Opinion 2024 AFL SuperCoach Planning Thread
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The first pick in last year’s draft is also the No. 1 man in SuperCoach.
Since the release of SuperCoach Plus’ Team Picker in December, more than 85 per cent of coaches have locked West Coast’s boom draftee Harley Reid into their teams for 2024.
Reid, a $207,300 FWD-MID in SuperCoach, is destined for a round 1 debut at the rebuilding Eagles and averaged 135 ranking points in the Coates League and 102 in three VFL matches last season.
Only two players have been chosen in more than 80 per cent of teams — Reid and new Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy.
Grundy’s average last year of 86.2 was his lowest since 2014.
But with the failed ruck experiment at Melbourne over and Grundy at a club where he is clear No. 1 ruckman, SuperCoaches are bullish on the potential of him becoming a topscoring big man again.
Grundy scored 143, 144 and 128 points in matches he played without Gawn last season and is the 16th most expensive ruckman at $481,900.
SuperCoaches are not concerned by Nick Daicos’ early-season bye, with more than 78 per cent locking in the Brownlow Medal favourite.
Daicos averaged 116.3 points in 2023 and remains available as a defender in SuperCoach despite his late-season midfield switch.
Ryley Sanders has made an impressive start at Whitten Oval. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
Collingwood has a bye in round 5 due to opening round, but that has not deterred thousands of SuperCoaches from making Daicos one of their must-haves.
Colby McKercher (62.5 per cent), Daniel Curtin (58.9 per cent) and Ryley Sanders (53.9 per cent) are the other top-10 draftees proving popular with SuperCoaches.
Western Bulldogs recruit Nick Coffield is the other rookie-priced player in more than 60 per cent of teams.
A former No. 8 draft pick, Coffield has not featured at AFL level since 2021 due to injury.
But coaches are keen to back the 24-year-old to enjoy a new lease on life at his second club and return to the heights of 2020 when he averaged 79.4 points.
Another player coming off serious injury problems features in almost 70 per cent of teams after receiving a significant discount on previous years.
Carlton’s Zac Williams — who is back training after an ACL injury wiped out his 2023 campaign — is available for $216,100 and looms as one of the biggest SuperCoach bargains of the year.
Williams averaged 101.6 points in 2019, a year in which he was crucial to GWS’ surge to the Grand Final.
But he has endured a torrid injury run since a big-money move to Carlton, only playing 34 matches in the past four seasons.
Tim English, Rowan Marshall and Kieren Briggs were the ruck studs of 2023, but coaches are backing the ‘set-and-forget’ duo who dominated SuperCoach for many years to thrive in 2024.
Grundy and Max Gawn (57.9 per cent) are the two big men most coaches have gravitated to.
Gawn went to another level when Grundy was dropped to the VFL last year, producing a season-high score of 215 points when he was the sole ruck against Brisbane Lions.
The Demons skipper had a mammoth 39 hit-outs, 29 disposals, 10 clearances and seven tackles in that match.
Harley Reid is the most-selected player in the SuperCoach team picker. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images
SUPERCOACH’S MOST-POPULAR PLAYERS
*Stats via Team Picker, available in SuperCoach Plus (as of January 11)
1. Harley Reid 85.6%
VERDICT: No surprise to see him as SuperCoach’s most-popular player. Being listed as a FWD all but ensured he would be one of the top-owned players in 2024.
2. Brodie Grundy 82.5%
VERDICT: Forget about Sydney’s early bye and pick him. Grundy averaged 138 in three games as Melbourne’s No. 1 ruckman last year.
3. Nick Daicos 78.3%
VERDICT: The Magpies superstar would likely be a Brownlow medallist now had he not missed the last three games of 2023. Has a bye in round 5 and an early date with Finn Maginness, but is so consistent you’re unlikely to get him for under $600k at any stage.
4. Zac Williams 69.4%
VERDICT: A must-have if selected in Carlton’s round 1 side despite three years of injury troubles.
5. Colby McKercher 62.5%
VERDICT: Huge junior numbers and should step straight into North Melbourne’s team. There’s been talk of a halfback role and we all know how well that worked out for Harry Sheezel.
6. Nick Coffield 62.2%
VERDICT: An easy pick for your defensive bench who will play round 1 if fit.
7. Jack Macrae 61.1%
VERDICT: Bailey Smith’s ACL injury means more midfield time — doesn’t it? Still a big watch in pre-season before committing to another season on the Luke Beveridge rollercoaster.
