SuperCoach 2016: Who caught our attention in the final NAB Challenge weekend

WHOSE SuperCoach stocks skyrocketed and whose took a hit in the final weekend of NAB Challenge matches? We look at every match.

HAVE we been looking at the wrong Carlton midfielder?

All the talk has been about Sam Kerridge — and for good reason — as the former Crow has scored 122 and 109 in his two NAB Challenge games.

However, its his Blues teammate Nick Graham who deserves the attention having scored 111, 109 and 100 in his three pre-season hit outs.

While the likes of Marc Murphy, Patrick Cripps and Bryce Gibbs haven’t played big parts, he’s played almost a lone hand in the club’s three losses.

The depth of mid-price midfielders is almost unprecedented this season and while not all of them will work out there’s plenty of value if you get your picks right.

Matt and Brad Crouch, Jordan de Goey, Josh Kelly, Daniel Wells and of course Tom Liberatore are just some on offer.

We’ve now got two weeks to finalise our SuperCoach line-ups with the first Round 1 teams to be released next Tuesday.

If you missed any of the weekend’s action, we’ve recapped the best scorers below.

RICHMOND v PORT ADELAIDE

The Gray show ruled Etihad Stadium on Thursday night as Sam Gray ($480,800, Mid-Fwd) and Robbie Gray ($595,900, Mid) top-scored for Port Adelaide with 118 and 109 respectively. Ollie Wines ($525,100, Mid) is a genuine under-priced star and finished with 104. Matthew Lobbe ($389,500, Ruck) continues to spiral out of SuperCoach calculations, scoring just 73 against Shaun Hampson. At Richmond, it’s tough to gauge the importance of some scores as Damien Hardwick “managed” several of his players. Brett Deledio ($608,800, Fwd) scored 60 in a half and Trent Cotchin ($538,600, Mid) managed 68 in limited game-time. Nathan Broad ($117,300, Def) has firmed for Round 1 and his score of 66.

Callum Mills looms as a certain Round 1 starter. Picture: Phil Hillyard

CARLTON v SYDNEY

Must-have cash cow Sam Kerridge ($137,600, Mid-Fwd) continued his pre-season domination for Carlton, picking up 109, his second hundred after 122 in NAB 1. Nick Graham ($390,100, Mid) wasn’t to be outdone after posting a third-straight ton. Graham has scores of 111, 109 and 100. After a breakout 2015, Patrick Cripps ($519,600, Mid) looks primed for another big year after scoring 107 from limited game-time. Dan Hannebery ($617,900, Mid) was in everything for Sydney, picking up 38 disposals and 139 SuperCoach points. Callum Mills ($211,800, Mid) continued his fine form with 99 but his price tag might put some off. Lance Franklin ($470,100, Fwd) looked back to his best — albeit against the Blues — with 95.

ADELAIDE v GOLD COAST

If you thought Aaron Hall’s ($428,100, Mid-Fwd) second half of 2015 was a fluke, think again. The Suns speedster scored 131 in an all-action effort against Adelaide.Bottom-priced rookie Ryan Davis ($102,400, Mid) cemented his claims for Round 1 with 64 playing across half-forward. Nick Malceski ($383,800, Def) impressed coach Rodney Eade but not SuperCoach watchers with a 62. Paul Seedsman ($328,700, Def-Mid) has been talked about as a breakout contender after moving to the Crows and showcased his potential with 118. Matt Crouch ($368,400, Mid) produced another quality score — 96 — that has him in the frame as a mid-price breakout. Just quietly, Brad Crouch ($306,100, Mid) had 40 disposals in a SANFL practice match, so watch this space.

Adam Treloar didn’t disappoint on his Collingwood debut.

COLLINGWOOD v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Adam Treloar ($576,400, Mid) didn’t disappoint in his Collingwood debut, putting in a big second-half to lift the Magpies past the Western Bulldogs. Treloar finished with 110. Tom Langdon ($461,100, Def) could be making a late charge for your SuperCoach team and putting up 101. Taylor Adams ($528,500, Mid) and Jordan de Goey ($318,400, Mid-Fwd) scored 89 and 88 to showcase the Pies’ future potential. Matthew Boyd ($560,900, Def) might not play every game this year but his 117 on Saturday franks his premium defender status. Lachie Hunter ($415,500, Mid) top-scored with 124 while Jason Johannisen ($418,200, Def) continued his strong NAB Challenge form with 113. Tom Liberatore ($357,300, Mid) is in over 50 per cent of teams but sent a shiver through owners with a final pre-season score of 41.

