SuperCoach Draft 2019 position rankings

You’ve got the coveted No.1 pick in your SuperCoach Draft — who should you take? We rate the contenders and name the top five picks in each position.

If your name is picked out of the hat as the No.1 pick in your SuperCoach Draft league, you have a massive decision on your hands.

You have the whole competition to choose from, the chance to catapult yourself above the rest from the get-go.

But with Hawks star Tom Mitchell likely to be sidelined for the entire 2019 season, it makes the choice even tougher.

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Luckily there is a myriad of options other than the ball-magnet that we can choose with the No.1 selection. Scroll down for our take on the top pick and the best players to select in each position in your SuperCoach Draft.

WHO TO TAKE WITH PICK 1?

Brodie Grundy

2018 Average: 130.4 (22 games)

Position: Ruck

No one could have predicted the heights Grundy reached in 2019. The mobile ruckman broke out in spectacular fashion, averaging a monster 130.4 SuperCoach points per game. Grundy didn’t fall below 95 points for the entirety of 2018, and registered a whopping seven 150-plus totals.

He sustained a toe injury in pre-season when new arrival Jordan Roughead accidentally stood on him, but played both JLT matches and appeared fine, without setting the world on fire. Will continue rucking for most of games with Mason Cox pinch-hitting.

Max Gawn

2018 Average: 127.5 (22 games)

Position: Ruck

Gawn just knocked off Grundy for the All-Australian on-field ruck spot, but fell just sort of him in SuperCoach. The 27-year-old had his career best SuperCoach season, averaging 15.8 disposals, 44.8 hitouts (ranked No.11) and 127.5 points a game.

Melbourne’s recruitment of ruckman Braydon Preuss in the off-season raised SuperCoaches’ eyebrows, with the Dees toying with the idea of playing both big men. However, a poor showing from Preuss in JLT1 resulted in him being dropped to the VFL when Gawn returned for JLT2. Expect Max to be the sole ruckman throughout 2019.

Jack Macrae

2018 Average: 127 (22 games)

Position: Midfield

Like Grundy, very few predicted the meteoric rise of Macrae. The lightly-built midfielder averaged 32.8 disposals (ranked second in the AFL), six clearances and 127 SuperCoach points per game in a disappointing year for his side.

Macrae usurped Marcus Bontempelli as the best SuperCoach player in the Bulldogs midfield and was the steal of SC Draft in 2018 by the length of the straight. Can he back it up in 2019?

Patrick Dangerfield at Cats training. Picture: Alison Wynd

Patrick Dangerfield

2018 Average: 121.7 (21 games)

Position: Forward/Midfield

It’s rare that we call an average of 121.7 points a down year but that is what 2018 was for Dangerfield’s standards. The Geelong superstar battled through injury during the pre-season and struggled early, spending extended stints up forward. But he came home with a wet sail, averaging 139.1 SuperCoach points per game in his final seven matches.

This is more reflective of his output, averaging 136.4 (2018) and 131.8 (2017) over the previous two seasons. Can be selected as a forward or a midfielder in SuperCoach this season, adding to his value.

Patrick Cripps

2018 Average: 119.4 (22 games)

Position: Midfield

Cripps carried the lowly Blues on his shoulders throughout 2018, finishing the year with a formidable average of 119.4 SuperCoach points. The inside bull was a dominant force in the coalface, racking up 17.6 contested possessions (ranked first) 7.7 clearances (second) and 6.3 tackles per game.

The newly instated Carlton co-captain turns 24 this week, and looks stronger and fitter than ever. His game is ideally suited to the SuperCoach scoring system, and he is one player who can take it up another notch in 2019.

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Nat Fyfe

2018 Average: 113.9 (15 games)

Position: Midfield

It would take a bold SuperCoach to take a player fresh off elbow surgery with the first pick, but Fyfe is a player capable of eclipsing a 120 season average. The Dockers skipper reached these lofty heights two seasons in a row in 2014 (122.3) and 2015 (124.3), but has been unable to replicate it since due to several injury setbacks.

The latest injury saw him sit out Rounds 16-21 of the 2018 season. But across his first 12 games, he averaged an impressive 123.8 points. He has no Lachie Neale beside him in the midfield this season, which could have either a positive or negative impact on his scoring.

