AFL Supercoach: Newcomer David Nawaratne reveals the pitfalls of picking a team for the first time

David Nawaratne couldn’t believe how many statistics were available as he started building his first SuperCoach team. Here’s his tips on how to earn bragging rights against your mates as a first-year player — including picking Patrick Cripps.

Like many SuperCoaches, I joined for the first time this year to play against my mates and for the social experience the game offers.

I love football and have been a loyal Essendon supporter for many years.

I entered my SuperCoach team with no ambition of finishing high up the rankings or featuring in the prizes, although some bragging rights against my friends were paramount.

As I set about building my side, I took the time to research some of the statistics involved.

As a newcomer, I was initially overwhelmed with the wealth of information available through the SuperCoach app on each player and their scoring history.

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I picked some of the players my friends recommended such as Patrick Dangerfield and Patrick Cripps, then others who had been highlighted in preview articles including Brodie Grundy and Dustin Martin.

I then locked in a few Essendon players, which I saw as a must, starting with Bombers skipper Dyson Heppell and Joe Daniher.

Essendon captain Dyson Heppell was one of the first players picked in David’s team. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

David could be laughing once Joe Daniher returns from injury. Picture: AAP Image/Stefan Postles.

My mates couldn’t believe it when I then used autofill to pick the remainder of my team.

I know veteran SuperCoaches will cringe at that thought, but I found it very useful as a new player to allow the computer to do the heavy lifting so I can concentrate on learning the game.

My team has been a slow burn and has evolved in the opening three rounds through a few early trades.

I needed to repair my defence cheaply and efficiently so I traded out Collingwood’s No. 15 draftee Isaac Quaynor for Hawthorn defender Jack Scrimshaw when he was selected in Round 1.

Geelong’s rookie ruckman Blake Schlensog wasn’t helping in the forward line, so I traded him for West Coast’s flyer Jack Petruccelle.

Even though I am competing against them, my friends have been really supportive and have tried to help me build a solid and competitive team.

I’m having a blast and learning plenty about footy in the process.

Tom Liberatore has been an inspired starting pick in David’s first SuperCoach team. Picture: Michael Klein.

DAVID’S TOP TIPS FOR NEW PLAYERS

— Have a good bunch of friends that will support you and help you get off your feet.

— Watch the football every week and read Superfooty’s reports on games to familiarise yourself with the premium players.

— Do not splurge on all the top-line players. Use your money wisely and have a range of good players across all positions

BEST STARTING PLAYERS

— Patrick Cripps and Patrick Dangerfield have been prolific this year in midfield. While they were expensive, all signs suggest they will be top scorers.

— My most notable players from Round 3 were included Lachie Neale, Connor Rozee and Tom Liberatore.

— Try to have a few players from your favourite team. It may not be tactical decision, but if you are a casual player like me then it will be very rewarding when your AFL team succeeds.

Patrick Cripps was a lock in David’s SuperCoach side thanks to advice from his friends. Picture: Sarah Matray.

REGRETS

— I chose Dustin Martin thinking his could recapture his 2017 Brownlow Medal form, but to date he has been disappointing. Hopefully, he can turn his form around and still have a successful season when he returns from suspension.

— I splurged on expensive midfielders and had cheap, below-average backmen and forwards. It was a lesson learned the hard way, and one I will be trying to fix for the remainder of the season.