Hi Dream Teamers - it's Luke Burt here.
In 2013 I'm going to be giving the NRL Dream Team a crack - and you can compete against me and see how I go.
This is the way I picked my team for Round 1, and a little bit about how I chose it. I'm by no means an expert (first time ever) but here is what I've come up with:
9. Cameron Smith. $533,200
I just can't go past him. I'm going to be spending a lot of money here but it's worth it. He's the best player in the game at the moment.
6. Gareth Widdop. $290,900
He's a solid performer every week. He gets across the tryline, and if Cameron Smith's injured, he'll kick goals.
7. Chris Sandow. $286,600
Chrissy scores plenty of tries and won't miss a goal this year. You heard it here first!
Back Row :
11. Reni Maitua $218,000
Can't leave our skipper out and he's got a big work rate. He'll step up even more now he's co-captain.
12. Ben Smith $264,500
Ben and Reni in the back row together will be good - for the Eels and for my Dream Team!
13. Ben Te'o $290,700
Another player with a good work rate - he should be good.
Fullbacks and Wingers :
1. Jarryd Hayne $412,400
I've gotta put the Champ in there! That's a pretty good price too. Also co-captain, he'll thrive with the extra responsibility.
2. Matt Duffie $177,200
He'll be on the end of a good back line and he's going pretty cheap.
5. Anthony Minichiello $208,200
Mini gets through a lot of work every round.
Forwards :
8. Bryan Norrie $210,600
Good price, let's hope he pumps out plenty of minutes! Would've loved my man Timmy in this position but just missed him with the salary cap! If you can get Timmy in your cap, grab the big man! He'll have a big year. Club Captain.
10. Jesse Bromwich $242,900
I wanted Paul Gallen here (who wouldn't?) but couldn't afford him. I'm going to take a punt and swap him for Jesse Bromwich. And I like my two front rowers to be from the same club. It looks better for the pictures. Anything to help front rowers look better!
Centres :
4. Greg Inglis $399,600
I picked him because he'll be playing fullback and doing a lot of work. He's quality.
3. Jack Reed $200,800
Solid performer at a good price.
Reserves
14. Justin O'Neill $192,700
15. Daniel Tupou $135,800
16. Shaun Berrigan $188,100
Good buy if he stays fit.
17. Beau Champion $171,300
18. Nathan Fien $200,900
19. Jacob Miller $127,700
20. Neville Costigan $206,600
21. Mark Taufua $167,400
22. Travis Waddell $194,800
23. Anthony Quinn $175,800
24. Justin Horo $169,100
Ex Parra boy who will bring me some joy! I hope.
25. Nathan Smith $130,600
I've chosen Justin O'Neill, Shaun Berrigan, Nathan Fien and Justin Horo as my Interchange for this week. All starters in their respective teams.
That's my team for Round 1 - I'll report back next week with how I went, and who I pick for Round 2.
Follow along by searching "Parramatta Eels DT" or looking for @TheParraEels leaderboard in the Twitter ranks.
Burty
In 2013 I'm going to be giving the NRL Dream Team a crack - and you can compete against me and see how I go.
This is the way I picked my team for Round 1, and a little bit about how I chose it. I'm by no means an expert (first time ever) but here is what I've come up with:
9. Cameron Smith. $533,200
I just can't go past him. I'm going to be spending a lot of money here but it's worth it. He's the best player in the game at the moment.
6. Gareth Widdop. $290,900
He's a solid performer every week. He gets across the tryline, and if Cameron Smith's injured, he'll kick goals.
7. Chris Sandow. $286,600
Chrissy scores plenty of tries and won't miss a goal this year. You heard it here first!
Back Row :
11. Reni Maitua $218,000
Can't leave our skipper out and he's got a big work rate. He'll step up even more now he's co-captain.
12. Ben Smith $264,500
Ben and Reni in the back row together will be good - for the Eels and for my Dream Team!
13. Ben Te'o $290,700
Another player with a good work rate - he should be good.
Fullbacks and Wingers :
1. Jarryd Hayne $412,400
I've gotta put the Champ in there! That's a pretty good price too. Also co-captain, he'll thrive with the extra responsibility.
2. Matt Duffie $177,200
He'll be on the end of a good back line and he's going pretty cheap.
5. Anthony Minichiello $208,200
Mini gets through a lot of work every round.
Forwards :
8. Bryan Norrie $210,600
Good price, let's hope he pumps out plenty of minutes! Would've loved my man Timmy in this position but just missed him with the salary cap! If you can get Timmy in your cap, grab the big man! He'll have a big year. Club Captain.
10. Jesse Bromwich $242,900
I wanted Paul Gallen here (who wouldn't?) but couldn't afford him. I'm going to take a punt and swap him for Jesse Bromwich. And I like my two front rowers to be from the same club. It looks better for the pictures. Anything to help front rowers look better!
Centres :
4. Greg Inglis $399,600
I picked him because he'll be playing fullback and doing a lot of work. He's quality.
3. Jack Reed $200,800
Solid performer at a good price.
Reserves
14. Justin O'Neill $192,700
15. Daniel Tupou $135,800
16. Shaun Berrigan $188,100
Good buy if he stays fit.
17. Beau Champion $171,300
18. Nathan Fien $200,900
19. Jacob Miller $127,700
20. Neville Costigan $206,600
21. Mark Taufua $167,400
22. Travis Waddell $194,800
23. Anthony Quinn $175,800
24. Justin Horo $169,100
Ex Parra boy who will bring me some joy! I hope.
25. Nathan Smith $130,600
I've chosen Justin O'Neill, Shaun Berrigan, Nathan Fien and Justin Horo as my Interchange for this week. All starters in their respective teams.
That's my team for Round 1 - I'll report back next week with how I went, and who I pick for Round 2.
Follow along by searching "Parramatta Eels DT" or looking for @TheParraEels leaderboard in the Twitter ranks.
Burty
