SuperCoach experts answer the burning questions just before Round 1 lockout

Patrick Dangerfield and Isaac Heeney are in most SuperCoach teams — then who? We’ve assembled a panel of experts to find an F3 and to answer the biggest burning questions heading into Round 1.

If you thought the last hour of the trade period was nuts, brace yourself for the last three days before the first SuperCoach lockout of the season.

Players are being traded in and out and a frenetic pace as we try to assemble on a line-up that looks just right.

We’ve asked the experts from the Herald Sun and some of the biggest SuperCoach communities — JB from Doctor SuperCoach, Paul Dunn from SuperCoach Coach and Alexie from the Jock Reynolds podcast — to settle the big selection debates.

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1. BRODIE GRUNDY AND MAX GAWN — YES OR NO?

Al Paton ( @al_superfooty ): Yes. It’s a massive outlay but no other ruckman can rival their scoring power.

Ben Higgins (@ben_higgins84 ) : Not just yes, definitely yes. I can’t see any value picking a lesser ruckman even if it saves me $200,000. Set and forget.

Daniel Begala ( @danbegala ) : The pillars of The Begala Brigade have been locked and loaded since SuperCoach 2019 opened earlier this year.

Tim Michelll ( @tim_michell ) : Absolutely. One of the few decisions I haven’t wavered on. Both have a favourable early draw and shouldn’t drop much in price. The new rules will suit Gawn and Grundy to a tee.

JB ( @JB_DRSC ): Yes, I’m too scared not to! A lofty price to pay for security, but that’s exactly what you get. We don’t need a single variable to change with these two for them to be the clear top two rucks again. The points you gain on those who start without is enough to dish out the $1.4 million.

Alexie Beovich ( @LekDogSC ): Yes! Forget the Cox Curse. Grundy’s start to the season is too good!

Paul Dunn ( @pkd73 ): Yes. I think they are the safe set and forget choice now that Preuss seems to be on the backburner. But I could forgive those going with Goldstein.

Dan Batten ( @danbatten_ ): Got to have them. There is daylight between the pair and the next best ruckman, and the new ruck rules are set to favour the dominant rucks of the competition.

Brodie Grundy is the most expensive player in SuperCoach.

2. WHO IS CURRENTLY AT F3 IN YOUR TEAM?

Al: It would love to pick Josh Dunkley but his role is too unreliable. My third forward is currently Docker David Mundy who is boring but reliable, and should improve his scoring this year with more time in the midfield.

Ben: David Mundy’s in there at the moment and I’ve grown quite fond of him as a POD pick.

Daniel: It’s like a revolving door at F3 and I suspect this conundrum is affecting most coaches. At this stage, I am flirting with the prospect of Tim Kelly, Robbie Gray or Sam Menegola.

Tim: Ah, the revolving door of F3. Tim Kelly holds the spot at the moment. I was encouraged by his showing in JLT2 when he scored 110 despite an inefficient game by foot.

JB: Who isn’t? I have had each forward premium pass through that spot five times over. Currently Toby Greene has been earmarked to make a return to premium status in a bid to save money up forward, however Josh Dunkley is my pick of the premiums.

Alexie: Michael Walters, bit of a POD and won’t be worse than last year.

Paul: Currently Tim Kelly. He showed in JLT2 that he has still got good scoring power. Hopefully he gets every opportunity as Geelong look to up his trade value for the end of the season.

Dan: Josh Dunkley is back in after a dominant JLT2, but veteran Docker David Mundy is waiting to be subbed in at the last minute.

Toby Greene made his comeback from injury last weekend.

3. WHO IS YOUR M6?

Al: Tom Liberatore. I’m batting pretty deep in the midfield this year.

Ben: Anthony Miles is there and I’m prepared to give him two games to prove himself. Everyone’s allowed one gamble and he’s mine.

Daniel: Tom Liberator’s sitting there as it stands, but it’s leaving me uneasy. I am considering throwing Sam Walsh to the wolves at M6 alongside Zac Butters (M7) and Bailey Scott (M8), but this guns and rookies strategy leaves me vulnerable from a scoring perspective. I’ve been bitten in the past by the likes of Jaegar O’Meara (2017) and David Swallow (2017), so I am warming to notion of jettisoning Liberatore from my side.

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Tim: James Cousins. I’m rolling with Cousins and Sam Walsh on field as both look capable of averaging above 80 and have good job security. He’ll pick up some of Tom Mitchell’s points.

JB: Sam Walsh is my M6. If you need to know why simply go back and watch his performances in the JLT series.

Alexie: Zak Butters! Can’t quite fit Walsh in at this stage so the Port young gun will have to do.

