AFL SuperCoach 2017: which players will have a big impact in new colours next year?

A STAGGERING 43 trades and free agency moves were completed in the AFL Trade Period, we’ve looked at who could have a major SuperCoach impact in 2017.

Fremantle’s new recruit Cam McCarthy.

THE AFL Trade Period is always one of the most anticipated fortnights of the season and the 2016 edition didn’t disappoint.

A startling 43 trades and free agency moves were completed in the 10 days.

We’ve cast our eye over 20 players that could be big SuperCoach players in 2017 in new colours.

LIST CHANGES: SEE EVERY RETIREMENT, DELISTING AND TRADE

NEW TALENT: YOUR CLUB’S 2017 AFL DRAFT PICKS

FUTURE PICKS: WHO YOUR TEAM WANTS TO LOSE IN 2017

STUDS

DION PRESTIA (Richmond)

It took two weeks but Richmond finally got it’s man. Prestia has had his injury troubles - which midfielder hasn’t at Gold Coast - but is a proven scorer when he’s on the park. The nuggety midfielder averaged 93 in his 14 games this year and 101, 106 and 97 in his previous three. He’ll slot in beautifully alongside Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin and should remain steady if not improve his scoring in black and yellow. A great point-of-difference in previous seasons, expect him to deliver consistent scoring.

Jordan Lewis joined Melbourne during the AFL Trade Period. Picture: Michael Klein

JORDAN LEWIS (Melbourne)

The former Hawk should continue to be a consistent SuperCoach scorer but this write-up should really be re-named Nathan Jones (Melbourne). Lewis has averaged 90-plus every year since 2011 but amazingly might not see the same amount of midfield time at Melbourne. Instead, Lewis’s biggest impact could be taking the pressure of the Demons’ captain. Similar to Lewis, Jones has averaged 90-plus since 2012 with a career-high of 108 in 2014. Expect him to produce similar numbers with Lewis by his side in 2017.

TOM MITCHELL (Hawthorn)

One Mitchell out, one Mitchell in. We don’t know if Tom will take Sam’s No.5 jumper but we do believe he’ll take over his No.1 SuperCoach mantle. Tom Mitchell was already a proven scorer and won’t have the same amount of competition as he did in Sydney, which bodes well for 2017. The former Swan has averaged 104 in each of the last two seasons and that could take a jump to super-premium status at Hawthorn. He’s going to be pricey but expect him to be a consistent scorer in the mould as his namesake.

Sam Mitchell leaves Hawthorn for West Coast. Picture: Michael Klein.

Tom Mitchell departs Sydney for Hawthorn. Picture. Phil Hillyard

SAM MITCHELL (West Coast)

This might be crazy but Sam Mitchell could take his game to another level at West Coast. Believe it or not, Mitchell’s favourite venue from a SuperCoach perspective (five games or more) is Subiaco and he’ll be playing 12 games there in 2017. Mitchell averages 119 in his 11 games in the west. Now, he’ll have a little more competition in the Eagles’ midfield alongside Priddis, Gaff and Shuey but we expect Mitchell to remain a reliable SuperCoach scorer.

BRETT DELEDIO (GWS Giants)

Deledio’s time as a SuperCoach premium could be over. At his best, the former Tiger is among the best SuperCoach scorers going around. However, his role could take a serious hit at the talent-laden Giants and it’s doubtful he’ll see many midfield minutes. However, we’ve seen the likes of Toby Greene, Luke Dahlhaus and Robbie Gray succeed as a high half-forward, so there’s no reason why Deledio can’t. Of course, this is all dependent on him staying healthy anyway.

DANIEL WELLS (Collingwood)

Wells was the popular bargain-basement pick this year after his price dropped dramatically due to his 2013 and 2014 seasons being ruined by injury but is unlikely to be a SuperCoach favourite in 2017. Wells showed he’s still one of the prime movers in the competition averaging 100.6 in 2017, including hundreds in nine of 18 games. He’ll be a key player at Collingwood next year but his price – he finished at $469,400 this year – will be a turn off given his injury history. Could thrive playing alongside Scott Pendlebury and Adam Treloar as he shouldn’t be heavily tagged by opposition teams but whether he can stay fit is the big question.

Fremantle’s new recruit Cam McCarthy missed the entire 2016 season.

WATCHLIST

CAM McCARTHY (Fremantle)

We know key forwards aren’t always reliable SuperCoach scorers but McCarthy would be one of those rare exceptions to the rule. He’ll certainly be cheaper than what he started 2016 ($288,400) after missing the entire season and if he can bring the form he began 2015 in then he could be a nice early-season earner. McCarthy averaged 78 in the opening eight weeks of 2015 and that was while playing second fiddle to Jeremy Cameron. He’ll be Fremantle’s No.1 target inside 50m, so watch his price and pre-season.

MICHAEL HIBBERD (Melbourne)

An interesting prospect for SuperCoaches given he’s averaged a very handy 82.1, 91.4 and 95.9 points per game in his last three seasons. A rebounding defender who averages 22.1 disposals per game across his career, Hibberd will slot in nicely into Melbourne’s defence but how he returns from a year out of the game after his drugs ban remains to be seen. A lot will depend on his price but could be a handy and unique pick to bolster the backline should his price be reduced because of the ban. Definitely one to watch during the pre-season.

PEARCE HANLEY (Gold Coast)

OK, so Hanley arguably lost his stud status in 2016 but we expect him to regain it at the Suns in 2017. We had high hopes for Nick Malceski after his move from Sydney and that blew up in our faces but we’re hoping the Irishman can redeem us. Hanley averaged 103 in 2014 before injury and form took their toll. However, with a fresh start at the Suns, Hanley could explode. He won’t have the same pressure on him that he did at the Lions but a lot will depend on his role. Watch his pre-season form closely.

