SuperCoach intel: Pre-season training whispers from every club

A North Melbourne youngster has emerged as a potential SuperCoach forward saviour as match simulations revealed more positional clues. Get the latest training intel here.

As the opening round of the AFL season and the first lockout of SuperCoach draw closer, it’s crucial coaches stay across the latest pre-season whispers from around the country.

This week there’s been key updates on Harley Reid, Daniel Curtin, Harry Sheezel, Tom Stewart and Finlay Macrae — just to name a few.

Scroll down for a club-by-club run down on the latest track notes you need to know before selecting your SuperCoach side.

ADELAIDE

There were concerns when the Crows’ top draftee Daniel Curtin ($175,800 DEF-MID) started a recent match sim in the B team. But teammate Rory Laird told SEN he expects Curtin to be in the mix for a round 1 debut and Curtin switched to the A side later in that session. Luke Nankervis ($243,700 DEF) looks to be a bolter for round 1 after impressing playing at halfback. Nankervis averaged 96 ranking points in the SANFL last season.

Logan Morris has made a flying start at Brisbane. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images

BRISBANE

Logan Morris ($117,300 FWD) did his chances of an early-season debut no harm when he booted five goals in a recent intraclub match. Morris averaged 95 ranking points in the Coates League last season and was taken at pick 31 by the Lions in last year’s draft. It’s likely he is a fair way down the pecking order still. Darcy Gardiner ($187,800 DEF) also played forward in a surprise switch. It was noted Keidean Coleman ($398,800 DEF) was prolific and Kai Lohmann ($150,900 FWD) was predominantly in the A side.

CARLTON

Teammate Blake Acres has provided an update on the fitness of Zac Williams ($216,100 DEF) — who features in more than 60 per cent of SuperCoach teams. While not guaranteeing Williams would be fit for round 1, Acres said the half-back flanker would be “close” in his bid to return from an ACL injury and play his first game since round 23, 2022. He told 3AW: “I do a lot of work with him … we sort of work together a fair bit. I’ve just been poking at him and asking if he’s going to be right for round 0 …”

“He’s just excited to get back out and play footy to be honest. He’s been training the house down and sort of a new recruit for us. I’m pumped to get him out there and hopefully get a game with him soon.”

Reef McInnes looks set to win the race for a spot in Collingwood’s forward line. Picture: Michael Klein

COLLINGWOOD

There is a buzz building around Reef McInnes ($123,900 FWD), who looks to be leading the race to fill Daniel McStay’s role in the Collingwood forward set-up. McInnes partnered Brody Mihocek in attack during a recent match sim hitout. Finlay Macrae ($152,600 FWD) continues to find plenty of the footy in intrasquad matches, although Channel 7 reported he was in the B team this week. Footscray VFL star Lachie Sullivan, former Saint Jack Bytel and ex-Bomber Josh Eyre have been added as SSP signings. Sullivan is likely to be the best of the SuperCoach prospects of that trio if he can work his way into the senior mix.

ESSENDON

The Bombers’ top draftee Nate Caddy ($166,800 FWD) reportedly underwent scans on his back this week. Channel 9 reported Caddy landed awkwardly during match sim but Essendon insisted it was a precautionary scan. Caddy was in the B team for at least part of that hitout. Zach Reid ($123,900 DEF) was in the A team and the Bombers are said to be buoyed by his pre-season. Meanwhile, Mason Redman has backed Nic Martin ($492,800 MID) to flourish after his move to the backline, while Zach Merrett has named Darcy Parish ($604,200 MID) as Essendon’s pre-season standout.

Zach Merrett says Darcy Parish has been Essendon’s best trainer this pre-season. The skipper himself has dropped a bit of weight as he tries to elevate his game too. @FOXFOOTY@FOXSportsNews#AFL

— Drew Jones (@DrewJonesFOX) February 12, 2024

Nat Fyfe is being carefully managed but showing good signs in pre-season. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

FREMANTLE

Popular defensive pick Heath Chapman ($251,700 DEF) is “unlikely” to be fit for round 1 after going down with a hamstring injury. While the Dockers said an exact time frame had yet to be determined, Chapman’s injury history suggests the club’s round 1 match against Brisbane on March 17 is a long shot. Nat Fyfe ($283,200 FWD-MID) only played a half of match sim before going through some running drills. Cooper Simpson ($117,300 FWD-MID) continues to impress.

