Fantasy Freako reveals 2025 SuperCoach team with mid-priced options galore
The footy landscape changed dramatically after Opening Round washouts, and SuperCoach guru Fantasy Freako isn’t immune to tweaks. See who the genius at Champion Data is picking this year.
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The SuperCoach landscape has changed significantly after two of the four opening round games were postponed. After ignoring Brisbane and Geelong players, they are now back in vogue and with no Round 3 bye to contend with, I have swooped on the Cats. Gold Coast and Essendon will still serve their early bye.
The AAMI Community Series served its purpose, and we are now a lot clearer with roles and job security, more so from a rookie perspective. Scores don’t mean much, so don’t base your team selection around this – especially with your premiums.
Last week’s opening round also answered plenty of questions; Matt Roberts is the real deal, while Will Day and Finn Callaghan announced themselves as the go-to mid-pricers, but both have early byes so it’s not that clear-cut. Sam Wicks impressed in a new role, and we finally saw James Leake.
I’ve made plenty of changes to my team after all the chaos and am quite content with where the team is ahead of Round 1. Of course, team selection on Thursday night will play a part, but I’m happy to lock in what I currently have.
DEFENDERS
Structure: Two premiums, three mid-price and three rookies
There have been wholesale changes in defence and the injury to Callum Mills and lack of genuine playing rookie options have been the catalyst. I’ve never gone this deep in my backline before but that’s how the cards have fallen.
Harry Sheezel isn’t going anywhere, while I have chosen to go with Max Holmes at D2. Even though Lachie Whitfield scored 111 I just couldn’t justify spending close to $600k on him with an early bye. The bench rookies aren’t great either which is another reason for moving him on.
With no early bye for Geelong, it just made sense to go with Holmes, a player I watched with great envy last season. His scores have increased every year, averaging a career-high 24 disposals and 100 points last season, which included scoring 152 in a final against the Power. Even though Chris Scott plays Holmes in a variety of roles, his scores never suffer which adds to his appeal.
Jayden Short is another addition. His selection isn’t based on his pre-season score, but more around the value at his price. He averaged similar handball-receives in the defensive half last season to Daniel Rioli, and after his departure to the Suns, one would expect Short to take some of that share.
Matt Roberts fits nicely into my structure and is underpriced for what he can produce. He doesn’t need kick-ins to score well (just one in the opening round) – collecting 26 disposals and 124 points against Hawthorn.
Sam De Koning is another Cat to enter the fold after the Cats’ bye was abolished. Any ruckman at his price is worth a look, and the fact that he can be selected in defence makes him a far better pick. He was the No. 1 ranked ruckman in the game between Rounds 15-19 last year with an average of 119 and even though Scott has spruiked his talents as a defender, he’ll start the year in the ruck. Will he play there all year, possibly not, but he doesn’t need to.
Zach Reid is my only rookie on field and compared to the other options – he is the safest from a job security and scoring perspective. Ben Paton comes in for Bo Allan, and debutant Tiger Luke Trainor replaces James Leake. Leake scored a respectable 64 on debut, but with a host of Giants to return – he could be one of the first to make way.
MIDFIELDERS
Structure: Three premiums, one fallen premium, and seven rookies
With Marcus Bontempelli and Zak Butters both sidelined with injury, the midfield has also seen a reshuffle. The underwhelming performance from Nick Daicos has also seen him removed. I’m a massive fan of Daicos and he will no doubt bounce back, but I’m looking to snap him up at a lower price. Plus, he as a Round 3 bye and the possibility of being tagged in three of his next four games.
That brings Caleb Serong into M1. With just two scores below 90 last year, he’s as consistent as they come, and he has a ceiling – posting six scores of 130+. He has a challenging start but then has West Coast and Richmond in two of his next three games.
I’ve teamed him up with Andrew Brayshaw. I owned the duo at the end of 2024, and it served me well. Brayshaw ended last year in a blaze of glory averaging 124 points from Round 17 – ranked fourth among midfielders in the AFL. He looks set for a huge year after just signing a new contract.
