SuperCoach jury 2017: Expert verdict on Isaac Heeney, Nick Riewoldt, Marc Murphy and more
SHOULD we pick Isaac Heeney and throw away the key? What about Todd Goldstein and Marc Murphy? The SuperCoach experts give their verdict on 10 tricky choices.
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SHOULD we pick Isaac Heeney and throw away the key? What about Todd Goldstein and Marc Murphy?
A month ago the SuperCoach experts assembled to give their verdict on 10 players including Gary Ablett, Jobe Watson and Heath Shaw.
Now it’s time to assess another batch of tricky choices after two weeks of the pre-season competition.
MARC MURPHY $432,500 MID
The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC): Huge bargain considering he’s averaged 118 in a season before and, while he’s been in and out of The Phantom’s side, is his scoring power greater than that of Dayne Beams? No.
Al Paton (@al_superfooty): Had Murphy in my team a month ago but getting very cold feet, not just because of one average JLT game. His last 110+ season was 2012 — can he get back to that? Not convinced.
Ben Higgins (@ben_higgins84): OK, so 74 points in 84 per cent time of ground wasn’t a great start but the Carlton’s skipper has two more games to get up to speed. Capable of being a 100-plus scorer at a great price and in my mind is a much safer bet than Dayne Beams.
Gilbert Gardiner (@gilbertgardiner): Maybe. Price tempting but in reality Murph not damaging enough consistently enough to figure in Team Gardiner.
Daniel Begala (@danbegala): Casting aside my allegiances to Carlton, Murphy and his generous price tag were a lock within The Begala Brigade. This, however, was before I made the pilgrimage to Casey Fields to witness my beloved Blues be put to the sword by a seriously slick Melbourne outfit. This was Murphy’s first outing since Round 10, 2016, so his output was understandably subdued. He’s a proven premium, so I’ll give him JLT 3 and 4 to prove his wares but most seasoned coaches will exercise caution.
NICK RIEWOLDT $549,500 FWD
The Phantom: Don’t write him off because he always seems to prove us wrong — most recently last year when he added 10 points to his season average. His role behind the ball and on a wing is enticing, but starting price is the issue here.
Al Paton: Looked in super nick in the Saints’ first pre-season outing which is making me reconsider but getting him into my team would require a major strategic rethink. No ... for now.
Ben Higgins: Wow. Trying to find the money to get him in after Thursday night’s performance. St Kilda spend a lot of time at Etihad Stadium and only injury can derail another big season from St Nick — which, admittedly, at 34 is a real possibility — but at his starting price you can then pick anyone you want.
Gilbert Gardiner: No. Nothing against Roo, just don’t subscribe to spending big SuperCoach bucks on key forwards.
Daniel Begala: Captain, coach and CEO of the Daddy Brigade, Riewoldt (34) is a picture of professionalism and currently the highest priced forward in the competition. I’ve already expressed a concern for key-position players, but St Nick is something different. Something special. At this stage, he’s not in, but if he mounts a resounding case in the final JLT games, I may have no other option.
START HERE: STUCK IN THE RUCK? START HERE
EXPERT TIPS: THE PHANTOM’S JLT FORWARD REVELATIONS
ISAAC HEENEY $433,400 FWD
The Phantom: Lock him in. The time has come for John Longmire to unleash Sydney’s next midfield beast. Yes, he’s the 15th most-popular player but that’s the other 73 per cent of teams’ problem.
Al Paton: This could blow up in my face but I’m starting without Heeney. Will have some big games but not many third-year players become rolled gold SuperCoach premiums. Averaged 80 points a game last year.
Ben Higgins: I’m not sure. The same goes for Callum Mills. Yes, they were sensational in the first pre-season game but Kennedy, Parker and Hannebery played side roles. The question we ask of every breakout contender ... can they become season-long keepers?
Gilbert Gardiner: Yes. Tough as teak. Takes marks. Kicks goals and wins lots of possessions. Absolute must.
