SuperCoach AFL 2017: Hawthorn’s must-haves, mid-price risks and rookies to watch

JUST three Hawks are priced at over $500,000 in SuperCoach 2017. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing of value. In fact, there’s plenty.

New recruit Tom Mitchell at Hawthorn training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

WHEN Hawthorn “Yoko Ono’d” itself we were unsure how that would impact SuperCoach.

No more Sam Mitchell, no more Jordan Lewis and who would step into their shoes not to mention the addition of Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara.

In 2017, only three Hawks are worth more than $500,000 but there’s still plenty of value you should keep an eye on.

Hawthorn is jam-packed with mid-price players who could take their game to another level.

Prime among them is new captain Jarryd Roughead as he returns from a health scare at the low, low price of $367,100.

PREMIUMS

Tom Mitchell ($565,600, Mid)

Hawthorn’s most expensive player wasn’t even a Hawk last year. Mitchell, lured from Sydney, is expected to step straight into his namesake Sam Mitchell’s midfield shoes and we don’t foresee any problem for him backing up his 104 average from 2016.

Shaun Burgoyne ($515,400, Def)

Hawthorn’s Mr Consistency and evergreen star. The last time Burgoyne averaged 100-plus in a season was 2008 but that’s no reason to rule him out nine years later, he’s averaged 82, 85, 94, 84 and 94 in his last five seasons which for a SuperCoach defender is pretty good.

(From left) Jaeger O'Meara, Shaun Burgoyne and Tom Mitchell at Hawthorn training.

MID-PRICE RISKS

Grant Birchall ($457,500, Mid)

On his day, Birchall can be an out-and-out SuperCoach stud but in recent years he’s been inconsistent to say the least. From 2011 to 2013 he averaged 90-plus but in recent years he gone from 88 to 86 and just 84 in 2016.

Liam Shiels ($383,200, Mid)

The Hawthorn tackle-machine had a down year in 2016 and we’re expecting him to bounce back. The new club vice-captain saw his average plummet from 96 in 2015 to 70 in 2016 as injury struck. He’ll be required to fill Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis’s shoes.

Jarryd Roughead ($367,100, Fwd)

The club’s new captain and the AFL’s good news story of the year. Roughead’s return to the field is enough to warm your heart but his SuperCoach price is the cherry on top. Capable of averaging 100-plus if fully fit, Roughead will be extremely popular.

Ricky Henderson ($420,100, Def-Mid)

What will a chance of clubs do for Henderson. He was in and out of the Adelaide team so surely Hawthorn picked up him for a reason. He played just nine games in 2016 and finished with 105, 56, 107. He’ll be a rollercoaster ride.

Jaeger O’Meara ($318,900, Mid)

It’s highly doubtful the former Sun will play Round 1, so it’s very much a case of wait and see. If O’Meara makes a strong start to his Hawthorn career when (and let’s be honest, if) he gets on the park, then you can consider him.

Hawthorn’s new skipper Jarryd Roughead with his vice-captains Liam Shiels and Isaac Smith. Picture: Michael Klein

ROOKIES

Harry Morrison ($117,300, Def)

So the Hawks probably aren’t going to be relying on their latest batch of draftees unless there’s a catastrophic injury toll. Morrison is the club’s top pick but that pick was No.74. There’s certainly going to be other cash cow options.

Mitch Lewis ($117,300, Fwd)

As we said above, Hawthorn draftees probably aren’t going to be on your SuperCoach radar. However, Lewis could get a look in in teams with owners who enjoy the irony of Mitchell Lewis being drafted after Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis were traded away.

NO-GO ZONE

Ty Vickery ($310,400, Fwd)

New club, new Ty? We doubt it. With Jarryd Roughead back, Vickery isn’t going to be the No.1 forward target and is more likely to play the back-up ruck role. In 17 games with Richmond last year, the big fella failed to notch triple figures once.

Ryan Schoenmakers ($155,100, Fwd)

Yes, his price is incredibly tempting but don’t get sucked in. Schoenmakers sits on the fringe of the Hawthorn line-up, playing four games in 2016, while his scoring doesn’t exactly get us excited either. He’s never averaged more than 70.

James Frawley ($362,400, Def)

Full-backs don’t generally make good SuperCoach picks and Frawley is no different. While he’ll play every game barring injury, he scoring history doesn’t make for good reading. “Chip” averaged 66 in 2016 and only scored 80 or more four times.

TEAM PREVIEW

It’s certainly going to be an interesting year for Hawthorn.

Can master coach Alastair Clarkson keep the powerhouse club powering along or will Father Time finally catch up with them?

Who will step in for the departed Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis and how will additions Vickery, Mitchell, O’Meara and Henderson fit in?

New skipper Jarryd Roughead believes there’s plenty of fuel in the tank and is urging the club’s next generation to step up.

There’s no doubting the Hawks will once again be tough to beat.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2017: Hawthorn’s must-haves, mid-price risks and rookies to watch