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AFL SuperCoach how to play, how to start a team and who to pick

NEW to AFL SuperCoach? Don’t fret, we’re here to help and get you as prepared as possible to go into Australia’s biggest and best fantasy game with your eyes open for a chance to win thousands in cash prizes. START HERE

What players will be your SuperCoach valentine?

NEW to AFL SuperCoach? Want to be part of Australia’s biggest and best fantasy game?

Here’s how it works: You’re a coach, with a salary cap, team to pick and games to win.

Each of your players accumulates a weekly score based on their real-life performance, game-day statistics, earning a total score for your team.

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Take on your mates for ultimate bragging rights, and also track your progress against all other SuperCoaches in the race for weekly and major prizes — including a potential $225,000 Perfect 9 jackpot, which increases by $5000 every week it doesn’t go off, and the $50,000 SuperCoach overall prize.

There’s weekly prizes — $1000, $500 and $250 — for the highest scoring SuperCoach teams.

Registering for SuperCoach is completely free and takes just a few minutes, while Herald Sun subscribers get the added benefit of live scores, exclusive stories and SuperCoach Stats.

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Once registered

— YOU have a $10 million salary cap and 30 players to pick.

— FILL each position: Defenders (8), Midfielders (11), Forwards (8), and Rucks (3). Remember to save your team.

— WORTH noting, Midfielders are the most consistent performers, accounting for about 40 per cent of your weekly score.

— NEED help picking a side? Try the auto select feature and then make the changes you want.

— CHANGE your team as much as you like until Round 1 starts.

— BEFORE each round, choose a starting 22 and emergencies in every position.

— PICK one captain; he earns double points, and a vice-captain as back up.

— YOU get 30 trades to maintain your side during the season. Each week you can make up to two trades, except for the bye rounds when you get three trades.

— STAY on top of your team with our Apple and Android apps.

Former Port Adelaide defender Cam O’Shea is great value in defence for the Blues. Picture: Getty
Former Port Adelaide defender Cam O’Shea is great value in defence for the Blues. Picture: Getty
Paul Ahern is one of the most popular SuperCoach picks so far this year. Picture: David Smith
Paul Ahern is one of the most popular SuperCoach picks so far this year. Picture: David Smith

Break down: Your AFL SuperCoach team

Defenders: 6 starters, 2 emergencies

Look for ball-winners, interceptors and defenders with good kicking skills. Avoid lockdown, dour-type backmen.

They might be defenders by name and nature but in AFL SuperCoach, weight of possession and execution is king.

Consider: Rory Laird, Kade Simpson, Alex Rance and Bachar Houli

Kade Simpson has been a consistent SuperCoach performer for years. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Kade Simpson has been a consistent SuperCoach performer for years. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Midfielders: 8 starters, 3 emergencies

The engine room, where SuperCoach is won or lost. A loaded midfield should be responsible for about half of your weekly score. When picking your midfield, look for ball-winners (in and around stoppages) with good skills, a nose for goal is the Holy Grail. Aim to have a minimum of five $500,000+ players in your starting line-up for Round 1, then pad out with young players (LINGO ALERT: Cash cows) with plenty of upside cash-generating potential.

Consider: Patrick Dangerfield, Dustin Martin, Patrick Cripps, and Nat Fyfe

Rucks: 2 starters, 1 emergency

You don’t want to be burning two many trades here. Aim for durable big men, who have an impact around the ground and not just at stoppages. Worth noting, only hit-outs to advantage register SuperCoach points.

Consider: Max Gawn, Patrick Ryder, Stef Martin, and Matthew Kreuzer

Forwards: 6 starters, 2 emergencies

Like defenders, you want ball-winners with good skills in attack. A midfielder-forward LINGO ALERT: Dual Position Player, also known as DPP) who racks up 25 touches and kicks two goals will typically score more points than a key position forward booting five goals from just a handful of possessions.

SIGN UP HERE: SUPERCOACH FREE REGISTRATION

How does scoring work?

The scoring system is based off the Champion Data rankings points, but when crunching the numbers there is more to SuperCoach than simple kicks, marks and handballs. The secret SuperCoach algorithm also takes into consideration gathers, handball receives, clangers, spoils, shepherds and intercept marks, as well as placing a heavy bias on disposal — contested or not, effectiveness, and impact. Eg. A matchwinning goal after the siren is worth more than a regulation goal that puts a team up by 60 points midway through the second half.

Who is the most expensive player in AFL SuperCoach?

Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield is ranked No. 1 after averaging 130 points last year. Almost all player prices are based on 2017 average, apart from rookies.

Who are the cheapest players in the game?

All rookies enter the game at $102,000 while draftees (excluding first-rounders) are priced from $117,000.

Originally published as AFL SuperCoach how to play, how to start a team and who to pick

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/supercoach-news/afl-supercoach-how-to-play-how-to-start-a-team-and-who-to-pick/news-story/2de2e53abc956342a0e1c808bed085a7