We predict the top six SuperCoach scorers in each position for 2019

Predicting the top six SuperCoach scorers in each position is fraught with danger … but we’ve done it anyway. See who we’ve picked to be top of the pops come Round 23 and have your say.

Predicting the top-six scorers in each position is fraught with danger.

Our learned colleague Tim Michell attempted it last year and finished with eight out of 24.

It might look easy on paper — picking the likes of Dangerfield, Lloyd, Oliver and Grundy — but what if there’s injuries? Who is the next big thing?

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Here’s our predictions for the SuperCoach season ahead. Have your say in the comments below.

DEFENDERS

It feels like 2019 is the Year of the SuperCoach Defender. With new kick-in rules and the increasing popularity of quarterbacking halfbacks, defenders have never been such strong SuperCoach contributors. Thus, picking the top-six overall scorers is increasingly difficult. Kick-in kings Jake Lloyd, Rory Laird, Jayden Short and Luke Ryan are primed for big years while. The likes of Alex Witherden, Zac Williams, Brodie Smith and Kade Simpson could just as easily prove me wrong. Lachie Whitfield is a midfielder and Rory Laird might as well be given his ability to find the pill but the big question mark is James Sicily. The Hawks swingman was on track for a big 2018 before injury ended his season early. If he can stay out of trouble and injury-free he’s a monty to be a must-have backman.

Jake Lloyd was the top-scoring defender in 2018. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Rory Laird wasn’t far behind last year. Picture: Sarah Reed

Predicted 2019 top-6: Jake Lloyd, Rory Laird, Lachie Whitfield, James Sicily, Jayden Short, Luke Ryan

Predicted 2018 top-6: Rory Laird, Michael Hibberd, Michael Hurley, Jeremy McGovern, Kade Simpson, Jeremy Howe

Actual 2018 top-6: Jake Lloyd, Kade Simpson, Rory Laird, Shannon Hurn, Jack Crisp, Jayden Short

MIDFIELDERS

Quite possibly the hardest position to pick given the depth of talent. Last year my colleague Tim Michell got just one out of six correct. Clayton Oliver and Patrick Cripps are SuperCoach powerhouses and should continue to rack up the points in 2019. Likewise, Lachie Neale is metronomic in his SuperCoach scoring and rarely misses a game, that won’t change at Brisbane. I’m tipping a big season from Josh Kelly after his injury issues in the past two years while Dustin Martin should also return to the top of his game after an indifferent 2018 from a SuperCoach point of view. The big call is Adam Treloar. There’s a lot of mouths to feed in that Collingwood midfield but Treloar has taken over the No.1 mantle from Scott Pendlebury and has the potential to average 110-120.

NB: Barring injury and suspension Patrick Dangerfield is sure to be a top-six scorer but given his dual position eligibility, we’ve put him in the forwards category.

Predicted 2019 top-6: Clayton Oliver, Josh Kelly, Patrick Cripps, Lachie Neale, Adam Treloar, Dustin Martin

Predicted 2018 top-6: Patrick Dangerfield, Dustin Martin, Nat Fyfe, Rory Sloane, Marcus Bontempelli, Matt Crouch

Actual 2018 top-6: Tom Mitchell, Patrick Cripps, Patrick Dangerfield, Clayton Oliver, Lachie Neale, Jack Macrae

Adam Treloar could break into the top echelon of SuperCoach scorers. Picture: Michael Klein

RUCKS

The top two speak for themselves, Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn. The pair were head and shoulders ahead of their fellow big men last year and are expected to dominate again in 2019. It’s the next tier where things get interesting. Todd Goldstein and Toby Nankervis don’t have any competition and should play solo all year with maybe a break late in the season, just to throw everyone’s plans into disarray. Stef Martin has a battle on his hands to play Round 1 after an interrupted pre-season and Archie Smith’s strong form but his proven durability and scoring have him firmly in the frame. Finally, Shane Mumford. Yes, he’s going to miss the first two weeks but his scoring ability and the Giants’ lack of ruck options make him a strong top-six candidate.

Predicted 2019 top-6: Brodie Grundy, Max Gawn, Todd Goldstein, Toby Nankervis, Stef Martin, Shane Mumford

Predicted 2018 top-6: Max Gawn, Paddy Ryder, Matthew Kreuzer, Toby Nankervis, Stef Martin, Brodie Grundy

Actual 2018 top-6: Brodie Grundy, Max Gawn, Stef Martin, Todd Goldstein, Callum Sinclair, Toby Nankervis

Patrick Dangerfield is a forward in 2019. Picture: Alison Wynd

Devon Smith was a breakout star in 2018. Picture: Michael Klein

FORWARDS

Durability and consistency are the name of the game in the forward line with the likes of Luke Breust and David Mundy finishing in the top-six last year. This year, Patrick Dangerfield should dominate the field and is an easy No.1 choice. Josh Dunkley and Isaac Smith are young guns looking to lock in full-time midfield roles in 2019 and given their finishes to 2018 are more than capable of top-six finishes. Likewise, Devon Smith and Robbie Gray. The pair are more likely to play forward than midfield but are so important to their team’s success, they’re sure to have SuperCoach friendly roles. The big call here is Josh Kennedy. The West Coast spearhead was dogged by injury last year but has proven he can be a top six SuperCoach scorer in the past. We’re not saying pick him — or be selective when you do — because he’ll have 170 one week and 40 the next.

Predicted 2019 top-6: Patrick Dangerfield, Josh Dunkley, Isaac Heeney, Devon Smith, Robbie Gray, Josh Kennedy (WCE)

Predicted 2018 top-6: Isaac Heeney, Lance Franklin, Toby Greene, Jack Billings, Devon Smith, Kane Lambert

Actual 2018 top-6: Justin Westhoff, Sam Menegola, Devon Smith, David Mundy, Luke Breust, Toby McLean

Originally published as We predict the top six SuperCoach scorers in each position for 2019