SuperCoach 2016: Tom Liberatore, Christian Petracca top list of most selected players

GARY Ablett is a steal, Christian Petracca is ready to rock and a new Blue has started the NAB Challenge on fire. But who is the most selected player in SuperCoach? TOP 50 PICKS

Christian Petracca is raring to go after missing last season with a knee injury.

A COMEBACK Bulldog, Demons young gun and new Blue have relegated Gary Ablett to fourth on the list of most popular SuperCoach picks.

Tom Liberatore, Christian Petracca and Sam Kerridge are the only players selected in more than 50 per cent of teams so far, with Ablett and Essendon recruit Mitch Brown rounding out the top five.

PICK YOUR TEAM NOW! SUPERCOACH 2016 IS BIGGER AND BETTER

The battle of premium midfielders is also hotting up with elite picks Nat Fyfe, Scott Pendlebury and Patrick Dangerfield neck and neck at 10, 11 and 14 respectively.

Matthew Lobbe edges out Todd Goldstein as the most popular ruckman thanks to Paddy Ryder’s 12-month ban while Darcy Parish is the most popular draftee, appearing in 23.54 per cent of teams.

And Essendon’s top-ups are proving popular with Jonathan Simpkin (22nd), Sam Grimley (24th) and Ryan Crowley (37th) all making this list.

SUPERCOACH TOP 50

1. Tom Liberatore ($357,300 Mid) WB

Popularity: 55.36%

The Bulldogs gun is back after a knee reconstruction and is reportedly flying on the training track. A SuperCoach beast, who is ridiculously cheap. He missed the squad for the Dogs’ first NAB Challenge game but don’t let that put you off.

2. Christian Petracca ($123,900 Mid-Fwd) Melb

Popularity: 53.45%

Without having played a game, the Demons youngster is the second most popular pick this pre-season. All eyes will be on the Melbourne team sheet come Round 1.

Christian Petracca is raring to go after missing last season with a knee injury.

3. Sam Kerridge ($137,600 Mid-Fwd) Carlton

Popularity: 51.05%

The Crow-turned-Blue is a running machine and should walk straight into the Carlton line-up. Can rack up possessions and kick goals. Dual threat. No longer a secret after a huge score in NAB 1.

4. Gary Ablett ($623,200 Mid) GC

Popularity: 48.14%

The little master is almost as cheap as he’s ever been after an injury-ravaged 2015. We’re all expecting big things from the Suns’ skipper. Was only fully fit for four games last year and he averaged 155 points in them.

BEN HIGGINS, AL PATON AND GILBERT GARDINER NAME THE WINNERS AND LOSERS OF NAB 1 IN THE SUPERCOACHES BOX PODCAST — LISTEN BELOW:

5. Mitch Brown ($117,300 Def/Fwd) Ess

Popularity: 47.59%

The former Cat walks straight into the Essendon line-up and will assume a key role in the Bombers’ defence — a place the ball is expected to spend a lot of time.

6. Dustin Martin ($569,300 Mid/Fwd) Rich

Popularity: 42.28%

He’s pre-season troubles are behind him and the always popular Tiger is primed for a big season. Retaining his midfield-forward dual eligibility a major plus.

Tom Rockliff is much cheaper than his 2015 starting price.

7. Tom Rockliff ($550,100 Mid) BL

Popularity: 37.22%

Remember when Rocky cost more than $700,000? This year he’s available at an insanely cheap price when you consider his scoring potential.

8. Daniel Wells ($243,900 Mid-Fwd) NM

Popularity: 31.66%

Obviously, a lot of SuperCoaches enjoy taking risks. Wells’ body has let him down consistently but he’s one of the first picked at the Kangaroos if fit.

9. Matthew Lobbe ($389,500, Ruck) PA

Popularity: 27.60

Paddy Ryder’s 12-month suspension has certainly put Lobbe front and centre in a lot of SuperCoaches’ plans. Can he return to the 100-plus average of 2014?

