Tim Michell reveals the first of his SuperCoach AFL team plans for 2024

It’s never too early to start your SuperCoach planning. TIM MICHELL has delved into the team picker and locked in his first side of the pre-season, with some big-name bargains.

Sam Walsh at Carlton Football training at Ikon Park. Saturday, December 16, 2023. Picture: David Crosling

A December team reveal?

You can’t be serious.

Well, it is the festive season and in the spirit of giving, here’s a look at my very early SuperCoach plans for 2024.

We’re only a few weeks into pre-season for some players, but if you’ve checked out the full list of SuperCoach prices or played around with team picker you’ll know there are some great bargains to be had.

I’ve been telling anyone who will listen — which admittedly isn’t many people — that 2024 will be the year of the Blues.

MUST-HAVE CHEAPIES: THE BARGAINS OF 2024 REVEALED

With that in mind, I’m locking in Zac Williams at a crazy price after he played in less than 10 games in the past two years.

And I’ve just got to have Sam Walsh if I’m going to keep telling everyone he’s a monty to win the Brownlow.

But they have a bye in round 2, I hear you say.

That’s a problem for another month.

SuperCoach at this time of the year is all about jumping into the team picker, choosing a few of your favourite players and imagining yourself winning the $50k major prize in 2024.

If you can’t dream big at Christmas time, when can you?

I should forewarn you that this team will change a fair bit as we get closer to round 1 and I delve a lot deeper into the pre-season analysis.

But for now — with my main focus on why I traded Aaron Hardie in round 2 of SuperCoach BBL and praying Alan Williams stays out of foul trouble in SuperCoach NBL — this is where my team for 2024 sits.

To access the team picker and select your side, sign up to SuperCoach Plus today.

Jordan Ridley should be freed up. Picture: Michael Klein

Hayden Young’s midfield move looks to be a SuperCoach winner. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

DEFENDERS

Harry Sheezel $556k

Jordan Ridley $530k

Hayden Young $525k

Keidean Coleman $398k

Zac Williams $216k

Josh Gibcus $150k

Bench: Toby Pink $123k, Nick Coffield $123k

No Jack Ziebell. No Aaron Hall. How can you not pick Harry Sheezel? I know he might spend more time in midfield but the kid just knows how to find the footy. I hated trading him at his bye last year so it’ll be great to have him back. Ridley will benefit from Ben McKay’s arrival at the Bombers with greater freedom. Young will probably be DEF-MID by round 6 and showed he’s more than just a super boot when he had 22 tackles in the last three rounds of 2023. I’ve picked him at the wrong time the last two years. Let’s hope it’s third time lucky. I still have Kiddy Coleman’s first half Grand Final highlights on loop and with no Daniel Rich he looks a great option. The four cheaper picks are clear standouts under $250k.

Sam Walsh at less than $600k is hard to pass up. Picture: David Crosling

MIDFIELDERS

Marcus Bontempelli $724k

Christian Petracca $667k

Nick Daicos $650k

Sam Walsh $576k

Touk Miller $545k

Colby McKercher $202k

Ryley Sanders $184k

Daniel Curtin $175k

Bench: Jake Rogers $148k, Jeremy Sharp $123k, Jhye Clark $123k

I was loving where this line was at until someone reminded me Nick Daicos has an early date with master stopper Finn Maginness and an early bye. But still, he’s Nick Daicos so I’ll probably start him. SuperCoach just isn’t as fun if you don’t pick Marcus Bontempelli so even at $724k I’m going to find a way to start him. He does so many things that don’t register on the stats sheet that Champion Data love. I hated not owning Christian Petracca last year, he was just so consistent with 10 straight tons to end the year and no score under 95. Touk Miller is usually $650k to start the year so it’s a bonus being able to squeeze him in next to the cream of the draft crop. Miller is one of my favourite footballers to watch. He’s just relentless. Let’s hope Damien Hardwick ends the silly experiment of him playing half forward.

RUCKS

Max Gawn $583k

Brodie Grundy $481k

Bench: Finbar Maley $102k

Set and forget is back. The fixture gods have delivered us Gawn v Grundy in round 0 and both the long-term SuperCoach favourites look like great selections for 2024. Grundy averaged 138 in three games as the No. 1 ruck last year and Gawn went into another dimension once Grundy was sent to the VFL. I don’t buy the ‘Gawn is getting old’ argument. Tom Fullarton will probably do about 10 per cent of the ruck work, allowing Max to dominate as he does when played one out. Remember that 215 from round 18 against Brisbane? I certainly do.

Tom Lynch is underpriced at less than $300k. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

FORWARDS

Jack Macrae $558k

Sam Flanders $494k

Tom Lynch $287k

Harley Reid $207k

Finlay Macrae $152k

Chris Burgess $129k

Bench: Darcy Wilson $130k, Shaun Mannagh $117k

What’s that Michael Scott meme I love using? I am ready to be hurt again? I managed to avoid the Jack Macrae frustration last year but think I’ll run the Bevo gauntlet in 2024 after Bailey Smith’s ACL injury. Despite seemingly playing every position possible last season, Macrae averaged 99.9 points. Admittedly that’s a long way from his best, but it still stands out in a weakened forward crop. I would have started Luke Jackson but will just wait for when he’s No. 1 ruck to jump on instead (Sean Darcy has played more than 20 games once in his career). After thinking $244k last year was overs I’m paying almost $500k for Sam Flanders who finally found his spot under Steven King. Thankfully for us, he didn’t spend enough time in midfield to lose FWD status. Tom Lynch looks like Joe Daniher of 2021 and Charlie Curnow of 2022. Harley Reid and Shaun Mannagh will be in every side, while I’m excited to see whether Fin Macrae can seize the opening left by Taylor Adams.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and more importantly happy team picking!

Tim Michell’s first SuperCoach team for 2024.