SuperCoach AFL 2017: Ben Higgins reveals his 2017 line-up with a few gambles included

CHAMPAGNE Footy is looking to bounce back this year. Ben Higgins reveals his SuperCoach line-up with a couple of mid-price gambles. NEW PODCAST

CHAMPAGNE Footy is looking to bounce back this year.

After being around the top 2000 at the byes in 2016, we slipped to just inside 20,000 by the end of the season. It was a stunning fall from grace.

My modus operandi has always been to select a solid team with a gamble or two on each line.

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Last year it was Nick Graham and Zach Merrett, one worked beautifully, one most certainly did not.

This year looks no different but there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before Round 1.

I’m extremely keen on Nathan Hrovat while David Swallow also appeals. Let’s hope they are both more Merrett than Graham.

Heath Shaw remains a key plank in my SuperCoach defence. Picture: Phil Hillyard

DEFENCE

Outside of the top six or eight defenders there’s not much else to like, if I’m honest.

I’ve gone for a top three of Heath Shaw, Taylor Adams and Jasper Pittard with Michael Hibberd and Jackson Thurlow as a mid-pricers.

I had wanted Rory Laird but given the Giants, Magpies and Crows all share the same bye, that simply wasn’t feasible.

Shaw speaks for himself as it’s unclear whether Sam Docherty can back up his outstanding 108-point average while Adams’ surprise addition in defence is just too good to pass up.

Pittard is the point-of-difference but has shown he’s on the rise after averaging 66, 80 and 91 in his past three years. He’s Port Adelaide’s No.1 weapon off half-back.

Obviously, it’s a risk picking two blokes who haven’t played in 12 months but Hibberd is a walk-up start at Melbourne and I - as well as thousands of others - hope that he can return to his 2014-15 form, while Thurlow should be in Geelong’s best 22 despite a knee reconstruction but could very easily be downgraded to a rookie if one announces himself.

Ben Higgins’s SuperCoach line-up.

MIDFIELD

There’s no hesitation in starting with Patrick Dangerfield, he’s expensive yes, but few can match his scoring potential.

One of those few is Nat Fyfe and at $573,500, he’s simply a no-brainer.

For a point of difference, I’ve gone for Rory Sloane at M2. The Crows superstar loves Adelaide Oval and plays four of the first six games there and seven of last year’s non-finalists in the opening 10 rounds.

There’s plenty of options in the premium range, it’s finding value in the midfield that is my key to SuperCoach success.

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As such, Dyson Heppell and Marc Murphy fill the next two spots.

Heppell returns from a year out of the game and is about $60,000 cheaper than last year when he was coming off a 104-point average. Meanwhile, Murphy was ravaged by injury and enters 2017 with a massive $120,000 discount. He averaged 103 in 2015.

There’s more than a little risk in the final non-rookie spot - currently occupied by David Swallow - but reports out of the Suns are positive and he’s a first-choice midfielder when fit.

Swallow’s knee injuries are well documented but he averaged 103 in his last full season.

Stefan Martin is under consideration. Picture: Annette Dew

RUCKS

It’s set-and-forget at this stage but Stef Martin is banging down the door.

It’s hard to look past Max Gawn and Todd Goldstein but one sign of trouble in the pre-season or a sudden need for extra cash could see a change.

We expect Simon Goodwin to carry on Paul Roos’ gameplan, which should mean Gawn will only go from strength to strength. With no serious ruck challenger and the third-man up rule change - barring injury, of course - big Maxy should replicate his 2016 form.

Martin is ridiculously cheap for his potential output and yet rarely features in teams that I’ve seen, as Brodie Grundy, Aaron Sandilands and Paddy Ryder steal the spotlight.

Jack Macrae edges out Luke Dahlhaus for a spot at Champagne Footy. Picture: Colleen Petch

FORWARDS

Do I pick both Luke Dahlhaus and Jack Macrae?

Not at this stage, at the moment it’s Macrae only, and if I’m honest the forwardline could be stronger.

Macrae finds the ball with ease and is a safe pick but he’s followed by Isaac Heeney, Harley Bennell and Nathan Hrovat. All come with their cons.

Heeney is the popular breakout option, a bit like Zach Merrett last year, he’s set to step into the midfield on a full-time basis and his finals campaign shows he’s a ready.

Bennell will need to prove his fitness after a groin injury ruined his first season at Fremantle but pre-season reports are positive that he’ll be fully fit for Round 1.

Finally, Hrovat. Can he prove his worth at a new club after struggling for opportunity at the Bulldogs? I’m confident he can. He can win his own ball, deliver on the outside and kick goals.

ROOKIES

As is often said, rookies won’t be confirmed until after the JLT Community Series. However, there are plenty that look set for Round 1 debuts or returns from injury.

At this stage I like to pick expensive rookies to give myself a buffer before Round 1 should less expensive options rise then I’ve got a bit of extra cash to splash or put in the kitty.