Ranking all the mid-price options for SuperCoach 2018
RISK v reward. It’s what separates the heroes from the zeros in SuperCoach. Which mid-pricer will you punt on? We rank the best picks in every position.
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RISK v reward. It’s what separates the heroes from the zeros in SuperCoach.
Most teams will lock in Max Gawn, Nat Fyfe and Rory Laird. That’s easy. And we all want to fill our benches with the rookies with the best chance of playing games and making cash.
It’s who fills the spaces between the superstars and the kids that make all the difference — and make SuperCoach fun.
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Will you back Christian Petracca to repeat Clayton Oliver’s remarkable 2017 breakout season? Can a fallen star like Tom Liberatore return to the top? Or will a bolter that no one else rates be the secret to your team’s success?
In all the above cases we are talking about “mid-pricers” — for a long time a dreaded word in SuperCoach circles. But after the success of Oliver and players like Marc Murphy last year they are back in vogue.
With top-end picks in defence and the forward line thin on the ground, and some serious value available in the midfield, we are set to see a lot more of these players priced between $250,000 and $500,000 this year.
They are your chance to roll the dice, back your gut and set your team apart.
These picks will largely come down to personal preference but to help you at least make an informed call, we’ve put all the mid-pricers in order by position for the best value for money and best balance of risk and reward. Here are our mid-price rankings for 2018.
DEFENDERS
1. James Sicily (Haw) $452,500 DEF/MID
Emotion-charged forward who transformed into an intercept defender in the second half of last year with great effect, scoring a string of hundreds to close out the year. The worry is the gap between his good (113 in JLT1) and bad (57 in JLT2). Should be more good than bad, but could drive you nuts.
2. Shane Savage (StK) $479,700
The Saints’ main avenue out of defence thanks to his beautiful long kicking, Savage starred in the JLT Series with scores of 145 and 114. Had a hot finish to last year but also spent decent chunks of the season in the VFL. Can he maintain the rage?
3. Marley Williams (NM) $396,300
Got a stack of the footy in the JLT Series (scoring 114 against Richmond) and the Roos looked like they want to get the ball in his hands. Has played only 24 games in the past two seasons but averaged 86 when he played 20 matches in 2015. Skipper Jack Ziebell nominated him as the best SuperCoach pick at the Roos — and we know they take their SuperCoach seriously at Arden St.
4. Heath Shaw (GWS) $458,100
Long-time SuperCoach favourite fell off a cliff last year but the departure of Nathan Wilson to Fremantle and a long-term injury to Zac Williams open the door for a return to his role as the main distributor in the defensive 50. But after positive signs in the Giants’ first JLT game (113 points) he reminded many coaches why they swore to never pick him again with 62 points. Massive risk but could be a big reward. How brave are you?
5. Riley Bonner (PA) $257,300
More of an expensive rookie than a genuine mid-pricer, but you’re paying $150k more than the bottom-priced guys so you want that repaid in good scores and extra job security. Bonner seems to have a safe spot in the Port defence and is ready to break out as a creative running defender this year. The Phantom is a big fan.
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6. Jake Lloyd (Syd) $479,900
Was reliable for a score around the 100 mark last year until a mid-season concussion dented his scoring. Likely to return to similar output this year. Safe but not very exciting.
7. Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne) $316,700 DEF/MID
The former No. 3 draft pick has never had a decent run at it due to repeated concussions. If he can stay on the park he will score a lot more than the 72 he is priced at — but how much more? Was quiet in JLT1 but showed his potential with a 99 against the Saints.
8. Andrew McGrath (Ess) $388,400 DEF
No. 1 draft pick had a great first season and is set to play in the midfield this year. Posted huge numbers as a junior and could break out but second-year explosions like Clayton Oliver’s last year come along once in a blue moon. Hard to see him going backwards but you’ll most likely be looking to trade him to an elite scorer later in the year.
9. Luke Ryan (Frem) $422,300 DEF
You may remember the name from mid-last year, when he came into the Freo line-up and served as a perfect trade downgrade for SuperCoaches, averaging 77 over the last 11 rounds. An intercept specialist drafted from the VFL picked up where he left off with scores of 81 and 106 in the pre-season. You could do worse.