GEELONG v FREMANTLE

Can you believe David Mundy ($612,600, Mid) is in 1 per cent of teams? The new Dockers captain played his first NAB Challenge game on Saturday and finished with 115. Pre-season hot property Michael Barlow ($505,300, Mid-Fwd) continued his form with 117, after 131 and 92 in his previous hit outs. After two stellar NAB performances Tom Sheridan ($351,100, Def) failed to fire against Geelong and finished with just 57. The Patrick Dangerfield ($647,000, Mid) show continued on Saturday as he scored 91 points from 30 disposals. Lincoln McCarthy ($139,400, Fwd) put his hand up for Round 1 with 60 points. However, Zac Smith ($425,300, Ruck) might have some people reconsidering him as a second ruck after scoring 77.

Daniel Wells looks back to his best. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

NORTH MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN

All the SuperCoach hype this past fortnight has been directed at Daniel Wells ($243,900, Mid-Fwd) and with good reason. The injury-prone Kangaroos looks back to his best, posting 98 and 119 in his two NAB games. Jed Anderson ($223,900, Mid-Fwd) was meant to be the next coming at North Melbourne but was subdued with just 52. At Hawthorn, Sam Mitchell ($586,600, Mid) was unstoppable, racking up 45 touches for 157 SuperCoach points. However, he does have a MRP cloud hanging over his head. Josh Gibson ($489,200, Def) reminded us all of his premium defender capabilities with 145, backing up scores of 142 and 85. Taylor Duryea ($403,800, Def) could be a breakout contender and finished with 89.

GWS GIANTS v BRISBANE LIONS

Could Josh Kelly ($381,000, Mid) be the breakout player of 2016? The Giants midfielder top-scored against Brisbane with 127 to go with 78 and 84 in his other NAB matches. Shane Mumford ($570,500, Ruck) overcame an injury scare last week to post 110. Anyone keen on Jack Steele ($312,200, Mid-Fwd) after his 104 and increased midfield minutes? Dayne Zorko ($543,000, Mid-Fwd) might not be there Round 1 but he should be on your upgrade radar after posting 122. Daniel Rich ($436,100, Def-Mid) is back in the midfield and his 101 bodes well for the season ahead. Rhys Mathieson ($117,300, Mid) got the nod ahead of fellow draftee Ben Keays ($117,300, Mid) but copped a concussion.

Clayton Oliver has firmed for a Round 1 debut.

ST KILDA v MELBOURNE

Melbourne finished the NAB Challenge undefeated and if there was a pre-season Brownlow Medal, Max Gawn ($550,800, Ruck) would be the raging hot favourite. The Demons ruckman scored 111 against St Kilda to go with 112 and 138 in his first two games. Clayton Oliver ($207,300, Mid) is pricey for a rookie but his 92 bodes well for the season ahead. Ben Kennedy ($187,800, Mid-Fwd) picked up 85 to cement his spot as a legitimate cash cow. The Saints were led by Jack Steven ($562,700, Mid) with 115. Leigh Montagna ($599,000, Mid-Fwd) shows no signs of slowing down, scoring 103 while Jack Billings ($455,100, Fwd) was busy and picked up 85.

WEST COAST v ESSENDON

It’s fair to say the Bombers’ defence is going to get plenty of work this season and Matt Dea ($183.600, Def) and Mark Baguley ($430,700, Def) seem to be thriving. Dea picked up his second 90-plus score of the NAB Challenge while Baguley finished with 113. David Zaharakis ($414,800, Mid) could be a sneaky mid-price option after scoring 89. Over at the Eagles, Matthew Priddis ($611,200, Mid) continues to produce, top-scoring with 130. Shannon Hurn ($408,600, Def) could be back in SuperCoach calculations after scoring 101. He scored 101 against Gold Coast too. Elliott Yeo ($443,300, Def-Mid) picked up 94.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2016: Who caught our attention in the final NAB Challenge weekend