Daniel Begala: On the back of a coming-of-age finals series, Horse Longmire earmarked greater midfield responsibility for Heeney and so far, he has not disappointed. Keep a close eye on his output in the final JLT matches, particularly the impact of the big boys of the Sydney Swans midfield — JPK, Hannebery and Parker — who may stifle his scoring.
DAVID SWALLOW $280,200 MID
The Phantom: Two JLT Series games from the returning Sun would’ve been enough but considering he is set to feature even more prominently in Gold Coast’s third pre-season match, it’s a big tick. Will make cash quickly but just can’t squeeze him in at this point.
Al Paton: One of the first players picked when SuperCoach opened and he hasn’t done anything to turn me off. Best case he finishes as my eighth midfielder, more likely he makes $200k and it’s an easy jump to a superstar late in the season.
Ben Higgins: Yep. Sunday’s performance only solidified his must-have status for me. With a dearth of midfield cash cow options at this stage, Swallow looks well worth the extra cash.
Gilbert Gardiner: Yes. No. Maybe. Yes. YES! Maybe not as emphatic as that but Spitta v. 2.0 is currently in my team.
Daniel Begala: The million-dollar question facing coaches across the land is whether you proceed with David Swallow, Jaeger O’Meara or in some cases, both. Swallow, at $280k, is the epitome of arbitrage and continues to feature in my side following a swath of solid JLT performances.
TODD GOLDSTEIN $588,400 RUCK
The Phantom: He’s in 33 per cent fewer teams than Max Gawn and he’s $57k cheaper. And in their career-best years to date, Goldstein averaged 10 more points. R1 for now.
Al Paton: I paid $100k more than his 2017 starting price for him last season so it’s hard to explain why he isn’t in my side. Sharing time with Majak Daw maybe? More than likely to end the year as one of the top-two rucks so if you can afford him now, just whack him in.
Ben Higgins: Not yet, but at least he’s played this pre-season. There were fears he wouldn’t be seen until Round 1. If he plays a full game in North’s final JLT game he’ll be hard to ignore, but the rise of Braydon Preuss and continued presence of Majak Daw still makes me nervous.
Gilbert Gardiner: Yes. Absolute workhorse who will return to his rightful spot as the No. 1 ruckman in the competition.
Daniel Begala: There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Todd Goldstein finishing alongside Gawn as the most prolific ruckman in SuperCoach. The entire rucking fraternity will benefit from the recent third-man up changes, but I expect Goldstein to absolutely thrive and regain his mantle as the competitions pre-eminent ruck. Overlook him at your peril.
JOSH CADDY $488,600 MID/FWD
The Phantom: Liked what I saw against the Crows and he will be a great addition to the Tigers but The Phantom is not going to pick him over Luke Dahlhaus or Jack Macrae. And there is too much mid-price value for him to slot in behind the two star Dogs.
Al Paton: Hurts not starting without Dustin Martin or Brett Deledio this year but having Caddy at least keeps some Tiger presence in Don’t Argue. Has averaged around the low 90s the past two years and that will only go up with more midfield time. A safe bet.
Ben Higgins: I’m on the fence after Friday night’s JLT Series game against Adelaide made me rethink Caddy’s selection. He looks to have fitted seamlessly into Richmond’s midfield rotation and will then rest forward. He’s certainly a juicy price.
Gilbert Gardiner: Maybe. Punt Rd might well be the land of opportunity for the 24-year-old on Dale Kickett pace for collecting AFL guernseys.
Daniel Begala: The Caddy Shack has one foot inside the door of my starting line-up with his sublime display against the Crows: 21 disposals, 89 points and goal. He, alongside Dion Prestia, will become linchpins of the Tiger midfield in season 2017 and I expect him to average north of 95 points. Lock him in and throw away the key, Caddy will be a top eight forward.
BOB MURPHY $392,300 DEF
The Phantom: Hard one to read. His scoring was great pre-injury but how long will it take him to find his best form? Happy to jump on later if it doesn’t take long.
Al Paton: I’m tipping an 85-95 average which at $392k is brilliant value — but is it enough to be a keeper? Tough call, but not in my team right now.
