SuperCoach POD watch: Joel Selwood, Toby McLean among players you should consider

THE hunt for a hidden SuperCoach gem intensifies this week with prices set to fluctuate after Round 3. DAN BATTEN runs the rule over the on-fire PODs SuperCoaches have overlooked, with Joel Selwood his sure bet.

Joel Selwood is in less than five per cent of SuperCoach teams. Will you target him this week? Picture: Alison Wynd

THE hunt for a hidden Hipages SuperCoach gem intensifies this week with prices set to fluctuate after Round 3.

PODS or ‘points of difference’ are the lifeblood of SuperCoach, separating the experts from the run-of-the-mill.

Generally considered as players owned by fewer than 5 per cent of SuperCoaches, PODs can make or break your season.

DAN BATTEN runs the rule over the on-fire players the majority of SuperCoaches have overlooked, with Joel Selwood his sure bet.

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DEFENCE

Shannon Hurn | DEF | $487,200 | Ownership: 0.5 | Current Average: 125

The West Coast skipper has been using his deadly right peg to great effect over the past fortnight. Hurn has notched up over 20 kicks and 10 marks in both matches, going at a formidable average of 125 points per game. Teammate Elliott Yeo looks to be occupying the middle of the ground, leaving Hurn as their go-to-guy out of defence. An ownership of 0.5% is too low for a man who averaged 88.6 last season.

Shannon Hurn has been on fire to start the season, can he keep it up? Picture: Getty Images

Luke Ryan | DEF | $422,300 | 1.7% | Current Average: 98

We marvelled at his performances as a rookie last season, but Luke Ryan is more than just a cash cow. The mature-ager is an elite interceptor and uses the ball well by foot, which bodes well for his scoring potential. Ryan has opened his account with scores of 106 and 92, to go his three tons in his last five games in 2017. They say never to trust a guy with two first names, but at a price-tag of $422,300, he might just be worth it.

MIDFIELD

Jack Macrae | MID | $587,800 | Ownership: 1.0% | Current Average: 131

While Bontempelli steals most of the limelight in the Bulldogs midfield, Macrae quietly gets the job done every week. Macrae has backed up his stellar 2017 campaign with a barnstorming start, including a 31 disposal, three goal performance in the Bulldogs’ emphatic loss last weekend. While he has lost dual position status, his first two rounds have shown he is definitely worth consideration.

Joel Selwood | $562,00 | Ownership: 4.6% | Current Average: 132.5

Some thought the arrival of Ablett would limit his influence, but if anything it has seen Selwood flourish. The Cats skipper has punched out scores of 145 and 120 over the first two rounds, averaging 34.5 disposals, nine clearances and five tackles. Having averaged 110+ SuperCoach points in seven previous seasons, he is a sure SuperCoach bet. How is he a POD?

Joel Selwood is in less than five per cent of SuperCoach teams. Will you target him this week? Picture: Alison Wynd

Lachie Whitfield | MID | $536,600 | Ownership: 4.4% | Current Average: 114.5

Injury to Zac Williams and the departure of Nathan Wilson have seen Whitfield thrusted into the running half back role. Whitfield’s combination of speed and skill by foot have seen him excel, averaging 30 disposals, 11 marks and 114.5 points per game. Will be used as a weapon throughout the season for the Giants and a 110+ average at season’s end is not out of the question.

Jarryd Lyons | MID | $493,900 | Ownership: 0.4% | Current Average: 109

North Melbourne blanketed Jarryd Lyons in the wet in Round 1 — such is their respect for the former Crow. The Blues rued not locking him down last weekend, finishing the day with 36 disposals (including a whopping 26 contested possessions) and 152 points. With Gary gone, Lyons is the number one man in the Suns midfield and his thirst for contested ball and tackles should see him thrive. Owned by just 0.4% ...

Cam Ellis-Yolmen | MID | $263,900 | Ownership: 2.1% | Current Average: 87

A forgotten man after back-to-back knee reconstructions, Ellis-Yolmen put in a formidable performance against the Tiges. The contested beast racked up 28 touches and laid seven tackles on his way to 97 points. With the Crouch brothers sidelined and Sloane a chance to miss this Saturday against the Saints, the next few weeks should be fruitful for the Crows’ inside bull. Might be more than just a short-term cash grab.

Could Toby McLean be a key figure in your SuperCoach success? Picture: AAP

FORWARDS

Toby McLean | FWD/MID | $470,200 | Ownership: 5.6% | Current Average: 108

Technically isn’t a POD by definition, but 5.6% is close enough. McLean has occupied a spot in my forward line since SuperCoach opened and has produced the goods thus far. He was one of the Bulldogs’ best on the weekend with 31 touches, five tackles and 125 points. Played through the midfield towards the end of 2017, averaging 97.2 points from his last 10 games. The gaping hole left by Tom Liberatore will only see McLean’s midfield time increase.

Blake Acres | $412,300 | Ownership: 4.6% | Current Average: 117

Blake Acres tempted many in last year’s JLT and he is back to sway us again. The 22-year-old top scored with 144 points in Round 1 against Brisbane and backed it up with a 90-point effort against the Roos. Acres appears to be spending more time in the guts and across halfback as an interceptor — both valuable roles for SuperCoach. Has built up in the off-season and could take SuperCoach by storm.

Charlie Curnow | $408,100 | Ownership: 5.3% | Current Average: 111

Like McLean, Curnow only just misses the 5% quota but I had to put him in; this kid could be anything. The man dubbed ‘Kouta 2.0’ started 2018 with a bang, clunking 10 marks and booting five goals on his way to 126 against the reigning premiers. He followed it up with a modest 96-point score last weekend, but the signs of a SuperCoach beast are there for all to see. Will be a lock in years to come — can he reach SuperCoach heights in 2018?

Tim Taranto | FWD/MID | $365,600 | Ownership: 4.2% | Current Average: 106.5

We saw what Clayton Oliver was capable of last year in his second season and Tim Taranto has started his own in a similar vein. The 2017 #2 pick is biding most of his time in the midfield, and expect it only to increase with Tom Scully’s long term injury. At a price of just $365,600, he looms as a potential breakout contender. His dual position status is an added bonus.

Zac Fisher has emerged as a genuine forwardline option. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Zac Fisher | 263,600 | Ownership: 2% | Current Average: 101.5

Many SuperCoaches opted for cheapie Allen Christensen up forward, but this young Blues’ midfielder is overtaking him at this point. Enter Zac Fisher. The 19-year-old has pushed up the ground more in 2018, with his decision making and leg speed a feature. With Carlton’s new emphasis on attacking footy, expect Fisher to be a crucial cog in their plans. Unrealistic to expect him to keep this form up, but a break-even of -48 sweetens the deal.

Ruck

Jarrod Witts | $518,300 | Ownership: 2% | Current Average: 118

Jarrod Witts has started season 2018 like a house on fire. After sending Todd Goldstein to the cleaners in monsoonal conditions in Round 1, Witts backed it up against with another 48 hit-outs and 13 possessions against Carlton. Admittedly it was a Kreuzer-less Blues, but Witts proved last year he can match it with the best. At just 2% ownership, he is one who could push his seasonal average over the 100 mark.