Nic Naitanui, Cam O’Shea among early bargains available in SuperCoach next year

JAEGER O’Meara was a divisive figure in SuperCoach 2017 and he’s even cheaper in 2018 but do we risk it? Who else should we snap up from the bargain bin? We’ve got you covered.

Hawthorn training at Waverly. Jaeger O'Meara . Pic: Michael Klein

JAEGER O’Meara was possibly the most divisive pre-season decision in SuperCoach 2017.

After starting at $318k this year he burned plenty ... next year, he’s even cheaper!

Not by much but O’Meara will again be one of the hot topics heading into the new season especially if he makes it through the entire pre-season unscathed.

In six games, the midfielder averaged 63 but posted a high score of 91 in the final game of the year against the Western Bulldogs.

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Do we take the risk for what could be a $50,000 reward?

The release of next year’s prices in the 2018 team picker — available now for SuperCoach Gold subscribers — has sent thousands of fantasy players scouring through price lists looking for players available at a discount price.

We’ve done the work for you and found 10 players who could provide amazing value for your SuperCoach team next year.

NEW PODCAST: SUPERCOACH EXPERTS DISSECT THE 2018 PRICES.

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Jaeger O'Meara has a laugh at Hawthorn pre-season training.

NIC NAITANUI $465,900 ruck

Nic Nat was trying to make himself available for last year’s finals if the Eagles went deep into September and while that was always a long shot, he should be cherry ripe for Round 1 next year after missing the whole 2017 season with a knee injury.

His price is even further discounted after injury wrecked the back half of his 2016 campaign as well. That’s a bit of a red flag but with a proven scoring history — he averaged 106 points in the 15 games he played in 2016 and 104 over 20 games in 2015 — the Eagles cult hero is a December lock.

PATRICK CRIPPS $537,300 mid

The contested ball beast was pencilled into plenty of midfields this time last year after averaging 128 over the final seven rounds of 2016. Then he missed most of the pre-season, returned underdone and copped a broken leg in Round 16.

It’s safe to say Cripps is happy to put 2017 behind him and is already turning heads on the training track.

Not the cheapest player in the game but expect him to score well above the 97 he’s been priced at. One thing’s for certain — he will be in The Phantom’s team.

🔒#SuperCoach https://t.co/OKwk2sl44g

— The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC) December 6, 2017

CAM O’SHEA $166,000 def

Still at Carlton, the former Port Adelaide defender’s AFL lifeline in the pre-season draft is a huge gift to SuperCoach players.

Mature-age players who slot straight into an AFL side are traditionally the most reliable cash cows (think Nic Newman last year) and there is an opening in the Blues’ backline for 25-year-old O’Shea after a season-ending knee injury to Sam Docherty.

He wasn’t exactly a scoring machine in his 81 games for Port, but should be a reliable bench option.

GRANT BIRCHALL $277,100 def

Remember this guy? One of the Hawks’ most reliable players — he missed just four games from 2014-16 — couldn’t catch a break in 2017, copping a fractured jaw and a knee injury which restricted him to just five games.

He’s back in training and ready to return to his regular output in the 85-95 range — which we’ll take for that price any day of the week.

Grant Birchall could be a SuperCoach bargain in 2018. Picture: Chris Kidd

CYRIL RIOLI $317,400 fwd

A higher scoring ceiling than Birchall but a bigger risk, Cyril’s injury problems resurfaced when he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Brisbane in May.

A premium forward in the past, Rioli will be very tempting if he looks hot during the pre-season especially given the shortage of obvious picks in attack next year.

Rioli is currently on compassionate leave after his father suffered a heart attack.

STEPHEN CONIGLIO (GWS) $452,400 mid

Another player who’s 2017 season was ruined by injury, resulting in a big price cut.

Coniglio played just seven matches this year and his scores weren’t terrible, averaging 91 off very limited preparation. But it’s his 2016 numbers — when he averaged 106 in a breakout season — that get SuperCoach players really excited.

HARLEY BENNELL (Frem) $254,800 fwd

What’s that saying about risk and reward? Bennell has warning bells all over him but you can’t escape the fact he has premium scoring potential — averaging 90-plus from 2012-15 including 102 in 2015 — and is available for less than what we paid for David Swallow last year.

Bennell returned from the wilderness to play the final two rounds of the 2017 season and we’ll be watching him very closely over summer. Picking him in the forward line eases the risk a bit.

Can Harley Bennell return to his best next season?

Geelong’s mature-age recruit Tim Kelly. Picture: Alison Wynd

TIM KELLY (Geel) $117,300 mid

Our pick of the new draftees. The 23-year-old has a spot on the half-forward flank earmarked after being plucked from WA at pick 24. Steven Motlop’s departure has created a vacancy and the Cats are in the window and don’t mind a ready-made recruit.

Early tip to be the Tom Stewart or Tom Ruggles of 2018.

DOM BARRY (Port) 117,300 mid

Speaking of mature-age recruits, Port Adelaide pulled a surprise when they called out Barry’s name at pick 61 on draft night.

In case you’ve forgotten (and we wouldn’t blame you), Barry played five games for Melbourne before being delisted at the end of 2014.

He dominated for Glenelg in the SANFL this year and now has another chance, but the question is can the 23-year-old demand a spot in Port’s best 22? We’re still burnt from Brett Eddy last year.

Having said that, if there’s one area the Power could use more depth it’s the midfield — Jack Trengove ($162,700) also fits this category. Two more for the pre-season watchlist.

JAEGER O’MEARA (Haw) $315,800 mid

We’ve been through this before.

You know the deal. If he can get a clear run at it, this guy can play — and score big in SuperCoach. But can we trust his body?

It will be a brave player who takes the punt.