North Melbourne SuperCoach profile: best premium picks, mid-price risks and cash cows

North Melbourne big man Todd Goldstein could be the premium ruckman you’ve been looking for in 2019. We look at the key SuperCoach Kangaroos including the best mid-price risks and cash cows.

Todd Goldstein could be the premium ruckman you’ve been looking for if the Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn duopoly is out of your price range.

However, Goldy’s not alone in being an intriguing SuperCoach pick at Arden Street with Aaron Hall a tempting mid-price risk and Tarryn Thomas a talented draft pick.

We’ve analysed the Kangaroos SuperCoach premium picks, biggest mid-price risks and top cash cows ahead of the new season. How many will you be picking?

UNIQUE: SUPERCOACH STARS NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT

REVEAL: BEN HIGGINS’ SUPERCOACH TEAM

STRATEGY: SPLASH THE CASH OR RUCKS ON A BUDGET

PREMIUMS

Shaun Higgins ($560,200, Mid)

Had a career-best year in 2018, averaging over 100 (103) for the first time in 13 seasons at the top level. Was very consistent, scoring between 80-125 in 16 matches. But in SuperCoach the idea is to buy low and sell high, so is it a smart move to buy him at the top of his price?

Todd Goldstein and Shaun Higgins at North Melbourne training. Picture: Michael Klein

Todd Goldstein ($548,000, Ruck)

After a rocky start Goldy delivered the form his buyers were looking for last season, lifting his average by six points from the year before. The problem is he falls in the ruck no-man’s land between, if you don’t start with Grundy and Gawn the temptation will be to pick one of them and a much cheaper option.

MID-PRICE RISKS

Aaron Hall ($389,200, Mid)

Defines the phrase “mid-price risk”. The upside is represented by Hall’s first four games in 2016 when he burst out of the blocks with scores of 128, 124, 134 and 114. He couldn’t maintain that pace but a season average of 96 - and 92 the next year - would more than deliver on this year’s starting price.

Jasper Pittard ($365,700, Def)

Another SuperCoach wasted talent … so far. Was firmly in selection consideration after a 92 average in 2016 but fell out of favour at Port Adelaide and joined the trade influx at North. Priced at a 67 average and he’s surely better than that.

ROOKIES

Tarryn Thomas ($175,800, Mid)

Hugely talented Tasmanian brings x-factor to the Roos and fans will love the way he plays. But will that translate to SuperCoach? Can play forward, midfield or down back and has excellent goal sense. Watch his JLT Series closely.

Tarryn Thomas in action for the Allies during the under-18 championships.

Tom Wilkinson ($102,400, Fwd)

Possibly the lowest-profile mature-age recruit of the off-season, but the small forward could be a great addition to your forward bench. Wilkinson won the Sandringham best-and-fairest in the VFL then moved to the Southport Sharks, where he rated elite last year for goals, accuracy, forward 50m tackles, marks, score assists and contested marks. And check out that price!

Luke Davies-Uniacke ($197,500, Mid)

High draft pick was a popular pick last year but couldn’t back it up. Should be much better in season two but will have to dominate the JLT Series to justify selection at that price.

NO-GO ZONE

Paul Ahern ($375,100, Mid)

Put him in the basket of “great pick last year, this year not so much”. Could be a great find for the Kangas but not in SuperCoach consideration in 2019.

Marley Williams ($340,500, Def)

A few were tempted last year, don’t make the same mistake. They won’t after his output dropped by almost 10 points a game in his second season at North Melbourne.

Jack Ziebell is available as a forward in 2019.

DRAFT SMOKIES

Jack Ziebell (Forward)

Has never reached SuperCoach premium status but has classification as a forward this year makes him an interesting proposition. Has averaged 80-plus every year since 2012.

Dom Tyson (Midfield)

Solid ball-winner who arrived in the trade period after falling out of Melbourne’s best 22. Won’t post big scores but good for 80-plus every week if he gets a game.

Jamie Macmillan (Defence)

Scored between 70-90 most weeks last year with a couple of extreme outliers - a 36 in Round 6 and 134 in Round 8.

Jared Polec (Midfield)

Hard to see him improving on last year’s career year which means he isn’t good value in SuperCoach classic, but that’s not so much of a concern in this format.