SuperCoach AFL 2017: get our expert club preview and analysis all in one place
SUPERCOACH 2017 is open for business. Need to catch up on your homework? We’ve got you covered with every club’s SuperCoach preview.
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SUPERCOACH 2017 is open for business.
Need to catch up on your homework before the JLT Community Series kicks off in February we’ve got you covered.
We’ve brought together all 18 club previews plus some of the best SuperCoach analysis for your reading enjoyment.
Don’t leave it to the last minute, start planning your team now!
SUPERCOACH GURU: DAN BEGALA’S 10 RULES TO SUPERCOACH SUCCESS
EARLY-SEASON ANALYSIS
MID-PRICED DEFENDERS & FORWARDS TO WATCH
The likes of Bob Murphy, Michael Hibberd, Chad Wingard and Jarryd Roughead will be popular picks in 2017. These and more could become premium stars while saving you a bit of cash.
MID-PRICED MIDFIELDERS & RUCKS TO WATCH
Dayne Beams and Aaron Sandilands have been here before. Can they save you some money while becoming elite SuperCoach scorers? Check out who else should you be considering.
WHO ARE THE CASH COWS TO WATCH IN 2017
Every SuperCoach season hangs on picking the right cash cows. We’ve taken an early look at the names you should know ahead of the pre-season.
TEAM PREVIEWS
We’ve looked at the premiums, mid-price risks and rookies to watch in 2017 for every team. We’ve picked one player to watch but there’s plenty more analysis in each preview.
ONE TO WATCH: RORY SLOANE ($591,000, Mid)
Adelaide’s premier midfielder, who bounced back from an injury-interrupted 2015 season to average 109 last year, has it all. He’s consistent, he can score big and he dominates at home.
ONE TO WATCH: DAYNE BEAMS ($432,500, Mid)
If his body can stay sound, Beams will be the bargain of the season and his selection is a no-brainer. He’s $179,500 cheaper than last season and is a proven premium performer.
ONE TO WATCH: MARC MURPHY ($432,500, Mid)
If the Blues captain is fully fit, he could be the bargain of 2017. Murphy is the cheapest he’s been since 2007 (he’s third season) and had averaged 100-plus every year bar one until last year.
COLLINGWOOD SUPERCOACH PREVIEW
ONE TO WATCH: ADAM TRELOAR ($605,400, Mid)
Raised his game to the elite level in his first season with Collingwood. Treloar had averaged 106 and 107 in 2014-15 but exploded in 2016 with an average of 111, scoring 16 tons.
ONE TO WATCH: DYSON HEPPELL ($523,400, Mid)
Heppell hasn’t yet reached the absolute elite level, but he isn’t far off it. After averages of 106 and 105 in his past two seasons, you can be pretty confident of what you’ll get this year.
ONE TO WATCH: NAT FYFE ($573,500, Mid)
When fit, Fyfe is Fremantle’s best player. Played only five games last year but still posted a 157, 115 and 141. He should be the first player you think about picking for your team.
ONE TO WATCH: STEVEN MOTLOP ($463,700, Fwd)
Look up “high risk, high reward” in your SuperCoach dictionary and there is a picture of Motlop. The potential for high scoring is clearly there but you want to get your timing right.
ONE TO WATCH: DAVID SWALLOW ($280,200, Mid)
Can he get back on the field? We certainly hope so. Swallow is just $280k and while he’s a midfielder only, he’d be more reliable than the expensive rookies.
ONE TO WATCH: TOBY GREENE ($492,000, Fwd)
A breakout season for Greene who had teased us in previous years. However, despite a 92 average it was still a rollercoaster ride for owners with 10 tons and six scores of 70 or less.
ONE TO WATCH: JARRYD ROUGHEAD ($367,100, Fwd)
Roughead’s return to the field is enough to warm your heart but his SuperCoach price is the cherry on top. Capable of averaging 100-plus if fully fit, Roughead will be extremely popular.
ONE TO WATCH: MAX GAWN ($645,000, Ruck)
Can the bearded cult hero do what Todd Goldstein couldn’t last season — back up a big season with another one? Gawn racked up 15 hundred in 21 games with seven of them above 140.
NORTH MELBOURNE SUPERCOACH PREVIEW
ONE TO WATCH: NATHAN HROVAT ($301,400, Mid-Fwd)
Lack of opportunity has been the big handbrake on Hrovat’s career since being taken with pick 21 in the 2012 draft but he will find a very different situation at Arden St.
PORT ADELAIDE SUPERCOACH PREVIEW
ONE TO WATCH: ROBBIE GRAY ($588,200, Mid)
No question marks over this guy. Reigning three-time best-and-fairest, Gray, makes the game look easy. The sublimely-skilled midfielder has averaged more than 108 for the past three years.
ONE TO WATCH: DION PRESTIA ($508,700, Mid)
He managed just 14 matches last season, averaging 94 points per outing, making him seriously underpriced for a guy who averaged 106 in his fourth season in 2014.
ONE TO WATCH: JACK STEELE ($347,100, Mid-Fwd)
Will the former Giant get more opportunities at his new club? Yes. Will he score better than last year’s 64-point SuperCoach average? Almost certainly. Is he worth a $347k investment? Umm.
ONE TO WATCH: ISAAC HEENEY ($433,400, Fwd)
Early breakout favourite for 2017. Heeney has spoken of his desire to step into the midfield. Played 20 games in his second season and averaged 79. Now he needs to take the next step.
ONE TO WATCH: SAM MITCHELL ($568,000, Mid)
Mitchell has averaged over 100 for five of the past six seasons and at least 90 since 2005, so you can’t really go wrong selecting him. The question is at age 34 can he improve on last year.
WESTERN BULLDOGS SUPERCOACH PREVIEW
ONE TO WATCH: JACK MACRAE ($511,700, Mid-Fwd)
Not normally on the premium list as he’s averaged 100, 99 and 94 in the past three years but there’s one big change in 2017. He’s now available as a forward.
10 Dockers rated: Action Jackson poses selection headache
Fremantle has completed its final hitout before its clash with the Indigenous All Stars next week. ELIZA REILLY rates a host of Dockers and provides an injury update.
5 tips for the best shot at winning your footy tipping competition
To dominate your footy tipping competition in 2025, it’s not just about the teams you pick — it’s about how you approach the game. Avoid the common pitfalls and follow this winning strategy.