8. Daniel Curtin 58.9%
VERDICT: The dual-position status is a huge bonus. His intercept game will attract plenty of Champion Data love.
9. Max Gawn 57.9%
VERDICT: Just look at Gawn’s numbers against Brisbane Lions last year after Grundy was dropped to the VFL — 29 disposals, 39 hit-outs, seven tackles, five marks, 10 clearances and 215 SuperCoach points. He could well claim back his mantle as SuperCoach’s best big man this year.
10. Ryley Sanders 53.9%
VERDICT: Track watchers at Whitten Oval suggest the No. 6 draft pick hasn’t put a foot wrong in his first pre-season and could be a bolter to take Bailey Smith’s midfield spot. Lock him in.
Shaun Mannagh on the track with Geelong. Picture: Alison Wynd
11. Shaun Mannagh 50.2%
VERDICT: The man who blitzed the VFL Grand Final last year has to be a decent chance of a round 1 berth at Geelong. Lock him in regardless with DPP.
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12. Jhye Clark 47.7%
VERDICT: Only one game as sub last year for the No. 7 pick. As a result he’s only $123k and a perfect midfield bench pick.
13. Jeremy Sharp 47.2%
VERDICT: Still some doubt about whether he can look in a wing spot at Fremantle, especially with talk of Heath Chapman moving further up the ground.
14. Sam Flanders 46.3%
VERDICT: Flanders’ incredible finish to 2023 was always going to make him a popular selection when so many FWD-MID premos last FWD status. Now all eyes are on Damien Hardwick and whether he has as much faith in Flanders as Steven King did.
15. Josh Gibcus 45.1%
VERDICT: Was one of the popular defensive rookies two years ago at a higher starting price than this. Hopefully he’s over the hamstring trouble that ruined his 2023 campaign.
16. Sam Walsh 44.1%
VERDICT: Recency bias is very real in SuperCoach and Walsh scored 111, 134 and 121 in last year’s AFL finals series. If you can cover the round 2 bye, he’s a great price for a player capable of averaging 120+.
17. Zane Duursma 43.7%
VERDICT: No point overthinking the forward line this year with so few premium options. Save some money and lock in Duursma, who should be a regular in North Melbourne’s team as a goalkicking half-forward/midfielder.
18. James Sicily 43.2%
VERDICT: Daicos is the only defender who is more expensive, but there’s good reason to pay up for the Hawks captain. He is the game’s premier interceptor and unlike Daicos, doesn’t have an early bye to contend with.
19. Touk Miller 40.6%
VERDICT: If you can navigate the early bye rounds, both Miller and Walsh are great starting options at less than $600k. He hasn’t left my side since Team Picker opened.
Touk Miller starts the season at less than $550k. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images
20. Tom Stewart 35.5%
VERDICT: One of the most reliable scorers in SuperCoach and like Sicily, doesn’t have an early bye. Monitor his role in pre-season as there’s suggestions he could be used more often through the middle.
21. Zak Butters 34.9%
VERDICT: Love this pick. Huge ceiling and Port Adelaide doesn’t play in opening round so Butters will give you an extra premium through the early byes.
22. Hayden Young 34.9%
VERDICT: The ‘more midfield time’ hype is real. Young rocketed home last season, scoring 123, 118, 113 and 111 in the last four rounds. He showcased his ability to win his own ball which, couple with his linebreaking ability by foot, is SuperCoach gold.
23. Marcus Bontempelli 34.9%
VERDICT: Bontempelli comes at a hefty price tag ($724k), but you’re also getting a midfielder who averaged nine points more than any other MID last year. Bontempelli dropped below 100 just once in 23 games last season, a score of 89 in round 3. He’s worth paying top dollar for.
24. Toby Pink 32.1%
VERDICT: Not sure he’ll be a big scorer but North Melbourne has so few key defensive options that the former Sydney-listed player’s job security is sound.
25. Darcy Wilson 29.1%
VERDICT: Ross Lyon showed last year he isn’t afraid to blood the kids and Wilson is burning up the track at Moorabbin. A standout option for your MID or FWD bench.
26. Errol Gulden 27.3%
VERDICT: Almost won a Brownlow Medal last year after a season where he averaged 121.3 from round 14 onwards. Another player with an early bye, but that might not matter with his huge ceiling.
