The Cramming Guide (Cats, Suns, Giants & Hawks): by the Bushranger

Geelong

The Premiums: As usual The Cats aren’t struggling for stars and once again they’re bursting at the seams with premiums. Jimmy Bartel (FWD/MID - $527,400), Paul Chapman (FWD/MID - $535,600), Steve Johnson (FWD/MID - $516,700), James Kelly (MID - $553,200) and Joel Selwood (MID - $629,500). Anyone of those premiums are going to do wonders in your team... although be wary of Chapman who does seem to suffer from on again off again injuries, and even more annoyingly gets rested from time to time.

The Middle Ground: There are a couple of players in the mid range that look like bargains for this year. The fact that Travis Varcoe (FWD/MID $268,900) missed most of year with an injury means he costs very little this year and the fact he is a ball-winger and a goal scorer means he can return some fairly decent scores. You may want to also watch George Horlin-Smith (MID - $198,000) who has been training the house down and has been impressing the coaching staff with his effort. People also need to remember he had exceptional VFL form last year as well.

The Rookies: Aside from George Horlin-Smith (MID - $198,000) the other rookie to watch is Mark Blicavs (MID/RUC $115,900) who is the size of a ruck-man and has the tank of a midfielder thanks to his past career as a steeple-chase runner. Blicavs may get early games but might be overlooked once Geelong’s ruck stocks return to full strength.

The NAB Stars: Joes Selwood (MID - $629,500) did enough to finish the NAB Cup with a 107 point average per game while Harry Taylor (DEF - $465,000) also chimed in with a surprising 104 point average. Jimmy Bartel (FWD/MID - $527,400) was also his usual impressive self.

The Untouchables: There are a lot of positive news floating around about Jared Rivers (DEF - $394,200) and the impact he will have on Catland. But with the team announcing he will take over the role left by Matthew Scarlett it means it is highly unlikely that he will improve on his 74 point average.

The Outsider: Hamish McIntosh (RUC - $495,300) is the big outsider at Geelong. Fully fit he may shine being away from Todd Goldstein, but already injuries have started to take their toll so it really is a draft at your own peril situation.

The Wash-Up: Any one of the premiums would be a great slot into your team but the fact they have dual position availability makes Jimmy Bartel (FWD/MID - $527,000) and Steve Johnson (FWD/MID - $516,700) the best choices. I’m not completely sold on Travis Varcoe (FWD/MID $268,900) but Mark Blicavs (MID/RUC - $115,900) may be worth a look if the other Geelong ruck options are going to be out for any length of time.  

Gold Coast

The Premiums: Just two. Danny Stanley (DEF - $483,200) is a hard working defender but the premium worth worrying about is the legendary Gary Ablett (MID - $740,500) someone that no matter the price tag is a must have in each team.

The Middle Ground: New recruit Tom Murphy (DEF - $293,200) may well be worth a look. His average at Hawthorn may not have been too flash but The Bushranger has a feeling that his arrival at a new club may just be the push he needs to lift.

The Rookies: The Suns offer one of the most talented (and sought after) rookies of the year, Jaeger O’Meara (MID - $115,900). O’Meara has been on some Supercoach coaches want list for two years now, and he teased us last year with some stunning performances in the NAB Cup despite the fact he was too young to actually line up for the Suns during the season proper. Now O’Meara is ready to play and people are saying that he will certainly be the recruit of the year.

The NAB Stars: Not surprisingly Gary Ablett (MID - $740,500) was the standout Sun with a whopping average of 116 points per game. Harley Bennell (MID - $521,900) also stepped up with an average above 90 while Jarrod Harbrow (DEF - $414,500) was also impressive.

The Untouchables: Perhaps the idea of having a hard-nut on your team seems like a good idea and the obvious choice at The Suns would be Campbell Brown (FWD - $286,400) who even has a nice price. But the fact that Campbell never scores well and will be out for the first six matches justifies why he is considered an Untouchable.

The Outsider: The Suns are one team that can boast two Outsiders. Before the NAB Cup a lot of coaches would have had Greg Broughton (DEF/FWD - $441,900) on their want list, however a disappointing NAB Cup that saw him average just 52.20 clouded things over. Surely the former Docker will step-up at his new club, won’t he? The second player that will either make Supercoach coaches laugh or cry is ruckman Zac Smith (RUC - $374,900). He had an explosive 2011 but was disappointing last season, will 2013 be the year that he steps up? He could well be worth a second loo if he does step-up this year.

