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[Presto]

KFC SuperCoach AFL: 11 bargains to watch in 2023
Everyone loves a bargain, especially in KFC SuperCoach. Here are 11 players who could be too cheap to ignore next season.
Al Paton
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KFC SuperCoach is a numbers game.
There are still an exciting summer of practice matches, time-trials and predictions of “more midfield time” that will help shape our selections, but one thing that won’t change is the fact we have to squeeze 30 players into a $10 million salary cap.
And finding players who will outperform their starting price leaves more cash to splash on the high-priced superstars who generate most of our points each week.
The early team picker is now open – SuperCoach Plus subscribers can access the early team picker and start assembling a squad for 2023. Sign up for SuperCoach Plus now to gain access or use your News Corp masthead subscription or subscribe to Code Sports for the introductory offer of just $1 for six months.
Here are 11 players who could be huge bargains in 2023.
Tom Mitchell (Coll) $528,600 MID
Do we judge Mitchell on his 2022 season? He averaged 96 KFC SuperCoach points a game, his lowest return since 2014, before moving to Collingwood in a last-minute trade. And that move could change everything for the 29-year-old Brownlow winner. He was pushed out of the centre square at Hawthorn, attending just 53 per cent of centre bounces last season – down from 80 per cent in his Brownlow year (when he averaged 129.1 KFC SuperCoach points). Expect a much more prominent centre bounce role at the Magpies, who didn’t have a player rank in the top 40 in the AFL for clearances in 2022. Lachie Neale started last season at $543k before going on to average 122.8. Can Mitchell, who hasn’t started a season this cheap since 2016, be the Neale of 2023?
Tarryn Thomas (NM) $295,700 MID-FWD
The former No.8 draft pick was considered a potential bargain at the start of last season when he was priced at $459,300. That followed a hot finish to the 2021 season when he averaged 103.7 over the final seven rounds. But Thomas will want to move on quickly from a horror 2022 season, when he played just 10 matches – for a KFC SuperCoach average of 53.7 – as he struggled with injuries, motivation and the death of his grandmother. “In Tarryn’s situation, he had some things going on in his life. It is a good reminder that sometimes what goes on in life is much more important than what happens in a footy club,” new Roos coach Alastair Clarkson said in late August. Can Clarko bring out the best in Thomas? If he can that price will be an absolute steal. One thing to watch – Thomas is involved in a police investigation surrounding a dispute with his ex-girlfriend.
Jacob Hopper (GWS) $332,000 MID
Richmond midfielders haven’t been high on the KFC SuperCoach shopping list for a while, but two new arrivals could change all that in 2023. Tim Taranto will be a popular pick as a MID-FWD, but Jacob Hopper could be the bargain of the pair after receiving a heavily discounted price following a “frustrating” year in which he managed just seven matches at an average of 67 KFC SuperCoach points. The previous season he averaged 97 over 21 games, his third year in a row over 90 points a game. Can be break three figures for the first time next year? He’ll get every opportunity as a centre bounce bull at Punt Rd and should definitely make early cash, but the question will be if we are happy to pay $332k for a player who likely won’t be a season keeper.
Ben King (Gold Coast) $176,300 FWD
King’s KFC SuperCoach scoring history – averages of 53.4 and 55.6 in his past two completed seasons – says hard pass. But his price says tell me more! King is reportedly progressing well after suffering an ACL injury in February. “He’s looking fantastic,” coach Stuart Dew told SEN. “He’s put on a fair bit of weight, he’s been able to put a lot of time into his physical preparation ... He’s almost in full training, that’s fantastic for the group to see him out there.” King will return to a much stronger Gold Coast team and while the Suns’ early fixture is mixed – they face Sydney, Essendon, Geelong, St Kilda, Fremantle and North Melbourne in the opening six rounds – he will only have to kick one or two bags to shoot up in value. At that price, you can pick him on the bench anyway.
Oscar Allen (West Coast) $210,200 FWD
The signs on the track are also positive for the 23-year-old forward, who sat out the entire 2022 season with foot injury. “Oscar has been fantastic,” Eagles football manager Gavin Bell told SEN WA last week. “He’s out there, he’s doing everything he needs to do, he’s making some really great progress. He’s going to be really important for us going forward.” Allen also isn’t a noted KFC SuperCoach scorer – his best season was 2020 when he averaged 78.6 – but we don’t need to think back far to know the value of forwards in the low $200k price bracket who have extra opportunity, as Allen will following the retirement of Josh Kennedy.
Nat Fyfe $313,600 (Frem) MID-FWD
It’s almost pointless including the champ on this list – the temptation if Fyfe is named for Fremantle’s round 1 game next season will be impossible to resist. After all, this is a guy who has averaged 120-plus three times in his career and 100-plus 10 times, including in nine of the past 10 seasons. And we can pick him as a forward! But we do need to discuss his injury history. Fyfe has always been injury-prone and last year he managed just seven matches as he battled repeated back and hamstring problems, spending a lot of time forward on his way to an average of 63.3, the lowest of his career. That is likely a sign of his role in the emerging Dockers side, and 31-year-olds with dodgy hamstrings are a proven recipe for KFC SuperCoach disaster. But imagine Nat Fyfe at F4 ...
Nick Coffield (StK) $208,800 DEF
Coffield is something of a forgotten man, at least outside Moorabbin, after missing the season following a knee reconstruction. But he’s looking forward to hitting the ground running in the new year. “It is coming along pretty well. I’m not doing contact yet, but it is all on track and on time so far,” Coffield told the AFL website. “If all goes to plan, January is when I’ll be back with the group completely. By the time we start match sim, I should be good to go.” A former top-10 draft pick, Coffield could play a friendly role across half-back, and we saw what that did for Jack Sinclair’s output. On the watch list to see if he’s part of Ross Lyon’s plans.
Toby McLean (WB) $178,900 MID-FWD
The hard-tackling forward reminded the footy world what he can do when he returned to the Bulldogs line-up for this year’s elimination final. After two ACL injuries in as many years, McLean was one of the Dogs’ best on a disappointing night in Perth with 21 disposals, nine tackles and 100 KFC SuperCoach points. McLean then hit the ground running, winning the endurance test on day one of pre-season training, but then broke his hand, requiring surgery. He’ll return to full training in January, but can he keep the injury curse at bay? If he’s named in round 1 he’ll be almost impossible to pass
Dom Sheed (WC) $332,000 MID
Sheed epitomised the Eagles’ cursed 2022 season, suffering an ankle injury in the first practice match in February then going down again in his comeback game with a stress-related lower leg injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season. The result was one game for the year for a KFC SuperCoach score of 67. His extremely limited game time has delivered a big price discount – he’ll start 2023 with the exact same price tag as Jacob Hopper. Could you pick both? Sheed hasn’t been a premium scorer in the past, but he has consistently averaged 80-plus with a career-best of 95 in West Coast’s premiership season.
Darcy Wilmot (Bris) $123,900 DEF
One thing is certain, Wilmot will feature in close to 100 per cent of teams in the early team picker. With rookie stocks largely unknown, we can pencil in Wilmot for D7 or D8 after he made his AFL debut in the Lions’ qualifying final win against Richmond – fortunately, finals don’t count in KFC SuperCoach price calculations. He went on to play in all three of Brisbane’s finals, picking up 11, 15 and 12 disposals and averaging 62 KFC SuperCoach points. Pick 16 in last year’s draft, Wilmot has a year in the system and will be hoping to add to his AFL games tally early in 2023.
Jack Bowes (Geel) $277,500 DEF
A high draft pick pushed out of the Suns in a salary dump and goes on to become one of the buys of the year at his new club. We’ve seen that story once with Will Brodie, can Bowes repeat his success? Bowes will start 2023 at a similar price to Brodie last season, the question is what role will he play at the Cats? Geelong hasn’t been an easy team to break into but if the former No.10 draft pick can establish himself he has shown he can score, especially off half-back, averaging 82.8 in 2021 and 84 in 2020. In that year he burst out of the blocks and jumped in value by $100,000 over the first month, and he’ll be starting a lot cheaper next season after playing just five games in 2022 due to