27. Nick Watson 26.8%
VERDICT: The man known as ‘The Wizard’ is no ordinary small forward. He’s got a bag of tricks, can win his own footy and seems like the type of player who will score SuperCoach points in a rush with high-impact plays.
28. Tom Green 25.5%
VERDICT: If you include the finals series, the GWS midfield bull averaged 123 points in his final seven games of 2023. He looks ready to take the competition by storm.
29. Christian Petracca 24.1%
VERDICT: Petracca defied the extra time he spent in attack to average a career-best 119.5 last year. Will be a huge onus on him to lead the Demons’ engine room with doubts over Clayton Oliver’s immediate future.
Jack Billings on the track during Melbourne’s pre-season camp at Lorne. Picture: Brendan Beckett
30. Jack Billings 23.6%
VERDICT: Interesting pick. He’s a great price, but with his injury history could also be a sub option at the Demons.
31. Sam Darcy 22.1%
VERDICT: Looks a generational talent but young talls have very rarely been great SuperCoach scorers. Consistency is likely to be an issue. Bench option at best.
32. Finlay Macrae 21.4%
VERDICT: Has no trouble finding the footy but has had trouble getting a regular game. Surely Taylor Adams' departure changes that. Lock him in.
33. Keidean Coleman 20.9%
VERDICT: Surprised his ownership isn’t higher considering how good he was on Grand Final day. Awkward price, early bye, but surely a steal with Daniel Rich now retired.
34. Harry Sheezel 20.6%
VERDICT: Most rookies tire at the end of their debut seasons but Sheezel got better. Can’t see his scoring going any way but north, even if he spends more time in the middle.
35. Tom Lynch 20.6%
VERDICT: We’re going to need to get creative in the forward line and Lynch is a player capable of going on scoring hot streaks. The Tigers spearhead started last year at $519k and peaked at $576k in 2022.
36. Luke Davies-Uniacke 19.8%
VERDICT: Coaches who faded LDU learned a valuable lesson last year. When he’s fit, he’s a must-have. Davies-Uniacke scored 122 points or more in eight of his 14 games.
37. Nate Caddy 19.3%
VERDICT: Not sure how consistent he will be as a scorer, but should get early games as Essendon tries to add another dimension to its attack.
38. Luke Jackson 19.0%
VERDICT: I can understand the appeal, but don’t reccommend paying $547k while Sean Darcy is fit. Jackson scores best as the No. 1 ruck, as we saw late last year when he averaged 130 from rounds 21-24. That run has distorted his starting price.
39. Marty Hore 18.6%
VERDICT: It’s now five years since Hore averaged 70.6 points in his debut season as a Demon and was one of the best SuperCoach rookies of 2019. Can he do it again? Melbourne’s backline is pretty settled, although Michael Hibberd’s retirement might provide an opening.
Jordan Dawson is listed as a MID only in 2024. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
40. Jordan Dawson 18.3%
VERDICT: Looms as a serious POD, but one that is hard to fault. Elite kicking, contested ball and tackling. The Crows skipper ticks every SuperCoach box.
41. Finnbar Maley 17.3%
VERDICT: Looks to be the best of the RUC-FWD bench options to use as a captaincy loophole.
42. Tim English 17.2%
VERDICT: Didn’t love hearing Rory Lobb saying he expects to spend more time in the ruck. Watch the splits with interest in pre-season and look at cheaper options if English is playing too much time forward.
43. Jack Sinclair 17.1%
VERDICT: Seems to be the forgotten man in the discussion about defensive premiums but so rarely lets coaches down. Avoids the early byes too.
44. Taylor Adams 16.4%
VERDICT: His injury history concerns me, but the promise of returning to an inside midfield role is encouraging. Still think there are better FWD options for cheaper.
45. Jack Steele 16.1%
VERDICT: Definitely underpriced, but by how much? Had some great games in the run home last year but also scored a 52 and 57 after the byes. One to monitor in pre-season before committing.
46. Zac Fisher 16.0%
VERDICT: When did SuperCoaches start looking at halfback roles instead of midfield switches? Fisher looks like he might be the man to step into the vacant quarterback role left by Jack Ziebell and Aaron Hall at Arden St. And, he’s listed as a FWD. Could be a risk worth taking.
47. Aaron Cadman 15.9%
VERDICT: Don’t really understand this one. He’s still cheap but averaged 22 in 12 games last year, eventually losing more than $85k on his starting price.
