Young guns: Every club’s 2018 draft class rated on SuperCoach potential
First-year players are a key to any successful SuperCoach team. We put the cream of the crop from last year’s draft under the microscope to find the potential stars and bolters from every team.
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They might be sitting on your bench but make no mistake, first-year players are a key to any successful SuperCoach team.
To be able to afford the stars who score most of our points you need cheap players who fill out the bench and the last position or two on the field in defence, the midfield and forward line.
Your team will flounder quickly if they aren’t getting games, so here’s a quick guide to the members of the 2018 AFL draft class likely to play early, and score SuperCoach points.
In the countdown to the grand opening of SuperCoach for 2019 next week, we’ve nominated a top pick and a bolter (where applicable) from every side.
REVEALED: SUPERCOACH PRICES: ADELAIDE-COLLINGWOOD
REVEALED: SUPERCOACH PRICES: ESSENDON-GOLD COAST
REVEALED: SUPERCOACH PRICES: GIANTS-POWER
REVEALED: SUPERCOACH PRICES: RICHMOND-BULLDOGS
ADELAIDE
If I had to pick one: Chayce Jones ($171,300) MID
Lightning fast, athletic and ready to run all day, Jones could find himself in the Adelaide side from day dot. The Crows have always supplied at least one cheapie who turns into a SuperCoach monster — think Tom Doedee and Hugh Greenwood — and, after finishing third in the Crows’ 2km time-trial, the 19-year-old could provide some SuperCoach value in 2019.
Potential bolter: Ned McHenry ($139,800) FWD/MID
Jones finished third in the time-trial, but guess who beat him? Yep, McHenry. He finished equal-first with Wayne Milera and this kid is an elite runner — just what the doctor ordered for the Crows … and maybe SuperCoaches.
CROUCH DOUBLE: THE PHANTOM’S CROWS SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE
BRISBANE LIONS
If I had to pick one: Noah Answerth ($117,300) DEF/MID
Don’t expect big numbers out of Brisbane’s draftees. They may even struggle to get a game early doors — especially if the Lions improve. After breaking his back in 2017 and missing most of the season, Noah Answerth fell to pick No.55 in the draft, despite having a strong season as an attacking defender in 2018. He’s much better than that and could find his way into the Lions side.
NEALE DEAL: THE PHANTOM’S BRISBANE SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE
CARLTON
If I had to pick one: Sam Walsh ($207,300) MID
He’s the most expensive rookie in the game, but you simply can’t ignore him. Clubs don’t take raw midfielders at pick No.1. This kid is ready to go and averaged a ridiculous 158 SuperCoach points in the TAC Cup and 141 in the Under-18 national championships. Should slot straight into the midfield with Patrick Cripps and Co from the first bounce in 2019.
Potential bolter: Liam Stocker ($126,300) MID
More a certainty than a bolter, the Blues paid up big to get Stocker, indicating they believe in the kid. Training the house down and already with a body that can stand up to the rigours of AFL football, Stocker comes into the big leagues with a Morrish Medal around his neck, indicating he knows his way around a footy field.
BLUES BEAST: THE PHANTOM’S CARLTON SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE
COLLINGWOOD
If I had to pick one: Isaac Quaynor ($153,300) DEF
Meet Collingwood’s latest cult figure. Sporting a chiselled rig and an eye-catching hairstyle, Quaynor is ready to go in his first AFL season. The one caution is the Pies did make it all the way for the Grand Final and could be a hard side to break into. A defender who can play in the midfield, Quaynor uses the ball well — and that translates to SuperCoach points. Think Jason Johannisen at a fraction of the price.
BEAMS ME UP: THE PHANTOM’S COLLINGWOOD SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE
ESSENDON
If I had to pick one: Irving Mosquito ($117,300) FWD/MID
A bulging Essendon list means there probably won’t be a lot of playing time available to the Bombers’ newbies. The man with the best name in the AFL may have to wait for a debut. The Dons acknowledged when they stole Mosquito from Hawthorn under Next Gen Academy rules, but he is an excitement machine who is a wizard in front of goals.
Potential bolter: Thomas Jok ($117,400) MID
A New Year’s Day baby, mature-age recruit Thomas Jok turned 22 on January 1 and, after an impressive showing with Collingwood’s VFL side in 2018, finally found his way on to a list. Doesn’t quite have the upside of Mosquito, but is a running machine who loves to take a high mark and may get the chance to do so before his more highly-regarded teammate.
ZACH ATTACK: THE PHANTOM’S ESSENDON SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE
FREMANTLE
If I had to pick one: Brett Bewley ($117,300) MID
Mature-age recruits are gold in SuperCoach (think Tim Kelly last year) and 23-year-old Bewley could be the next cheap midfield star. He’s a hard-running midfielder drafted from VFL club Williamstown, where he averaged 25 disposals a game last year and rated elite for Inside-50s. “I’d like to think I’m a hardworking, running outside-mid ball user,” Bewley told the Dockers website after the draft. “I like to be versatile and I try to get the ball as much as I can.”
