SuperCoach PODs: Could an unknown Saint be the answer to our forward line misery?

This young St Kilda ruckman has shot into SuperCoach calculations but it could be time to offload the Cats skipper. All the best point-of-difference options ahead of Round 4.

Joel Selwood is averaging under 100.

Going against the pack has served SuperCoaches well in 2019.

Currently, four of the top ten SuperCoach scorers were point-of-difference selections — owned by less than 10 per cent of teams — at the beginning of the season.

Popular stars Dustin Martin (20.4 per cent ownership) Rory Laird (36.4 per cent), Clayton Oliver (25.8 per cent) have been below their best, while players like Travis Boak (9.4 per cent) and Marcus Bontempelli (6.4 per cent) are thriving.

Are you looking to sideways an underperforming premium?

Here are the best POD trade options ahead of Round 4.

DEFENCE

SHANNON HURN ($522,600)

Average: 102

Ownership: 9.1 per cent

Shannon Hurn has been in just about every POD write-up across 2019, and he has been very solid across the first three games. The Eagles captain has recorded 16 or more kicks in all of them, making him a valuable SuperCoach scorer. As we have said previously, he will not be a unique pick for much longer.

DANIEL RICH ($461,000)

Average: 108.3

Ownership: 3.6 per cent

When the kick-in rules were brought in, our minds were immediately cast to Shannon Hurn and Daniel Rich. He has been used as a weapon across halfback, tallying 25 touches, eight marks and 108.3 SuperCoach points. He has burnt many SuperCoaches in the past — can he finally be trusted?

Shannon Hurn (right) has been one of the most reliable SuperCoach PODs. Picture: Getty Images

TOM STEWART ($485,800)

Average: 107.7

Ownership: 3.8 per cent

He was a SuperCoach favourite in his draft year and now the mature-age gun is a genuine premium option. The 26-year-old has been Geelong’s designated kick-out taker which has helped boost his scoring. This along with his ability to intercept and win vital one-on-ones in defence allows him to score well without getting much footy.

WAYNE MILERA ($451,600)

Average: 98.7

Ownership: 2.7 per cent

SuperCoaches steered clear of Milera with Rory Laird and Brodie Smith in the same backline but he has proved the doubters wrong. The dashing Crow has averaged a promising 98.7 points per game along with 23 touches and, surprisingly, 5.7 tackles. Looms as an absolute bargain if he maintains his current form.

MIDFIELD

MARCUS BONTEMPELLI ($585,700)

Average: 126.3

Ownership: 6.2 per cent

The Bont is relishing his extra midfield minutes in 2019. The Bulldog star is averaging a whopping 126.3 SuperCoach points despite teammates Jack Macrae and Tom Liberatore also cleaning up. This is the sort of output we have been expecting from him for the past three years, and he might just deliver a 110+ average across the entire season.

Marcus Bontempelli has starred in 2019. Picture: Getty Images

JOSH P. KENNEDY ($540,800)

Average: 114.3

Ownership: 1.0 per cent

Who expected this start from the Swans veteran? Kennedy has begun 2019 with a bang, amassing 30 disposals, 5.3 tackles and 114.3 points per game. It would take a brave SuperCoacher to trade in the 30-year-old, but he has been a SuperCoach gun in the past.

BEN CUNNINGTON ($550,100)

Average: 122.7

Ownership: 0.8 per cent

Cunnington has never been a popular selection in SuperCoach, and his 0.8 per cent ownership proves that. The Roos bull has been dominant in the coalface, ranking fourth for clearances and second for contested possessions across the competition. His highest return across a season is just 96.3 points per game — can this uber-POD become an uber-premium?

OFFLOAD

JOEL SELWOOD ($532,900)

Average: 84

Ownership: 2.8 per cent

This may be the first time in 10 seasons that the Cats skipper fails to average over 100 points. Selwood has been moved to a wing in Geelong’s new midfield set up and his scoring has paid the price. He is projected to lose another $26.7k this week.

RUCK

BEN MCEVOY ($554,300)

Average: 109.3

Ownership: 2 per cent

We told you to watch how the big man fared against a formidable ruck opponent in Todd Goldstein and he delivered. Big boy McEvoy stormed to his third straight ton collecting 16 touches, nine marks, 22 hit-outs and 122 SuperCoach points. The 29-year-old is ranked second in the competition for contested marks, clunking four per game. There is still daylight between Grundy/Gawn and the rest, but McEvoy is closing the gap.

FORWARD

TRAVIS BOAK ($521,600, FWD/MID)

Average: 126

Ownership: 9.4 per cent

Remains just inside the POD confines and this is the perfect week to pounce. Boak has rediscovered his best form in his return to the midfield, posting his third straight score of 119 points or more. The former skipper attended 21 centre bounces for the Power over the weekend, with Ollie Wines’ return to the side having no impact on his time in the guts. Get on the Boak bandwagon before it’s too late.

Travis Boak has thrived in his return to the midfield.

LUKE DAHLHAUS ($448,000, FWD/MID)

Average: 104

Ownership: 8.3 per cent

It is early days, but Luke Dahlhaus appears to have returned to the dominant SuperCoacher he once was. A move down the highway has rejuvenated the tackling machine, averaging 22 disposals, eight tackles, 104 points and a goal per game. Is his scoring sustainable with a host of SuperCoach guns in the same side?

CALEB DANIEL ($451,700)

Average: 106.7

Ownership: 2.3 per cent

Caleb Daniel might just be the gem of SuperCoach 2019. The 167cm Bulldog reached another solid sore as the main distributor out of defence, collecting 24 disposals and 96 SuperCoach points against the Suns. Should continue this form if he avoids the dreaded forward tag.

ROWAN MARSHALL ($341,100)

Average: 112.5

Ownership: 0.5 per cent

Could this unknown saint be the answer to our forward line misery? The 23-year-old has been entrusted with the Saints ruck duties and has registered scores of 111 and 114 against the Bombers and Dockers respectively. Admittedly, Tom Bellchambers and Rory Lobb aren’t the league’s best ruckman, but his scoring is encouraging nonetheless. If he can keep Billy Longer and Lewis Pierce out of the side, he could be a fruitful forward option (think Max Gawn, Toby Nankervis and Paddy Ryder in previous years.

OFFLOAD

TOM MCDONALD ($450,900)

Average: 45.3

Ownership: 1.6 per cent

If you haven’t already traded Tom McDonald, do so now. The Melbourne spearhead leaked cash after his dismal return of 26 points in his injury affected match against Essendon. He has been named to face the Swans, but is projected to lose another $55.4k this week.

Demon Tom McDonald (right) has been below his best this season. Picture: Getty Images