The Cramming Guide (Blues, Pies, Bombers and Dockers): by the Bushranger

Carlton

The Premiums: As usual Carlton have some pretty impressive premiums with the likes of Andrew Carrazzo (MID - $517,800), Brock McLean (MID – 568,600), Marc Murphy (MID - $602,900), Bryce Gibbs (DEF/MID - $509,800), Heath Scotland (DEF/MID - $535, 600) and Kade Simpson (MID – 501,300). Of course you can’t have them all though and while McLean will be interesting to watch throughout the season I would be inclined to name Scotland because he is Mr Consistency and Gibbs who in defence as Malthouse is giving him free reign in the midfield this year.

The Middle Ground: One of the best bargains out of Carlton this year appears to be Kane Lucas (MID - $217,400). He’s a hard runner but never been given a real opportunity to show it. It seems like Malthouse is willing to take a punt on him and he has been impressive in 3 of the 4 NAB Cup matches with two scores over 100.

The Rookies: If Sam Rowe (FWD/RUC - $115,900) can keep his early NAB Cup form going (he scored 172 in one match) then he would a shoe-in although I suspect he will be up and down and find it hard to keep a regular spot in the side with so many other good ruckmen ahead of him at the club. Another rookie to keep on eye is Troy Menzel (FWD/MID - $149,500) due to his injury he didn’t get to play NAB Cup but once he is fit The Blues have marked him as a player to have an immediate impact.

The NAB Stars: No really big surprises with Heath Scotland (DEF/MID - $535,600), Bryce Gibbs (DEF/MID - $509,800) and Brock McLean (MID - $568, 600) being the standouts. If we’ve learnt anything about Carlton during the NAB Cup it’s that Kane Lucas (MID - $217,400) can score and that Malthouse favours Shaun Hampson (RUC - $378,200) over Matthew Kreuzer (RUC - $494,100) for the number one ruck spot.

The Untouchables: It’s a big call but I feel that the fore-mentioned Matthew Kreuzer (RUC - $494,100) is Carlton’s untouchable. His average of around the 80 mark is nowhere near what a premium ruckman should be and he has too many down games. Having said that though he’ll probably have a killer year and make this Bushranger eat his words.

The Outsider: Carlton’s outsider this year has to be Chris Judd (MID - $558,300), time out of the game after he decided to chase a sponsorship from Steggles by showing his love for the chicken-wing damaged his game last year and dragged his average well below where it’s been the last few years. If you pick him one of two things could happen age will indeed weary him and his average will stay in the 80s or perhaps the fact he has dropped the captaincy may mean he can concentrate on playing and lift... like all Outsiders he’ll either make you laugh or make you cry.

The Wash-Up: I would hold off on Sam Rowe (FWD/RUC - $115,900) until it’s obvious what Malthouse is going to do with him but Kane Lucas (MID - $217,400), Bryce Gibbs (DEF/MID - $509,800) and Heath Scotland (DEF/MID - $535, 600) need to be locks.

Collingwood

The Premiums: Collingwood has a list of premiums as long as your arm (sleeve tattooed arm that probably should be). There is Dane Beams (MID - $657,700), Scott Pendlebury (MID - $667,300), Steele Sidebottom (MID - $568,400) and Dane Swan (MID - $675,300). The hardest choice for everyone out there is it seems that you can’t go wrong selecting any of them.

The Middle Ground: Two Pies returning from injury lead the way in the middle ground. Andrew Krakouer (FWD - $291,100) and Brent Macaffer (FWD - $128,000) both look like they are worth considering for you forward line especially if they can recapture old form. Krakouer scored 96 in his only NAB Cup match, while Brent Macaffer peaked with a 169. Carlton recruit Jordan Russell (DEF - $266,000) is another that should be seriously looked at as his game may change under a new coach.

The Rookies: Kyle Martin (MID - $110,200) was the standout Pie Rookie during the NAB Cup, but sadly he sits on the Rookie List so won’t see Seniors action this year unless an injury occurs. Ben Kennedy (FWD/MID - $109,500) also showed promise but good look breaking into this side anytime soon.

The NAB Stars: Dane Swan (MID $675,300), Scott Pendlebury (MID - $667,300) and Dane Beams (MID - $657,700) all starred, while Heath Shaw (DEF - $541,300) showed he is back to good form.

The Untouchables: The Pies might always talk about Nick Maxwell (DEF - $395,900) being a fearsome leader and such his average of 74 just isn’t enough to warrant a spot on your backline.

