AFL SuperCoach 2018: Players to watch as first JLT Series matches get underway this weekend

GET your notepad ready. The JLT Series is here and with it, a number of our most important SuperCoach questions will be answered. In anticipation, here are all the players to keep a close eye on across the weekend.

GET your notepad ready.

The AFL’s first pre-season matches will kick-off this weekend, giving SuperCoaches the opportunity to gather more information about who to select in our starting line-ups for 2018.

While a lot of eyes will be on potential cash cows such as North Melbourne’s Luke Davies-Uniacke and Paul Ahern, Richmond’s Jack Higgins and Port Adelaide’s Dom Barry, there are a number of experienced players we’ll be watching closely.

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From Todd Goldstein to Christian Petracca to Brandon Ellis and Devon Smith and more, there are still plenty of decisions to be made on premium and mid-price players.

The JLT Series will give SuperCoaches the best indication of scoring power and form heading into Round 1.

Here are our players to watch over the weekend as Adelaide, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond and West Coast ramp up their preparations for the opening round.

Last year wasn’t a good one for Todd Goldstein. Can he get back to his best? Picture: Michael Klein

ADELAIDE

BRYCE GIBBS ($563,000) MID

The Blue-turned-Crow has averaged more than 100 points per game in three of his last four seasons but how will his move impact his scores? Surely, with Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers in the midfield this year he could find himself with less attention from opposition teams and that can only be a positive. We’ll get an idea of his role on Sunday — will he play mostly midfield or spend time across halfback?

PAUL SEEDSMAN ($300,200) DEF

With Brodie Smith out long-term after a knee reconstruction, there is a spot across halfback for Seedsman to make his own. We know he’s a great user of the footy and has a long leg but can he find enough of the ball to justify taking a risk on him? Some are eyeing him off as a fourth defender.

TOM DOEDEE ($123,900) DEF

One of the most popular cash cow options this year, Doedee made a positive first impression during Adelaide’s AFLX matches, picking up plenty of disposals in defence and we’ll be looking for him to carry that form into a four-quarter practice match and pencil his name in Don Pyke’s Round 1 side.

MATTHEW SIGNORELLO ($123,900) MID/FWD

Was ultra-impressive for the Crows in the AFLX tournament with his speed and ability to find the ball. Has played mostly as an inside midfielder and winger but Adelaide need to find a replacement for Charlie Cameron as a pressure forward. With Jordan Gallucci suffering a foot injury, the door is open for someone to push for that spot.

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ESSENDON

ANDREW MCGRATH $388,400 DEF

With the addition of Adam Saad, McGrath will be free to roam in the midfield this year. The move could see his 2017 average of 70.7 jump remarkably.

DEVON SMITH $439,100 FWD

One reason Smith was so keen to get to the Bombers was increased midfield time. Now we will get our first taste of exactly how much extra that could be. He could be the perfect point of difference.

ADAM SAAD $399,800 DEF

Is this Adam Saad’s breakout SuperCoach season? While Saad has never averaged over 80, his move to the Bombers will see him surrounded by better teammates and playing in a stronger system. The potential is there for a big jump.

JAKE STRINGER $356,000 FWD

A fresh start and more midfield time has SuperCoaches investing in Stringer. The Bulldog turned Bomber is in 20 per cent of teams and a few glimpses of the old Jake over the weekend will see that number skyrocket.

JOSHUA BEGLEY $209,700 FWD

He came in late last year and made an immediate impact, kicking two goals on debut. Can the man they call “Fridge” build on that? At more than $200,000, Begley will need to show a lot during the JLT.

MATT GUELFI $117,300 FWD

The young Bomber, taken with pick 76 in last year’s draft, looked solid during the AFLX matches. He will need to show plenty if he wants a Round 1 debut.