 

[Socrates2]

A rookies article.

https://www.jockreynolds.com.au/2023/01/01/supercoach-afl-2023-cheapies-guide/

 

[Shannon]

KFC SuperCoach 2023: 11 underpriced and overpriced players to watch
Identifying a player’s true value is a key to success in KFC SuperCoach. We’ve done the work for you, listing 11 players to watch and 11 to avoid in 2023.

Some huge potential bargains jumped off the page when full prices were released for KFC SuperCoach AFL 2023 last week.
A closer reading of the numbers has revealed further nuggets, and players who we might want to avoid next season – at least if we don’t want to lose money.

11 UNDERPRICED PLAYERS

Harry Himmelberg (GWS) $499,000 DEF-FWD
The GWS utility was one of the great beneficiaries of Mark McVeigh’s interim coaching revolution as he shuffled into defence and became a hugely relevant KFC SuperCoach player. Himmelberg was averaging 62 KFC SuperCoach points a game to round 10 and bottomed out at $318k before his campaign came to life with consecutive scores of 126 and 187 playing in defence. Himmelberg averaged 112 in the last 12 rounds of 2022 in his new role, including eight tons and only two scores of less than 95. A season average of 112 would have priced Himmelberg at more than $600,000 yet he’s available for less than $500,000. Now all eyes are on Adam Kingsley to see where he uses Himmelberg in his first season as Giants coach.

Rory Sloane (Adelaide) $413,800 MID
OK, at almost 33 years old and coming off a long-term injury, Sloane carries several KFC SuperCoach red flags. But bear in mind his 2022 average of 83.5 was his lowest since 2010. To give some perspective, that’s the year there was a drawn grand final, new St Kilda coach Ross Lyon was still in his first stint as Saints coach and Chris Judd shocked hot favourite Dane Swan to win the Brownlow Medal. Most KFC SuperCoaches will remember that year mostly fondly as fantasy hall of famer Michael Barlow debuted for Fremantle. But we digress. Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to consider Sloane as a KFC SuperCoach option is the amount of time he spent forward in his four appearances in 2022. As Adelaide transitions to a new-look midfield, Sloane could become a MID-FWD for potentially just over $400,000. He only needs to average 95-105 to potentially be a F6 keeper and he’s more than capable of that. All eyes on how he progresses during pre-season.

Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) $453,200 FWD
Perhaps one of the biggest positional shocks for KFC SuperCoach 2023 was the Brisbane Lions captain being listed as a FWD. Zorko finished last season as a DEF-MID but will reprise the role he dominated in KFC SuperCoach in 2021. Zorko endured an injury-hit and at times controversial campaign, hurt in round 1 (26 KFC SuperCoach points) and round 16 (6 KFC SuperCoach points). He subsequently finished with the lowest KFC SuperCoach average of his career (82.3) and will start next season more than $140,000 cheaper than in 2022. The make-up of Chris Fagan’s midfield will likely decide whether Zorko can return to premium numbers. If he spends time in the engine room expect a spike in numbers, but competition will be fierce after the arrival of Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft. He’s underpriced, his regular position will decide by how much.

Darcy Cameron (Collingwood) $465,900 RUC-FWD
Anyone who played KFC SuperCoach in 2022 will know my love for the man affectionately known as DCAM – to me, at least. Cameron will be Collingwood’s No. 1 ruckman next year after Brodie Grundy’s move to Melbourne and shapes as a popular selection after retaining FWD status. Cameron was averaging 46.6 points until round 6 when Grundy was injured and he took on the mantle as the Pies’ leading big man. Cameron averaged 96.5 from round 7 onwards despite showing signs of fatigue later in the campaign. His best run was rounds 7-15 when he averaged 110.6. An average of 96 would ordinarily have Cameron priced closer to $500,000, and it’s clear his potential to push to an average of 100-plus makes him a great underpriced target. With question marks over most of the top-priced options in his position, expect him to be one of the popular starting picks of 2023.

Nick Daicos (Collingwood) $502,500 DEF
How can a player who averaged 91 points a game and is priced accordingly be underpriced? Put simply, Daicos’s scoring is only going to take off from here. The Magpies father-son gun enjoyed a remarkable debut season, scoring six KFC SuperCoach tons and becoming a season keeper for many coaches after starting at $193,800. This assessment of Daicos isn’t based off statistics and he isn’t undervalued due to injury or form, like other players on the list. He’s undervalued because at some point he’s going to push into the uber premium category, and it would take a brave KFC SuperCoach to bet against that taking place in 2023. Daicos hit $562k in round 20 of his debut season and has all the traits to become a regular 100-plus KFC SuperCoach scorer.

Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne) $419,000 MID-FWD
Cunnington’s return to football after battling testicular cancer was one of the inspiring football stories of 2022. KFC SuperCoaches who expected the North Melbourne hard man to be priced off two games when he averaged 49.5 were being a bit optimistic. But our friends at Champion Data have at least given us pause for thought by naming Cunnington as a FWD as well as a MID for 2023. There are always unknowns when a new coach takes over and Cunnington has played only 20 games in the past three seasons due to his health issues. But if there are any signs Alastair Clarkson intends to use Cunnington as part of his midfield rotation, he should be on your KFC SuperCoach radar. At $419k price Cunnington is priced at an average of about 77. The last time he averaged that low in a full season was 2012.

Brodie Grundy (Melbourne) $512,900 RUC
Who knows if Grundy is truly undervalued or if we’re living in the past. But at this stage, he at least appears to present value. Grundy’s partnership with Max Gawn looms as the greatest pre-season talking point in KFC SuperCoach for 2023. Will the Demons ruck pairing ruin each other as KFC SuperCoach premiums or can they propel each other to even greater heights? This is Grundy’s lowest starting price since 2016, which was two years before he became a KFC SuperCoach stud by averaging 130. Perhaps the most compelling part of Grundy’s partnership with Gawn will be who spends most time forward. At some point in 2023 KFC SuperCoaches are likely to be able to get Grundy and/or Gawn as a RUC-FWD. And if Grundy’s price stays this low, that might be too hard to ignore.

Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide) $513,800 FWD-MID
It seemed only a matter of time until Rozee became a KFC SuperCoach star, and after his addition to Port Adelaide’s midfield he fits firmly into that category. Ken Hinkley waited until round 5 to make Rozee a regular part of his onball rotation and the results were staggering. After KFC SuperCoach scores of 25, 48, 75 and 57 to open the campaign, Rozee inspired Port Adelaide’s round 5 comeback against Carlton after being thrown into the middle after halftime. A week later he had 31 disposals and eight clearances against West Coast. Rozee averaged 102 KFC SuperCoach points from round 5 onwards and showcased his points ceiling with scores of 153, 154 and 162 during that period. If he continues to play as a full-time midfielder (and why wouldn’t he?) a price based on an average of 93 is at least 10 points under where Rozee should be.

 

[Shannon]

Tim Taranto (Richmond) $503,100 FWD-MID
As a Carlton supporter, I was initially a bit taken aback by one of my KFC SuperCoach favourites joining Richmond and bolstering the Tigers’ bid for a return to the top. Then Richmond started talking about using Taranto as a full-time midfielder and his two-way running. Frankly, I was sold. Taranto was one of the players most affected by Leon Cameron’s musical chairs and seemingly paid a price for his versatility and ability to have an impact inside 50. Of course, that’s good news for KFC SuperCoaches and he remains available as a FWD. But there’s no doubt it has affected Taranto’s scoring after he looked destined to hit uber premium status after averaging 102.4 in 2019. Taranto’s best season average since then has been 97.3, but he has never regularly played in his best position as a full-time midfielder. KFC SuperCoaches – and, OK, Richmond fans – should be excited about the potential for Taranto to launch back to a triple-figure average as a key member of the Punt Rd onball brigade.

Rowan Marshall (St Kilda) $506,500 RUC
Another underpriced option who comes with an asterisk. Playing as a sole ruckman, Marshall has the potential to put himself in the stratosphere of Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy’s best KFC SuperCoach seasons. Just look at round 20, 2022. Marshall amassed 35 hitouts, 30 disposals, seven tackles and took nine marks on his way to 173 KFC SuperCoach points against Hawthorn. The issue is a few weeks later he was back in the forward 50 while Tom Campbell took the centre bounces. That was under Brett Ratten, and Ross Lyon preferred to go with one ruckman and a versatile back-up (such as Jason Blake) in his last stint as St Kilda coach. Although that was a decade ago, KFC SuperCoaches can only hope he does something similar with Marshall. His 2022 average of 92 was Marshall’s lowest for four years and I am confident in predicting he will be a $600,000-plus player and the best-scoring ruck of 2023 if he plays as a solo ruckman in 15 or more games (as he should). Over to you, Ross.

Elliot Yeo (West Coast) $337,000 DEF
Seasoned KFC SuperCoaches will tell you picking players with an injury is asking for trouble – and it is. But every so often a bargain presents itself that might be too good to pass up (full pre-season pending). Yeo has been restricted to 27 matches in the past three years after averaging 107.9 and 107.6 KFC SuperCoach points in 2018 and 2019. He is priced at an average of about 62, which Yeo could eclipse in a half when he’s up and running. He’s still only 29 years of age, but there are warning signs when West Coast has already flagged Yeo will be managed through pre-season. He’s the sort of player you would want to watch twice and then assess how he’s tracking and jump on before a potential price rise. If he can get his body right, he’s good enough to make more than $200,000 and even be a potential season keeper in defence. But that’s a big if.

11 OVERPRICED PLAYERS

George Hewett $613,300 MID

Hewett’s price peaked at $576k in 2022 as he recorded his best season average (111.4). That mark was more than 22 points better than Hewett’s previous season best (88) as he flourished in a contested midfield role under Michael Voss. Can he replicate that type of scoring in 2023? He ticks a lot of boxes the KFC SuperCoach scorers are looking for. But there are two red flags which suggest there will be much better value picks in what is always a hotly-contested midfield pool. Hewett missed the last five rounds of the year due to injury and any further flare up would leave KFC SuperCoaches with a big midfield hole. He has also lost DEF status, a commodity which made him so valuable as a starting pick in 2022. Hard to justify paying more for a player than he’s ever been valued in his KFC SuperCoach career.

Lloyd Meek $431,100 RUC

This one is sure to cause some conjecture, as I’m sure there are KFC SuperCoaches out there who would suggest Meek is in fact undervalued – especially if he becomes Hawthorn’s No. 1 ruckman. The reality is the former Docker will be competing with Max Lynch and Ned Reeves to be Sam Mitchell’s go-to ruckman and after inheriting the No. 7 jumper, Reeves likely has the inside running. Let’s assume Meek plays in tandem with Reeves. He has considerable upside and scored at least 78 KFC SuperCoach points in each of his six appearances in 2022. The biggest issue will be whether he can keep Reeves and Lynch out of the team for a full season which, pardon the pun, seems a tall order. Playing as one of two ruckmen is going to severely limit his KFC SuperCoach potential.

Taylor Walker $499,200 FWD

Overpriced? Maybe. But it largely depends on your view of whether Walker can back up what was his best KFC SuperCoach season since 2012. Last season was only the second in Walker’s career when he has averaged 90 KFC SuperCoach points or better and history would suggests he is almost certain to be available for lower than his starting price at some stage in 2023. There were only two rounds in 2022 when Walker cost more than $499,200 and he never hit that price in 2021. If you’re starting Walker, you’re banking on him making a fast start to the season during a tough run against GWS, Richmond, Port Adelaide, Fremantle and Carlton to start the year. Hold off because you’re almost certain to be able to get him for less than $450,000 at some stage.

Jarrod Witts $605,100 RUC

Another player who fits into the George Hewett category. The Gold Coast ruckman averaged more than 10 points above his previous season-best in 2022, breaking the 100 KFC SuperCoach point barrier for the first time. It was a remarkable season as he returned from an ACL injury to be the best KFC SuperCoach ruckman of the year. Scoring history would suggest Witts regresses, although his scoring was largely based on sustainable figures such as contested possessions and hitouts to advantage. The make-up of Gold Coast’s forward line will be interesting. Ben King likely comes in for Levi Casboult, but if they play together it could release Mabior Chol to play more in the ruck, which could limit Witts’ scoring. There are enough question marks to at least be cautious.

Billy Frampton $408,800 DEF

Let’s take a look at Frampton’s season averages before being used as a defender in 2022 – 44, 43.5, 53.2 and 44.6. Playing in defence is undoubtedly a more KFC SuperCoach friendly role than as a key forward, which helped Frampton’s average lift to 82.3 in six games before being traded to Collingwood. He appears to have joined the Magpies as a key defensive reinforcement and if you’re willing to pay more than $400,000 for that in KFC SuperCoach, you must have a bigger budget than the rest of us.

Braydon Preuss $506,000 RUC

If you’re even entertaining riding the Braydon Preuss rollercoaster again, you’re a much braver KFC SuperCoach than our experts. Preuss was $204k to start last season, $303k in 2021 and $329k in 2020. He has never played more than four games in a row during his career through a combination of suspension, injury and selection. And really whether you somehow think $506k actually represents value, that should tell you all you need to know. Despite his high scoring ceiling, $506k won’t seem like a smart price if he ends up dropped, suspended or injured a few rounds into 2023.

