Mythbusters: The SuperCoach ‘rules’ ready to be broken in 2019

Rules are made to be broken, and it’s the same as SuperCoach. This year we’re about to find out some if the golden rules of fantasy stand up. Will all these predictions come true?

We’ve all heard the SuperCoach myths.

Recent years have suggested most of them are true as well.

It’s been 10 years since Dean Cox was the last ruckman to record the most points in that position in consecutive seasons – 2008 and 2009.

The fluctuating fortunes of SuperCoach ruckmen have led to the theory no big man is capable of backing up a monster year the following season.

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Then there’s the idea too many mid-price picks is a recipe for disaster. It’s simple, really — load your team with as many guns and rookies as you can and you’re on the path to SuperCoach success.

Being seduced by the JLT Series is dangerous, but the pre-season games have only served to add to an already strong list of mid-priced options in 2019.

If rules are made to be broken, then myths are made to be busted. Here’s some ready to be debunked in 2019:

Ruckmen can’t top score two years in a row

It’s known by some as the Cox curse, the myth that no big man can be the No.1 scorer in the position two years running. But unless Todd Goldstein recaptures the lofty heights of 2015 when he averaged 128.8, it’s hard to see anyone besides Max Gawn getting close to Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy.

Grundy finished 25 points per game better off than Stefan Martin last season, who ranked third behind Gawn. The Demon scored only 65 fewer points than Grundy in 2018, but the possibility of him sharing the ruck with Braydon Preuss this season only adds weight to the conclusion this curse is about to end.

Brodie Grundy was the top-scoring SuperCoach player in 2018.

Don’t start premium-priced rookies

Last year we were stung by some of the top-draft picks who failed to live up to the expectations of those who paid top dollar for them.

No.6 pick Jaidyn Stephenson was the pick of the bunch, while those who banked on Luke Davies-Uniacke only experienced a small price rise before he had to be punted. The year before highly-touted No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath scored above 90 once in the first nine rounds and finished with a 70 average.

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The theory goes that you’re better to save $80,000-100,000 and use the money to turn a risky mid-priced player into a premium.

Throw that out the window when a player of Sam Walsh’s calibre is available. He’s going to walk straight into Carlton’s midfield and should score nicely from Round 1. Connor Rozee is set to debut in Round 1 for Port Adelaide, Sam Collins is a safe bet in defence and Zak Butters has been a revelation in the JLT Series. The quality is worth the extra money this year.

Port Adelaide recruits Xavier Duursma (left) and Zak Butters are both set to make an early impact.

‘Mid-priced madness’ is asking for trouble

Being enticed into picking too many players in the middle price bracket — about $200,000-$450,000 — is generally asking for trouble. How many times have you started a player coming off injury the season before, watched his price max out and had to dig into your bank to turn them into a premium replacement?

However, there are enough top-liners in the mid-price range this year that if you choose wisely, you should be handsomely rewarded. Think Brad Crouch ($418,000), Brodie Smith ($332,500), Zac Williams ($407,800) and Jack Billings ($437,600).

All come with an element of risk, but also the potential to be a top-six or top-eight scorer. This could well be the year of the mid-pricer.

Jack Billings is ready to bounce back from a disappointing 2018. Picture: Michael Klein

Avoid loading up on one team in any position

The idea is if you carry too many players from one team in any position, you’ll face serious problems when the bye rounds roll around. But with enough foresight, you can make this work.

There’s every chance that by the end of the season Patrick Dangerfield, Sam Menegola and Tim Kelly will be in contention to be top-six forwards. The Cats share a Round 13 bye with Collingwood, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and West Coast. If you’re prepared to overlook a few players from those teams, starting the three Cats could be a winning ploy.

Originally published as Mythbusters: The SuperCoach ‘rules’ ready to be broken in 2019