SuperCoach 2016: expert’s verdict on Dustin Martin, Adam Treloar, Aaron Hall and more

IS DUSTIN Martin still a safe pick? Are Aaron Hall or Nick Graham worth the risk? Our experts deliver the verdict on 10 SuperCoach picks. PLUS SC PODCAST.

Dustin Martin failed to impress in the final NAB Challenge game. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The verdict is in.

Our SuperCoach experts have their say on 10 popular SuperCoach picks ahead of Round 1.

Will Dustin Martin still be a safe pick? Can Nick Graham and Aaron Hall deliver on their NAB Challenge promise?

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The countdown to the Round 1 lockout is on and SuperCoaches world wide are sweating it out as they finalise their starting line-ups.

Have your say on the must-haves and must-avoids below.

DUSTIN MARTIN ($569,300, Mid-Fwd) Richmond

AL PATON: Lock and load. Forget the last NAB Challenge game. Will average 100+ and capable of going over 150.

BEN HIGGINS: We’ll excuse him one bad NAB Challenge game with some off-field distractions. Still as safe as houses for me.

GILBERT GARDINER: Yes. Not cheap but his best is good enough to warrant selection. Dusty prone to putting in that stinker every now and then but as far as set and forget fwd-mids go the only one better is Deledio.

JOHN BRUYN (2013 SuperCoach winner): Very safe pick. Will be a top 5 forward. Priced fairly.

AYDEN POTTER (2015 SuperCoach winner): As long as Dusty is available as a forward, he will be in my side. Always a lock for Top 10 players in that position so it’s a no brainer. He may be cheaper at some stage but forget it, you’ll want him in your final team so you may as well start with him.

THE PHANTOM: Not to start with. There is a lot of value around in the forward line this year. Barlow at M1 for The Phantom

Matt Dea has been excellent in Essendon’s NAB Challenge games. Picture: Hamish Blair

MATT DEA ($183,600, Def) Essendon

Paton: Liked him as a Tiger and rapt to see him making the most of his second chance. Can play. But can you pick him, Brown and Hartley?

Higgins: Looked good on the weekend and making a late charge for Champagne Footy. Annoyingly, taking some gloss off Mitch Brown and Michael Hartley’s rookie claims.

Gardiner: Yes. Making every post a winner during the NAB Challenge and at least we know he’s going to get plenty of work in Essendon’s back half.

Bruyn: Worth the risk at D5 - certainly D6 if you’re the type to play it safe. Looks like he’ll score better than Brown or Hartley.

Potter: If playing Round 1 then he’s in. Has looked assured during NAB and there will be plenty of possessions to be won in Essendon’s defence. A bit more expensive than some other options but will surely want to take advantage of his second chance at AFL level.

Phantom: May have just pushed his way past Mitch Brown – especially if Brown continues to swing forward – in our rankings and could be worth the extra cash. There will be no shortage of work in the Bomber defence.

ZAC SMITH ($425,300, Ruck) Geelong

Paton: In and out of my side - out right now. Best of the value ruckmen but I’d prefer to spend more on a big scorer like Gawn or Nic Nat. But if I need to find some cash at the last minute he’s every chance to come back in.

Higgins: If you’re looking to save some money in the ruck department, Smith is your man. He was my R2 until a recent re-jig and feel safe going back to him if necessary.

Gardiner: Maybe. The potential is huge but has had his fair share of injuries in the past. Has not put foot wrong yet but needs to turn 70s-80s into 100s to warrant his selection.

Bruyn: No from me. Not confident he can score like the big boy rucks. A lot of risk in this pick.

Potter: As I’m going set and forget in the rucks with two premiums, it’s a no. Especially with the depth of promising talls at Geelong who will all by vying for just a few spots.

Phantom: Set and forget in the Rucks for The Phantom but he’s still the best mid-price option.

Aaron Hall has dual position status. Picture: Adam Head

AARON HALL ($428,100, Mid-Fwd) Gold Coast

Paton: Gilbert was wrong about him last year, could he be wrong again? Nah, he’s the real deal. Has gone past Buddy for me.

Higgins: I’ve rolling with Jack Billings at this stage but Hall’s scoring power is starting to sway me. He can go big, Ablett-style big.

Gardiner: I was wrong ... Yes. I had my doubts but he just keeps on firing! Attacks every contest like it’s his last and importantly, Hall is not afraid to have shots at goal.

Bruyn: Approaching lock territory. I’m cringing watching his ownership climb - ‘cause I’ve had him in for a while now. I won’t be last person to claim this either.

Potter: Very tempting. Magnificent end to 2015 and backed that up in NAB, but I can’t fit him in my side as I tend to steer clear of mid price players. Could be a high reward pick though if you have the guts.

Phantom: Hall can’t be ignored any longer, even with the imminent return of Gary Ablett and Dion Prestia to the Suns’ midfield but The Phantom is still happy spending the extra $20k on Toby Greene.

NICK GRAHAM ($390,100, Mid) Carlton

Paton: Handy player but just can’t see how he will score hundreds most weeks when he’s competing with Cripps, Murphy and Gibbs for points in a team that won’t win many games.

Higgins: Three hundreds in three NAB Challenge games? Yes, please! He’s slotted in nicely and I expect him to be a key member of Carlton’s midfield.

