Australian cricket legend Mike Hussey reveals his SuperCoach AFL team for 2024

Aussie cricket legend Mike Hussey — a top-15 finisher in SuperCoach AFL — reveals his team for 2024 and the big questions he’s still weighing up ahead of round 1.

How much money is too much to spend on your defence and midfield?

It’s a question I have asked myself a few times this pre-season as I plan my SuperCoach team.

The severe lack of premium forward options has left me with plenty of cash to spend in other positions — but also with the problem of finding six forwards I like.

Thankfully, one is easy. Harley Reid.

But it’s at the top end of the forwards where the problems lie.

I was all set on starting Jack Macrae, but a hamstring setback has forced me to pivot to Nat Fyfe.

I know, bringing in an injury-prone player due to an injury. What could go wrong?

That freed up almost $300k which I used to upgrade a midfield rookie to boom North youngster George Wardlaw at M6.

Mike Hussey has George Wardlaw in his team — for now. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Hussey likes Harry Himmelberg as a value pick in defence.

But, I’m not completely sold on that move and still hoping Macrae recovers in time for the Bulldogs’ first game of the season.

I’m very nervous about my forward line, mainly because it’s unlikely we are going to get six quality DPP options added during the year from the midfield.

Last year we had Connor Rozee, Tim Taranto and Stephen Coniglio to pick from and Max Gawn and Christian Petracca went close to having FWD status added.

This year I have settled for Fyfe, James Jordon, James Harmes and Jack Billings.

I have tossed up between two strategies in defence, chasing value or starting with the big dogs.

Mike Hussey finished 13th in SuperCoach AFL. Picture: David Geraghty

In the end, I have settled on paying up to have Nick Daicos and Tom Stewart.

I can understand the theory of waiting until after the round 5 bye for Daicos, but he burned me badly when I didn’t start him last year.

Thousands of SuperCoach teams have zeroed in on Hayden Young who I also like as a premium breakout contender and I think Harry Himmelberg can achieve similar playing in the GWS defence.

You’ll notice my midfield doesn’t have the most-expensive player in SuperCoach Marcus Bontempelli.

Mike Hussey isn’t willing to go without Tom Green.

I just couldn’t justify paying $724k for one player when there are so many good options between $600k-$650k.

That’s why I have landed on Zak Butters, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Caleb Serong and Tom Green to lead my midfield.

I initially had five GWS and Gold Coast players but had to drop Touk Miller and Lachie Whitfield due to the round 3 bye those teams share.

Mike Hussey is hoping Jack Steele gets back towards a 120 average. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But I wasn’t going to leave out Tom Green who has North Melbourne and West Coast in the opening two rounds of SuperCoach and finished last year with scores of 126, 129, 119 and 145.

I know LDU doesn’t have a great history with injury, but at least if you start a player with a premium price tag and they go down they are an easy sideways swap to another star.

I am backing Jack Steele to get back into uber premium scoring after an encouraging off-season and remind SuperCoaches why we loved him so much a few years ago too.

Gawn and Grundy are the most popular duo in the rucks and I have gone that way as well — but only after flirting with the value option of Grundy and Tristan Xerri.

I might still go that way but again, where would I spent the $170k saved by downgrading Gawn?

James Jordon is one of the value forwards in Mike Hussey’s team.

Jack Billings is another player Hussey is keen on. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

It’s going to be a busy few weeks of monitoring pre-season games, training notes and then round 0 scores before I lock in the ‘Baggy Greens’ for another year of SuperCoach.

As someone who often runs out of trades without a month left, I love the addition of an extra four to take the total to 40.

I won’t be using them as aggressively as some coaches, but they might just be what gives my team an edge during the run home.

I’m excited to be on board as part of this year’s SuperCoach expert panel and look forward to taking you on in leagues. Good luck!

MIKE HUSSEY’S SUPERCOACH TEAM

Mike Hussey’s defence and midfield.

Mike Hussey’s rucks and forwards.

Originally published as Australian cricket legend Mike Hussey reveals his SuperCoach AFL team for 2024