The Wash-Up: Two Suns are definite for your team. Gary Ablett (MID - $740,500) is a must, he’s the perfect captain each week, and serious game players will also have Jaeger O’Meara (MID - $115,900) ready to go as well. 

GWS

The Premiums: After their fledging year the Giants go into their second season with two premiums, Toby Greene (MID - $506,300) and Callan Ward (MID - $570,100). Greene is certainly worth a look if you feel he may step up even further in his sophomore year.

The Middle Ground: There are a couple of players that may well be worth a look at GWS that fall into the mid-range category. The arrival of Stephen Gilham (DEF - $279,100) at The Giants may mean the former Hawk gets a chance to boost his average of 52.17 from last season. The second player that should be looked at closely is Tim Mohr (DEF - $352,700) who had four impressive matches in the NAB Cup.

The Rookies: While there has been a spotlight put on many rookies this year it seems the Draft’s No.1 pick Lachie Whitfield (MID - $199,500) has gone under the radar a little. He did have an average NAB Cup but you can only wonder whether he will soon recapture the form that saw him average 23 disposals a game in the Under 18 Championships. Gerald Ugle (DEF - $123,100) also was impressive in his NAB Cup hit out.

The NAB Stars: Anthony Miles (MID - $338,500) was the surprise standout for The Giants in the NAB Cup and finished the pre-season with an average of 111 points per game. Gerald Ugle (DEF - $123,100) also looked good scoring 99 points in his one game while Toby Greene (MID $506,300) was also impressive.

The Untouchables: Some players seem like a bit of a tease but are actually untouchable. Setanta O’Hailpin (FWD/RUC - $252,500) might seem like a cheap option but with score in the 20s in the NAB Cup would suggest he’s not going to set the world on fire this season.

The Outsider: At the start of the 2012 season many were hailing Jonathon Patton (FWD - $242,300) as the new Wayne Carey. Injury tore his season apart but it does mean that he is a cheap option this year. If he steps up he could be one of the bargains of the year, but a repeat of last year will mean that you’ve just wasted some cash.

The Wash-Up: The Bushranger isn’t sold on having any Giants in his team this year, but may take a chance on Jonathon Patton (FWD - $242,300).

Hawthorn

The Premiums: Hawthorn’s key forward Lance Franklin (FWD - $618,000) leads their premium list, but his ongoing injuries makes him somebody that The Bushranger is going to bypass this year. Also joining Franklin on the list are the ever reliable Sam Mitchell (MID - $592,600) and the orange roughie, Jarryd Roughead (FWD/RUC – 554,800).

The Middle Ground: If Xavier Ellis (MID - $284,100) can stay fit he may end up being a good mid-range option and while he hasn’t always scored well in the past Kyle Cheney (DEF - $250,600) may be well worth a second glance if the Hawks’ injuries means he gets a more running role this year.

The Rookies: Nil that really standout, but watch the early form of Bradley Hill (MID - $152,000) to see what options the coaching staff give him early on.

The NAB Stars: Cyril Rioli (FWD/MID - $527,300) shone in his one and only NAB Cup match for the year while Sam Mitchell (MID - $592,600) and Jarryd Roughead (FWD/RUC - $554,800) also scored well.

The Untouchables: Yes he’s flashy and gets to date a Pussycat Doll (sometimes when she’s in town) but please give Josh Gibson (DEF - $420,700) a miss, as he is seriously one of the most over-priced players in Supercoach.

The Outsider: Two players fill The Outsider role at Hawthorn. If you are willing to take a chance on the newly arrived Brian Lake (DEF - $430,700) you may gain a player who rises to his past good form or you may be disappointed as he stays in the mediocre form he has been in recently. Likewise selecting Matt Spangher (FWD - $128,000) may seem like a cheap option but the question remains over whether or not he will find a spot in the team or not.

The Wash-Up: Sam Mitchell (MID - $592,600) is a lock if you love a player who is consistent week and week out, while at the moment Jarryd Roughead (FWD/RUC - $554,800) is looking a slightly better option than Franklin, the fact he can be named as a ruckman also makes you wonder whether he should also be lock.