Tim Michell’s final SuperCoach team for 2025 revealed

Having spent weeks trying to fit 45 players into 31 spots, Tim Michell has finally settled on his starting SuperCoach team for 2025. SEE IT HERE.

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If you’re like me, you’ll spend the last few days before the first rolling lockout of 2025 trying to fit about 45 players into 31 spots in your SuperCoach team.

Like most, I have been madly making changes since the pre-season games trying to squeeze as many of the names I want in as possible.

I’ve found the best way to make that happen is to group players into three categories: Locks, maybes and speculative picks.

The locks are the players that no matter what iteration of my team I reach must feature.

The maybes are the ones I want to feature and likely will make the final cut.

The speculative picks have been the ones I have sacrificed if pre-season form or injuries have demanded changes.

For now, I’ve whittled it down to these names — and managed to cross the last of the speculative options off my list.

Tim Michell is ready to be hurt again by Jayden Short. Picture: Mark Stewart

DEFENCE

Regardless of how much he’s stung me in the past, I can’t leave out Dayne Zorko now Brisbane doesn’t have an early bye. I know he’s 36 years old but he got through a career-high 23 matches last year and doesn’t have to share the ball with Keidean Coleman until about round 5. Matt Roberts’ vindicated The Phantom’s pre-season faith by showing he’s got top-six potential in Opening Round. I don’t want to pick Jayden Short because he’s burned me many times before. But at that price and with Richmond pledging to play a game style where it will control the ball more, I think he’s great buying. Remind me I said that in a few weeks when I trade him out. Jaxon Prior and Luke Trainor will debut for their new clubs in round 1, while Sydney’s long injury list should ensure Ben Paton holds his spot. Harry Sheezel is in — for now — but I am tossing up whether I should use that money for Max Gawn instead.

There’s plenty of value in midfield, including Blue Adam Cerra.

MIDFIELD

If Zorko is a lock, then Lachie Neale has to be as well. Durable, consistent and a prolific ball winner and scorer. What more could you want? Marcus Bontempelli and Zak Butters getting injured has given Neale a chance to be this year’s M1. I wasn’t sold on Finn O’Sullivan until he impressed in the pre-season match against West Coast and Alastair Clarkson said he’s going to spend some time at halfback. Oliver just needed to get through pre-season to be selected at a price we haven’t seen his rookie days. Adam Cerra is a Rolls Royce who just needs to stay fit. Paying up for Harvey Langford and Mitch Knevitt on the bench might be excessive, but I don’t want to leave them out unless I’m getting desperate for funds come Thursday evening.

Tom De Koning relished being Carlton’s No. 1 ruck last year. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

RUCKS

Not having Gawn when he’s up against Lachie Keeffe in round 1 scares me. But for now, I’m telling myself you can’t pay $670k for one score. Tom De Koning went super saiyan when he was the solo ruck for Carlton last year, averaging 148 during a four-game stretch last year. With Marc Pittonet sidelined for the first month of the season — then likely to return via the VFL — I’m happy to back in TDK. Tristan Xerri might not be able to maintain the incredible scoring he produced in the back half of last year but if he does I don’t want to miss out.

Izak Rankine scored 120+ every time he had 20 disposals last year.

FORWARD

The easiest line to choose this year. You can’t leave our Horne-Fracis, Macrae or Daniel — who I have ranked No. 1 on my must-haves list for 2025. Sam Davidson will get early opportunities with the Bulldogs’ long injury list and showed in pre-season he can score quickly. I can understand why some SuperCoaches are sceptical about Izak Rankine’s durability but I’m more excited by the fact he scored 120+ in the four matches he had 20+ disposals last year. With more midfield time, more big scores are coming.

Matt Flynn is a popular selection at Flex.

FLEX

Matt Flynn makes a lot of sense here. He’s going to start the year as the No. 1 ruckman at the Eagles and although Bailey Williams will be lurking in the WAFL, new coach Andrew McQualter appears to prefer Flynn. He scored well in pre-season and only needs a run of 6-8 games to generate plenty of cash. I’ll lose a few points to coaches with the triumvirate of Gawn, Xerri and De Koning, but hopefully Flynn will prove to be one of the best cash cows of 2025.

Tim Michell's SuperCoach team revealed

Originally published as Tim Michell’s final SuperCoach team for 2025 revealed