SuperCoach AFL 2024: Who’s stocks are up and who is down after first practice matches
Who are the pre-season bolters you need in your SuperCoach team and whose stocks are falling? Our experts examine every club for the movers and sliders.
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The countdown is on.
The first bounce of the AFL season is just 10 days away – and the first SuperCoach lockout of the season is one week after that.
After a summer of whispers and speculation we finally have some real games to judge players on as a round of unofficial practice matches subjected this year’s top fantasy prospects – and some surprise packets – to the time-tested eye test.
So who’s stocks are rising and who is heading in the other direction as the pre-season heats up? Scroll down for the inside word from the experts on the players you need to know from every club at the end of February.
ADELAIDE
STOCKS UP
In a shallow forward pool, IZAK RANKINE ($461,600K FWD) is a player who just hasn’t been talked about enough. Rankine, who once tallied 33 disposals, 18 score involvements and 223 points at junior level, may have only averaged 83 in his first year at the Crows but it was his 96-point eight-week stretch at the end of his final season at the Suns that really showed his scoring power as a forward. But now, after starting in the middle and attending 14 centre bounces against the Power, he might be more than just a forward in 2024.
In limited game time, MATT CROUCH ($490K MID) won the ball at will, adding to his mid-price appeal, in a week the similarly-priced Cam Guthrie went down with injury.
STOCKS DOWN
Is DANIEL CURTIN ($175K DEF-MID) the SuperCoach lock we all hoped for? Coming on late in the second quarter – after playing on Taylor Walker in the Crows’ intra-club – the draftee didn’t do anything to suggest he won’t be in Adelaide’s round 1 side. But he didn’t do anything to suggest his scoring, in what might often be a lockdown defensive role, will sit clearly above a number of cheaper options. Watch him closely against the Eagles.
BRISBANE LIONS
STOCKS UP
SuperCoaches have a bounty of forward rookies to choose from, but throw JAMES TUNSTILL ($123,900 FWD) into the mix as well. The 20-year-old got time in the middle against Gold Coast – although skipper Lachie Neale is tipped to return for the last pre-season hitout. Watch his role when Neale is available with interest.
CAMERON RAYNER ($385,100 FWD) could end up as one of the best forward PODs if his transition to an explosive inside midfielder continues into the regular season. Mark Rayner down as one of the must-watch players in round 0. He’s a talented forward but Chris Fagan finally seems keen to unleash him at centre bounces regularly.
HUGH McCLUGGAGE ($523,800 MID) appears to be spending more time on the inside which should lift his SuperCoach scoring. McCluggage’s best season was an average of 103.7 but more contested ball would elevate him closer to the top tier of SuperCoach onballers.
STOCKS DOWN
Brownlow medallist LACHIE NEALE ($617,000 MID) still hasn’t featured in a pre-season hitout after off-season groin surgery. Picking a 30-year-old off a limited pre-season can go wrong quickly in SuperCoach. Just ask those who were thinking of starting with Cam Guthrie, who was injured eight seconds into his first game after a long injury lay-off.
CONOR McKENNA ($353,100 DEF) is another Lion racing the clock to be fit for the early rounds due to a hamstring issue. Expect Keidean Coleman and Darcy Wilmot to benefit If McKenna – the Lions’ main kick-in taker – is absent early in the campaign.
CARLTON
STOCKS UP
This might be more of a SuperCoach Draft pick, but MITCH McGOVERN ($448K) appears to have put his injury woes behind him as he leapt high for intercept marks and sprinted towards the kick-in bag. That’s two things we like to see as SuperCoaches. He could prove to be a draft steal late in the piece given he looms as the Blues’ No.1 kick-in taker – but this was without Zac Williams in the side.
ASHTON MOIR ($123K FWD) was a top five draft selection last year before a dramatic slide down draft boards. The skilful South Australian clearly has talent and he showed glimpses of that in the first practice game with two goals as a small forward. The fact he started in the ones side in the eight period match bodes well for an early debut.
