AFL SuperCoach: Carlton defender Sam Docherty starts 2020 with huge discount
Carlton co-captain Sam Docherty was the No.1 SuperCoach defender three years ago, but missed the entirety of the past two seasons with back-to back knee reconstructions. He’s back, fit, available — and with a juicy discount for SuperCoaches.
Supercoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from Supercoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Carlton fans won't be the only footy supporters hoping co-captain Sam Docherty's wretched run with knee injuries has taken a turn in 2020.
Carlton fans won't be the only footy supporters hoping co-captain Sam Docherty's wretched run with knee injuries has taken a turn in 2020.
Once the best defender in SuperCoach, the running and gunning 26-year-old has been grounded for the best part of two years after undergoing reconstructive surgery for back-to-back anterior cruciate ligament tears in his left knee.
Watch over 50 sports LIVE on Kayo! Stream to your TV, mobile, tablet or computer. Just $25/month, cancel anytime. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
But club, player - and some 200,000 SuperCoaches - will be hoping a trip to Philadelphia to work with renowned reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles in the offseason will help ensure the Blues' talisman will be fit and firing for Round 1 - and able recapture and sustain vintage form throughout 2020.
Docherty entered last season at $511,300, which was already massive value, before his pre-season injury.
TEAM PICKER: CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED ON YOUR SUPERCOACH AFL TEAM NOW
This year he goes in almost $80,000 cheaper at $436,100.
With expectations to play in the pre-season Marsh Cup, if Docherty makes it through that, he's a must-start in Round 1.
To put it bluntly, Docherty, was once a SuperCoach monster.
In 2017, he was the top-scoring defender at 115 points per game — ninth overall — banging out 13 tons in a row between Rounds 6 and 19.
He started that season at $630,700, and his price rose to over $650,000, so a discount of over $220,000 is too big to ignore.
Docherty said recently he had approached this recovery a little differently under new Carlton fitness boss Andrew Russell and had also dropped weight.
“I’ve tried to trim back a bit of my upper body weight and I’m probably down about four or five kilos on what I was last time,” Docherty said.
“I feel really good. I’ve been running through the whole of the off-season, training as much as I can.
"I’m a bit lighter so I’m running probably a little bit better than I was.
“I’m really confident in what I’m doing and I’m really confident in the program we’ve got set moving forward to get me back playing footy.
“To be honest I’m sick of training and running around the outside of it so being in the middle will be a lot more enjoyable.”
That’s good enough for us.
Make him your first picked player and watch the tons roll in and his price go through the roof.
MORE SUPERCOACH NEWS:
Champion Data releases SuperCoach AFL positions for 2020, new DPP players
Rookie Bible review: The best SuperCoach AFL cheapies of 2019
The draftees who should be on your 2020 SuperCoach cash cow radar
Originally published as AFL SuperCoach: Carlton defender Sam Docherty starts 2020 with huge discount
Five moves that won me $50,000 in SuperCoach
The 20-year-old winner of SuperCoach AFL 2024 reveals the tactics that led him to the game’s top prize, beating out more than 180,000 players across the country.
SuperCoach wrap: Norm-worthy stars and grand final flops
Who stood up on the biggest SuperCoach stage and who disappointed when it counted most? Check out round 24’s heroes and villains – and some hot tips for 2025.