SuperCoach 2015: the eight forward rookies set to become popular picks this season
ROOKIES are the lifeblood of any SuperCoach team. Today we look at the eight forwards set to feature heavily in season 2015.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IN past SuperCoach years we’ve struggled to find quality depth up forward under $200,000 but this year we are spoiled for choice.
Mature age talent in Kane Lambert and Nathan Krakouer will be popular midfield-forward options, Jesse Hogan missed the entire 2014 season and is now priced over $70,000 less this
season, whilst club-changers Mitch Clark and Tim Membrey present as serious money-earners with high job security.
SUPERCOACH IS RICHER THAN EVER. DON’T MISS OUT. JOIN HERE.
Top-20 draftees Christian Petracca and Jayden Laverde also get the tick as dual position players, whilst a second-year Tiger, a fourth-year Saint and the smallest man in the AFL will also
put their hands up for Round 1 starts.
JESSE HOGAN (Melbourne) $130,400
It’s not often SuperCoaches fork out for key position players, such are their yo-yo form and
unpredictable scoring early in their careers, but Jesse Hogan is the exception.
The 195cm, 100kg forward is set to be the anchor up forward for the Demons after an impressive debut season in 2013 for VFL affiliate Casey, winning their best and fairest at just 17.
Hogan is a legitimate monster, and rates elite for contested marks, goalkicking efficiency, and his big engine that allows him to burn opponents.
The pack-busting full forward will be a focal point inside Melbourne’s forward 50 and with a midfield that has been heavily bolstered over the past two drafts, the delivery going inside 50 should be at its highest in over a decade.
After starting 2014 in excess of $200,000, Hogan is a much more affordable in 2015 and will be a popular forward choice.
NATHAN KRAKOUER (Port Adelaide) $106,900
The return of Nathan Krakouer to Port Adelaide might be a bit of a fairytale for some, but for
SuperCoaches it is an absolute gift.
Despite the Power searching for a Grand Final birth this year, Krakouer was drafted to play an immediate role after a standout season with the Magpies in the SANFL.
Although Krakouer is named as a midfield-forward, it’s likely that Port will use his speed and silky disposal off half-back, meaning a huge ceiling awaits with intercept marks, rebound-50s and high-end disposal efficiency likely to be cornerstones of his game in 2015.
A more mature and well-rounded Krakouer will return not only to Alberton, but to our SuperCoach line-ups and it’s likely he’ll find himself heavily backed with a point to prove in 2015.
CALEB DANIEL (Western Bulldogs) $117,300
The Gary Ablett of the sub 170cm players, there is nothing Caleb Daniel cannot do.
Daniel averaged 20 disposals at 92 per cent efficiency along with two goals, winning All Australian honours at the National Championships.
Daniel averaged a ridiculous 171 SuperCoach points for South Australia, ranking first overall at the Championships.
The pint-sized 18-year-old also played senior football for the Panthers in the SANFL, and against bigger bodies was still able to maintain a SuperCoach average of 85 points – giving SuperCoaches a great indication that he can churn out the points at the next level.
He was also a standout during the Bulldogs’ mid-January match simulation, using the ball
neatly, kicking goals and looking the most comfortable out of the Bulldogs’ latest draftees.
Could just as easily mirror Lewy Taylor’s SuperCoach feats last year, but keep in mind he could be vest candidate if he does earn an early-season debut.
JAYDEN LAVERDE (Essendon) $127,300
The Bombers landed a jet with Jayden Laverde who tumbled down to the back end of the first round on draft night after being linked as high as Collingwood at pick No.5.
It means Laverde is priced super well for SuperCoach and should see some action for Essendon this season.
The talented midfielder can also be picked up as a midfielder, and has serious explosiveness and an eye for goal that Essendon will look to use off half forward and on a wing.
He managed to average 90 SuperCoach points at TAC Cup level and 97 points at the National Championships last year.
The issue with Laverde is that he boasts huge X-factor, which is great for Essendon, but might cause frustration among SuperCoaches. Given the way Laverde plays, his scoring will likely yo-yo.
Watch his pre-season form closely before making a call. Worries me as an early vest candidate.
MITCH CLARK (Geelong) $155,200
Speak about SuperCoach gifts, they don’t come much bigger than Mitch Clark.
The former Lion and Demon joined the Cats during the player exchange period in what is a giant coup not only for the Cats, but SuperCoaches.
We know his ceiling is decent, with a 93 SuperCoach average in 2009 and 84 as late as 2012.
However, buyer beware. Clark has only played 95 out of a possible 198 home and away games since debuting in 2006.
He’s already suffered a slight setback with a calf injury, but Geelong are adamant he’ll be fit for a Round 1 debut.
If he is, his job security is high, but more importantly – he’s going to have first-class delivery leading out of the square for the first time in his career, since stints with league battlers Brisbane and Melbourne during his eight-year career.
DANIEL MARKWORTH (St Kilda) $123,900
The luckless yet elusive utility who is still yet to debut since being selected at pick No.35 in the 2011 National Draft is about to make a splash in AFL scene this year.
The 189cm, 87kg goalkicking midfielder is rated highly by St Kilda people, and after a string of injuries including a knee and a hamstring, Markworth has been one of St Kilda’s best trainers throughout the their summer campaign.
He’ll be looking for an early debut, but given his outside speed and overall versatility, he might cop the vest early on. He’s worth keeping an eye on as an early cash cow.
BEN LENNON (Richmond) $180,400
The silk ball-user was used sparingly in his debut season at the Tigers, having started the sub in five out of his seven appearances but showed his class and poise with the ball in hand, averaging 16 disposals, five inside 50s and 1.5 score assists across the two full games he played off half forward.
In the VFL he enjoyed stints in the midfield, off half back and up forward, averaging 21 disposals and seven marks.
Lennon is awkwardly priced for some, but could explode this year if he stays away from the vest.
Consider strongly pending pre-season form, would make for a handy point of difference.
TIM MEMBREY (St Kilda) $172,000
Every bit an early season cash cow, he should at least be locked in on your bench. The Saints
targeted Tim Membrey for a reason.
After bagging 97 goals across his first two seasons with Sydney in the NEAFL he’s set to reap the rewards in a St Kilda’s forward line that is crying out for reinforcements to help Nick Riewoldt.
Membrey averaged 112 SuperCoach points at NEAFL level last year, and rated elite for loose-ball gets inside 50 – ranking second in the competition, and also rated highly for marks and disposals by a forward.
Job security won’t be an issue, given that is the exact reason he opted for a move back to his own state. Lock and load.
Paige Cardona is a SuperCoach blogger. Follow her on Twitter @SuperCoachPaige and get more SuperCoach tips at scpaige.com.au
Originally published as SuperCoach 2015: the eight forward rookies set to become popular picks this season
The AFL trades set to deliver big SuperCoach bargains
Bailey Smith and Clayton Oliver could be huge SuperCoach steals at a new club in 2025. Which other names should be on the watch list? Here are the moves to watch.
AFL obsession to NBL addiction: How SuperCoach hooked me on hoops
I hadn’t watch the NBL since the Andrew Gaze and Shane Heal days. Now I’m taking my son to United games and watching Phoenix on Kayo because of one reason.