STOCKS DOWN
It might not be enough for us to take him out our sides, but ZAC WILLIAMS ($216K DEF) didn’t play the first practice game. The positive with Williams is even if he misses the Blues’ first game in opening round, we could still start him ahead of round 1 if he is fit for the Thursday night clash against Richmond. It is understood he will take part in a VFL practice match this week, which is a good sign.
COLLINGWOOD
STOCKS UP
PAT LIPINSKI ($389,700 FWD) is absolutely flying this summer and mounting a strong case to reclaim his spot in Collingwood’s best 22. He kicked two goals in the first quarter against North Melbourne and was recognised as the Magpies best player by stand-in coach Jordan Roughead.
REEF MCINNES ($123,900 FWD) matched Ash Johnson’s haul of three goals and looks to have the edge in the race to fill Daniel McStay’s role early in the season.
SSP signing LACHIE SULLIVAN ($102,400 MID) faces a battle to break into the Collingwood midfield early in the campaign but had an immediate impact when thrown into the action against North. It suggested he will be ready when needed by Craig McRae and a great rookie downgrade option for SuperCoaches.
CHARLIE DEAN ($123,900 DEF) is a player worth monitoring due to uncertainty over Nathan Murphy’s return to footy. If the Magpies need an extra tall in defence early in the season the former Williamstown backman could get a look in. Dean averaged 85 points in the VFL in 2021 but has been beset by injuries in his time as a Magpie.
FINLAY MACRAE ($152,600 FWD) has surely done enough to seal a round 0 spot after a dazzling off-season. If he hadn’t already clinched a position in the best 23, an early goal on the run from outside 50 against North would have helped.
ESSENDON
STOCKS UP
Track whispers about a move to defence for NIC MARTIN had SuperCoaches intrigued. Expect his ownership to spike now we’ve seen it in action. Martin, who put up six scores over 120 last season playing on a wing, started down back against St Kilda on Friday and was heavily involved all day running the ball out of defence, finishing with a team-high 29 touches. At just under $500K it’s a serious investment but it could pay off in a big way if he earns dual-position status after round 6.
Highly-rated tall ZACH REID ($123k DEF) was given the job on Max King before sitting out the second half. He isn’t going to put up big numbers, but if he can finally get a clear run with injury he will play – think about him for your defensive bench.
ELIJAH TSATAS ($245k MID-FWD) spent most of the day against St Kilda on a wing and should easily outperform his price tag, but in that role it’s unlikely to be by enough to make the quick cash we’re looking for.
STOCKS DOWN
JORDAN RIDLEY ($530k DEF) didn’t play but if the Bombers stick with a new high-octane running game out of the backline it won’t suit his high-mark style. Don’t read too much into one practice game but something to watch.
High-priced draftee NATE CADDY ($166K FWD) also sat out the game but the Bombers say he and Ridley will be available for Friday’s official practice match against Geelong.
FREMANTLE
STOCKS UP
It’s time to start believing that NAT FYFE ($283,200 FWD-MID) might be back. Not to the dual Brownlow levels, but to a level where he must seriously be considered as a SuperCoach option. Fyfe was prominent at centre bounces in the opening half against West Coast, moving freely before being managed in the second half. With 40 trades and bailout options such as James Harmes and Jack Billings, the risk might be worth it this year.
While SuperCoaches have been focused on the positives of Hayden Young’s midfield move, JORDAN CLARK ($461,000 DEF) has been the beneficiary in defence. While Luke Ryan is still expected to be one of the main distributors, Clark was stepped up this pre-season to fill the void left by Young with his dash and penetrating kick. He is a serious POD in fewer than 1 per cent of SuperCoach teams.
Supercoaches are spoiled for choice with forward rookies this year but don’t dismiss mature-age Docker TOM EMMETT ($182,200 FWD). He averaged 81.5 points in two games last year, scoring 65 and 98 and kicking multiple goals against Port and Hawthorn. He showed his craftiness around goal against the Eagles and looks certain to be part of Fremantle’s attack in round 1. Could he be a better option than Caleb Windsor to avoid the early byes?