Dustin Martin

2018 Average: 103.9 (21 games)

Position: Midfield

Picking Dusty with the No.1 selection would leave the competition gobsmacked, but it isn’t as ridiculous as it might seem. Martin was the third-ranked player for SuperCoach points in 2017, but he couldn’t back that up last year.

Many would have picked the Tiger superstar with confidence with the first pick in their SuperCoach Draft leagues at the start of 2018. Talent isn’t lost overnight, and Martin has the scoring prowess to finish a year as the No.1 man if everything goes his way.

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VERDICT

It’s a difficult decision but for a multitude of reasons, it has to be Dangerfield.

The Brownlow Medallist is the only player on the above list to record a 130-point season average on more than one occasion, making him the standout No.1 candidate.

He has had an injury free pre-season — something he didn’t have the luxury of in 2018 — and also can be picked as a forward. Dangerfield is likely to average 20-30 points more than the next best forward, giving your side a big edge over your opponents.

Adding to his appeal, the new 6-6-6 rules will mean the best onballers will be thrown into centre bounces more often, due to the extra space gifted to the men in the middle. This should mean Danger will spend less time up forward and more time in the guts, where he is most damaging — especially with Gary Ablett’s new role inside 50.

Dangerfield is also someone you can lock the ‘C’ on every week with confidence, with reliable captain options being incredibly important in SuperCoach Draft.

Ruckmen Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn are the next best options, with their scoring power, consistency and the new ruck rules making them worthy candidates. Like Dangerfield, they should score 20 extra points per game than the next best player in their position.

SUPERCOACH DRAFT TOP FIVES

DEFENDERS

1. Rory Laird

Forget the apparent kick-in impacts, Laird will have the ball on a string and finish the year as the No.1 scoring defender.

2. Jake Lloyd

May not reach the heights of 2018, but the kick-in rules should ensure his scoring remains elite.

3. Lachie Whitfield

Now a defender in SuperCoach, Whitfield will be up there with the best of them at season’s end.

4. Shannon Hurn

Like a fine wine, the Eagles skipper gets better with age. Finished sixth for total points for defenders last year and should work his way into the top five in 2019.

5. James Sicily

Will be a lot higher on this list if he isn’t moved forward at stages, but we can’t be absolutely sure of that at this point.

James Sicily should again be one of the top-scoring defenders.

MIDFIELDERS

1. Patrick Cripps

The Blues superstar will go to another level in 2019. Brownlow?

2. Nat Fyfe

Elbow, schmelbow. Fyfe is a superstar, and will return to the form we saw in the first half of last season.

3. Jack Macrae

I’m tipping Macrae to slide in 2019, but the ball-winning Bulldog will remain among the best midfielders.

4. Clayton Oliver

As consistent as they come, and has added goalkicking to his repertoire. Better known as the mailman — he always delivers.

5. Lachie Neale

Bound to excel in Lions colours, with Dayne Zorko set to cop the tag from opposition sides. Tick.

Will Patrick Cripps be the top-scoring midfielder this year?

FORWARDS

1. Patrick Dangerfield

A bigger sure thing than Winx to lock up the forward top spot.

2. Isaac Heeney

Expect the blond bombshell to be the next best behind Danger with more midfield minutes.

3. Sam Menegola

A reliable scorer for draft, having averaged 100 points across the past two seasons.

4. Josh Dunkley

One player likely to elevate his game to the next bracket (if Luke Beveridge plays him as a midfielder).

5. Robbie Gray

Strap yourself in for the rollercoaster ride that should have you smiling more than crying.

RUCKS

1. Max Gawn

The only question mark on Gawn is the Preuss factor, which appears fairly unthreatening at this stage. Will be even more of a weapon at centre bounces with his elite tapwork.

2. Brodie Grundy

The No.1 scoring ruckman never backs it up the next year. Another strong season for Grundy is in store, but I expect the bearded Dee to nudge out Grundy – just.

3. Todd Goldstein

Gawn, Grundy, daylight and then Goldstein. Finished last season in style and should improve on his 2018 efforts.

4. Stefan Martin

The battle with the emerging Archie Smith made headlines, but expect Stef to remain as the Lions No.1 man and deliver on the SuperCoach front.

5. Toby Nankervis

We saw a small rise last year from The Nank, and the 24-year-old’s SuperCoach scoring should increase slightly again in 2019.

Follow Dan on Twitter: @danbatten_

Originally published as SuperCoach Draft 2019 position rankings