10. Callum Mills (Syd) $403,100
Will this finally be the year he graduates to the midfield? We’ve been waiting a while for Mills to become an elite scorer and he’s a decent shot this year, but scores of 80 and 93 in two JLT games are probably what you can expect in the home-and-away season.
11. Dane Rampe (Syd) $427,400 DEF
The No. 1 scorer of the pre-season based on a score of 148 in his only JLT game (he was rested for game two), following a three-goal blitz in AFLX. Clearly in hot form but he scored over 100 twice in 15 appearances last year with John Longmire happy to hand him low-disposal defensive roles. Third Sydney defender on this list which is not ideal.
12. Jason Johannisen (WB) $450,800
Dashing Dog has looked good in the pre-season and has gone on runs of 100-plus scoring before — only to be shut down by a hard tag. Can we be confident that won’t happen again?
13. Nick Vlastuin (Rich) $430,100
Took his game to a new level in the back end of last season with four tons in a run from Round 18 to the semi-final against Geelong. An elite intercept marker who uses the ball well, he is priced at a 78 average and could push that into the 90s. Is that enough to make him a top-six defender? It’s doubtful. Grab him in SuperCoach draft.
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14. Caleb Marchbank (Carl) $381,400
Was a successful rookie pick last year, scoring 90-plus three times in the first half of the year before a shoulder fracture derailed his season. JLT form has been very impressive but he’s a super awkward price that is normally a no-go in SuperCoach — he’s too expensive to be used to make money and would need to improve his average by 30-plus points to be a keeper.
15. Adam Saad (Ess) $399,800
Coast-to-coast goal against Richmond whets the appetite but he has averaged 78, 70 and 73 in three years at Gold Coast. Could improve that at the Bombers but enough to make him a top-line defender? Unlikely.
1 6. Paul Seedsman (Adel) $300,200 DEF/MID
A knee injury to Brodie Smith creates an opening for a running defender but it’s worth remembering Smith was one of the most frustrating scorers in SuperCoach, hitting 140 one week then hitting us with a 50 the next. Do you really want more of that?
17. Pearce Hanley (GC) $428,000 DEF/MID
Sadly out of consideration with a shoulder injury. Had promise as an underpriced DPP who has been a premium-level scorer in the past. Could come into contention mid-season.
18. Grant Birchall (Haw) $277,100
Good scorer available at a huge discount but unfortunately won’t be playing in Round 1 — or for a long time after that. Scratch him.
MIDFIELDERS
1. Tom Liberatore (WB) $434,600
He’s back. Put Libba’s 2016 season in the bin, the Bulldog looks like a different player this pre-season and has backed it up with two big JLT Series scores (99, 123). Only worry is Bevo’s liking for rotating him through the forward line — leave him in the guts where he can rack up clearances and tackles like he did in 2013-14 when he averaged 110-plus.
2. Stephen Coniglio (GWS) $452,400
Comes in just behind Libba only because he costs an extra $18k. Gun mid and former No. 2 draft pick is available at a severely discounted price after missing most of last season through injury. He averaged 106 in 2016 and based on his pre-season scores (129, 92) he’s a good chance to get back to that level. Serious players might question if that’s enough for a spot in a finished midfield.
3. David Armitage (StK) $310,100
Couldn’t back up his massive JLT1 effort against the Demons but don’t be put off. Hard-nosed ball-winner is back after his 2016 season was ruined by groin injuries. Armitage is easily capable of averaging north of 95 points a game (he averaged 110 in 2015) which will result in a huge price rise, and could become a keeper.
4. Jack Steven (StK) $498,600
Another underpriced Saint who could deliver great value. Still not really sure what happened to Steven last year when his SuperCoach average dropped from 103 to 91. Based on pre-season form — an average of 100.5 from just 62 per cent game time — he’s on target to return to form this year, which makes him a good value point of difference.
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5. Jaeger O’Meara (Haw) $315,800
Here we go again. O’Meara has been around this price for three years in a row and is always enticing because we saw his potential when he was one of the best first-year SuperCoach rookies of all time. He averaged 90 in his debut year and 98 the year after but has barely played since — and that was four years ago. Has put in a solid pre-season and should avoid bombing like he did last year but the jury is still out on whether he can get back to the heights of 2014.
