Following on from my initial analysis on the Top priced PREMIUMS by the NUMBERS - Defenders (click on the link if you haven't had a read yet), we now shift our focus to the engine room of our SC teams. This is undoubtedly the most important process in the construct of our starting teams as it's likely to contain our season long VC/C candidates. The number of 'cylinders' that we ultimately choose to impart on our engine will more than likely depend on the availability of Rookies, whilst some may resort to fine-tuning their horsepower and torque settings instead in search of that competitive edge!
Whatever your inclinations, I now present this year's crop of 'Uber Premiums', they are expensive for a reason...
What have I got to look forward to?
- Detailed historical stats table
- Summary of averages of key indicators since 2014
- Round by round detailed stats for the 2017 season
- 2017 averages broken down by thirds
- My observations & commentaries
- My prediction & verdict
- List of any 'value' and/or 'underpriced' players of interests
- Potential 'breakout' players where applicable
Patrick DANGERFIELD
With consecutive 130+ seasons, he now joins Ablett as the only other player to have notched up multiple seasons above that benchmark, Ablett has recorded 4 to date. In fact, there has only been 8 players who have managed to scaled those heights and the roll call reads like SC royalty! Lead the competition for CPs and Clearances which are core essentials of an elite SC premium, and has by far the best SC to DT ratio of this elite group. Finished the year 230 points ahead of his closest rival (D Martin) and was 288 points to the good of S Pendlebury the year before. His recent history of consistent high scoring coupled with his impeccable durability makes him the best captaincy candidate from this year's group. If you're like me who's first player selected is the best VC/C candidate, then he makes the team just on that basis alone. One can try to come up with arguments for not starting him, however valid they may be, I sense that all we're trying to do is searching for that justification for the sake of saving $100K. It was not so long ago that most of us were happy enough to cough up 700K+ for Ablett for the exact reasons I've mentioned. Ablett is no longer that viable starting option and I fail to identify any other player who has the ability to fill that void as perfectly as Dangerfield. I would be surprised if he lower his floor to a sub-120 season, on the contrary, I wouldn't be surprised if he churns out another 130+ season.
Prediction: 120-140
Verdict: Very strongly consider
