SuperCoach AFL 2017: Dan Begala looks at some breakout contenders for this season

A BUDDING Swans superstar, Bulldogs big man and two rising Suns could become SuperCoach studs in 2017. Dan Begala reveals his breakout contenders.

BREAKOUT players, by definition, are those who bounce out of the blocks to post scores that undoubtedly exceed the expectations of the loyal SuperCoach brethren.

Many will recall Aaron Hall, the Gold Coast midfielder, who rocketed into SuperCoach relevance following a month of breathtaking football that saw him average a whopping 125 points per game.

To the untrained eye, this was unprecedented but many astute readers would have paid heed to Hall’s final games of the 2015 season where, in the absence of Gary Ablett Jnr, he piled on five SuperCoach tons from Gold Coast’s last six matches.

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Unearthing a breakout star, traditionally, is like finding a needle in a haystack.

They’re exceptionally rare, inherently risky and sometimes, fraught with danger.

Daniel Begala is a footballing tragic, finance nerd and has finished inside the SuperCoach top 100 overall the past two seasons. Here are his best “breakout” prospects for 2017.

Isaac Heeney is looking to move into the midfield in 2017. Picture: Phil Hillyard

ISAAC HEENEY ($433,400, Fwd) Sydney

Cast your mind back to the AFL Finals Series. This kid, or more appropriately, this man announced himself on the competition with a spell-bounding display of finals football that culminated in him finishing third overall in the inaugural Gary Ayres Medal.

Outstanding in the air, around the stoppages and of course, in front of goals, Heeney boasts all of the attributes that are synonymous with “premium” players.

And with Tom Mitchell’s departure, expect Heeney’s midfield minutes to skyrocket and consequently, his average to rise north of 90 points per game.

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TOUK MILLER ($428,900, Mid-Fwd) Gold Coast

This little champ is Aaron Hall Mark II, rated for exceptional character, leadership and maturity beyond his years.

He was let off the chain in the final home-and-away rounds of 2016, amassing possessions at will (39, 32, and 28 in the final three weeks) and averaged 114 points.

With the “Meatball” (Dion Prestia) and Jaeger O’Meara seeking new pastures, expect this wrecking ball to become a walk-up start to the fledgling Gold Coast midfield and average 88-95 points per game. Lock him in and throw away the key. He’ll be a top 8 forward in 2017.

Touk Miller will play a big role in Gold Coast’s midfield. Picture: Glenn Hampson

BRAYDEN FIORINI ($279,100, Mid) Gold Coast

He may have only played two games in 2016, but it was Round 23, against Port Adelaide that really stamped Fiorini’s name on the competition with 32 disposals, 12 tackles, two goals and 125 points.

Two words: “ball magnet”.

There’s been a lot of love shown for Fiorini with a breadth of experts selecting him in their starting eight midfielders. I see extreme potential, but personally, at $279k I’ll assess his JLT Community Series form before he earns a debut in The Begala Brigade.

TOM BOYD ($290,300, Ruck-Fwd) W.Bulldogs

Stiff not to win the Norm Smith Medal for his heroics in the Grand Final, which included three goals, a heap of contested marks and 99 points.

The Million-Dollar Baby, as he was formerly known, has now shaken the pressure of his lofty price tag and announced himself as one of the most exciting big men in the game.

If you’re not progressing with the Goldstein-Gawn “set-and-forget” ruck strategy, this man could be your “arbitrage” option. His forward eligibility reminds me of Scott Lycett, whilst the recent changes to the third-man up rule will ensure he delivers his fair share of hit-outs to advantage.

Consider him, but only if he performs seamlessly during the pre-season.

Jackson Thurlow battles Zach Touhy at Geelong training. Picture: Jay Town.

JACKSON THURLOW ($267,700, Def) Geelong

Earmarked, prior to his ACL injury, as the heir apparent to Corey Enright.

Thurlow is an exquisite user of the football, demonstrates strong dash and peaked, in 2015, at $435k following a sequence of solid scoring (including three 100s).

With the recent retirement of Enright and Chris Scott’s penchant for youth, expect Thurlow to be given every opportunity to nail a spot in the Geelong backline.

My tip, however, is that he’ll face feisty competition for the spot from Jake Kolodjashnij and personally, I will opt for Essendon’s young jet, Andy McGrath ($221,800, Def-Mid), before I take a plunge on a player returning from an ACL injury.