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SuperCoach 2025: Practice match scouting notes

Nine clubs have played practice matches or intraclubs in recent days – providing vital intel for SuperCoach. See the names you need to consider plus exclusive stats.

Al PatonAl Paton
@al_superfooty
9 min read
February 18, 2025 - 8:44AM
News Sport Network
Smith makes bright start for Cats

After a summer burning up the track, AFL teams are taking to the field for competitive hitouts as the clock ticks down to the start of the 2025 season.

Practice matches provide key intel when selecting our SuperCoach sides as we get an insight into who is a real chance to play in round 1 – and where.

Here are all the names you need to know from this weekend’s games.

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WEST COAST v RICHMOND

A six goal to none second period (of three) saw the Eagles run away easy winners against a Tiger team that left home starters including Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Tom Lynch, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short, Toby Nankervis, Nathan Broad and draftee Josh Smillie. The Eagles were missing Harley Reid, Jeremy McGovern, Ryan Maric, Liam Ryan and Tim Kelly.

Sam Lalor | $203,500 | MID

No.1 draft pick was a shining light for the Tigers, splitting his time between the midfield and forward line and booting two goals - until he was concussed in the final contest of the game. Should be right for round 1.

No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor hurt in pre-season match

Jacob Blight | $246,400 | DEF

Won plenty of the ball in defence including several intercept marks, although his kicking let him down at times. Likely to play early with so many Tiger talls unavailable.

Elijah Hewett | $122,800 | MID-FWD

High draft pick in 2022 didn’t play at all last year because of foot problems but looks ready to shine in 2025. Leading bench option who could score well enough to start on field.

Matt Flynn | $261,900 | RUC

Fans of the cheap ruck would have been happy with his strong start, but he finished the game off the field with a sore back. Still no closer to knowing who the No.1 ruckman will be.

Elijah Hewett burns off Sam Lalor to kick a running goal. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images
Elijah Hewett burns off Sam Lalor to kick a running goal. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

Jack Hutchinson | $233,500 | FWD

Picked up in the mid-season draft last year as a forward, Hutchinson has been transformed into a wingman with stints in the centre square - where he can score much better than his 48 average in seven matches in 2024. Ran hard to win the ball at both ends on Monday and looks a serious SuperCoach prospect - if you’re prepared to pay $100k more than most rookies.

GEELONG v HAWTHORN

The Cats kicked away late in an entertaining contest at GMHBA Stadium. Nick Watson (illness), Tom Barrass (wedding) and Massimo D’Ambrosio (concussion) were missing for the Hawks, while Cats absentees included Jack Martin, Toby Conway, Cam Guthrie and Lawson Humphries.

Max Holmes | $533,900 | MID-DEF

Chris Scott might have answered one of the big questions about the Cats in 2025 by playing Tom Stewart in defence and Holmes as a pure onballer, where he was arguably best on ground. Finished 2024 with scores of 121, 152 and 76 in a half and is ready to roar into 2025.

Bailey Smith $389,200 MID-FWD

Geelong’s star recruit was everywhere early, with his rusty kicking the only negative before he sat out most of the second half.

You couldn’t miss Bailey Smith in his new colours. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
You couldn’t miss Bailey Smith in his new colours. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

James Sicily $532,900 DEF

Looked great in his favoured role down back, including taking kick-ins. That spells value at his starting price. The one big caveat – could Sicily be sent forward when Barrass is also part of the back six?

Will Day $491,300 MID

Looked a class above, showing why he averaged over 110 over a 10-game stretch last season. Played midfield but pushed forward to kick two goals and could have had more.

Sam De Koning $361,900 DEF

Could you pick the De Koning double? Blue Tom is a popular ruck option and his brother Sam could score well in a similar role after getting plenty of ruck minutes against the Hawks. It’s a big gamble, though, with so many ruck options at Chris Scott’s disposal - on Monday De Koning, Mark Blicavs and Rhys Stanley all spent time there.

Mitch Knevitt $149,800 MID

Fourth-year midfielder seems certain to build on his 14 career games, attending the most centre bounces of any Cat against Hawthorn to back up a big summer on the track. He told the Geelong Advertiser’s Dan Batten two weeks ago he was primed for a big year in the midfield, with SuperCoaches in mind: “Hopefully I can make them (owners) a bit of cash.”

INDIGENOUS ALL-STARS v FREMANTLE

The All-Stars recorded a 43-point win in front of more than 37,000 fans in Perth. Note that this was the only game of the weekend with official stats and SuperCoach points from Champion Data.

