A weekly look at the SuperCoach relevant players flying in pre-season or hit by untimely setbacks

In this week’s SuperCoach Whispers, Will Setterfield takes another step towards Round 1, Darcy Moore looks injury free but there’s some concerning injury news for Eagle Josh Kennedy.

SuperCoach Whispers ahead of JLT Series.

The JLT Series starts this week and we can finally get a real look at some of SuperCoach’s biggest questions marks.

Risky picks such as Zach Merrett, Brad Crouch, Toby Greene and Darcy Moore will feature over the next fortnight.

Meanwhile, a couple of cash cows have emerged after last week’s round of scratch matches.

Check out all the week’s SuperCoach news and tidbits below.

JURY: SUPERCOACH BIG NAMES UNDER MICROSCOPE

DOCTOR: MID-PRICE DEFENDERS WORTH THE RISK

TOP 6: PREDICTING THE SUPERCOACH TOP SCORERS

BRAD CROUCH ($418,000, Mid)

You’re a brave SuperCoach to pick Brad Crouch but the man himself is feeling very confident after getting through Adelaide’s scratch match against Port Adelaide. The injury-plagued ball-winner has enjoyed a full pre-season and said he was looking forward to actually playing football. “I felt great out there, I’ve felt great all pre-season and I’ve had a lot of match practice already, so I felt really strong and I’m looking forward to the next couple of JLT games,” he told the club website. At $418k, Crouch is awkwardly priced for the level of risk he comes with but when fit did average 96 in 17 games in 2017.

Will Setterfield at Carlton training. Picture: Michael Klein

Brad Crouch at Adelaide training. Picture: Sarah Reed

WILL SETTERFIELD ($144,900, Mid-Fwd)

Setterfield is still the No.2 most popular player in SuperCoach and we’ll get our first look at him on Thursday against Essendon. After undergoing a knee reconstruction last year, the former Giant hasn’t played in 12 months but Blues fitness boss Andrew Russell gave the midfielder the tick of approval to launch his bid for Round 1. “Setters played his first game in well over 12 months and he pulled up really well,” he told the club website. “He’ll be up for selection this week and he’s ready to play a full game.” Setterfield has little exposed form but is $60k cheaper than No.1 pick and fellow Blue Sam Walsh.

DARCY MOORE ($239,400, Def-Fwd)

The Collingwood star has largely flown under the radar as a mid-price gamble this pre-season. After a 2018 ruined by injury, Moore has likely been crossed off many lists but his form in the scratch match against Melbourne should put him back in the SuperCoach frame. Playing as an intercept defender, Moore looked impressive. Positively, he was also able to shake off a knock and return to the game. While there’s plenty of value options in defence, Moore is also available as a forward, where there are fewer options and provides a cut-price option if you’re looking to save money to spend in the rucks or down back.

NATHAN VARDY ($306,400, Ruck-Fwd)

He was the No.2 to Scott Lycett in West Coast’s premiership team but Nathan Vardy wants the No.1 ruck mantle in 2019. While Tom Hickey has arrived from St Kilda, Vardy is determined to prove he’s more than a back-up. “The body is feeling really good. I think I’ve only missed one session and that was when my son was born,” he told the club website. “Other than that, I haven’t missed a minute of pre-season … being able to do a full pre-season and just grind out the minutes helps me spend more time in the ruck.” While the Eagles’ rucks remain in flux, it is difficult to start one on field.

ZACH MERRETT ($544,800, Mid)

The Bombers star was a popular pick this pre-season before copping an ankle injury and spending a few weeks in a moon boot. However, Merrett is back in full training and is expected to take part in the JLT Series opener against Carlton. Essendon fitness boss Justin Crow was positive about his progress. “So Zach’s progressed as planned. He’s done very well since he came out of the boot,” he told the club website. “We saw him do some match play last week. He’s going to participate in some of the match in JLT 1.” Merrett is underpriced for his scoring potential having averaged 111 and 109 in 2016-17.

Dylan Moore tackles Jaeger O'Meara during a Hawthorn intra-club.

DYLAN MOORE ($123,900, Fwd)

Tom Mitchell might be done for the season but his absence could provide a SuperCoach bounty. In his second season, Moore is putting his hand up to in some small way replace Brownlow Medallist Mitchell in the Hawthorn midfield. He’s available as a forward in SuperCoach and impressed in Hawthorn’s scratch match against Carlton, kicking two goals in the first half. Fellow youngster Harry Jones ($123,900, Def) has also been touted as a Round 1 debutant while James Worpel ($395,700, Mid-Fwd) is expected to step up his output.

JOSH KENNEDY ($397,800, Fwd)

The West Coast spearhead loomed as an intruiging fallen premium given his price and having previously averaged 90-plus for the three previous years. However, he has now been ruled out of the Eagles’ JLT Series campaign after being “deloaded” due to foot soreness after the Christmas break. While the club insists he remains on track for Round 1, Kennedy will be anything but fully fit. Kennedy averaged 73 in his 11 games last year as injury ruined his 2018, scoring just two tons.

TOM WILLIAMSON ($189,500, Def)

For anyone considering the young Blues defender, think again. Williamson is not expected to be fit for Round 1 as he recovers from a back injury. However, the Blues do expect Williamson to return early in the season, meaning he could be a downgrade option when he returns. Carlton fitness boss Andrew Russell updated fans on his injury. “Williamson’s been a bit slower than Macreadie and Marchbank but - like those two guys - he’s progressing really well,” he told the club website. “We expect him to be playing early in the season, he certainly won’t be available for Round 1.”

JESSE HOGAN ($498,300, Fwd)

Maybe Jesse Hogan won’t be handcuffed to the goalsquare at Fremantle. After impressing as a midfielder with Melbourne last year, Hogan was again prolific up the ground in Fremantle’s intra-club. The performance also proved he’s over the foot injury that ended his 2019 prematurely. Dockers assistant also hinted more midfield time was on the cards. “I’m sure we’ll see him there at some stage throughout the year. I think you spend a little less energy, it’s more contested efforts in the midfield rather than being a key forward that’s got to run up and down,” he told the club website.

Matthew Parker in action at St Kilda’s intra-club. Picture: Michael Klein

MATTHEW PARKER ($117,300, Fwd)

The mature-age Saints recruit is in plenty of pre-season SuperCoach teams - 23 per cent, in fact - and could be in many more come Round 1. St Kilda coach Alan Richardson praised Parker’s pre-season performance and said if he continued to impress a Round 1 debut was up for grabs. “There’s still a fair bit of water to go under the bridge, but he’s doing everything right,” he told the AFL website. “I would say that if he were to continue that sort of form and be able to execute his role the way he did at the weekend, he’s going to give himself every chance.”

TOBY GREENE ($354,600, Fwd)

Greene has had an interrupted pre-season but, importantly, we will get a chance to see him in action during the JLT Series. Giants coach Leon Cameron expects his star forward to suit up for the club’s second pre-season hitout against Adelaide in Canberra. Greene underwent surgery late last year to correct an ankle issue but playing a pre-season game is crucial and given his price, he’ll be on many watchlists. Fellow GWS SuperCoach stars Josh Kelly ($617,800, Mid) and Heath Shaw ($492,400, Def) will take part in the Giants’ JLT opener against Sydney.

Originally published as A weekly look at the SuperCoach relevant players flying in pre-season or hit by untimely setbacks