce or McDonald, but is capable of taking extra marks. Green is more likely to suffer from midfield rotation. Jeff White was the no.1 ranked ruck in DreamTeam last year scoring 1921pts (average 87.32ppg). He’s a hard working mobile ruckman who finds marks and possession around the ground. White has played a lone hand in the ruck for many years.
hot prospects: 19yr old Ricky Petterd is lucky to be alive after suffering from a compressed lung. As a result, his 9-game debut season was cut short. The no.30 draft pick of 2006 showed us plenty of stat potential, and is pushing for a starting spot on the halfback flank. He has been listed a back, but is capable of producing midfield stats. Small defender Matthew Whelan only played 5 games last year due to injury. His price has dropped considerably. He’s a starting player who normally plays back pocket or halfback flank, and is capable of 20+ possessions on a regular basis. Brock McLean was another to succumb to the injury curse last year. He broke his leg in rd1, and came back to play 14 games off the bench. His stats were well below par, so he’ll be significantly underpriced for the season ahead. He’s an inside midfielder who wins plenty of hardball, and really should be one of the Melbourne “big guns”. 20yr old Nathan Jones stepped up in the absence of Brock McLean last year. He finished runner-up in the Demons B&F. He is a razor sharp stat-rat of the future (reminds me of Paul Chapman), and is bound to see more gametime this year. His stats can only get better. 20yr old Matthew Bate is an improving player who has been re-classified as a forward. He is one of those high half-forward-flanks that play up the ground as a midfielder (like Ryan O’Keefe). He’s a deceptively tall player (192cm) who takes a lot of marks with his possessions. His new classification has seriously increased his fantasy value. But unfortunately, he’s done a hamstring, and will probably miss the first few rounds. Livewire forward Aaron Davey played through injury last year which reduced his stats. He plays half-forward, wing, and occasionally onball. He won’t take a lot of marks, but certainly makes up for it with goals. He has the ability to produce midfield stats and will be available in the forwards.
smokeys: I was surprised to see Paul Wheatley scored 1139pts from 14 games last year (average 81.36ppg). This will make him expensive, but if he can reproduce those numbers over the 22 rounds he’ll be worth his weight in gold. He’s tall, versatile, and kicks the ball well. 24yr old Brent Maloney has struggled with osteitis pubis over the past 2 years. He played 10 games last year with a minimal amount of gametime. A fit Maloney belongs in the starting lineup, best suited to a wing. He has trained well over summer and should play rd1. 22yr old Colin Sylvia re-invented himself as a forward pocket last year. His career has been riddled by injuries, but I’m predicting he’ll step up into a reliable goalkicker. He can take a contested mark, and find a bit of the ball. He could be somewhat of a Corey Jones.
cash cows: 21yr old ruck prospect John Meesen has been tipped to play senior football this year. He was traded by the Adelaide Crows over summer, and is searching for an opportunity. His pre-season form suggests he’ll be vying for selection rd1. 20yr old Clint Bartram has some senior experience under his belt and is priced just above base. He only played 1 game last year due to injury, but is still regarded as Melbourne’s best tagger. 19yr old Isaac Weetra was taken at pick no.62 in the 2006 draft and is likely to play games this year. He’s a quick, creative, indigenous player who can play back/forward. 18yr old Jack Grimes was taken at pick no.14 in the 2007 draft and should play most games. He’s a midfield/halfback who registered huge stats in the U18s. He comes highly recommended. 17yr old Cale Morton (brother of Mitch and Jarryd) was taken at pick no.4 in the 2007 draft and would be very close to the starting 22. This kid was the Chad Cornes of the U18s – an absolute stat machine – and pre-season form suggests he could start rd1. I highly recommend him!

PORT ADELAIDE
The Power surprised everyone by making the Grand Final last year. They have a relatively young list and one of the strongest midfields in the competition. Mark Williams likes to keep an open forwardline to allow extra men through the midfield, which helps generate more possessions. There won’t be many changes to the starting lineup, so don’t expect too many bargains around here. Cornes boys are always a good bet!
