SuperCoach 2016: We reveal how much Essendon top-up players will cost

WHICH Essendon top-up players present the best value in SuperCoach? See all their prices and our ratings here.

FORMER Brisbane Lion Sam Michael is the latest addition to Essendon’s 2016 list but is the key defender worth a SuperCoach nibble?

Michael joins nine other players including former Hawk Sam Grimley and ex-Docker Ryan Crowley on the list of top-ups to join John Worsfold’s depleted squad.

The Bombers are trying to make the best of a very bad situation and it could be a big boost for SuperCoaches with a series of mature-age players at potentially bargain prices.

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Check out the Essendon top-ups below. Who will you take a punt on?

CONFIRMED TOP-UPS

SAM MICHAEL ($123,900 Ruck)

The Bombers’ final top-up player played three games for the Brisbane Lions in 2013, never scoring above 52 SuperCoach points. The 22-year-old appeared as a top-up player in the NAB Challenge last year, and gets a full-time gig in 2016. He will be competing with injury-prone big men Matthew Leuenberger and Tom Bellchambers for the ruck job.

NATHAN GRIMA ($265,000, Def)

Former Roo dragged out of the retirement to suit up for the Bombers did not play at all last year after more surgery on his back. But Grima did average 75 points in his 14 appearances in 2014. Grima was recruited by the Bombers to hold down a key defensive role but tread carefully in SuperCoach land as he’s missed a lot of footy over the journey.

JAMES KELLY ($410,100, Mid)

The three-time premiership player played 17 games and averaged 76 SuperCoach points for Geelong last year before “retiring”. As a result, no discount is applied to Kelly’s 2016 price.

However, he could still prove to be a bargain with the Bombers likely to use him off half-back and through the midfield. Kelly averaged 88+ in seven of the past eight seasons.

Kelly missed several games with injury in 2015 but has rarely been injured throughout his career. Given his experience, a shortened pre-season shouldn’t be an issue.

James Kelly trains alongside Anthony McDonald-Tipunwuti. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

RYAN CROWLEY ($202,800, Mid)

Crowley didn’t play a game in 2015 due to a drug ban of his own. As a result, the shutdown tagger is available with a big discount.

However, we don’t expect him to suddenly become SuperCoach relevant. Crowley has never averaged more than 67 in his career and that was in his debut year.

Crowley’s SuperCoach contribution will be freeing fellow Essendon midfielders up from tagging duties with the likes of Craig Bird, Zach Merrett, Jackson Merrett or a youngster able to do what they do best ... win the football.

JONATHAN SIMPKIN ($223,400, Mid-Fwd)

The former Swan, Cat and Hawk is yet to be officially confirmed but we can still reveal his SuperCoach price and position for 2016.

After only playing one game (and scoring 26), Simpkin gets a nice discount and retains his midfield-forward dual eligibility. Simpkins’ scoring history has been cruelled by the sub vest with his best effort 68 in 13 games in 2013.

Like Kelly, Simpkin should come in and play a bigger role than he was playing at his former club. The midfielder averaged 27.5 disposals in the VFL for Box Hill and an incredible 38 per match in the Hawks’ finals campaign.

Ryan Crowley at Essendon training. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

MATT DEA ($183,600, Def)

The defender won Richmond’s VFL best and fairest but was delisted by the Tigers at the end of last season after failing to play an AFL game.

Dea was never a high scorer in SuperCoach but should be relatively cheap in 2016 given he’ll be eligible for a big discount. In seven games in 2014, he averaged 56.

MATHEW STOKES ($388,100, Mid-Fwd)

Stokes joins former premiership teammate James Kelly in red and black. While it’s not official yet, new captain Brendon Goddard revealed Stokes was set to sign on.

Stokes will provide some much needed experience in the forward line and a great goal sense but his SuperCoach usefulness is questionable. After averaged 97 and 96 in 2013-14, Stokes’s average fell to just 71 last season.

JAMES POLKINGHORNE ($123,900, Mid)

The midfielder was delisted by Brisbane Lions at the end of 2014 after 94 games, which should mean he’ll be available at a rookie price similar to Mitch Brown.

Polkinghorne was a top-up player during the 2015 NAB Challenge and remained at Essendon, winning the Bombers best and fairest in the VFL. He averaged over 20 possessions a game at VFL level.

MARK JAMAR ($320,300 Ruck)

Ironically, after being delisted by Melbourne at the end of last season, the big man became an assistant coach at Essendon and is now being asked to pull the boots on once more.

Jamar played five games in 2015 and averaged 74 and will now feature in red and black alongside Matthew Leuenberger, Shaun McKernan and rookie Gach Nyoun.

Mark Jamar will go from instructing at training to taking part in drills. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

SAM GRIMLEY (123,900 Fwd/Ruck)

The former Hawk was the VFL’s leading goalkicker in 2014 and 2015 but couldn’t displace Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston and David Hale in the Hawthorn team.

Grimley only played three games — all in 2013 where he averaged 65. The big man will hope to partner Joe Daniher in the Bombers forward line and can pinch-hit in the ruck.