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Jon Ralph and Gilbert Gardiner unveil their SuperCoach teams for 2018

VOTE: GILBERT Gardiner likes to think he’s the Herald Sun office’s SuperCoach king. Jon Ralph admits he’s anything but. Both SuperFooty reporters have revealed their teams for 2018. Whose is better? You be the judge.

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GILBERT Gardiner likes to think he’s the Herald Sun office’s SuperCoach king. Jon Ralph admits he’s anything but.

Both SuperFooty reporters love the game and have revealed their teams for SuperCoach 2018.

Check out their teams and read how they decided on their selections below.

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Gilbert Gardiner and Jon Ralph unveil their 2018 SuperCoach teams.
Gilbert Gardiner and Jon Ralph unveil their 2018 SuperCoach teams.

JON RALPH: Gilbert, I can’t think of many things I would ask you for advice about, but this is one. Give us the brag sheet about your amazing performance last year.

GILBERT GARDINER: I did pull the right rein a few times. I faded at the line after being top 200 early on but finished about 2000th overall which was in the top 7 per cent. But there is still plenty of room for improvement.

JR: OK, so given my ranking was about 250,000 below you, I defer to the champion. Give us your top three non-negotiable rules for SuperCoach domination.

GG: Be prepared to take a risk, don’t be afraid to leave someone out and trust proven performances.

JR: OK, lets cut to the chase. You don’t have Dangerfield in your team. I don’t either in my first crack at it but probably by Round 1 I will have made room. Please explain?

GG: In a nutshell I want to see how the Ablett-Dangerfield-Selwood trio goes before I invest so much cash in him.

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JR: So you are telling me that a bloke who kicked 45 goals and had 718 touches last year might not be worth it? Brave indeed. I agree about taking a risk on an improver, but I can’t have injury-prone players. It’s why I won’t play Gaz despite his amazing average. Now I see you have injury-prone players in Allen Christensen, Daniel Wells, Cyril Rioli and Patrick Cripps. Surely they won’t make it by Round 1?

GG: I have full confidence in Wells, Cripps and Christensen, but Cyril is on the watch list. I want to see something before Round 1 for him to cement his spot. Pot and kettle, you have put Fyfe in, who has played only 26 games in the past two years.

JR: Anyone who saw him closing at warp speed on the competition’s elite in the last six weeks of the season couldn’t leave him out. The rucks are interesting. Max Gawn might end up the most popular player in the comp, and Brodie Grundy did nothing to disappointment as one of my starting rucks last year. A watch on Nic Nat — he is only $465,900.

Can Gil maintain his SuperCoach credentials. Picture: Stuart Milligan
Can Gil maintain his SuperCoach credentials. Picture: Stuart Milligan
Or will Ralphy dominate in 2018?
Or will Ralphy dominate in 2018?

GG: He is dirt cheap, but I think everyone will be watching his pre-season. It’s why you select a team early then watch the JLT games with interest. What about Sam Murray, the kid Collingwood fell in love? A good cash cow but you have got him as a starting defender?

JR: You don’t do a trade that involves a second-round pick if you don’t have a specified role for a kid like him. Ben Sinclair has retired, Brayden Maynard will play midfield.

You have spent top dollar on rookies Cam Rayner and Luke Davies-Uniacke. Worth the price?

GG: They are the only babies in my side, but at around $200,000 each, they are guaranteed spots in their improving side. Apart from that, its more mature recruits like state-league recruits Liam Ryan and Sam Switkowski who are better bang for buck.

JR: OK, so we both reserve the right to change our sides. And let’s make one promise to each other. We don’t show our sides to either Mark Robinson or Jay Clark before Round 1.

GG: Done deal and good luck.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/supercoach-news/jon-ralph-and-gilbert-gardiner-unveil-their-supercoach-teams-for-2018/news-story/8a3651f4e1687fae33743b7ba556fc40