Who are Brisbane’s top SuperCoach picks, cash cows and high risk, high reward options?

LIKE any young team in rebuilding mode, Brisbane provided plenty of SuperCoach rookie riches last season and more of the same can be expected in 2018. Plus see our best Lions 22.

LIKE any young team in rebuilding mode, Brisbane provided plenty of SuperCoach rookie riches last season and more of the same can be expected in 2018.

But their premium picks stack up with the best in the competition.

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And let’s not forget a few mid-price picks. The Lions have something for everyone this year.

Here are Brisbane’s best buys and players to avoid this year.

Dayne Zorko is still an appealing prospect as a midfielder. Picture: Getty Images

PREMIUMS

Dayne Zorko (Mid, $608,900)

Most SuperCoaches were turned off when Zorko lost his dual-position status last year but the Lions best-and-fairest winner more than held his own as a midfield-only player. He started the season in just 3 per cent of teams but eight tons in the opening 10 rounds made people take notice, and those who jumped on board were rewarded with scores of 196, 143 and 142. Zorko’s scores were mixed in the back end of the year but he rebounded with back-to-back hundreds in the final two rounds. He finished with 15 tons and a 110.8 average.

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Dayne Beams (Mid, $557,600)

When fit, Beams is a scoring machine. Ten tons from 19 games last year may seem a modest strike-rate from a premium player, but Beams was hampered by injury in a few games that affected his scoring. The Round 14 clash against GWS hurt most when he injured his left shoulder in the opening minute. He’s a must-have when fit and firing — fingers crossed for an injury-free year.

Stefan Martin (Ruc, $540,000)

Martin may be undersized for a ruckman but he gets the job done — 10 scores above 100 and four more in the 90s were testament to his reliability last year as he returned to his best form following an injury-hit 2016 season. If you want to avoid following the Naitanui-Gawn stampede, look no further.

Luke Hodge had his least productive SuperCoach season in 2017. Picture: Grant Wells

MID-PRICE RISKS

Alex Witherden (Def, $478,900)

The youngster was an unbelievable mid-season pick-up last year, playing nine of the last 10 games after his debut in Round 14 and racking up three tons. There’s no doubting Witherden has a bright future but he’s a second-year player close to a premium price.

Luke Hodge (Def, $461,800)

Brisbane’s recruitment of Hodge was hailed as a masterstroke because of the leadership he’ll provide to a young team, but the ex-Hawthorn great is well past his SuperCoach prime. Last season’s 84-point average was Hodge’s lowest on record and he scored just three hundreds.

Mitch Robinson (Mid-Fwd, $406,400)

Not noted as a high-scorer but Robinson will consistently get you 80s and 90s. He did score back-to-back tons in Rounds 5 and 6 last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury the following week.

Allen Christensen (Fwd, $267,300)

A bit cheaper than the traditional mid-price price range, but a big risk nonetheless. Christensen has hardly played in the past two years due to shoulder injuries but looks back to full fitness this pre-season. Has had two seasons with a 90-plus average and at that price he needs to average about 50 to increase in value. Simples.

Cameron Rayner could be in the Lions’ Round 1 team. Picture: Getty Images

ROOKIES

Cameron Rayner (Mid-Fwd, $202,800)

Has been compared to Dustin Martin, and while we’re not expecting Dusty-like scores in his debut season he should be in the Lions’ best 22 early in the season. The question is, is that too much to pay for a first-year player?

Zac Bailey (Mid, $139,800)

The Lions produced excellent value with their rookies last season and ball-magnet Bailey is sure to be another. Bolted up draft rankings with a huge rush last year and starred in the under-18 all-stars game on Grand Final day. Speed and aggressive tackling should get him plenty of opportunities. Put him on the pre-season watch list.

Brandon Starcevich (Mid-Fwd, $126,300)

Starcevich was a surprise selection at No. 18 in the draft but he’s a contested ball beast who has turned heads on the training track. His dual-position status is a bonus.

Daniel Rich at Brisbane training. Picture: Darren England.

NO-GO ZONE

Daniel Rich (Def, $502,800)

An up and down 2017 season from the big-kicking Lions defender and many will baulk at his starting price. There were plenty of scores in the 80s and 90s and six tantalising tons — the story of Rich’s career. There are higher-priced defenders that will provide better value.

Eric Hipwood (Fwd, $261,400)

The Lions will build their team around the emerging key forward, but despite kicking 30 goals in 2017 he averaged fewer than nine disposals. Scored 60 or lower in 16 of his 20 games. Wait a few years.

Jarrod Berry (Mid, $339,100)

Great debut season last year but Berry’s a bit pricey for a second-year midfielder. His time will eventually come.

STARTING 22

B: Darcy Gardiner, Harris Andrews, Alex Witherden

HB: Daniel Rich, Dan McStay, Luke Hodge

C: Hugh McCluggage, Dayne Zorko, Sam Mayes

HF: Charlie Cameron, Josh Walker, Lewis Taylor

F: Cameron Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Mitch Robinson

Foll: Stefan Martin, Dayne Beams, Jarrod Berry

I/C: Ryan Lester, Nick Robertson, Allen Christensen, Ryan Bastinac