AFL SuperCoach 2024: Champion Data guru Fantasy Freako’s team
The man who knows the SuperCoach numbers better than anybody else, Champion Data’s Fantasy Freako has unveiled his first team for 2024 – and there are a few surprises.
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A final ranking of 1,447 last season was a pass mark – but you always strive to get into three figures – or even double figures if everything goes right.
Like every first draft, nothing is set in stone and there will be tinkering over the coming weeks. It’s a fine balancing act between picking to correct premiums and finding the right rookies to field – but the next month will hopefully answer some of these questions, more so around the kids.
The upcoming match simulations will be handy for scouting – but we need to be mindful that Melbourne and Richmond won’t play, so we only get one look at them in the official AAMI Community Series.
Before we even look at picking a team, the one thing we need to be aware of this year is the extra byes rounds. As we know by now, SuperCoach doesn’t kick off until Round 1 – so scores from Opening Round won’t count, but they will contribute to price changes.
The term “strategy” is one that will be used heavily and navigating the byes will be central to success. Trying to pick players that have later byes is a tactic that has potential – so avoiding teams with an early bye can give you the upper hand as best 18 scores will apply for these rounds. So, you won’t need to bench your top end talent. It could give you a significant advantage over others.
Another thing to consider is that we have two new coaches at the helm – Damien Hardwick at the Suns and Adem Yze at the Tigers. Hardwick is likely to adopt the same formula that made him a success at Richmond, while Yze will use his wealth of experience to shape his team. There will be positional changes without a doubt at both clubs.
In terms of overall structure, I’ve gone in with an extra premium in defence due to the dearth of options in the forwards. As things stand, I’m fading the No.1 scoring ruckman from last year and looking at value options instead, while there is also an argument to avoid the No.1 scoring player in the game as well after an injury-interrupted pre-season.
DEFENDERS
Structure: Three premiums and five rookies.
Nick Daicos (Coll, $650,000 MID)
James Sicily (Haw, $637,400)
Hayden Young (Fre, $525,100)
Zac Williams (Carl, $216,100)
Josh Gibcus (Rich, $150,700)
Nick Coffield (WB, $123,900)
Bench: Kallan Dawson (Nth $183,300), Marty Hore (Melb, $123,900)
To pick or fade Nick Daicos is a question that divided the SuperCoach community last year and we could face a similar question in 2024 as Collingwood has the Round 5 bye. Before that, though, the Magpies face the Swans in Round 1, a team he averages just 73 points against – his fewest against any team. Ryan Clarke has nullified Daicos – but the Swans have delisted him over the summer. I am sure John Longmire will have a plan for him, nevertheless.
Daicos also faces the Hawks in Round 4 where Finn Maginness will likely be used to curtail his influence. But it’s hard to overlook someone who averaged 135 in his first six games last season. Avoiding Daicos and then picking him after the bye is an alternative – but then you’ll be booking in a trade, not to mention needing to find the money to make that jump. We do have 40 trades in total this year – but there could be a rookie you missed, or you cop an early injury which could derail that plan.
James Sicily is also in, and it was a close call between him and Tom Stewart. Sicily is a player I traded last year after his suspension, and I couldn’t get him back. He took his marking to another level and averaged a career-high 3.5 intercept marks and 9.4 intercept possessions. He’s just always involved.
Hayden Young rounds out my premiums and looms as the bargain buy of the year. A move into the midfield late last season added another dimension to the Dockers midfield – with only Marcus Bontempelli laying more effective tackles than him from Round 21. More importantly, it didn’t impede Andrew Brayshaw or Caleb Serong’s scoring.
Zac Williams is a must-have in his return from injury, while I have also included Josh Gibcus. Gibcus also returns after missing all of 2023 and his stocks look set to rise with Noah Balta returning to the forward-line. Balta dominated as an intercepting defender last season – a role Gibcus can hopefully take over.
Nick Coffield should be in the Bulldogs’ best team, while Kallan Dawson and Marty Hore are on the bench. Both mature-age players – Dawson capped of last season with three straight tons in the VFL and, after the departure of Ben McKay, Dawson may have first crack at that role ahead of ex-Swan Toby Pink.
With the Demons switching Harrison Petty into attack, they will need a replacement in defence and Hore lit up the VFL last year – averaging 23 disposals, 10 marks (six intercept), 10 intercept possessions and 122 points. It’s between him and AdamTomlinson for that role.
Daniel Curtin currently isn’t in the team after an injury-interrupted pre-season – but if he looks like being a Round 1 starter then I’ll more than likely accommodate him.
I also have my eye of Oscar McDonald and Tom Clurey. Clurey is being trialled as wingman this year after the Power bolstered their defence and that role is far more fantasy friendly.
MIDFIELDERS
Structure: Five premiums and six rookies.
Marcus Bontempelli (WB, $724,600)
Zak Butters (Port, $636,100)
Caleb Serong (Fre, $621,600)
Tom Green (GWS, $621,500)
Andrew Brayshaw (Fre, $608,900)
Colby McKercher (NM $202,800)
Ryley Sanders (WB, $184,800)
Jeremy Sharp (Fre, $123,900)
Bench: Jhye Clark (Geel, $123,900, Kane McAuliffe (Rich, $117,300), Clay Hall (WC, $117,300)
I have chosen Marcus Bontempelli despite his lofty starting price. With just one score under 100 all season, he was a model of consistency and averaged career-highs across the board. Disposals aside, it was his defensive play that shone – averaging 7.5 tackles. A valuable VC or C option weekly, I am happy to pay the price for consistent high scores and yes, he is likely to fall in price – but that alone isn’t a reason not to start with him.