Paul: Sam Walsh. This kid should be a lock in every team. I am running three rookies on field in the mids.

Dan: Sam Walsh – and he’ll be worth every cent.

Sam Walsh will make his debut on Thursday night. Picture: Sarah Matray

4. HOW MANY PLAYERS IN YOUR SQUAD ARE PRICED BETWEEN $250,000 AND $500,000?

Al: Too many! Four at least count — two in defence and two in the midfield (plus a $239k forward). By my normal rules that’s about three too many, so I’m not ruling out last-minute changes.

Ben: Just the two and one is Brodie Smith, which is think is hardly a risk. I’m usually a fan of mid-pricers but this year I’m playing it safe ... well, safer.

Daniel: There are currently three players that fit the bill, namely Zac Williams, Brodie Smith and Tom Liberatore. The only “lock” among this group of players is Smith as I am still considering converting Williams and Liberatore to a rookie and bone fide star (Jake Lloyd).

Tim: One — Zac Williams at D3. He’s effectively an underpriced premium and can’t be left out. Was third picked after Dangerfield and Grundy.

JB: Four - Zac Williams, Brodie Smith, Tom Liberatore and Toby Greene.

Alexie: As of JLT2 concluding, one. Walters is my only “mid-pricer.” I had five and rebuilt a guns and rookies line-up.

Paul: I have three in that range — Brodie Smith, Zac Williams and Brad Crouch. I am sticking to guns and rookies as much as possible this year. I would like James Worpel in the team and, depending which rookies are named, he may yet come in.

Dan: Just the one in Brad Crouch, along with Darcy Moore who is priced just below $250k. One may become two in the coming days in the precarious F3 spot.

Giants defender Zac Williams. Picture. Phil Hillyard

5. WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST RISK?

Al: Brad Crouch has had a super pre-season but it wouldn’t be a big shock if he falls over in Round 1. Fingers crossed.

Ben: Anthony Miles is definitely a big risk after failing to impress over the JLT Series. I’m hoping James Worpel/James Cousins don’t make me regret picking him.

Daniel: The biggest risk(s) are the aforementioned names, Libba, Williams, Smith and Moore. History shows that few, if any mid-priced players, set the world afire with scoring and performances that exceed our expectations. I will have a “long-short” strategy ready for Round 3 where I will “short” (sell) my premiums or mid-priced players that fail to deliver and go “long” (buy) on any youngsters, mid-pricers or stars that burst from the barriers. Using last year as an example, I shorted Michael Hibberd and Luke Dahlhaus, in favour of Riley Bonner and Tim Taranto – which set up my season.

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Tim: Jack Steele. Added to the team in the past week for POD reasons but there’s always a risk when a player has only scored premium numbers for half a season. He’s sitting at M5.

JB: I’m most concerned about Toby Greene as his injury affected 2018 is still fresh in my memory. However, his ability to put up premium scores at a discounted price is enough to win me over.

Alexie: A backline of Kade Simpson, Shannon Hurn and jack Crisp is a bit risky!

Paul: I am worried about a few of the rookies but, those aside, I think Zac Williams is a risk. I am concerned about his lack of JLT time but he is just too much value to avoid. Thankfully his price would allow him to be easily downgraded if need be.

Dan: See above answer. Crouch has the potential to break down at any time, while Moore could be a disaster waiting to happen.

Saint Jack Steele put up impressive numbers in the pre-season. Picture: Michael Klein

6. WHO’S A LEFT-FIELD BOLTER YOU LIKE BUT AREN’T BRAVE ENOUGH TO START?

Al: I’d love to find a spot for Angus Brayshaw who could average 110 this year.

Ben: As noted above, James Cousins and James Worpel look to have a fair bit of upside with Tom Mitchell out.

Daniel: Dom Sheed. He’s not left-field, but he’s a classy left-footer who I think will finally blossom into a star. His asking price, $394K, is the epitome of boom or bust.

Tim: Harris Andrews. Was in the first side I picked and is only in 2 per cent of teams. He’ll win plenty of intercept possessions in defence but the prospect of Chris Fagan throwing him forward scared me off.

JB: My left-field bolter is Jack Steele. A ripping end to the season and a JLT series to back that up.

Alexie: Daniel Rich. No joke. I think he’s an awesome selection but after last year I’m too afraid of public persecution.

Paul: Jordan Ridley. He had a blinder of a JLT series for his price but I just don’t trust the Bombers enough to put him in my side at the moment.

Dan: Jack Steele. Has improved his fitness base over the pre-season following an outstanding last month of 2018. Sky is the limit for the contested beast, but I can see more upside with Crouch at this stage.