Adelaide 2017 SuperCoach preview: Premium selections and who to avoid
AFTER missing out on Carlton star Bryce Gibbs in the trade period, improvement for the Crows will need to come from within. And that may provide some bargains for SuperCoaches, says The Phantom.
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AFTER missing out on Carlton star Bryce Gibbs during the trade period, improvement for the Crows, who are coming off consecutive semi-final exits, will need to come from within.
And there is plenty to be excited about.
There are a number of young Crows poised to take the next step, providing a number of intriguing SuperCoach prospects from West Lakes in 2017.
We may not be classifying ‘the Rorys’ – Sloane and Laird – as the only true premiums for long.
PREMIUMS
Rory Sloane $591,000, mid
Adelaide’s premier midfielder, who bounced back from an injury-interrupted 2015 season to average 109 last year, has it all. He’s consistent, he can score big and he dominates at home – Sloane’s six scores of 130 or more in 2016 were all at the Adelaide Oval. With the Crows hosting six non-finalists from last year in their first seven home games, expect Rory No. 1 to get off to a flyer.
Rory Laird $526,800, def
Rory No. 2 isn’t far behind. The ball-winning defender scored more than 90 points in 14 of his 17 games last year, pushing his average from 93 to 97 in just his fourth season. Laird, who tallied 20 or more disposals in each fixture, accumulating more than 30 on six occasions, has been tipped to pinch-hit in the midfield in 2017, meaning that figure should rise again.
Matt Crouch $504,600, mid
Speaking of ball-magnets, the younger of the Crouch brothers, Matt, registered 24 or more disposals in all but four games last season and, while those numbers are yet to translate into consistent SuperCoach scores, if Crouch can become more damaging, he may soon lift his premium status further. An average of 104 over the final 12 rounds of 2016 shows he is building.
Sam Jacobs $472,000, ruck
After posting season averages of 108 and 115 in the previous two years, the No. 1 ruckman at West Lakes could only break the 100-point barrier four times in 2016, resulting in an average of 87. We all know just how good ‘Sauce’ can be and, with the third-man up rule working to his advantage, Jacobs – who could be an enticing point-of-difference - may well bounce back?
MID-PRICE RISKS
Brad Crouch $471,400, mid
We seem to talk about Crouch Snr every pre-season but, after a strong end to 2016 - when he averaged 96 over the final 10 games - and an injury-free summer to date, is this the year he finally delivers? It’s been said before but the 23-year-old is the key to the rise of the Crows’ midfield and, if Crouch plays 22 games, don’t be surprised to see him average 105.
Jake Lever $391,200, def
There is no doubt Lever is a star in the making but just how quickly it translates into SuperCoach scoring is the big question. With Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan holding down the key posts, the 20-year-old, who shows composure beyond his years, will be given the opportunity to control the air and win the footy in the Crows’ defence, in the mould of Hawk Josh Gibson. Lever’s 30 disposals, 13 marks and 115 points in Round 11 last year showed us a glimpse but was it enough?
Brodie Smith $410,400, def
Anyone who follows The Phantom knew this was coming but, at $410k, how could The we not talk about Brodie? Smith’s scoring in 2016 was inconsistent and never hit any great heights but when he’s on, there are only a few in the competition that are more damaging. The dashing defender’s best-on-ground performance in the elimination final against the Kangaroos is the perfect example.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen $304,700, fwd/mid
Jarryd Lyons out, Ellis-Yolmen in, right? Wrong - it’s not quite that simple. There are a number of young Crows queuing up to fill the void in the midfield and, while Ellis-Yolmen is at the pointy end of the list, he is not guaranteed a spot in the best 22 just yet. Scoring isn’t the issue. Excluding sub-affected games, the big-bodied midfielder has a career average of 86. Opportunity is.
Wayne Milera $280,900, fwd
The Crows need more speed and class and Milera has that in spades. After playing eight games in his debut season, expect the 19-year-old to double that figure in 2017. While his price may be a touch high, Milera could still become a great stepping stone. Monitor his pre-season form.
ROOKIES
OK, they’re not all rookie list players, but we haven’t seen too much of these blokes in Crows colours. So they’re LIKE rookies.
Riley Knight $201,300, fwd
Injury-free and flying, Knight has been one of the most-hyped players so far this summer. The hard-running half-forward/wingman has blitzed Adelaide’s time-trials and looks set to reclaim a spot in the Crows’ side. After a promising back-end of 2015, including a standout performance in his side’s elimination final win over the Bulldogs, a serious ankle injury wrecked most of his 2016 campaign. Knight recovered in the latter part of the year to be one of the Crows’ reserves’ best players in the SANFL finals.
Curtly Hampton $160,000, def
Another Crow who, if he can get his body right, could take a giant step in 2017. The powerful 23-year-old, who failed to play a senior game in his first season at West Lakes, would add another dimension to the engine room or across half-back. Likely to find his way into many sides after the pre-season competition.
Troy Menzel $183,900, fwd
While his talent is undeniable, his work ethic has been question in the past. However, the whisper is Menzel returned to pre-season in great shape and could be a bolter to join an already dynamic forward line.
Jordan Gallucci $148,800, def
Adelaide’s top draft pick ticks all the boxes. He’s quick, powerful, athletic and a classy ball-user. Expect him to debut at some stage in 2017 with the Crows seeking more ‘X factor’. Oh and he scored 226 SuperCoach points in a single game at TAC level.
NO-GO ZONE
Scott Thompson $479,300, mid
While he hasn’t stopped winning the ball, the midfield veteran – who will be 34 in March - is on his last legs. Thompson’s average fell from 102 to 88 in 2016 and, while he will still play a major role in the development of the young midfielders, his SuperCoach days are behind him.
Charlie Cameron $398,400, fwd
Cameron’s cameo in the midfield in the semi-final loss provided a glimpse into the future for Crows’ fans. As he continues to develop his endurance, the speedster will spend more time in the middle but, with only two career SuperCoach tons to his name, look elsewhere for now.
TEAM PROFILE
Coach Don Pyke has emphasised the need for greater flexibility from his players and, on paper, the young, talented Crows squad should be able to provide this. With arguably the best forward line in the competition and a developing back six led by Daniel Talia, the query, again, comes back to the midfield. Can the Crows deepen its engine room from within to match the likes of Sydney - the team that showed them up in last year’s semi-final - to take the next step? If the mid-tier players can find another level, to ease the burden on Rory Sloane, the answer is yes.
Originally published as Adelaide 2017 SuperCoach preview: Premium selections and who to avoid
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