SuperCoach AFL 2024: Injury news and selection whispers for round 7

News a top-line ruckman will be sent for surgery could open the door for a bold rookie move in SuperCoach. Plus all this week’s teams whispers and injury news.

Port Adelaide big man Jordon Sweet could be a unlikely SuperCoach rookie saviour.

The former Bulldog is set to lead the Power’s ruck division after news No.1 ruck Ivan Soldo is set for minor knee surgery.

Sweet is priced at $158,700 in SuperCoach.

Experienced fantasy coaches know the scoring and cash generation available to a back-up ruckman if given the lead role; to take one example inexperienced Tiger Samson Ryan appreciated from $156k to $359k over a six-week period last season when he was called on to stand in for Toby Nankervis.

Trading in Sweet could be the ideal move for coaches with Docker Luke Jackson as their second ruck – either trade Jackson or trade out a forward, move Jackson to the forward line and bring in Sweet as a second ruck.

Coaches with two big-name rucks on field and a RUC/FWD DPP on the bench could also gain the benefit’s of Sweet’s new window of opportunity by trading out a forward like Ryley Sanders or Nat Fyfe, moving their current R3 to the forward bench and bringing in Sweet on the ruck bench. They wouldn’t get his scores on field, but the likely cash generation could still make it very worthwhile.

Jordon Sweet (right) could be about to become very popular in SuperCoach. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sweet could be the perfect stop-gap on-field scorer until Tim English bottoms out in price in a few weeks’ time, or a cash grab who could massively boost mid-season spending power.

The 26-year-old played his first game for the Power, and 12th of his AFL career, last weekend against Collingwood, scoring 68 points from five disposals and six hitouts-to-advantage in 59 per cent of game time.

Coaches can have another look at him on Friday night against St Kilda before his value changes. By then we should also have a better idea of how long Soldo will be unavailable; Port Adelaide’s media release on Thursday said the ex-Tiger “will miss a period of football”.

ROOS ‘FAST TRACK’ SHEEZEL SHIFT

Alastair Clarkson hasn’t been able to attend a press conference this year without copping the question every SuperCoach is asking – when will Harry Sheezel move to the midfield?

And after North Melbourne’s latest capitulation against Hawthorn, Clarkson showed the first signs he was seriously considering adding Sheezel to the North engine room.

“Our biggest challenge ... we want Sheezel in other spots on the ground. It’s just the balance of the side. Like, who do you take to half-back to replace him? The other guys like (Tom) Powell, (Colby) McKercher, (Will) Phillips and these guys, we’re wanting to give them some exposure to the footy as well,” Clarkson said.

“We’ll probably explore that. We really wanted for him to try to consolidate his position at half-back in the first half of the year and then see in the second half of the year whether that was more midfield or mid-forward opportunities. We just might have to fast track that a little bit now.”

How long will Harry Sheezel stay at half-back? Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Sheezel has dominated in defence, averaging 33 disposals and 127.3 SuperCoach points, the sixth-most in the game this year.

George Wardlaw is likely to return for this weekend’s clash with Adelaide too, which could have flow-on effects for popular forward selection Powell.

REID ALL ABOUT IT?

Adam Simpson has a cruel sense of timing. Just as SuperCoaches wave goodbye to best 18 scoring, a report emerged this week that Harley Reid would be rested for West Coast’s round 7 match against Gold Coast.

Simpson flagged in pre-season it was possible that Reid – who appears in more SuperCoach teams than any other player – would be managed during his maiden season. If it happens this week, it could not have come at a worse time for coaches preparing for best 22.

Reid has averaged 115 in the past three weeks since moving into the midfield and is being touted as a potential SuperCoach keeper. Let’s hope Simpson has a change of heart at match committee.

INJURY WATCH

The words Zac Williams and injury in the same sentence are enough to make any Carlton fan and SuperCoach shudder.

News that Williams, who has been cursed by injuries throughout his career, had been subbed off last weekend with a knock to the Achilles had more than 102,000 coaches making trade plans for the bargain defender.

But in the days following the Blues’ win over GWS teammates reported that Williams had pulled up well, and he is listed as a test on Carlton’s injury list. He has a Break Even of 62, a score he has beaten in all but two matches this season – and one of those was last week.

His fate will be known when Carlton names its team on Thursday night. At time of writing he has been traded out of almost 33,000 teams.

Meanwhile, Hayden Young owners were surprised and frustrated when the defender sat out the last quarter of the Derby. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said post-match the move was precautionary as the result was beyond doubt and Young had “a tight hammy”.

His caution appears to have paid off – Young does not appear on the Dockers’ injury list and is set to take his place in the team to face the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

Zac Williams faces a fitness test this week. Picture: David Crosling

One player who will definitely be missing this week is Tom Stewart, who entered concussion protocols after a heavy collision with Lion Kai Lohmann. He is expected to return in round 8 with a Break Even of 137 – put him on your watch list if you’re not an owner.

Possible replacements at the Cats this week include round 5 debutant Connor O’Sullivan, rookie draft pick-up Emerson Jeka and out-of-favour defender Jed Bews.

Hawk Will Day and Saints recruit Paddy Dow will return from injury in the VFL this week.

The Saints could have a number of best-22 players available in coming weeks with Mason Wood (collarbone), Hunter Clark (calf) and Ben Paton (pectoral) featuring in a scratch match last weekend. Max King and Liam Henry are also not far away.

WHERE ARE THE ROOKIES COMING FROM?

The Giants delivered some good SuperCoach news when they announced on Wednesday that small forward Darcy Jones will make his AFL debut on Anzac Day.

Jones, pick 21 in the 2022 draft, missed his entire first year at GWS with a knee injury. He gets his chance with skipper Toby Greene missing through suspension; SuperCoaches will be hoping he grabs it, avoids the sub vest and performs strongly enough against Brisbane to hold his spot for at least a few more weeks. You won’t miss him on the field – he plays in a charcoal and orange helmet.

It’s not quite Old Mother Hubbard levels yet, but the rookie cupboard is getting very bare. Hugo Garcia will be in most teams after this week, while Bigoa Nyuon is popular but is no guarantee to hold his spot. Not to mention Kane McAuliffe has been dropped.

Darcy Jones will make his AFL debut this weekend. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Demon Daniel Turner ($191k DEF) scored 101 on Anzac Day eve playing an unlikely forward role, but there are few other options under $200k left – discounting Jordan Sweet (see above).

Bulldog Riley Garcia ($125k FWD) is the pick of the one-gamers, scoring 82 points last round. The other options aren’t jumping off the page – Jake Rogers ($148k MID) has limited upside as a small forward, while Leek Aleer ($123k DEF) is likely to be omitted when Sam Taylor returns. Bailey Laurie ($125k FWD) and Taj Woewodin ($136k DEF-FWD) were also named for Wednesday’s game but have sub risk.

Jordon Sweet was subbed on debut for Port, Tyler Sonsie was dropped after being sub for Richmond and Reef McInnes and Jhye Clark were also subs last round. Henry Hustwaite ($152k MID) can’t seem to crack Hawthorn’s midfield, either.

The best options in coming rounds might end up being Garcia, Marty Hore ($148k DEF) and Sam Naismith ($123k RUC). The big watch is on former Footscray VFL captain Lachie Sullivan ($102k MID) after recent reports he’s been training with Collingwood’s senior team. Arie Shoenmaker ($117k DEF) continues to put up big VFL numbers but might only be an outside chance for a debut with Jimmy Webster back soon.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2024: Injury news and selection whispers for round 7