Gardiner: No. Thanks but no thanks. Happy to risk him in favour of Kerridge.

Bruyn: Mid-price midfielder playing for a weaker team. Huge pass. Don’t do it!

Potter: See Hall. Looks ready to break out, but the impact of Murphy and Gibbs coming back is unknown. A bit too risky for me.

Phantom: Great pre-season but no, thanks. Could be a late steal for SuperCoach draft players.

CLAYTON OLIVER ($207,300, Mid) Melbourne

Paton: Good player but too expensive.

Higgins: I’ve thrown him in the same basket as Callum Mills and Darcy Parish. I’d rather have Daniel Wells and Sam Kerridge in my midfield and find cheaper forward rookies.

Gardiner: No. Doing a lot right but at $207k I’d rather spend that on Mills.

Bruyn: Nup. Too expensive for me. I’ll wait until after he plays Essendon in game 2 before considering.

Potter: Impressive display in NAB will put him in a lot of sides, but for me it’s a decision between Oliver and Mills. I’m slightly leaning towards Mills, only because he seems to be more AFL ready fitness-wise. Also, the Demons have a fair few inside midfielder options.

Phantom: The kid can play but The Phantom is going with Callum Mills instead. The next Ollie Wines.

LINCOLN McCARTHY ($139,400, Fwd) Geelong

Paton: Has never scored more than 56 in an AFL match although showed a bit more in the NAB. Not a huge list of rookie forwards to choose from but he’s not at the front of the queue for me.

Higgins: Injury has blighted McCarthy’s career but if the pre-season is any guide, he’s the Cats’ No.1 small forward. A little pricey but beggars can’t be choosers.

Gardiner: Yes. No. Maybe?! Wouldn’t recognise him if he sat next to me on the No.8 tram so will reserve judgment at this stage.

Bruyn: Should be everyone’s F7. Hasn’t budged from my side in weeks.

Potter: Touch and go. Early indications say he will play, however genuine small forwards generally don’t score that well or make the most cash. Nevertheless, if other options don’t eventuate when the teams are released then he will probably be in my side.

Phantom: Firming as a likely round one starter after an impressive pre-season and – at the moment - shapes as an ideal bench option.

Adam Treloar didn’t disappoint in his Collingwood debut.

ADAM TRELOAR ($576,400, Mid) Collingwood

Paton: Gun. Averaged 105 the past two years and could definitely improve on that this year but I won’t be picking him. One of about a dozen mids around that price who could all be great picks but with Fyfe, Ablett, Rockliff and Libba all locked in there’s probably only room for one. Also I’m still dirty on him for not choosing Richmond.

Higgins: His Collingwood debut certainly didn’t disappoint and I reckon he’s going to be the No.3 midfielder behind Pendles and Steele. Safe pick who still has room to improve.

Gardiner: No. Too many better/safer options in this price range.

Bruyn: Collingwood’s mids sharing the points is the only risk I can think of. Will improve his average. Pretty safe pick. Not in my calculations though.

Potter: It’s tempting but I won’t be starting with him due to the unknown role at a new club with a fairly talented midfield. I still see Pendlebury and Sidebottom as much better options at Collingwood.

Phantom: Huge first game in the black and white but we can’t fit them all in!

BEN KENNEDY ($187,800, Mid-Fwd) Melbourne

Paton: Has come right into calculations for my forward line. Could deliver similar scores to someone like Jordan De Goey for $150k less. In the mix.

Higgins: The former Magpie was starved of opportunity at Collingwood and his NAB Challenge efforts for Melbourne have been impressive. Loves a tackle and a goal.

Gardiner: Maybe. I’m convinced Higgo’s got a poster of this bloke on his bedroom wall. #Fanboy. Strong NAB form but want to see him replicate it on the big stage first.

Bruyn: Emerging from the rookie carnage as a decent, albeit expensive, pick. M/F swing is a plus. Currently on my bench.

Potter: Seems a likely option if playing Round 1 and is currently in my side. Should be a decent cash cow at his new club where he will be wanting to make an impression early and there’s a bit more opportunity for him to play.

Phantom: He’s got some class and was recruited for a reason. Too cheap to pass up, for mine.

JURY REVISITED ... MATTHEW LOBBE ($389,500, Ruck) Port Adelaide

Paton: If you read the jury from a month ago I think you’ll find I was the only juror who had no interest in Lobbe from the start. That hasn’t changed.

Higgins: Never understood the Lobbe fanfare. Has been towelled up in the NAB Challenge and doesn’t do much around the ground.

Gardiner: No. Not the first time I have been wrong. So much for him “thriving” as the no.1 ruck.

Bruyn: If ever there was a year to set and forget your rucks this is it. I’ll consider Leuy before him. Started the preseason as my R2. How times change!

Potter: Still a no from me as he has not impressed in NAB at all. Again, I’m going with two premium rucks so there is no room for a speculative pick like this.

Phantom: No. The Port big man just hasn’t done enough in the NAB Challenge.

How did our experts rate Lobbe before the NAB Challenge? How times change!

How times have changed. The verdict on Matthew Lobbe pre-NAB Challenge.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2016: expert’s verdict on Dustin Martin, Adam Treloar, Aaron Hall and more