SuperCoach jury: Expert verdict on Patrick Dangerfield, Josh Kelly, Rory Sloane, Cam Rayner and more

IN OR out? Get the verdict from the SuperCoach experts on Josh Kelly, Rory Sloane, Clayton Oliver, Patrick Dangerfield and more.

ARE you forking out almost $750,000 for Patrick Dangerfield in SuperCoach this year?

Is No. 1 draft pick Cameron Rayner a must-have? Will we all regret not starting with Clayton Oliver?

These are just some of the questions facing thousands of SuperCoach players approaching the 2018 season.

THE PHANTOM: FIVE SURPRISE MID-PRICE SMOKIES

ABLETT OR DANGER? ROBBO’S SUPERCOACH TEAM REVEALED

Fortunately, the experts are here to help — although they don’t all agree. Here is their verdict on seven big names in the first instalment of the 2018 SuperCoach jury. Stay tuned for more in the lead-up to Round 1.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD (GEEL) $749,800 MID

Gilbert Gardiner (@gilbertgardiner): Not so much the price but the potential squeeze on points at the Cattery this season. Need to be convinced in the JLT Series.

Al Paton (@al_superfooty): Dustin Martin won every award in footy last year — and Danger scored 239 more SuperCoach points than him, despite playing one fewer game. I don’t care where he plays, he’s in.

Daniel Begala (@danbegala): Dangerfield is the star of the SuperCoach show and a certainty to finish among the highest scoring players. Given the return of prodigal son Gary Ablett, I’ll be keeping a watchful eye on the Cats’ games throughout the JLT Series. But I, like most, am chasing rankings glory so Dangerfield is a must.

Paul Dunn (@pkd73): Don’t worry about the impact Gaz will have, Danger will still be a must-have this season. If he does spend a bit more time forward, that shouldn’t be a concern, he knows how to kick goals and it gives him the opportunity to win games of his own boot. He should still average 125-plus again this year. A captaincy option every week.

The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC): Just empty the pockets and lock him in. There is no guarantee the price fall — which happened as a result of the heavy knock he suffered on Easter Monday last year — will happen again.

JOSH KELLY (GWS) $628,600 MID

GG: Set and forget. The sky is the limit for the Giants superstar, who went from 87-point average in 2016 to 114 last year. With a clear run, Kelly should be a top-four scorer in SuperCoach this season.

AP: Can’t think of one good reason not to pick him except that I just can’t afford everyone. He played 24 games last year and scored under 100 only four times, had a lowest score of 88 and averaged 127 over the last month. Hang on, I might have to edit my team.

DB: Fresh from a breakout season, Kelly will be primed to lead the star-studded GWS engine room. He’s the prototype of the modern footballer and alongside the likes Marcus Bontempelli, Clayton Oliver and Patrick Cripps, looms as the next generation of premium SuperCoach scorers. I’m enormous fan of Kelly, but at his price ($628k) I would prefer the services of Dustin Martin ($656k) or Tom Mitchell ($653k).

PD: Look for Josh to increase on his breakout season last year, he is primed and ready to become one of the elite SuperCoach players. I want to see the JLT before committing.

TP: A Brownlow Medal might not be too far away for another of The Phantom’s favourites. Elite price-bracket now but he’s an elite scorer. But how many over $600k can we fit in?

Clayton Oliver had a stunning second season in 2017. Can he improve again?

CLAYTON OLIVER (MEL) $612,800 MID

GG: Missed the boom last year and not going to jump on the bandwagon now. Pencil him in for 2019.

AP: Marcus Bontempelli made a huge jump in his second season and has pretty much stayed at that level since. Will Oliver do the same? I’m clutching at straws here. Will be a SuperCoach beast for the next decade.

DB: Stellar season, ball magnet and, like Kelly, the future of SuperCoach. He’ll thrive among a resurgent Demons outfit but, unlike season 2017, he’s not coming cheap. Love his style, but I’ll probably take a haircut and acquire one of the old bulls such as Scott Pendlebury ($587k) who poses greater value.

PD: Melbourne is a team looking to improve, and that is what Oliver should do. He will draw more attention from opposition teams, however. It’s how he deals with that that will determine if he can be a topscoring SuperCoach player. On watch for me.