GEELONG

Tom Stewart ($635,300 DEF) has rubbished suggestions he could play as a full-time midfielder this year, telling Channel 7 the idea had been “blown way out of proportion”. Stewart said when asked what position he would play this year: “Back pocket. That’s where I think I have earmarked myself. That’s where a lot of my career has been played and will continue to be played. He added: “A passing remark got blown way out of proportion and we have got too many quality midfielders to have me in there.” One of those is Tanner Bruhn ($384,400 MID) who blitzed a recent match sim. Max Holmes ($446,000 MID) has been trialled at halfback.

In the three games where Tom Stewart spent at least 25% of game time as a centre bounce midfielder last season:

Rnd 3 - 167
Rnd 17 - 124
Rnd 19 - 152#SuperCoach

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) January 31, 2024

GOLD COAST

Alex Sexton’s ($133,400 FWD) switch to halfback appears to be real. Suns co-captain Touk Miller was quizzed about likely positional changes on 3AW and said of Sexton:

“Really fast, good kick and I feel like it just helps with his strengths.” However, he cautioned the extra flexibility would help Gold Coast throughout the year, not necessarily that Sexton would be in the round 0 — or round 1 team. Sexton featured at halfback during Thursday’s match sim but it was Wil Powell ($513,500 DEF) and Connor Budarick ($301,200 DEF) who shared kickout duties. The AFL website reported Noah Anderson ($586,300 MID) and Touk Miller ($545,500 MID) dominated, while Bodhi Uwland ($137,100 DEF) was in the A team’s defence and reportedly “excelled”.

The Giants say Finn Callaghan is ready to explode. Picture: Phil Hillyard

GWS GIANTS

It’s saying something when your own club website says you “look ready to explode”. The Giants have done nothing to downplay their excitement about Finn Callaghan ($408,600 MID), who is enjoying a dominant pre-season. The club also noted mid-season draftee Wade Derksen ($123,900 FWD) had been moved to defence where he has played as a third tall. Teammate Kieren Briggs said he was bullish about the progress of No. 1 draftee Aaron Cadman ($127,600 FWD).

HAWTHORN

An ACL injury to James Blanck could prompt a drop in James Sicily’s ($637,400 DEF) ownership. Sicily averaged 123 points in matches where Blanck played last season and 100 when he didn’t. Karl Amon ($483,300 MID) was prominent at halfback during Thursday’s match sim and Connor Macdonald ($381,400 FWD) continued his impressive pre-season.

James Sicily averages fewer #SuperCoach points without James Blanck - but why is this the case? Blanck isn't stealing many points.

Instead we focus on Sicily's role. Without Blanck, Sicily drops off in key stats like D50 intercept marks and easier short kicks/handballs. pic.twitter.com/CS4NXlxUmF

— Jaiden Popowski (@jaiden_popowski) February 15, 2024

Bailey Laurie has been getting more midfield minutes this pre-season. Picture: David Crosling

MELBOURNE

Could Melbourne’s forward line woes mean more time in attack early in the season for Christian Petracca ($667,700 MID)? Harrison Petty and Shane McAdam missed a recent hitout and Ben Brown won’t be available early in the season. It was noted Petracca spent time in attack during a recent match sim hitout, which Clayton Oliver ($674,100 MID) was also part of. The Demons might have two standout forward rookies in their round 0 — or round 1 — team, with Bailey Laurie ($125,200 FWD) spending plenty of time in the middle and top draftee Caleb Windsor ($180,300 FWD-MID) shining on a wing.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Zac Fisher ($378,600 FWD) missed this week’s match sim and has been training with the rehab group. George Wardlaw ($365,400 MID) was managed at a recent training session, but that should not cause alarm considering his past problems with hamstring injuries. Wardlaw was one of the standouts during this week’s match sim. Harry Sheezel ($556,200 DEF) featured at halfback in that game and won plenty of footy, as did Colby McKercher ($202,800 MID). But perhaps the most impressive Roo was Charlie Lazzaro ($181,100 FWD-MID), who featured in the first-choice midfield and was prominent throughout.