FB – Wilson, Thurstans, Pettigrew
HB – P.Burgoyne, Chaplin, Surjan
C – Salopek, S.Burgoyne, (Cassisi)
HF – Rodan, Tredrea, Pearce
FF – Ebert, J.Westhoff, D.Motlop
R – Lade, C.Cornes, K.Cornes
i/c – Brogan, Boak, Thomas, Logan
big guns: Chad Cornes was the 7th ranked player overall in DreamTeam scoring 2227pts from 22 games (average 101.23ppg). He is an elite midfielder who has been totally misclassified as a back. Chad is the full package stat machine and will be an absolute MUST for 2008. Midfielder-turned-halfback Peter Burgoyne was a revelation last year scoring 1876pts from 21 games (average 89.33ppg). His latest re-classification of ‘back’ will dramatically enhance his fantasy value. He regularly picks up 30+ possessions, and is Port’s “go-to-man” in defence. Younger brother Kane Cornes was the highest ranked player in DreamTeam for 2007. He’s scored 4675pts over the past 2 seasons (average 106.25ppg) – the most by any player! Kane is the king of dreamteam points. He hasn’t missed a game since rd16 2003 and is worth every cent of his ridiculous pricetag.
hot prospects: Another younger brother, Shaun Burgoyne, received a lot more attention from taggers last year. Many of them got the better of him, ultimately lowering his price for this year, but don’t underestimate his statistical output. He is an elite goalscoring midfielder capable of 2000+pts. 19yr old Travis Boak is an improving 2nd year player. He plays off the bench as an inside mid rotation, and is full of stat potential. His Nab Cup form against Carlton was really good. He can only get better from here. Champion CHF Warren Tredrea has battled through injury over the past 2 years. His statistical form slump has meant he’s dropped away in price. I doubt he’ll ever reach those lofty heights of averaging 90+ppg, but he is expected to do better than 979pts from 17 games (average 57.59ppg). His post-season surgery was a success.
smokeys: Tall defender Troy Chaplin could take up a role at CHB. He only played 11 games last year, but saved his best for finals. He racked up 30+possessions 10+marks against the Kangaroos in the Preliminary Final. He has the ability to play loose, and knows how to find uncontested marks. 22yr old midfielder Steven Salopek is in great pre-season form and could step up this year. He plays wing/onball and just keeps finding the footy. He also gets tackles and is starting to kick more goals. 21yr old Matt Thomas is a lowly priced centre who looks set to become a 1st team regular. I see him as a part-time-back/part-time-midfielder who could play a role off the bench. His unfortunate misclassification has dented his fantasy value. Nevertheless, he could be a handy selection for your 6th midfielder slot.
cash cows: 20yr old Nick Lower (twin brother of Ed Lower) is a 3rd year player who looks certain to play games this year and could even start rd1. He was good against Carlton in the Nab Cup, playing as a small defender and finding plenty of easy kicks. His twin brother Ed played 7 games for the Kangaroos last year. 18yr old Mitchell Farmer was taken at pick no.49 in the 2007 draft. He is strong bodied player who seems ready for some senior football. I saw him play for Calder Cannons last year and he reminded me of Mark Johnson. 17yr old Marlon Motlop (cousin of Daniel) was taken at pick no.28 in the 2007 draft and is one of the youngest players in the competition. He is a small fleet-footed player with exceptional skills who can play back/forward. He was really impressive against Carlton playing off halfback, and was even given kickout duties. He’ll play games this year.

RICHMOND
The Tigers deserve to go into this season as wooden spoon favourites. They have a young inexperienced list that is currently lacking in depth, and there is a 1st round priority draft pick up for grabs if they only manage 4 wins or less (start tanking NOW). Terry Wallace is doing the right thing by playing an attacking brand of football and blooding youngsters. However, there is an unhealthy reliance on Matthew Richardson and a lot of play is still directed through him.