 

[Shannon]

Travis Boak $580,200 MID

We’ll admit this feels a bit harsh, but hear us out. Boak’s midfield time was on the wane in 2022 as Zak Butters and, in particular Connor Rozee, took on greater onball responsibility at Port Adelaide. Boak hasn’t averaged less than 105 in the past four seasons, but an analysis of his finish to 2022 suggests a changing role will almost certainly impact his scoring. The Power veteran scored only three tons and averaged 98 KFC SuperCoach points in the last nine rounds. That doesn’t sound like a dramatic fall, but after averaging 138 in the opening month it was a clear drop off. It’d be worth waiting to see if he gets FWD-MID status at some point, especially with Jason Horne-Francis now in the midfield mix too.

Tom Lynch $519,100 FWD

Let’s compare Lynch’s 2023 starting price to previous years. 2022: $381,300. 2021: $366,700. 2020: $388,800. 2019: $425,600. 2018: $467,600. The only other year he started with a price tag of more than $500,000 was 2017 when Lynch was $507,200 coming off a career-best KFC SuperCoach campaign. The main reason Lynch appears overpriced is the history of SuperCoach scoring from key forwards. They are the most volatile scorers in the game, often relying in big hauls of goals for points. No one is doubting Lynch’s quality, but he will almost certainly be available for $100,000 lower than his starting price at some point in 2023. That’s when you can start talking value.

Isaac Heeney $557,100 FWD

Oh, Isaac “more midfield time” Heeney. As it turns out, you don’t actually need to spend bulk time in midfield to score premium numbers. KFC SuperCoaches have been waiting for years for Heeney’s evolution into a full-time midfielder and dared to dream it would eventuate when Lance Franklin returned to the Sydney side last season. While Heeney spent more time in the middle, it was largely his impact forward of centre which led to a season headlined by 13 KFC SuperCoach hundreds. However, even during a run of seven successive tons to end the year, Heeney’s price never reached $550,000. Is he value? Probably not. Is he a bad selection? No.

Shannon Hurn $577,800 DEF

Maybe it’s that I was burned paying top dollar for Hurn, but consider this a word of warning. A few years ago I paid $562,200 for the Eagles veteran and after an early score of 152 his campaign turned into a disaster. Enough of my tale of woe. You want to know why he’s overpriced. Who wants to pay premium dollars for a player entering their final season, who could be managed and who hasn’t played 20 games in a season since 2018? It just screams of a selection asking for trouble, regardless of the fact there will be a stack of footy in West Coast’s back half again in 2023.

Alex Witherden $552,400 DEF

Paying more than $550,000 for a player not even guaranteed a game every week? It’s a big no from us. The scoring potential is there, but his role is monopolised when he plays alongside Shannon Hurn anyway. Hard pass.

 

[Russty_]

KFC SuperCoach 2023: 11 underpriced and overpriced players to watch
Identifying a player’s true value is a key to success in KFC SuperCoach. We’ve done the work for you, listing 11 players to watch and 11 to avoid in 2023.

Some huge potential bargains jumped off the page when full prices were released for KFC SuperCoach AFL 2023 last week.
A closer reading of the numbers has revealed further nuggets, and players who we might want to avoid next season – at least if we don’t want to lose money.

11 UNDERPRICED PLAYERS

Harry Himmelberg (GWS) $499,000 DEF-FWD
The GWS utility was one of the great beneficiaries of Mark McVeigh’s interim coaching revolution as he shuffled into defence and became a hugely relevant KFC SuperCoach player. Himmelberg was averaging 62 KFC SuperCoach points a game to round 10 and bottomed out at $318k before his campaign came to life with consecutive scores of 126 and 187 playing in defence. Himmelberg averaged 112 in the last 12 rounds of 2022 in his new role, including eight tons and only two scores of less than 95. A season average of 112 would have priced Himmelberg at more than $600,000 yet he’s available for less than $500,000. Now all eyes are on Adam Kingsley to see where he uses Himmelberg in his first season as Giants coach.

Rory Sloane (Adelaide) $413,800 MID
OK, at almost 33 years old and coming off a long-term injury, Sloane carries several KFC SuperCoach red flags. But bear in mind his 2022 average of 83.5 was his lowest since 2010. To give some perspective, that’s the year there was a drawn grand final, new St Kilda coach Ross Lyon was still in his first stint as Saints coach and Chris Judd shocked hot favourite Dane Swan to win the Brownlow Medal. Most KFC SuperCoaches will remember that year mostly fondly as fantasy hall of famer Michael Barlow debuted for Fremantle. But we digress. Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to consider Sloane as a KFC SuperCoach option is the amount of time he spent forward in his four appearances in 2022. As Adelaide transitions to a new-look midfield, Sloane could become a MID-FWD for potentially just over $400,000. He only needs to average 95-105 to potentially be a F6 keeper and he’s more than capable of that. All eyes on how he progresses during pre-season.

Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) $453,200 FWD
Perhaps one of the biggest positional shocks for KFC SuperCoach 2023 was the Brisbane Lions captain being listed as a FWD. Zorko finished last season as a DEF-MID but will reprise the role he dominated in KFC SuperCoach in 2021. Zorko endured an injury-hit and at times controversial campaign, hurt in round 1 (26 KFC SuperCoach points) and round 16 (6 KFC SuperCoach points). He subsequently finished with the lowest KFC SuperCoach average of his career (82.3) and will start next season more than $140,000 cheaper than in 2022. The make-up of Chris ***an’s midfield will likely decide whether Zorko can return to premium numbers. If he spends time in the engine room expect a spike in numbers, but competition will be fierce after the arrival of Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft. He’s underpriced, his regular position will decide by how much.

Darcy Cameron (Collingwood) $465,900 RUC-FWD
Anyone who played KFC SuperCoach in 2022 will know my love for the man affectionately known as DCAM – to me, at least. Cameron will be Collingwood’s No. 1 ruckman next year after Brodie Grundy’s move to Melbourne and shapes as a popular selection after retaining FWD status. Cameron was averaging 46.6 points until round 6 when Grundy was injured and he took on the mantle as the Pies’ leading big man. Cameron averaged 96.5 from round 7 onwards despite showing signs of fatigue later in the campaign. His best run was rounds 7-15 when he averaged 110.6. An average of 96 would ordinarily have Cameron priced closer to $500,000, and it’s clear his potential to push to an average of 100-plus makes him a great underpriced target. With question marks over most of the top-priced options in his position, expect him to be one of the popular starting picks of 2023.

Nick Daicos (Collingwood) $502,500 DEF
How can a player who averaged 91 points a game and is priced accordingly be underpriced? Put simply, Daicos’s scoring is only going to take off from here. The Magpies father-son gun enjoyed a remarkable debut season, scoring six KFC SuperCoach tons and becoming a season keeper for many coaches after starting at $193,800. This assessment of Daicos isn’t based off statistics and he isn’t undervalued due to injury or form, like other players on the list. He’s undervalued because at some point he’s going to push into the uber premium category, and it would take a brave KFC SuperCoach to bet against that taking place in 2023. Daicos hit $562k in round 20 of his debut season and has all the traits to become a regular 100-plus KFC SuperCoach scorer.

Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne) $419,000 MID-FWD
Cunnington’s return to football after battling testicular cancer was one of the inspiring football stories of 2022. KFC SuperCoaches who expected the North Melbourne hard man to be priced off two games when he averaged 49.5 were being a bit optimistic. But our friends at Champion Data have at least given us pause for thought by naming Cunnington as a FWD as well as a MID for 2023. There are always unknowns when a new coach takes over and Cunnington has played only 20 games in the past three seasons due to his health issues. But if there are any signs Alastair Clarkson intends to use Cunnington as part of his midfield rotation, he should be on your KFC SuperCoach radar. At $419k price Cunnington is priced at an average of about 77. The last time he averaged that low in a full season was 2012.

Brodie Grundy (Melbourne) $512,900 RUC
Who knows if Grundy is truly undervalued or if we’re living in the past. But at this stage, he at least appears to present value. Grundy’s partnership with Max Gawn looms as the greatest pre-season talking point in KFC SuperCoach for 2023. Will the Demons ruck pairing ruin each other as KFC SuperCoach premiums or can they propel each other to even greater heights? This is Grundy’s lowest starting price since 2016, which was two years before he became a KFC SuperCoach stud by averaging 130. Perhaps the most compelling part of Grundy’s partnership with Gawn will be who spends most time forward. At some point in 2023 KFC SuperCoaches are likely to be able to get Grundy and/or Gawn as a RUC-FWD. And if Grundy’s price stays this low, that might be too hard to ignore.

Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide) $513,800 FWD-MID
It seemed only a matter of time until Rozee became a KFC SuperCoach star, and after his addition to Port Adelaide’s midfield he fits firmly into that category. Ken Hinkley waited until round 5 to make Rozee a regular part of his onball rotation and the results were staggering. After KFC SuperCoach scores of 25, 48, 75 and 57 to open the campaign, Rozee inspired Port Adelaide’s round 5 comeback against Carlton after being thrown into the middle after halftime. A week later he had 31 disposals and eight clearances against West Coast. Rozee averaged 102 KFC SuperCoach points from round 5 onwards and showcased his points ceiling with scores of 153, 154 and 162 during that period. If he continues to play as a full-time midfielder (and why wouldn’t he?) a price based on an average of 93 is at least 10 points under where Rozee should be.

Chris ***an ay? The only reason those 3 letters should be censored is if they were being used on their own for that hateful reason, not if they are included in the spelling of an individual's given name. Not your fault Shannon and thanks for posting the articles, much appreciated.

 

[MC's Mix]

@Russty_ It's this forum that censored it, not the Herald Sun article.

 

[randomcliche]

Chris ***an ay? The only reason those 3 letters should be censored is if they were being used on their own for that hateful reason, not if they are included in the spelling of an individual's given name. Not your fault Shannon and thanks for posting the articles, much appreciated.

Blame the bot not the poster/author/anyone. Not much we can do (especially when copying a whole article) perhaps write Fegan if you'd like a butchered version that will make it through or like me (which it also frustrates) just roll with it.

 

[Russty_]

Blame the bot not the poster. Not much we can do (especially when copying a whole article) perhaps write Fegan if you'd like a butchered version that will make it through or like me (which it also frustrates) just roll with it.

Didn't blame the poster, do the Herald Sun or AFL website censor his name when it is to be printed? Censorship should be decided by people, not bots. There's nothing obscene or censorship-worthy about Chris Faygan's name (without the y)...it's just his name.

 

[Ironhawk]

It could be worse. I used to visit a soccer forum where one team name (S****horpe) couldn't even be posted.

...Not surprisingly, it is censored by the bots here too.

Edit: Didn't realise that team was going so poorly - last place in the 5th league, pretty sure they were in the third (League One) a couple of years back.

 

[randomcliche]

Didn't blame the poster, do the Herald Sun or AFL website censor his name when it is to be printed? Censorship should be decided by people, not bots. There's nothing obscene or censorship-worthy about Chris Faygan's name (without the y)...it's just his name.

Right you are - didn't blame Shannon. The bots mistakes area small price to pay if that helps keep this place the awesome respectful place that it is.

 

[Russty_]

@Russty_ It's this forum that censored it, not the Herald Sun article.

I'm aware of that MC's, I just think if there is any censorship to be enacted, it should be done by a real person, not by a bot that can't distinguish between offensive and someone's birth given name.

 

[Russty_]

It could be worse. I used to visit a soccer forum where one team name (S****horpe) couldn't even be posted.

...Not surprisingly, it is censored by the bots here too.

Edit: Didn't realise that team was going so poorly - last place in the 5th league, pretty sure they were in the third (League One) a couple of years back.

I thought there were tons of admins here who did all the overseeing..at least that's what I thought because this place is so well run, but I don't agree with the bot censoring of words out of context.

 

[Russty_]

It could be worse. I used to visit a soccer forum where one team name (S****horpe) couldn't even be posted.

...Not surprisingly, it is censored by the bots here too.

Edit: Didn't realise that team was going so poorly - last place in the 5th league, pretty sure they were in the third (League One) a couple of years back.

(S****horpe) is a pretty unfortunate name for that poor bugger, especially if a horpe is also something pretty S***

 

[MC's Mix]

Might not be hugely SC relevant, but can anyone please share 'Ultimate guide: Every club’s under 23s rated'

 

[Shannon]

Might not be hugely SC relevant, but can anyone please share 'Ultimate guide: Every club’s under 23s rated'

Ultimate guide to every club’s under 23s heading into the 2023 season
Just how good are your club’s youngsters? Ahead of the 2023 season, check out our deep dive analysis on the players who should be taking your club to its next premiership.


Glenn McFarlane has gone through every club’s under 23s, breaking down the key players and where they stand.

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE UNDER 23S

# to be eligible a player has to be under 23 years of age at March 1, 2023

ADELAIDE

HEADLINE ACT

When you are on a five-year $800,000 per season deal, the pressure of expectation is always going to strike. Is Izak Rankine up to the challenge? We’ll soon find out as the Crows will want him to turn those jaw-dropping Suns cameos into something more sustainable on a week-to-week basis.

X-FACTOR

Forget the fact that Josh Rachele trailed off in the second half of the season, he is one of the Crows’ new fan favourites as he heads into his second season. Has a new deal until the end of 2025 and he and Riley Thilthorpe can boost the excitement levels in 2023.

QUESTION MARK

There were queries over his future but it’s now come to a head after Fischer McAsey quit the club earlier this week citing he lost enjoyment at the top level. There was talk the one-time Victorian could be headed back home before the trade period but nothing eventuated. It’s disappointing for McAsey and the Crows given he was originally a pick 6. The fact he hadn’t played a senior game since his 2020 debut season meant the Crows missed the mark with the draft selection.

UNTAPPED TALENT

Adelaide’s first father-son selection Max Michalanney looks like he will be worth the wait. The Swans bid on Michalanney – whose dad Jim was a Norwood star – but Adelaide was always going to match at pick 17. He looks like being a defensive star for a decade or more.

BRISBANE LIONS

HEADLINE ACT

He hasn’t played a senior AFL game yet but the hype surrounding Will Ashcroft means he will be the box-office ‘must watch’ young talent player for the Lions in 2023. Brisbane has recruited so well with its established players this off-season, but Ashcroft is the young gun who can come in immediately and work with Lachie Neale and co in the middle.

X-FACTOR

Three games, three finals … that’s how much the Brisbane Lions rate Darcy Wilmot. He had the composure to come in and play his role in September when needed and he will only benefit from that experience in 2023. The sky’s the limit.