Keep an eye on Charlie Lazzaro. From all reports, he dominated the intra-club today. A DPP, he ended the VFL season with 35 disposals, 13 contested poss, 11 clearances, and 12 tackles.

Obviously, there's plenty of competition for midfield spots at Roos.#SuperCoach#AFLFantasy

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) February 14, 2024

Ollie Wines is going back to the inside. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

PORT ADELAIDE

Ken Hinkley has provided an insight into Ollie Wines’ ($463,600 MID) struggles last year and a defiant declaration about the Brownlow medallist’s role for 2024. Speaking to Mark Robinson, Hinkley said Wines would play “inside mid and he will stay inside mid.” Hinkley added: “His issue last year was really simple and really clear, he was underprepared to play the level he had set. He did his absolute best to hang in there and by the end we had the emergence of Horne-Francis, who had come to the club, and Rozee and Butters had to get more midfield time.

“By his own admission, Ollie wasn’t at his best. Right now, he’s in really good shape, he hasn’t missed.”

RICHMOND

Toby Nankervis has been managing a sore foot, reports the AFL website. The news potentially bringing former Sydney ruckman Sam Naismith ($123,900 RUC) into the frame to feature early in the season. Naismith averaged 98 ranking points in the VFL last year.

Another that had largely flown under the radar this pre-season was the suggestion that Daniel Rioli ($485,700 DEF) might become part of Richmond’s midfield mix. But that seems unlikely, with Rioli telling the Herald Sun he would be staying in defence. There were good signs for SuperCoaches from a recent match sim, with Josh Gibcus ($150,700 DEF) showing promising signs and Thomson Dow ($254,800 MID) prolific. Another strong performer was Tyler Sonsie ($150,900 FWD) but he will miss the early rounds due to suspension. Meanwhile, Liam Baker ($445,600 DEF-FWD) has indicated he will spend more time in midfield.

Hugo Garcia in action in the Coates League last year. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

ST KILDA

A name who keeps coming up in pre-season reports is No. 50 draft pick Hugo Garcia ($117,300 FWD-MID). He averaged 125 ranking points in the Coates League last season. Marcus Windhager ($323,500 DEF-MID) appears to have transitioned into an inside midfield role.

SYDNEY

Track watcher and AFL journo Lachie McKirdy is hot on the new halfback pairing of Nick Blakey ($499,600 DEF) and Matt Roberts ($156,800 MID). Roberts in particular will be of interest to SuperCoaches, especially if he performs well in round 0. Errol Gulden ($622,100 MID) missed a few recent sessions with the flu, but that’ll be of little concern come round 1.

Jason Johannisen could be the main man in the Bulldogs’ defence. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Just when you thought the premium forwards stock couldn’t get more bleak, Jack Macrae ($558,400 FWD-MID) has suffered a hamstring injury. Fox Sports’ Drew Jones reported Macrae was in “major doubt” for a practice match against Hawthorn next week and missed match sim on Wednesday due to the injury setback. Meanwhile, the word out of Whitten Oval is that popular SuperCoach cheapie Nick Coffield ($123,900 DEF) could be competing with another potential cash cow Buku Khamis ($123,900 FWD) for a round 1 spot. Considering the depth of forward rookie options, most SuperCoaches would prefer if Coffield gets the nod. If he does, lock him in on your defensive bench. Track watchers have noted Jason Johannisen ($416,600 DEF) as the main distributor coming out of the backline.

Bulldogs match-sim this morning
1s midfield: English, Bont, Libba, Treloar
2s midfield: Darcy, Sanders, Harmes, Gallagher.
No Macrae or JUH. @FOXSportsNews@FOXFOOTY#AFL

— Drew Jones (@DrewJonesFOX) February 14, 2024

WEST COAST

Adam Simpson has warned SuperCoaches (and to a lesser extent, West Coast fans) to expect top draftee Harley Reid ($207,300 FWD-MID) to be managed throughout 2024. Simpson told the AFL website: “He won’t be playing every game I wouldn’t have thought. We need to look after him to a certain degree.” That news should make those thinking about running with a full rookie forward line — or even Reid at F2 — reason to think twice. The other rookie impressing out west is Clay Hall ($117,300 MID), who continues to win rave reviews. Hall played seven WAFL seniors games last year, averaging 72 ranking points.

Originally published as SuperCoach intel: Pre-season training whispers from every club