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

Will Robbie Gray and Tom Rockliff burn their SuperCoach owners again or can they return to their high-scoring best? We rate Port Adelaide’s best premiums, mid-price risks and one of the richest fields of cash cows.

Port Adelaide SuperCoach 2019 preview.

Are Robbie Gray and Tom Rockliff SuperCoach burn men or will they return to their high-scoring best?

There are plenty of gambles to be taken with Port Adelaide players in 2019 with Justin Westhoff’s move to the ruck, Ryan Burton’s arrival and one of the richest cash cow fields in the game.

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

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PREMIUMS

Robbie Gray $525,500 MID-FWD

Gray represents Port Adelaide’s SuperCoach situation in a nutshell — huge potential, frustrating returns. Gray was a must-have early last season, averaging 116 from Rounds 2-8. Then Ken Hinkley moved him forward and he scored only four more SuperCoach tons for the year. What are his plans this year? Hopefully the pre-season will provide some clues.

Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray is a SuperCoach matchwinner on his day.

Justin Westhoff $549,500 RUCK-FWD

‘The Hoff’ was the highlight of Port’s disappointing 2018 campaign, winning the best-and-fairest and cracking a 100-plus SuperCoach average for the first time (101). His age (32) is a concern but dual-position status makes him very enticing as a potential forward who can provide ruck cover. To fill that role he needs to be durable. He certainly ticks that box — he hasn’t missed a game in the past five seasons and just three since 2010.

MID-PRICE RISKS

Tom Rockliff $405,900 MID

Would you dare? Rockliff arrived from Brisbane with a big reputation and an outstanding SuperCoach pedigree. Unfortunately, he was one of the biggest flops of 2018, suffering a 22-point drop in SuperCoach output. After the season he revealed he had battled shoulder problems for much of the year and he has had surgery to fix the problem. The price is tempting, but it would take a big leap of faith.

Hamish Hartlett $349,200 DEF

One of the AFL’s forgotten men, Hartlett’s 2018 season ended after five games with a serious knee injury. The defender, who posted 90-plus season averages from 2011-15, had made a handy start including a 108-point game against Brisbane. Priced at a 65 average, which is well below his potential output.

Scott Lycett $441,200 RUCK-FWD

Any player with ruck-forward eligibility attracts our attention and Port Adelaide obviously rates him highly after making him their No.1 trade target. He will partner Paddy Ryder, sharing time between the ruck and forward line, a role he is familiar with. At West Coast last year he played 15 games alongside Nic Naitanui, averaging 79 SuperCoach points. After Nic Nat’s season-ending injury, Lycett averaged 85.

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Ryan Burton $356,700 DEF

The 2017 Rising Star runner-up endured a difficult year at Hawthorn last year and then found himself on the trade table in a deal for Chad Wingard. You’d think he’ll have plenty to prove at Port Adelaide and his 2017 season average of 83 would suggest he’s capable of SuperCoach success in the right role. However, with the depth of scoring in defence it would take some big cojones to pick him.

Connor Rozee in action at Port Adelaide training. Picture: Sarah Reed

Port Adelaide draftees Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma.

ROOKIES

Connor Rozee $189,300 DEF-FWD

Port Adelaide’s top draft pick last year (No.5 overall) is sure to walk into the Power’s Round 1 line-up and could take Chad Wingard’s role off half-forward straight off the bat. The exciting youngster is a high-priced cash cow so watch his JLT Series to gauge his scoring — and money making — potential.

Joe Atley $123,900 MID

One of several 2017 draftees who are still cheap and have the benefit of an extra year in the AFL system. Couldn’t break through for a senior debut last year despite averaging 21.5 disposals in the SANFL. He could be a ready-made replacement for injured midfield star Ollie Wines.

Zak Butters $157,800, MID

The former Western Jets midfielder and 12th selection overall in the 2018 draft averaged 20 disposals (10 contested) in the TAC Cup before hurting his shoulder at the under-18 championships. Noted for his high footy IQ and good goal sense. A bit more affordable than the Power’s top pick, Rozee.

Xavier Duursma $130,800 DEF-MID

The former Gippsland Power captain and No.18 draft pick played mainly across half-back in his final junior season, averaging 23 disposals and five tackles a game. Was moved into the midfield for Vic Country and had an impact, collecting five clearances against Vic Metro.

Boyd Woodcock $117,300 MID-FWD

Woodcock surged into draft — and SuperCoach — calculations with an exceptional game in the SANFL Grand Final, kicking three goals and collecting 15 disposals on the way to a premiership medal with North Adelaide. Just 175cm and 71kg so needs to put some weight on.

NO-GO ZONE

Sam Gray $380,600 FWD

Don’t pick the wrong Gray. Sam actually put up some good SuperCoach numbers at the back end of 2016 but that was a while ago now.

Ollie Wines $528,300 MID

Will miss the start of the season after hurting his shoulder in a waterskiing accident.

Ollie Wines will miss the start of the season with a shoulder injury. Picture: Sarah Reed

DRAFT SMOKIES

Travis Boak (Forward)

Will stepping down from the captaincy help him return to his elite scoring days (106 average in 2013-14)? Has been in the high 80s the past two years. That’s OK for a forward.

Tom Jonas (Defence)

Was on track for a premium season until injuries got in the way but still posted career-best numbers (87 average).

Paddy Ryder (Ruck)

We have been waiting for Ryder to turn into a SuperCoach superstar for 11 seasons. It’s probably not going to happen in 2019. He’s still handy though if you miss out on the top-line rucks.

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