Which young guns are ready to step in and step up for our SuperCoach teams this year
AT every club there is at least one - sometimes more. We’ve scoured draft analysis, pre-season training titbits and practice match reports to pick top SuperCoach cheapie candidate at every club.
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THE cash cow is the bedrock of our SuperCoach season.
Every year we scour draft analysis, the pre-season training titbits and practice match reports.
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At every club there is at least one - sometimes more as you’ll see below - cash cow option.
We’ve picked the top SuperCoach cheapie candidate at every club. Don’t agree? Have your says and who you think can step up in 2018.
ADELAIDE
DARCY FORGARTY (Mid-Fwd, $153,300)
Was spoken about as a potential No.1 pick, but slid down the order after a knee injury hampered his Under-18 Championships. The fierce competitor is built (192cm, 92kg) to perform at AFL level.
TOM DOEDEE (Def, $123,900)
The young defender was a shock selection at No.17 in the 2015 draft but after a stellar year in the SANFL he’s being touted as Jake Lever’s replacement in the Crows’ backline. Doedee averaged 17.2 disposals in 2017, ranked No.1 in the league for intercept possessions (9.0 per game) and rated elite for intercept marks (2.6) and spoils (4.1).
BRISBANE
ZAC BAILEY (Fwd, $139,800), BRANDON STARCEVICH (Mid-Fwd, $126,300)
All eyes will be on Cameron Rayner but keep a close eye on Bailey and Starcevich during AFLX and the JLT Community Series. The top-20 picks could sneak into the Lions’ best 22, possibly ahead of Rayner, after standout pre-seasons.
CARLTON
CAM O’SHEA (Def, $166,000)
Ex-Port Adelaide defender thrown a lifeline by Carlton after impressing at VFL level for the Northern Blues last year. The perfect SuperCoach “cash cow” given his age and experience at the level, not going to ton up but more than capable of churning out handy scores.
COLLINGWOOD
SAM MURRAY (Def, $123,900)
The Magpies must have swooped on the little-known Sydney Swans ball magnet for a reason. Lightning quick and a good user of the ball, Murray could become a mainstay in Nathan Buckley’s team.
ESSENDON
KOBE MUTCH (Mid, $123,900)
It will be hard to break into the Bombers’ best 22 this season after a bumper trade period, but second-year midfielder Mutch could be worth keeping an eye on. The ball magnet went well at VFL level last year and worked closely with Jobe Watson.
FREMANTLE
SAM SWITKOWSKI (Fwd, $117,300)
Mature-aged recruit Switkowski emerged as the VFL’s best pressure forward last year, while also banging in 19 goals in 12 games after bouts of glandular fever and a hamstring injury. Must be considered at price and potential job security.
GEELONG
TIM KELLY (Mid, $117,300)
The mature age recruit from WA has Cats coach Chris Scott excited. “Tim Kelly is a bit older but we think he could help us, if not straight away, but pretty early in his tenure,” he said. While the Cats don’t need any more midfielders, Kelly should compete for a spot in the forward line.
GOLD COAST
WILL BRODIE (Mid, $187,700)
The second-year midfielder is looking to add to his three games from his debut season. With Gary Ablett departing, Brodie’s strong inside game and developing outside game could see him break through for more regular game time in 2017. Expensive but plays a SuperCoach friendly game if given the chance.
NICK HOLMAN (Mid, $102,400)
At the other end of the price spectrum, Holman should walk into the Suns’ midfield after a stellar year in the SANFL. The former Carlton midfielder racked up the second most disposals at state level in 2017 and loves the in-and-under stuff.
GWS GIANTS
ISAAC CUMMING (Def, $123,900)
The Giants Academy graduate could get his opportunity thanks to Zac Williams’ Achilles injury. The classy half-back has elite disposal - he finished top 10 in the kicking and clean hands tests at the AFL Draft Combine - and good speed. Will have to beat out Harry Perryman for the job.
HAWTHORN
DYLAN MOORE (Mid, $117,300)
The 2017 Under-18 All-Australian claimed the 2km time trial crown at the AFL Draft Combine and was ranked by Champion Data as the 12th best talent in the draft. Despite standing 175cm, Hawthorn picked Moore up with pick No.67. Under Alastair Clarkson, if you’ve got the talent and the application you get games.
MELBOURNE
CHARLIE SPARGO (Mid-Fwd, $117,300)
The Demons’ top pick has been compared to AFL games record holder Brent Harvey and could push straight into the Melbourne line-up in Round 1 as a dangerous small forward. Spargo is reportedly training the house down at Gosch’s Paddock and will get plenty of opportunity in AFLX and the JLT Series.
NORTH MELBOURNE
LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE (Mid, $189,300)
Was touted as a potential No.1 draft pick before slipping to North Melbourne. This was great news for SuperCoaches. The most AFL ready player landing at the most in-need club. Our favourite stat from the TAC Cup ... “LDU” was ranked No.1 for disposal efficiency of all TAC Cup players to average more than 10 contested possessions.
PAUL AHERN (Mid, $123,900)
A forgotten man. Drafted by the Giants at No.7 in 2014, Ahern has been beset by injury in his time in the AFL. However, the midfield-forward is now fully fit and impressing in pre-season for the Kangaroos. With a solid AFLX and JLT Series, Round 1 is well within his reach.
ALEX MORGAN (Def, $123,900)
The former Bomber hasn’t played a game but was snapped up by North Melbourne as a delisted free agent. The 21-year-old has speed to burn but has been held back by injury. Pace and ball use are traits the Kangaroos are in desperate need of so expect to see Morgan early.
PORT ADELAIDE
DOM BARRY (Mid, $117,300)
The mature age recruit played nine games for Melbourne before stepping away from football. After an outstanding season in the SANFL, the Power have given him a second chance and he’s hit the ground running at Alberton, finishing second in the time trial.
RICHMOND
JACK HIGGINS (Mid-Fwd, $130,800)
The premiers’ top draft pick and roared into Round 1 calculations with some impressive showings at pre-season training and Daniel Rioli’s ongoing recovery from an ankle injury. Another hard tackling small forward who perfectly suits the Tigers’ style.
ST KILDA
HUNTER CLARK (Mid, $175,300)
A couple of fringe cash cow options at St Kilda with Hugh Goddard, Nathan Freeman and Logan Austin but we’ve got for St Kilda’s top draft pick. The Dandenong product averaged 26.8 disposals, 6.7 tackles and 126 SuperCoach points in the TAC Cup and should add class to the Saints’ blue collar midfield.
SYDNEY
DARCY CAMERON (Ruck, $123,900)
We hoped Cameron might get a chance last year but it didn’t eventuate. However, with Kurt Tippett’s retirement there is now hope. Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith probably have first dibs on the big man roles but if they go down with injury or form, Darcy is a serious ruck bench option.
WEST COAST
DANIEL VENABLES (Fwd, $123,900)
Yet to make his debut, Venables could benefit from the retirements of Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis. Was close to an AFL debut in Round 13 before injury intervened. Priddis described the youngster as a “Luke Shuey clone” and his leg speed and attack on the ball should serve him well.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
ED RICHARDS (Def, $135,300)
If there’s an opening in the Bulldogs’ 22, it’s at half-back. Richards was targeted in the draft to fill that need and could be unveiled as early as Round 1. Luke Beveridge isn’t afraid to play the kids. Has been likened to Heath Shaw.
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