SuperCoach 2025: The Phantom’s top breakout contenders

Finding the players ready to explode into premium scoring is one of the hardest – but most rewarding – challenges in SuperCoach. The Phantom names his top seven 2025 breakout contenders.

Every SuperCoach knows the big guns – the stars of the game almost guaranteed to score well.

But the key to getting the jump on the rest of the competition – in your league or in the race for the grand prize – is identifying the players set to take the next step.

Sure, it can backfire (we’ve all been there) but finding the value in SuperCoach is one of the keys to building the foundation of a successful year.

Here are seven players The Phantom is tipping to increase their average significantly in 2025.

Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)

$441,200, MID

2024 average: 81.9

Predicted 2025 average: 104

Let’s start with the obvious one. Sure, you can’t break out much more than winning the North Smith Medal on grand final day at the MCG, but the numbers say Ashcroft averaged 82 SuperCoach points per game last year. Not bad for a second-year player, you’re right, but it was two points less than his debut season of 2023, and nowhere near his 128-point – and zero-clanger – performance in the decider against Sydney.

So, if we’re talking players who will take another step forward and increase their output in 2025, it has to start here. The 20-year-old built slowly back from an ACL injury after returning in round 16, scoring 62 or less in four of his first six games. But from round 22 onwards, he showed what might be around the corner, finishing the year with 129, 92, 115, 98, 74 and 128. And, remember, this is the kid who averaged 159 during his draft year.

The Phantom’s verdict: All going well, it’s hard to see a fit Ashcroft, after a full pre-season, averaging less than three figures in his third year. There’s a few options in the price bracket, though.

Will Ashcroft flew home in 2024 without a pre-season. Picture Lachie Millard

Matt Roberts (Sydney)

$434,800, DEF

2024 average: 80.7

Predicted 2025 average: 100

A big finish to the previous season is always a sign of a potential breakout – and that’s exactly what Roberts produced in 2024. The neat-kicking left-footer averaged 111 points in the final six home-and-away games as he settled into life as one of Sydney’s go-to men out of defence. Roberts took 68 kick-ins – playing on from all of them – second only to Nick Blakey at the Swans, and his kicking efficiency of 84.8 per cent was the fourth-highest of any player in the competition to average 12 or more kicks per game.

But not only did the South Australian finish the year well, he started strongly, winning an Opening Round Rising Star nomination and becoming one of the SuperCoach cash cows of 2024 after averaging 87 across the first seven rounds. In between were a few VFL games and sub vests, but the junior SuperCoach star built a more than a solid foundation to launch from.

The Phantom’s verdict: In my defence.

Jase Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)

$430,800, MID

2024 average: 80

Predicted 2025 average: 92

This one’s not even about the numbers. If you saw what Burgoyne produced on the big stage in September last year, you’re, rightly, already expecting big things in 2025. The 21-year-old was clean, calm, composed and close to Port Adelaide’s best player in the final series, standing up in a heated battle against Hawthorn before backing up against the Swans. And his numbers were good, too. Burgoyne finished with 25 disposals, seven intercepts and 113 points across half-back in the win over the Hawks and posted another SuperCoach ton, on the back of just 19 disposals and eight contested possessions, in the Power’s final game of the year.

Despite proving he could help fill the Dan Houston void in defence, Burgoyne might remain on the wing to start the year, depending on who else Ken Hinkley has available. But don’t expect him to be lost there – like some under Hinkley in that position before him. Burgoyne’s skill set is far too valuable. And, as the three double-digit contested possession games prove, the smooth mover isn’t just a receiver.

