The 20 most popular SuperCoach picks this pre-season

SUPERCOACH IS OPEN! As we welcome back Australia’s favourite fantasy football game, we look at who’s topping the charts in the SuperCoach pre-season popularity contest.

Nic Naitanui and Max Gawn most popular SuperCoach picks.

THE “MaxNat” ruck combo’s popularity has been fully franked and it’s still January.

Set to be the No.1 SuperCoach combination, Max Gawn and Nic Naitanui are clearing the top two most popular picks so far this pre-season.

Interestingly, Nat Fyfe is the favourite midfielder at this stage with top priced duo Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield at No.7 and No.8 respectively.

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SuperCoaches are looking for value in defence and attack with Rory Laird and Isaac Heeney the top picks despite not being the most expensive options. In fact, the pair are the only premiums inside the top 20.

Ex-Sun and Carlton mature draftee Jarrod Garlett is by far the most popular cash cow with No.4 draft pick Luke Davies-Uniacke sneaking into 10th

A host of youngsters are also inside the top 20 with Jack Higgins, Tim Kelly, Paul Ahern, Cameron Rayner, Tom Doedee and Sam Murray all looking like early debutants.

Nic Naitanui at West Coast training. Picture: Jason Sammon

Max Gawn. Picture: Mark Dadswell

THE TOP 20 MOST POPULAR PICKS

1. Max Gawn (Ruck, $503,700)

Percentage ownership: 81.80%

Incredibly high ownership for this stage of the SuperCoach season. To illustrate, Nat Fyfe was the most popular player heading into Round 1, 2017 at just under 60 per cent. Reportedly flying in pre-season training and looms as a must-have with a huge discount.

2. Nic Naitanui (Ruck, $465,900)

Percentage ownership: 74.60%

Back from a knee reconstruction, Nic Nat is the second plank in the “MaxNat” combo. The Eagles big man hasn’t missed a beat in pre-season training and comes with a huge discount. Only question is whether the West Coast midfield can keep up with him.

3. Nat Fyfe (Mid, $597,900)

Percentage ownership: 66.50%

The No.1 midfielder at this stage, Fyfe returned to form in 2017 but is once again priced under $600k. A bargain! He’s got plenty of competition at that price as well with Lachie Neale, Zach Merrett, Marc Murphy and Scott Pendlebury all priced within $10,000.

4. Rory Laird (Def, $550,800)

Percentage ownership: 61.10%

The clear No.1 premium defender with Elliot Yeo the next best at 16th. Sam Docherty’s absence was always going to boost Laird’s popularity but he’s averaged 93, 96 and 100 in his past three seasons making him one of the safest bets available.

5. Isaac Heeney (Fwd, $536,300)

Percentage ownership: 58.10%

The forward line looks a minefield in 2018 with Heeney possibly the safest (most consistent) bet. The tease of midfield minutes continues but expect him to remain more a half-forward than onballer in 2018. Boosted his average by almost 20 points from 2016 to 2017.

Isaac Heeney at Sydney training. Picture: Brett Costello

New Blue Jarrod Garlett.

6. Jarrod Garlett (Mid-Fwd, $117,300)

Percentage ownership: 53.10%

The No.1 cash cow according to the punters. Garlett is a former Gold Coast Suns first-round draft pick who stepped away from the game in 2016 but produced an outstanding season with South Fremantle to catch Carlton’s attention.

7. Dustin Martin (Mid, $656,000)

Percentage ownership: 50.00%

Narrowly in front of fellow top-priced stud Patrick Dangerfield when it comes to popularity. At almost $100k cheaper, it’s clear why. Martin was almost untaggable in 2017 on his way to a 119 SuperCoach average. Can he back it up?

8. Patrick Dangerfield (Mid, $749,800)

Percentage ownership: 49.80%

Insanely priced. A starting price of $700k or more is rare air in SuperCoach terms. However, if he’s going to score 130 every week you’d be mad not to pick him. That said, question marks loom over Dangerfield’s output with Gary Ablett back in town.

9. Tom Mitchell (Mid, $653,500)

Percentage ownership: 48.20%

The third most expensive midfielder sneaks into the top-10 after averaging 118 in his maiden season with Hawthorn. While he might not be capable of huge 150-plus type SuperCoach scores, Mitchell is as safe as houses, dropping below 100 just twice in 2017.

10. Luke Davies-Uniacke (Mid, $189,300)

Percentage ownership: 48.10%

North Melbourne’s top draft pick looks the most AFL ready and played a SuperCoach friendly game at under-18 level. With the Kangaroos in full rebuild mode, Davis-Uniacke is also well placed to play early and play often. Should be a good earner despite his high starting price.

Luke Davies-Uniacke at North Melbourne training. Picture: Michael Klein

11. Cam O’Shea (Def, $166,000)

Percentage ownership: 47.10%

12. Jack Higgins (Mid-Fwd, $130,800

Percentage ownership: 46.00%

13. Patrick Cripps (Mid, $537,300)

Percentage ownership: 43.50%

14. Grant Birchall (Def, $277,100)

Percentage ownership: 37.80%

15. Tim Kelly (Mid, $117,300)

Percentage ownership: 37.60%

16. 19. Tom Doedee (Def, $123,900)

Percentage ownership: 35.50%

17. Cameron Rayner (Mid-Fwd, $202,800)

Percentage ownership: 34.60%

18. Paul Ahern (Mid-Fwd, $123,900)

Percentage ownership: 34.00%

19. Elliot Yeo (Def, $561,300)

Percentage ownership: 32.50%

20. Sam Murray (Def, $123,900)

Percentage ownership: 32.30%

Originally published as The 20 most popular SuperCoach picks this pre-season