Which player at your club could emerge as a SuperCoach star in 2020?
Forgotten stars, youngsters poised for a breakout year and mid-price bargains. Who is the diamond in the rough at your club who can become a SuperCoach stud in 2020 — and give your team the edge?
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The Grundys, Fyfes and Dustys will only get you so far in SuperCoach.
A monster score from these popular players will see you stay with the pack, rather than rise above it.
Meanwhile, unearthing a gem in SuperCoach can catapult your team up the rankings – and makes the game a lot more fun.
Many of these hidden treasures are in the precarious mid-price range, and their low ownership can be costly if they fail to deliver. So picking these players comes with a warning. However, if these moves pay off they can pay handsome dividends.
They could be youngsters on the verge of a breakout year, forgotten players returning from injury or players who have joined a new club seeking opportunity.
Adelaide
Ned McHenry $123,900, MID
McHenry is yet to make his AFL debut but expect the youngster to make an immediate impact at the top level. The tackling machine averaged 88 points in the SANFL last season and is ready to step up into a dwindling Adelaide line-up.
Brisbane Lions
Hugh McCluggage $510,700, MID
You could argue Hugh McCluggage already had his breakout year, but the former No.3 draft pick is capable of going up another gear. McCluggage improved his SuperCoach average from 77 and 94 last season and looked a lot like the star goalkicking midfielder he was at under-18 level when he averaged 101 over the final five rounds.
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Carlton
Ed Curnow $493,200, MID
Curnow has flown under the radar in SuperCoach for his entire career despite being a solid scorer in previous seasons. The tough inside midfielder was played out of position in the first half of 2019 but finished the year with a bang under David Teague, averaging 113.8 points in his last nine matches.
Collingwood
Isaac Quaynor $261,700, DEF
A player who collects 18 disposals and 82 points in his first AFL game is worth monitoring. The running defender should receive greater opportunity at senior level in his second season and looms as a SuperCoach gun of the future.
Essendon
Andrew McGrath $399,400, MID
Will this be the year we see McGrath become a SuperCoach star? Posted just one ton last season but a more prominent midfield role might see the No.1 draft pick explode in his fourth year. Averaged 144 points a game in his final under-18 year.
Fremantle
Andrew Brayshaw $382,800, FWD/MID
Similar story to McGrath, but former No.2 pick Brayshaw is even more attractive given his forward eligibility. Presents as value option with plenty of upside and should play exclusively as a midfielder under new coach Justin Longmuir.
Geelong
Nakia Cockatoo $148,200, FWD/MID
The injury-cursed Cat has plenty of talent but has played just two games in the past two seasons. Cockatoo is at an irresistible price and should rotate into the midfield if fit – admittedly, a big if.
Gold Coast
Hugh Greenwood $463,100, FWD/MID
Part of Adelaide’s mass exodus, Greenwood should receive greater midfield minutes in a young Suns midfield. Greenwood has a knack for winning contested ball and laying tackles – both valuable scoring avenues in SuperCoach.
GWS Giants
Sam Jacobs $348,400, RUCK
Moving to a third club could see Jacobs reignite his career after before stuck behind emerging ruckman Reilly O’Brien at the Crows last season. Has averaged 90-plus across a full season four times in his career, but is his best behind him?
Hawthorn
Chad Wingard $412,300, FWD/MID
Last season was Wingard’s worst SuperCoach return since 2014, but he finished 2019 with three scores above 90 in his final four games playing as a midfielder. If he resumes the same role and is injury free, look out.
Melbourne
Aaron vandenBerg $248,000, FWD/MID
vandenBerg has struggled to get on the park in recent seasons, but close Demon watchers say he’s ready to play a key role in 2020. One to look at up forward if he gets midfield minutes in the pre-season.
North Melbourne
Luke Davies-Uniacke $342,100, FWD/MID
We often see top draftees breakout in their third year and Davies-Uniacke has shown glimpses in his 21 career games. The former No.4 pick was a dominant scorer in the junior ranks and can be selected as a forward in SuperCoach.
Port Adelaide
Dan Houston $484,800, DEF/MID
Houston recorded solid numbers down back in the first half of the year then was thrown into the guts at stages and performed with aplomb, recording three 100-plus scores in his final four games. The 22-year-old has been training with the midfield group during pre-season and looms as one of the best selections on this list.
Richmond
Jack Higgins $358,800, FWD
Higgins broke all kinds of records before being drafted, averaging 145 points per game in all junior matches covered by Champion Data. He received greater midfield minutes last season before suffering a brain bleed, but is back training and is confident of an early 2020 return. Another to monitor in the Marsh Community Series if he is 100 per cent.
St Kilda
Hunter Clark $402,200, DEF
Registered four scores above 95 from Round 15 onwards across half-back and looks set to continue his SuperCoach-friendly role this season. Lifted his average from 54 to 74 points per game last season and if he continues that trajectory, owners will be sitting pretty.
Sydney
Jordan Dawson $467,800, DEF/FWD
If you haven’t heard of Jordan Dawson yet, you’ll know him by the end of next season. The smooth moving Swan took out the club’s 2km time-trial and averaged 94 points in the final nine rounds of the 2019 after posting some huge numbers in the NEAFL. Should play a bigger part in a new-look Swans side this season.
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West Coast
Josh J. Kennedy $335,600, FWD
The bearded veteran isn’t exactly a new kid on the block but interrupted pre-seasons have held him back in recent years. Kennedy averaged 90-plus points in every season from 2015-17 and is one to keep on the watchlist.
Western Bulldogs
Patrick Lipinski $441,500, FWD/MID
Lipinski looms as a breakout contender following his strong finish to last season, averaging 92.5 points in the final five rounds. He will prove to be a bargain at his price if he can carry this through 2020, and as a bonus he has dual-position status. Is there enough room in the Bulldogs midfield for another ball-winner?
SUPERCOACH SUMMER FORMGUIDES: Essendon | Hawthorn | Carlton | Collingwood | Western Bulldogs | Richmond | Geelong | St Kilda | Sydney | Brisbane Lions | West Coast | Fremantle | Melbourne | GWS Giants | Adelaide | North Melbourne | Port Adelaide | Gold Coast
Originally published as Which player at your club could emerge as a SuperCoach star in 2020?