Adam Cooney reveals his rookie SuperCoach mistakes, and his 2018 smokies

IN HINDSIGHT, picking players who would rather consume craft beer than work on their defensive craft on the track wasn’t the path to SuperCoach success. Things will be different in year two. COONEY’S SUPERCOACH SMOKIES

SUPERCOACH 2018 is back with a bang, and so am I.

My rookie season as an elite SuperCoach player went pretty much to script. I started with youthful enthusiasm and a fierce appetite for the contest. I took it one week at time, it wasn’t so much about the result as it was about the process and trying to install a winning culture within the four walls of my SuperCoach organisation.

LEGEND: BRENDAN FEVOLA REVEALS HIS SUPERCOACH TEAM

WARNING: ALARM BELLS ON SUPERCOACH ROOKIES

THE PHANTOM: BUDDY BIG REMINDER FROM STAR FORWARD

Alas, as many rookies do in their first year, I made some fundamental errors that crushed my dreams of SuperCoach superstardom in the back half of season 2017 (As they say, the fish rots at the head).

If you’re entering as a SuperCoach team for your debut season this year, here are a few tips from a former novice to avoid your plans coming off the rails halfway through the year.

PICK with your head not your heart. I’ll be picking smaller elite ball users, and high intercept key defenders, not just my favourites who would rather consume craft beer than work on their defensive craft on the track. Although Michael Hibberd and Michael Hurley were All-Australians and ended up as prominent scorers for me, so maybe there is something in it.

Michael Hibberd was one of Adam Cooney’s successful picks in 2017.

PLAN for the byes. This was ultimately the demise of ChasChamps17. As they say, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. At least three weeks out, start to formulate your rotation policy, write down your planned trades so when the Bombers have a week off, you’re not frantically trading and leaving holes in your 22 because your midfield consists of Merrett, Heppell, parish, Myers and Bellchambers. Spread the load over multiple teams and work on your trades to ensure all positions are filled over the bye period.

WATCH as much of the JLT Series as you can. You might spot something from a youngster that sends the blood rushing to all sorts of bodily extremities. Don’t rely on poorly written columns from ex-footballers throwing out ill-informed views and “player watch” videos online!

PICK Pat. I didn’t in 2017. I should have.

PICK Nat. Nat’s back. Pick Nat (not Nic Nat).

SUPERCOACH 2018 FAQs

Ablett or no Ablett?

Pre-season soft-tissue injuries for players in their 30s are a big red flag and Gaz hasn’t put together a full season of footy since 2010. If he gets up for Round 1 he will be underdone and will spend a lot of time in the forward half so most likely won’t be hitting his peak until a month into the season. I’ll stick with Pat until Gary joins him in the midfield then trade Pat out as they will be stealing points off each other!

How do we solve the Nic Nat problem?

Max Gawn is the logical and extremely popular choice as the No. 1 ruck for majority of teams, but who steps up beside him with Nic Naitanui’s immediate future up in the air? Gold Coast’s Jarrod Witts has been elevated to the suns leadership group and was a terrific scorer for me during 2017. Todd Goldstein looked fresh and fit in his first pre season run and looks to have put a horror 2017 behind him.

Matty Kreuzer will be another popular choice given his mobility and will push forward at times to impact the scoreboard for the Blues.

Give us some smokies, Coons

Tim Kelly’s first kick in league footy was enough for me to lock him in my team. A centre clearance and spearing nut to the chest of a leading Tom Hawkins? Yes, please.

Bayley Fritsch for the Dees should’ve kicked six on debut for his new club in JLT 1. Some really unselfish acts to bring teammates into the game are the only question mark on him at this stage. As SuperCoaches we want maximum bang for buck and passing off to teammates in better positions is not ideal!

HOW TO WIN: THE SUPERCOACH 10 COMMANDMENTS

REVIEW: JLT SERIES SUPERCOACH SCOUTING REPORT

Lachlan Murphy (Crows) kicked three snags and looked lively but a bloke called Eddie Betts could keep him out of the side. Put him on your watch list.

Dom Barry (Power) had 20 disposals and looks ready to take his second chance with both hands.

The Saints picks six and seven in the draft, Nick Coffield and Hunter Clark, look likely to play straight up. Coffield had 20 touches and Clark kicked two goals in their first JLT game.

I’ll have my team finalised by the end of JLT 2 and very much look forward to a robust public discussion in the SuperCoach domain match committee!

Follow this sage advice for guaranteed success in 2018. Or don’t. Whatever.