SuperCoach preview: Which traded players should you consider for 2018?

A BUMPER 28 players changed clubs during the trade period, but what everyone really wants to know is what does that mean for SuperCoach? TEN TRADED PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2018

How will Gary Ablett perform in SuperCoach on his return to Geelong? Picture: Nigel Hallett

A BUMPER 28 players changed clubs during the trade period, but what everyone really wants to know is what does that mean for SuperCoach?

BEN HIGGINS runs the rule over 10 traded players who may or may not be worth targeting in 2018.

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How will Gary Ablett perform in SuperCoach on his return to Geelong? Picture: Nigel Hallett

GARY ABLETT (Geelong)

Estimated price (position): $620,000 (Mid)

Ablett’s return to Geelong is great for him and the club but it looms as a disaster in SuperCoach. With Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield already entrenched in the Cats’ midfield, the Little Master isn’t going to get the same opportunities as at Gold Coast. Even worse, his arrival could see Dangerfield spend more time forward. With an expected starting price north of $600k, Ablett is a no-go in 2018.

It’s a trap! Be careful with Tom Rockliff in 2018. Picture: Darren England

TOM ROCKLIFF (Port Adelaide)

Estimated price (position): $500,000 (Mid)

Early whispers suggest the “Fantasy Pig” could form a midfield-forward tandem with Robbie Gray. This spells trouble for Tom Rockliff lovers. Gray’s SuperCoach average dropped dramatically in 2017 as he spent more time forward — from 2014 he scored 111, 110, 108 and just 91 this year. Rockliff projects to perform a similar role and while a potential starting price of around $500k would be tempting, he could be a massive trap.

HAYDEN CROZIER (W. Bulldogs)

Estimated price (position): $360,000 (Fwd-Def)

It may surprise some to learn Crozier played 19 games this season. Disappointingly, he only averaged 61 SuperCoach points with a high-score of 84 and seven scores of 52 or less. However, if the Bulldogs can successfully turn him into a playmaking halfback — ala SuperCoach favourites Matthew Boyd and Bob Murphy — he could be a mid-price success story. Champion Data guru Fantasy Freako tweeted after his trade “Crozier ranked =1st at the club for effective kicks and 3rd for metres gained as a defender from Rnds 10-20 in 2016.”

Sam Murray is a potential cash cow at the Pies. Picture: Brett Costello

SAM MURRAY (Collingwood)

Estimated price (position): $123,900 (Mid-Fwd)

In a fight with Harrison Wigg to be the No. 1 cash cow in 2018. Murray was targeted specifically by Collingwood, so expect to see him in prominently in the pre-season and then in Round 1. While he’s only played NEAFL, he took his disposal average from 14 to 22 per game. It’s hard to predict his scoring potential but it’s the price we’re interested in here.

Harrison Wigg should get ample opportunity on the Gold Coast. Picture: Simon Cross

HARRISON WIGG (Gold Coast)

Estimated price (position): $123,900 (Mid)

The Crow-turned-Sun could be in more than 80 per cent of teams if he can bring his SANFL form to the Gold Coast. Wigg averaged 25 disposals, 5 tackles and 98 SuperCoach points in the second-tier SA comp this season. The Suns’ threadbare midfield was further decimated by Gary Ablett’s departure, so the opportunities are there. Looms as a genuine on-field cash cow option.

Nathan Wilson heads west and Higgo says lock him in. Picture: Phil Hillyard

NATHAN WILSON (Fremantle)

Estimated price (position): $450,000 (Def)

Wilson overtook Heath Shaw as GWS’s main man off halfback in 2017 and will walk into the same role at Fremantle. Even better he won’t have to compete with Shaw and Zac Williams for touches. According to Champion Data, Wilson’s possession stats are trending nicely; averaging 11.7, 16.9 and 17.4 in the past three years. At a reasonable price next year, lock him in.

Midfield opportunities should be ample for Matthew Kennedy at Carlton. Picture: AAP

MATTHEW KENNEDY (Carlton)

Estimated price (position): $350,000 (Mid)

When SuperCoach opens in January, expect Kennedy to rocket to the top of the most popular players after his move to Carlton. The Blues were bullish when it came to acquiring him, and with good reason. He’ll replace Bryce Gibbs and help lessen the load on inside gun Patrick Cripps. While his scoring hasn’t set the world on fire in his first two years, it’s to be expected in a stacked GWS midfield. That will change in 2018. Awkward price, though.

Gold Coast paid a high price for Lachie Weller — will he be a SuperCoach feature? Picture: Gold Coast Suns

LACHIE WELLER (Gold Coast)

Estimated price (position): $425,000 (Mid)

In his second season, Weller lifted his SuperCoach average from 61 to 71 with two hundreds. He’ll be the No. 1 man at the Suns but it’s hard to see him reaching triple figures — or even a 90-plus average for that matter. What Weller could be is a handy early-season riser who will start in the $400k-$450k range and become an easy upgrade to an out-and-out superstar.

New Don Devon Smith figures to spend plenty of time in the midfield and that should translate to plenty of SuperCoach points. Picture: Supplied

DEVON SMITH (Essendon)

Estimated price (position): $440,000 (Fwd)

Injuries haven’t been kind to Smith in the last two years, limiting him to 12 and 16 games and a SuperCoach average of 81 and 79 respectively. Previous to that he managed 21 and 20 games for a SuperCoach average of 91 and 89. This is the player Essendon hopes it got and if they give him the midfield time he craves, Smith could be a very popular forward option.

It’s a cluttered midfield, so Bryce Gibbs is a wait and see at Adelaide. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

BRYCE GIBBS (Adelaide)

Estimated price (position): $550,000 (Mid)

Combined with Rory Sloane and Matt Crouch, Gibbs will be a part of one of the most feared midfields in the AFL. However, the question will be, is there enough ball to go around? Add in Brad Crouch and there’s plenty of mouths to feed in the Crows’ engine room. Gibbs has averaged more than 95 in eight of the past nine years but we’d caution picking him in 2018.

Originally published as SuperCoach preview: Which traded players should you consider for 2018?