SuperCoach 2019: Five players who have what it takes to shock the competition
Do you like taking a risk? If you’re going to succeed in Supercoach, you better start living life on the wild side. GILBERT GARDINER breaks down five cheap players who should be on your point of difference radar.
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Do you like taking a risk?
If you answered yes then read on.
If not, then feel free to go back and revel in SuperCoach mediocrity.
Let’s cut to the chase.
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For 99 per cent of us, present company included*, AFL SuperCoach is as much about office bragging rights as it is the $50,000 cash prize for the No. 1 overall entered into Australia’s biggest and best fantasy game.
Nothing beats strutting into work on a Monday morning after a big score, or important league win, sporting that ‘can’t touch this’ smug grin.
Is there anything better? Yes, actually.
But tread carefully, like with anything good, including speculative SuperCoach selections, it is best when done in moderation.
Everyone is going to lock in Brodie Grundy, Max Gawn, Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Laird, so on and so forth. That is the easy bit.
As it is settling on any potential blue-chip cash cows like Isaac Quaynor, Sam Walsh, Marty Hore, Michael Gibbons and Matt Parker.
Nobody of sane mind is going to corner you at the water-cooler and spout off about how good (or bad) any of the aforementioned are going during the JLT Community Series, which starts on Thursday night at Princes Park where traditional rivals Carlton hosts Essendon.
Inside the four walls at Gilbert’s Guidance the popular SuperCoach selection strategy — a mainstay of fierce rival Don’t Argue’s own Al Paton — is commonly known as “low hanging fruit”.
We like to take calculated risks. A punt if you will, on a player or three that will shock the competition to the core.
With that in mind here are the five players to keep a close eye on during the JLT Community Series for any — or all — of the bargain-basement options could be serious money spinners.
AARON HALL (NM) $389,200 MID
A revelation since moving to Arden Street during the trade period, the Tasmanian-born ex-Gold Coast Suns speedster has not missed a beat in the preseason for the Shinboners. Hall’s ability to accumulate possessions and kick goals makes him an intriguing proposition for the first half of the season, if not longer, fitness and form permitting.
ADAM CERRA (FRE) $329,600 FWD
The second-year midfield ace has bulked up noticeably in the off-season and could be one of the major beneficiaries of a midfield lacking in star power outside of usual suspects Nat Fyfe and David Mundy. Cerra starred in the Dockers intra-club match and will look to build on the momentum in the JLT Series.
DYLAN ROBERTON (STK) $297,500 DEF
Sidelined for the bulk of last year after an on-field collapse and heart scare but the much-loved Saints sweeper and intercept specialist looks primed for a strong 2019 campaign. Roberton should be a lock in every serious SuperCoach team given his aerial prowess and slick skills by both hand and foot. Roberton will only increase his price.
JAMIE ELLIOTT (COLL) $280,300 FWD
The riskiest of the lot given a history of injury but like Roberton, the Magpies ace, when fit and able, has the scoring power of someone twice the price tag. The damaging forward is worth watching closely in the JLT Series after he impressed for Collingwood, kicking the first two goals, in a practice match against Melbourne.
JAMES COUSINS (HAW) $219,900 MID
With Tom Mitchell sidelined the Hawks need someone like third-year midfielder Cousins to roll up their sleeves and get dirty in the clinches. He might not be as silky as Jaeger O’Meara or tenacious as James Worpel, but the hard-nosed extractor and tackling machine could be just as valuable — especially at the price.
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