48. Jordon Sweet 15.9%
VERDICT: Scratched him from my list as soon as Ivan Soldo’s trade went through.
49. James Jordon 15.6%
VERDICT: I’m bullish on Jordon, especially when he’s listed as a FWD. But the price is awkward, so I want to see his role before getting too excited.
50. Sam Naismith 14.7%
VERDICT: What a story the former Swan is after playing his way back to the big time by dominating with Port Melbourne. He’ll serve as a back-up to Toby Nankervis, so isn’t likely to be very relevant in SuperCoach though.
VERDICT: Only one game as sub last year for the No. 7 pick. As a result he’s only $123k and a perfect midfield bench pick.
13. Jeremy Sharp 47.2%
VERDICT: Still some doubt about whether he can look in a wing spot at Fremantle, especially with talk of Heath Chapman moving further up the ground.
14. Sam Flanders 46.3%
VERDICT: Flanders’ incredible finish to 2023 was always going to make him a popular selection when so many FWD-MID premos last FWD status. Now all eyes are on Damien Hardwick and whether he has as much faith in Flanders as Steven King did.
15. Josh Gibcus 45.1%
VERDICT: Was one of the popular defensive rookies two years ago at a higher starting price than this. Hopefully he’s over the hamstring trouble that ruined his 2023 campaign.
16. Sam Walsh 44.1%
VERDICT: Recency bias is very real in SuperCoach and Walsh scored 111, 134 and 121 in last year’s AFL finals series. If you can cover the round 2 bye, he’s a great price for a player capable of averaging 120+.
17. Zane Duursma 43.7%
VERDICT: No point overthinking the forward line this year with so few premium options. Save some money and lock in Duursma, who should be a regular in North Melbourne’s team as a goalkicking half-forward/midfielder.
18. James Sicily 43.2%
VERDICT: Daicos is the only defender who is more expensive, but there’s good reason to pay up for the Hawks captain. He is the game’s premier interceptor and unlike Daicos, doesn’t have an early bye to contend with.
19. Touk Miller 40.6%
VERDICT: If you can navigate the early bye rounds, both Miller and Walsh are great starting options at less than $600k. He hasn’t left my side since Team Picker opened.
Touk Miller starts the season at less than $550k. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images
20. Tom Stewart 35.5%
VERDICT: One of the most reliable scorers in SuperCoach and like Sicily, doesn’t have an early bye. Monitor his role in pre-season as there’s suggestions he could be used more often through the middle.
21. Zak Butters 34.9%
VERDICT: Love this pick. Huge ceiling and Port Adelaide doesn’t play in opening round so Butters will give you an extra premium through the early byes.
22. Hayden Young 34.9%
VERDICT: The ‘more midfield time’ hype is real. Young rocketed home last season, scoring 123, 118, 113 and 111 in the last four rounds. He showcased his ability to win his own ball which, couple with his linebreaking ability by foot, is SuperCoach gold.
23. Marcus Bontempelli 34.9%
VERDICT: Bontempelli comes at a hefty price tag ($724k), but you’re also getting a midfielder who averaged nine points more than any other MID last year. Bontempelli dropped below 100 just once in 23 games last season, a score of 89 in round 3. He’s worth paying top dollar for.
24. Toby Pink 32.1%
VERDICT: Not sure he’ll be a big scorer but North Melbourne has so few key defensive options that the former Sydney-listed player’s job security is sound.
25. Darcy Wilson 29.1%
VERDICT: Ross Lyon showed last year he isn’t afraid to blood the kids and Wilson is burning up the track at Moorabbin. A standout option for your MID or FWD bench.
26. Errol Gulden 27.3%
VERDICT: Almost won a Brownlow Medal last year after a season where he averaged 121.3 from round 14 onwards. Another player with an early bye, but that might not matter with his huge ceiling.
27. Nick Watson 26.8%
VERDICT: The man known as ‘The Wizard’ is no ordinary small forward. He’s got a bag of tricks, can win his own footy and seems like the type of player who will score SuperCoach points in a rush with high-impact plays.
28. Tom Green 25.5%
VERDICT: If you include the finals series, the GWS midfield bull averaged 123 points in his final seven games of 2023. He looks ready to take the competition by storm.
29. Christian Petracca 24.1%
VERDICT: Petracca defied the extra time he spent in attack to average a career-best 119.5 last year. Will be a huge onus on him to lead the Demons’ engine room with doubts over Clayton Oliver’s immediate future.
