JACOB WEITERING
The Phantom: Locked into my side. Showed the composure of a veteran in his first game and could post similar numbers – for the first half of the year anyway – to a host of speculative, mid-pricers.
Sam Edmund: How’s the surge in love for this bloke? Will step straight into the senior caper, but it’s the price that’s stopping me joining the bandwagon.
Al Paton: Normally would never pay this much for a kid who hasn’t played but after one appearance, I’m sold. Intercept marks are his go, they score big in SuperCoach and he’ll get plenty of chances to take them.
Ben Higgins: Damn he’s expensive. Annoyingly so, because otherwise he’s in my team. If there is a shortage of defensive rookies, I’ll have to re-finance to get him in.
Gilbert Gardiner: Lock and load. We’re paying a premium for the Blues backman but he showed enough on debut in the NAB Challenge to suggest he’s not out of his depth. Reads the ball well, takes intercept marks ... reliable cash cow with scope to lock down a spot come the business end a la Saad.
Ayden Potter(2015 SuperCoach champion): Tick. Will play the majority of the year. Intercept marks are gold and this is a major asset of his.
John Bruyn (2013 SuperCoach champion): Not convinced he’ll score well enough for a D4 slot (yet) and is a bit pricey for D5. Not in my current side but is listed as an Emergency.
BRAD CROUCH
Phantom: The Crows are being very cautious but if Brad is named for Round 1, he’s still the better option of the two Crouch brothers. Had 41 disposals in the intra-club, no wonder he was sore.
Edmund: Wrong Crouch. It’s Brad’s brother Matt that’s causing me some grief. Looking very good, but again, it’s that awkward cost.
Paton: Hanging on every Crows injury update. He’s still in my midfield and could be a 110+ player but I’m nervous.
Higgins: Will be very interesting to see how he goes in the final NAB Challenge game — if he plays at all — but brother Matt is starting to steal the headlines.
Gardiner: No. Have had him in the side since day dot but cooling on the ball magnet big time. His younger brother Matt putting runs on the board and looks to be the safer option at this stage.
Potter: Cross. Tempting. However, no pre-season games as of yet and Tom Liberatore available at a similar price makes it an easy decision.
Bruyn: Yesterday I would’ve said “If he plays NAB 3, pick him — He’s too cheap. If he misses NAB 3 — Don’t.” Now I’m simply saying don’t pick him at all. Red flags all over the shop. Play it safe and pick him up after it’s clear he is fit.
TOM SHERIDAN
Phantom: All signs point to a breakout year but I don’t think I will be fitting him in.
Edmund: Really warming to this bloke after two solid outings. Is he the Lachie Neale of 2016?
Paton: I’ve got Matt Suckling in D4 but if Tommy puts out another big NAB Challenge score a switch is on the cards.
Higgins: He’s in at the moment. Has been stellar in the opening two NAB Challenge games and looks to have joined Garrick Ibbotson as a rebounding weapon off half-back.
Gardiner: Yes. Said it before and I’ll say it again, the kid can get plenty of the pill and must be considered as leading breakout candidate.
Potter: Cross. A bit too risky. A strong start shouldn’t see his price become too unattainable, so an evaluation after a few games might be needed if he performs well.
Bruyn: Classic mid-pricer trap. History shows SuperCoaches are always (OK, usually) better off finding the cash and going straight to a proven premium. Likely to increase his average but still require an upgrade trade later on. If you disagree and think he can average 90-95 then go for it — back your gut. Tom is a no in my book.
SAM GRIMLEY
Phantom: A bit wayward in Essendon’s first hitout but the DPP is too enticing to pass up at R3 or F8.
Edmund: I reckon you’ve got to have him. Ruck-forward swing comes into play for a bloke who’s cheap and will get opportunity.
Paton: Key forwards don’t score much and Essendon won’t kick many big scores but he’s a solid pick on the forward bench to provide ruck cover.
Higgins: I think Grimley (or Sam Michael) could be the first cheap ruck-forward to play on a regular basis. Talk about rolled gold lock!
Gardiner: Please, you’ve got to be joking. Yes, he’s cheap but the Bombers won’t get anywhere near enough delivery to make the ex-Hawk worthwhile. Good for 50-60s at best.
Potter: Tick. Lock if named. Bargain price and was primed to emerge at Hawthorn if it wasn’t such a tough side to break into. Dual position flexibility as well.
Bruyn: A playing third ruck with ruck/forward swing would be unbelievably handy, particularly as the season progresses. Can’t see myself going in with anyone else at R3 unless Dan Currie (Suns) or Sam Michael (Dons) make it into the 22. Don’t see Mason Cox as a legitimate option until he’s named Round 1 in a full-strength Magpies outfit. There’s no room for floating donuts at the DimmaWits now that there’s only one bench spot in the ruck.
MICHAEL BARLOW
Phantom: LOCK. Next.
Edmund: Yessir. Back into the midfield and has shown enough in his first two games to suggest he’s an absolute bargain at that price. Ignore the doubters.
Paton: Yes, yes, yes. Back in the guts where he was a SuperCoach star.
Higgins: He wasn’t in my initial planning but his NAB Challenge form has convinced me. Admittedly, David Mundy hasn’t played yet but I think Barlow should be back to his best in 2016.
Gardiner: Maybe. Had my doubts but they’re softening after a faultless NAB Challenge. I felt the same about Swanny last year and that came back to haunt me. Take the advice with grain of salt.
Potter: Tick. Willing to take the chance he will return to previous heights, even more so as a forward/midfielder.
Bruyn: Should be in 100 per cent of teams. LOCK. Next.
SAM KERRIDGE
Phantom: See above.
Edmund: Cheap, regular minutes and regular possessions. Absolute lock as a forward.
