In light of the 2008 Supercoach launch we have decided to give you an insight on how we choose our elite *cough cough* Supercoach Sides. Lets be honest, u can read all you want about which players are going to go up, down and not play at all. More than likely you will have a list of 55 players with $22 Million worth of salaries. We try to be different than all the other site’s here at Dream Team Hero, so The Goat and the White Maggot are going to give some strategy ideas that will help u filter out all the rubbish. Last year our two teams played in a semi final and we put out two sides out for the world to see. The White Maggot was judged to have the better side. So what we are going to do is roll out both our strategies and again ask for opinions.

The Goat

The Bottom Up Approach – I use a simple theory when choosing my Supercoach side, which is the complete opposite of when I’m out on a Saturday night. I let the cheap players dictate my side where as on a Saturday night the ladies had are all class. I wont reveal the White Maggot’s strategy yet but his is basically the total opposite. These are the steps I take with my $10 mill.

·        As soon as I logon I scroll straight down to the bottom of the page and see who are the cheap players. Both rookies and players who are discounted due to poor form or injuries last season. The guys I love at these prices I purchase no questions asked. Last year guys like Lappin, Priddis, NG Brown, Selwood and Luke McEntree!! were the first ones chosen.(2008 Selections: Nicoski $236,100 Jamie McNamara $116,400)

·        I then scroll to the top and look at the elite players and compare these to the number of good value mid range players and how many cheap players I have chosen. Last year I discovered that there were a lot more cheap forwards and mids than backmen. The way I thought around this was there is no point getting the cheap backs because they are not going to make enough money to be upgraded to star defenders as well as the star backs being more valuable because the mid range defenders are not as good. This mean I started the season with Bowden, Fletcher, McPhee and Heath Shaw as starting backmen.(2008 Selections: Needs more Research)

·        There are very few players each year who go from average to elite. Last year Carazzo and Brian Harris did this. The 3-4 who I think are going to do this and then chosen. (2008 Selections: Des Headland $424,200 Jay Nash $387,300)

·        I then let the money I have left over dictate the stars I get. If I find a lot of cheap guys it means I can stop the rest of the team with stars. I try and get as many stars as possible with that money, knowing with the money I will make with the cheaper guys more stars will come as the season goes on (2008 Selections: Pavlich $620,400 Kane Cornes $602,000)

·        The final decision is where you play the multi position players. Eg. Chad Cornes last year. I use another simple theory. I simply have a look at the depth in each position and put him where the shallow end of the pond. Last year I thought there were less star forwards than defenders so I played him forward. That worked well for me as many forwards dropped in price as the year went on(B.Johnson, Hall, Bruce etc) while many defenders held there value. Having C.Cornes forward helped make my forward line a strength

So that’s basically Team Goat’s Bottom Up Approach which has resulted in two top 3 finishes in the past 2 years. It’s over to the White Maggot

The White Maggot

Well what can I say. I like my fantasy footy like my ladies, from the top down. Not surprised that The Goat went from the Bottom up, still that says it all about the fella, plays it from behind if you know what I mean.

My tactic is to concentrate on the top tier and then work my way down. The Captain is my first pick even if not named all year he will be considered week in week out. I look to fill the key spots on my roster with the guns that you can’t look past such, then find the bargains, squad players and then the McEntees (don’t be embarrassed if you have to look him up!).

• Generally I have a number one pick in mind, the guy that I will make the Captain of my team week in week out. I look for consistency here – you have got to rely on this guy to give you a hundred points each week. Steer clear of anyone who is injury prone. (2008 Selections: Bowden $629,000, Bartell $675,200)
• Next, I try to find the studs that I need to fill the key positions. I think that you need at least 2 of each in each position. Last year I found it really hard to get value for money so was prepared to pay a little bit more for the studs in those spots. (2008 Selections: Luke Hodge $594,300)
• The sleepers come next. Look for guys who have been traded recently (Brad Symes), had a below par season the year before or are coming off injury (Nick Stevens). Sheer money makers… Treat them better than Britney Spears treats her knickers…. A necessity. (2008 Selections Mark Couglan $260,500, Brent Reily $382,300)
• Fill in the gaps…. I always play this and the rookies off with each other. If I find somebody that I have to have I make sure they go in early so that I have enough money in the bank. Guys that I have had my eyes on for a while or who are undervalued go in here. Midfielders are the easiest to pick up so look to spend a few more pennies up forward and down back. (2008 Selections: Jason Porplyzia $349,500, )
• You don’t earn points for those on the bench so you need to be looking for value for money here. Simply get the guys who are certains to play most of the year and are as cheap as they will get. That means the high draft picks have to be in your team and then the young kids that should get a run like Andrew Browne and Sam Butler (2008 Selections: Leroy Jetta $152,900, Andrew Browne $176,500)

That’s about it ladies and gents, find the guns, find the bargains and find the rest. Use all the tools available to you and spread your team out.

Things of note

• Keep track of the pre and off season. Last thing you want is blokes in your side who spent the weekend at the movies injured
• More than 3 from 1 side in your squad is too many
• Newly traded players can be a help and a distraction. Everyone wants to feel they discovered a player but really the tried and tested can be more worthwhile
• Money is wasted on the bench –UPGRADE YOUR STARTERS!
• Durable certain starters only
• Haselby already injured as predicted by us last week!
• The Goat and White Maggot spent the offseason honing their fantasy skills playing Fantasy NBA Basketball on Yahoo. Corey Maggette anyone?