Western Bulldogs SuperCoach profile: best premium picks, mid-price risks and cash cows

Jack Macrae was a SuperCoach phenom in 2018 as he averaged a staggering 127. But can he do it again in 2019? We profile all the Bulldogs’ big names, big risks and top cash cow options.

Jack Macrae took his SuperCoach stardom to another level in 2018.

Can he repeat in 2019 or will Marcus Bontempelli regain his mantle as the Dogs’ No.1 SuperCoach stud? Perhaps Lachie Hunter will continue his rise.

We’ve analysed the Bulldogs SuperCoach premium picks, biggest mid-price risks and top cash cows ahead of the new season. How many will you be picking?

KNEE RECO: LIBBA FIGHTING FIT IN RETURN

BARGAINS: THE PHANTOM’S BEST MID-PRICE RUCKMEN

INSIDE INFO: HOW SUPERCOACH SCORING WORKS

PREMIUMS

Marcus Bontempelli $564,600 MID

The Bont is a hugely talented, sublimely skilled player who makes impossible things look easy. But we’re throwing down the gauntlet - after bolting to a 103 average in his second season he hasn’t really improved from there. This year we want to see his form from the final month of 2018 - when he averaged 116 - over a full season.

Marcus Bontempelli has been overtaken as the Bulldogs’ No.1 SuperCoach scorer.

Jack Macrae $689,700 MID

Macrae was a genius pick at the start of last season and is likely to be a point of difference again this year thanks to a whopping starting price and pure incredulity - surely he can’t have a month averaging 166 again. Well, why not? After a minor injury hiccup in the middle of the year Macrae stepped it up over the final five weeks with three scores over 145 and a low of 110. He’s 24 and the Dogs should be better. I’m a big fan.

Toby McLean $514,000 MID-FWD

The lightly-framed but highly skilled half-forward started last season on fire before a crunching bump by Robbie Gray stopped him in his tracks. Before the Round 13 hit McLean averaged 117. After suffering a shoulder injury in the Port Adelaide game he averaged 86. He should be over it by Round 1.

Josh Dunkley $516,300 MID-FWD

If the way a player finishes a season is an indication of how he’ll go the next year, get Dunkley into your team now. He played mostly as a forward in the first half of 2018 but moved into the centre square after the bye and finished the year like a steam train, averaging 127 over the final six rounds. A hard nut who wins his own footy and tackles like a maniac. The only concern is whether he and McLean can both play such high-scoring roles.

Josh Dunkley finished 2018 with a wet sail.

MID-PRICE RISKS

Tom Liberatore $300,400 MID

Which Libba will we get in 2019? It almost doesn’t matter given his low starting price — heavily discounted after missing last year with a knee injury _ but ideally a centre square role that delivers scores like his 110 average in 2014 would be ideal (hopefully Luke Beveridge is reading this). Priced at about a 60-point average, which he can knock over with a few tackles if he stays on the park.

Sam Lloyd $386,000 MID

Never came into SuperCoach consideration in his time at Richmond but could be a very smart pick-up by the Dogs. Lloyd is classified as an elite wingman by Champion Data based on limited game time in 2018. He regularly put up huge numbers in the VFL, including a 50-disposal, four goal, 204 SuperCoach point effort against Sandringham in 2017.

Liam Picken $285,500 FWD

Picken will deliver a huge boost just by making it back if he can overcome concussions that threatened his career. He could be a sneaky SuperCoach option as well — he averaged 99 points a game in 2015.

Bailey Smith in action for Vic Metro during the under-18 AFL championships.

ROOKIES

Bailey Smith $180,300 MID

The Dogs’ top draft pick was the highest-rated midfielder in the draft behind No.1 selection Sam Walsh. At 185cm and 83kg, he’s ready to play from Round 1 although he has to overcome an Achilles injury first.

Rhylee West $117,300 MID

The son of Bulldogs champion Scott West plays like his dad and averaged 19 disposals, six tackles and a goal in the TAC Cup last year. Calder Cannons coach Ross Smith reckons he can play AFL straight away.

Ben Cavarra $117,300 FWD

Finally gets his chance in the AFL after missing out on multiple drafts despite starring in the VFL. The 22-year-old kicked 34 goals last year and averaged 97 points a game for Williamstown and is likely to play a mix of midfield and forward for the Dogs.

Will Hayes $117,300 MID

Another mature-age pick from the VFL, Hayes won Footscray’s best-and-fairest last year after averaging 26 disposals and 10 contested possessions a game. Is he in the best 22?

Jordon Sweet $102,400 RUCK

If you don’t mind if your bench ruckman never gets a game, a Bulldogs player will give you the best chance to maximise loopholes thanks to a high number of Sunday games. Sweet could ruin those plans by breaking through for senior games given he was an older draftee (age 20), is coming off a great season for North Adelaide in the SANFL and the Bulldogs aren’t overflowing with ruck options.

Lachie Hunter won the Bulldogs B&F last year.

SUPERCOACH DRAFT SMOKIES

Lachie Hunter (Midfield)

An accumulator who had a career-best season in 2018, averaging 102 SuperCoach points on the way to his first Charles Sutton Medal.

Jason Johannisen (Defender)

Has had his issues with taggers but safe for an 80-plus average and can go much, much bigger; his best score last year was 156 after picking up 42 disposals against St Kilda.

Mitch Wallis (Midfield-Forward)

Has transformed from a fringe player to a valued member of the best 22. Wins is own footy, tackles hard and never gives up.

EXPERT TIPS: THREE SUPERCOACH RUCK STRATEGIES

ROOKIE BIBLE: ALL THE CHEAP PLAYERS YOU NEED TO KNOW

QUICK GUIDE: HOW TO PICK A WINNING SUPERCOACH TEAM