SuperCoach 2024: Expert consensus team, last-minute cheat sheet

Missed last night’s Carlton v Richmond SuperCoach season opener? Don’t worry, you might be better off. Our experts have delivered an updated ultimate consensus team.

Missed last night’s first game? Don’t worry, you are in the right place – maybe even better off.

To help you pick a competitive starting side – even after the Carlton v Richmond season opener – seven expert SuperCoach teams have been collated and combined into the ultimate consensus team for 2024.

Coaches: Al Paton, The Phantom, Dan Batten, Tim Michell, Heath Shaw, Tarquin Oakley, Simeon Thomas-Wilson, Swiz

DEFENCE

Every expert except Heath Shaw has picked Nick Daicos and although two of our panel have him in the midfield, he’s locked in defence in the consensus team. Harry Sheezel was a unanimous selection and six of the eight experts have selected Hayden Young after his move to the Fremantle midfield. There was no agreement on another premium defender with Tom Stewart, Jayden Short, Dan Houston and Lachie Whitfield all featuring in one expert team.

Popular picks Zac Williams and Josh Gibcus were unanimous in the first edition of this team, but one scored 51 and other, Gibcus, unfortunately, looks to have suffered a season-ending knee injury on Thursday night. If you’re picking now, go with one extra rookie on field in defence – or consider bumping up to Gold Coast’s Connor Budarick, who The Phantom has at D4.

Harry Sheezel was one of the highest scoring first-year players in SuperCoach history. What can he do in year two? Picture: Michael Klein

MIDFIELD

Only two of our experts are brave enough to start without last year’s top scorer Marcus Bontempelli, even at his sky-high price. He’s a clear captain choice for round 1, with Tom Green riding shotgun. All but one of our experts is starting the gun GWS ball winner – remarkably the only one who isn’t is The Phantom, one of Green’s biggest fans since his rookie year. Again the third and fourth premium slots are where experts divide; Touk Miller, Caleb Serong and Jack Steele all feature in one expert team while Jordan Dawson and Zak Butters each appear in two. Simeon Thomas-Wilson tipped the scales in Dawson’s favour by naming him as his No.1 midfielder.

Cut-price premos Nic Martin and Ollie Wines were both popular, then come unanimous rookie picks Ryley Sanders and Colby McKercher. With Henry Hustwaite missing selection, the budget stretches to include popular St Kilda bolter Riley Bonner. Matt Roberts, Jeremy Sharp and Jhye Clark round out a strong midfield bench.

Will Tom Green make The Phantom regret not starting him? Picture: Phil Hillyard

RUCK

The easiest position to pick – all of our experts are starting with Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy. With Naismith out, our experts are set on West Coast big man Coen Livingstone as a non-playing R3 loophole option.

FORWARDS

Fremantle big man Luke Jackson features in seven of eight teams so he’s a lock, but the F2 position was possibly the trickiest call of the entire squad. Sam Flanders and Isaac Heeney are priced within $10k and both received strong support. But we can only afford one, and Flanders gets the nod – just. New Roo Zac Fisher and Swans recruit James Jordon are popular mid-price picks in the SuperCoach community and among our experts, with Fisher appearing in six of the eight teams and Jordon in five.

Alex Sexton was in every squad – don’t miss out on one of this year’s biggest bargains after his switch to defence – and so was No.1 draft pick Harley Reid, although two coaches have him in the midfield.

Saints teenager Darcy Wilson was also in every side so he’s an easy bench pick, and the final spot goes to Kangaroo Charlie Lazzaro, although other rookies to receive support included Aaron Cadman, Jackson Mead, Buku Khamis and Harvey Thomas.

The team has $106,500 left in the bank – a handy buffer for any last-minute changes on Friday. Or just to have when considering your first trades next week.

The updated SuperCoach consensus team for 2024.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2024: Expert consensus team, last-minute cheat sheet