SuperCoach 2017: Who caught the eye in this weekend’s AFL practice matches?

THE only people watching intra-club games closer than club coaches are SuperCoaches, looking for key intel to guide their selections. So who caught the eye?

Dion Prestia rehydrates during the Richmond intra-club match. Picture: Mark Dadswell

THE only people watching intra-club games closer than club coaches are SuperCoaches, looking for key intel to guide their selections.

Draftees and recruits step out in new colours for the first time, others make comebacks from injury while coaches experiment by trying players in new positions.

So what did we learn from the series of practice matches over the past few days?

HAWTHORN

THERE will be plenty of eyes on Hawthorn in 2017 and the club’s intra-club match showcased their SuperCoach potential.

Sure to be one of the most popular picks come Round 1 if he plays a full JLT Community Series, new captain Jarryd Roughead ($367,100, Fwd) was in everything at Waverley, kicking four goals and collecting 22 disposals.

Fellow forward Jack Gunston ($502,300, Fwd) put his name forward as a point-of-difference option with 28 touches and two goals.

Of the new faces Jaeger O’Meara ($318,900, Mid) was the name on everyone’s lips and didn’t disappoint with 16 touches and a goal while Ricky Henderson ($420,100, Def-Mid) managed 20 disposals.

Former Swan Tom Mitchell ($565,600, Mid) didn’t take part.

Hawthorn hasn’t always been a fruitful cash cow provider but rookie James Cousins ($102,400, Mid) could be one to watch this year after his 24-disposal effort that also included seven marks, four inside 50s and a clearance.

Meanwhile, former skipper Luke Hodge ($481,300, Def) had 22 touches and a goal and could be an intriguing option as a defender only in 2017.

MELBOURNE

Any thoughts Jordan Lewis ($540,600, Mid) would relinquish his premium status at Melbourne were put aside after the four-time premiership player’s superb ball use a feature in the Dees’ practice game.

Angus Brayshaw ($353,100, Mid-Fwd) had little game time in his return from a calf injury but impressed with his attack on the ball in midfield and up forward.

Clayton Oliver ($382,500, Mid) looked fitter this year and worked hard through the midfield, while Jayden Hunt (324,400, Def) broke the game open with his speed and showed he could take his game to another level this year.

Nathan Jones ($527,800, Mid) and Jack Viney ($527,500, Mid) were prolific in the middle, and Jake Melksham ($298,200) was heavily involved in the first half.

Jordan Lewis tackles Jack Viney during the Demons’ intra-club game. Picture: Getty Images

SYDNEY

After missing the entire 2016 season, Sam Reid ($275,300, Fwd) made a successful return with two goals in Sydney’s scratch match.

Reid, who battled hamstring, calf and achilles injuries last year, could have kicked at least five goals had he kicked straighter, but he was moving freely and covered plenty of territory.

Midfield star Dan Hannebery ($616,800, Mid) looks primed for another big year after a dominant first half that included two goals before he sat out the rest of the game.

Rising star Isaac Heeney ($433,400, Fwd) spent most of his time in the midfield, while third-year defender Zak Jones ($307,000) also impressed in the middle and is likely to push further up the field a lot more in 2017.

First-round draft selection Oliver Florent ($166,800, Mid-Fwd) was another to shine

Josh Kennedy ($617,100), Lance Franklin ($514,600), Jarrad McVeigh ($483,600, Def), Dane Rampe ($468,600, Def) and Luke Parker ($608,900, Mid) did not play.

Kennedy, McVeigh and Rampe are a chance to play in the Swans’ first JLT Series match, while Franklin (shoulder) and Parker (knee) won’t be ready until later in the pre-season competition.

BRISBANE LIONS

Young key forward Josh Schache ($279,100, Fwd) has returned bigger and strong, kicking four goals in a lopsided Lions intra-club match before he was rested in the final quarter. The 2015 No.2 draft pick had a presence in the forward line, he ran to the right spots, and his contested marking was again a feature. Schache, 19, was thrown in the deep end last season, regularly taking on the opposition’s best defender but he finished with 16 goals from 17 games before he was rested for the final three rounds.

Small forward Lewis Taylor ($320,100, Fwd) was another who stood out with his hard running helping to set up goals for his teammates.