QUESTION MARK

Brisbane’s list looks to have few worries. One slight area of concern could come if anything happened to Oscar McInerney. Darcy Fort is a solid back-up, but the Lions will be hoping Henry Smith can finally break through for his maiden AFL game. He is contracted until the end of this year. The Lions will be patient, but hopefully he can have a taste of it in 2023.

UNTAPPED TALENT

The Lions didn’t just get one exciting father-son prospect; they got two. And while all the attention has quite rightly gone to Will Ashcroft, don’t discount Jaspa Fletcher making an early impression either. The son of four-club player Adrian Fletcher, he will be given time to find his feet as a midfielder.

CARLTON

HEADLINE MAKER

Sam Walsh is making headlines for the wrong reasons this time around. The star midfielder has undergone pre-Christmas back surgery which will likely keep him out for the early part of next season, possibly even longer. It’s a huge blow for the Blues as he is one of the best young footballers in the game.

X-FACTOR

He’s still a bit raw, but Jesse Motlop has already shown enough in 12 games to suggest he is going to be the sort of X-factor the Blues require. His three goals against St Kilda were the highlight, but his forward tackling pressure (two lots of five in a game) was just as valuable.

QUESTION MARK

Sam Philp hasn’t been able to cut a break with his body in three seasons at the Blues since being pick 20 in the 2019 national draft. Having played two senior games (in 2020), Philp has endured groin issues and stress fractures, making 2023 an important season for him.

UNTAPPED TALENT

The Blues are still counting their lucky stars they landed Ollie Hollands at pick 11. He is a fierce competitor, a two-way runner and a lifelong Carlton fan. Don’t be surprised if he pushes hard for Round 1 selection.

COLLINGWOOD

HEADLINE MAKER

Who else but Nick Daicos! The son of a Magpies legend produced one of the great debut seasons in 2022, winning the Rising Star and the admiration of the footy world. Just imagine what he can do with another pre-season under his belt and a move to the midfield. Should we have a sneaky, speculative $5 at big odds to win the Brownlow Medal? Why not?

X-FACTOR

If Jack Ginnivan can kick 40 goals in a season when the pressure of the football world, and even the umps, looked to be against him, what can he do with an extra year under his belt? Possessing an innate ability to find the goals, the 20-year-old could push into the 50-goal bracket with some luck next season.

QUESTION MARK

Will Kelly was forced to wait until the end of the trade period to win a one-year contract, which shows it will be an important season in terms of his future at the club. In fairness, he hasn’t had much luck with his body. Pies fans would love to see him get an even break.

UNTAPPED TALENT

Collingwood couldn’t believe their good fortune when Ed Allan was available when the club’s pick 19 came around. Or that Ed’s father Ben went home to Fremantle after playing 98 games with Hawthorn (two short of the father-son criteria). Allan stands at 194cm and has the balance in that he can play in multiple positions and is at home inside and outside.

ESSENDON

HEADLINE MAKER

Nic Martin was a shining light in the gloom of 2022, as a pre-season supplemental selection. He played 21 games for 19 goals including five on debut against Geelong. How the hell did West Coast let him slip under their guard after he trained with them in the 2021 summer!

X-FACTOR

This pre-season is ‘Operation Build The Tank’ for Archie Perkins as he looks to book more midfield minutes in 2023. Perkins is an excitement machine. That much is certain after 38 games. But you suspect there is another level to go when he starts to mature more.

QUESTION MARK

Where is Nik Cox’s best position? It’s a question new coach Brad Scott will need an answer to as he looks to get the best out of the Bombers’ talent. After playing 22 games on debut, he managed only five in 2022 due to a Lisfranc injury. Cox has played in numerous roles, including the wing. It might be time to send him down back as he prepares for season three.

UNTAPPED TALENT

The fact Essendon repelled all interest from up to five clubs to get their hands on their prized first round pick (four which became five after the Will Ashcroft bid) should tell us all we need to know about Elijah Tsatas. He will bring speed and power to the club’s midfield, but may initially find his feet playing on the wing.

FREMANTLE

HEADLINE MAKER

Rising Star winner and a premiership in his first season; a massive contract offer from Fremantle in his second … Luke Jackson has already made his fair share of headlines. His decision to leave the Demons and return home to Perth on such a lucrative long-term contract means he will again be a major talking point in 2023. Caleb Serong won’t be far behind him in making on field headlines.

X-FACTOR

Heath Chapman is an X-factor capable of providing a team lift when required. He’s done it in defence, but we’d love to see him shift up to the wing at some stage in 2023 and take his game to the next level. Watch this space.

QUESTION MARK

Sam Sturt hasn’t had much luck in four injury-hit seasons with the Dockers. He will enter the final year of his current deal desperate for a change of luck.

UNTAPPED TALENT

Jy Amiss might have the best nickname at the Dockers – ‘Nev’ (as in Nev Amiss). He has only played three AFL matches (for 4.1), including two in the elimination final win over the Bulldogs. Internally, the Dockers are hopeful Matthew Johnson – a 2021 draft slider who was snapped up on night two after Freo knocked back offers – can make the most of his undoubted potential after a frustrating foot injury in his debut AFL season.

 

[Shannon]

GEELONG

HEADLINE MAKER

Now we know why Chris Scott laughed when someone suggested last pre-season Sam De Koning might end up being a back-up ruckman. SDK is now a premiership defender, and he’s got an extra two year extension after rapidly becoming one of the best defenders in the game. Could be a freak.

X-FACTOR

Max Holmes cruelly missed out on a premiership medal after injury cost him his spot in the team. But the speedy, highly-skilled young Cat might be the difference in pushing Geelong to back-to-back success. He is a gamebreaker, and no lesser judge than Patrick Dangerfield believes he has Chris Judd-like capabilities and could yet prove himself as the best player in the league in coming seasons.

QUESTION MARK

If Ollie Henry couldn’t quite push into Collingwood’s best 22 at the business end of 2022, how can he do the same at Geelong? That’s a simplistic statement and it doesn’t take into account Henry’s enormous upside. As good as he was in attack for the Magpies, could he potentially lock in a spot in defence with the Cats?

UNTAPPED TALENT

If a deal is too good to be true, most people believe it is too good to be true. Wrong! Take a look at how Geelong engineered a trade for Jack Bowes and pick 7 from Gold Coast, which turned into Jhye Clark. How does the reigning premier team get a kid dubbed “the next Joel Selwood”? That’s why they are such a great club.


GOLD COAST

HEADLINE MAKER

Stuart Dew couldn’t be happier with Ben King’s return from a knee reconstruction, saying Round 1 was the target for his return. King kicked 47 goals from 22 games in 2021, and while he won’t be pushed, if he can conjure a similar return in 2023, it will help propel the Suns towards that elusive first finals series.

X-FACTOR

Can Noah Anderson take his game to the next level and become one of the premier midfielders of the competition? He provides everything the Suns need as far as an X-factor goes. Let’s hope he signs a new deal soon. His good mate Matt Rowell’s inside grunt isn’t necessarily X-factor stuff, but we suspect he will evolve and start finding some easier ball.

QUESTION MARK

Jack Lukosius is a good player, but is he ever going to be better than that? He recommitted to the Suns in the middle of the year, signing a new deal until the end of 2026. But we’d love to see him assert a little more influence and take more of a leadership role. And where’s his best position to play? That’s another debate.

