SuperCoach AFL 2017: will you pick any of these Bulldogs in your SuperCoach line-up?

THE Western Bulldogs will provide some of SuperCoach 2017’s most intriguing prospects. We look at the names you need to know. HAVE YOUR SAY

Jack Macrae is available as a forward this year. Picture: Michael Klein

THE Western Bulldogs provide some of the most intriguing SuperCoach prospects for 2017.

The question that must first be answered through is will there be a premiership hangover or can the young Dogs take their game to another level again?

We saw several of Hawthorn’s biggest SuperCoach stars drop off a cliff in 2009 but we don’t see that happening here.

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Instead, there might be even more red, white and blue across teams next season.

Jack Macrae is now available as a forward, Bob Murphy will return from injury and Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen has moved to premium status.

There’s still plenty of room for improvement to with Tom Liberatore averaging 94 in 2016, Tom Boyd ready to take his game to a new level after a breakout Grand Final and Stewart Crameri returns from his year-long drugs ban.

Marcus Bontempelli is the most expensive Bulldog in 2017. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

PREMIUM

Marcus Bontempelli ($586,100, Mid)

The star midfielder is the most expensive Bulldog in 2017 after averaging 107 in 2016. If you’re looking for an option under $600,000, the young Dog should be high on your list. After a shaky start, “The Bont” roared home with 12 tons in the 16 games from Round 7.

Matthew Boyd ($563,900, Def)

The old man of the Dogs’ backline just keep producing. Boyd has an uncanny knack of finding the football and is a key attacking weapon off half-back. He’s pretty pricey but with the Dogs gameplan such as it is he will continue to be a safe option in defence.

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Luke Dahlhaus ($520,700, Mid-Fwd)

Speaking of a knack for finding the pill. Dahlhaus had averaged a record 26 disposals per game in 2016 but his 95 SuperCoach average was slightly down on his 104 in 2015. Injury played a big part in that, so don’t fret, he’ll be 100 per cent for Round 1.

Jason Johannisen ($513,500, Def)

The attacking defender was on a serious tear before injury struck in Round 4, averaging 105. He would miss 10 weeks and score just three more hundreds but it gave us a taste of his potential. If he’s in similar form this pre-season, don’t hesitate.

Jack Macrae ($511,700, Mid-Fwd)

Not normally on the premium list as he’s averaged 100, 99 and 94 in the past three years but there’s one big change in 2017. He’s now available as a forward. Macrae is set to be one of the most popular picks in 2017 thanks to his dual position eligibility.

Jason Johannisen elevated himself to premium defender status. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Can Tom Boyd build on his Grand Final performance. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

MID-PRICE RISKS

Tom Boyd ($290,300, Ruck-Fwd)

Boyd’s Grand Final performance has been compared to Tom Hawkins’ breakout in 2011. In that year the Cat averaged 69 but cranked it up to 95 in 2012. Can Boyd replicate that improvement? He’s certainly cheap and with his dual position status could make for a great point of different,

Stewart Crameri ($359,200, Fwd)

After a year-long drugs ban, Crameri will walk straight back into the Bulldogs line-up. He’s priced to average 66 but has had seasons of 83 and 78 as a Bomber and 73 as a Bulldog in 2015. He could be a quick stepping stone to a premium.

Bob Murphy ($392,300, Def)

Everyone loves Bob but should we pick him in SuperCoach? Coming off his second knee reconstruction and at age 34. He should walk straight back into the Bulldogs line-up but his role is unclear. Watch his pre-season closely.

Jake Stringer ($410,100, Fwd)

We’re waiting for “The Package” to breakout but what we really want to see is consistency. Stringer regressed a little in 2016 but as the face of the young Bulldogs there was plenty of pressure on, expect him to bounce back in 2017.

ROOKIES

Kieran Collins ($123,900, Def)

The big-bodied youngster played one game in 2016 but didn’t exactly set to world alight. A shoulder injury ended his season early but with a big pre-season he’ll be in the frame to replace Joel Hamling in the Dogs backline.

Patrick Lipinski ($117,300, Mid-Fwd)

You’d think breaking into the Bulldogs premiership line-up would be tough. Think again. Luke Beveridge has handed debuts to 11 youngster in the last two seasons and Lipinski could easily follow.

Nathan Mullenger-McHugh ($103,900, Ruck)

Looking for a cheap third-ruck option and not fussed by Ruck-Forward flexibility? Look no further. The raw big man will not see any action in 2017 but will be a handy captaincy loophole candidate.

Patrick Lipinski in action for Northern Knights in the TAC Cup.

TEAM PREVIEW

We’ve heard on several occasions that the Bulldogs won’t suffer a premiership hangover but we won’t find out until the season kicks off.

However, if anyone can keep the young Dogs on track it’s Luke Beveridge.

The Dogs have a relatively soft opening to the season with Collingwood, Sydney (home), Fremantle, North Melbourne and Brisbane in the opening five rounds.

The team’s performances in those early games will give us an indication of how strong their resolve is to go back-to-back.

There’s still plenty of improvement left in this list with Jason Johannisen, Lachie Hunter and Marcus Bontempelli playing their 50th games in 2016.

While premiership players Clay Smith, Toby McLean, Zaine Cordy, Tom Boyd, Fletcher Roberts, Josh Dunkley, Shane Biggs and Caleb Daniel yet to reach the mark.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2017: will you pick any of these Bulldogs in your SuperCoach line-up?