SuperCoach 2016 champion Graeme Fawell reveals his tips for 2017 players

LAST year’s SuperCoach champion Graeme Fawell reveals his secret to success and the must-have players in his 2017 starting line-up.

DON’T panic, back in your selection choices and trust your instincts.

That’s the best advice last year’s SuperCoach champion Graeme Fawell has for tens of thousands of players hoping to emulate his success in 2017.

And it is one that served the WA mechanic well when he landed the top prize despite starting the final round sixth in the overall rankings.

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The defending champ is proof you don’t have to be a SuperCoach diehard to succeed.

“I’m not too obsessive compared to most,” Fawell said after claiming the $50,000 cash prize.

“I’d say on average I’d spend two or three hours a week on it. I’m a bit of a football fanatic so I’m constantly following all the news and I have a pretty good idea about what’s going on with teams, players and form.

“But it’s not as much time as plenty of my mates in my main league spend on it.”

Scroll down to see his tips for 2017 and discover his personal goal for the season ahead, which has nothing to do with winning the overall prize.

1. How are you feeling with less than three weeks to go before Round 1 lockout?

Confident and calm. I haven’t spent as much time preparing as I did last year but as this season’s got closer I’ve started researching a lot more.

2016 SyperCoach champ Graeme Fawell. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

2. How many changes will you make to your starting squad between now and Round 1?

Probably quite a few but mainly just the rookies. I would like to keep all the premiums currently in my squad. Injuries, suspension etc would be the only reason I’d change any premiums now.

3. Are you starting with Gary Ablett?

No, but he could come into my team very early if he starts the season on fire.

4. Who are the three must-have selections this year?

Patrick Dangerfield, Nat Fyfe and Max Gawn.

Nat Fyfe is a SuperCoach bargain in 2017.

5. What is the biggest risk in your starting squad/strategy?

Guys like Jobe Watson, Dayne Beams and Jarryd Roughead, and Nat Fyfe as well, who have not played much or at all last season.

6. How many mid-pricers will be in your team for Round 2?

Probably just three. Watson, Beams and Roughead.

7. Any final words of advice for the rest of us mere mortals?

Don’t panic, definitely don’t panic trade players in or out on the back of one or two good or bad games. Hold your trades as long as you can — but don’t hold your rookies too long — and follow your instincts and not what everyone else is doing.