Patrick Dangerfield, Will Setterfield, Patrick Cripps top SuperCoach pre-season popularity
It’s no surprise to see Patrick Dangerfield in the number one spot, but a new Blue is hot on his heels, while Dustin Martin has fallen down the pecking order.
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It should come as no surprise that Patrick Dangerfield is the most popular SuperCoach pick as we prepare for the pre-season JLT Series.
However, after that there are a few surprises, starting with two-gamer Will Setterfield second with 57 per cent ownership.
The new Blue is just $144k and looms as an almost certain Round 1 starter is he’s fully recovered from the knee reconstruction he underwent last year.
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Brodie Grundy was the No.1 overall scorer last year and comes it at No.4 in the popular vote, while Rory Laird (No.6 overall) is the most popular defender.
Despite being $100,000 cheaper in 2019, SuperCoaches are wary of Dustin Martin with the Richmond ace just the 13th most popular pick with 33.8 per cent ownership.
One name not on this list is Michael Gibbons, the newly-minted Blue was only added to SuperCoach on Monday after earned a rookie contract, so expect him to rise sharply.
1. Patrick Dangerfield ($660,500, Mid-Fwd)
Ownership: 66.3%
Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Dangerfield’s ownership could be as high as 75-80 per cent come Round 1 given his dual position Mid-Fwd eligibility. Based on last year’s scoring, Dangerfield is 15 points per game better than the next best forward.
2. Will Setterfield ($144,900 Mid-Fwd)
Ownership: 57.0%
The new Blue is coming off a knee reconstruction but is expected to debut for Carlton in Round 1. He only played two AFL games in his time at GWS, so he’s a bit an unknown but at just $144k and with DPP status, he’s a safe pick.
3. Patrick Cripps ($648,200, Mid)
Ownership: 46.9%
In 2018 Cripps finally proved what we all suspected … he’s a SuperCoach jet. The Blues bull took his average from 97 to 119 last year and played all 22 games. Big things are once again expected and his pre-season ownership reflects his potential.
4. Brodie Grundy ($708,200, Ruck)
Ownership: 44.4%
The No.1 overall SuperCoach scorer in 2018 and the most expensive player in 2019. However, SuperCoaches aren’t shy when it comes to splashing the cash and there’s no reason Grundy can’t repeat his heroics from last year. In fact, new ruck rules might help him.
5. Sam Walsh ($207,300, Mid)
Ownership: 41.1%
Top-priced rookies are usually SuperCoach kryptonite but Carlton’s No.1 draft pick enters the AFL with huge expectations and will walk straight into the Blues Round 1 midfield. Walsh’s popularity could drop as cheaper options emerge but he’s a safe pick despite the price tag.
6. Rory Laird ($587,600, Def)
Ownership: 39.7%
Metronomic in his SuperCoach scoring, Laird has averaged 90-plus every year since 2015. Importantly, the Crow has improved every year and finishing 2018 with an average of 108. The AFL’s new kick-in rules could actually see him bump up that average again in 2019.
7. Isaac Heeney ($529,200, Fwd)
Ownership: 39.1%
The second forward in the top-10 after averaging 97 in back-to-back seasons. Dan Hannebery’s departure and his own development should see Heeney see more midfield minutes in 2019 and provides far more value than any forward other than Danger.
8. Brett Bewley ($117,300, Mid)
Ownership: 39.0%
The Williamstown star moves across the country and given Fremantle’s lack of midfield depth should walk into the Round 1 team. We’ll watch his JLT Series with interest to see his role and scoring potential but at this stage, he’s a SuperCoach starter.
9. Ben Cavarra ($117,300, Fwd)
Ownership: 38.0%
As cheap as the come and given Luke Beveridge’s love of mature-age recruits looks a lock to debut in Round 1. After a successful VFL career as a midfielder, Cavarra developed into a star small forward. An easy bench pick but could even be a starting 22 option.
10. Nat Fyfe ($618,100, Mid)
Ownership: 36.2%
The Fremantle superstar is a SuperCoach phenom but can be a little injury-prone. However, SuperCoaches haven’t been deterred with Fyfe sneaking into the top-10 most popular. If he stays healthy, he’ll be the No.1 overall scoring come Round 23.
11. Nick Hind ($117,300, Mid)
Ownership: 34.6%
12. Max Gawn ($692,100, Ruck)
Ownership: 33.9%
13. Dustin Martin ($563,800, Mid)
Ownership: 33.8%
14. Lachie Whitfield ($542,100, Def)
Ownership: 32.5%
15. Harrison Wigg ($102,400, Def)
Ownership: 32.3%
16. Jake Lloyd ($608,200, Def)
Ownership: 30.0%
17. Connor Rozee ($189,300, Def-Fwd)
Ownership: 27.5%
18. Isaac Quaynor ($153,300, Def)
Ownership: 27.4%
19. Darcy Fort ($117,300, Ruck)
Ownership: 27.3%
20. Izak Rankine ($198,300, Fwd)
Ownership: 26.6%
21. Sam Collins ($188,900, Def)
Ownership: 26.3%
22. Anthony Miles ($342,000, Mid)
Ownership: 25.9%
23. Liam Stocker ($126,300, Mid)
Ownership: 25.4%
24. Marty Hore ($117,300, Def)
Ownership: 25.3%
25. Chris Burgess ($123,900, Def-Fwd)
Ownership: 24.6%
26. Josh Kelly ($617,800, Mid)
Ownership: 24.6%
27. Zac Williams ($407,800, Def)
Ownership: 24.4%
28. Devon Smith ($531,300, Mid-Fwd)
Ownership: 23.9%
29. Tom Liberatore ($300,400, Mid)
Ownership: 22.1%
30. Jack Macrae ($689,700, Mid)
Ownership: 21.5%
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