AFL SuperCoach 2018: Experts review JLT pre-season games
WEEKEND WRAP: Doctor SuperCoach experts Peter Guss and Shannon Geitz have gathered all the intel you need to build your SuperCoach team after the opening weekend of the JLT Series. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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WHILE we can mostly take with a grain of salt performances in practice games, the JLT Series is an important scouting time for SuperCoaches.
Over the weekend SuperCoaches had their first look at Adelaide, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne, North Melboourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond and West Coast and already we’ve gathered vital information as we look to lock in our sides for Round 1.
SUPERCOACH SCORES: MELBOURNE v NORTH MELBOURNE
SUPERCOACH SCORES: ESSENDON v RICHMOND
ABLETT ALERT: CHAMPION INJURED AT TRAINING
SUPERCOACH SCORES: ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE
SUPERCOACH SCORES: WEST COAST v PORT ADELAIDE
There were some outstanding performances from the likes of Nat Fyfe, Dustin Martin and Essendon recruit Devon Smith, but there were some shockers.
Jake Stringer flopped in his Bombers debut and one of the most popular cash cows of the year so far, North Melbourne draftee Luke Davies-Uniacke, had us a little worried.
There were also some surprises — West Coast’s Jack Redden put in an outstanding performance to rack up 162 SuperCoach points as the weekend’s top scorer and Port Adelaide’s Dom Barry exceeded expectations in his first game for the club.
Doctor SuperCoach experts, Peter Guss and Shannon Geitz, watched closely across the weekend to gather the intel you need to build your SuperCoach team.
ESSENDON (37) def by RICHMOND (124)
DEVON SMITH ($439,100 FWD) 118pts — PROMISING SIGNS
The new recruit gave Essendon and SuperCoach fans a lot to like in his first hit out for the club. Smith lined up on the ball before the Zach Merrett’s head knock and finished with a game-high 26 disposals. A repeat in JLT 2 would make Smith a hot commodity for Round 1.
DARCY PARISH ($419,000 FWD/MID) 89pts — WATCH LIST
After playing forward a bit last year, Parish led Essendon in centre bounce attendance in JLT 1, paving the way to become this year’s breakout star. He averaged 72.7 as a rookie but stagnated last year when playing forward. With Merrett going down early, it is unclear if the injury forced Parish into the midfield, however, there is enough upside to watch him closely.
JAKE STRINGER ($356,000 FWD) 22pts — ONE MORE CHANCE
Most coaches would be writing off Stringer immediately for his awkward midfield performance, however his 13 centre bounce attendances in only 46% time-on-ground clearly paint a picture moving forward that Stringer will be given plenty of opportunities to play in the midfield. JLT 2 allows Stringer another chance to audition — without another early head knock — but the damage may already be done in the unforgiving SuperCoach community.
DUSTIN MARTIN ($656,000 MID) 108pts — LOCKED IN
In just 61 per cent time-on-ground, Dusty racked up 24 disposals in a dominant display across half forward and the midfield and did not look like he has missed a beat after the break. We forget that Dusty actually played through a lot of discomfort last season yet still was the league’s best player. The scary thing is that he can still get better.
BRANDON ELLIS ($502,500 DEF) 57pts — WAIT AND SEE
Ellis averaged over 100 points after Round 10 last season, however his finals performances — a lowly 57.3 average — left some SuperCoaches questioning his selection for 2018. Another 57 points in JLT 1 from just 12 possessions and 80% time-on-ground, all of it spent down back, will certainly leave coaches watching him closely in JLT 2.
KANE LAMBERT ($472,500 FWD/MID) 73pts — POINT OF DIFFERENCE (POD)
Finding himself in just 1.9 per cent of teams, Lambert spent time in JLT 1 as an inside midfielder with some stints around half forward — not dissimilar to his role after Richmond’s bye in 2017. Given that fruitful role provided a 93.6 average for the rest of the season, Lambert looms as a unique selection.
Missing in action: Essendon: Michael Hurley, Tom Bellchambers, Orazio Fantasia, Cale Hooker, Aaron Francis, David Myers
Richmond: Dion Prestia, Daniel Rioli, Nathan Broad
— Doctor SuperCoach, Peter Guss
NORTH MELBOURNE (71) def by MELBOURNE (124)
MAX GAWN ($503,700 RUC) 145pts — LOCKED IN
After his 118.5 average in 2016, coaches had high hopes for Gawn in 2017 until injury derailed his season. A 39 hitout, 145 SuperCoach point display should give coaches enough confidence to make sure Gawn is firmly entrenched in their team come Round 1.