Potential bolter: Luke Valente ($117,300) MID
Is Valente the Jack Graham of 2019? Like Richmond’s 2017 premiership star, Valente captained South Australia at under-18 level but slipped down the draft order despite starring at the national championships (Valente was named vice-captain of the junior All-Australian team under skipper Sam Walsh). Like Graham, recruiters may have questioned Valente’s upside because he’s already physically strong — but that’s great news for his first-year SuperCoach prospects.
FYFE IS LIFE: THE PHANTOM’S FREMANTLE SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE
GEELONG
If I had to pick one: Jordan Clark ($144,300) DEF
Most of the talk around Clark at draft time — when he was taken by the Cats at pick 15 — was about his success as a junior cricketer, but of much more interest to the SuperCoach world is his pedigree as an attacking halfback. That’s an ideal position for teenagers to ease into the AFL system and score well in SuperCoach. One word of caution: Clark has had a delayed start to pre-season after copping a bout of tonsillitis and glandular fever.
P otential bolter: Tom Atkins ($112,900) MID
Geelong’s master recruiter Stephen Wells has made an art form of finding mature-age bolters who go on to have AFL success, especially from the Cats’ VFL team (where he has previously plucked Tom Stewart and Tom Ruggles). Atkins is the latest off the production line, snared in the rookie draft at age 23 after winning his second best-and-fairest last season for Geelong’s VFL affiliate playing as a tough inside midfielder.
DANGER ZONE: THE PHANTOM’S GEELONG SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE
GOLD COAST SUNS
If I had to pick one: Izak Rankine ($198,300) FWD
Some recruiters ranked Rankine the best player in last year’s draft and the hugely talented forward won’t have any issues settling into senior action after playing 10 games for West Adelaide in the SANFL last year. He is sure to get plenty of opportunities and one thing is for sure, he won’t take a backward step.
Potential bolter: Harrison Wigg ($102,400) DEF
The former Crow has fallen off the footy radar after being traded to the Suns then missing all of last season with a broken ankle. But if he gets his chance he has shown he can win plenty of the footy, averaging 25 disposals a game for Adelaide’s reserves side in 2017.
SUN RISE: THE PHANTOM’S GOLD COAST SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE
GWS GIANTS
If I had to pick one: Jackson Hately ($148,800) MID
Following the departure of Dylan Shiel and Tom Scully, the Giants will be looking to inject new blood into their midfield and the South Australian ball-winner is at the front of the queue. He already has an AFL-ready body and was rated one of the safest picks in the draft after showing maturity beyond his years at underage level.
Potential bolter: Xavier O’Halloran ($117,300) MID
A behind-the-scenes video released by the Giants after the draft revealed how keen they were to land the Western Jets midfielder, and everything fell into place at pick 22. The Vic Metro captain is noted for his endurance, leadership and speed. Hopefully they are qualities that can earn him an early debut.
GREENE STEAL? THE PHANTOM’S GWS SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE
HAWTHORN
If I had to pick one: Mathew Walker ($117,300) FWD/MID
To be fair, you’re probably not going to start out with any of Hawthorn’s draft picks. But Walker is one to keep your eye on — especially if the doomsayers’ predictions come true. Clarko has never been afraid of giving his new players run and the Gold Coast Academy product could be a cheapie to trade down to on the run home.
MELBOURNE
If I had to pick one: Marty Hore ($117,300) DEF
Another mature body to come out of the draft, 22-year-old Hore is a midsized defender who won back-to-back best-and-fairest awards for Collingwood’s VFL team, taking the second-most marks in the competition and finding himself on Melbourne’s list as insurance for key defenders Steven May and Jake Lever. Mitch Hannan and Bayley Fritsch trod similar paths and both played finals for the Demons last season. Is Hore the next cab off the rank?
Potential bolter: Tom Sparrow ($117,300) MID
Went from missing out on Under-16 state selection to being compared to Patrick Dangerfield less than two years later. Sparrow lived in the shadow of fellow draftees Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine and Connor Rozee, but he has a trio of star mentors in Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver and Jack Viney, whom he could be suiting up alongside, come Round 1. Has dynamic speed — something the Demons desperately need in the middle.
NORTH MELBOURNE
If I had to pick one: Tarryn Thomas ($175,800) MID
Adelaide desperately wanted a piece of attacking midfielder Thomas, forcing the Roos to match the Crows bid with pick 8 on draft night. Should play straight away and has the ability to not only find the footy, but also kick goals. Comes from a rugby league background that has instilled a strong focus on tackling — he averaged nearly seven per game in the Under-18 championships — and that could translate to a SuperCoach stud.
Potential bolter: Bailey Scott ($117,300) MID
The son of former Geelong and North Melbourne hard man Robert Scott, Bailey was snapped up under father-son rules at pick No.49 by the Roos. A lightly built midfielder who runs all day, the 18-year-old collected almost 24 touches per game in the Under-18 championships as Allies captain and teammate of fellow new-Roo Thomas. Has found the footy at all levels and, much-like Tom Mitchell, that should translate to the next level.