TP: Oliver’s early career numbers and unmatched and his ability to get his hands on the ball before most others is difficult to quell. Will hold last year’s numbers, if not improve.

RORY SLOANE (ADEL) $605,800 MID

GG: Tempting ahead of a contract year but the Crows superstar poses too big a risk at the price. I’ll be watching closely in the first half of the season as a potential upgrade target.

AP: Has a friendly early fixture but the tagging question mark still looms very large. Too risky for me.

DB: The Sloane Dog Millionaire is a fan favourite at The Begala Brigade, but with his penchant for being heavily tagged, I’ll probably steer clear of the Crow. Rest assured, however, the arrival of Bryce Gibbs ($563k) may enable Sloane to finally break the shackles of his tagging foes.

PD: Sloane found a way to work through the tag late in the season and finished with a bang. With Gibbs out there and last season’s emergence of Matt Crouch, he won’t be the only one for opponents to be concerned with. He should be able to eliminate those low scores he had this season and raise his average over 115.

TP: Dominates at Adelaide Oval, averaging 119 there last season and 121 over his career. And the Crows play six of their first nine games there in 2018. Can’t see him being affected by potential contract saga but he does share a bye with Danger, Dusty and Fyfe, however.

TOM ROCKLIFF (PA) $529,400 MID

GG: Sorry Rock, but not for me without runs on the board in black and teal.

AP: Ah, Rocky. A regular in my team for years, he was my favourite player when he averaged 124 in the first half of last year then ruined my season by averaging under 80 for the rest of the year. He was carrying an injury but can I forgive him ... who am I kidding? One of the few players capable of scoring 200-plus and will play in a lot more wins in 2018. In my team right now.

DB: Rockliff is one of the most prolific scorers in our game, however his swan song as a Brisbane Lion will leave many coaches wary. If, like the Power are suggesting, Rockliff takes up residence in the centre square then he’ll be a must-have come Round 1.

PD: He seems to be over the shoulder injury he had last season. A fully fit Rockliff at a new club presents a great deal of value at this price. Certainly worth strong consideration for your side. He is in my current line-up.

TP: Looming as a big sleeper. Has stated he will play predominantly as a midfielder and we all know the numbers he can produce in a ball-winning role. In the leadership group so he’s impressed down at Alberton already. High on watchlist.

Brisbane’s No. 1 draft pick Cam Rayner. Picture: Annette Dew

Rory Sloane will have help from Bryce Gibbs in the midfield this year.

CAMERON RAYNER (BRIS) $202,800 MID

GG: Will be popular in years to come but happy to risk in rookie season.

AP: I’m open to the idea of spending extra for a rookie if it you know he will play every week and score well. I can’t be sure of either of those with Rayner so it’s a no. Pick a $117k player instead.

DB: The Lions love this cub and with good reason. Dominated the TAC Cup and should slot immediately into a forward-flank role as he completes his midfield apprenticeship. I expect Rayner’s scoring output to mimic that of GWS debutante, Tim Taranto, given his size and goalkicking pedigree. Might opt for Luke Uniacke-Davies (North Melbourne) as an alternative.

PD: Should get game time at the Lions, but as the highest price rookie this season he will take longer than others to make you the money you need from rookies. He is unlikely to figure in my starting team.

TP: Dusty 2.0? Maybe, but not for a while. Looks like there may be a number of other cheaper rookie-priced players that might produce a similar output as Rayner develops in the forward line.

TOM DOEDEE (ADEL) $123,900 DEF

GG: Forget #BringBackDundee, in SuperCoach it’s #AllAboutDoedee for those in the know in the City of Churches. I’m on.

AP: Hyped as the next Jake Lever and on my defensive bench. Looking forward to actually seeing him play in the pre-season.

DB: He’s been thriving in the SANFL and with the absence Brodie Smith and Jake Lever, Doedee will be given every opportunity to lock down a role in the Crows defence. Will be a popular rookie selection, but his position in my side will be dictated by the powers that be at the Adelaide selection table in Round 1.

PD: Yes! He had a great season in the SANFL last year and has now had two years in the Crows system. Should be a part of the starting 22 replacing Lever, and if he is named he is a lock for your defence.

TP: In the team and on field, too. Can’t see him missing Round 1.