Which Hawthorn players should we pick in SuperCoach in 2018?

A SUPERSTAR forward in the bargain bin? A topscoring defender for six years in a row cheaper than a second-year player. What’s going on? Don’t ask questions, just pick them.

HAWTHORN ushers in a new era without Luke Hodge in 2018 and that means someone needs to step up to fill the void of the legendary four-time premiership player.

Is young gun Ryan Burton the man to do that? An increased role and natural improvement would suggest he can be a SuperCoach star in 2018.

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Hawks coming back from injury will be all the rage among SuperCoaches, with the likes of Cyril Rioli, Jaeger O’Meara and Grant Birchall offering tantalising prices for their promise.

Here’s our take on Hawthorn’s best SuperCoach buys, best value and the players to avoid in 2018.

PREMIUMS

TOM MITCHELL $653,500 MID

It’s just so obvious, especially if you’re among the many who have chosen to begin 2018 without either of the two big guns in Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin. A contested ball beast, Mitchell churned out 18 of 22 games over 100 in 2017 and never slid below 97. Too consistent not to have in your side and, at 24, expect him to be even better in 2018. He’s the only real Hawk premium and the most expensive player at the club for good reason.

Hawks champion Cyril Rioli. Picture: Tom Huntley

Tom Mitchell is as reliable as they come. Picture: Michael Klein

MID-PRICE RISKS

CYRIL RIOLI $317,400 FWD

A premium at $300k? If Rioli isn’t in your SuperCoach team in 2018, you’re doing it wrong. While last season was ravaged by injury and he’s had an interrupted pre-season due to his father’s ill-health, Rioli is still among the most talented footballers in the game. Seven seasons with an average above 88.4 would suggest Cyril is set for a steep jump when he gets back out onto the park.

JAEGER O’MEARA $315,800 MID

To Jaeger or not to Jaeger? That is the big SuperCoach 2018 question. I get the feeling the oft-injured but uber-talented former Gold Coast Sun could make or break plenty of SuperCoach teams this season. I’m having him, but his penchant for the handball irks me slightly. Still, at that price, he has to start in your side, but don’t be afraid to cut bait if it looks like he’s going to drop off.

RYAN BURTON $460,200 DEF

A revelation in 2017, the young gun was another draft steal for the Hawks. He’s the obvious replacement for Luke Hodge and possesses leadership beyond his years. He also has oodles of talent and, while he’s lost his dual-position eligibility and is awkwardly priced, I expect him to improve markedly on his 2017 output, which was a respectable average of 83.7, including four tons.

GRANT BIRCHALL $277,100 DEF

A four-time premiership veteran who averaged better than 81.3 in nine of 11 seasons before having last year wrecked by a fractured jaw, then a PCL. Will have more work to do in the backline with Luke Hodge taking his talents to Brisbane. He’s money for jam in 2018. Bring him in and watch his price rise, then trade him out at his peak.

Grant Birchall is one of the AFL’s forgotten men. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

JONATHAN CEGLAR $266,500 RUCK

The big fella is for perhaps only the most optimistic SuperCoaches. Hear me out here. Ceglar missed the entirety of 2017 after blowing out his knee. But he had three seasons averaging better than 70 before that. If you think he can crack back into the Hawks’ side (which I do) then he could be a speculative bench pick that could make you some money down the track.

ROOKIES

JAMES WORPEL $117,000 MID

A competitive beast, Worpel (pick 45) is the type of player coach Alastair Clarkson would be delighted to have nabbed so late in the draft. Clarko has made no secret of playing the kids over the past two seasons, so you know Worpel is going to get a chance. What he does with it is up to him, but you could do worse than have him on your bench at $117k.

DYLAN MOORE and JACKSON ROSS (BOTH $117,000 MID)

A couple of project players nabbed late in the draft. Recruiting guru Gary Buckenara had them both in his top 50 before draft day, so the potential is there. At the very least, Ross has mid-fwd dual position.

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NO-GO ZONE

ISAAC SMITH $465,800 MID

I’ll admit it. I get sucked into Smith every year and, when I’m trading him out after Round 6 only to watch him churn out a big ton in Round 7, I realise why I am my own worst enemy. Smith run and carry game is stunning. But it just doesn’t translate in SuperCoach. He’s only averaged better than 90 once in his career. Spend your money elsewhere.

JARRYD ROUGHEAD $475,800 FWD

You want consistency from your forwards and Roughie just doesn’t provide that. Nine scores of 79 or less, with only four in three figures. He’s the second oldest Hawk. Don’t expect his SuperCoach scores to get any better.