The Phantom’s verdict: While I’m looking forward to watching him develop this year, the jump might not quite be enough to start him as a midfielder-only in SuperCoach,

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is unstoppable at his best. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Matt Roberts was a Phantom favourite last year, and he’s backing him again. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs)

$355,400, FWD

2024 average: 66

Predicted 2025 average: 90

Is a four-week stretch enough to go on? Because from what we saw between rounds 18 and 21 last year, Ugle-Hagan priced at an average of 66 is a bargain. The former No.1 draft pick booted 14 goals and averaged 17 disposals, 10 score involvements, eight contested possessions and 103 SuperCoach points in a scintillating month. Whenever the ball came near him, the 22-year-old always looked like winning it. It was an eye-catching combination of speed, overhead marking and a stunning vertical leap that saw Ugle-Hagan taken as an NGA prospect with pick 1 in the 2020 draft, and, at times last year, those traits made him look unstoppable. Sure, his two SuperCoach tons for the season came in that stretch, and more inconsistency followed – but the upside is undeniable.

The Phantom’s verdict: Passed the eye test with flying colours – even if just in glimpses – in 2024. I’d love to pick him, but the volume of bargain-priced forward options is going to make it hard.

James Peatling (Adelaide)

$352,800, MID

2024 average: 65.5

Predicted 2025 average: 95

The new Crow started as the sub seven times in his first 11 senior appearances for the Giants last year. But forget that – Adelaide didn’t recruit him as its 23rd man. The Crows targeted a 24-year-old who can immediately improve their midfield with his mix of ball-winning, speed and defensive aggression. In the nine games Peatling attended at least 50 per cent of centre bounces in 2024, he averaged 18 disposals, 10 contested possessions, eight tackles and 98 SuperCoach points. And, on occasions during those matches, he featured as a tagger. For the trade to be a success, the Crows will want more than just a role player.

The Phantom’s verdict: A centre-bounce heavy role looms for Peatling, who has made his mark on the track over summer. And that means he could be one of the best SuperCoach buys of 2025.

George Wardlaw could be a SuperCoach scoring beast. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)

$461,300, MID

2024 average: 85.6

Predicted 2025 average: 107

And here we are again. Although I didn’t quite go as far as saying Wardlaw would match Clayton Oliver’s second-year breakout of 2017, I did predict a big jump this time last year – from 65 to 93 to be exact. And the young bull got close, finishing with an average of 86 after six SuperCoach tons. There was inconsistency and low game-time again but, importantly, he got through 18 games, with concussion his only injury concern. Before a head knock at training ahead of the round 16 clash with the Bulldogs, Wardlaw’s SuperCoach scoring power was on full show, with the young Roo averaging 25 disposals, 13 contested possessions, eight clearances, six score involvements, six tackles and 119 SuperCoach points in the three-game stretch before his season was brought to a halt.

As I wrote last summer, Wardlaw – the Kangaroos’ second centre bounce midfielder behind Luke Davies-Uniacke in 2024 – wins the ball and dishes out like prime Oliver, and his contested possession rate of 48.9 per cent was identical to the Melbourne champ’s. And, like last year, that figure puts him above contested-ball beast Tom Green.

The Phantom’s verdict: I think I have to – he could explode at any moment.

Mattaes Phillipou finished 2024 strongly. Picture: Mark Stewart

Mattaes Phillipou (St Kilda)

$313,800, FWD-MID

2024 average: 58.2

Predicted 2025 average: 86

The 10th pick in the 2022 draft arrived at St Kilda after a dominant draft year which saw him average 144 in the SANFL under-18s and 102 at the national carnival as a powerful midfielder who pushed forward and hit the scoreboard. As he found his feet at AFL level, and in a Ross Lyon-coached team, it was mostly pushing forward that Phillipou did in his first 33 senior games. But in the young Saint’s final four games of 2024 things changed. In and around a late injury setback, the 190cm Phillipou proved just how effective he’s going to be in St Kilda’s midfield, averaging 22 disposals, nine contested possessions, six tackles, six score involvements, four clearances and 94 SuperCoach points. And Phillipou – strong, clean and smart – didn’t attend a centre bounce in the final round clash with the Blues.

The Phantom’s verdict: A SuperCoach star of the future – but how much can we trust Ross? He could finish the year as the club’s best midfielder if the coach lets him. At the price, it doesn’t need to completely work out that way, anyway.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2025: The Phantom’s top breakout contenders