Paton: Was a tagger at the Crows, who didn’t play him. Will play every week as an inside midfielder at Carlton. Only question is whether to pick him in the midfield or forward line.
Higgins: Was almost first picked once SuperCoach 2016 launched. A walk-up start in the Carlton midfield and a proven ball-winner (at SANFL level at least). Kerridge could be a season-long keeper.
Gardiner: Yes. Had my doubts like Barlow but the Blues stink and this bloke — with a license — can play. Doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty and at this price must be considered.
Potter: Tick. Mature body ready to take on midfield duties in a rebuilding side. Cheap and wins contested ball. Lock.
Bruyn: See above. An absolute gift in our forward lines. Personally, I prefer not to start any mid/fwds in my midfield. Dollar for dollar it is where you’re likely to find the best rookies. The swing usually has limited value in the early rounds so focus on generating cash and trade smart as the season progresses.
BRETT DELEDIO
Phantom: I’ll have him at some point but there is too much value around in the forward line to start him.
Edmund: Nup. The game’s most expensive forward, but also an injury risk. Not a good mix.
Paton: Hasn’t played a pre-season game but still expect him to pump out big numbers from the start. Has been in my side since 2004 so not picking him is killing me. Would be a great POD.
Higgins: Not for me. I prefer the value to be found in teammate Dustin Martin and Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus. In saying that, Lids is a prime upgrade target.
Gardiner: Yes. Gee whiz we’re paying a premium but this bloke is worth every cent. Far and away the most important Tiger and more importantly, kicks goals. The definition of set and forget — barring, injury of course.
Potter: Cross. As a Richmond man I want to pull the trigger and lock him in, but I think he will be available at a discounted price at some stage, hopefully.
Bruyn: A game in NAB 3 is all we need to know he’s ready to go. If you are one of the few who aren’t going cheap in the forward line then this guy is your man at F1. All class and built for SuperCoach. Will deliver you a guaranteed 100-110 average. If you’ve got the coin to start him it’s likely he’ll be a nice POD as well. Was in all my early drafts but has since moved on. Hrmm, perhaps I need to re-jig my team. #GoTiges
LUKE PARKER
Phantom: For someone who is every chance of finishing the year as a top-eight mid, I can’t believe he is still in less than 9 per cent of teams. Trying very hard to fit him in.
Edmund: Have to be on this bloke. Waaaay to good for this starting price. A gun.
Paton: Potentially super value but there are only so many spots for midfield premiums and he doesn’t make the cut for me.
Higgins: He was in until last week when Nat Fyfe proved his fitness. He’s certainly on the shortlist but there’s only so many midfield spots to go around.
Gardiner: Yes. Persisted last year for little return but lightning won’t strike twice. Parker is a genuine 120+ average player.
Potter: Cross. Too risky coming off a serious injury, especially with all those Sydney guns vying for midfield time.
Bruyn: Clearly offers a huge amount of value going into the season. My only hang-up is the fact he offers a bit more inside 50 than Titch or Hanners. Could this mean slightly less midfield minutes versus those two? Sydney bats so deep through the middle that it makes me nervous their averages are effectively capped. How many midfielders can realistically average 115+ in the same team? Will Parker be one? Can I phone a friend, Eddie?
TODD GOLDSTEIN
Phantom: The big man is too important to start without. If anyone is going to average 20 points per game more, in the first half of the year, than the next best player in his position, it will be Goldstein. Find the value elsewhere and fit him in.
Edmund: On the fence. I can understand the ‘set and forget’ temptation with the often volatile ruck position, but there might be better value out there.
Paton: Will he improve on last year’s 129 average? Probably not. Will he be the No.1 ruck in SuperCoach this year? Almost certainly. Add the ability to score 400+ as captain and it’s a no-brainer. Just pay the cash.
Higgins: Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. OK, so I don’t have him in my team at the moment due to financial constraints but he’ll be straight back in should the cash become available.
Gardiner: Yes. The best ruckman in the business with the biggest tank ... yes you’re paying a premium but he’s worth every cent. You’d be mad to leave him out.
Potter: Cross. Can’t justify that sort of $ spent on anybody but Gary Ablett. Hoping that the trend continues of the previous season’s premier ruck having their output reduced the following year.
Bruyn: Goldy outscored EVERYONE last year and is a legitimate captain option each week. That said, even SuperCoach great Dean Cox wasn’t able to back up his best years the way Goldy would need to in order to maintain his starting price. The recent Champion Data scoring changes clearly suited his game. That said, it remains a tough call considering his price. Right now he is in my team but ask me again in two weeks (or two hours).
KADE KOLODJASHNIJ
Phantom: Barely got going in the Suns’ first NAB Challenge game but I’m not worried. If anything, it may have scared a few off. A top-six defender come the year’s end.
Edmund: Disappointed me greatly in NAB 1 and we haven’t seen the Suns since. Has work to do to convince.
Paton: Rusty NAB 1 but the career graph is tracking very nicely for him to average 90+ which will put him in the top bracket of defenders. Currently the most expensive player in my backline.
Higgins: I can understand the hype surrounding the kid. Gold Coast should be far better and he has the potential to average triple figures but at that price I’ll need some convincing before bringing him in.
Gardiner: No. Ticks lots of boxes but not convinced on the Suns as yet. He’s good for 70s-80s but not convinced he’ll average triple figures just yet. Wait and see with games under his belt.
Potter: Cross. Although his upward trend is tempting, I like other safer options more. Similar to Sheridan, an evaluation will be made after a few rounds.
Bruyn: Hasn’t been in a single version of my teams — I just can’t see much value in his starting price. Isn’t in my calculations to be a top-five defender which is what I would want from my D1-to-D3s. The kid is a gun, don’t get me wrong, but at the moment it’s a pass from me.
