Fremantle SuperCoach study guide: best premium picks, mid-price risks and cash cows

Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe is one of the most reliable SuperCoach scorers in the game’s history, sadly, his body isn’t as trustworthy. Should we pick him? Plus, the Dockers’ mid-price risks and cash cows.

Fremantle SuperCoach AFL 2019 preview.

Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe is one of the most reliable SuperCoach scorers in the game’s history, sadly, his body isn’t as trustworthy.

The midfield gun hasn’t played 22 home-and-away games in his stellar career, so chances are you’ll have to use a trade or find bench cover at some stage.

We’ve analysed the Dockers’ SuperCoach premium picks, biggest mid-price risks and top cash cows ahead of the new season. How many will you be picking?

BARGAINS: BEST MATURE AGE SUPERCOACH PICKS

UNIQUE: SUPERCOACH STARS NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT

PHANTOM: ARE MID-PRICED FORWARDS WORTH RISK?

PREMIUMS

Nat Fyfe ($618,100, Mid)

If he plays, he scores - and scores big. Unfortunately, he made it on to the park only 15 times last year, but he scored more than 100 in 11 of them including three over 150. His average of 113.9 was the eighth-best of last season and there’s a good argument that is unders given a couple of out of character poor games. No Lachie Neale to steal points off him this year.

Nat Fyfe is yet to play 22 home-and-away games in his career.

MID-PRICE RISKS

Connor Blakely ($461,800, Def)

Neale’s departure during the trade period creates a big vacancy in the Dockers’ midfield and Blakely is well placed to fill it. Or was well placed until a serious hamstring injury that is set to leave him sidelined until mid-year. Perhaps one to watch when he comes back.

Rory Lobb ($411,600, Ruck-Fwd)

The former Giant was very hot and cold in SuperCoach last year, scoring 56, 150 and 74 in consecutive weeks late in the season. That monster score came against Adelaide thanks to 15 disposals, eight tackles and 40 hitouts, so we need to see him given plenty of ruck time to justify the investment. But the ability to pick him up forward and partner him with a dual-position ruck bench player would provide valuable cover.

Michael Walters ($476,800, Mid-Fwd)

Walters promised plenty in 2018 and delivered in fits and spurts - notably a 146-point game in Round 10 - but ultimately left many coaches frustrated. Still, his scores were respectable and the possibility of more midfield time after Neale’s exit means he must be considered again.

Fremantle draftees Lachie Schultz and Brett Bewley. Picture: Mark Stewart

ROOKIES

Brett Bewley ($117,300, Mid)

SuperCoach players love a mature-age recruit and it seems Ross Lyon is coming around to the idea as well. Bewley was recruited in last November’s draft at age 23 from VFL club Williamstown, where he averaged 25 disposals a game last year and led the competition for effective long kicks.

Lachlan Schultz ($117,300, Fwd)

A teammate of Bewley’s at Williamstown, Schultz appears behind him for scoring potential but could be a handy bench option. He’s a small forward who can push into the midfield.

Luke Valente ($117,300, Mid)

Last year’s draft slider was ranked the 10th-best player in the draft pool by Champion Data but slipped to pick 32, dodging a premium SuperCoach price tag in the process. The SA captain was the state’s most valuable player at the under-18 championships and has the body to play straight away.

Griffin Logue ($164,300, Def)

An interesting option who fell off the radar last year, not playing a game thanks to a foot injury. Pick 8 in the 2016 draft, Logue showed some promising signs in his debut season and is available again at a rookie price after three AFL pre-seasons.

Harley Bennell ($167,700, Mid)

Please get it together, Harley. He is too good at footy - and SuperCoach - to waste his career. Bennell averaged over 95 three years in a row from 2013-15 but has barely been sighted since, apart from news reports of another calf setback or off-field indiscretion. If he makes it to the start line he will be a huge bargain.

Harley Bennell has struggled to get on the field at Fremantle. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

NO-GO ZONE

Jesse Hogan ($498,300, Fwd)

Freo’s star recruit enjoyed his best SuperCoach season in 2018, averaging 92 points a game. But we can’t see him spending as much time in the midfield and the jury is still out on how many chances he’ll get in front of goal.

Hayden Ballantyne ($266,600, Fwd)

Seems too cheap for a player of his calibre but don’t be sucked in. Ballantyne’s best SuperCoach season was in 2014 when he averaged 76. Last year he averaged 49. He’s 31. Pass.

DRAFT SMOKIES

David Mundy (Midfield-Forward)

Has never received his SuperCoach dues despite being a reliable premium pick for most of the past decade. If you can’t find a spot for him in your classic team at age 33, grab him in draft.

Luke Ryan (Defence)

Former VFL star who paved the way for the likes of Bewley and Schultz. Doesn’t quite make the top rung of SuperCoach defenders but he’s not far behind, averaging 90 last year.

Aaron Sandilands (Ruck)

If you miss out on the top-line ruckmen in the early rounds, unlimited trades mean you can take a risk on an injury-prone 36-year-old ruckman who scored over 135 three times in his 11 games last year.

Originally published as Fremantle SuperCoach study guide: best premium picks, mid-price risks and cash cows