Richmond Tigers 2017 SuperCoach preview

IS DUSTIN Martin a must-have in the midfield? Is Josh Caddy the answer to our forward line problems? The best buys and biggest bargains at Tigerland — and who to avoid in 2017.

IS DUSTIN Martin a must-have in the midfield? Is Josh Caddy the answer to our forward line problems? Will top draft pick Shai Bolton be the X-factor the Tigers need?

There are a lot of questions at Tigerland, and the answers will determine the fate of coach Damien Hardwick — and thousands of SuperCoaches.

In the first of 18 club previews over summer, we name the best buys, biggest bargains and the players to avoid at Richmond in 2017.

TOP ROOKIES: WHO ARE THE SUPERCOACH CASH COWS?

TOP PRICE: WILL YOU SPLASH OUT ON DANGER?

HOMEWORK: WHO WILL OUR EXPERTS PICK FIRST IN 2017?

PREMIUMS

Dustin Martin $588,300 mid

Take out a slow start and finish to the 2016 season and Dusty averaged 118 over a 14-match period, joining the genuine elite of the AFL and SuperCoach. The bad news is this year he can’t be selected in the forward line. The good news is he will be a much more unique pick. About to enter his prime at age 25.

Dustin Martin had the 15th-highest average in SuperCoach in 2016.

Alex Rance $535,600 def

The sixth-highest scoring defender of 2016 (av 99) is one key-position player you can pick with confidence, thanks to his intercept marking and attacking instincts. Has played at least 20 games in five of the past six seasons.

Trent Cotchin $546,800 mid

The Tigers skipper increased his output slightly in 2016 but is yet to replicate his incredible 2012 when he averaged 116 points a game. Will a retrospective Brownlow remind him of his SuperCoach stud status? Extra help in the form of Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy will probably play a bigger role. Won’t be a terrible pick and could be a brilliant one.

Dion Prestia $508,700 mid

Prestia was on the verge of breaking into the SuperCoach elite when he was hit by injuries in 2015. He managed just 14 matches last season, averaging 94 points per outing, making him seriously underpriced for a guy who averaged 106 in his fourth season in 2014. Wins his own footy and finds plenty of it. If he’s fit going into Round 1, get on.

Bachar Houli $486,000 def

More value here after injuries wiped out half of Houli’s season. Has averaged at least 80 points a game for the past seven years and is certainly capable of repeating his 96-point average of 2015 if he gets a clear run at it. Scores most of his points from his rebound and long left boot but his defensive ability is underrated.

Jack Riewoldt $467,400 fwd

Jack ended the 2016 season injured and frustrated, barely hitting the scoreboard in the last two months of the year. He showed what he’s capable of with 161 points against the Lions in Round 14, starts next season $30,000 cheaper than he was this time last year and comes into the selection frame given the lack of options up forward with the likes of Martin, Dayne Zorko and Zach Merrett all off the list.

Dion Prestia in his new Tiger colours. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

MID-PRICE RISKS

Josh Caddy $488,600 fwd/mid

Caddy’s average dipped slightly last season (from 94 to 90) but expect a recovery and more in 2017 as he picks up more midfield time and more responsibility at Punt Rd. Strong in contested possessions and kicks goals (21 in 2016) — both big winners in the SuperCoach scoring system. And he now has DPP status. The new Dusty?

Shane Edwards $415,500 fwd/mid

Edwards had a shocker in 2016 with his average plummeting from 91 to 76 points a game. That presents potential value at his $415,000 starting price — almost $100k cheaper than last year. But can he rebound? Buyer beware.

Corey Ellis $335,800 def

The ‘other Ellis’ at Tigerland has played in fits and starts in his first two seasons as injuries interrupted his development. But if he can get his body right the time is right to showcase the strong clearance work that helped him average 108 points a game in the TAC Cup in his draft year. One to watch.

Toby Nankervis $366,400 ruck/fwd

Who will be the No. 1 ruckman at Richmond next year? Shaun Hampson played a lone hand in 2016 but will face a serious challenge from Nankervis, who arrived from Sydney in the trade period. An All-Australian at under-18 level three years ago, Nankervis showed in the NEAFL this year he can have an impact in front of goal — taking 11 marks and kicking six goals in a game against Canberra. His ruck/fwd status makes him a very interesting proposition.

SA captain Jack Graham has the body to play AFL.

The Tigers’ top draft pick was excitement machine Shai Bolton.

ROOKIES

Shai Bolton $117,300 fwd/mid

The Tigers expected Bolton to go in the first 18 picks on draft night so that makes him a bit of a slider at pick 29 — and a potential SuperCoach steal. Doesn’t have much meat on his bones yet but he has explosive pace and X-factor around goal. Could break through for early games.

Jack Graham $117,300 mid

The Larke medallist (for best player at the under-18 national championships) is a hardworking midfielder who looks like he’s been in the system for a few years already. Has a big tank and doesn’t shirk a contest and should be ready to go from Round 1.

NO-GO ZONE

Ivan Maric $282,900 ruck

That price seems insane for a player who averaged 113 points a game in 2012, and over 90 for the next three years before falling off a cliff. But Maric played just three matches last year as the Tigers preferred Hampson as a solo ruck — and now Nankervis might have gone past him as well. We love Ivvy but when he did play in 2015, he struggled (av 52).

Reece Conca $315,600 mid

Some were sucked in by Conca’s starting price last year of $284,100 and he did little to justify their faith, scoring 92 in his first appearance for the season in Round 12 but failing to top 64 in his five other matches. Has now been in the system for six years. A breakout could happen but we aren’t holding our breath.

Steven Morris $292,400 def

Players coming off major knee surgery are usually worth a sniff in light of their price discount but Morris is not one to include in that category. He goes hard but has never been SuperCoach relevant and is yet to crack the 100-point barrier in 86 games.

Mabior Chol $123,900 def/fwd

One thing that makes SuperCoaches pull their hair out is when a rookie makes his debut in the final round of the season, causing a price spike that rules him out as a bench option the following year. The way around that is to score just 10 points in that game, which is what Chol did against the Swans in Round 23. May add some games this year, but still very much a work in progress.

Ivan Maric has cut off his mullet. Will he regain his SuperCoach scoring powers? Picture: Wayne Ludbey

TEAM PREVIEW

Richmond was one of the major disappointments of 2016, tumbling from fifth in 2015 (15 wins) to 13th with just eight wins. The core of the list remains strong and although gun Brett Deledio has joined GWS the addition of Prestia and Caddy should more than cover his limited output last season. Expect the Tigers to be back in the finals mix, which is good news for their SuperCoach prospects.