SuperCoach Head 2 Head: Laird / Smith vs Lloyd / Mills

Are a couple of Crows or a Swans duo a better option for a combination of defenders in SuperCoach in 2019?

Brodie Smith of the Crows looks a monty to be a SuperCoach star in 2019

In a Head 2 Head battle, we’re looking at whether you should go with one combination of two players or another selection of paired players. Who would you pick? Are a couple of Crows better than a Swans duo? 

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WHO:

RORY LAIRD | ADELAIDE CROWS | DEF | $587,600 | 108.3 avg. in 2018

BRODIE SMITH | ADELAIDE CROWS | DEF | $332,500 | 87.5 avg.

Vs.

JAKE LLOYD | SYDNEY SWANS | DEF | $608,200 | 112.0 avg.

CALLUM MILLS | SYDNEY SWANS | DEF | $428,900 | 79.0 avg.

Jake Lloyd of the Swans was a defender who busted out better scores than most midfielders in 2018; can he do it again in SuperCoach in 2019?

On the face of it, selecting the two Crows as defender options makes perfect sense — not only do you save $117,000 in salary cap, but the combined 2018 averages is 5 points per game higher than the Swans’ boys had as average in their season last year.

But who looks at SuperCoach selections purely on the face of it? There are so many depths and layers and options — not least of all the possibility that Mills will end up moving through the midfield for the Swans in 2019, theoretically boosting his top level scoring capacity in the process.

Would that it were so simple!

SuperCoach Scout: Sydney Swans

While he played through the midfield in the first of the JLT Community Series games, by the second game he was back to being in defence, which makes sense given the possibilities or the Swans’ midfield — it would seem more likely that his teammate Isaac Heeney — available as a Dual Position Player as a FWD / MID — will be the player who will primarily push through to be part of the centre square rotation for the Swans.

Will Callum Mills of the Swans move through the midfield in 2019, making his a bargain buy as a defender in SuperCoach in 2019?

Rory Laird has indicated that he, too, will be keen to move away from his position as the marshall of the Crows’ backline in 2019, with the returned-from-injury Smith and Wayne Milera acting in the quarterback roles. It’s hard to see it happening though; Laird’s ability to read the play, influence the play, and rebound with speed and skill is far more valuable behind the ball as opposed to moving through the wing.

Locks and flops: the full verdict on rookies after the JLT Community Series

When you consider the new kick-in / play-on rule, it’s reasonable to expect that Laird and Smith will share these duties in some way shape or form, whereas Lloyd will be the primary designated kicker for the Swans, which will help boost his points scored every week … as long as he runs out of the square before he disposes of the ball!

Rory Laird of the Crows is a bona fide superstar rebounding from the back half, scoring SuperCoach centuries for fun

Lloyd and Laird hit midfielder-like premium numbers in SuperCoach in 2018, and it would be fair to assume that they can do so again in 2019. There’s obviously less certainty with both Smith and Mills returning from injury, but both looked fantastic throughout the JLT Series, with Smith hitting 103 and 97 in less than 75% game time for both outings, whereas Mills went 106 and 93 in first 73% and then 89% game time, where the higher score saw him attending centre square contests, and the latter primarily found him playing behind the ball.

MORE SUPERCOACH NEWS

FORWARDS Forward Breakout Contenders / Best Value Forwards / Premium Forwards

RUCKS Best Alternative Rucks / Premium Rucks

MIDFIELDERS Breakout Midfielders / Mid-Priced Mids / Best Value Midfielders / Premium Midfielders Analysis

DEFENDERS Defensive Breakout Contenders & Mid-Pricers / Best Value Defenders / Premium Defenders Analysis

ANALYSIS JLT 1 Highlights / JLT 1 Concerns / JLT 1 Scores / Pre-JLT Rookie Bible / A-Z Guide to SuperCoach

Lloyd only played one JLT Series match-up, barely getting warmed up with 65% game time against the Giants and scoring just 75 points. Can he justify that high price point given that sort of let-down? Laird played both Crows’ outings, with 94 in 80% game time in the first match good but not great.

Picking between these four players is nigh-on impossible — both offer tremendous scoring potential.

SuperCoach Scout: Adelaide Crows

OUR VERDICT: The Crows boys have it for us; there’s too much uncertainty at this stage around what Mills’ role will be, whereas Laird and Smith should be big scorers as the Crows look to rebound into the top 8 in 2019.

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Originally published as SuperCoach Head 2 Head: Laird / Smith vs Lloyd / Mills