BRAD HILL (Fremantle)

Hill didn’t have his best season but with a return to his native WA and playing alongside his brother Stephen at Fremantle, expect a much better year from the former Hawk. The wide expanses of Subiaco will suit his game perfectly and we know he can be an attacking weapon both in setting up his teammates and kicking goals himself. His best SuperCoach return was an average of 78.6 per game in 2015 but in his sixth season should improve. Is a smokey but one to keep tabs on if he racks up the possessions alongside the likes of Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale and David Mundy during pre-season.

JOSH CADDY (Richmond)

A very handy pick-up for the Tigers’ midfield and a player primed to take the next step in the SuperCoach world. Caddy averaged 89.8 points per game in 2016 and scored 100 points or more in five outings but probably suffered a little bit from the addition of Patrick Dangerfield in the Geelong midfield after averaging 93.7 points in 2015. The 24-year-old is a prime breakout-season candidate and will get a lot more midfield time with Richmond, which could see him push up and score 100s more regularly. Is tough, wins the hard ball and most importantly, kicks goals (booted 21 this year) – all things we love in SuperCoach.

Jack Steele will be a St Kilda player in 2017. Picture: Brett Costello

JACK STEELE (St Kilda)

Slot Koby Stevens into his spot as well. Steele and Stevens will walk into the Saints’ 22 but Steele is arguably the more exciting from a SuperCoach perspective. The former Giant played 10 games and averaged 63, similar to his 64 in seven games in 2015. Steele scored three 80s between Rounds 4 and 7 but only played five more games for the year. The third-year midfielder won’t have the same competition for midfield time and touches at St Kilda as he did at GWS and could be a mid-priced earner next year.

NATHAN HROVAT (North Melbourne)

The former Bulldog has never been given a full run at it but that should change in 2017. Expect Hrovat to see a massive increase in midfield minutes at North Melbourne. Forced to play half-forward at the Bulldogs, he should also be available as a cheap midfield-forward, finishing the year at $317,500. It’s hard to gauge his scoring potential, Hrovat played the final four home-and-away games this year averaging 69. His best season was 2015 when he played 12 games and averaged 75.

ZACH TUOHY (Geelong)

Does the Irishman walk straight onto Corey Enright’s half-back flank? SuperCoach’s are certainly hoping so. While Tuohy doesn’t have the same scoring pedigree that Enright does - averaging 79 and 81 in his past two seasons - he can turn it on, scoring 108, 121, 112, 67 and 112 in the final five rounds. Even better news for Tuohy fans is the Cats aren’t Carlton. Geelong will own the ball more than the Blues were able to in 2016, meaning Tuohy will be able to play playmaker more than he was able to previously. Watch his NAB Challenge closely.

JARRYD LYONS (Gold Coast)

The young Crow-turned-Sun was a breakout star in 2017, taking his SuperCoach average from 44 in 2015 to 90 this season. Lyons scored 90-plus in 11 of his 18 games this year with four hundreds. It will be interesting to see how he fair at Gold Coast, Lyons could walk straight into the midfield spot vacated by Dion Prestia, so watch his pre-season closely. This goes for Hanley as well, Lyon’s 2017 could depend on Gary Ablett’s fitness. The Suns are a different team with their captain fit.

MARLEY WILLIAMS (North Melbourne)

Williams fell out of favour in 2016 but should walk straight into the Kangaroos 22. The speedy half-back averaged 85 in 2015 but just 56 this year as he struggled with form and injury. North don’t have much creativity off half-back and the former Magpie can certainly provide that. Williams will be awkwardly priced at about $300,000 but the backline is somewhere where we can experiment a bit and Williams will be a mid-priced boom or bust selection.

Jaeger O’Meara’s trade deal got done at the last minute.

CHEAPIES

JAEGER O’MEARA (Hawthorn)

The new Hawk hasn’t played a since game in two years and will be treated with the utmost caution. We don’t know if he’ll be ready for Round 1 or not but if Hawthorn’s medicos can deliver the treatment they promised, expect him to play early. In his last full season, O’Meara averaged 97 and started his year at $316,300, so expect him to be around the $200,000 mark in 2017. A bargain for the elite scoring power he can deliver when fit.

JARROD PICKETT (Carlton)

Carlton’s newest recruit hasn’t played a game since being drafted at No.4 in 2014. He’ll certainly get more opportunities at the Blues, so expect him to play Round 1. He’ll be priced as a rookie - around $130,000 to $117,000 - as a foot injury in April sidelined for six months but with his rehabilitation complete expect him to a “pre-season flyer”.

WILL HOSKIN-ELLIOTT (Collingwood)

Hugely talented but starved of opportunity at GWS because of injury and competition, Hoskin-Elliott will be a walk-up start for Collingwood if he can stay fit. Will be cheap – priced at $222,700 this year and should drop again in 2017 after playing only two games - for a guy in his sixth season and who was a No.4 draft pick. Proved he can score big with 98 points against Geelong in Round 3 and is athletic, takes marks and kicks goals. Could be a similar pick to Daniel Wells in 2016. Might be a cash builder, watch closely during pre-season.

CALEB MARCHBANK (Carlton)

Injuries curtailed Marchbank’s career at Greater Western Sydney, playing just two games in 2016 due to ankle and shoulder issues. However, in Round 1 he managed to post a 93, which hopefully gives us an indication of his scoring potential. Key defenders aren’t noted for their SuperCoach scoring unless they can take intercept marks, something the Giants excel at. The good news is he’ll be super cheap. After starting this season at $215,800, he could start 2017 under $200,000, which makes him an interesting cash cow option.