Which Collingwood players can we trust in SuperCoach this year?

COLLINGWOOD is home to some of the biggest names in SuperCoach, but the smartest picks at Magpie land this year might not be who you think.

WHAT can we expect from Collingwood’s contingent of SuperCoach stars in 2018?

The midfield brigade of Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar and Steele Sidebottom will all put up big numbers and will be locks in a number of teams around the country.

PROS AND CONS: IS PENDLEBURY A SUPERCOACH MUST-HAVE?

THE PHANTOM: IN DEFENCE OF MID-PRICERS

UNIQUE PICKS: SUPERCOACH GUNS FLYING UNDER THE RADAR

But what can the likes of Daniel Wells and Brayden Maynard produce? And which rookies will be able to make an impact from Round 1?

Check out the full Collingwood SuperCoach preview here.

PREMIUMS

TAYLOR ADAMS $591,000 MID

The 2017 season was a SuperCoach breakout for Adams, who was able to lift his scoring average a full 10 points. By the end of the season he was one of the most consistent performers in the game, posting six back-to-back triple-figure scores from Round 17 to Round 22. In that time he averaged 124. He will be overlooked by plenty after losing his dual-position status — amazingly, Adams is the 199th most popular selection so far — but if he picks up where he left off in 2017, he could be the pick of the year.

Taylor Adams shapes as a key to Nathan Buckley’s plans in 2018.

Can Adam Treloar put an up-and-down 2017 season behind him?

SCOTT PENDLEBURY $586,500 MID

What else is there to say about Scott Pendlebury? The man is an out and out scoring machine, dating all the way back to 2007. That is the last time the Collingwood skipper failed to average more than 100 points in a season. Even last year’s injury riddled campaign ended in a 106.7 average. With plenty of midfield help still around him, look out for another big year.

ADAM TRELOAR $557,600 MID

While his 2017 season was a little up and down, we are backing Treloar to bounce back with a big 2018 — at a very attractive price. Treloar’s best means huge points. He scored over 140 twice during 2017 and over 120 on four occasions. He has averaged over 100 points for the past four years, including 111 just two years ago. We are extremely confident he will make it five out of five.

MID-PRICE RISKS

BRAYDEN MAYNARD $394,800 DEF

How much can you read into one game? In the final match of 2017 the Magpies moved Brayden Maynard into the midfield, with the youngster scoring a season-high 109 points. He is set for even more midfield time in 2018, but are you buying the hype? He played a variety of roles in a match simulation hitout last week. This could be a wait and see option.

FREMANTLE PREVIEW: DON’T FORGET THE DOCKERS

ADELAIDE PREVIEW: CROWS PRESENT SUPERCOACH DILEMMA

BRODIE GRUNDY $534,700 RUCK

All signs point to another big season from Grundy. His scoring average has gone up every year since 2014, topping out at 97.2 in 2017. But should we be worried about this quote from a November training session? Grundy said: “Am I a forward now?” This was a reaction to the news Darcy Moore will move to the backline and mooted plans to share the ruck with Mason Cox. SuperCoaches don’t want or need this change but it will be interesting to see what Magpies coach Nathan Buckley has in mind. Approach with caution.

JORDAN DE GOEY $434,300 MID/FWD

The signs are there that De Goey is ready to take the competition by storm in 2018. He finished last season with a bang, reaching triple figures in four of his final seven matches. If he can take these flashes of brilliance and turn them into consistent performances, look out.

ROOKIES

SAM MURRAY $123,900 DEF

The Magpies raised eyebrows when they traded for unknown defender Murray last November, but clubs don’t give up future second-round draft picks for nothing. Murray spent last year playing for the Sydney Swans reserves in the NEAFL, where he averaged 22 disposals, six score involvements and 94 SuperCoach points.

Sam Murray in action for the Swans reserves last year. Picture: Simon Bullard

KAYLE KIRBY $123,900 FWD

The door is ajar for Kirby to make an impact in 2018. Jamie Elliott and Alex Fasolo have both suffered injuries during the pre-season and could face delayed starts. Kirby has already forced his way into the senior side once. Can he do the same again? $123,900 is easily worth the risk.

JAIDYN STEPHENSON $180,300 MID

Collingwood recruiting boss Derek Hine told us everything we needed to know about Jaidyn Stephenson on draft night: “He is just a real player of need for us, his speed on the outside, he has shown he can go back. So there is no reason why he shouldn’t play Round 1 if everything else stacks up.” After trading out recent first round draft picks, the Magpies are desperate to add some youth and excitement. If he continues to impress, Stephenson could be that man. We should get an early look at him in AFLX.

TYLER BROWN $117,300 MID

While Callum Brown made his debut in his first year in the AFL, don’t expect the same from younger brother Tyler. He is viewed as a project player by the Magpies and will likely spend most of the season in the VFL.

NO-GO ZONE

ALEX FASOLO $361,700 FWD

SuperCoaches who took the risk on Alex Fasolo last season came to regret it. The Magpie forward’s price crashed from $415,300 to $340,700 by season’s end. While he starts off cheaper this year, Fasolo is touch and go for Round 1 following shoulder surgery. He has broken the 100-point barrier only five times in the last two years. Stay away!

DANIEL WELLS $390,900 MID-FWD

It’s a trap! Daniel Wells at under $400,000 might seem like an enticing price and the dual-position status is tempting but can you trust him to play week in, week out? Wells has played more than 20 games in a season just once since 2011. No doubt he will have a point to prove after a lacklustre first year at the Magpies but there will be a lot less headaches leaving him off your squad.

TOM PHILLIPS $417,500 MID

The pressure for spots is going to be on in the Collingwood midfield. With the likes of Adams, Treloar, Pendlebury, Wells and Sidebottom to see maximum action, that puts the pressure on James Aish, Levi Greenwood, Callum Brown, Josh Thomas, Tim Broomhead, Josh Smith and Brayden Maynard. Where does Tom Phillips fit among that bunch? At more than $400K, he is a big risk.

MAGPIES BEST 22

FB: Tyson Goldsack, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe

HB: Matthew Scharenberg, Darcy Moore, Tom Langdon

C: Daniel Wells, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom

HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Ben Reid, Jordan De Goey

FF: Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Alex Fasolo

R: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams

Inter: Jaidyn Stephenson, Jack Crisp, Brayden Maynard, Travis Varcoe/Levi Greenwood