FB – King, Thursfield, Bowden
HB – Newman, Polak, McMahon
C – (Johnson), Tuck, Raines
HF – Tambling, Richardson, Pettifer
FF – Brown, Deledio, Riewoldt
R – Simmonds, Coughlan, Foley
i/c – Pattison, Tivendale, O-Nicholls, Morton
big guns: Consummate defender Joel Bowden has been a top fantasy pick for many years. He often plays loose and is the “go-to-man” in Richmond’s defence. He accumulates plenty of unconstested marks and can rack up 30+ possessions on a good day. Bowden was the highest scoring non-midfielder in the backs category last year. He has only missed 2 games of football in the last 10 years. Midfielder Shane Tuck is a good old fashioned centreman that keeps registering stats without being noticed. He played through injury last year, but still managed to play 22 games. 2000+pts is his regular output. Tuck’s fantasy value is much maligned. 33yr old Matthew Richardson is the main target in the forwardline. He was the 7th highest ranked forward last year scoring 1894pts from 22 games (average 86.09ppg). He is a hard working CHF who takes marks up the ground and is capable of 50+ goals per season. Nathan Brown is a key player and proven stat rat. He plays deep forward, but pushes up into the midfield for extra stats. He collects marks, possessions, tackles, and is capable of 40+ goals per season. He appears to have finally overcome his leg injury.
hot prospects: Dashing halfback Jordan McMahon has crossed over from the Bulldogs. He will bring some much needed run-and-carry + neat kicking skills to the Tiger defence, and could be somewhat of a “go-to-man”. He suffered from injuries last year, which lowered his stats, so expect him to be underpriced. 22yr old Andrew Raines stagnated last year playing off halfback. He has a penetrating kick, but turns the ball over too much. The recruitment of Jordan McMahon will allow Raines to play in the midfield. His pre-season form has been quiet, but stats will come his way. This is one of the hottest misclassification tips going around. Let’s hope he’s the new Jed Ad****! Mark Coughlan missed 2007 with a knee reconstruction and is severely underpriced for the season ahead. He is a top inside midfielder and a proven fantasy pick. Richmond has eased him back into pre-season, but he’s ready to play rd1. He will be a popular selection. Troy Simmonds struggled with injuries last year and has severely dropped in price. He was the 4th highest ranked ruck in 2006 scoring an impressive 1975pts from 21 games (average 94.05ppg). I wouldn’t expect the 29yr old to repeat those efforts, but he will surely do better than last year’s output of 545pts from 10 games (average 54.50ppg). 2004 no.1 draft pick Brett Deledio is a star on the rise. He is set to play full-forward in a Brad Johnson-like role. I expect to see him push up the ground for extra stats, and have short bursts onball. He will basically kick goals and produce midfield stats. His latest re-classification of forward has dramatically increased his fantasy value. I highly recommend him!
smokeys: Back-pocket/plumber Jake King was a superb rookie elevation in 2007 scoring 1324pts from 19 games (average 69.68ppg). He is a feisty little defender who finds plenty of possessions and tackles. He was averaging closer to 80ppg by season’s end, and has been re-classified as a back. He could be a great selection. 26yr old Kayne Pettifer is a hard working half-forward that produces midfield stats. He scored 1800+pts for the 2nd year in a row last year, yet was only selected in 4,659 dreamteams. He produces marks, goals, assists, and inside50s. His fantasy value is much maligned.
cash cows: 20yr old Jarred Oakley-Nicholls is a former top10 draft pick who hasn’t played much senior football. I see him as a medium sized halfback flank that could play off the bench this year. He is listed as a centre, and is priced just above base. 18yr old Alex Rance was taken at pick no.18 in the 2007 draft and was touted as a potential top10 pick. He is listed at 192cm and described as a hard running tall defender. He has a good fantasy outlook and should play some games this year.