10. Nat Fyfe ($670,600, Mid) Frem

Popularity: 26.53%

The Brownlow medallist is the most expensive midfielder in the game but his scoring potential is unlimited. A NAB Challenge cameo reminded us all of his ability.

Nat Fyfe is the most expensive midfielder in the game.

11. Scott Pendlebury ($627,200 Mid) Coll. 26.43%

12. Todd Goldstein ($695,100 Ruck) NM 25.24%

13. Michael Barlow ($505,300 Mid/Fwd) Frem. 25.16%

14. Patrick Dangerfield ($647,000 Mid) Geel. 25.10%

15. Jaeger O’Meara ($316,300 Mid) GCt. 24.37%

16. Brad Crouch ($306,100 Mid) Adel. 24.29%

17. James Aish ($275,700 Def/Mid) Coll. 23.93%

18. Darcy Parish ($202,800 Mid) Ess. 23.54%

19. Heath Shaw (607,800 Def) GWS. 23.15%

20. Lance Franklin ($470,100 Fwd) Syd. 23.04%

Lance Franklin has been a standout during the pre-season. Picture: Brett Costello

21. Elliot Yeo ($443,300 Def-/id) WC 21.02%

22. Jonathan Simpkin ($223,400 Mid/Fwd) Ess 20.56%

23. Brodie Smith ($415,500 Def/Mid) Adel 20.07%

24. Sam Grimley ($123,900 Ruck/Fwd) Ess 19.18%

25. Jed Anderson ($223,900 Mid-Fwd) NM 18.56%

26. Callum Mills ($211,800 Mid) Syd 17.19%

$211k a lot for a rookie but @CalMills14 might be worth it. My NAB1 #supercoach standouts https://t.co/sQl96SglDi pic.twitter.com/9t3j7Qicnl

— Al Paton (@al_superfooty) February 22, 2016

27. Aaron Francis ($198,300 Def/Mid) Ess 17.03%

28. Matthew Leuenberger ($310,700 Ruck-Fwd) 16.60%

29. Luke Dahlhaus ($563,600, Mid/Fwd) WB 16.48%

30. Jimmy Bartel ($470,400, Def/Mid) Geel 16.44%

Rhys Mathieson is on many SuperCoaches’ watchlists. Picture: Peter Wallis

31. Rhys Mathieson ($117,300 Mid) BL 16.42%

32. Jacob Weitering ($220,800 Def) Carl 15.37%

33. Kade Kolodjashnij ($482,200 Def) GC. 15.12%

34. Nick Kommer ($123,900 Fwd) Ess 15.04%

35. Mason Cox ($117,300 Ruck/Fwd) Coll 14.33%

36. Michael Hartley ($117,300 Def) Ess 13.85%

37. Ryan Crowley ($202,800 Mid) Ess 13.79%

38. Nathan Broad ($117,300 Def) Rich 13.76%

39. Riley Bonner ($117,300 Def) PA 13.70%

40. Nic Naitanui ($560,700 Ruck) WC 13.45%

Nic Naitanui just edges out fellow ruckman Mark Blicavs in 40th.

41. Mark Blicavs ($562,700 Ruck-Mid) Geel 13.25%

42. Jarrad McVeigh ($542,600 Def-Mid) Syd 13.20%

43. Nakia Cockatoo ($172,700 Fwd) Geel 12.79%

44. Nathan Freeman ($123,900 Mid) StK 12.55%

45. Daniel Rich ($436,100 Def-Mid) BL 12.43%

46. Nick Malceski ($383,800 Def) GC 12.43%

47. Jacob Hopper ($193,800 Mid) GWS 12.06%

48. Stef Martin ($597,600 Ruck) BL 11.98%

49. Daniel Menzel ($260,600 Fwd) Geel 11.96%

50. Alex Rance ($523,700 Def) Rich 11.68%