The Outsider: All pre-season everybody was talking about picking up Luke Ball (MID - $301,800) as a bargain, but this is a choice that could still end in tears. Yes Ball may return to his best, but he also may find it difficult to slot into this star studded midfield and there is also guarantee that the injury that has kept him out of the NAB Cup is going to free him up anytime soon.

The Wash-Up: You’d be mad not to pick up two of the Magpie premiums, really you could take any of them however I believe that Dane Beams (MID - $657,700) and Steele Sidebottom (MID - $568,400) might be the way to go as the others may become heavily tagged this year. I’d also be naming Macaffer (FWD - $128,000) on my forward line over an untried rookie.

Essendon

The Premiums: New Bomber Brendon Goddard (DEF/MID - $541,500) joins Jobe Watson (MID - $647,200) and Brent Stanton (MID - $559,700) as the premiums on the Bombers list. Only the brave will choose Stanton who is known for his up and down score and with so many decent midfielders around even Watson would be a brave decision due to the scrutiny the club has been after and the fact that even he has admitted he has felt ‘down’ over the pre-season.

The Middle Ground: Not exactly any gold to find here but perhaps watch the form of Mark Baguley (DEF - $315,100), Alex Browne (DEF - $272,900) and Jason Winderlich (FWD - $246,100) early on in the season.

The Rookies: Sadly the Bombers only bright light in this department is Joe Daniher (FWD - $154,500) but he is yet to impress the Bushranger.

The NAB Stars: Despite being accused of being disloyal by his old club St Kilda Brendon Goddard (DEF/MID - $541,500) arrived at the Bombers and hit the ground running and by the end of the NAB Cup as averaging 111 points per game. The next best were Jobe Watson (MID $647,200) and Brent Stanton (MID - $559,700) so it really was business as usual for the red and black.

The Untouchables: Yes he’s already been mentioned under Premiums and as a NAB Cup star but The Bushranger would steer well clear of Brent Stanton (MID - $559,700), every year he promises so much but then falls away.

The Outsider: There are two Outsiders at The Bombers. Scott Gumbleton (FWD - $306,800 ) is well worth a punt if he can stay injury free and keep playing in the form he had for the last six rounds of last year while The Bombers have also been talking up the form of Nathan Lovett-Murray (MID - $299,900). Both are massive risks though.

The Wash-Up: It’s slim pickings at The Bombers this year and as a result The Bushranger will only be drafting Brendon Goddard (DEF/MID - $541,500).

Fremantle

The Premiums: The boys from out west offer up three premiums this year. Michael Barlow (MID - $509,500) is a premium set to rise after his first full pre-season in three years while old timers Matthew Pavlich (FWD - $593,900) and Aaron Sandilands (RUC - $602,400) still make the grade after all these years. Of course name Sandilands at your peril as he may not be appearing until Round 8.

The Middle Ground: Perhaps not one of the names that would normally stand-out but Nick Suban (DEF - $276,400) has had a steady NAB Cup so could be worth a look if you’re looking for a consistent cheap backline option. Lachie Neale (MID - $253,400) is another that has had some decent form in the NAB Cup.

The Rookies: No real standouts that you would certainly want to name for Round One but perhaps watch Jayden Pitt (DEF - $128,000), Hayden Crozier (FWD $219,400) and Tom Sheridan (MID - $115,900) as the season goes on.

The NAB Stars: Fremantle have thrown up some surprises during the NAB Cup with Chris Mayne (FWD - $431,600) throwing up some strong scores while Nathan Fyfe (MID - $498,800) and David Mundy (MID - $477,300) were also strong. But beware Mayne and Mundy are pricey for what they offer. Fyfe is worth a look but beware of his dodgy shoulder.

The Untouchables: Even with the move to the new club couldn’t lift Zac Dawson’s (DEF - $265,500) average above the 50 mark. You can select him but he certainly won’t do much on your team.

The Outsider: There are two outsiders out west. Newly arrived Danyle Pearce (DEF/MID - $458,800) may get a chance to shine at The Dockers while back-up ruckman Jonathon Griffin (RUC - $491,400) may well step-up while Sandilands is on the injury list.

The Wash-Up: No real gems at The Dockers this year, but Jonathon Griffin (RUC - $491,400) is well worth a look if you are looking for a cheap ruck premium who will score above his average.