How many Richmond players should be in your Round 1 SuperCoach line-up?

DUSTIN Martin’s scoring power seems limitless but there are more great SuperCoach picks at Richmond this year than just the Brownlow medallist. Who is the biggest bargain?

IT’S NO surprise the 2017 premier offers lots of SuperCoach scoring potential in 2018.

The Tigers’ top end is as good as any team, led by superstar Dustin Martin. But there are also some hidden gems and potential bargains at Punt Rd we need to be aware of.

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Here’s our take on Richmond’s best buys, best value and the players to avoid at Tigerland in 2018.

PREMIUMS

DUSTIN MARTIN $656,000 MID

Hard to believe now that Dusty only became a must-have in SuperCoach in the second half of last season.

His price dipped to $510,000 in Round 9 but from there he scored under 100 only once in the final 13 home-and-away games, averaging 126 over that time. His finals were pretty handy too with scores of 150, 114 and 158.

He’s the second-most expensive player available this year but he’s also untaggable and a great captain option. A fun player to have in your side, too.

FOR AND AGAINST: SHOULD WE START WITH DUSTY?

Can Dustin Martin go to another level in 2018? Picture: Michael Klein

Dion Prestia battled injuries for much of last year. Picture: Michael Klein

ALEX RANCE $492,300 DEF

Key-position defenders are generally a no-no but if you were going to pick one, it would be the All-Australian captain.

Scored over 100 eight times last year and is generally safe for 80-plus most weeks. Could offer potential value priced at a 90 average considering he averaged 99 in 2016. But, like most defenders, there is always the danger he will get a purely defensive role and score terribly even if he performs his role.

BRANDON ELLIS $502,500 DEF

Could be a nice point of difference after being classified as a pure defender this year.

Averaged 91 in a return to form last season after being moved to the backline by Damien Hardwick, including 10 scores of 90 or more in the last 13 rounds. He averaged 97 in 2014 and 100 in 2015 so it wasn’t a fluke.

MID-PRICE RISKS

DION PRESTIA $465,000 MID

Had a stinker of a season in 2017 until he hit his straps a month out from September.

Scored 124, 126, 102 and 90 in the last four home-and-away games — then 130, 89 and 114 in his three finals.

That was a reminder of his form at Gold Coast in 2014-15 when he averaged over 100 SuperCoach points before being struck down by injury.

Below-par scores for most of the season mean he still only averaged 83 for the year which results in the bargain price tag. Says he has enjoyed his first full pre-season in a while. Strongly consider.

JACK GRAHAM $268,800 MID

Playing the final two home-and-away rounds last year robs us of a rolled gold rookie option, but it could be a mistake to put a line through the Tigers’ Grand Final hero altogether because of his starting price.

Graham missed most of his first season with an ankle injury and still averaged 82 in his five games including a 108 on Grand Final day for his 16-disposal, three-goal effort.

Graham will be a fixture in the Tigers’ midfield from Round 1 this year, averaged 117 in the under-18 championships in his draft year and laid 35 tackles in five matches which means he’s always in the action.

Think of him as an expensive rookie who compensates for the higher price tag with much better job security.

ROOKIES

JACK HIGGINS $130,800 FWD/MID

Richmond’s top pick in the draft will find it tough to break into a premiership team, but there could be an opening with Dan Rioli (broken foot) set for a delayed start to 2018.

Higgins is the most AFL-ready of the Tigers’ draft crop and his quad muscles are already big enough to strike fear into opponents.

An undersized midfielder who turned into a gun TAC Cup goalkicker, he broke Tom Rockliff’s record by averaging 145 SuperCoach points across his junior career and will be desperate to prove his deserves a Round 1 spot.

With dual-position status, we hope he does.

Can Jack Higgins break into Richmond’s best 22?

TIGERS’ BEST 22

B: N.Vlastuin, A.Rance, D.Grimes

HB: B.Houli, D.Astbury, B.Ellis

C: K.McIntosh, T.Cotchin, S.Grigg

HF: K.Lambert, J.Townsend, S.Edwards

F: J.Caddy, J. Riewoldt, D.Butler

Foll: T.Nankervis, D.Martin, D.Prestia

I/C: J.Graham, J.Castagna, S.Bolton, J.Higgins

There will be two forced changes to the Grand Final 22 after Nathan Broad’s club suspension and Daniel Rioli’s ankle injury, which open the door for Shai Bolton and draftee Jack Higgins. Oleg Markov, Connor Menadue, Corey Ellis, Sam Lloyd and Reece Conca will all be pushing their cases in pre-season matches.