Supercoach POD watch: Jack Steele, Marcus Bontempelli, Sam Menegola delight coaches with Round 1 efforts

Jack Steele, Sam Menegola, Shannon Hurn and Toby Nankervis. There was no shortage of Round 1 Supercoach POD success stories to assess this ahead of Round 2.

Jack Steele stormed home to register a triple-figure Round 1 score. Picture: Michael Klein

SuperCoaches learnt one thing from Round 1 — nothing is a certainty.

The two ‘lock’ ruckman had their colours lowered, with Max Gawn (50.5 per cent ownership) and Brodie Grundy (50.1 per cent) both failing to hit the ton.

Patrick Dangerfield (71.8 per cent) was another underperforming uber-premium with high ownership, managing just 97 SuperCoach points in the Cats win, while Isaac Heeney (48.1 per cent) also didn’t set the world on fire.

While these high-ownership players failed to deliver, some point-of-difference players shone.

We don’t advise trading out a premium after one week, but it is definitely worth running the microscope over potential trade-in options — especially if their ownership is below 10 per cent.

Unique players can make or break our season, and it is worth doing your due diligence before you take the punt. But if you back a winner, the upside is enormous.

THE SUPERCOACH PLAYERS ON WATCH AFTER ROUND 1

AFL SUPERCOACH ROUND 2 SELECTION GOSSIP

WHAT DO WE DO WITH GAWN, GRUNDY AFTER SUPERCOACH FAILS?

Check out the POD players that impressed over the weekend who could enter Round 2 trade calculations:

All smiles for Marcus Bontempelli owners after his efforts against Sydney. Picture: Getty Images.

UNIQUE OF THE WEEK

Marcus Bontempelli ($564,600)

Round 1 score: 158

Ownership: 3.6 per cent

The Bont was at his brilliant best against the Swans, finishing with a round-high 158 SuperCoach points. Provided plenty of X-Factor in the last quarter to get the Bulldogs over the line, with scaling helping him reach his mammoth total. Bontempelli bided the majority of time in the midfield, attending 12 centre bounces — encouraging for SuperCoaches. Aaron Naughton’s new role up forward may ensure this continues.

Defence

Shannon Hurn ($523,400)

Round 1 score: 108

Ownership: 9.2 per cent

Escaping POD territory and for good reason. The Eagles skipper posted a breezy ton from just 20 disposals despite his side’s shock loss. The most assured selection on this list. Hurn played on from nine kick-ins in Round 1, the most of any player.

Harris Andrews ($480,100)

Round 1 score: 117

Ownership: 2.3 per cent

POD HQ were singing his praises throughout the pre-season and they were vindicated after his Round 1 performance. Managed a formidable 117 SuperCoach points from just 20 touches thanks to a round-high 17 one-per-centers. This side of his game makes him one of the few trustworthy key-position players in SuperCoach.

Christian Salem has plenty of the ball in Melbourne’s loss to Port Adelaide. Picture: Daniel Pockett.

Christian Salem ($445,400)

Round 1 score: 139

Ownership: 1.2 per cent

This was a score out of the box. Christian Salem played in defence all game on Saturday — as he did during the pre-season - taking the kick-ins and racking up a whopping 30 kicks for the match. Watch with interest to see if this role continues, as he looms as a bargain POD.

Nic Newman ($394,100)

Round 1 score: 134

Ownership: 7.2 per cent

Why didn’t we listen to The Phantom? Nic Newman was one of the stars of Round 1, dominating in the Blues defence with 26 disposals (21 kicks), nine marks and 134 SuperCoach points. He did post a score like this in the JLT and followed it up with a sub-50 total, so don’t jump on just yet.

MIDFIELD

Rory Sloane ($524,300)

Round 1 score: 155

Ownership: 5.7 per cent

After an injury-riddled season, Rory Sloane burst out of the blocks with a monster 155 SuperCoach points. The fact he registered this total in a loss bodes well for his scoring going forward. At his best he is a 110+ averaging player — can he return to his former greatness in 2019? If so, $524,300 is too good to ignore.

Jack Steele ($512,600)

Round 1 score: 115

Ownership: 1.8 per cent

Owners were stressing (myself included) when Jack Steele was on just six SuperCoach points at quarter time, but he finished with a very promising total. Steele was crucial when the game was on the line, which helped him reach three figures from just 22 disposals. His tackle count (10 for the game) was also a plus, and should be a regular scoring avenue for the Saints tough nut.

Rory Sloane fired despite Adelaide’s loss to Hawthorn. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Tim Taranto ($481,600)

Round 1 score: 112

Ownership: 5.2 per cent

Tim Taranto was one of the Giants best in their Dons demolition on Sunday. His ball-winning mirrored his pre-season form, collecting 30 touches and 10 tackles. The youngster’s disposal efficiency (46 per cent) was poor, but he appears to be the incumbent for Dylan Shiel. Assess his role this week with Josh Kelly back in the line-up.

Ruck

Toby Nankervis ($533,000)

Round 1 score: 127

Ownership: 3.2 per cent

Albeit against a weak Blues ruck duo, Toby Nankervis was simply superb in the season opener. The Nank had plenty of impact up forward, booting three majors on his way to 127 SuperCoach points. Noah Balta’s inclusion in the side may allow him to spend more time in the forward 50, where he is very effective. Watch to see how he fares against All-Australian Brodie Grundy on Thursday night.

Forward

Sam Menegola ($543,100)

Round 1 score: 101

Ownership: 4.1. per cent

Just what the doctor ordered for Sam Menegola, starting the season like he does best. Teammate Tim Kelly looks to have overtaken him in the centre square stakes, but Menegola has shown he can consistently produce solid scores regardless. Appears likely to finish 2019 with an average similar to his score on Friday night — as he has the past two seasons.

Sam Menegola was his usual prolific self for Geelong in Round 1. Picture: Alan Barber.

Travis Boak ($478,000)

Round 1 score: 119

Ownership: 2.1 per cent

One of the PODs that few went took the punt on. Travis Boak blossomed in his return to the midfield group over the weekend, collecting 34 disposals and 119 SuperCoach points. The former skipper formed a damaging centre-square duo with Tom Rockliff. Another one to monitor with Ollie Wines likely to return this weekend, but his upside is massive.

Michael Walters ($476,800)

Round 1 score: 109

Ownership: 2.9 per cent

Walters reminded us all of his scoring capabilities on Sunday night with an impressive start to the year. The dynamic forward/mid benefited from the Dockers dominance, but there is no doubting his talent. Walters hit the scoreboard with three majors and 13 of his 20 touches were won contested. Whether he can produce this on a consistent basis is the big question.