SuperCoach AFL 2024: Late mail, teams whispers for round 16
The Bulldogs – and thousands of SuperCoaches – are sweating on the fitness of superstar Marcus Bontempelli. And in a worrying sign, coach Luke Beveridge remained coy on Friday morning.
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Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli remains in some doubt for Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne but joined training at Whitten Oval on Friday.
Bontempelli appeared to move freely in lane drills early in the Bulldogs’ training session after he left the field early on Wednesday due to back spasms.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said the champion midfielder was a “more than 50 per cent” chance to play but would undergo a fitness test away from the cameras later on Friday.
“He’s going to have a little test indoors – you may not see him out there, and you may not know whether or not he’s playing,” Beveridge said.
“He seems to be OK, but we just want to make sure. From a probability point of view, he’s more on the above 50 per cent side, but I can’t tell you whether he’s playing or not.
“Most likely (a decision will be made) this morning, but with someone like Marcus, if he thinks, ‘yeah I’m pretty good, I know I’ll be a lot better tomorrow’, we’ll probably just (factor) that in.”
The Bulldogs coach will likely recall Caleb Daniel or Anthony Scott to the 23 should Bontempelli be ruled out of the Kangaroos clash.
SuperCoach gun in frame for shock return
– Ed Bourke
Collingwood is set to make multiple changes as it returns from the bye against Gold Coast, with a forgotten SuperCoach gun in the frame for a possible return.
Jordan De Goey, Scott Pendlebury and Brody Mihocek all completed training on Thursday and were cleared to face the Suns, but Lachie Schultz (gastro) was ruled out and Isaac Quaynor (flu) was also absent from the session at Olympic Park.
Magpies coach Craig McRae said De Goey was ready to play after groin and abdominal injuries restricted him to only a single game since April.
The coach said small forward Joe Richards was also a strong chance to return from a foot injury in Schultz’s absence.
Richards exploded onto the AFL scene with two 100-plus SuperCoach scores in his three games from round 9-11 before hurting his foot. He is priced at $212,900 with a Break Even of -36 in his next appearance.
“Joey’s come fast because he was literally three or four weeks away … but he’s training really well, he’s put his hand up, so it’s an interesting conversation,” McRae said.
“Yeah, absolutely (there’s a risk to making five or six changes), I was sort of thinking that only this morning.
“But it happens – if Schultz doesn’t play and Quaynor doesn’t get up, all of these things … every week you think about dynamics, chemistry and connection.”
McRae added that Nick Daicos had boldly stated his desire follow Sydney star Errol Gulden towards playing 100 per cent game time after he burnt off a tag from North Melbourne’s Will Phillips with his running power in the third quarter of the Magpies’ round 14 win.
“You look at Errol Gulden … he’s playing 100 per cent game time at the moment, and Nick’s asking why he can’t,” McRae said.
“He said it out loud, so obviously he’s wanting to. He’s not playing far off that, but he’s got an exceptional engine and he can run all day, and he’s running harder at the end then he does at the start, which just makes it really hard for him to be tagged.
“We moved him forward in the second half and he kicks two goals in the last quarter and sets up three – he’s just such a talent.”
McKERCHER NO CERTAINTY
The almost 35,000 coaches waiting for Colby McKercher’s AFL return might have to wait another week.
The Kangaroos young gun, who hasn’t played since round 9 due to bone stress in his foot, made his comeback in the VFL last weekend and dominated with 31 disposals and 135 SuperCoach points in just three quarters.
At $379,400 and with a Break Even of -6 he presents a tantalising option as a “23rd premium” who could provide bench cover in defence and midfield for the run home.
But the Kangaroos won’t be taking any risks with the No.2 draft pick.
Describing McKercher’s VFL return, North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White told the club website: “He played capped game loading with the aim to maximise intensity and work rate in three quarters of football.
“Over the coming weeks, Colby’s training loads will be modified and game load metrics progressively increased to enable his foot to adapt.”
Colby McKercher is training with the VFL group from last weekend. The rising star fancy may have to wait another week for a return to the seniors. North face the Dogs on Saturday @FOXSportsNews@FOXFOOTY#AFL
— Drew Jones (@DrewJonesFOX) June 27, 2024
FANTASY FREAKO’S ROOKIE FORMGUIDE
With the bye rounds behind us most teams should now be close to full premium, so the reliance on rookies will drop off over coming weeks. In saying that, not every team is in the same position and the need for viable back-ups will be important as we head into the business end of the season. No doubt there will be a suspension or injury to deal with – so having bench cover is always important.
Last round we had five new debutants in Logan Evans, Hugh Davies, Caiden Clearly, Max Gruzewski and Kynan Brown. Two of them started as the sub, while the other three were on field with mixed results. Evans, a defender, was the pick of that group with 20 disposals and five intercept possessions.
We have one confirmed debutant for round 16 as Andy Moniz-Wakefield plays his first AFL match for Melbourne. Listed as a FWD in SuperCoach, he has three scores of 130-plus in his past seven VFL games including 140 last week from 35 disposals and three goals.
Debutants aside, Billy Dowling and Nathan Kreuger are the obvious choices this week as both prepare to play their third match. Dowling, a DPP, has been serviceable in his two games with 63 and 55 points in that order. He has played 37 per cent game time on the wing and 63 per cent up forward, so hopefully he can get involved in the play.
With Mason Cox still five weeks away, Kreuger is a handy downgrade option – especially if you have a RUC/FWD at R3. That swing is also handy if Luke Jackson is in your forwards.
Arie Schoenmaker has been heavily backed by SuperCoaches over the past two weeks, but he isn’t assured of a second game with Nathan Wanganeen-Milera returning to the St Kilda side. We must wait and see what Ross Lyon does at the selection table first. But should he remain in the team, he could potentially be looped if your D6 isn’t a reliable scorer.
There are a couple of handy rookies returning to the fold this round as well, with Harley Reid and Sam Darcy both coming back from a two-game suspension. Reid is still owned by over 60,000 SuperCoaches and Darcy has an ownership over 20,000. As we know, Reid thrives in front of his own fans, averaging 98 points at Optus Stadium and 131 points in wins.
As always, trade wisely and best of luck for the upcoming round!
CAPTAINS CORNER
With all 18 teams back in action this round there are no shortage of options for the C and VC.
If you like a Friday night VC to kick off the round, Max Gawn is always a good choice – and his past two scores against the Lions are 138 and 215.
Lachie Neale and Dayne Zorko could also score well against the out-of-form Demons.
If Marcus Bontempelli wasn’t under an injury cloud he would be a standout captain pick after scoring 169 in his last clash against North Melbourne. Then again, he was in doubt last week and scored 162 against the Dockers.
Saturday’s Gold Coast-Collingwood clash provides more great options with neither team noted for using a tag. Nick Daicos scored 149 and 143 in his past two against the Suns, while any of the Suns mids could fire back at home.
The Cats occasionally deploy Mark O’Connor in negating roles but it might not bother Zach Merrett.
Meanwhile, we’ve noted all year that St Kilda gives up big scores to opposition half-backs which could be very good news for Dan Houston owners, although he managed a relatively modest 107 against the Saints early in the year.
Steer clear of Zak Butters, however – he’s right in the frame for a Marcus Windhager tag.
Al Paton’s top three captains:
1. Nick Daicos
2. Marcus Bontempelli
3. Dayne Zorko
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Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2024: Late mail, teams whispers for round 16
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