A weekly look at the SuperCoach relevant players flying in pre-season or hit by untimely setbacks
Brodie Grundy sent an injury scare through the SuperCoach community when he hurt his toe but we can all breath a sigh of relief as key cash cows emerge. It’s all in this week’s SuperCoach Whispers.
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Brodie Grundy sent an injury scare through Collingwood and the SuperCoach community last month when he hurt his toe.
However, those fears seem to have been allayed with the top-priced SuperCoach player back in full training and showing no signs of injury.
Meanwhile, a couple of cash cows have emerged as clubs ramp up their pre-season training.
Check out all the week’s SuperCoach news and tidbits below.
TACTICS: FIVE TRICKS TO BOOST YOUR SUPERCOACH SCORE
STRATEGY: NEVER TOO EARLY TO START BYE PLANNING
FREAKO: PICKING THE NEXT SUPERCOACH BREAKOUT STAR
BAILEY SMITH ($180,300, Mid)
After an interrupted start to his AFL career, the No.7 draft pick is in full training with the Western Bulldogs, and has received some high praise from Marcus Bontempelli. Smith was recovering from an Achilles injury when he was drafted but is already impressing with an eye on a Round 1 debut. “He’s a great athlete, his power, speed and his skill is right up there,” Bontempelli told SEN. “He’s had some Achilles stuff that he’s been managing throughout the pre-season and he’s really getting close to being fully into the program. “Some of the match simulation stuff is eye-catching.”
BRAD CROUCH ($418,000, Mid)
Looking for a mid-price with a high upside? Crouch could be your man. The Crows midfielder has been beset by injuries during his AFL career but is finally looking fit after a full pre-season. Teammate and brother Matt Crouch is excited not only to have his brother back but one of the club’s best ball-winners. “He’s fully fit now. He’ll play, I think, a couple practice matches he might even play our under-23 game depending on how he’s feeling. And then, hopefully plays both the JLTs as well,” he told the club website. At $418k, he awkwardly priced but he’s capable of averaging 100 if fit.
ISAAC HEENEY ($529,200, Mid-Fwd)
With Dan Hannebery at St Kilda there is a full-time opening in Sydney’s midfield and Isaac Heeney has a plan to make it his. “I haven’t had a full pre-season before this year, it’s always been majorly interrupted for me, but I’ve pretty much done every session this time,” he said. “I feel I can take my game to the next level and help the team go to the next level, too.” Already the sixth most popular pick in SuperCoach, Heeney would be a must-have if he can lock down more midfield time after averaging 97 in back-to-back seasons. Callum Mills ($428,900, Def) could also be up for a bigger role on ball.
MATTHEW PARKER ($117,300, Fwd)
The 23-year-old mature-age recruit is in the box seat for a Round 1 debut after arriving from WAFL club South Fremantle. The explosive midfielder had been expected to take on a small forward role with the Saints but such as been his impact in pre-season training, new vice-captain Seb Ross believes a bigger role is in store. “Matty Parker, he can come through the midfield too and he’s a really hard match-up,” he told the club website. Parker would add some much needed speed to the Saints line-up after being taken under the wing of Marlion Pickett and Geelong star Tim Kelly at South Fremantle.
BRODIE GRUNDY ($708,200, Ruck)
Quite possibly the good news every SuperCoach was hoping for. Brodie Grundy returning to full training after overcoming a toe issue. The top-priced player in SuperCoach is also the fourth most popular pick so far this pre-season. Grundy was seen training away from his Collingwood teammates last week but was moving freely and then joined in match simulation on Monday. Defender Jack Crisp ($519,900, Def) also returned to full training after his off-season hip surgery and back injury. The former Lion had a breakout SuperCoach season in 2018 across half-back and looms as a mid-season upgrade target.
TOBY NANKERVIS ($533,000, Ruck)
The Richmond big man looks set to once again ruck solo in 2019 but the Tigers are adamant he’ll receive more support than previous years. Football manager Neil Balme said Nankervis’ form kept his rivals on the sidelines. “We would have no problems playing (Ivan Soldo) if we had to but we tend to not play two ruckmen, that’s why he doesn’t get a turn,” he told 6PR. “But the way Nank plays, he’s so tough and he doesn’t give anyone else an opportunity to play.” Balme did forecast Noah Balta and Mabior Chol as a potential pinch-hit ruckman if Shaun Grigg was relieved of his back-up duties.
LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE ($197,500, Mid)
The former No.4 draft pick is now behind recruits Dom Tyson and Aaron Hall in the midfield pecking order. However, coach Brad Scott said the young midfielder was starting to show he could now match it physically at AFL level. “When you come into the AFL as a genuine inside midfielder – and Luke was a big 18-year-old – you’re still a boy against men,” he told the AFL website. “Now he’s stronger, he knows what the AFL system is all about, he knows the standard that he’s got to rise to and he’s been a really pleasing performer over the pre-season.”
SAM MENEGOLA ($543,100, Mid-Fwd) & ZACH TUOHY ($460,400, Def)
The pair had delayed starts to the pre-season after post-season surgery but coach Chris Scott is adamant both will be ready for Round 1. Menegola is coming back from knee surgery. “It’s been a bit of a slow one but one thing in Sam’s favour is that he’s just an elite aerobic athlete,” Scott told the AFL website. Tuohy is hoping to continue his run of 138 consecutive games after knee surgery of his own and Scott was willing to trust his star defender. “He’s played about a million games in a row now and I think that streak’s pretty important to him. “He’s never let us down when he said he’d come up from injuries, but this one’s a little bit more serious. “I’m outlining his wishes, my view is whether it’s round one or two it doesn’t matter.
JAMES WORPEL ($395,700, Mid-Fwd)
The Hawthorn rising star put his hand up to replace Tom Mitchell with an impressive showing in the Hawks’ intra-club match last week. Worpel is awkwardly priced but is available as a midfield-forward in SuperCoach, providing valuable flexibility. Such as Worpel’s display, teammate Jaeger O’Meara said he was excited to see his development this season. “’Worps’ was very impressive,” O’Meara told the club website. “He got a lot of the footy and I think he got a fair few centre clearances – he’s a little bull in there – so I’m very excited about him and Harry Jones.” Jones ($123,900, Def) would be a key cash cow if handed a Round 1 debut.
PADDY RYDER ($490,300, Ruck) & SCOTT LYCETT ($441,200, Ruck-Fwd)
Lycett, a premiership-winning Eagle - moved to Port Adelaide as a free agent and has seemingly ended the SuperCoach relevance of both himself and Ryder. The JLT Series could prove otherwise but the pair are set to share ruck duties while also covering for the injured Charlie Dixon up forward. Lycett played predominantly ruck in the Power’s intra-club match but that is likely to change come the next hit-out. After an early-season injury, Ryder averaged 90 in 16 games. Lycett averaged 81 in 22 games as he backed-up Nic Naitanui for much of 2018 before taking on the No.1 role - and scoring 90, 90, 118 and 125 - when Naitanui needed a knee reconstruction.
BRETT BEWLEY ($117,300, Mid)
The Williamstown mature-age recruit knows his time in the VFL will make him a better AFL footballer but he’s not taking a Round 1 debut for granted. “I don’t look too far ahead. I just take each training session as it comes and I try to get the best out of myself and that will give myself the best opportunity to be there when the whips are cracking,” he said. “Being that little bit older I am lucky in that I know my body and I try to stick to what I know.” With several spots seemingly open in Fremantle’s midfield, Bewley looms as a must-have cash cow.
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