Jon Ralph’s verdict on young SuperCoach guns as Finn O’Sullivan proves himself a lock

SuperCoach watchers may have been concerned seeing Finn O’Sullivan end up on the bench for the end of the Roos’ clash on Saturday, but it only cemented his spot in JON RALPH’s team.

Finn O’Sullivan’s absence from the last quarter of Saturday’s practice match could have been interpreted as a worrying sign for his chances of a round 1 debut.

And yet the company he kept was proof he is a SuperCoach lock ($199,000) as last year’s No. 2 overall draft pick.

North Melbourne midfielder O’Sullivan had some handy touches off the wing against Melbourne in a weekend where the draft’s No. 3 draft pick Jagga Smith went down with a season-ending ACL tear.

Could O’Sullivan be squeezed out of the Roos side against the Western Bulldogs given the club’s much-vaunted midfield depth?

Assistant coach Leigh Adams made clear that wasn’t happening as he was asked about his round 1 chances post-match.

Finn O'Sullivan has made a bright start. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I think if you looked at the guys who we managed (at three quarter time) today we have got (Tristan) Xerri who will be right for round 1, (Nick) Larkey, LDU (Luke Davies-Uniacke) and Finn O’Sullivan so I reckon he will be right around the mark,” he said with a grin.

“He has done a power of work over the summer, he hasn’t missed a session.

“So we just want to get him cherry ripe because we think he’s going to be a really good player for a really long time for us. (He played) mainly out on a wing. He has got a great running capability and he’s a great size and we probably didn’t see it as much today but his hands in traffic are really elite and sets teammates up

“He’s had a faultless summer and we can’t wait for him to eventually like the other guys get time in here, he’s had to bide his time but as the year goes on we will see him float through the midfield.”

Luke Davies- Uniacke was also rested late in the piece. Picture: Ian Currie

That midfield choice means co-captain Jy Simpkin, rested after playing in the All Stars game, will likely again have to play off half forward.

Adams was thrilled with the new-found versatility against Melbourne.

Harry Sheezel, Davies-Uniacke and Luke Parker all played from the goalsquare as well as midfield, Colby McKercher played wing and forward, while 2024 breakout Tom Powell played wing, forward and back.

“We feel like we have a really good mix of guys. We have to fit the captain back in and wherever that is, through the forward and flank roles, whoever misses out will be really stiff at this stage.”

TOP 10 PICKS FROM LAST YEAR’S DRAFT

1. Sam Lalor (Richmond)

SuperCoach price: $203,500 (MID)

He oozed class winning the footy playing deep forward before suffering a broken jaw and while he will hit the scoreboard he might be starved of chances at times. Could have some down weeks in a young Tigers side.

2. Finn O’Sullivan (North Melbourne)

SuperCoach price: $199,000 (MID)

Expect him to play every week in a developing Roos side but not as a huge accumulator given his numbers in Under-18 and Coates League games last year. He’s more of a set-and-forget player than a cash cow.

3. Jagga Smith (Carlton)

SuperCoach price: $194,500 (MID)

Suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the clash with St Kilda in a gut-wrenching development for Blues fans.

Jagga Smith leaves the field. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

4. Sid Draper (Adelaide)

SuperCoach price: $190,000 (MID)

With pace and agility to burn the young mid has featured in both the A and B side in recent match sim. Lauded by Taylor Walker last week, he’s at least a sub chance in round 1 and should play early and often.

5. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane)

SuperCoach price: $185,500 (MID)

Smacked of class in last week’s hitout and like his brother will make an instant impact. A note of warning – Chris Fagan said last week he was a more natural forward so with so many star mids he might not get huge time as a pure mid.

6. Harvey Langford (Melbourne)

SuperCoach price: $181,000 (MID)

He has neat skills and real physicality as he steps through traffic and was strong against the Roos. Lock him in as a round 1 starter although as Jack Viney and Christian Petracca return next week we will get a better assessment of how much midfield time he will get as Clayton Oliver, Ed Langdon, Trent Rivers and Tom Sparrow round out the midfield with mid-forward Kysaiah Pickett.

Harvey Langford starred for the Demons in Saturday’s practice match. Picture: Michael Klein

7. Josh Smillie (Richmond)

SuperCoach price: $176,500 (MID)

We will get a better indication if he suits up against Collingwood in Wednesday night’s clash after recovering from a mild hamstring injury. Coach Adem Yze hasn’t ruled him out yet and says he had a bumper summer until that concern. Sure to get plenty of centre square chances given he’s the future at Punt Road.

8. Tobie Travaglia (St Kilda)

SuperCoach price: $172,000 (DEF)

Got a late run against Carlton where he kicked an eye-catching goal and got a good-hearted post-match from assistant Corey Enright for celebrating with fans before teammates.

Just watch for him as a potential AFL sub or even VFL starter given a Saints team with stars returning next week only gave him a late taste of senior footy. Hugely exciting but it’s a game-time thing.

Leo Lombard is awaiting scans but could slide straight into the Suns’ side. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

9. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast)

SuperCoach price: $167.500 (MID)

The tackling freak came asunder injuring his shoulder attempting a bone-jarring bump so is awaiting scans. It means he’s a hold after a huge summer given potential surgery ahead.

10. Alix Tauru (St Kilda)

SuperCoach price: $163,000 (DEF-FWD)

The freakish marking talent is back running after arriving with stress issues in his back so when he eventually debuts buckle up for the ride but don’t consider yet for your SuperCoach team.

Originally published as Jon Ralph’s verdict on young SuperCoach guns as Finn O’Sullivan proves himself a lock