My backline at the moment:
Shaw, Smith, Hurn, Lonergan, Dea, Weitering with Hartley and Brown on the bench.
Been against Shaw but he just looked so good against the Swans it's impossible not to pick him. He might even go 115 this year and be 20 more than anyone else. Certainly no signs of a slow start and getting him cheaper in the first half of the season. Going to be hard to find the cash to get him in if he's $100k more expensive than everyone else.
I'm hoping Smith, Hurn and Lonergan can average 90 and be keepers, or at least be low-priority upgrades late in the year depending on what's happening. I don't see a lot that excites me at the top of the defender list, so hoping a couple of these guys can break into the top 10 this year.
Just for interest, my thoughts on the top 10 priced-defenders:
1
Heath Shaw GWS 22 $607,800 - Can't believe I'm saying it, but almost looking a must-have
2
Matthew Boyd Western Bulldogs 18 $560,900 - Only 18 games last year. Top player but expensive and too risky for scoring and missing games.
3
Jarrad McVeigh Sydney 20 $542,600 - Expensive. Injured at the moment. Swans need him desperately at half-back though. Watching him, he showed signs of decay at the end of last year. Not on my radar at all.
4
Alex Rance Richmond 22 $523,700 - Hard to pick key position players. Will post some big scores but will also post some shockers.
5
Tom McDonald Melbourne 22 $517,500 - See above. For every 140 you'll get a 60 (or 38 like last year...)
6
Bachar Houli Richmond 22 $516,100 - Under consideration. But, for a guy you're paying $500k for he has far too many 60 scores. Prime target for a defensive forward. Will be cheaper at some stage and will look to pick him up then.
6
Corey Enright Geelong 21 $516,000 - Fairly reliable, but too old to consider starting. Will be cheaper through the season.
8
Rory Laird Adelaide 21 $506,200 - Expensive for a guy who's had 1 good scoring year. Bit too risky for mine but might pick him up at sub $450k at some point.
9
Kade Simpson Carlton 20 $500,200 - NAB form terrible. Hard to see him maintaining his average this year.
10
Robert Murphy Western Bulldogs 20 $495,600 - Dependable but hard to see how he can play/average any better than last year.