SuperCoach AFL 2017: we look at some of the draftees that could be key cash cows

WHICH young guns will be 2017’s key cash cows? We look at some of this year’s draft class to find who will play from Round 1.

Ben Ainsworth should slot straight into Gold Coast’s line-up. Picture: Mark Stewart

SUPERCOACH 2017 starts now.

Australia’s favourite fantasy AFL game is back for another bumper season and we need to start planning out line-ups.

ATTENTION, SUPERCOACH 2016 GOLD USERS: THE SUPERCOACH 2017 TEAM PICKER LAUNCHES ON MONDAY. START PLANNING YOUR LINE-UP

Today, we’re looking at the draft young guns who could be key cash cows next season.

From the top-priced top picks to the cheap-as-chips rookies, who can step up and not only play in Round 1 but start on our SuperCoach field?

DRAFTEES TO WATCH

JACK BOWES (Gold Coast)

Picked: No.10 (Cairns)

Likely position: Midfielder

Likely price: $180,000

Champion Data had Bowes ranked at No.5 before the draft and he’ll walk straight into the Suns’ Round 1 line-up. Averaged 91 in seven NEAFL games and a whopping 136 in his single TAC Cup appearance.

JARROD BERRY (Brisbane Lions)

Picked: No.17 (North Ballarat)

Likely position: Defender-Midfielder

Likely price: $150,000

The 191cm half-back should walk straight into Brisbane’s line-up for Round 1. Averaged 99 in his eight TAC Cup games and he’ll be cheaper than top pick Hugh McCluggage.

LUKE RYAN (Fremantle)

Picked: No.66 (Coburg VFL)

Likely position: Defender

Likely price: $117,000

The early cash cow buzz name. Ryan became an star intercepting defender at VFL Coburg and was talked up as a first-round pick before sliding down the order.

SAM POWELL-PEPPER (Port Adelaide)

Picked: No.18 (East Perth)

Likely position: Forward-Midfielder

Likely price: $144,000

Port Adelaide need some X-factor around the ball and that’s what SPP will provide. Capable inside and out but likely to be used mainly on the outside to start. Averaged 120 in WAFL Colts.

JACK GRAHAM (Richmond)

Picked: No.53 (North Adelaide)

Likely position: Midfielder

Likely price: $117,000

A big slider on draft night, Champion Data had Graham ranked No.22 pre-draft. The SA captain won the Larke Medal as the best player in the under-18 national championships after averaging a carnival-high 25 disposals, 11 contested possessions (second) and five clearances (equal-first).

BEN AINSWORTH (Gold Coast)

Picked: No.4 (Gippsland Power)

Likely position: Midfielder-Forward

Likely price: $207,000

Ranked No.4 pre-draft by Champion Data and drafted No.4 by the Suns after averaging 119 in the TAC Cup. Could be Suns’ version of Devon Smith or Toby Greene.

TOM STEWART (Geelong)

Picked: Pick No.40, (Geelong VFL)

Likely position: Defender

Likely price: $117,000

Is Stewart 2017’s Tom Ruggles? The VFL recruit averaged 81 SuperCoach points in his 18 games with the Cats - averaging 17 disposals - the second most disposals of any key defender.

SHAI BOLTON (Richmond)

Picked: No.29 (South Fremantle)

Likely position: Midfielder

Likely price: $117,000

A ready replacement for Chris Yarran and Brett Deledio? Bolton averaged 108 SuperCoach points in the WAFL Colts last year and should see plenty of opportunity to run and carry and hit Jack Riewoldt on the lead.

JY SIMPKIN (North Melbourne)

Picked: No.12 (Murray Bushrangers)

Likely position: Midfielder

Likely price: $170,000

Simpkin only played one TAC Cup (scoring 115) before breaking his leg. However, North Melbourne are adamant he’ll be ready for Round 1 and the club’s new youth policy should see him get plenty of opportunity.

DARCY CAMERON (Sydney)

Picked: No.48 (Claremont)

Likely position: Ruck

Likely price: $117,000

A mature-age ruckman who could easily debut if Tippett or Naismith get hurt or are out of form. Averaged two goals and 93 SuperCoach points in the WAFL this season.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Oliver Florent (Sydney), Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton), Will Brodie (Gold Coast), Ben Long (St Kilda), Callum Brown (Collingwood)

AND FROM THE ROOKIE DRAFT

BRETT EDDY (Port Adelaide)

Picked: No.26, rookie draft (South Adelaide)

Likely position: Forward

Likely price: $102,900

Mature-age recruit at 27, Eddie won the SANFL’s goalkicking award this year with 74 majors. He averaged 12 disposals, four goals and 97 SuperCoach points last season.

HENRY SCHADE (Collingwood)

Picked: Pick No.24, rookie draft (Gold Coast)

Likely position: Defender

Likely price: $250,000

He might be a bit expensive after five games and a 56-SuperCoach-point average in 2016 at the Suns but the 23-year-old will add much-needed depth to Collingwood’s key defensive stocks.

KYM LeBOIS (Carlton)

Picked: Picked No.5, rookie draft (North Adelaide)

Likely position: Forward

Likely price: $121,000

Gary Buckenara rated LeBois inside his top 50 ahead of the national draft so to get him at pick No.5 in the rookie draft is a steal. Is the small forward the Blues’ new Eddie Betts?