Sam Edmund’s SuperCoach notes from Carlton’s JLT Series win against Essendon

No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh wasn’t the only Carlton player who might have played his way into thousands of SuperCoach teams last night. Here are 10 Blues and Bombers you need to know.

No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh wowed fans and he wasn’t the only Carlton player who might have played his way into thousands of SuperCoach teams last night.

Walsh looked like a 100-gamer as he coolly collected 28 disposals at 75 per cent efficiency as the Blues held off a fast-finishing Essendon to post a morale-boosting pre-season win.

He is a certainty to line up in the centre square against Richmond in Round 1 and he could be joined by some other SuperCoach studs, while a backline recruit is also staking his claim for selection.

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Essendon, meanwhile, posed more questions than answers in the JLT Series opener.

Herald Sun reporter Sam Edmund was at Ikon Park and put five players from each side under the SuperCoach microscope.

CARLTON

NIC NEWMAN ($394,100) — 97 POINTS

Was going to slot into Carlton’s defence before Sam Docherty went down with another knee injury.

But Docherty’s absence will only make the former Swan more relevant.

How good was he against Essendon? Churned out 97 points from 20 possessions, eight marks and four tackles.

Awkwardly priced, but has job security, uses it well and with Kade Simpson, will be the chief distributor.

SAM WALSH ($207,300) — 102 POINTS

Yes, he’s pricey for a first-year player, but this isn’t your ordinary first-year player.

In fact, if you don’t have this bloke in your side it might be time to try something else.

Walsh has justified all the hype and more. Forget whether he’s done enough to make a Round 1 debut, he’s already one of Carlton’s best players.

Hunts the ball, finds space with the ball and uses the ball sublimely.

Racked up 102 SuperCoach points against the Dons. Ticks every box.

PATRICK CRIPPS ($648,200) — 124 POINTS

Thirty-three touches, two goals and 124 SuperCoach points.

Yep, this is the same old Patrick Cripps and the same old must-have.

In everything against the Dons and the longer the game went, the better he got.

Just doesn’t stop hunting the ball and now given a bit more support in midfield, might go to another level again.

MICHAEL GIBBONS ($102,400) — 68 POINTS

Playing every week at this price makes you a no-brainer.

Gibbons, recruited from the VFL at age 23 as a late addition to the rookie list, will play as a near-permanent forward this year, where his smarts will come to the fore.

Kicked three goals against Essendon, including the game’s first two with reflex snaps.

Won’t be a ball magnet playing there, but doesn’t have to be to make us a tidy profit.

WILL SETTERFIELD ($144,900) — 113 POINTS

First full game for two years and it turns out this guy can seriously play.

Had an equal game-high 17 kicks and was cooler than the other side of your pillow with the pill in hand.

Rarely makes a skill error or a decision-making error. A lock.

Sam Walsh in action in his first game for the Blues.

Joe Daniher got on the scoreboard early. Picture: Michael Klein

ESSENDON

ANDREW McGRATH ($384,300) — 85 POINTS

Got our first look at the Rising Star medallist playing as a full-time midfielder and we were encouraged.

Start slow, but finished strong. Awkwardly priced and complicated by the fact Essendon weren’t keen on playing a full-strength midfield.

AARON FRANCIS ($350,900) — 85 POINTS

If he was a tad cheaper you wouldn’t even blink, but we need to see more.

A solid, but not spectacular showing. Certainly did nothing wrong in posting 85, and in games with more on the line and with more one-on-one contests he may be better suited.

Not a big possession-winner, but such is his contested prowess in the air that’s not a big factor.

DYLAN SHIEL ($487,700) — 50 POINTS

Was eased into things by the Bombers, starting on a forward flank before finishing on the bench with a corked knee.

Just the 50 points, but showed flashes of his line-breaking class and will play far better games.

Price is attractive, but will he finish the year as a top 10 midfielder? Doubtful.

JORDAN RIDLEY ($233,100) — 97 POINTS

Played really well for an equal Essendon-high of 97 points.

Deployed off half-back and showed he had no problems getting his hands on the ball.

What happens when Marty Gleeson comes back, though? Adam Saad and Conor McKenna don’t appear to be going anywhere so there’s some competition there.

JOE DANIHER ($277,800) — 35 POINTS

The jury is well and truly out here.

Kicked the game’s first goal, but looked understandably rusty in his first game for nine months.

If we get the “Smokin’ Joe” of 2017 then it’s game on, but we’re a long way from seeing that at the moment.