Food for thought:
- Cheap M/F swingers: Honeychurch 117K plays his third this week OR Towers 123K will play his first game back from injury after great pre-season and good early season form. Spina from Ade is a non starting rookie option at 102K. Towers can play (he would be the high risk, high rewards investment), while Honeychurch should continue to get games. If you were seeking bench cover with the chance of cracking 100 points in your forward line - look no further than Josh Caddy, a 253K M/F about to explode!
- Shenton named on the bench this week, three possibilities: 1. making room for taller backs to match up against North. 2. Not favoured and on the edge of selection. 3. Tagged for some midfield rotation. I think it's the first option, but I think now might be the time to trade him out if you were thinking that way.
- Ablett replacement is very much dependant upon individual teams. I am going Sloane.
I suspect North have turned a corner and could dominate SC scoring in the coming weeks - picking the eyes out of their list could reap big rewards, but who do you pick??
- Mitchell will bottom out next week, but you can wait a further week and he may only go up another 5K if have more urgent trades eg. Morabito.

Jock - Rhys Palmer looked fitter and hungrier than I've seen him. Is he worth considering as a mid priced forward? Thoughts or stats for and against anyone?

Wright can score but has proven to be used as a tagger, hence his price. Is this going to change in 2014? He did provide a couple of nice scores this time last year. Caddy on the other hand is a genuine midfielder who will not tag. While having both is an option, Caddy will safely outscore his price due to increased game time alone.

I've had Lobbe in as R1 for a while, but I'm a bit concerned that Renouf might be part of Port's plans for two ruckman. They played a half each with similar possessions and 18 and 16 hit outs respectively. Any thoughts?

They should be far more competitive and therefore get a greater share of SC points. I reckon Trengrove could have a much better year. Toumpas could have a good year, but I don't have any Dees in my team at this point.

I too like the chances of Clurey getting run at Port.

Yeah - Miles was good again. Played half a game and did some good things. A bit Luke Ball like, won the ball in tight bounced off opponents. He's showed enough to warrant promotion and pushing for early games I feel.

Neilsy - I saw the game and he was in the orange boots and he did spend more time on the ball, he's been working towards that this pre-season. I suspect he will spend a bit of time there (perhaps a quarter or so per game) as part of the solution to the new rotation cap this year. He is one you should expect an improvement from, but $390K could become 410 or 480, who knows. He is at his best when he is putting on relentless forward tackle pressure. He was okay on Saturday. He is one I've considered, but at that price I can't bring myself to take him...?

COLL v RICH (The following is prefaced with an apology for the length an understanding that it was only a NAB challenge game).
2014 forecast:
Rich strengths - midfield depth and settled small to medium backline mix.
Rich weakness - Rucks (Maric fitness?) Back up ruck who can demand a good defender when playing forward.
Coll strength - Tall fwds (Cloke, Reid and White). Developing small forward / midfield depth.
Coll weakness - Tough, clean users of ball in back six who can develop the chemistry essential for a flag.

It suited to travel up for the game so I was able to observe it live. Rich hungrier and ran harder. Were quick and clean by hand for much of the game. Vickery was a solid target up forward, Cotchin was himself, Dustin got quite a bit of the ball in his new role. Richmond played well - their disposal and retention of the footy has improved markedly over the last 3 years. They seemed to go wide too often when going forward though. Collingwood guns looked like they were just rolling the legs over. At times the Pies moved through middle with purpose. The small to medium backs look like their weakness.

Def:
Rich- Really taking shape! Vlastuin was very good (Hardwick reincarnation). Morris is a classic trustworthy small back. Martin got plenty of it and Houli adds polish to disposal off the half back, he was good again. Chaplin and Rance both do a reasonable job, but probably need Griffiths or someone of his height and athleticism to move with a third tall like Reid or White.

Coll- Probably have the reverse situation to Rich. Have plenty of tall options for the back half including Reid. Keefe is disciplined and developing well. Brown is experienced, if somewhat limited to bigger less mobile type forwards. Jack Frost is a terrific defender, good closing speed disciplined and timely fist (not a SC scorer). His form and ability should see him elevated from the rookie list if a tall is injured. A definite starter post Maxwell or 2015. The small to medium backs look far less settled and cohesive. Lots of questions! Williams (did not play and has off field issues to deal with) - Sinclair did not play but might be the obvious replacement in that role. Toovey didn't play and will need VFL time I suspect. Seedsman recovering from injury. Goldsack had a hit out probably gets a run there in some capacity. Marty Clarke on fringe of best 22. Ramsay still developing. Langdon did his job (but is a first year). Armstrong didn't do enough to warrant a start but might get one by default. McAffer and Young may have to go back? It's hard to find a settled back six that assures the Pies of a top 8 finish??

Ruck:
Rich: One of Hampson / Griffiths must stand up as a back up ruck. Hampson got his hand to the tap often enough but wasn't inspiring while Griffiths is taking his time delivering on his athletic potential. (Maric did not play and may have minor surgery before round 1!!! Clearly still hampered by injury).

Coll: Grundy played half a game and competed. Jesse White looked okay at the centre bounce a couple of times (if Quentin Lynch gets a game at all I'd be surprised).

