SuperFooty’s Ben Higgins explains his SuperCoach pre-season picks

Splashing the cash on Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn means saving money somewhere else, and finding savings in the midfield and forward line is SuperFooty expert Ben Higgins’ key to SuperCoach success in 2019. Do you agree?

My team isn’t exactly controversial but I’m playing it safe this year after an annus horribilis in 2018.

I’m spending up big in the rucks and this means sacrificing somewhere, and for me it’s easier to do that in the midfield.

The number of premiums available in the backline and forward line are far fewer, so you’ve got to keep to the guns and rookies strategy there.

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It’s far easier to take a gamble in the midfield and if it doesn’t come off, there’s more options with which to change tack.

Admittedly, Dustin Martin is hardly a risk and in my humble opinion neither is Anthony Miles while Sam Walsh can be easily downgraded to another cash cow if he doesn’t produce.

As always, cash cows will be confirmed through the pre-season.

Dustin Martin is just $563k. Picture: Michael Klein

Anthony Miles dominated the VFL last season.

DEFENCE

Remember the days when the backline was the hardest SuperCoach line to pick?

Those days are long over and it’s now a treasure trove of playmaking half-backs and kick-in specialists.

That’s why it’s important to start strong here and two premium picks is a minimum and Alex Witherden isn’t far behind.

Then comes the risk — Brodie Smith. It’s calculated and easily fixed with a little bit of cash in the bank and options around the same price such as Kade Kolodjashnij, Nic Newman and Aaron Francis.

I like the look of Isaac Quaynor at Collingwood but if he doesn’t play Round 1, surely Connor Rozee will and he can easily switch back with his dual-position status.

MIDFIELD

With the expensive rookies I’ve picked I’m a little short on cash for Patrick Cripps, but that can easily change ahead of Round 1.

However, I’m more than comfortable with a starting trio of Oliver, Fyfe and Kelly with Martin slotting into M4.

We’ll discuss my ruck choices below but I think it’s easier to sacrifice in the midfield with the likes of Dusty, Zach Merrett, Anthony Miles or Joel Selwood available at a discount.

If my ruck strategy changes, Sam Walsh would most likely become Merrett as I’m big on the Essendon star at just $544k after an early-season concussion in 2018 put him behind the eight ball.

I’ve got Will Setterfield in the midfield rather than forward for flexibility.

Ben Higgins’ SuperCoach pre-season team

RUCKS

I’m an advocate for set-and-forget in the rucks and they don’t come more set-and-forget than Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn.

Yes, their expensive and $1.4 million is a lot to spend on two players, but when the pair are so far ahead of the pack.

I understand the idea behind picking Stef Martin or Todd Goldstein but as Al Paton said in his team reveal, it’s far easier to trade down than have to find the money to bring Grundy or Gawn in the Round 1 panic.

FORWARDS

Welcome back to the forward line Patrick Dangerfield, we’ve missed you.

The Geelong superstar hasn’t been available as a forward since 2012 but is essentially a must-have in 2019 after regaining Mid-Fwd dual position status.

Behind Danger, Devon Smith and Isaac Heeney speak for themselves and then it becomes difficult.

Last week I had Chad Wingard and Toby Greene before a tweak to free up cash.

As a result I’m running with two high-priced cash cows in Izak Rankine and Connor Rozee who I have absolutely no doubt will play this year but we’ll have to wait for the JLT Series to gauge their scoring ability.

Originally published as SuperFooty’s Ben Higgins explains his SuperCoach pre-season picks