SuperCoach 2017: Which returning Essendon players should you pick in your side?
IT was the big questions throughout the pre-season. How many returning Bombers should you pick in your SuperCoach side? Get the latest on their pre-season progress here.
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IT was one of the big questions throughout the pre-season. How many banned Bombers should you pick in your SuperCoach side?
After three JLT Series matches, we certainly have a clearer idea of who should be in the mix and who should be left alone.
Dyson Heppell and Jobe Watson picked up right where they left off, both posting encouraging numbers from limited game time.
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However, the likes of Ben Howlett and Heath Hocking could be on the outs.
And where do mid-price options like Brent Stanton and Michael Hurley fit?
Catch up on all the scores and latest information on the returning Bombers below.
DYSON HEPPELL (MID) $513,300
Vs Collingwood 82
Vs Gold Coast DNP
Vs Geelong 76
Average — 79
If you had any concerns about this returning Bomber, they pretty much disappeared after the opening JLT match.
Heppell scored 82 in just 55 per cent of game-time against Collingwood, essentially picking up right where he left off. Prior to his suspension, Heppell averaged triple figures in 2014 and 2015 and given he is priced around the same value as a player averaging 96, the half a million price tag is great value.
BRENT STANTON (MID) $496,100
Vs Collingwood DNP
Vs Gold Coast 86
Vs Geelong 44
Average — 64.6
Year in, year out, Stanton is criminally underrated when it comes to SuperCoach.
He has played at least 20 games for nine seasons in a row and posted an average above 90 in every one of those years, including 101 in 2015. Now that is impressive.
But after a year out of the game and as one of the oldest returning Bombers, where does Stanton fit in coach John Worsfold’s long term plans?
With the likes of Zach Merrett taking his game to another level, Stanton could see less midfield minutes.
You might be better looking at cheaper options like Dayne Beams ($432,500) or Jaeger O’Meara ($318,00).
MICHAEL HURLEY (DEF) $464,200
Vs Collingwood 30
Vs Gold Coast 101
Vs Geelong 56
Average — 62.2
It was a real rollercoaster of a pre-season for Hurley.
He started slowly against the Pies, produced a ripper performance against Gold Coast but suffered an ankle injury in the same game.
Hurley got through the final clash against Geelong, playing 84 per cent game time and is a lock to play Round 1.
JOBE WATSON (MID) $453,300
Vs Collingwood 92
Vs Gold Coast 94
Vs Geelong 84
Average — 90.2
When it comes to making a comeback, Watson’s has been flawless.
After his first hit out against Collingwood, punters were flocking to back him to win the Brownlow Medal.
There was no drop off from the former captain who continued to score well in the final two JLT games despite limited game time. At $453,000, he is going to be hard to pass up.
CALE HOOKER (DEF-FWD) $444,900
Vs Collingwood DNP
Vs Gold Coast DNP
Vs Geelong DNP
Average — 0
It’s been a horror pre-season for Hooker who is yet to get out on the park because of a hamstring injury.
The swingman first raised concerns about the injury in January and the club has said it will be cautious with him.
He will play in a VFL practice match this week in a bid to prove his fitness.
BEN HOWLETT (MID-FWD) $375,800
Vs Collingwood 37
Vs Gold Coast 43
Vs Geelong DNP
Average — 40.4
Howlett struggled in the opening two JLT matches and didn’t play in the club’s final hit out. That is not a good sign with Round 1 just around the corner. He is too expensive for the scoring output you will get.
TRAVIS COLYER (FWD) $332,100
Vs Collingwood 63
Vs Gold Coast 60
Vs Geelong 87
Average — 70
After some initial concerns as to whether he was in Essendon’s best side, Travis Colyer has produced a strong pre-season. His score of 87 came in just three quarters of football.
TOM BELLCHAMBERS (RUCK) $305,100
Vs Collingwood DNP
Vs Gold Coast DNP
Vs Geelong DNP
Average — 0
Bellchambers is increasing his training after knee surgery and is a chance to play in a VFL practice match this weekend.
However, he is unlikely to feature in the club’s Round 1 side to take on Hawthorn.
The Bombers are short of rucks and will want to get him back as soon as possible.
He too will play in a VFL practice match this week.
HEATH HOCKING (MID) $300,100
Vs Collingwood DNP
Vs Gold Coast 61
Vs Geelong DNP
A verage — 61
Just the one game for Hocking during the pre-season and he was left out of the final JLT side. That is not a good sign for his Round 1 hopes.
DAVID MYERS (MID) $133,700
Vs Collingwood 38
Vs Gold Coast DNP
Vs Geelong DNP
Average — 38
Myers will have a delayed start to 2017 as he continues to recover from a finger injury. Myers is set to miss another three to five weeks but at such a cheap price, he should certainly be looked at when he returns.
FORMER BOMBERS
PATRICK RYDER (RUCK-FWD) $418,100
JLT Series games: 3
JLT Series average: 68
MICHAEL HIBBERD (DEF) $402,200
JLT Series games: 1
JLT Series average: 58
STEWART CRAMERI (FWD) $359,200
JLT Series games: 3
JLT Series average: 65
JAKE CARLISLE (DEF-FWD) $337,000
JLT Series games: 3
JLT Series average: 50
ANGUS MONFRIES (FWD) $325,500
JLT Series games: 0
JLT Series average: 0
JAKE MELKSHAM (MID) $298,200
JLT Series games: 3
JLT Series average: 76
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