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How will Devon Smith slot into the Essendon side and how much midfield time will he get? Picture: Michael Klein

FREMANTLE

NATHAN WILSON $417,300 DEF

Wilson’s SuperCoach average has gone up every year since 2012. After topping out at 75.9 last season, his move to the Dockers could have him eyeing triple figures in 2018. The ball will be down back a lot.

NAT FYFE $597,900 MID

A man of this talent at this price? Get him in your team! Fyfe is much cheaper than the likes of Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin but could score just as well.

ANDREW BRAYSHAW $198,300 MID

He will see plenty of games in 2018 but that is a lot of cash to fork out for a first-year player. Depending on how the weekend plays out, Richmond’s Jack Higgins might be a better option for your wallet.

STEFAN GIRO $102,400 MID

All the talk out of the Dockers is that this kid could be picked for Round 1. That will make him an automatic selection in a lot of teams around the country. A big score in the JLT could have one foot in the door.

BAILEY BANFIELD $123,400 MID

He was overlooked in his draft year and responded by winning Claremont’s best and fairest in the WAFL. He’s ready to go against the big bodies.

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We’ll get our first look at former Giant Nathan Wilson this weekend when he steps out for Fremantle.

MELBOURNE

MICHAEL HIBBERD ($545,200) DEF

Averaged 99.2 points per game in his first season at Melbourne on the back of 12 months out of the game. Could he get even better? A lot of SuperCoaches are banking on it given the knee injury to Sam Docherty has us searching for reliable high-scoring premium defenders.

CHRISTIAN PETRACCA ($433,300) MID/FWD

Will this be Petracca’s breakout season? Currently in 23.8 per cent of teams and is the 20th most popular player in SuperCoach (at time of publish). Only averaged 78.8 in 2017 but we’re looking for that to jump to 85-100 this season. SuperCoaches will be watching with plenty of interest given he’s still a risk at his price. Will he spend more time in the midfield or up forward?

ANGUS BRAYSHAW ($316,700) DEF/MID

Very interesting mid-price risk is the former No.3 draft pick who showed good signs in AFLX last week. We know how good he is but can he stay on the park? Can be a 70-80m player with his run and carry and could be a steal at that price if he has a good JLT Series. Dual position status has him on the watch list.

HARLEY BALIC ($252,900) MID/FWD

The former Docker is back in his home state and will want to cement his spot in the Melbourne side to kickstart his AFL career. Averaged more than 20 disposals in the TAC Cup in 2015, so can find the footy.

BAYLEY FRITSCH ($117,300) FWD

Those who picked Demon Mitch Hannan last year were rewarded by a healthy price rise of more than $140,000 and good job security and Fritsch could be the 2018 version. The 21-year-old has been talked up by Melbourne this pre-season and was recruited out of the VFL just as Hannan was. Liked what we saw of him during AFLX. He’s a goalkicker.

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Will 2018 be Christian Petracca’s breakout year? Picture: Getty

NORTH MELBOURNE

TODD GOLDSTEIN $521,400 RUC

Last year was a SuperCoach disaster for Goldy, who averaged under 100 for the first time since 2012. All the talk out of Arden Street is that he is ready to return to his best — now we will find out.

PAUL AHERN $123,900 MID/FWD

A former pick 7 to the Giants, Ahern is ready to go after missing all of 2017 recovering from a knee injury. He has been training fully since November and is a low risk, high upside pick.

LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE $189,300 MID

He’s already in 42 per cent of SuperCoach teams and this weekend will be the perfect test to see if that number rises or falls. At $189,300, that’s a lot of money for a man yet to make his debut. He needs to deliver early or coaches will be nervous.

MITCHELL HIBBERD $169,300 DEF

This Roo can run all day. Hibberd won the club’s time trial at the start of pre-season and looks in prime position to build on his four games last year. Watch closely.

ALEX MORGAN $123,900 DEF

The former Bomber was super keen to get to the Roos in the off-season, seeing the potential to finally play some senior football. He’s cheap and definitely worth look.