Jack Billings on the track during Melbourne’s pre-season camp at Lorne. Picture: Brendan Beckett
30. Jack Billings 23.6%
VERDICT: Interesting pick. He’s a great price, but with his injury history could also be a sub option at the Demons.
31. Sam Darcy 22.1%
VERDICT: Looks a generational talent but young talls have very rarely been great SuperCoach scorers. Consistency is likely to be an issue. Bench option at best.
32. Finlay Macrae 21.4%
VERDICT: Has no trouble finding the footy but has had trouble getting a regular game. Surely Taylor Adams' departure changes that. Lock him in.
33. Keidean Coleman 20.9%
VERDICT: Surprised his ownership isn’t higher considering how good he was on Grand Final day. Awkward price, early bye, but surely a steal with Daniel Rich now retired.
34. Harry Sheezel 20.6%
VERDICT: Most rookies tire at the end of their debut seasons but Sheezel got better. Can’t see his scoring going any way but north, even if he spends more time in the middle.
35. Tom Lynch 20.6%
VERDICT: We’re going to need to get creative in the forward line and Lynch is a player capable of going on scoring hot streaks. The Tigers spearhead started last year at $519k and peaked at $576k in 2022.
36. Luke Davies-Uniacke 19.8%
VERDICT: Coaches who faded LDU learned a valuable lesson last year. When he’s fit, he’s a must-have. Davies-Uniacke scored 122 points or more in eight of his 14 games.
37. Nate Caddy 19.3%
VERDICT: Not sure how consistent he will be as a scorer, but should get early games as Essendon tries to add another dimension to its attack.
38. Luke Jackson 19.0%
VERDICT: I can understand the appeal, but don’t reccommend paying $547k while Sean Darcy is fit. Jackson scores best as the No. 1 ruck, as we saw late last year when he averaged 130 from rounds 21-24. That run has distorted his starting price.
39. Marty Hore 18.6%
VERDICT: It’s now five years since Hore averaged 70.6 points in his debut season as a Demon and was one of the best SuperCoach rookies of 2019. Can he do it again? Melbourne’s backline is pretty settled, although Michael Hibberd’s retirement might provide an opening.
Jordan Dawson is listed as a MID only in 2024. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
40. Jordan Dawson 18.3%
VERDICT: Looms as a serious POD, but one that is hard to fault. Elite kicking, contested ball and tackling. The Crows skipper ticks every SuperCoach box.
41. Finnbar Maley 17.3%
VERDICT: Looks to be the best of the RUC-FWD bench options to use as a captaincy loophole.
42. Tim English 17.2%
VERDICT: Didn’t love hearing Rory Lobb saying he expects to spend more time in the ruck. Watch the splits with interest in pre-season and look at cheaper options if English is playing too much time forward.
43. Jack Sinclair 17.1%
VERDICT: Seems to be the forgotten man in the discussion about defensive premiums but so rarely lets coaches down. Avoids the early byes too.
44. Taylor Adams 16.4%
VERDICT: His injury history concerns me, but the promise of returning to an inside midfield role is encouraging. Still think there are better FWD options for cheaper.
45. Jack Steele 16.1%
VERDICT: Definitely underpriced, but by how much? Had some great games in the run home last year but also scored a 52 and 57 after the byes. One to monitor in pre-season before committing.
46. Zac Fisher 16.0%
VERDICT: When did SuperCoaches start looking at halfback roles instead of midfield switches? Fisher looks like he might be the man to step into the vacant quarterback role left by Jack Ziebell and Aaron Hall at Arden St. And, he’s listed as a FWD. Could be a risk worth taking.
47. Aaron Cadman 15.9%
VERDICT: Don’t really understand this one. He’s still cheap but averaged 22 in 12 games last year, eventually losing more than $85k on his starting price.
48. Jordon Sweet 15.9%
VERDICT: Scratched him from my list as soon as Ivan Soldo’s trade went through.
49. James Jordon 15.6%
VERDICT: I’m bullish on Jordon, especially when he’s listed as a FWD. But the price is awkward, so I want to see his role before getting too excited.
50. Sam Naismith 14.7%
VERDICT: What a story the former Swan is after playing his way back to the big time by dominating with Port Melbourne. He’ll serve as a back-up to Toby Nankervis, so isn’t likely to be very relevant in SuperCoach though.
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