SuperCoach 2017: Best unique picks in the midfield

JOEL Selwood pumps out SuperCoach points in his sleep. But he’s being ignored by the masses — and he’s not the only one. BEST UNIQUE PICKS

Matt Priddis at Eagles training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

IF YOU, like many of us, have aspirations of winning the $50,000 overall SuperCoach prize, it’s imperative that you separate yourself from the pack.

If you want to conquer the mountain you must be a trailblazer and take risks on players that constitute a point of difference (know as a “POD”).

ANALYSIS: HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT SUPERCOACH CASH COW

THE PHANTOM: JLT SERIES WEEK ONE BACKLINE BOLTERS

When selecting your starting squad, take advantage of the free trial of SuperCoach Gold and take a peak at the distribution of player selections, often referred to as the “popularity contest”, as this will help you make the most informed decisions regarding your PODs.

Today we’ll turn our attention to the unheralded midfield stars that have been surprisingly overlooked (picked in fewer than 5 per cent of teams), but in my opinion, will be entrenched in the top echelon of SuperCoach scorers in season 2017.

So channel your inner rebel because you can’t win this being a sheep.

JOEL SELWOOD ($607k, 3.7%)

Selwood is a legend of our game and a genuine SuperCoach stud, boasting season averages of 110 or more in seven of the past eight seasons (including 112 last year). Yet he’s only listed in a smidgen of teams.

He’s a three-time premiership player and All-Australian Captain, but of late, is better known for his supporting role in the critically acclaimed duet — “Dangerwood”.

Selwood benefited from Patrick Dangerfield’s arrival and the pair ravaged through some of the competition’s best midfields last year with the only blemish a preliminary final rout at the hands of the ruthless Sydney Swans.

Selwood is the picture of consistency, yielding 17 SuperCoach tonnes across the 2016 season, including five scores above the majestic 135 barrier.

Like a diversified investment portfolio, I can only have one Cat and Patrick Dangerfield, for now, is that Cat.

Joel Selwood is poised for another big season. Picture: Mark Dadswell

LACHIE NEALE ($613k, 3.2% ownership)

He may be pint-sized, but Lachie Neale is a giant of the SuperCoach game and an up-and-coming midfielder that you must give thorough consideration.

In the absence of Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe, Neale thrived on the opportunity to pilot the fledgling Fremantle midfield in 2016, leading the AFL for disposals (33.5 per game) and raising his SuperCoach average from 104 to 113.

The highlight came in Round 22 against GWS, when the little ball magnet had 40 disposals, a goal, 12 tackles and 154 SuperCoach points.

This was no once-off, however, as Neale broke the magical SuperCoach ton in 18 — yes, you heard that right, 18 of his 22 matches in season 2016.

MATTHEW PRIDDIS ($594k, 2.6%)

The blond bombshell and 2014 Brownlow medallist is perennially overlooked by the SuperCoach masses, and 2017 is no different with a mere 2.6 per cent of players selecting the “Pridditor” in their inaugural line-ups.

He may move like a tractor, but Priddis is an exceptional clearance player, arguably the competition’s finest, and traditionally complements this element of his game with a bounty of tackles (No. 1 in the AFL in 2016 with 188) and contested possessions (No. 5).

They say oxygen is the source of life. Well, they’re right, but contested possessions, tackles and clearances are the fuel of SuperCoach.

Priddis’s past three seasons — 113 (2014), 113 (2015) and 109 (2016) — suggest he’ll remain a force in 2017. The only concern I have is the absence of his partner in crime: Nic Naitanui.

Matt Priddis is unfashionable but always scores well. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

ROBBIE GRAY ($588k, 2.8%)

The explosive forward-cum-midfielder, in my opinion, draws the greatest comparison with the little master, Gary Ablett Jr, in his prime.

He’s a genius in congestion, dynamic with his disposal, but importantly, boasts an uncanny sense, akin to the great Gaz, in front of goals (2016: 25 goals, 16 behinds).

Gray is a picture of SuperCoach consistency, Port’s MVP, and averaged 111 (2014), 110 (2015) and 108 (2016) over the past three seasons.

If you needed any further affirmation, let me cast your mind back to the final round of 2016, when Gray had the ball on a string, collecting 34 disposals, 4 goals and 147 points.

CALLAN WARD ($575k, 1.9%)

The midfield general of the GWS is a personal favourite of mine and will almost certainly earn a gig in The Begala Brigade throughout 2017.

He’s a ruthless competitor, the barometer of the Giants and a player that has little (if any) regard for his own personal safety once he crosses the fabled white line.

Boasting seasonal averages of 112 (2014), 106 (2015) and 105 (2016), I expect Ward, along with many of the elder statesmen of the GWS, to elevate their games in a quest to make amends for the Giants’ shock preliminary final loss.

The only drawback to Ward, if any, is that he sometimes channels his inner district cricketer and leaves a number of scores, frustratingly, stranded in the “nervous” 90s.