AFL SuperCoach: stars give the inside word on teammates’ fantasy potential

A POWER rookie and young Swan could be set for breakout seasons according to their teammates. Get the inside word from the AFL stars themselves.

Port Adelaide training at Alberton Oval. Darcy-Bryne Jones. Photo Sarah Reed.

AN UNKNOWN Power rookie and young Swan could become breakout SuperCoach stars if their teammates are to be believed.

Several AFL stars have revealed their SuperCoach tips to the AFL Players’ Association and come up with some surprising nominations.

Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert’s tips were most revealing with young defender Darcy Byrne-Jones — priced at $123,900 in SuperCoach — on the edge of senior selection.

“Darcy Byrne-Jones has been looking pretty great off the half-back line,” he said.

Ebert also nominated mid-price forward-midfield option Sam Gray as a breakout contender after his strong finish to 2015.

Gray averaged 111 over the final six rounds of 2015 and has scored 80, 92 and 118 in Port’s three NAB Challenge matches.

In Sydney, Ted Richards says Dean Towers — a $259,000 forward — is in for a big season.

“For me Dean Towers is someone who has been in and out of the team and a fringe player, but the way he finished off 2015 in the finals series, and what he’s shown in the pre-season, I think he’s someone who play an important role for us this year.”

The veteran defender also nominated top draft pick Callum Mills to play a big role for the Swans in 2016.

Finally, Jayden Hunt was tipped to break into the Melbourne team by Jack Watts.

The Demons star said Christian Petracca was capable of making an instant impact when he got his body right but Hunt was a Round 1 smokie after training the house down over summer.

AFL STARS’ SUPERCOACH TIPS

ED CURNOW (Carlton)

BIG SEASON: Matthew Kreuzer ($481,900 Ruck)

BREAKOUT: Mark Whiley ($270,500 Mid)

YOUNG GUN: Charlie Curnow ($171,300 Fwd)

BRODIE GRUNDY (Collingwood)

BIG SEASON: Steele Sidebottom ($562,200 Mid)

BREAKOUT: Brent Macaffer ($174,200 Mid)

YOUNG GUN: Darcy Moore ($290,800 Fwd)

TED RICHARDS (Sydney)

BIG SEASON: Dan Hannebery ($617,900 Mid)

BREAKOUT: Dean Towers ($259,000 Fwd)

YOUNG GUN: Callum Mills ($211,800 Mid)

BRAD EBERT (Port Adelaide)

BIG SEASON: Robbie Gray ($595,900 Mid) and Travis Boak ($535,200 Mid)

BREAKOUT: Sam Gray ($480,800 Mid-Fwd) and Brendon Ah Chee ($334,100 Mid)

YOUNG GUN: Darcy Byrne-Jones ($123,900 Def) and Riley Bonner ($117,300 Def)

DANIEL MERRETT (Brisbane)

BIG SEASON: Tom Rockliff ($550,100 Mid) and Stefan Martin ($597,600 Ruck)

BREAKOUT: Lewis Taylor ($387,500 Mid-Fwd)

YOUNG GUN: Rhys Mathieson ($117,300 Mid)

JACK STEVEN (St Kilda)

BIG SEASON: Leigh Montagna ($599,000 Mid-Fwd)

BREAKOUT: Jack Billings ($455,100 Fwd)

YOUNG GUN: Blake Acres ($256,700 Mid) and Jade Gresham ($144,300 Mid)

JACK WATTS (Melbourne)

BIG SEASON: Dom Tyson ($431,00 Mid)

BREAKOUT: Jack Viney ($497,100 Mid)

YOUNG GUN: Christian Petracca ($123,900 Mid-Fwd) and Jayden Hunt ($123,900 Fwd)

CLICK HERE TO READ TIPS FROM MORE PLAYERS AND THEIR FULL EXPLANATIONS AT AFLPLAYERS.COM.AU

Originally published as AFL SuperCoach: stars give the inside word on teammates’ fantasy potential