One mid-price punt is enough though which is why I have removed James Peatling and replaced him with Jordan Dawson. With five games at Adelaide Oval from their first eight matches, Dawson’s record at home has tipped the ledger his way, averaging 112, 120, and 117 in that order over the last three years.
The Crows are stacked for centre bounce options, but I don’t think Dawson will be needed to plug holes anymore. I’m hoping for a big start.
Angus Sheldrick goes out after a poor season opener, which paves the way for Nathan O’Driscoll to get moved on field. Elijah Tsatas, Levi Ashcroft, and Mitch Knevitt round out the starters. Knevitt reminds me a lot of Oliver Dempsey from last season in terms of value. Dempsey started at $148k and made close to $264k. Knevitt looks at home in that midfield and should make quick cash.
Finn O’Sullivan, Bo Allan, and Lucas Camporeale headline the bench. O’Sullivan put in an eye-catching performance against the Eagles and after playing on the wing, he was moved into defence late in that game. As we have seen with Harry Sheezel and Colby McKercher, it’s a fruitful role you young Kangaroos. Allan’s -12 in the pre-season hasn’t put me off. Hopefully, he got his stinker out of the way early.
RUCKS
Structure: Two premiums and one rookie.
The rucks remain the same. Tristan Xerri showed no signs of slowing down against the Eagles – laying 14 tackles from 14 tackle attempts. He also had 13 contested possessions, two score assists, and seven hit-outs-to-advantage for 141.
Tom De Koning’s prospects are further strengthened by Marc Pittonet’s six-week lay-off. I wouldn’t read too much into De Koning’s score against the Giants (138 from 58% game time) though as he was up against Lachlan Keeffe.
De Koning faces three of the top-four teams for points conceded to ruckmen from last season in the first five rounds.
The one player I’d love to have is Max Gawn. He has a plum Round 1 fixture against a Kieren Briggs-less Giants and a massive score is on the horizon.
FORWARDS
Structure: Two premiums, one mid-price, and five rookies.
The forwards are almost the same as my first draft.
Jason Horne-Francis and Jack Macrae were prominent in the AAMI Community Series with 108 and 117 points in that order. Both had an excellent role and are primed for a huge 2025.
Unfortunately, we didn’t see Bailey Smith in opening round but the fact he had an extra week recovering can only be a good thing. He’s too good to pass up at his price.
Caleb Daniel was at his efficient best against the Eagles with 23 effective disposals from a tally of 26. He scored 113 and laid five tackles and was important for defensive half ball movement.
I’ve upgraded Joe Berry to Hugo Garcia and the Saint comes in at M5. I’ve tried to get to Ryley Sanders in that slot, but that means downgrading De Koning in defence and there is no one worthwhile at a lower price. Only Jack Steele and Macrae attended more centre bounces than Garcia against the Power so hopefully the role is there.
Sam Davidson is my last on field rookie and he storms into contention after a dominant display against the Kangaroos. His ball use kept his score to 81 points but if he can tidy that up, we can expect far greater returns. He had a game-high 619 meres gained and kicked a nice goal.
Isaac Kako moves to the bench and being an opportunist forward, his scores may fluctuate anyway. He’s still a great pick after a four-goal haul against the Cats.
Conor Stone rounds out the bench and he had his moments against the Magpies with 64 points. He read the play well and won six intercepts – only Sam Taylor had more.
FLEX
Structure: One mid-price.
This position in my team has changed the most. I started with Matt Flynn, swapped him out for Tom De Koning, and then moved him out for Nathan O’Driscoll. Even Hugo Garcia has been in this slot. It has never been settled.
I have finally landed on Flynn. There was a lot of conjecture about his role and a nagging back injury didn’t help, which is why I moved him out. But after his performance against Tristan Xerri in the AAMI Community Series – he has won back my trust. No Oscar Allen saw Bailey J. Williams deployed as a deep forward, but even when Allen returns, I think it would be at the expense of Archer Reid. That would allow Flynn and Williams to carry the ruck load.
Flynn won the head-to-head hitout-to-advantage count 8-5 against Xerri and chipped in with one goal.
Money in the bank: $64,400
Originally published as Fantasy Freako reveals 2025 SuperCoach team with mid-priced options galore
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