Ben Higgins: I love Bob. Happy to admit that. However, not in SuperCoach. I’ll be taking a strict guns and rookies strategy to the backline and Murphy doesn’t fit. His role is also yet to be confirmed, making Matt Boyd and Jason Johannisen far safer options.
Gilbert Gardiner: No. Not until the beating heart and soul of the Bulldog spirit has a couple of handy scores under his belt.
Daniel Begala: The spiritual leader of the Bulldogs is formerly a SuperCoach must-have with scoring pedigree up their with the game’s finest. The heart says arbitrage, but the brain says mid-priced madness. He’s on my radar, but I’ll only take the plunge if he takes JLT 3 and 4 by the scruff of the neck and produces scores reminiscent of his halcyon days.
CURTLY HAMPTON $160,000 DEF
The Phantom: Almost a certainty for Round 1 after an impressive 108-point performance against the Tigers and the season-ending injury to fellow big-bodied midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen. Lock him in.
Al Paton: His big score against the Tigers could be a trap but I’m a lot more confident after reading Don Pyke’s comments: “He’s a unique athlete ... he’s a guy that adds a different dimension to our midfield.” Starting him on the field.
Ben Higgins: He’s in. If you believe what you read Don Pyke is keen for him to take a midfield role and gave him plenty of opportunity against Richmond. He scored 108. If that continues in the next fortnight, lock him in.
Gilbert Gardiner: Yes. Bargain basement price and needs only punch out 60-70s to justify investment.
Daniel Begala: Curtly, the mature-aged GWS discard, all but rubber-stamped his position in the
formidable Begala Brigade with two goals, 16 disposals and 108 points against the Tigers. Hampton oozes class; has X-factor and it seems like Don Pyke has earmarked him for extensive midfield minutes. He and his defensive teammate, Andy Otten ($124k, DEF), are cash cows high on my priority list.
PATRICK RYDER $418,100 RUCK/FWD
The Phantom: Will he play as the sole ruckman? The question is becoming louder by the day. If he does, then there is every chance he pushes a three-figure average as he did leading the Bombers in 2012 in 2014.
Al Paton: Ryder as my fourth forward capable of scoring over 100 and providing ruck back-up was a key part of my plan for 2017, but Thursday night’s JLT game made me very nervous. He spent a lot of time at full-forward with Matthew Lobbe (remember him?) taking the centre bounces. Hopefully Ken was just easing Paddy back in before putting him in the ruck full-time. Otherwise, trouble.
Ben Higgins: Was keen to start with but that has changed. He made a splash in his first JLT Series game but when you have a deeper look he didn’t have as big an impact as we’d hoped. Ryder only played a half against St Kilda and shared time with Matthew Lobbe.
Gilbert Gardiner: No. Absolute (SuperCoach) myth.
Daniel Begala: At this stage, I am not sold on Ryder, despite the obvious attraction of his
dual eligibility as a ruck/forward. Should Port Adelaide persist with forgotten big man, Matthew Lobbe, as their preferred ruckman, it would take an ambitious coach to select Ryder.
WILL HOSKIN-ELLIOTT $213,300 FWD
The Phantom: Great price and has the talent but just doesn’t do enough for mine.
Al Paton: First pre-season game put him on the watch list but he has averaged above 50 just once in five seasons (67 in 2014). No thanks.
Ben Higgins: Yes, at the moment. We’re going to get two more looks at him before Round 1 and it will be interesting to see his impact with the likes of Pendlebury, Adams and Treloar back. I haven’t yet seen a cheaper cash cow that will take his place.
Gilbert Gardiner: Yes. Set and forget in F5 until the bye rounds.
Daniel Begala: Will be given to the very last minute to prove his fitness for The Begala Brigade, however, I was very impressed with his contribution — 83 points (2 goals) — against the Bombers in JLT1. At this stage, he’s in, but there are still a few hurdles he’ll need to pass to justify the high-end capital outlay ($213k) as a rookie.
Originally published as SuperCoach jury 2017: Expert verdict on Isaac Heeney, Nick Riewoldt, Marc Murphy and more
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