Experts answer the biggest SuperCoach questions heading into the 2018 season
WHO should partner Max Gawn in the ruck? How many rookies do you have on the field? Who is your biggest bolter? We put the SuperCoach experts under the griller as the first lockout of the 2018 season nears.
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AS THE first lockout of the 2018 SuperCoach season nears, there are some big questions weighing on the minds of players around the nation.
Who should partner Max Gawn in the ruck? How many rookies do you have on the field? Who is your biggest bolter?
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We surveyed our experts to put their SuperCoach reputations on the line as the clock ticks.
AL PATON
1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Nat Fyfe hasn’t moved since day one. I expect him to challenge Dangerfield and Dusty as this year’s top-scorer and he’s under $600k.
2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Toby McLean. Really like how his career is tracking as a mid-forward.
3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
Just one - Bayley Fritsch. All the others are too risky this year.
4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Can I get back to you on this? At the moment Toby Nankervis ... but that could become Todd Goldstein or even Matthew Kreuzer before lockout.
5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
See above. I’ve also got two expensive rookies in the midfield, that could become one if a good cheap option presents itself when teams are announced (which would free up cash for Kreuzer). Also, if Dangerfield is named some late scrambling will be required!
6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Tom Rockliff. Have had him in at various stages, including a couple of days ago, but he is just too big a big risk with a poor injury history and no pre-season games. Don’t be surprised if he starts punching out 130s.
7. Who is your D4 (fourth-picked defender), M6 and F5?
D4 is Riley Bonner, M6 is Andrew Brayshaw, F5 is Allen Christensen.
GILBERT GARDINER
1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Josh Kelly by the length of the Randwick straight. Locked and loaded for the next nine years.
2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Todd Goldstein. Will rival Max Gawn as the No.1 ruckman in the game.
3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
One. Bayley Fritsch but subject to change. Gone a tad mid-priced cray cray so could still do some surgery.
4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Refer Q2.
5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
Tom Liberatore has been in and out of my side for the best part of six weeks, far from secure with Jaeger O’Meara looming large. Depending on selection could also go super cash cow and bank the $300k.
6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Dayne Zorko. He gets a look in every year but just can’t bring myself to do doing it despite the Lions stud being a lock for 115-plus+ average.
7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
Aaron Naughton, Liberatore and Allen Christensen - I like to live dangerously.
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DAN BEGALA
1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
The Herald Sun’s finest, Max Gawn. I’ve had him locked and loaded since SuperCoach 2018 opened.
2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
I’m still in the final throes of deciding, but potentially one of Toby McLean, Kane Lambert or Sam Menegola.
3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
I’m concerned with the quality of the forward rookies, so I’ve stacked my side with premiums and will potentially only field Bayley Fritsch at F6.
4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
I’ve narrowed it down to one of Sam Jacobs, Todd Golstein or Stefan Martin. I will only be compelled by the latter two if their partners in crime (Braydon Preuss and Archie Smith, respectively) are not included in their Round 1 squads.
5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
Devon Smith’s sitting at F5, but should some of the less-fancied rookies be named, I will be disposing of Smith and redeploying the cash in my midfield (M6).
6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
The Bont was in, but now he’s (currently) out. With team selection and plenty of water to flow under the bridge, I’m not counting him out just yet as he’s a fan favourite at The Begala Brigade.
7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
D4: Aaron Naughton, M6: Andrew Brayshaw; D5: Devon Smith. I’ve got greater confidence in the rookies across the midfield and defensive lines, so I’ve loaded up accordingly.
THE PHANTOM
1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Gawn and Fyfe aside, Patrick Cripps was the first picked.
2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Todd Goldstein (in 4.6 per cent of teams).
3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
One.
4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Todd Goldstein.
5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
I’m set on all of the premiums and mid-pricers, it’s just the rookies who may change and Lachie Murphy is at the top of the list. Not sure I can go in without Aaron Naughton.
6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Jack Sinclair and Taylor Adams.
7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
Riley Bonner, Andrew Brayshaw, Allen Christensen.
KATE SALEMME
1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Tom Mitchell. This guy brings his own footy to every game he plays. Expect him to start with a bang against the Pies after 50 and 35 disposals against them in the two games last year.
2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
He was a little disappointing last year but I’m backing Adam Treloar to have a big season for Collingwood. He’s in just 5 per cent of teams.
3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
Just one rookie on the field up forward, Demon Bayley Fritsch.
4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Big Lion Stefan Martin ... at this stage.
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5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
I’ve still got Cam O’Shea on my bench. He has to go for a rookie named tonight.
6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Cyril Rioli is so cheap at just over $300,000 and averaged more than 90 points from 2014-16 but will he play Round 1? Does he need a match or two in the VFL first? Will his body stand up? I love Cyril but a few too many question marks heading into 2018.
7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
D4 is Tom Doedee, M6 is David Armitage and F5 Allen Christensen.
TIM MICHELL
1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Rory Laird is one of the few players who hasn’t moved since my first side. I’ve been pretty hot on James Sicily too.
2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
His ownership has risen to a touch above 4 per cent but I’ve had Kane Lambert locked in at F2 for a while now. I prefer him and Michael Walters as my top-two forwards. Most coaches have Isaac Heeney or Jack Billings, who I think will be available cheaper than their starting prices.
3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
Two. Daniel Venables and Bailey Fritsch. But I’ll be starting Paul Ahern if he’s named in place of Venables.
4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Toby Nankervis. He’ll be better for a season as No.1 ruck at the Tigers and is underpriced compared to others. I’ll be aiming to upgrade to Patrick Ryder post-Round 10.
5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
Jack Graham. I’m very keen on the hard-tackling Tiger but weighing up whether to spend $70,000 more than I would to pick Andrew Brayshaw.
6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Tom Mitchell. As consistent as they come and has an ideal bye structure, but with Patrick Dangerfield and Matt Crouch I couldn’t find the coin for him.
7. Who is your D4 (fourth-picked defender), M6 and F5?
Ciaran Byrne, Stephen Coniglio and Dan Venables.
PAUL DUNN
1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Rory Laird was easily first picked once Sam Docherty went down. He will be the top scorer of the season in defence. Max Gawn is a close second.
2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Shane Savage is my point of difference, apart from rookies. Other than that my second ruck, Jacobs may end up being a POD with a lot of people going for Todd Goldstein and Stefan Martin.
3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
One. Bayley Fritsch is the only one that I trust up forward at the moment. Allen Christensen may be cheap but not really a rookie. The forward rookies are just a bit thin this year.
4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Sam Jacobs. Set and forget with no second ruckman risk. I like Goldy and Stef, but it is their teammates (Braydon Preuss and Archie Smith) that worry me the most. If they play that will hurt their scoring.
5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
David Armitage and Shane Savage are the two that are at most risk. Either of those will be downgraded if I need to shuffle and find some cash.
6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Patrick Dangerfield. Was in my team until that hammy went twang. I would love to have him in there but just can’t bring myself to do it.
7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
Naughton, Armitage and Christensen. However, Armitage is a chance to drop out if I need some cash.
ANTHONY HACK
1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Nat Fyfe, never in question for my team.
2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Todd Goldstein has the lowest ownership.
3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
One.
4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Todd Goldstein.
5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
David Armitage.
6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Tom Rockliff.
7. Who is your D4 (fourth-picked defender), M6 and F5?
Aaron Naughton, David Armitage, Allen Christensen.
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