UNTAPPED TALENT

Powerful mid-forward Bailey Humphrey looms as a 10-to-15-year player and insiders believe he can make an impact almost immediately. Gold Coast is stockpiling one of the most talented young midfield brigades in the game. The difference with Humphrey is that he looks to be just at home in attack as he does in the middle.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

HEADLINE MAKER

The Giants wanted Aaron Cadman so much they were prepared to trade for the No. 1 pick. They’ve waited a few years to make it happen, but they see Cadman as the long-term power forward Jeremy Cameron replacement. And the Giants are confident he won’t be a flight risk.

X-FACTOR

He’s more a grunt midfielder than bona fide X-factor, but the fascinating question surrounding Tom Green is whether the Giants can get him to commit for the long-term. He seems invested, but rival clubs will be coming for the out of contract Green, just as they did for Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. For new coach Adam Kingsley’s sake, we hope he stays.

QUESTION MARK

The Giants desperately need a key defender to step up and make a difference. Can the club’s No. 15 pick from the 2021 draft Leek Aleer be the player they drafted him for? Aleer is one of footy’s great stories. He played the last four games of 2022. Let’s hope he can establish himself and can inspire the next generation of kids.

UNTAPPED TALENT

A frustrating foot injury hindered Finn Callaghan’s first AFL season. Let’s hope he gets a decent crack at it soon as the one-time No. 3 pick is a serious footy talent. The Giants need him to reach his potential and are confident he can do so when he finally gets a chance.

HAWTHORN

HEADLINE MAKER

Jai Newcombe has freshly inked a new deal with the Hawks that ties him to the club until 2026. He is a star, and Sam Mitchell and the Hawks know it. Hard to believe he couldn’t get a spot with Gippsland Power in the under 16s, 17s and 18s. Newcombe is one of the Hawks’ most important players, having been runner-up in the Peter Crimmins Medal.

X-FACTOR

Josh Ward is the POD of the Hawks’ midfield. Point of difference, that is. Ward, who averaged almost 20 disposals in his 14 games on debut last year, has already become a vital part of the crew. But his point of difference is his pace and gut-running, and his raking left foot. The Hawks and left-footers … I feel like we’ve seen this template before.

QUESTION MARK

Well-regarded defender Denver Grainger-Barras has played 21 games (16 in 2022) in two AFL seasons. He has re-signed with the club until the end of 2024 and has a good future. But can he mature from a floating third defender into a key defender at 194cm? Is he a little undersized to play on the big monsters?

UNTAPPED TALENT

We’d love to see Will Day get a clear run at it for an entire season. His 2021 was ruined by injury, though he did manage to play 17 games last season. But we suspect there is more to come from the young defender. The Hawks are building some sort of defence …

MELBOURNE

HEADLINE MAKER

Can the Demons keep Kozzie Pickett? It’s going to be one of the biggest storylines of the coming season. Back to back hauls of 40-plus goals in his second and third seasons highlight his offensive weapons, but his defence and tackling pressure are just as effective. Port Adelaide will come knocking again – if they haven’t already done so – but the Demons are hopeful he sees the prospect of a second premiership medal looming in the future.

X-FACTOR

It’s hard to believe Jacob van Rooyen didn’t debut last season as Melbourne’s forward line woes remained unresolved. That won’t happen in 2023. He has been earmarked for advancement off the back of Luke Jackson’s departure. The Demons have locked van Rooyen in until 2025, an indication of their keenness. Track watchers have been impressed with the way in which he has attacked the first block of the pre-season.

QUESTION MARK

Could premiership defender Trent Rivers be tempted to return home to Perth like his great mate Luke Jackson was? He has a year to run on his current deal. Rivers played 18 games last season, but was dropped for a period. At his best, he is a walk-up start, as evidenced by his impact in 2021.

UNTAPPED TALENT

We’re going to take a punt on Blake Howes. He was the Demons’ pick 39 in the 2021 national draft and while he didn’t get the chance to play a senior game due a stress fracture, he showed some good talent at Casey. The forward looks to have good potential.

NORTH MELBOURNE

HEADLINE MAKER

Let’s be honest, we could have gone with Harry Sheezel – the Kangaroos’ first pick and overall pick three – in three of these categories. He’s not just a headline maker, he is also the club’s X-factor as well as the untapped talent. The exciting forward, who has modelled his game on Toby Greene, has the reputation of being a game changer. He can score, is deceptively good overhead (at 184 cm) and looks a lock for years to come.

X-FACTOR

What has happened to Tarryn Thomas? The talented mid dealt with some personal and family issues as well as a tough year internally at the club. He managed only 10 games in 2022 after his outstanding season the year before. Clarko not only wants him back in the team, he wants him back to his best, because the Roos need his X-factor qualities again.

QUESTION MARK

It looms as a crucial year for former top three pick Will Phillips, who had two separate bouts of glandular fever last year. While he played 16 games in his debut year, he couldn’t add to that tally in 2023. Still contracted until 2024, Phillips needs to get a clear bill of health and some confidence back to reach his potential.

UNTAPPED TALENT

If it wasn’t for Harry Sheezel, we’d be waxing lyrical about George Wardlaw, who was pick four in the national draft. What a great double act these two new Kangaroos could prove to be in the coming years. Let’s also include Flynn Perez. He hasn’t had much luck since being drafted as pick 35 in 2019 and is heading into the final year of his current deal. He played 16 games in 2022 and there was something in his 24-disposal Round 23 performance against Gold Coast that caught the eye.

 

[Shannon]

PORT ADELAIDE

HEADLINE ACT

Has there been a time when Jason Horne-Francis hasn’t been a headline maker? Fourteen months into his AFL career, he’s had two clubs and more back page headlines than most footballers have in their entire careers. He’s also had some people question how hard he is prepared to work to reach his undoubted potential. He is only 19 and still developing as a player and a person, but Port Adelaide knows he needs to knuckle down.

X-FACTOR

While Conor Rozee is marginally too old to be included as he will be 23 for the start of the season, Zak Butters is still eligible. Butters has often been seen to play second fiddle to the highly talented Rozee, but that’s not the case internally. The coaches love him. He’s brave to his own detriment at times, but he can lift a team in a heartbeat.

QUESTION MARK

Not too many question marks on the Port Adelaide youngsters, but 2023 looms as a big year for one-time top 20 draft pick Dylan Williams. He is about to enter his fourth AFL season with only one game to his name. He has undoubted talent, but needs to make his mark.

UNTAPPED TALENT

He’s 21 now and has played almost 50 games of AFL football, but we’ve got a feeling Mitch Georgiades hasn’t scratched the surface yet. His kicking for goal was a little wayward (23.24) in 2022, but he has the talent and temperament to turn it aroun
RICHMOND

HEADLINE MAKER

Toss up here between Josh Gibcus and Maurice Rioli Jr. We’ll go with Gibcus, purely because Rioli is an X-factor. Gibcus was named the Tigers’ best first year player off the back of his 18-game debut season. Gibcus is learning well off Dylan Grimes (31) and Robbie Tarrant (33) and looks to be a Tigers’ defensive mainstay for a decade or more.

