SuperCoach AFL 2017: cash cows you need to know ahead of pre-season games

THE cash cow. Integral to our potential SuperCoach success and always difficult to predict. These are just some of the names we need to be keeping an eye on.

THE cash cow.

Integral to our potential SuperCoach success and always difficult to predict.

As we get closer to the JLT Community Series pre-season games, these are just some of the names we need to be keeping an eye on.

We’ve capped our cash cows at $220,000 but the cheaper the better as statistics have proven that the $123k and $117k rookies appreciate quicker than the more expensive alternatives.

Good luck and good researching ahead of Round 1.

Lachlan Keeffe should slot into Collingwood’s backline in 2017.

DEFENDERS

ANDREW McGRATH ($211,800, Def-Mid) Essendon

The No.1 draft pick is expensive, we admit. However, all reports out of Bomberland suggest he’s “flying” excuse the pun and cliche. Essendon will look to unveil their young gun as soon as possible and his dual position flexibility is an added bonus.

LACHLAN KEEFFE ($165,900, Def) Collingwood

After a year out of the game, Keeffe should slot straight back into Collingwood’s line-up. The Magpies backline is threadbare and Keeffe should fill the centre half-back role - depending on Ben Reid’s fitness of course.

JARROD BERRY ($139,800, Def-Mid) Brisbane

One of the Lions’ clutch of high draft picks, Berry looks likely to be the first to debut. A bigger body and capable of playing off half-back should save him from the Lions midfield squeeze. Not overly expensive, which bodes well for his money-making potential.

MITCHELL HIBBERD ($123,900, Def-Mid) North Melbourne

Back from a serious knee injury in 2016 and on track for a Round 1 debut. The Kangaroos have plenty of spots up for grabs this year and Hibberd’s skills off half-back could make him a must-have cash cow in defence.

LUKE RYAN ($117,300, Def) Fremantle

The mature-age recruit slipped down the order on draft night and landed at Fremantle. That’s good news for us because 1) he’s cheaper than first-round picks and 2) the Dockers definitely need some run and carry out of the backline.

Hugh McCluggage at Brisbane training. Picture: Liam Kidston

MIDFIELDERS

HUGH McCLUGGAGE ($202,800, Mid) Brisbane

He’s pricey but McCluggage is a smooth-moving midfielder who should slot straight into Brisbane’s best 22 in Round 1. The Lions have no shortage of midfielders so the No.3 draft pick could start off on a half-forward flank.

SAM PETREVSKI-SETON ($189,300, Mid) Carlton

Carlton aren’t shy when it comes to throwing their top draft picks in the deep end, so expect to see the WA flyer early in 2017. His price is an issue but we said that about Jacob Weitering last year and that turned out all right.

OLIVER FLORENT ($166,800, Mid-Fwd) Sydney

The Sydney midfield could be the toughest nut to crack in the AFL but Florent has done nothing but impress since arriving in the Harbour City. There’s a couple of spots up for grabs in the Swans’ Round 1 team and we’re backing Florent to debut.

JORDAN GALLUCCI ($148,800, Mid-Fwd) Adelaide

Adelaide desperately need midfield depth and Gallucci is capable of stepping straight into the AFL. While the likes of Sloane and Thompson do the dirty work, the youngster could be used on the outside where his speed will be a feature.

Sam Powell-Pepper at Port Adelaide training. Picture: Sarah Reed

SAM POWELL-PEPPER ($135,300, Mid) Port Adelaide

Reports out of Alberton suggest he’s probably not far away from debuting Round 1. It’s still early but a solid JLT Community Series should see him making his debut. A strong body who can also do damage on the outside is great for SuperCoach.

DAVID MYERS ($133,700, Mid) Essendon

The cheapest of the banned Bombers, Myers should be in Essendon’s best 22 and at that price it really doesn’t matter what role he plays because he’s going to make money quickly. If his role is right, he is capable of starting on the field in Round 1.

NATHAN FREEMAN ($123,900, Mid) St Kilda

We know, we know. Freeman has been on this list for the last few years and injuries have cruelled him. However, there could be light at the end of the tunnel with reports out of St Kilda suggesting his close to full fitness. Touch wood.

JACK GRAHAM ($117,300, Mid) Richmond

Richmond will have a new-look midfield rotation in 2017 with the addition of Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy and we expect Graham to be a part of that as well. The strong-bodied inside midfielder is definitely one to watch this pre-season.

Former Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts is now with Gold Coast. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

RUCKS

JARROD WITTS ($217,600, Ruck) Gold Coast

As rare as hen’s teeth, the cash cow ruckman who could - if you’re the gambling type - slot in at R2. Witts arrives on the Gold Coast ready to take the No.1 mantle from the injury-prone Tom Nicholls. Averaged 72 in both 2014 and 2015 sharing time with Brodie Grundy.

DARCY CAMERON ($117,300, Ruck) Sydney

The archetype third ruckman, he’s cheap and has ruck-forward dual position status. However, Cameron could also see game time. The Swans’ ruck division isn’t exactly the strongest in the AFL and one injury could see Cameron making his AFL debut.

Luke Surman, Paul Hunter, Esava Ratugolea and Luke Stradica are also R3 loophole options.

Ben Ainsworth at Gold Coast training. Picture: Regi Varghese

FORWARDS

BEN AINSWORTH ($198,300, Mid-Fwd) Gold Coast

The Suns’ top draft pick should slot straight into the Round 1 team. A Luke Dahlhaus-type player capable of getting his share of disposals and kicking a few goals is the perfect recipe for SuperCoach scoring.

JOSH THOMAS ($193,100, Mid-Fwd) Collingwood

The second of the banned Magpies, Thomas should also slot straight back into the Collingwood line-up. His forward pressure was noticeably missing in 2016 and it will be interesting to see how his fitness holds up in the pre-season competition.

JACK BOWES ($171,300, Mid-Fwd) Gold Coast

The Suns’ academy product was tipped to be drafted as high as No.3 but slipped to No.10. The Suns are in rebuild mode and Bowes looks to be a major part of the revival. Expect him to see midfield time from the get-go.

CALLUM BROWN ($117,300, Mid-Fwd) Collingwood

The Magpies’ father-son young gun seems the most likely of the club’s batch of youngsters to debut early. Likened to Caleb Daniel and Lachie Neale, Brown could slot into the Magpies forward line from Round 1.

WILLIE RIOLI ($117,300, Fwd) West Coast

If the surname isn’t enough to get you interested, reports out of Eagles HQ should. Rioli shone in a recent intra-club hit-out and a strong JLT Community Series should see him in line for a Round 1 debut.