STOCKS DOWN
It was hard not to take note of ANDREW BRAYSHAW ($608,900 MID) being shunted to a wing to accommodate Fyfe’s return to the engine room. While he was still prolific against the Eagles, Brayshaw splitting his time between the wing and inside is less than desirable for SuperCoach. Uncontested possessions are worth less than contested ones. If you’re tossing up between Brayshaw and teammate Caleb Serong – who appeared to play purely inside mid – then you have your answer.
JEREMY SHARP ($123,900 MID) missed the Eagles hitout due to illness but should be fine for round 1.
GEELONG
STOCKS UP
JHYE CLARK ($123K MID) was among the highest centre-bounce attendees for the Cats in their hitout against Carlton and caught the eye both in the contest and away from it. Geelong assistant coach James Rahilly said post-match that the Cats were poised to use a blend of experience and youth through the middle in 2024 which bodes well for Clark. And if Cameron Guthrie’s injury is worse than first feared, it should enhance Clark’s job security.
Add OLIVER DEMPSEY ($148K FWD) to the growing list of forward rookie options. Dempsey might be slightly further down the list given he is a small forward but he pushed right up the ground in an impressive display against Carlton. There are big wraps on him this pre-season and he looks to be in the box seat for a round 1 berth. He showed he is capable of finding the footy at VFL level, averaging 21 disposals and 102 points last year.
STOCKS DOWN
In his first game against AFL opposition since round six last year, CAM GUTHRIE ($420K MID) won the first clearance and then collapsed to the ground like he’d been shot by a sniper in the stands at Ikon Park. Geelong said he was put on ice as a precaution, but the quad injury didn’t look good. We should get an update this week on the severity, but with the depth in the mid-priced midfield group, is it worth taking the punt on Guthrie?
SHAUN MANNAGH ($117K FWD-MID) didn’t come on until the third quarter in Geelong’s first pre-season game. It wasn’t a hard and fast best 22 running out for the Cats given they rotated 41 players across the eight periods, but it isn’t a great sign for his job security. We know the numbers he was putting up at state league level last year so don’t completely rule him out just yet, but he isn’t the lock we thought he was earlier in the pre-season.
GOLD COAST
STOCKS UP
ALEX SEXTON ($133,400 FWD) is the big winner in Damien Hardwick’s magnet moves, being deployed as a running half-back. He made a few errors by foot against Brisbane but Sexton’s teammates continued to look for him coming out of defence. SuperCoaches are starting to cotton on to Sexton’s move to the friendly half-back role – he now features in more than 20 per cent of teams after his latest hitout as a backman.
All eyes will be on round 0 to see if TOUK MILLER ($545,500 MID) is back to the uber premium of 2021-2022. The signs are certainly very encouraging. He’s back buzzing around the ball under Hardwick after spending time at half-forward during an injury-interrupted 2023 and performed strongly against Brisbane.
VFL draftee SAM CLOHESY ($102,400 DEF) is likely a way back in the queue but did some nice things on a wing against the Lions to suggest he’ll get an opportunity at some point this year under Hardwick.
STOCKS DOWN
Hardwick seems to be a fan of youngster BODHI UWLAND ($137,100 DEF) but he had a torrid time matched up on Charlie Cameron. If Uwland is going to be playing as a backline stopper, there will be better defensive rookie options. If Uwland missed selection for round 1, it could impact a player such as CONNOR BUDARICK ($301,200 DEF) if he was needed in a more defensive role.
GWS GIANTS
STOCKS UP
AARON CADMAN averaged 22 SuperCoach points in 12 matches last season but the No.1 draft pick could step it up in his second year. He showed encouraging signs playing up forward and as a back-up ruckman against the Swans, finishing with 13 disposals and four goals. At just $125k up forward, could he make an early jump out of the blocks with match-ups against North Melbourne and West Coast in the first two rounds?
