SuperCoach AFL: Tim Michell reveals 2024 team, big opening round changes

As the impact of opening round on SuperCoach becomes clearer, coaches are working out how to use it to their advantage. And, it’s led to big team changes for TIM MICHELL. Check out his January team reveal here.

Damn Opening Round.

I tried to ignore its impact on SuperCoach for as long as possible.

Eight teams playing before SuperCoach starts. Some of the biggest stars with early byes.

It’s less than ideal, I know.

The more research I have done, it’s become obvious we’re going to have to be flexible in the week between opening round and round 1.

I think the easiest thing SuperCoaches can do to navigate this unprecedented situation is to pick a team avoiding as many opening round players as possible.

If you think Nick Daicos, Keidean Coleman or Sam Walsh are must-haves, that’s fine.

But at least 25 of the players you select in your pre-season side should be those who don’t play in opening round.

That has forced me to pivot significantly from the team I revealed in late December, which to be honest was more based on gut feel than any particular research.

Opening round is certainly a curve ball we could do without, but if you’re smart you can use it to your advantage.

SuperCoach live scores will still be available to coaches with SuperCoach Plus and thanks to opening round, you essentially have a chance to try before you buy.

Pick a team with as many players as you can who don’t feature in opening round, then swing changes in the days before round 1 when the must-have cash cows and mid-pricers become obvious.

That’s how I’ll be playing it anyway.

Tim Michell isn’t willing to go without Luke Ryan again. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

DEFENCE

James Sicily $637,400

Tom Stewart $635,300

Luke Ryan $611,800

Hayden Young $525,100

Zac Williams $216,100

Josh Gibcus $150,700

Bench: Toby Pink $123,900 Nick Coffield $123,900

Opening round players: Josh Gibcus, Zac Williams

Opening round player to monitor: Keidean Coleman - awkward price at $398k but if he plays well against Carlton he will be hard to leave out. Should patrol the Lions backline which will be without Daniel Rich and be the No.1 defensive outlet.

SUMMARY: I havepaid up for three likely top-six defenders who don’t have an early bye. Not owning Ryan last year was a weekly frustration and he’s likely to get even more free ball/kick outs with Hayden Young moving further afield. Sicily and Stewart are staples of any good SuperCoach backline. Zac Williams playing in opening round is a perfect result as coaches get a chance to assess his return before jumping on. Ditto Josh Gibcus. Not owning Nick Daicos will be a problem but he’d be my first upgrade target.

Tim Michell is banking on Jai Newcombe going to another level. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

MIDFIELD

Marcus Bontempelli $724,600

Zak Butters $636,100

Luke Davies-Uniacke $635,100

Jai Newcombe $549,200

Touk Miller $545,500

Colby McKercher $202,800

Ryley Sanders $184,800

Daniel Curtin $175,800

Bench: Darcy Wilson $130,800, Jeremy Sharp $123,900, Jhye Clark $123,900

Opening round players: Touk Miller

Opening round players to monitor: Sam Walsh - The likely scenario if Walsh went ballistic in round 1 would be that I’d downgrade Nick Watson and use the money to upgrade Jai Newcombe to him. There’s not really any rush to make this move though as Carlton has a bye in round 2. You could assess how Newcombe plays for two matches then move him to Walsh if it’s clear the prolific Blue is a must-have. As much as I love Walsh I am very bullish on Newcombe, who looks primed for a huge season after averaging 102 from round 9 onwards last year including a 174 against the Bulldogs in round 22. The other easy option would be turning Touk Miller into Walsh, but I never start with the Suns co-captain and every year it comes back to haunt me. He’s a player I’m keen to back in despite a round 3 bye.

SUMMARY: If I’m going to pay more than $600k for a player, I’m keen to avoid those early byes. That’s why as much as I hate not having Christian Petracca — again — I have gone with Zak Butters and Luke Davies-Uniacke instead. If LDU doesn’t get injured, he could truly be anything. Butters is a freakish talent and only getting better. Touk Miller and Newcombe are underpriced for players capable of averaging 105+ and being season keepers. The top-end rookie talents pick themselves and I couldn’t be more excited to hear McKercher is being touted for the Sheezel role roaming halfback for cheapies.

Finnbar Maley playing local footy for Eltham last year. Picture: Andy Brownbill

RUCKS

Max Gawn $583,700

Brodie Grundy $481,900

Bench: Finnbar Maley $102,400

Opening round players: Max Gawn

Opening round players to monitor: Grundy will be a fascinating watch. Most coaches just assume he will pump out scores close to the 138 average he managed when Gawn missed three games last year. But what if he’s soundly beaten by Gawn in round 0? Coaches would then have to decide whether to back him or pivot to a player such as Tristan Xerri who, while riskier, doesn’t have an early bye.

SUMMARY: Set and forget is back. Grundy has a bye in round 5, but if you structure your team correctly it shouldn’t be an issue getting a best 18 together and carrying him. Even Tom Hickey was putting up decent SuperCoach numbers as a Swan so I can’t wait to see Grundy’s impact on the tighter confines of the SCG. The other side of Grundy’s move is that Gawn probably shares ruck duties with Tom Fullarton. When the Demons skipper plays 90 per cent game time in the ruck, he’s close to the best player in SuperCoach. Melbourne’s bye isn’t until round 6.

Nick Watson is poised to make an immediate impact. Picture: Michael Klein

FORWARDS

Jack Macrae $558,400

Tom Lynch $287,300

Harley Reid $207,300

Nick Watson $189,300

Finlay Macrae $152,600

Chris Burgess $129,100

Bench: Darcy Jones $123,900, Shaun Mannagh $117,300

Opening round players: Tom Lynch, Finlay Macrae, Darcy Jones

Opening round players to monitor: Does Damien Hardwick love Sam Flanders the midfielder as much as Steven King did? The beauty is we get a look at the Suns’ new on-ball set-up when they play Richmond in round 1. The Tigers have traditionally given up some huge scores to midfielders, so try not to read too much into how many points Flanders accumulates. It’ll be more about his role and how Hardwick plans to get the best out of him, Miller, Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson. I’ll likely need to sacrifice a defensive premium if it becomes clear Flanders is going to pick up where he left off last season.

SUMMARY: I’vegone cheaper here, but left myself with wiggle room should any of the rookies not play in round 1. Lynch looks about $150k underpriced so he sneaks in despite the round 6 bye. I’m bullish on Finlay Macrae but if it looks like he won’t be the man to take Taylor Adams’ role, Kai Lohmann is a similar price and appears ready to emerge as a best 23 regular at Brisbane. Zane Duursma is another I am hoping to squeeze in, but have prioritised Nick Watson — for now. Darcy Jones is a bit of a throw at the stumps but he seems to be highly-rated at GWS.

EARLY BYES

Round 2

Zac Williams

Round 3

Touk Miller

Darcy Jones

Round 5

Brodie Grundy

Finlay Macrae

Round 6

Max Gawn

Josh Gibcus

Tom Lynch

Tim Michell's January SuperCoach team

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL: Tim Michell reveals 2024 team, big opening round changes