The Lions named top draft Hugh McCluggage ($202,800, Mid-Fwd) in the stronger squad, if that’s a pointer to his prospects of playing in Round 1. McLuggage played one half and although he didn’t get a lot of the ball, he made every one of his disposals count.

Last year’s best and fairest Dayne Zorko ($593,000, Mid) kicked two goals and shouldn’t be disregarded because no longer carries dual-position status.

Former Giant Jake Barrett ($127,900, Mid) could be smoky selection, mixing his time in midfielder and across half-forward to kick two goals and find plenty of the pill.

Midfielder Daniel Rich ($466,100, Mid) and ruckman Stefan Martin ($488,000, Ruck) were held back from the game, while the Lions are still managing injured duo Dayne Beams ($432,500, Mid) and Allen Christensen ($377,900, Fwd).

Tom Rockliff ($603,900, Mid) played the second half after shaking off an achilles niggle.

Josh Schache kicked four goals in the Lions’ intra-club. Picture: Peter Wallis

NORTH MELBOURNE

The Kangaroos could be the home of the cash cow in 2017.

After last-year’s list clean-out there’s plenty of opportunities for the club’s generation next.

Youngsters Mitch Hibberd ($123,900, Def), Sam Durdin ($123,900, Fwd), Ben McKay ($123,900, Fwd) and Ed Vickers-Willis ($123,900, Def) are all in line for Round 1.

There’s also a couple of mid-price options that have announced themselves.

Former Bulldog Nathan Hrovat ($301,400, Mid-Fwd) and young tall Mason Wood ($446,100, Fwd) both look capable of having a big impact this year.

However, there is plenty of injury news at Arden St.

Most notably Todd Goldstein ($588,400, Ruck) is expected to be sidelined until at least the second pre-season game due to injury, which is sure to play havoc with thousands of SuperCoachers’ ruck plans.

Sam Durdin gets a handball away during North Melbourne’s intra-club match.

RICHMOND

The Tigers played a 50-minute scratch match on Saturday morning between two 16-man teams, and Richmond recruiters and SuperCoaches would have been happy with what they saw.

Josh Caddy ($488,600 mid/fwd) was close to best on ground playing mostly in the midfield with stints up forward, kicking a goal from the boundary line. Dion Prestia ($508,700 mid) wasn’t as prolific but got through his first game in eight months without a hitch.

Former Swan Toby Nankervis ($466,300 ruck/fwd) was strong in the ruck although his main opponent was rookie Ivan Soldo as Shaun Hampson was on boundary umpire duties for the day. If he takes the No.1 ruck spot, Nankervis could be a steal.

Nick Vlastuin ($407,800 def) is an intriguing prospect. He scored three SuperCoach tons in his first six AFL games but has since settled in as a back pocket averaging in the 70s. Could a midfield move change that? He played on the ball on Saturday, winning his share of clearances and kicking two goals.

Of the Tigers’ rookie options, Shai Bolton ($117,300 fwd/mid) showed off a couple of nice moves but struggled to pick up the pace of the game while Jack Graham ($117,300 mid) ran laps as the club manages his preparation. Tyson Stengle ($121,900 fwd), another exciting small forward, kicked a goal and ran down Trent Cotchin in the middle of the ground but has to be promoted from the rookie list to be considered.

Dion Prestia catches his breath during his comeback game. Picture: Mark Dadswell

GOLD COAST

TWO names stand out; David Swallow and Jack Bowes.

Swallow ($280,200, Mid) and Bowes ($171,300, Mid-Fwd) look set for Round 1 after strong showings in the Suns’ intra-club match on Sunday.

Swallow is set to play in all three pre-season games and coach Rodney Eade said he would be shuffled between the wing and the half forward.

While Bowes played across half back alongside skipper Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij and is all but guaranteed to run out in the first JLT Community Series game against Brisbane.

Forgotten star Pearce Hanley ($471,600, Mid) and breakout contender Touk Miller ($428,900, Mid-Fwd) were also prominent in the hitout and are set to be major parts of the Suns’ new-look midfield in 2017.

No.4 draft pick — and popular rookie option — Ben Ainsworth ($198,300, Mid-Fwd) had a minor hip issue and wasn’t seen after halftime while Gary Ablett ($620,600, Mid) didn’t feature.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2017: Who caught the eye in this weekend’s AFL practice matches?