AFL SuperCoach 2018: the seven players you need to build the best SuperCoach team

SUPERCOACH is back and the heat is already on for team selection. Pick these seven value selections and you’re on your way to glory.

ANYONE can tell you Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin will be among the most popular players in 2018 AFL SuperCoach.

But the secret to SuperCoach, the biggest and best fantasy game in Australia, is not the players you always pick, but the ones you miss that determine your fantasy fate.

These are not always the stars with the biggest names and boldest scoring reputations, but often, recycled or mature-aged recruits and bona fide SuperCoach jets on the comeback trail from injury.

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The biggest challenge is identifying which of the 805 players in 2018 AFL SuperCoach could set us apart from the rest of competition.

Eagle Jack Redden in line to replace retired Brownlow medallists Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell. Picture: Getty

At SuperFooty HQ, we identified the seven most eligible SuperCoach stocks for 2018, made up of cash cows, mid-priced foot soldiers and an elite ruckman heavily discounted.

Each player presents tremendous upside on the field, and cash generation off the field, which together creates the ideal platform for the invaluable in-season upgrades.

Over the next few weeks, astute SuperCoach minds will ponder list management strategies involving the Big Three — Dangerfield, Martin and Tom Mitchell.

How many is too many? Is it possible to recruit all three without heavily impacting team balance?

Or, should we go with two or more premiums in defence and attack, and then fill out the rest with best available cash cows?

Whatever you do, be prepared to think long and hard about leaving out the Magnificent Seven.

Dyson Heppell and Jake Stringer tangle at training. Picture: Getty

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Cam O’Shea (Carl) $166,000 DEF

A mature-aged recruit, with previous AFL experience, is worth his weight in SuperCoach gold. O’Shea, 25, will step into the role vacated by Sam Docherty (ACL) and while his scores will not be as big, the former Port Adelaide defender could more than double in price in 6-8 weeks.

Nathan Wilson (Fre) $417,300 DEF

Averaged 75 points in 21 games last year for GWS Giants, but a more expansive role at Fremantle could deliver us a 15-20-point boost. The speedster has progressed steadily over the past five seasons and further improvement is well within his grasp.

Jack Redden (WCE) $437,900 MID

Forgotten midfielder could be set for big things in 2018, with a spot up for grabs in the midfield following the retirements of Brownlow medallists Matthew Priddis and Sam Mitchell. Redden, 27, averaged 79 points in 17 games, but 86 in the last nine outings. Monitor him closely in JLT Series.

Paul Ahern (NM) $123,900 FWD/MID

Big-bodied midfielder is yet to make his AFL debut after a wretched run of injuries but could fill a variety of roles at Arden Street this season. The former No. 7 draft pick, who has been trialled across half back for the Kangaroos, is prolific in and around stoppages.

Max Gawn has shed eight kilograms in the off-season. Picture: Getty

Max Gawn (Mel) $503,700 RUC

Set and forget. Gawn is simply a must-have in SuperCoach 2018. The All-Australian ruckman battled for consistency last year — hence a discounted price — after his hamstring exploded early in the season. With a full preseason and the Dees’ expected rise up the ranks, a ripped Gawn could rival the game’s elite midfielders as the No. 1 SuperCoach scorer in the business.

Jake Stringer (Ess) $356,000 FWD

A fresh start has given Stringer renewed confidence ahead of a bumper 2018 season. The former Western Bulldog, who looked deflated, last year under immense off-field pressure, could easily bounce back to being one of the game’s best forward-midfield weapons.

Liam Ryan (WCE) $117,300 FWD

Ryan is all about maximum damage from minimum disposals. The high-flying Eagle, taken with pick no. 26 in the draft after being overlooked in 2016, booted 73 goals in 23 WAFL games last year despite only averaging 13 disposals. The 21-year-old Geraldton product runs like the wind and tackles with intent. You’ll regret not picking him.