X-FACTOR

Just the surname gets us excited. But Maurice Rioli Jr has much more than that in his trick bag. He doesn’t get a lot of the ball (yet), but he is effective when he does. Something always seems to happen when he is around the ball. Let’s add Noah Cumberland and Hugo Ralphsmith into this mix, too, as both showed talent at times in 2022.

QUESTION MARK

Jack Ross is contracted until the end of 2024 and has unquestionable talent, evidenced by his 15 games for a second consecutive season. But the young Tiger might have to find a refashioned role to lock in his spot in 2023 as the addition of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper and the return of Dustin Martin will make competition for midfield spots very tough.

UNTAPPED TALENT

Tyler Sonsie looks to be a serious player of the future. He played seven games in his debut season, holding his spot in the senior side for almost the last month of the season and having 17 disposals and kicking a goal in the elimination final. Will keep developing his craft.

ST KILDA

HEADLINE MAKER

Max King’s shoulder surgery will keep him out of the line-up for a large slice of the season. That’s not the start Ross Lyon wanted. But if St Kilda can find another avenue to goal in the interim, and get King back in the second half of the season, all will not be lost. King kicked 52.41 last season, which highlighted how good he is going to be in the future.

X-FACTOR

We’ve seen enough of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to understand why he is so important to St Kilda. He can do what a number of other Saints can’t – kick with precision. That’s why Wanganeen-Milera remains one of the most important signings, as he comes out of contract at the end of 2023 and the South Australian clubs will come knocking. Let’s hope he stays.

QUESTION MARK

Not much went right for Jack Bytel in 2022. He had injury and concussion issues, managing 12 VFL games without adding to his 16 AFL matches. A crucial season looms for Bytel as he enters the final year of his current deal. Can he turn his strong form in the lower level of the VFL into consistent performances at AFL level?

UNTAPPED TALENT

Marcus Windhager is much more than just a tagger, as good as he was on some leading midfielders at stages of 2022. He can take his game to a new level and win some more of the ball himself in 2023. And we love the confidence that pick 10 draftee Mattaes Phillipou has, knowing he has the talent to back it up. Lyon would be pleased to have access to under 23s like King, Wanageneen-Milera, Windhager, Phillipou and Mitch Owens.

SYDNEY

HEADLINE MAKER

Chad Warner wears the Swans’ No. 1 guernsey and by the end of 2023, he might well have stamped himself as the club’s No. 1 player. He’s almost there now, having finished runner-up in the 2022 best and fairest. Swans fans won’t ever want to watch last season’s grand final ever again, but if they are silly enough to do it, they might just see the moment Warner went from exciting young star to one of the club’s best on-field leaders.

X-FACTOR

John Longmire tipped Logan McDonald would come back “bigger and better” after being dropped for the grand final, despite playing 17 games for the season. He’s learnt so much already under Buddy Franklin, and will be hungry to make his mark in 2023. McDonald looks ready to turn those painful lessons into something more tangible.

QUESTION MARK

There is no doubt Braeden Campbell has a good future at Sydney, as evidenced by the club’s decision to extend his contract out until 2025. He’s played 25 games in two seasons. But some recruiters have wondered if the Swans went too early in drafting him with pick five in 2020. In fairness, the Swans don’t subscribe to that theory.

UNTAPPED TALENT

Let’s be a little speculative here. Angus Sheldrick has played two AFL games (eight disposals in one and the medical sub in the other) since being drafted at pick 18 in the 2021 draft. But those who saw him in his draft year know he can become a good AFL player.

WEST COAST

HEADLINE MAKER

The Eagles gave up pick two as part of the four-club mega trade, getting two first round picks in return. Part of the reasoning was they wanted Reuben Ginbey, the powerfully built WA midfield talent who was taken at pick nine. He’s a ready-made player with Dom Sheed tipping he could step straight in. He might be eased into defence instead of the midfield.

X-FACTOR

Can we please take Ginbey in this category, too? Or the Eagles’ pick 14, Elijah Hewett? Let’s be honest, the Eagles are in for a very tough time so the eggs will be very much in the basket of the two WA draftees who will be given plenty of opportunities to flourish.

QUESTION MARK

Xavier O’Neill had his best season for the Eagles, playing 11 games in his fourth AFL season since being drafted at 28 in the 2018 national draft. His standout game came against Collingwood in Round 4. But O’Neill needs to keep that upward trajectory given he is out of contract at season’s end.

UNTAPPED TALENT

The Eagles gave their Emerging Talent award to Brady Hough at the best and fairest count. He played 15 games this season and worked hard in defence before getting a bit of midfield and wing time at stages. He’ll learn a lot from those experiences.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

HEADLINE MAKER

Bailey Smith made a few headlines in 2022 he could have done without. But he owned them – a two-game suspension for admitting to illicit drugs use in the 2021 off-season – and moved on. We suspect his headlines will be all football-related in the season ahead. He has the potential to become one of the game’s best midfielders, which is a scary thought when the Bulldogs already have one of them in Marcus Bontempelli.

X-FACTOR

Cody Weightman has already shown how much of an X-factor he can be for the Bulldogs. His 21 games in 2022 yielded 36 goals, including two lots of five against North Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney. Just hits the scoreboard with regularity. We suspect you can add Jamarra Ugle-Hagan into this bracket before season’s end.

QUESTION MARK

Key forwards take longer to hit their straps than midfielders. Some have questioned Jamarra Ugle-Hagan‘s progress after being the 2020 No. 1 draft pick. We don’t subscribe to that. His career-best five goals against Melbourne showed he is growing and evolving. More, please.

UNTAPPED TALENT

The Bulldogs must wish there were two of Sam Darcy. The father-son young gun is equally adept in defence and attack and looms as one of the most exciting players from a cracking 2021 draft crop. He played the last four games of the season after overcoming injury and looked like he was something special.

 

[Rowsus]

I thought there were tons of admins here who did all the overseeing..at least that's what I thought because this place is so well run, but I don't agree with the bot censoring of words out of context.

10. If 10 is a ton. 10 active members in the leadership group. 10 people who have lives, families, jobs, that all come before this site. While it can look a little annoying some times, the things like Fagan, it's just the price that is paid to keep the place clean, and family friendly. Speaking of paid, none of the 10 mentioned receive any sort of pay to do the job they do. None of us have time to read, edit and/or censor every single post, as they are posted. Given the quality of this site, and how clean it is compared to some similar sites, I'm not sure that complaining about little things like "Fagan" are warranted, or received too well.

 

[Russty_]

10. If 10 is a ton. 10 active members in the leadership group. 10 people who have lives, families, jobs, that all come before this site. While it can look a little annoying some times, the things like ***an, it's just the price that is paid to keep the place clean, and family friendly. Speaking of paid, none of the 10 mentioned receive any sort of pay to do the job they do. None of us have time to read, edit and/or censor every single post, as they are posted. Given the quality of this site, and how clean it is compared to some similar sites, I'm not sure that complaining about little things like "***an" are warranted, or received too well.

Fair enough Rowsus, no offence intended. I do enjoy this site and appreciate all the work the 10 of you do, especially unpaid work.
I wasn't actually complaining, more voicing my opinion of the bot's inability to determine the context in that the 3 letters were part of someone's name. Cheers and keep up the good work.