JY SIMPKIN | $429,300 | FWD-MID

Add another mid-pricer to add the forward line conversation. The North Melbourne captain took home the Polly Farmer Medal as best on ground for 30 disposals, 10 clearances, a goal and a game-high 154 SuperCoach points. There’s a lot of competition for spots in the Roos engine room, though.

JASON HORNE-FRANCIS | $537,000 | FWD-MID

Was explosive early and finished with 17 disposals, three goals, six tackles and 132 SuperCoach points, splitting his time between the midfield and forward line. He’s still not in my team but that decision is looking shakier by the minute.

Jason Horne-Francis goals on the run. Picture: Michael Klein
Jason Horne-Francis goals on the run. Picture: Michael Klein

CALEB SERONG | $623,400 | MID & ANDREW BRAYSHAW | $591,800 | MID

Freo’s two front-line mids found plenty of the footy and are both premium options this year. Pick with confidence.

NATHAN O’DRISCOLL | $198,000 | MID

Last season was a write-off for the Dockers wingman but he’s another expensive midfield rookie we need to consider after recording 18 disposals, 10 marks, six tackles and 104 SuperCoach points.

LIAM REIDY | $132,600 | RUC

Took most of the centre bounces for Fremantle in the absence of Sean Darcy, whose injury timeline remains up in the air. Not a big scorer (he played the last two rounds last year for 53 and 29 SuperCoach points) but could be playing in round 1 which makes him a viable bench option.

ESSENDON v WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Bombers scored a 19-point win over an experimental 35-man Dogs squad (missing Marcus Bontempelli, Rory Lobb, Taylor Duryea, James Harmes and Tom Liberatore, while Darcy Parish was out for the Dons) in Saturday’s practice match at a wet and windy Whitten Oval – and there were lots of players of interest.

ISAAC KAKO | $149,500 | MID-FWD

Looks a certainty to make his debut in Opening Round after another dynamic performance, continuing his form from recent match simulations. Small forwards can be up and down in their scoring, but the value of job security is can’t be underestimated. Set to be a favourite for Bomber fans and SuperCoaches.

SAAD EL-HAWLI | $119,900 | DEF-MID

Currently the most owned Essendon player in SuperCoach, featuring in 56 per cent of teams. Vying for a spot on a wing and was quiet with 12 disposals. Not locked in the best 23 just yet but fingers crossed.

ELIJAH TSTATAS | $191,200 | MID

Looks ready to explode after starting as the sub in five of his seven matches last year. The 20-year-old midfielder, who was taken at pick 5 in the 2022 draft, attended 86 per cent of centre bounces and while his disposal can be rusty, the role is exactly what we want from a SuperCoach cheapie. Currently owned by just under 20 per cent of coaches but that is about to skyrocket.

DYLAN SHIEL | $413,700 | MID

Lined up at half-back, where he has been training all pre-season, and provided plenty of run and dash. A move to defence turned Nic Martin into a SuperCoach star, could Shiel do the same?

RYLEY SANDERS | $339,100 | FWD-MID

Breakout contender played in the centre square all game and starred – but both Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore sat the game out. We need to see his role with all the Dogs first-choice midfielders available, but the signs are positive.

Ryley Sanders fires off a handball. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Ryley Sanders fires off a handball. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

TOM EDWARDS

A player who is not yet on Essendon’s list grabbed the headlines after booting four goals in the second half. A 25-year-old hybrid forward from Swan Districts, Edwards is competing with Kaine Baldwin for an AFL lifeline. “He couldn’t have done much more, especially the way he came into the game – second-half, it can be a challenge to get into it,” Essendon assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa told the Herald Sun’s Ed Bourke. “A guy that takes their chances inside 50 when they get limited opportunities is a positive – they’re pretty hard to find. So I’m sure list management will go through that during the week and make a decision from there.” The best news for SuperCoaches – if he’s signed as a rookie, he’ll be priced at $99,100.

BRAYDEN CROSSLEY

It’s a similar story for the former Sun, who is hoping to win a list spot at the Dogs – along with VFL midfielder Dom Brew. Crossley played as the main ruck on Saturday while Tim English spent time forward and could give us another cheap ruck option if he wins a lifeline before round 1. Bulldogs assistant Brendon Lade said it was difficult to make a call on Crossley after limited exposure, but “he’s been pretty good actually, he’s shown some really good things, been tough when he’s needed to be … that’s not my decision, that’s the club’s decision.”

