For many keeper league coaches, the list lodgement deadline is fast approaching!
I’m going to dissect the keeper selections from each side in our podcaster’s keeper league and hopefully help guide you to make the right decisions for your side.
Listen to our latest podcast: ‘Pre-season 2020: Sydney, West Coast & Western Bulldogs‘
At this time of year it can be tough to decide which oldies to hold onto, which youngsters to keep and what team balance to go into the draft with.
To make this not as daunting, especially for first time coaches, I’ll dissect the keepers for the 10 sides, in our podcasters league which we started last year.
We drafted squads of 40 last year and have decided to keep 20. Many leagues keep half, but some keep many less, so while this might not be 100% perfect for your team, hopefully it helps you make some tough decisions!
We’ll start with my side, which finished fourth in 2019.
Now I’ll start off by saying that my keepers were pretty straight forward. I had a lot of guys under perform last year and that shows in my keepers list.
My team balance is very mid heavy (especially as we play
5-7-1-5) and quite weak in defence.
Selections
Lachie Whitfield losing back status hurts but the fact he
gains forward status is a real blessing.
Speaking of blessings, Bryce Gibbs being granted defender
status by Ultimate Footy has really saved my arse too.
There could be a call to talk a punt on someone like Taylin
Duman (I tossed up between him and Bonner) and leave out someone like David
Swallow or even Josh Kennedy but I’ll back in their class and go hard on
defenders in the draft.
Strategy
My strategy from here is to use one or two of my mids as
trade bait, especially for another decent forward or defender.
My draft focus will basically be to draft the best few
forwards and defenders and go from there. Hopefully can get someone like a
Sydney Stack early or even an older established defender or forward who has
been discarded by another team.
Going into last year, I had a specific focus at the draft to
take a lot of guys in the 23-26 age bracket and this has paid dividends this
year as I’ really only carrying two older guys into the season in Gibbs and
Kennedy.
With Jarrod Witts as my only ruck after Tom Nicholls
retiring, I’ll also need to be taking Peter Wright and Zac Smith for ruck
handcuffs this season.
Coaches Comment
With a strong midfield, dominant ruckman and a couple premiums up forward and down back, I’ll be hoping to push for another Top 4 finish in 2020.
I’ll be looking to add some decent depth to my forward line and back line and have another crack at the flag!
Yeah I don’t mind that call as Tucker definitely has some upside. Swallow was probably just the safer option of the two in the end. Hopefully my side can contend in 2020!
Dale
February 25, 2020 at 10:16 am
I’d consider dropping swallow and holding Tucker for FWD depth and what I think he may do this year, but a tasty lineup all the same
Kaes
February 25, 2020 at 10:22 am
Yeah I don’t mind that call as Tucker definitely has some upside. Swallow was probably just the safer option of the two in the end. Hopefully my side can contend in 2020!