The one caveat with Bontempelli is that he has had an interrupted pre-season due to ankle surgery, so it will be interesting to see if he is eased back with more time up forward.
Three of my next four midfielders have the favourable Round 13 bye. Zak Butters is the first of these players and his trajectory is only going up – finishing the year with five scores over 130 in his final seven games (including finals). After a slow start to the season, he averaged 29 disposals, five clearances, five inside 50s and 117 points from Round 5.
Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw are also in. Although most are against doubling up in the midfield – it’s a move that has merit. Back in the day, I often started with Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury, and it didn’t hinder me one bit. If I decide to forgo that strategy, Luke Davies-Uniacke is the player that will come in. I am bullish on LDU, and I have a decision to make. Rory Laird and Christian Petracca are also in the mix for that spot.
Tom Green was the No.1 ball winner in the game last year and he rounds out the premiums. A Round 3 bye isn’t ideal – but his first two official games in SuperCoach are against North Melbourne and West Coast. Josh Kelly is an alternative – but the real question around the Giants is whether to hold them during their bye, or move them out to Sam Walsh in Round 3? Walsh is underpriced and has the Round 2 bye, which unfortunately is a deterrent.
Boom draftees Colby McKercher and Ryley Sanders pick themselves, while Jeremy Sharp rounds out the on-field midfielders. Jhye Clark, Kane McAuliffe and Clay Hall are on the bench. McAuliffe has turned heads at Punt Road and could be a pre- season bolter, averaging 143 points in the SANFL Under-18s.
Matt Roberts is on my watchlist should he force his way into Sydney’s team. We get a look at the Swans along with seven other teams in the opening round of the year.
RUCKS
Structure: Two premiums and one rookie.
Max Gawn (Melb, $583,700)
Brodie Grundy (Syd, $481,900)
Tim English enjoyed a career-best season and scored more than 130 points in 13 games. But he begins 2024 at $715k and, although I have been more than happy to pay up in the past, opting for value this year allows me to strengthen elsewhere.
That brings Max Gawn into the equation and after the departure of Brodie Grundy, Gawn will once again play the solo ruck role. In his games minus Grundy last year, he scored 215, 120, 174, 130, 91, and 65 and in the two finals pumped out a 166 and 82. It’s hard to overlook him based on those numbers.
Grundy is a must-have at his price. After a turbulent year at the Demons, it’s easy to forget that he was the one of the best players in SuperCoach between 2018-21 – scoring over 120 points 48 times. Only Gawn (49) was more prolific. They are easily the two best value ruckmen in the game.
Jordon Sweet is the standout bench option, but it remains to be seen if the Power play both Sweet and Ivan Soldo as a ruck duo. Even if Sweet doesn’t play immediately, he’s every chance to get games as Soldo’s durability isn’t great – missing 40 matches through injury since 2020.
FORWARDS
Structure: One premium, three mid-priced and four rookies.
Jack Macrae (WB, $558,400 MID)
James Jordon (Syd, $275,500 MID)
James Harmes (WB, $258,300 MID)
Jack Billings (Melb, $243,900)
Harley Reid (WC, $207,300 MID)
Shaun Mannagh (Geel, $117,300 MID)
Bench: Caleb Windsor (Melb $180,300 MID), Aaron Cadman (GWS $127,600)
The forwards suffer the most in this structure as the depth just isn’t there. After we were spoilt for choice in 2023, there aren’t many obvious picks – which is why I’ve decided to go cheap.
Jack Macrae is my only premium – but a hamstring injury is something that needs monitoring. Other options for F1 include Dustin Martin, Caleb Daniel, and Dylan Moore. I’m bypassing Sam Flanders for now due to the early bye, but should he fire in Opening Round against Richmond, then I may have to rethink that one.
Martin has gone under the radar and has an ownership of just 8% at the time of writing. He looks set to play more as a midfielder this year – with Yze likely to use Shai Bolton closer to goal. Bolton may only be used at centre bounces in bursts – like Cyril Rioli in his prime. Martin ended the home-and-away rounds with scores of 158 and 139.
The next three players are all 275k or less. James Jordon, James Harmes, and Jack Billings are all in new colours and the trio unlock plenty from a price point-of-view.
All three are under the odds and are in the best 22 in their new team.
Sydney’s midfield will run deep after the addition of Taylor Adams, but I expect Jordon to play a role – whether that be in the middle, on the wing or up forward. The season-ending injury to Bailey Smith opens the door for Harmes to play a mid-forward role, so he looks destined to be a part of the centre bounce rotations. Billings, on the other hand, adds some valuable forward half craft to Melbourne – averaging one goal and one score assist in his last full season in 2021.
Harley Reid needs no explanation, and the forwards are rounded out by Shaun Mannagh. The Cats have been glowing in his praise and he gives them another midfield option – while also being able to impact the scoreboard. Mannagh averaged 117 in the VFL last season, starting the year with 173 and ending it with 144.
Caleb Windsor and Aaron Cadman are on the bench, while I have bypassed Finlay Macrae for now. Should he be locked into Collingwood’s team for the season opener, then moving Cadman out for him will happen. The Opening Round clash against GWS will be a great rehearsal for Macrae if he makes the best 22.
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Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2024: Champion Data guru Fantasy Freako’s team
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