SuperCoach steals who changed clubs for the 2020 season
He was rated the best junior talent in years, but Jack Martin never lived up to the hype at Gold Coast. Will a move to Carlton make him a SuperCoach steal? Eight players at new clubs to consider.
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Who will be the Lachie Neale of SuperCoach in 2020?
A move from Fremantle to Brisbane catapulted Neale from a very good SuperCoach performer to a star of the game, ranking fourth overall for total points.
A new coach, a fresh start and the Queensland sun helped Neale lifting his average by 10 points a game, making him one of the best SuperCoach buys of the year.
Similar factors will be at play for a number of past and potential stars this year. Who are the smart buys in SuperCoach?
Jack Steven (Geelong) $361,800 FWD/MID
Stevens’ price is heavily discounted after his final year at St Kilda yielded just seven games as he took time off to deal with mental health issues. At his best he is a top-flight SuperCoach scorer, logging three scores of 150 or more back in 2013. A move to the Cattery could see a return to the top.
Tim Kelly (West Coast) $561,800 MID
Another player who should benefit from a happier life off the field, the Eagles’ boom recruit will slot straight into one of the best midfields in the competition ready to feast on Nic Naitanui’s surgical centre bounce taps. He has averaged 93 and 104 in his two AFL seasons and the graph is clearly heading upwards.
Sam Jacobs (GWS Giants) $348,400 RUCK
Lost his spot as No.1 ruckman at the Crows last year to Reilly O’Brien but showed he hasn’t lost his scoring ability with 125 SuperCoach points in Round 23 against the Bulldogs, on the back of 25 hitouts to advantage. Will have an elite midfield roving to him at the Giants and presents a whopping $350,000 saving on Brodie Grundy or Max Gawn.
Hugh Greenwood (Gold Coast) $463,100 MID/FWD
Joined the Adelaide exodus at the end of 2019, signing with the Suns where he is likely to attend a lot more centre bounces — a great way to earn more SuperCoach points. Contested possessions and tackles have always made him a handy scorer, can he go to another level? Could be a smoky for your forward line.
Aiden Bonar (North Melbourne) $202,800 MID/FWD
Highly-rated youngster squeezed out of the Giants, where he managed just six games after being selected at pick 11 in the 2017 draft. Averaged 18 disposals, six tackles and 94 points per game in the NEAFL.
Jack Martin (Carlton) $420,800 MID/FWD
What did the Blues get in the frustrating former Sun? It’s one of the most intriguing questions of 2020. If he lives up to the hype that had experts labelling him the best junior talent in the game he could be a SuperCoach steal. SOS will be picking him.
Blake Acres (Fremantle) $384,000 MID/FWD
Former Saint will enjoy the wide open spaces in Perth, where he should be permanently stationed on a wing, replacing the departed Bradley Hill and Ed Langdon. Was thrown everywhere at St Kilda but a 106-point average over the first five rounds of 2018 showed what he’s capable of.
Billy Frampton (Adelaide) $165,000 FWD
Selecting tall forwards is normally a no-no in SuperCoach but bench players are often hard to find in attack so we need to be on the lookout for any cheapies likely to get games. The Crows obviously liked what they saw in the SANFL last season, poaching the 23-year-old from crosstown rival Port Adelaide after he posted SuperCoach scores of 175, 167, 145 and 141 in the state league. One to watch in the pre-season.
SUPERCOACH SUMMER FORMGUIDES: Carlton | Collingwood | Western Bulldogs | Richmond | Geelong | St Kilda | Sydney | Brisbane Lions | West Coast | Fremantle | Melbourne | GWS Giants
Originally published as SuperCoach steals who changed clubs for the 2020 season