SuperCoach POD watch: Players you need to consider

IF you missed out on Jack Macrae last week, it’s not too late to pick up the Western Bulldogs midfielder as DAN BATTEN takes a look at more potential POD SuperCoach options.

IF you missed out on Jack Macrae last week, it’s not too late to pick up the Western Bulldogs midfielder.

We recommended Macrae ($607,300) as a potential POD (point of difference) selection last week and he didn’t disappoint with 131 SuperCoach points against Essendon.

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After three rounds, Macrae is averaging 131 points — only Tom Mitchell has scored more SuperCoach points this season so far — but is only in 1.6 per cent of teams.

Gold Coast’s Jarryd Lyons and Dockers defender Luke Ryan were other POD suggestions who recorded imposing scores last weekend.

DAN BATTEN takes a look at more potential POD options ahead of Round 4.

DEFENCE

Paul Seedsman | DEF/MID | $347,500 | Ownership: 9.4% | Average: 94.7

Not too many POD options in defence, so Paul Seedsman makes the cut with 9.4 per cent ownership. Seedsman has filled Brodie Smith’s role at half-back to great effect, churning out scores of 99 and 110 over the past two weeks. Seedsman’s affordable at $347,500 and is set for another price rise with a breakeven of -2. Currently the fifth most traded in player this weekend, so he may not be a POD for long. Dual position status is a bonus.

Possible trade out: Michael Hibberd, Jeremy McGovern

Ed Richards | $135,300 | Ownership: 0.9% | Average: 94.7

First round draftee Ed ‘Red’ Richards put in an impressive showing in just his second AFL game, scoring 81 points against the Bombers. The running defender has speed to burn and an efficient left boot. Owned by just 0.9 per cent before this week, Richards is on the bubble with a break-even of -50, so look to slot him in ASAP. An ideal replacement for young teammate Aaron Naughton.

Possible trade out: Aaron Naughton

MIDFIELD

Bryce Gibbs | $575,800 | Ownership: 6.2% | Average: 121

Boom recruit Bryce Gibbs has had a fantastic start to the season, averaging a touch under 30 disposals and 121 points per game. Opposition sides are opting to shut down star Rory Sloane, allowing him to get off the chain. Looks set to surpass his highest seasonal average of 107, which came way back in 2009.

Possible trade out: Zach Merrett, Dayne Zorko

FORWARD

Robbie Gray | $504,300 | Ownership: 7.2% | Average: 107

SuperCoaches would have been brave to start him considering his Round 1 suspension but Robbie Gray has proven his doubters wrong, starting his 2018 with back-to-back tons. The Power livewire is owned by just 7.2% of teams and appears to be biding most of his time in the midfield, where he was rarely sighted last year. A player who has averaged over 107 points in three previous seasons cannot be ignored.

Jesse Hogan | $437,500 | Ownership: 5.7% | Average: 116.3

The man nicknamed “The Answer” by fans when he arrived at Melbourne could just be the answer to our SuperCoach forward problems. Jesse Hogan has been gifted valuable midfield minutes and has thrived, averaging 24 disposals, three goals and 135 points over the past fortnight. Don’t expect this sort of scoring every week, but if he can continue to receive midfield time, he looms as a steal at $437,500.

Possible trade out: Jack Billings

Jesse Hogan has enjoyed spending more time in midfield. Picture: Getty Images

RUCK

Brodie Grundy | $566,200 | Ownership: 6.2% | Average: 129.3

The Pies ruckman has been enormous this season, averaging 19 possessions, 35 hit-outs and a whopping 129.3 points per game. This included a herculean 154 point effort against Matthew Kreuzer on Friday night, dominating both on the ground and in the ruck. Grundy averaged a formidable 102 points from Round 10 onwards last season. No reason why he can’t finish 2018 with a 100-plus average.

Ticks and crosses from PODS last week

HOW LAST WEEK’S POD SUGGESTIONS WENT

DEFENCE

Shannon Hurn (85): Tick

Luke Ryan (114): Tick

MIDFIELD

Jack Macrae (131): Tick

Joel Selwood (78): Cross

Lachie Whitfield (64): Cross

Jarryd Lyons (138): Tick

Cam Ellis Yolmen (51): Cross

FORWARD

Toby McLean (115): Tick

Blake Acres (97): Tick

Charlie Curnow (86): Tick

Tim Taranto (49): Cross

Zac Fisher (76): Tick

RUCK

Jarrod Witts (63): Cross