JOEL FREIJAH | $370,400 | DEF

Arguably best on ground at half-back, is he the mid-price bolter we need in defence? Add him to the watch list.

SAM DAVIDSON | $113,500 | FWD

Didn’t dominate on Saturday but the 23-year-old athletic forward – who is already on the Dogs’ list after being recruited from Richmond’s VFL side in last year’s draft – looks right in the frame for a round 1 debut. Stick him on your bench for now.

NORTH MELBOURNE INTRA-CLUB

It was a stronger Blue team versus the Pink team at Arden St on Saturday. Notable absentees included George Wardlaw (hamstring), Zac Fisher (hamstring), Callum Coleman-Jones (Achilles), Josh Goater (Achilles) and Brayden George (knee), while Jy Simpkin was on Indigenous All-Stars duties.

HARRY SHEEZEL | $635,600 | DEF

Best on ground. Set to play in the midfield and even spend more time in the forward line in 2025, but don’t let that deter you – the guy is a gun.

CALEB DANIEL | $269,100 | FWD-MID

The biggest steal of SuperCoach 2025 cemented that status as he mopped up everything across half-back, one of the best scoring roles in fantasy. Currently in 69 per cent of teams and should be in 100 per cent.

Caleb Daniel dominates in North intraclub

COLBY McKERCHER | $476,900 | DEF

Sheezel 2.0? The No.2 draft pick started his AFL career in defence – like Harry – but is set to move up the ground in season two. He won’t get as many easy points from kick-ins but the elite left-foot kick looked super damaging playing across a wing and half-forward on Saturday morning. Keep him in mind.

LUKE PARKER | $343,600 | MID-FWD

Who needs another forward mid-pricer? Some may have been expecting the veteran to play mostly as a forward at the Roos but he was at the coalface on Saturday, where he has been spending most of his time in pre-season. We know he can score in that role, averaging 95-plus for a decade at the Swans.

Luke Parker gives instructions on the field. Picture: Ian Currie
Luke Parker gives instructions on the field. Picture: Ian Currie

TRISTAN XERRI | $645,900 | RUC

Played in the ruck for the A team and didn’t get injured before being rested for much of the second half, which is about all we need to see from a known SuperCoach stud.

TOM POWELL | $432,000 | MID

Burnt some coaches last year but is this the season he breaks out as a full-time mid, replicating his enormous junior numbers? He was part of the starting on-ball brigade for the A team on Saturday and has produced a faultless pre-season. Price is very awkward, though.

JACOB KONSTANTY | $119,900 | FWD

Pressure forward joined the Roos as part of the Luke Parker trade, and started in the preferred forward line but didn’t see a lot of the ball. He might be battling for a spot with Robert Hanson Jr ($165,700 FWD), who booted two goals in a similar role.

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ADELAIDE INTRACLUB

The Crows played an internal trial on Friday, with the A team leading by 79 points at halftime before the teams were switched up for the second half.

JORDAN DAWSON | $550,300 | MID

After being used in different roles last season, the skipper played almost exclusively as a centre bounce midfielder – a good sign for coaches eyeing an underpriced premium who averaged 116 in 2023.

JAMES PEATLING | $352,800 | MID

Ex-Giant appears to have overtaken Matt Crouch in the midfield mix, spending most of the game on ball alongside Dawson. Great mid-price option.

SID DRAPER | $190,000 | MID

The Crows’ top draft pick has been held back at times over pre-season but he was unleashed in the midfield for the A team on Friday after starting on the bench. But there was no Izak Rankine, who was in Perth for the Indigenous All-Stars game. Does he take Draper’s spot?

DAN CURTIN | $158,600 | FWD

Adelaide’s top draft pick from 2023 played as a key defender in limited appearances in his first season, but now appears settled in the best 22 as a tall forward. Another forward rookie who should be on the radar.

ISAAC CUMMING | $287,700 | MID

Another former Giant who joined the Crows in the trade period, sparking hopes from some SuperCoaches he would return to the half-back role where he averaged 90-plus in 2021-22 before injuries struck. But he was on a wing on Friday, a role that is much more volatile for SuperCoach scoring.

More Coverage

Champion Data’s Ultimate SuperCoach Draft spreadsheet
Al Paton
Rookie Bible: All the SuperCoach cheapies you need to know
The Phantom, Dan Batten

Originally published as SuperCoach 2025: Practice match scouting notes

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/supercoach-news/supercoach-2025-practice-match-scouting-notes/news-story/c2fcbefb4808f438d73cd1146f2b5971