SuperCoach 2017: Who are the cash cows to keep a close eye on this off-season?
AFL pre-season training has kicked into gear and there are some names you should be watching very closely. Who are the SuperCoach cash cows for 2017?
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AS THE AFL pre-season kicks into high gear after Christmas there are some names we should be watching out for.
As we prepare for another season of SuperCoach, the “cash cow” is perhaps the most critical selection for success.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE CASH COWS TO WATCH OVER PRE-SEASON IN THE COMMENTS BELOW
Obviously, we’re not in possession of a time machine so some of these “cheapies” might turn out to be busts and just as likely there will be youngsters that surge in the coming months that we’ve missed.
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It will be very interesting to see how North Melbourne foursome Mitch Hibberd, Ben McKay, Sam Durdin and Ed Vickers-Willis fare while our mysterious friend from South Australia, The Phantom, is talking up Crow Curtly Hampton.
Without further ado, our 10 must-watch potential cash cows.
TRENT McKENZIE (Gold Coast)
Position: Defender. Price: $236,600
OK, so we’re starting off with something a little crazy but stick with us. McKenzie was forced to play as a key defender a fair bit last year and with the Suns talls back and fit and Nick Malceski’s retirement, McKenzie could return to his favoured position off halfback where he averaged 88 in 2013 and 80 in 2014.
WILL HOSKIN-ELLIOTT (Collingwood)
Position: Forward. Price: $213,300
Surely, this kid just needs a chance. Was carving up the NEAFL last year but couldn’t break into the GWS line-up. Hoskin-Elliott should slot straight onto a half-forward flank at Collingwood from Round 1. He’s priced to average high 50s and we’ll back to him to cover that comfortably.
JORDAN FOOTE (Sydney)
Position: Midfielder. Price: $182,800
This is a space that is definitely one to watch over the pre-season. Foote could be the summer SuperCoach darling after being talked up as a midfield option in place of Tom Mitchell at the Swans. With the departures of Mitchell, Ben McGlynn and Xavier Richards there’s a few spots up for grabs.
Expecting Jordan Foote to get a crack in the midfield next year, avg. 31 disposals, 5 clearances and 7 tackles in his last 5 NEAFL games.
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) December 2, 2016
MATTHEW SCHARENBERG (Collingwood)
Position: Defender. Price: $164,000
If the former No. 6 draft pick can get his body right, he’ll be a must-have in 2017. A classy ball-user out of the back half, Scharenberg averaged 50 in his four games in 2015. Given Collingwood’s lack of defensive stocks, Scharenberg will get plenty of opportunity to show his quality.
JARROD BERRY (Brisbane Lions)
Position: Defender-Midfielder. Price: $139,800
We’ve covered Jarrod previously but he’s worth keeping front of mind. Berry is a big body and should be ready to go from Round 1 in a developing Brisbane line-up. We’ll be keeping note of his role over the pre-season. Fellow Lions Hugh McCluggage and Alex Witherden should also see plenty of action in 2017.
DAVID MYERS (Essendon)
Position: Midfidler. Price: $133,700
The veteran on this list, Myers is ridiculously cheap for his potential output. While he’s never been a big scorer, Myers is well respected by the Bombers and should play every game in 2017 if fit. If Myers can get back to his 85 average of 2014, he’s the perfect fit at M7.
HARLEY BALIC (Fremantle)
Position: Midfielder-Forward. Price: $123,900
The young Docker was laid low by a serious wrist injury last year — his debut season — but looks ready to break out in 2017. The midfielder returned to action in the WAFL late in the year and racked up 30 disposals in his debut for Peel Thunder before being a key member of their premiership.
SHAI BOLTON (Richmond)
Position: Midfielder-Forward. Price: $117,300
Another we’ve covered before but Bolton is exactly what Richmond need. Some outside X-factor that can also win his own ball. If he can get his fitness up during the pre-season we believe he’ll play Round 1. Watch the Tigers’ pre-season games closely.
LUKE RYAN (Fremantle)
Position: Defender. Price: $117,300
The mature-age defender was a big draft slider and that’s a big bonus for us in SuperCoach. Ryan should walk into Fremantle’s Round 1 team as an intercepting halfback and if the Dockers’ 2017 is anything like 2016, he’ll have plenty of work to do. We don’t get many obvious cash cows in defence but Ryan is definitely one to watch.
BRETT EDDY (Port Adelaide)
Position: Forward. Price: $102,400
We’ve said it before but Port Adelaide need scoring power and that’s exactly what Eddy can provide. The SANFL leading goalkicker from 2016, he could form a lethal partnership with Charlie Dixon from Round 1. Not expecting big scores every week? Well, Eddy averaged 97 this year.
2016 AFL DRAFT TOP 10
Andrew McGrath Essendon Def-Mid $211,800
Tim Taranto GWS Giants Mid-Fwd $207,300
Hugh McCluggage Brisbane Lions Mid-Fwd $202,800
Ben Ainsworth Gold Coast Suns Mid-Fwd $198,300
Will Setterfield GWS Giants Mid $193,800
Sam Petrevski-Seton Carlton Mid $189,300
Jack Scrimshaw Gold Coast Suns Def $184,800
Griffin Logue Fremantle Def $180,300
Will Brodie Gold Coast Suns Mid $175,800
Jack Bowes Gold Coast Suns Mid-Fwd $171,300
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