Fremantle and West Coast players to pick in your KFC SuperCoach team

It promises to be starkly different seasons for WA’s two AFL clubs. But there’s plenty of good SuperCoach talent on offer at Fremantle and West Coast, says WILL SCHOFIELD.

You won’t find a more reliable player in the league than Tom Barrass. And he’s a tasty price. Picture: Getty

All right you experienced SuperCoaches, listen up.

We are one week away from me, AFL premiership player Will Schofield, stepping foot into your realm of fantasy AFL.

After 20 years of playing the other version of this game, the one who’s name that shall not be named, I have decided to take my talents to SuperCoach and see what all the fuss is about.

Western Australia may seem like a long way from the rest of Australia, and no, I’m not talking about our hard border and ancient Covid mandate system.

News takes a while to get across the Nullarbor sometimes, especially in the fantasy football world.

So, I thought I’d do my best to give you some final insights into players over here in the wild, wild west.

West Coast and Fremantle players only. That’s if West Coast actually gets anyone out on the park this year.

FREMANTLE

There’s a lot to like this year about Fremantle from a SuperCoach perspective.

They’ll be winning games of football more regularly, with the 2022 season looking like a big one for the Dockers.

In no particular order, here are some of the Fremantle players I have on my shortlist before round one.

I’m keeping an eye on ex-Cat Jordan Clark. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper

Unlike at the Suns, Will Brodie will get games at the Dockers. Picture: Getty

Jordan Clark (MID)

The new kid on the block has a role to play and he’s here to stay.

Clark wanted out of Geelong like a cat on a hot tin roof and I think the Cats will be flat they’ve lost him.

I LOVE everything I have seen from Clark this pre-season. Run, lots of marks and using the ball nicely.

The only knock on him is his price ($338,200) - a bit in-between for a MID-only player.

Don’t be surprised if he pulls DPP though, as he’s spent the first two practice games off a half back flank.

Luke Ryan (DEF)

Ryan ($540,300) is an absolute stud. Has been for some time now, but will benefit hugely from a tweak in Fremantle’s game style.

They are playing kick mark footy; he’ll find himself with the ball more often than not after he’s disposed of his opponent in a contest.

Quickly transitioning from defence to attack, Ryan is a premium defender you want in your team.

Michael Walters (FWD)

Forgotten about Sonny had you?

Stepping away from the leadership group this season, it’s just what the (Fremantle) doctor ordered.

More time spent focusing on his own game, I could see him easily reigniting the form that saw him one of the league’s best forward scorers in 2019/20.

He’s cheap ($349,400), but don’t sleep on Son Son.

Will Brodie (FWD/MID)

I’m not sure why Will Brodie wasn’t getting games at Gold Coast, maybe they just don’t like winning.

Well, he’ll play for Fremantle this season, with two big games in the pre-season all but assuring us of his selection.

A midfield of Fyfe, Mundy, Brayshaw and Serong smells trouble for the role - however at ($224,300) I’m not sure it matters.

Heath Chapman (DEF)

Haven’t heard of him?

Well now you have.

Priced at $275,200, he’s an awkward price, but this guy can seriously play.

Jordan Ridley springs to mind when I think of Chapman.

Will play in between sizes and won’t end up on the best forward often.

Reads the play well, is an intercept marker and uses the ball nicely by foot.

Ridley was cheap once too you know.

Rookies to watch

I don’t think any of these will play round 1, but are still notable.

Nathan O’Driscoll ($123,900), Jye Amiss ($175,800), Neil Erasmus ($166,800).

WEST COAST

Boy oh boy, you think it’s hard for Adam Simpson to pick a team for round one?

Try recommending some of his players for SuperCoach teams.

It’s slim pickings on the fantasy front down at West Coast, but as always there’s something to be interested in for Round 1.

Connor West (MID)

A hard in-and-under midfielder, West was added in the mid-season draft last year by the club.

He’s the man to step up inside the stoppage for West Coast after being decimated by injury. Even with Shuey back from a hamstring, West will see plenty of midfield time.

And at $249,800, I think he is worth the risk.

Tom Barrass (DEF)

Got to give some love to the big key position backmen.

You won’t find a more reliable player in the league than Barrass ($431,700).

Get him in the team, lock him up, forget he’s even there and you’ll be rewarded this season at that price.

There’s never been a good team without a good full back.

Tom is your man.

Hugh Dixon (FWD/RUC)

With potentially no Oscar Allen to start the season, I can see a spot early for Dixon ($102,400).

He’s likely to play key forward more than ruck, one to keep an eye on come selection time. Will be hard to ignore as a rookie ruck given Braydon Preuss’ suspension.

Rookies to watch

All these players could play round one, given West Coast’s current medical room.

Brady Hough ($117,300), Tom Joyce ($123,900), Patrick Naish ($189,600).

Tom Joyce during an intra-club training game at West Coast. Picture: Getty

There you have it.

If you’ve been following along, I’ve never played SuperCoach before, I started my team this season with an autofilled team.

Don’t let my inexperience at this game fool you though; I know what it takes to pick a match winning side.

Maybe.

Sort of.

I think.

Think I can crack the top 1000 this year? How hard can it be?

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Originally published as Fremantle and West Coast players to pick in your KFC SuperCoach team