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Luke Davies-Uniacke is the pick of the 2017 draftees. Picture: Michael Klein

RICHMOND

BRANDON ELLIS ($502,500) DEF

Ellis has been a solid SuperCoach performer since 2013, averaging 81.7, 96.9, 100.3, 85.4 and 91.4 in the last five years and he took his game to new heights last season. Available as a defender in 2018 despite also rolling through the midfield for the Tigers puts Ellis in the mix for a spot in our backline but we want to see some solid JLT form first — and no signs of a premiership hangover.

ANTHONY MILES ($310,500) MID

The forgotten midfielder decided to stick with Richmond despite interest from rival clubs in the trade period and will want senior opportunities in exchange for his loyalty. Averaged 99.9, 97.5 and 89.8 from 2014-16 and if he can get a spot in the midfield and produce similar scores, he’s a steal as a stepping stone to a premium later in the season.

JACK HIGGINS ($130,800) MID/FWD

The ninth-most popular player in SuperCoach (at time of publish), Higgins is already in 35.4 per cent of teams. Didn’t light it up in AFLX and there has been some talk he may not play early in the season but a strong JLT Series will surely get him a Round 1 debut, particularly with Daniel Rioli unlikely to be fit.

MAIBOR CHOL ($123,900) FWD

Still a work in progress but Chol is an exciting prospect. He made his debut in the last round of 2016 but didn’t feature last year and is still priced as a rookie.

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Dustin Martin is a lock in most SuperCoach teams but what about his teammate Brandon Ellis? Strong JLT form will see him picked in a lot of sides given he’s available as a defender. Picture: Michael Klein

PORT ADELAIDE

PADDY RYDER ($566,500) RUC

Ryder was the No.2 ranked ruck last year behind Matthew Kreuzer with an average of 103 points. He really hit his straps in the second half of the year with scores of 100 points or more in all but four games from Round 11, including five over 120. With a season under his belt after his ban, he could be the pick of the rucks with Max Gawn.

RILEY BONNER ($257,300) DEF

Now entering his third season, Bonner will be looking to take the next step and earn more senior opportunities. Is a booming kick and has scored well in his four senior appearances. Is a little more expensive than a rookie but has scoring and cash-building potential.

JACK TRENGOVE ($162,700) MID

Has Trengove’s luck finally turned? Will need to put in some really good performances during the JLT Series and perhaps early in the season in the SANFL to force his way into the Power’s best 22 but if he does then he’s a really good cash cow option.

DOM BARRY ($117,300) MID

Is expected to play early for the Power after an impressive summer on the track and is considered a lock in most SuperCoach teams but what exactly is his scoring potential? Could he be a starter in the midfield or just a bench option? What role has Ken Hinkley got in mind? The former Demon is one we can’t wait to see.

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Dom Barry is ready to take his second chance in the AFL. Picture: Tom Huntley

WEST COAST

BRENDON AH CHEE $255,100 FWD

He’s a little pricey but there is no doubt Ah Chee is definitely talented. He won Port’s SANFL best and fairest last year and a chance at AFL level could be all he needs to kick on.

LIAM RYAN $117,300 FWD

This kid is an excitement machine. Pick him just so you can enjoy cheering even louder for his incredible marks and stunning goals. We promise it will be well worth it.

DANIEL VENABLES $123,900 FWD

A top pick in 2016, Venables is finally injury free and ready to launch in 2018. He has been described as a Luke Shuey clone and could see a lot of game time in a changing of the guard out west.

BRAYDEN AINSWORTH $117,300 MID

Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis have left a hole in the midfield but Ainsworth might need a season under his belt before he is the man to fill it.

TEAM PREVIEW: WEST COAST PLAYERS TO CONSIDER IN SUPERCOACH

Mature-age recruit Liam Ryan in action at West Coast training. Picture: Getty

Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2018: Players to watch as first JLT Series matches get underway this weekend