There are some surprise rookie options at the Giants – add HARVEY THOMAS and JACOB WEHR to the watch list for the last round of practice games and the Giants’ opening round clash against Collingwood. Thomas ($117k MID/FWD), taken with pick 59 in last year’s draft, had 18 touches and a goal against the Swans while Wehr ($123k MID) – a popular rookie in SuperCoach two years ago – exploded in the second half to finish with similar numbers.
If you think TOM GREEN is a ball magnet his pre-season has done nothing to discourage you picking him.
HAWTHORN
STOCKS UP
Coming in at almost an identical price to Bulldog Riley Sanders, HENRY HUSTWAITE ($184K MID) put in a similarly impressive midfield showing. The 195cm youngster kicked two majors and had no trouble finding the footy, especially in congestion where his agility and clean disposal stood out. With Will Day ruled out of round 1 and potentially longer, Hustwaite shapes as another high-priced midfield rookie to consider. Huswaite averaged 75 SuperCoach points at VFL level last year and is worth tracking in Hawthorn’s community series clash.
Just days after being signed through the supplemental selection period, ETHAN PHILLIPS ($102K DEF) came on after halftime and showed some promising signs as a key back. With Hawthorn’s tall defensive injury crisis, the mature-age recruit is in the frame for a spot along with Hawks youngster Jai Serong, the brother of SuperCoach stud Caleb. Phillips broke Luke Ryan’s VFL intercept possession record in 2023, so we’ll be hoping he can get a run in round one.
STOCKS DOWN
NICK WATSON ($189K FWD) had some nice moments and set up a couple of scoring opportunities, but at times he struggled to get near it. We can afford to be picky with plenty of forward rookie options popping up, and forking out close to $200k for a first-year small forward in a developing team might not be worth your while.
MELBOURNE
STOCKS UP
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA ($667K MID) did as he pleased early against Richmond, booting two goals and collecting a mountain of the footy while barely shifting out of third gear. Can he improve on last year’s 119 average? His partner in crime CLAYTON OLIVER ($674K MID) played the final three quarters of the seven-quarter contest against mostly VFL opposition, but showed a return at the top level could be sooner than we think. It would be a huge call to pick him in your starting team, but he could yet have a big SuperCoach impact in 2024.
JACK BILLINGS ($243K FWD) fell out of favour at St Kilda last year but could have a key role at his new club. He picked up 21 disposals playing across half-forward, with several dangerous kicks inside 50 – an area the Demons desperately need to improve. He’s just $243k and can be picked in the forward line.
Forward rookie pair CALEB WINDSOR ($180k) and BAILEY LAURIE ($125k) both pushed their round 1 claims with impressive performances, hopefully they can back it up this week. Add KYNAN BROWN ($102k MID-FWD) to that list as well.
If you’re looking for a left-field pick, TOM SPARROW ($375k MID) attended 73 per cent of centre bounces. He’s in 0.3 per cent of SuperCoach teams.
STOCKS DOWN
Mature-age recruit MARTY HORE ($123K DEF), a popular rookie pick in defence, featured with Oliver in the ‘seconds’ part of the match, which is not a great sign for his round 1 prospects.
NORTH MELBOURNE
STOCKS UP
ZAC FISHER ($378,600 FWD) was hard to miss as he returned from a hamstring injury with plenty of footy across half-back. Fisher has been slated for the role vacated by Aaron Hall and Jack Ziebell and although his efficiency was down, he had no issue accumulating possessions.
If SuperCoaches had forgotten how good HARRY SHEEZEL ($556,200 DEF) was over summer, they were given a timely reminder against the Magpies. Sheezel looked every bit a top-six defender threat and has stayed in the half-back role he made his own despite the additions of Colby McKercher and Fisher to the back six. No surprise that his ownership is rising by the day.
TOM POWELL ($312,200 FWD) has become the forgotten man in North’s enviable array of young midfielders but there was no missing him against Collingwood as he continued an impressive summer. Hard to know how he gets into the Roos’ midfield mix, but he hasn’t put a foot wrong in pre-season.