CLAYTON OLIVER ($612,800 MID) 108pts — PROMISING SIGNS
The breakout star from last season continued to impress and showed no indication of slowing down. Even though he was tagged in the first half, Oliver still managed a game-high 15 contested possessions and looms as a safe selection.
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA ($433,300 FWD/MID) 82pts — WAIT AND SEE
Petracca looked to be a premier half forward with stints through the midfield in JLT 1. His disposal efficiency was down (57 per cent) however, given his 82 SuperCoach points, there is plenty of upside in his selection. Hopefully he will be presented with more midfield minutes.
BAYLEY FRITSCH ($117,300 FWD) 70pts — MONEY MAKER
Fritsch looked comfortable and scored 3.2 from 11 possessions and six marks. There is a spot open for him in the forward line and the rookie looks to have one hand on it. At this price, it would be hard to ignore him. Watch this space.
ANGUS BRAYSHAW ($316,700 DEF/MID) 35pts — STAY AWAY
The mid-priced defender appears in a lot of teams, with coaches obviously hopeful that the talented youngster will play plenty of midfield time in 2018. However, this idea was quickly quashed in JLT 1, with Brayshaw playing everywhere except throughout the midfield, registering just 13 touches.
MICHAEL HIBBERD ($545,200 DEF) 121pts — THE SAFE SELECTION
Any concerns about Jake Lever’s impact on Michael Hibberd were made void, as Hibberd continued where he left off from last year, rebounding at will from the Dees’ backline. A recreation of his 99.2 point average from last season is certainly on the cards after his game-high 27 touches at a cool 82% disposal efficiency.
LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE ($189,300 MID) 52pts — THE QUESTION MARK
The No. 4 pick didn’t show any discomfort from his tight back however 12 disposals from 78 per cent game time leaves a lot to be desired from the premium-priced rookie. A 60+ average at a minimum should be expected from a rookie at this price and LDU will need to put in a good showing in JLT 2 to justify his selection.
LUKE MCDONALD ($461,100 DEF) 30pts — ONE MORE CHANCE
Slated to play more midfield time, McDonald just couldn’t find the ball with only nine disposals from 73 per cent time on ground. A disposal efficiency of 44 per cent didn’t help. JLT 2 is the perfect stage for him to showcase why he should be considered in our sides.
Missing in action: North Melbourne: Mason Wood, Braydon Preuss, Taylor Garner, Jy Simpkin, Sam Wright
Melbourne: Neville Jetta, Jack Viney, Dom Tyson
— Doctor SuperCoach, Shannon Gaitz
ADELAIDE (91) def FREMANTLE (81)
NATHAN FYFE ($597,900 MID) 162pts — LOCKED IN
Fyfe started at half forward with devastating effect — registering 19 touches in the half — before going through the midfield when the game was on the line. Fyfe averaged 126 points in the last eight games of 2017.
ANDREW BRAYSHAW ($198,300 MID) 87pts — MONEY MAKER
The No. 2 pick showed his class with an exciting 87 SuperCoach points. Playing as an inside midfielder, he was clean with the ball — going at 85 per cent efficiency.
MICHAEL WALTERS ($478,300 MID) 102pts — PROMISING SIGNS
Walters played almost exclusively as an inside midfielder, although he only managed to gather a paltry 13 touches. His seven tackles and 10 contested possessions helped boost his score, however the most appealing aspect of his game was proof that Ross Lyon plans to use him in the midfield again in 2018. Massive upside after Walters averaged 103 points last season.
MATT CROUCH ($608,300 MID) 107pts — BALL MAGNET
Crouch displayed his ball-winning prowess, racking up 36 disposals including 22 in the first half. He knows how to find the footy. Crouch finished the year with a 10-game average above 125 points. A top-five SuperCoach finish is certainly on the cards.
TOM DOEDEE ($123,900 DEF) 84pts — THE ROOKIE LOCK
Each season a rookie finds themselves in every serious SuperCoach team and this year it is Doedee. An eye-catching display of 16 disposals bolstered Doedee’s case for Round 1.
CAM ELLIS-YOLMEN ($263,900 MID) 99pts — ADD TO YOUR WATCHLIST
AFLX showed a fierce and unrelenting CEY and in JLT 1 it was much the same. He was given chances to play in the midfield and performed admirably, however with the imminent return of Rory Sloane and Brad Crouch, CEY will be one to watch going into JLT 2. He averaged 74.4 in 2015 before injuries and opportunity dried up.
