SuperCoach 2018: The super PODs who could make your team look different

THERE is nothing more frustrating in SuperCoach than coming up against an opponent with a similar squad. If you want your team to look different here are some premium names flying under the radar.

IT’S a safe bet players such as Dustin Martin, Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Mitchell, Nat Fyfe, Rory Laird and Michael Hibberd will be in many SuperCoach teams this year.

There is nothing more frustrating in SuperCoach than coming up against an opponent with a similar squad, particularly when they have the same premium players.

If you want to prevent your team looking identical to the competition, here are some names who could help get you over the line.

SEVEN PLAYERS TO BUILD YOUR TEAM AROUND

WHO’S BURNING UP THE TRACK AT YOUR CLUB

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT ON PREMIUM MIDS

Dayne Zorko $608,900 Mid

% of teams: 6.8

2017 average: 110.8

Overlooked by many in 2017 when he lost his dual-position status but that didn’t stop him from consistently racking up big scores — his season-ending average even topped what he accomplished the year before. Ignore at your peril again.

Gary Ablett $631,100 Mid

% of teams: 6.6

2017 average: 114.8

The little master was once the first player selected in your team but SuperCoaches have lost confidence in him. His injury battles the past three season have been well documented and but Ablett still chalked up an 114.8 average last year. Aside from his age — Ablett turns 34 in May — another reservation is whether he’ll play predominantly as a forward this year, but the man himself has stated he’ll have none of that.

Clayton Oliver $612,800 Mid

% of teams: 5.9

2017 average: 111.5

Most of us missed the boat on Oliver last year when he was priced at $382,500 — let’s be honest, none of us was expecting this level of output from a second-year youngster. Paying at extra $230,300 for Oliver this time around must be hard to stomach, but dismissing the young star for that reason only would be a mistake.

Clayton Oliver’s price isn’t as appealing but he’s a rising start. Picture: Getty Images

Rory Sloane $605,800 Mid

% of teams: 4.5

2017 average: 110.2

The Crows superstar was either very hot or extremely cold last season — depending on whether he was tagged or not — so it’s understandable there is some hesitation about picking him. Sloane’s 11 tons in 2017 came at a staggering average of 145.72, although he did endure a mid-season slump. He could potentially receive less close-checking tactics with the emergence of Matt Crouch and the arrival of Bryce Gibbs.

Jeremy Howe $517,600 Def

% of teams: 4.1

2017 average: 94.1

Like his hangers, Howe also has the ability to score high in SuperCoach and was the sixth-best ranked defender last season. Since moving to the backline at the Pies, Howe has become a bankable defensive option, scoring a career-best 94.1 points a game last year after a 92-point average in 2016. Maybe this is the season Howe can finish with a triple-figure average.

Jeremy Howe has been a consistent performer in defence. Picture: Michael Klein

Stefan Martin $540,000 Ruc

% of teams: 2.0

2017 average: 98.2

If you must break away from the Gawn-Naitanui combo, you can’t go wrong with the Lions ruckman. Super reliable last season with 10 tons and four more in the 90s.

Lachie Neale $599,300 Mid

% of teams: 1.7

2017 average: 109.0

Continues to play in Nat Fyfe’s shadow but he more than matched his Brownlow Medal-winning teammate last year. Fyfe has already been selected in 45 per cent of teams, while Neale is in less than two per cent.

Jack Macrae $587,000 Mid

% of teams: 1.0

2017 average: 106.9

After starting in more than 20 per cent of teams last season, Macrae has been disregarded this year because he no longer carries dual-position status. He did score 15 tons in a breakout 2017 and shouldn’t be dismissed.

Jake Stringer could prove himself as a midfielder only. Picture: Jake Nowakowski