If popular cash cow Willem Drew misses the final cut for the Power, his replacement might be a win for SuperCoaches

Port Adelaide’s inclusion of Joe Atley into its squad for Sunday’s clash against Gold Coast could spell danger for midfielder Willem Drew who finished with just 11 disposals in Showdown 46.

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This time last week, young Power midfielder Willem Drew was ready to step in to, once again, fill the void left by injured co-captain Ollies Wines.

SuperCoaches were ready to bank more money from the popular forward-line cash cow, who posted impressive scores of 103 and 90 in the absence of Wines in the opening two rounds.

Willem Drew, right, set to pounce on teammate Zak Butters at training. Picture Sarah Reed

But, after finishing with just 11 disposals in Showdown 46, Drew’s place in Port Adelaide’s 22 is in danger after fellow inside midfielder Joe Atley was also included in the Power’s 25-man squad for Sunday’s clash with the Suns.

While the final won’t be named until Friday afternoon, if Drew is omitted for Atley, while it’s been a great run, after a $198k price rise — and a Phantom article telling you to keep him last week — his time in our SuperCoach teams has also come to an end.

The bad news is the downgrade options in the forward line are slim.

If it does eventuate, upgrade Drew to a premium, in the mould of Tim Kelly or Caleb Daniel, if you don’t have them.

But there is a silver lining.

Atley, a $123k midfielder in SuperCoach, looms as a genuine downgrade option in the coming weeks.

The Power’s third selection in the 2016 national draft is in line to play his first AFL game since Round 18, 2017 and the fourth of his career.

After recovering from a pre-season hamstring injury — which cost him the chance push his case as Wines’ replacement in the first place — the 20-year-old has impressed in the Magpies’ midfield.

In his past three matches, the strong-bodied Atley is averaging 30 disposals, 16 contested possessions, eight clearances and 108 SuperCoach points per game.

Against the Eagles two weeks ago, Atley tallied 30 disposals, 16 contested possessions, six clearances, four tackles, four inside 50s, three rebound 50s and 123 SuperCoach points.

But his ball-winning ability on the inside has been obvious from the day he arrived at Alberton.

Joe Atley in action for the Magpies in the SANFL. Picture: Tom Huntley

In 2017, playing for the Magpies in the SANFL, the right-footer recorded a contested possession rate of 52 per cent and ranked inside the top 10 in the competition for contested possessions and centre clearances after playing 17 games in his first year on the Power’s list.

Late in the same season, Atley, the younger brother of North Melbourne’s Shaun, made his AFL debut against the Eagles in Round 16, tallying 14 possessions — nine of them contested.

In his third — and last — game, the former Bendigo Pioneers captain scored 65 SuperCoach points, on the back of 10 disposals, seven contested possessions and seven tackles.

While he failed to add to his three senior games in 2018 — a year which was interrupted by injury — Atley impressed in the state league, averaging 22 disposals, six clearances, five tackles and 91 SuperCoach points per game.

Trust me, I’m as tempted as you are to go early but be patient and assess his form first.

Blue Liam Stocker, who is on the bubble after two matches, is still the better downgrade option ahead of Round 9.

Fellow rookie-price option Joel Garner ($123k defender) is also a chance to debut after averaging 75 points in the SANFL this year — his second on the Port Adelaide list.

Originally published as If popular cash cow Willem Drew misses the final cut for the Power, his replacement might be a win for SuperCoaches