Which Port Adelaide players should we pick in SuperCoach 2018?

TOM Rockliff joining the Power was one of the biggest signings of the off-season. But what does it mean for the likes of Brad Ebert, Robbie Gray, Hamish Hartlett and Travis Boak? Get the SUPERCOACH breakdown here.

PORT Adelaide was extremely active during the trade period and the club certainly landed some big fish like Tom Rockliff and Jack Watts.

While many are predicting the Power to have a great season, what we are most interested in is what these big additions will mean to the Supercoach prospects of these guys and the existing Power players?

Here’s our take on Port’s best buys, best value and the players to avoid from Alberton in 2018.

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PREMIUMS

Paddy Ryder $566,500 ruc

Paddy had the second highest average amongst ruckmen in 2017 and he has now averaged over 100 in three of his last five seasons. Ryder did have a slow start to last year so don’t panic if that happens again. He showed why he is SuperCoach gold in the run home, scoring over 100 in eight of the last nine games with five of them being over 120. He has lost his forward status this season, but with another class midfielder in Rockliff around him he should continue to score very well in 2018.

Paddy Ryder in action at Port Adelaide training. Picture: AAP Images

Brad Ebert $553,500 mid

After his average had been decreasing over the previous seasons, Ebert regained some form last year and averaged just over 100. Seven scores over 110 for last season saw this average increase by 20 points on 2016. With Rockliff joining the midfield rotations it will be interesting to see how this changes Ebert’s role. Keep a watch on the JLT series to see what his role looks like.

Tom Rockliff $529,400 mid

Rocky was one of the biggest names to change teams during the trade period and the Power couldn’t have been happier to get him, but what does that mean for Supercoach? He came out of the blocks well last season with an average of 123 in the first eight rounds before he got injured. He never regained that form though, scoring over 100 just once after that which burnt many coaches who picked him up when he came back.

The key to his season will be just how well he has recovered from his shoulder injury. If he has recovered from that he could certainly regain that early season form. Don’t discount him, he is cheap as a result of the back half of last season and could be a bargain.

How will Tom Rockliff and Robbie Gray work together? Picture: AAP Images

Robbie Gray $504,300 fwd

After a cancer scare just after the end of the season, Robbie is back in full training which is great news for him and his family. He is a forward only this year in Supercoach and with the addition of Rockliff to the team, his midfield time looks likely to be even lower than last season. However, last season he played forward more than previous years and lifted his goals per game from 1.3 to 2.14. But he did drop his possessions by eight per game. Look for him to further increase his goals per game during 2018, but we do need him to lift his possessions again. With many of last year’s mid/forwards losing that forward status, Robbie could be a must have this season, but he could also be a bust.

MID-PRICE RISKS

Hamish Hartlett $420,000 def

Hartlett had just five games over 90 last year on his way to an average of just 76. This is now two seasons in a row averaging in the mid 70s. We all hoped last year that he was going to rebound to the 90+ averages of 2014 and 2015 which unfortunately didn’t happen.

Backing him to return to a score in the 90s would be a risky move in 2018, but if it comes off he could be a real steal.

Hamish Hartlett in action at Port Adelaide’s intra-club match. Picture: Tom Huntley

ROOKIES

Joe Atley $180,900 mid

Atley wasn’t drafted this year but he is one of the more likely players under $200k to play this season. He averaged 47 so is still cheap, but really, he is unlikely to play more than five games again this year.

Jack Trengove $162,700 mid

Trengove was given a lifeline by the Power but realistically he is likely to spend the first part of the season in the SANFL. He isn’t a good selection for your starting lineup.

NO-GO ZONE

Travis Boak $467,800 mid-fwd

Boak spent far less time in the midfield last season and it was certainly reflected in his scoring. This was the fourth season in a row that his average has declined however, this was the first time it has dipped below 90. With some new players at the club he will get even less midfield time this season and is likely to play as a permanent half forward. His average of 85 from last year is unlikely to be replicated in 2018.

What will 2018 bring Brad Ebert and Travis Boak? Picture Sarah Reed

Sam Gray $414,800 fwd

Gray can have a big game, but can have a shocker too. Just two weeks after a 126 last year he scored a 46. His opportunities will be even less this season with Robbie Gray likely to have more time up forward along with the addition of Jack Watts. He may look like a bargain at his price, but avoid him as he is likely to disappoint.

BEST 22

B: Pittard, Jonas, Clurey

HB: Hartlett, Hombsch, Byrne-Jones

C: Polec, Rockliff, Ebert

HF: Westhoff, Watts, R Gray

F: Boak, Dixon, Motlop

R: Ryder, Wines, Wingard

Int: S Gray, Powell-Pepper, Amon, Houston