The Fremantle players who should be on your SuperCoach radar in 2018

FREMANTLE is out of sight, out of mind for many footy fans but there are some great SuperCoach picks who could give you an edge on the pack in 2018.

THE Dockers don’t get a lot of attention outside WA after finishing 14th in 2017 with a list that seems a long way from challenging.

But ignoring Ross Lyon’s men could cost you big time in SuperCoach this year (even though Ross himself is a long-time enemy of SuperCoach players).

THE PHANTOM: TOP MIDFIELD PICKS FOR 2018

TOP DEFENDERS: PREMIUMS YOU CAN RELY ON

ROOKIE WATCH: EVERY CLUB’S MUST-HAVE CHEAPIE

Here’s our take on the biggest stars, best bargains and the players not to touch in purple in SuperCoach 2018.

PREMIUMS

Nat Fyfe $597,300 mid

It took a while for Fyfe to hit his straps last season but from Round 16 he roared home with an average of 126 points a game, then dominated the International Rules Series. Underpriced for a player who could challenge Danger and Dusty as the biggest scorer in the game.

Lachie Neale $599,300 mid

A genuine midfield premo who remains a huge point of difference despite averaging 109 and 112 the past two years. Can you pick him and Fyfe? Here’s a stat to ponder - Neale has played 84 of a possible 86 games in the past four seasons (total points 8892), Fyfe has played 62 (total 7250). Won’t let you down.

Nat Fyfe will be a popular pick in SuperCoach 2018.

MID-PRICE RISKS

David Mundy $491,700 fwd/mid

Can be picked as a forward this year which adds to his appeal but it’s a couple of years since he finished with a 113 average. Now scoring closer to the 90 mark and at age 32 it’s hard to see him reversing the trend.

Michael Walters $478,300 fwd/mid

If you want to be different in attack we like this move a lot better. Walters had a genuine purple patch (pardon the Freo pun) after moving into the midfield last year, averaging 111 from Rounds 7-16 including a mind-blowing 172 against St Kilda when he had 32 disposals and kicked six goals. A knee injury ended his season early but if he’s part of the midfield mix in the pre-season we will be very interested.

Connor Blakely $490,300 mid

Best known in the eastern states for getting busted after he left training to go surfing, he is a player to watch in SuperCoach. The emerging midfielder boosted his average from 74 to 89 last year — and that would have been higher if not for a 7 in Round 19 when he dislocated his shoulder, ending his season early. He reached three figures in nine of his 17 games and averaged 110 from Rounds 6-18. Was used in a very SuperCoach-friendly role across half-back and has clear breakout potential.

Michael Walters showed he can be a damaging midfielder last year.

Not sure what he’s doing here but Connor Blakely could be an inspired SuperCoach pick. Picture: Michael Klein

Sean Darcy $432,900 ruck

With Jon Griffin and Zac Clarke both gone, the hulking teenager is clearly the heir apparent to Aaron Sandilands. We don’t wish any more bad luck on Sandi but he is 35 with a horrible injury history, which means Darcy is every chance to get a clear run as the No.1 ruck at some stage. Didn’t crack the ton in eight games in his debut season but scored 99 twice. Intriguing.

Harley Bennell $254,800 fwd/mid

The definition of a SuperCoach risk. Was in plenty of early teams but his AFL career now hangs by a thread after another off-field indiscretion, which is hugely frustrating because if Harley can get it together he could be a SuperCoach star. He averaged 102 points a game in 2015 (on the back of three 95-plus seasons). Is anyone brave enough to take the plunge?

ROOKIES

Andrew Brayshaw $198,300 mid

The No.2 draft pick does everything right and will probably get games but that is a hell of a lot of cash to fork out for a first-year player. Same goes for No.5 selection Adam Cerra ($184,800). It would take some amazing pre-season form to change our minds.

NO-GO ZONE

Hayden Ballantyne $285,300 fwd

That’s cheap for a player of Ballantyne’s quality but small forwards have never been good SuperCoach options. When they’re on the wrong side of 30, coming back from injury and have averaged under 60 for the past three seasons, it’s a definite no.

Luke Strnadica $123,900 ruck

A popular selection in some SuperCoach quarters in 2017 as a link between the ruck and forward lines, there’s no reason to pick him this year.