RORY LAIRD ($550,800 DEF) 103pts — THE SAFE SELECTION
Something would need to go horribly wrong for one of the most popular players in the game to fall out of favour. Already in 43.7 per cent of teams, Laird collected 27 possessions across half back with a clean 92 per cent efficiency. He did, however, have seven kicks to 20 handballs, a strange ratio for Laird and one to watch in JLT 2.
Missing in action: Adelaide: Taylor Walker, Brodie Smith, Brad Crouch, Riley Knight, Eddie Betts, Daniel Talia
Fremantle: Sean Darcy, Harley Bennell, Ethan Hughes, Joel Hamling, Stephen Hill
— Doctor SuperCoach, Peter Guss
WEST COAST EAGLES (56) def PORT ADELAIDE (54)
ROBBIE GRAY ($504,300 FWD) 40pts — WAIT AND SEE
It’s a compliment to Gray that he can score 40 points barely pushing into second gear. Gray hardly saw the midfield and was seemingly going through the pre-season motions while still showing touches of characteristic class. A tenuous midfield role and complicated Round 10 bye makes it too early to tell if Gray commands a spot in SuperCoach just yet. Watch the MRP closely after the high bump on Jeremy McGovern.
PATRICK RYDER ($566,500 RUC) 88pts — PROMISING SIGNS
Ryder’s score of 84 is almost inconsequential, as he was tapping to a different midfield group at almost every centre bounce. The pros are that he looked solid around the ground, had almost three quarters on the ground and displayed solidly in the ruck throughout. As for the cons, he saw the bench more than he did the forward 50 (although this should change come the regular season), and also that pesky Round 10 bye.
RILEY BONNER ($257,300 DEF) 49pts — ONE MORE CHANCE
An early goal was a rare highlight for this Port rookie, who played largely on the wing and attended a few stoppages throughout the match. That role won’t gain him enough possessions to make our teams enough cash, which is necessary given his inflated price. Dom Barry was running off the half back and Jasper Pittard looked close to his best as Port’s top SuperCoach scorer — both bad signs for Bonner. Still, we can’t seem to say goodbye just yet.
ELLIOT YEO ($561,300 DEF) 96pts — THE YOYO
True to his nickname, Yeo’s first outing was an inconsistent affair, with some sloppy play still resulting in 96 points. Yeo floated around the ground and primarily across half back when needed, never truly sticking to a position and even managing to hit the scoreboard for a goal. A solid pre-season should see him ready and raring to go for Round 1.
JACK REDDEN ($437,900 MID) 162pts — WATCH LIST
Redden burst out of the blocks with a standout best-on-ground 162-point performance. The dominant display included 26 touches at 88% efficiency and six score involvements against. Worth noting, Port rotated players through the midfield. Redden needs another big game to cement his place — especially when you consider his Brisbane days (averaged 100+) and the retirements of Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis.
BRENDON AH CHEE ($255,100 FWD/MID) 48pts — THE QUESTION MARK
Ah Chee’s role was a must-watch this game, with SuperCoaches eagerly looking to see if he would receive enough midfield time to be the fruitful cash cow we crave. One game through the JLT and that answer is a negative, as Ah Chee played forward for most of the game, only pushing further down the ground in open play, and not earning enough points to earn the dough that would justify his price.
LIAM RYAN ($117,300 FWD) 46pts — MONEY MAKER
It’s the sign of SuperCoaches’ dreams when a low-priced rookies show elite presence in the forward 50 and offers what should be enough to warrant a spot in the team come Round 1. Only scored 43 points but we saw enough from Ryan to pencil him in.
DOM BARRY ($117,300 MID) 99pts — THE SECOND CHANCE
The redemption arc is near completion with Barry almost back to the AFL and playing at lightning speed. In his new rebounding role, Barry found space all over the ground, be it at stoppages, through the midfield and even between the sticks. Matthew Broadbent is looking at a stint on the sidelines so, pending his Round 1 selection, lock Barry in to your SuperCoach considerations.
Missing Missing in action: West Coast: Nic Naitanui, Josh Kennedy, Willie Riolo, Eric Mackenzie
Port Adelaide: Tom Rockliff, Sam Gray, Chad Wingard, Jared Polec, Matthew Broadbent
— Doctor SuperCoach, Shannon Gaitz
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