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Plymouth showed last year that they'd make a change to try & help the team (dropped Newman) obviously that didn't work. So any 2.00 rider signing for a team with a high assessed rider should know there place is under threat, it's the nature of the points limit, Plymouth are bound to want to strengthen up. Any 2.00 rider signing for Berwick, would probably feel confident they position is relatively safe after last season, same with Edinburgh & Workington who stuck with their 2.00 riders. I don't want to go in about Hodder & Berwick on the Plymouth thread though.

I have to agree, the fact Berwick kept him all season when he averaged below the minimum 2, but he's (rumoured to be) leaving for Glasgow, would leave a shout taste in my mouth if I was a Berwick fan. Obviously we don't know what goes on behind the scenes, perhaps Berwick couldn't guarantee him a place so he looked elsewhere?

No need to wait, can clear this up now with two examples. 1) Jordan Jenkins finished 2023 on a 4.21 ave, started 2024 at reserve on his reduced 3.16 ave with Keynan Rew in the team on 4.00. 2) Danny King finished 2022 on an 8.26 ave, started 2023 at number five on his reduced 8.05 ave with Erik Riss at number one on 8.24. Both times a riders' reduced average, was used for team building & his team position. There is no "team building average only". Ben Cook will start at 1 for the Stars.

There's been a few comments about Batchelor struggling in heats 13&15, but don't forget he was signed on a 7.16 average. That's not a rider you expect to dominate those heats like you would Cook. Next year (assuming he signs) starting on an 8+ average, would be the time to expect more wins in the "big heats".

Why again? These clubs weren't play-off certainties before a wheel was turned last year. Oxford were in the top four, while Leicester were struggling. If the same top four continues for multiple seasons, then yes you could ask that question.

But if they new foreigner is of the Patrik Baek, Matic Ivacic or Celina Liebmann ilk then Etheridge would be better. If you find another Tate Zischke or Antti Vuolas then it's a play-off looking team.

Curious to see what a team with Zagar would look like (don't expect it to happen). Matej Zagar 10.80 Cameron Heeps 6.37 Ben Barker 5.87 Joe Thompson 5.63 Alfie Bowtell 5.07 Jacob Hook 4.19 Two Pointer 2.00 Total 39.93 Once Zagar gets a new average, drop the 2 pointer & use that spare points to strengthen up the reserve berth?

Good signing, if Borke can pick up where his scoring was pre-injury, Berwick should always have a strong reserve.

"Big Leggy" Geoff Powell probably rode for Workington, Glasgow & Berwick, but not sure if he rode for Edinburgh?

Great memory, or did you look that up lol!

Schlein started 2024 on his final 2023 average. Didn't get any discount.

Patryk Dudek at one?

Don't want to talk about other clubs, but who would Oxford's number one be then? Whoever Oxford want, Birmingham would be after him too!

Almost certainties for the Wooden spoon, but better than I expected them to be.

I've often wondered how (most) signings & teams become public knowledge (at least on here) before they become official. Let's say a club is planning to announce their team at a Christmas party, so they tell the riders not to say anything. Who leaks it, can the riders not keep quiet, do their mechanics / sponsors gossip to pals? I can't understand why someone being told a signing in confidence would let it slip.

He did average 3.15 from number 2, but also averaged 4.20 when at number 4. (3.55 overall) I'm not suggesting he did well for Glasgow, just that he could have been expected to do better at reserve. He then averaged 4.43 at Workington from reserve, if he can do the same at Poole, that's a point he'll put on his average.

Nope, Starke would've dropped to reserve. Glasgow had to make the double change before Smith got a new average to use the available points. Smith had an average of 5.44 in July. Glasgow could've made a single change (5 point rider for Pijper or Starke). The double change ended up pushing Pearson to reserve below Smith. Kinda drifting away from Poole here, so I'll mention them again, Starke did well for Workington at reserve, so would've done well for Glasgow too & Poole if he's signed for 2025.

I would prefer Gilkes over Pearson.

Of course you would, everyone would. But would Vissing & a 2.00 rider score more than Etheridge & Foord?

I'd say Glasgow scuppered themselves by dropping Starke before he dropped to reserve. Workington were schrewed enough to know what he could score at 6 or 7. Cami should've known that too. I think Starke & Foord would both be great reserves for Poole, they've got a good rider whoever they pick. Would've gone with Tobias & Vinnie myself.

The forum would be a very dull place if you could only state facts & not opinions. If people think Cook is good value on his average & would be one of the top riders in the league in 2025, then of course they're gonna say Workington have made a mistake.

One of the "pros" of the new system is that the last chance heats should be more exciting than the semi finals, because only the winners advance, so you will no longer get someone happy to sit on second place & protect their position. I'd suggest 1-3 into the final & 4-7 into a semi final & only the winner advancing would be a better system.

I think some people are too harsh on Simon Lambert. Looking at his final averages since covid. 2024: 5.98 2023: 6.02 2022: 5.33 2021: 5.82 He's a solid 5 to 6 point rider. Not everyone can make it to be a top Champ rider.

But Jacob Hook has a better Champ average than Luke Killeen, plus Wood has a better NDL average than Declan Killeen (from 2 matches I know). Aussie / foreign form is a useful indicator, but you never know for sure what you'll get!

So more accurately it's 3 choices: Ablitt & Starke Hagon & Foord Thomsen & Foord Tbh if they have lined up a "temporary two point rider" till Cairns turns 16, they'll win the league whichever pairing they go for! Not sure who'd want to be a 2.00 rider at Poole though? Nearly double your average - then your reward is to be dropped! This year, ride till June then get replaced by Cairns! Surely Poole will HAVE to start with the weakest 2.00 option?