SuperCoach DPP watch: 20 key names assessed after AFL pre-season position switch hints
Mid-season position changes have turned SuperCoach on its head. Who could gain DPP this season? Here are 20 players who should be on your watch list.
In-season DPP changes have brought a new layer of strategy to SuperCoach in recent years.
Monitoring role changes can give you a huge edge over your league rivals and coaches in the running for the $50k overall prize.
To earn dual-position status a player must spend 35 per cent or more game time in a new position – numbers Champion Data monitors every week and that we will be tracking from round 1.
Early pre-season matches, training sessions and match simulation have already given plenty of hints about who will be in contention for DPP early in 2025.
The list includes some of the most-popular selections in SuperCoach, too.
Last season picking Nic Martin in the midfield then swinging him into defence when he earned DPP status early in the season proved a winning strategy for many coaches. Could the same plan work in 2025?
Scroll down to see 16 players we expect to be in the mix.
***This list will be updated throughout pre-season***
LEVI ASHCROFT – MID TO FWD-MID
The younger brother of Norm Smith medallist Will is tipped to make an early impact – it’s just a case of whether it’s as a midfielder or at half-forward. Ashcroft has spent plenty of time learning the ropes as a half-forward during his first AFL pre-season, suggesting he could pick up DPP early in the season. The Lions have a stacked midfield, so opportunities are likely to be limited. Teammate Kai Lohmann might have given away the forward role, saying in a recent interview he was excited for Ashcroft to “kick a lot of goals”.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: Possible
JACK HUTCHINSON – FWD to FWD-MID
One look at Hutchinson’s last game of 2024 will tell you why Andrew McQualter is keen to persist with the mid-season draftee as a midfielder. After having 38 disposals in six games, Hutchinson went into the middle against Geelong in round 24 and tallied 24 disposals, five inside-50s, six clearances and 102 SuperCoach points. He looks set to start the year on a wing.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
CALLUM MILLS – DEF to DEF-MID
Depending on which interview you read, Dean Cox wants Callum Mills to play midfield or loves his versatility and might use him in several different roles. Mills is listed as a DEF in SuperCoach but the strongest indications are that he will at least start the season as part of a formidable engine room set-up with Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Rowbottom and Co. SuperCoaches are unlikely to field Mills as a MID though, unless he can recapture the heights of 2022 – when he averaged 116.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
SAM DE KONING – DEF to RUC-DEF
De Koning showed his wares as a ruckman from rounds 15-19 last season when he averaged 95.4 SuperCoach points (including a score of 135 against his brother Tom). De Koning was Geelong’s first-choice ruckman in a recent match sim hitout against Hawthorn and looks a live chance to start the season in that role. Priced at an average of 67, he could be a serious bargain if he can get an extended run in the middle of the ground. The issue, of course, is that Rhys Stanley is waiting in the wings and De Koning’s role could change weekly based on match-ups.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: Possible
RORY LAIRD – MID to DEF-MID
Laird is set to be reborn as a defender as Matthew Nicks aims to add greater explosiveness to Adelaide’s midfield. He finished last year in the backline, averaging 97 in the last four rounds and picking up three kick-ins.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA – MID to FWD-MID
All eyes will be on the pre-season games to get a better indication of how deep Simon Goodwin wants his midfield mix to look this year. Petracca flirted with FWD status last year but ultimately fell short. Trent Rivers is one Demon who seems certain to increase his midfield time this year. After a pre-season of setbacks, maybe Petracca starts in attack and becomes a contender to be FWD-MID in the first batch of DPP additions? If it happens he will become the most sought-after player in the game.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: Possible
DYLAN SHIEL – MID to DEF-MID
After 21 games in two seasons, something had to give for Shiel and the Bombers. And it seems that was a move to half-back, rather than a trade to St Kilda which was mooted last year. All reports are that Shiel has been racking up the footy in match sim playing in defence and will partner Mason Redman as a key distributor with Nic Martin moving into midfield.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
HARRY SHEEZEL – DEF to DEF-MID
Remember when SuperCoaches were in a panic that leaving the defensive 50 midway through 2024 would result in Sheezel’s scores suffering? The young Roos tyro maintained his level to the point where he is the second-most expensive defender of 2025. Sheezel seems destined to spend more time in midfield – and possibly forward – this year, with the addition of Caleb Daniel giving Alastair Clarkson an extra backline distributor.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
SAM LALOR – MID to FWD-MID
Our rookie gurus Dan Batten and The Phantom seem convinced Lalor’s stints in the midfield will be brief. The signs from Punt Road suggest Adem Yze is trying to build Richmond’s on-ball depth. But Lalor’s opportunities will almost certainly be as a pinch-hitter, rather than a full-time midfielder alongside the likes of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. Lalor might not be eligible for the first round of DPP additions though after fracturing his jaw in match sim against West Coast.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