TRISTAN XERRI ($407,400 RUC) gave SuperCoaches plenty to consider with a strong display in the ruck and winning contested footy on the ground. Could you leave Max Gawn or Brodie Grundy out to start him?
CHARLIE LAZZARO ($181,100 FWD-MID) is firming to be part of Alastair Clarkson’s round 1 midfield after another eye-catching display. Word out of Arden St is he has been one of the standouts throughout pre-season as he looks to become a senior regular in his fourth AFL campaign.
PORT ADELAIDE
STOCKS UP
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has made it clear OLLIE WINES ($463K MID) will return to his preferred inside midfield role in 2024. And we saw proof against the Crows, with Wines attending more centre bounces than any other Power player. The last time he was completely up and going in the midfield, he averaged 112 points per game and won the Brownlow Medal in 2021. Even a repeat of the 105-point average of 2022 would see him add serious early value to his price tag.
JACKSON MEAD ($199K MID-FWD) – who, by our count, attended 16 centre bounces – is another player with a top-rookie price tag to keep an eye on in the official pre-season fixture.
STOCKS DOWN
Hopes that JORDAN SWEET ($158K RUC) would emerge as a genuine rookie-price ruck option have been all-but dashed after fellow recruit Ivan Soldo, like he did in the internal trial, showing why will likely lead the Power’s ruck brigade in 2024.
RICHMOND
STOCKS UP
THOMSON DOW ($254k MID) attended the equal-most centre bounces for the Tigers against the Demons (with Jacob Hopper) and appears set for a key midfield role after a big summer. He could be a steal, but fitting him into your SuperCoach midfield is a tricky question – could you try a quick cash grab and trade him at Richmond’s round 6 bye? JOSH GIBCUS ($150K DEF) took a contested intercept mark in the first 30 seconds of the game and I immediately locked him into my backline and threw away the key. He missed all of last year with hamstring problems but was a good rookie scorer in his debut season, and he’s even cheaper this year. With star interceptor Noah Balta moving to the forward line he will see plenty of action this year.
Another of Adem Yze’s positional moves is to send JAYDEN SHORT ($551K DEF) back to a permanent role at half-back, where he has shown in the past he can score premium numbers. Up forward, STEELY GREEN ($123K FWD) put up his hand for a spot in the round 0 team with plenty of spark around goal.
STOCKS DOWN
JAMES TREZISE ($207K DEF) scored 93 on debut in round 24 last year but wasn’t part of the A team against Melbourne and appears to be outside the best 22 to start this season.
DUSTIN MARTIN and LIAM BAKER are both a watch. They were both rested for the first practice game but have been mooted for more midfield minutes this season.
ST KILDA
STOCKS UP
After battling a series of injuries last year JACK STEELE $529K MID) looks absolutely ripped, winning nine clearances against the Bombers in a performance that will encourage those hoping for a bounce back year from a discounted premium who has averaged over 120 twice in SuperCoach. RILEY BONNER ($284K MID), delisted by Port Adelaide at the end of last season, was the surprise packet in the Saints’ first serious hitout of the pre-season. He took the bulk of St Kilda’s kick-ins and roamed far and wide to collect 28 disposals (23 of them kicks), including a booming 55m goal. Hopefully Jack Sinclair doesn’t squeeze him out when he returns from injury.
DARCY WILSON ($130K MID-FWD), the Saints’ top draft pick last year, showed some exciting signs and appears ready for a round 1 debut, while fellow draftee HUGO GARCIA ($117K MID-FWD) attended several centre bounces – add him to the watch list.
STOCKS DOWN
MARCUS WINDHAGER ($323K DEF-MID) was part of the centre bounce setup early before leaving the field before quarter-time with a broken hand. The Saints say he and Sinclair could both play in round 1, but it’s not the perfect preparation we want from our SuperCoach selections.