6. Jack Redden (WC) $437,900
Easy to forget this guy used to be a good SuperCoach selection, averaging over 100 for three seasons as a Lion. But his scoring dropped off a cliff after he joined West Coast, delivering just three 100-plus scores in 34 games. The retirements of Matthew Priddis and Sam Mitchell creates opportunities in the guts and Redden grabbed them with both hands to score 162 in JLT1. Unfortunately, he couldn’t back it up, scoring 57 in JLT2. Hold off and trade him later if he turns into a reliable top-scorer.
7. Lachie Weller (GC) $394,300
A bit of talk about him breaking out — and clearly the Suns were big fans, parting with pick 2 in the trade period to get him from Fremantle — but we just don’t see it.
8. Luke McDonald (NM) $461,100
A move on to the ball promises higher scores but it’s hard to see him breaking into the top bracket of midfielders. Missed JLT2 for breaking the Roos’ booze ban on their community camp.
9. Ryan Griffen (GWS) $277,100
Remember this guy? Way back in 2013 he averaged 116 points a game and he has been slated for a SuperCoach-friendly role across half-back. But we haven’t seen him at all in the pre-season which is a massive red flag for an injury-prone player. Avoid.
RUCKS
1. Toby Nankervis (Rich) $488,300
Started last year like a house on fire but ran out of steam, finishing with an 88 average. That was his first year as a No. 1 ruck, hopefully he has developed a bigger tank ahead of 2018 because his high-tackling, intercept-marking game is suited very nicely for SuperCoach.
2. Nic Naitanui (WC) $465,900
A week after SuperCoach opened he was the second-most selected player only for SuperCoaches to jump off in droves as we waited for Nic Nat to return from 18 months out with a knee injury. Making a late push for Round 1 and could represent great value — he averaged 100-plus in 2015-16 — but durability is a massive concern.
3. Scott Lycett (WC) $277,100
Second or third banana at the Eagles moves up the pecking order with Naitanui and Nathan Vardy injured. Has shown before he can put up good numbers even playing alongside Nic Nat, but starting him as your second ruck is a massive risk. If he doesn’t work out — he scored 81 and 54 in the JLT — it will cost you multiple trades to get out of the hole.
4. Dawson Simpson (GWS) $290,300
Every chance to line up in Round 1 as the Giants’ No. 1 ruckman with Shane Mumford retired and Rory Lobb injured. Played two matches last year and scored OK (91, 85) but couldn’t get anywhere near that against the Swans last week (37). More worrying is what happens when Lobb returns?
FORWARDS
1. Devon Smith (Ess) $439,100
Every year we hear about players moving clubs for more midfield time — and in Smith’s case it seems the talk was real. Had to play as a forward at GWS but could be a key part of John Worsfold’s onball unit this year. And he still loves a goal.
2. Allen Christensen (BL) $267,300
Former Cat is something of a forgotten footballer after not playing since Round 11, 2016. But he’s back and fit, impressing across the pre-season and with a track record that includes three seasons averaging 85 or more. Will have some lean weeks playing up forward for a team near the bottom of the ladder but well worth it at that price, especially with a lack of forward line rookies.
3. Christian Petracca (Melb) $433,300
If you trust the stats gurus at Champion Data, he’s almost a certainty for a breakout season. Former No. 2 draft pick ticks all the boxes — fourth year in the system, full pre-season, more midfield time and explosive potential. Averaged 79 last year and that is just about certain to rise, but it will take one hell of a jump to make him a premium scorer.
4. Toby McLean (WB) $470,200
Entering his fourth season, McLean is tracking in the right direction to become a top-six scoring forward. He improved his average from 70 to 86 last year but that included a 95 average over the final eight games, including four 100-plus scores — and he has backed that up with scores of 97 and 89 in his two JLT appearances. Will get plenty of midfield minutes and gets extra points for high contact free kicks. Only query is the high number of Dogs who play that mid/forward role who will share the points around.
