SuperCoach AFL draft: Eight players to pick up off the waiver wire before Round 1 begins

SuperCoach drafts are done and dusted, but there’s still plenty of value left across the waiver wire. Draft expert Lekdog has eight players likely still available in your league to snare up.

Summer has gone, the Supercoach Drafts are complete, and the journey to your premiership has officially begun.

To help you on your way with some last-minute waiver advice, I’ve compiled a list of eight players that might’ve been missed on draft night but could give you an edge to start the season.

FORWARDS

Jack Silvagni was taken at pick 202 on average across all Supercoach Drafts and he presents good value for Round 1 at least.

The forward turned defender looks comfortable behind the ball in Carlton’s preseason matches, taking intercept marks as a loose man in defence and producing a score of 63 against the Giants.

He has the upside of contributing in the ruck and around the ground at stoppages, and should have plenty of opportunities to continue his defensive marking against an inexperienced Richmond on Thursday night. Consider him for your forward line.

Jack Silvagni could help plug a forward hole in your draft side. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Conor Stone is another player who has switched up his play in the pre-season, the Giants have used his flexibility and redeployed him as a halfback flanker.

He scored 62 points in the preseason hit out against the Blues and had another 64 points in Opening Round against the Magpies. While these numbers aren’t incredible, he does look to have locked himself into the GWS backline which gives us more upside than if he was stuck in a forward pocket.

You could do worse than stick this guy on your bench for cover in deeper leagues.

A theme is emerging here and the latest player to switch roles in the preseason is Sam Wicks.

Traditionally a poor Supercoach scorer who was stuck in a small forward role, Wicks has made the transition into Sydney’s halfback line.

There is risk in a Wicks pick, the preseason match against Hawthorn saw him playing all over the ground and starting on a wing. However, he did look good in Round 0 as a defender, registering 18 disposals, four tackles and 82 Supercoach points.

The upside in a shallow pool of forwards makes him a worthy consideration.

DEFENDERS

The somewhat forgotten defender from Supercoach Classic year’s past, Heath Chapman was the 212th player taken in Supercoach Drafts and is available in plenty of leagues.

Chapman is entering his sixth AFL season and still has three seasons to run on his contract. Could this be the breakout year we’ve been waiting for?

He looked impressive in Fremantle’s pre-season win over Melbourne, delivering 16 kicks, eight marks and 77 Supercoach points. If he’s available on the waiver wire, snaffle him up now.

Lachlan Bramble played 23 games for the Bulldogs last year and averaged 73 SuperCoach points across the season.

With an average draft position of 224th, Bramble has flown under the radar as an option in defence. He’s unlikely to win you the league but as a throw at the stumps heading into Round 1, I believe he represents value.

Bramble was solid in the preseason win over Hawthorn, playing predominantly in defence he amassed fifteen kicks and five handballs for 78 Supercoach points.

Teammate of Lachlan Bramble, Luke Cleary, is another defender that has Bulldog’s fans excited.

Cleary has never managed more than four games in a season, securing just two senior selections in 2024, but he looks poised to get an opportunity early in 2025.

With injuries to a host of Western Bulldogs players, Cleary put his hand up for selection against Hawthorn in their pre-season clash, accumulating 18 disposals, seven marks and 89 Supercoach points.

MIDFIELDERS

As someone who has heavily invested in this player across my deep drafts and keeper leagues, I am confident in the emergence of Cooper Lord at Carlton.

Lord was taken by the Blues in the 2024 mid-season draft and broke into Carlton’s senior side for the final two matches of the Home and Away season.

He posted scores of 89 and 88 to close out 2024 before scoring 73 points from 14 disposals and three tackles in Carlton’s preseason match against the Giants.

Cooper Lord could be a sneaky pick-up off the waiver wire. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images.

The return of Walsh does pose some sub risks for Lord but he should squeeze into the Blues’ Round 1 side due to a dearth of other available players. He feels like the sort of player who, once in the side, will be very difficult to remove from it.

Will Graham didn’t have the best showing for Gold Coast in their preseason loss to Sydney but he did put up some good midfield minutes which is all we can ask of him.

The first round selection from 2023 had a surprisingly large role to start his AFL career, playing 17 games for the Suns and posting multiple Supercoach scores in the 90s across the year.

With impending questions about Matt Rowell’s future, could Damien Hardwick look to amplify Graham’s role in season 2025? I think he is absolutely worth a spot on your bench.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL draft: Eight players to pick up off the waiver wire before Round 1 begins