OLIVER HOLLANDS – MID to DEF-MID
Hollands has played his 39 career games almost exclusively as a wingman. But with Nic Newman going down with an ACL injury, the 21-year-old looks likely to get first crack at filling the half-back void. Hollands has spent most of pre-season training in the backline and although his kicking needs work, his speed will make him a weapon. Still need to be convinced he stays there long-term, though.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: Possible
IZAK RANKINE – FWD to FWD-MID
Rankine was another player who went close to the 35 per cent threshold last season but didn’t quite get there. Rory Laird being pushed into defence will help his cause, but there’s also Sid Draper and James Peatling to fit into the engine room now. Keep a close watch on the Crows’ midfield rotations in pre-season.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: Possible
SAM DOCHERTY – MID to DEF-MID
Depending on who you ask, or which training session you attend, Docherty is set to play as a half-back, in Nic Newman’s spot, or a centre bounce midfielder. The most likely scenario seems to be a mix of both, or starting on a wing and floating back. Ollie Hollands has been the player who has stepped into Newman’s role and if Michael Voss persists with that plan, Docherty’s DPP chances will take a huge hit.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: Unlikely
CALEB WINDSOR – MID to DEF-MID
One of the top SuperCoach cash cows of 2024 has been recast as a running defender in pre-season as Melbourne looks to inject more speed into its ball movement. Expect Windsor to start the season at half-back in the role vacated by Trent Rivers’ midfield switch. But with Ed Langdon also set to spend time in the engine room, there’s a chance Windsor will find himself back on the wing at times, too.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: Possible
JACK MACRAE – FWD to MID-FWD
St Kilda’s pre-season injury list has only increased the likelihood of long-time SuperCoach favourite Macrae returning to his preferred midfield role as a Saint. Macrae declared not long after being traded to Moorabbin that he wasn’t moving clubs to top up his footy pension and was instead intent on proving he’s still got it as a smooth-moving midfielder. SuperCoaches will certainly hope so.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
ISAAC CUMMING MID to DEF-MID
If Laird is moving back (see above), is there a spot for free agency recruit Cumming in the Crows backline? His assuredness by foot would be welcomed, but Adelaide already has Mitch Hinge as the main weapon from defence. A role as a wingman looks likely, at least to start, which all but rule out DPP. At a juicy price, he’s a big watch during pre-season – especially if he’s on kick-in duties.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: Unlikely – for now
JACK SILVAGNI – FWD to DEF-FWD
The only thing stopping Silvagni from becoming a DEF-FWD will be his ability to lock down a spot in Carlton’s best defence. The Blues want Silvagni to reprise the role which made his dad famous and appear determined to use Brodie Kemp as a third tall forward.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
REUBEN GINBEY – MID to DEF-MID
Ginbey transitioned into the backline under interim coach Jarrod Schofield late last year and experienced a spike in his scoring – at least until the final two rounds. The No.9 draft pick from 2022 has been training in the backline under new coach Andrew McQualter and looks set to fill one of the half-back flank roles.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
HARRY PERRYMAN – DEF to DEF-MID
After being largely used as a Mr Fix-It by the Giants, Perryman is set to start life as a Magpie playing alongside Nick Daicos in the middle of the ground. He played 81 per cent time as a midfielder between round 10, 2022 and round 10, 2023, averaging 20.7 disposals, 9.6 contested possessions, 6.1 tackles and 92.8 SuperCoach points in full games during that period. The word from Magpies HQ has been that Perryman is absolutely flying in his first pre-season with the club and primed to make a big impact after arriving as a free agent. It’s little wonder he’s growing in popularity among SuperCoach teams.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
REEF MCINNES – FWD to DEF-FWD
After 19 goals in 20 matches as a forward, McInnes is set to be reborn as a defender. The 22-year-old has been training with the backline all summer as Craig McRae tries to bolster his defensive options after being caught short when Nathan Murphy was forced to retire due to concussion last year. Not particularly SuperCoach relevant at $200k, though.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: High
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BEN JEPSON – DEF to DEF-MID
The arrivals of Daniel Rioli and John Noble will mean Damien Hardwick is flush for half-back flankers and intercept defenders. That’s why recent SSP addition Jepson, who excelled playing behind the ball in the VFL for Southport, has been training on a wing. SuperCoaches will be hopeful he can have a similar impact to fellow VFL product Sam Clohesy, who made $114k in his first price rise and averaged 69.7 in his debut AFL campaign.
DPP LIKELIHOOD: Possible (depending on selection)
Originally published as SuperCoach DPP watch: 20 key names assessed after AFL pre-season position switch hints
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