5. Luke Dahlhaus (WB) $498,500
Another of Bevo’s mid-forward clones. Burnt plenty of coaches last season when his average went backwards (from 96 to 91) but that means he starts at a tempting price this year. Didn’t set the world on fire in the JLT Series but wasn’t terrible either, scoring 75 and 89, and he got the sort of midfield minutes we’re looking for. Not screaming “pick me” but likely to be a solid selection.
6 . Josh Caddy (Rich) $419,600
Widely considered a SuperCoach tease after letting down coaches last year, but don’t dismiss him so easily. He carried a knee injury for much of 2017, when his average fell from 90 to 76. Looks in ripping shape and should be a no-brainer to return to his Geelong-level scoring, the question is can he push that number towards three figures. Scored 136 and 114 in his two JLT Series games, but might get less midfield minutes when best mate Dion Prestia returns from injury.
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7. Kane Lambert (Rich) $472,500
One of the biggest improvers in the competition last season when his SuperCoach average jumped from 65 to 86, Lambert would need another spike to justify selection in our sides. Looks in great shape but can’t see him being a top-eight forward.
8. Tom Bell (BL) $287,000
You can make an argument he’s a better pick than Chistensen — he plays further up the field and produced higher scores during the pre-season. But his midfield time might be cut when Dayne Beams returns to the side and his history is less convincing — his best season was 2015 when he averaged 90 points a game. The next year he played 14 matches and averaged 69. He also costs $30k more.
9. Josh Thomas (Coll) $357,400
Made his return from suspension in Round 15 last year but wasn’t on the SuperCoach radar, averaging 65 points. He grabbed out attention with a 109 in JLT1 and JLT2 (70) wasn’t bad. Should add to his five SuperCoach tons from 40 career games but that doesn’t mean we should pick him.
10. Cyril Rioli (Haw) $317,400
Has had a hugely interrupted pre-season, spending much of the summer in the Northern Territory to deal with a family health emergency. But the Hawks haven’t ruled him out of Round 1 and he could make an immediate impact. Has delivered five seasons of 90-plus averages but injuries have always been a worry.
11. Charlie Curnow (Carl) $408,100
Huge raps as the next Anthony Koutoufides and he showed us what he can do when he averaged 92 SuperCoach points from Round 14 onwards last season. But has been only luke-warm in the JLT Series. Will be a star but it might be a year too early.
12. Mason Cox (Coll) $304,800 FWD/RUCK
Shot up these rankings with a commanding four-goal 145-point performance against the Bulldogs in Moe. History says it’s a long shot with averages of 59 and 55 in the past two seasons but he’s clearly the best DPP option if you want some ruck cover by picking a cheap ruck/forward as your R3.
13. Josh Dunkley (WB) $296,900
The forgotten member of the Dogs’ never-ending mid/forward rotation. The Grand Final hero is available at a heavy discount after missing most of last season with injury. Has never posted a SuperCoach ton (he scored 99 twice in 2016) but turned in a 114 against the Hawks in JLT1. His second effort wasn’t quite to that level, managing 73 against the Pies. Should make some cash but unlikely to be a big scorer on a regular basis.
14. Rory Lobb (GWS) $396,500
Pick him as a forward and watch him rack up points playing in the ruck. The theory makes sense, the problem is he hasn’t played any pre-season matches due to injury.
15. Matt Taberner (Frem) $325,100 FWD
Where has this come from? Scored a huge 147 in JLT2 (after a 99 the week before) but we need a lot more than two pre-season games to part with a prized SuperCoach selection. Taberner has shown no previous evidence of being an elite scorer — in five seasons he has never averaged more than 66.
16. Jake Stringer (Ess) $356,000
Was a hot pick early in the pre-season with similar “midfield time” talk to new teammate Smith. The Bombers weren’t telling porkies — Stringer attended plenty of centre bounces in the JLT Series, he just struggled to get his hands on the ball. Scored 22 and 43. Yuck.
17. Brett Deledio (GWS) $339,800
It’s sad to watch the one-time SuperCoach gun battling for form. Lids has plenty of upside at that price and a possible role across half-back but you would need to see a lot more than his eight disposals (one kick) and 26 points against Sydney in JLT2 to take the plunge.
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