PORT ADELAIDE
If I had to pick one: Connor Rozee ($189,300) DEF/FWD
Taken at pick No.5 and listed at 74kg (must be wringing wet) he has a slight build, but speed to burn — and that is something Port is in desperate need of after the losses of Chad Wingard and Jared Polec in the off-season. A competitive beast who loves to tackle and has already played against bigger bodies in the SANFL, more than holding his own. Awkwardly priced, but should make cash if he gets a gig in Round 1.
Potential bolter: Boyd Woodcock ($117,300) FWD/MID
Rozee’s North Adelaide teammate could be a ready-made replacement for Wingard. Woodcock is a gun and has already faced grown men in the SANFL — where he kicked three goals in last year’s Grand Final win. A machine at junior level, Woodcock has a basketball background and may find himself wearing the Port colours early on.
REVEALED: SUPERCOACH PRICES: RICHMOND-BULLDOGS
RICHMOND
If I had to pick one: Luke English ($117,300) MID
It’s going to be hard for any draftee to break into the strong Tigers’ line-up but the no-frills Western Australian midfielder might be the best chance. English has described himself as “one of the most dedicated footballers in the country” and has been likened to another hardworking WA product, Matt Priddis. English averaged 23 disposals and five tackles a game in the under-18 championships to earn selection in the junior All-Australian side.
Potential bolter: Jack Ross ($117,300) MID
If there’s one area the Tigers needed to bolster in the draft it was midfield depth after losing Anthony Miles, Corey Ellis and Sam Lloyd in the trade period. That could create an opportunity for Ross, a big-bodied midfielder and elite handballer who won the Oakleigh Chargers best-and-fairest last year despite playing only 12 games.
ST KILDA
If I had to pick one: Nick Hind ($117,300) MID
On face value, the Saints drafted incredibly well, with the potential for all five of their picks to play early football in 2019. Already seasoned at 24, Hind is lightning fast and kicks the cover off the Sherrin — exactly what the Saints need. Should be a walk-up starter after starring in Essendon’s VFL side in 2018. One of the key cash cows of 2019.
Potential bolter: Matthew Parker ($117,300) MID
Another mature-aged pick-up for the Saints, Parker finally harnessed his talent in 2018, booting 27 goals for South Fremantle in the WAFL. Expect him to be very close to a spot in the Saints’ season-opener and you won’t miss him with all that body art.
SYDNEY SWANS
If I had to pick one: Nick Blakey ($166,800) FWD
The Swans won out in the battle for the son of former Fitzroy and North Melbourne star John Blakey. John Longmire has never had a problem unleashing his high draft picks on the competition — think Rising Star Callum Mills or Isaac Heeney — meaning Blakey could line-up in the Swans forward line from Round 1. Hasn’t played a lot of footy over the past two years due to injury, but has shown enough in the games he did play in to instil belief that he can be a SuperCoach factor.
Potential bolter: James Rowbottom ($117,300) MID
A tough as nails midfielder who tackles like a madman, the Swans pounced on the nephew of Coleman Medallist-turned-commentator Brian Taylor. Might be a little light for the rough and tumble of an AFL midfield, but could find his way into the team as the season wears on.
WEST COAST
If I had to pick one: Luke Foley ($117,300) MID
Don’t get your hopes up for any Eagles newbies to be in the side early in the season. The reigning premiers have plenty of depth, but Foley might be one who surprises. Taken with pick No.31, Foley has all the tools to make is in the AFL. Works himself into the ground, kicks it a mile and marks everything in his zone. If he’s picked in Round 1, make sure he’s in your side.
Potential bolter: Xavier O’Neill ($117,300) MID
Picked three spots ahead of Foley, O’Neill still has work to do, but it wouldn’t surprise if he made a debut some time in 2019. Quick and skilful, the 19-year-old had the best kick at the AFL combine. You can’t buy that kind of precision ball use and, if he can cope with the AFL pressure, he could be a key cash cow in your SuperCoach team.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
If I had to pick one: Bailey Smith ($180,300) MID
Loves the game perhaps more than any other draftee and his remarkable twice-daily training regimen, counting of his calories and rigid schedule — even before the Dogs made him the seventh pick in the draft — set him apart. Won’t train until February due to a lingering Achilles injury and that could keep him out early, but should be a rock solid source of cheap SuperCoach points once he makes his debut.
Potential bolter: Ben Cavarra ($117,300) FWD
A mature-aged midfielder turned forward, Cavarra booted 34 goals in 2018 last season and won the Williamstown goalkicking in each of the past two seasons. The Dogs struggled to kick a score last season and that means the 22-year-old could be called upon very early on.
Originally published as Young guns: Every club’s 2018 draft class rated on SuperCoach potential
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