Mids:
Rich - Miles did nothing to damage his chances of rookie elevation. The usual Tiger suspects accumulated without fuss. There is finally some depth at Richmond with a number competing for game time in the middle - Cotchin, Deledio (both rotated forward at times), Grigg, Foley, Thomas, Conca, Miles, Ellis (Martin looks set for defence).

Coll- Swan floated in and out of the game as he pleased. Ball's endeavour was good as usual. Lumumba was quiet on a wing for much of his game time. Sidebottom was quiet, didn't notice McAffer much. C.Young is definitely an outside player, rather reactive in tight, a team can only carry so many of this type. If not for his long left boot he'd struggle on current form. Elliot spent some time in the midfield, he harassed okay - his body language was poor on a couple of occasions after kicks didn't fall his way 'one out' when forward. Fasolo looks a few VFL games shy of R1 or starting without a vest of some colour.

Fwds:
Rich- Vickery was the main target and they moved it to him pretty well. Hampson disappointing.
Cotchin chimed in with 4. Edwards looked quick!! Aaron Edwards presented well. King played 2nd half and

Coll- When the Pies moved the ball fluently and were able to get Cloke and Reid one out they looked very good! Reid kicked 5. White played high forward and did some good things. The Pies have done well securing his services. Marsh is a big boy for 18 years and quick (presented and chased hard in the short time he had on the ground!) SC smokey?

COLL v RICH (The following is prefaced with the fact that this was only a NAB challenge game).
2014 forecast:
Rich strengths - midfield depth and settled back small to medium backline mix.
Rich weakness - Rucks (Maric fitness?) Back up ruck who can demand a good defender when playing forward.
Coll strength - Tall fwds (Cloke, Reid and White). Developing small forward / midfield depth.
Coll weakness - Tough, clean users of ball in back six who can develop the chemistry essential for a flag.

It suited to travel up for the game so I was able to observe it live. Rich hungrier and ran harder. Were quick and clean by hand for much of the game. Vickery was a solid target up forward, Cotchin was himself, Dustin got quite a bit of the ball in his new role. Richmond played well - their disposal and retention of the footy has improved markedly over the last 3 years. They seemed to go wide too often when going forward though. Collingwood guns looked like they were just rolling the legs over. At times the Pies moved through middle with purpose. The small to medium backs look like their weakness.

Def:
Rich- Really taking shape! Vlastuin was very good (Hardwick reincarnation). Morris is a classic trustworthy small back. Martin got plenty of it and Houli adds polish to disposal off the half back, he was good again. Chaplin and Rance both do a reasonable job, but probably need Griffiths or someone of his height and athleticism to move with a third tall like Reid or White.

Coll- Probably have the reverse situation to Rich. Have plenty of tall options for the back half including Reid. Keefe is disciplined and developing well. Brown is experienced, if somewhat limited to bigger less mobile type forwards. Jack Frost is a terrific defender, good closing speed disciplined and timely fist (not a SC scorer). His form and ability should see him elevated from the rookie list if a tall is injured. A definite starter post Maxwell or 2015. The small to medium backs look far less settled and cohesive. Lots of questions! Williams (did not play and has off field issues to deal with) - Sinclair did not play but might be the obvious replacement in that role. Toovey didn't play and will need VFL time I suspect. Seedsman recovering from injury. Goldsack had a hit out probably gets a run there in some capacity. Marty Clarke on fringe of best 22. Ramsay still developing. Langdon did his job (but is a first year). Armstrong didn't do enough to warrant a start but might get one by default. McAffer and Young may have to go back? It's hard to find a settled back six that assures the Pies of a top 8 finish??

Ruck:
Rich: One of Hampson / Griffiths must stand up as a back up ruck. Hampson got his hand to the tap often enough but wasn't inspiring while Griffiths is taking his time delivering on his athletic potential. (Maric did not play and may have minor surgery before round 1!!! Clearly still hampered by injury).

Coll: Grundy played half a game and competed. Jesse White looked okay at the centre bounce a couple of times (if Quentin Lynch gets a game at all I'd be surprised).

Mids:
Rich - Miles did nothing to damage his chances of rookie elevation. The usual Tiger suspects accumulated without fuss. There is finally some depth at Richmond with a number competing for game time in the middle - Cotchin, Deledio (both rotated forward at times), Grigg, Foley, Thomas, Conca, Miles, Ellis (Martin looks set for defence).

Coll- Swan floated in and out of the game as he pleased. Ball's endeavour was good as usual. Lumumba was quiet on a wing for much of his game time. Sidebottom was quiet, didn't notice McAffer much. C.Young is definitely an outside player, rather reactive in tight, a team can only carry so many of this type. If not for his long left boot he'd struggle on current form. Elliot spent some time in the midfield, he harassed okay - his body language was poor on a couple of occasions after kicks didn't fall his way 'one out' when forward. Fasolo looks a few VFL games shy of R1 or starting without a vest of some colour.

Fwds:
Rich- Vickery was the main target and they moved it to him pretty well. Hampson disappointing.
Cotchin chimed in with 4. Edwards looked quick!! Aaron Edwards presented well. King played 2nd half and

Coll- When the Pies moved the ball fluently and were able to get Cloke and Reid one out they looked very good! Reid kicked 5. White played high forward and did some good things. The Pies have done well securing his services. Marsh is a big boy for 18 years and quick (presented and chased hard in the short time he had on the ground!) SC smokey?