SYDNEY
STOCKS UP
How can you pass up the gift from the fantasy gods that is BRODIE GRUNDY ($481K RUC)? The value is so good he doesn’t have to score that well to make money, but he should anyway. His early work in the Swans’ victory over GWS brought back memories of his SuperCoach stud days at Collingwood. Lock him in.
MATT ROBERTS ($157k MID) has been shifted to half-back and could deliver on his big junior numbers – The Phantom is a massive fan – while ex-Demon JAMES JORDON ($275k MID) seems to have a spot in the Swans’ best 22. The only worry is it’s on a wing, which can be a hot and cold position for SuperCoach scoring – it’s not much fun when the ball is on the other side of the ground for a whole game.
ERROL GULDEN ($622K MID) attended just six centre bounces against the Giants, but he showed last year he is one of the rare talents who can score big playing purely off the wing, and backed that up with 22 disposals in a little over a half.
STOCKS DOWN
Is it cheeky to list ISAAC HEENEY ($483K FWD) here? He played a big chunk of the practice game in the midfield – something he has done more than once in pre-seasons gone by only to go back to being a full-time forward in the real stuff (although news of an injury to Luke Parker might change that). Either way, he could still be one of the top-scoring forwards in a shallow pool this season, although an early bye (round 5) is a turn-off.
Ex-Magpie TAYLOR ADAMS was rested.
WEST COAST
STOCKS UP
ELLIOT YEO ($447K DEF-MID) continues to mount a strong case for SuperCoaches to ignore his wretched injury history and take the risk from round 1. Yeo has been playing a dream role for SuperCoach in pre-season as an inside midfielder who spends time resting at half-back. He was one of West Coast’s standouts against the Dockers to continue an impressive summer.
Alex Witherden and Liam Duggan were the players expected to benefit most from Shannon Hurn’s retirement but it was JAYDEN HUNT ($426K DEF) who caught the eye streaming off half-back.
If you’re looking for a bargain basement player who could feature at some stage this year, don’t sleep on LOCH RAWLINSON ($102K FWD-MID). The small forward impressed with his pressure against the Dockers, with his tackling in particular a feature of his game.
STOCKS DOWN
MATTHEW FLYNN ($491K) did not feature due to a hamstring injury, which the Eagles fear could be tendon damage. If you’re among the 1000 coaches with Flynn, consider pivoting to Tristan Xerri.
HARLEY REID ($207K FWD-MID) didn’t rack up possessions in the same manner as fellow draftee Colby McKercher, but those coaches who have taken him out based on one game are likely being far too hasty.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
STOCKS UP
Stocks up with the socks up. RYLEY SANDERS ($184K MID) has received huge praise for his first pre-season and he burst out of the blocks against the Hawks, winning a stack of the Sherrin and kicking a long-range goal on the run. Yes, the Bulldogs didn’t have a host of key names in the first four quarters of the practice game, but starting without Sanders just isn’t worth it. He is not only a Rising Star contender, he could also be the No.1 cash cow of 2024.
At a price this cheap, all we need to know is that NICK COFFIELD ($123K DEF) is playing round 1 to pick him. The ex-Saint provided rebound off half-back as he put forward his case to face Melbourne in the Dogs’ season-opener. Like many cheapies, it will be a case of watching Coffield’s progress in the community series, particularly with no clear best 22 out there during this game.
The performance of SAM DARCY ($123K FWD) was a sign of what’s to come in the future for the athletic big man. The son of a gun kicked three goals and was very competitive up against Ned Reeves and Lloyd Meek in the ruck with Tim English playing later in the afternoon. It seems unlikely the Dogs would pick Rory Lobb and Darcy in the same side, so keep a close eye on their next game before pulling the trigger, but the signs look promising as bench forward.
STOCKS DOWN
Even with the Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar playing in the second game, JAMES HARMES ($258K MID-FWD) still didn’t receive a heap of midfield time. The former Demon booted a goal up forward and could still be an option depending on his role in the community series clash, but mid-priced forwards Nat Fyfe and James Jordon available at the same price with more promising roles.
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