Discussion 2025: Super Early SC Planning Thread
- Thread starter freowho
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I feel like people's perspective on Jackson is dependant on whether you started him or traded him in. If you had frim from day 1 you got all the spikes to o***et the poor scores, but if you missed the first month he probably felt underwhelming as a trade in. Recency bias also plays a part - especially with some of the guys that have hit great form in the run home.
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Tristan Xerri.
In the first 11 games before his Round 12 bye, he went at 108. In his next 10 games he has gone at 130.5. He’s now sitting on an average of 118.7. Goes up against English and Meek to finish the season. Let’s say he finishes the year on a 120 average. That’ll price him at ~660-665k.
I don’t know what others thought, but I always viewed him as someone who would tail off at the end of the year given his frame, physical gamestyle, and injury history. The fact he has significantly increased his average post-bye bodes really well in my opinion for his future as a SC selection.
I personally think North will improve a lot next season, 7-8 wins maybe? Given that, you’d also think that North has more of the pie which should benefit Xerri’s scoring. At his feet, there’s Sheezel and Wardlaw who should be improving next season. LDU also could improve but he’s a little older than the other two. Don’t know what they’ll do with McKercher. Looks very comfortable down back and has a very fragile frame. I think he’ll end up in the middle eventually, but when that happens is the question. Then of course they’ll have a high pick which they may use on a midfielder. Powell is a talent and is a chance to breakout at any moment. Don’t think Simpkin will see a drop off just yet.
I think Xerri will be an interesting talking point. He was slightly more expensive than what Xerri will be, but we’ve seen this year what happened with English. Hopefully Jaiden Popowski or someone else provides some stats in the preseason. Xerri’s game should be more sustainable than English given he’s stronger at his ruckwork and relies less on his work around the ground (still does a lot around the ground though).
In the first 11 games before his Round 12 bye, he went at 108. In his next 10 games he has gone at 130.5. He’s now sitting on an average of 118.7. Goes up against English and Meek to finish the season. Let’s say he finishes the year on a 120 average. That’ll price him at ~660-665k.
I don’t know what others thought, but I always viewed him as someone who would tail off at the end of the year given his frame, physical gamestyle, and injury history. The fact he has significantly increased his average post-bye bodes really well in my opinion for his future as a SC selection.
I personally think North will improve a lot next season, 7-8 wins maybe? Given that, you’d also think that North has more of the pie which should benefit Xerri’s scoring. At his feet, there’s Sheezel and Wardlaw who should be improving next season. LDU also could improve but he’s a little older than the other two. Don’t know what they’ll do with McKercher. Looks very comfortable down back and has a very fragile frame. I think he’ll end up in the middle eventually, but when that happens is the question. Then of course they’ll have a high pick which they may use on a midfielder. Powell is a talent and is a chance to breakout at any moment. Don’t think Simpkin will see a drop off just yet.
I think Xerri will be an interesting talking point. He was slightly more expensive than what Xerri will be, but we’ve seen this year what happened with English. Hopefully Jaiden Popowski or someone else provides some stats in the preseason. Xerri’s game should be more sustainable than English given he’s stronger at his ruckwork and relies less on his work around the ground (still does a lot around the ground though).
Some end of season thoughts.
I had a pretty awful season ranking wise, but I'm probably the most optimistic I've been in awhile for a preseason because I think I have learned some valuable lessons.
Lesson 1: Starting team is critical.
There are those that say that you can fix a starting team with Boosts and trades, and you can to a degree, but those are resources that you will expend when others can save them to be of more impact later. Additionally, how many of us have spent cash, trades and a boost to flip an underperfoming player to someone on a hot streak only for their scoring to reverse?
Lesson 2: Late team changes almost never work out (First choices are generally best).
I turned Nic Martin and Tristian Xerri into Tim English just before the start of the season. I had Caleb Serong as my first picked mid at the start of the season, and despite my misgivings, picked Dawson over him.
Lesson 3: Don't pick too many high priced players. Don't pick too many mid priced players. The best picks sit in the sweet spot where they were probably around 8th-15th best players the season prior.
Lesson 4: When the player is expensive, stop listening to FOMO convincing one to get them because if everything goes right, they'll be out of reach. Conversely, if the player is value, stop thinking that just one thing going wrong will mean the pick isn't worthwhile.
Lesson 5: If it's bad to start expensive players, it's even worse to trade them in. I think it's easily achievable to have a late game squad of 25+ premium or premium adjacent scorers with judicious trading.
So, my 2025 starting team might look something like this:
NWM (550k), McKercher (485k) Roberts (425k), Coleman (250k) Rookie x 4 (700k) ($2410k)
Daicos (630k), LDU (600k), Green (575k), Petracca (565k), Dawson (550k), Oliver (460k), 5x Rookie (850k) ($4230k)
TDK (560k), Darcy (540k), Rookie (150k) (1250k)
Rankine (550k), Baz (400k), Phillipou (315k), Hewett (250k) Robertson (140k) 3x rookie = 450k
I had a pretty awful season ranking wise, but I'm probably the most optimistic I've been in awhile for a preseason because I think I have learned some valuable lessons.
Lesson 1: Starting team is critical.
There are those that say that you can fix a starting team with Boosts and trades, and you can to a degree, but those are resources that you will expend when others can save them to be of more impact later. Additionally, how many of us have spent cash, trades and a boost to flip an underperfoming player to someone on a hot streak only for their scoring to reverse?
Lesson 2: Late team changes almost never work out (First choices are generally best).
I turned Nic Martin and Tristian Xerri into Tim English just before the start of the season. I had Caleb Serong as my first picked mid at the start of the season, and despite my misgivings, picked Dawson over him.
Lesson 3: Don't pick too many high priced players. Don't pick too many mid priced players. The best picks sit in the sweet spot where they were probably around 8th-15th best players the season prior.
Lesson 4: When the player is expensive, stop listening to FOMO convincing one to get them because if everything goes right, they'll be out of reach. Conversely, if the player is value, stop thinking that just one thing going wrong will mean the pick isn't worthwhile.
Lesson 5: If it's bad to start expensive players, it's even worse to trade them in. I think it's easily achievable to have a late game squad of 25+ premium or premium adjacent scorers with judicious trading.
So, my 2025 starting team might look something like this:
NWM (550k), McKercher (485k) Roberts (425k), Coleman (250k) Rookie x 4 (700k) ($2410k)
Daicos (630k), LDU (600k), Green (575k), Petracca (565k), Dawson (550k), Oliver (460k), 5x Rookie (850k) ($4230k)
TDK (560k), Darcy (540k), Rookie (150k) (1250k)
Rankine (550k), Baz (400k), Phillipou (315k), Hewett (250k) Robertson (140k) 3x rookie = 450k
1. You need good luck. Which also means you have to give yourself the opportunity to get lucky.
2. Some footballers are better at converting opportunities into supercoach points. If we're bitter it's called the golden ticket. Pick them.
3. Role changes and pecking order in a team. Understanding the dark world of injury lists.
4. How an opposition's coaching benefits and negates a role and if there is a long enough stretch in the draw to take advantage of that.
5. Be prepared to crash as well as succeed.
2. Some footballers are better at converting opportunities into supercoach points. If we're bitter it's called the golden ticket. Pick them.
3. Role changes and pecking order in a team. Understanding the dark world of injury lists.
4. How an opposition's coaching benefits and negates a role and if there is a long enough stretch in the draw to take advantage of that.
5. Be prepared to crash as well as succeed.
Here are some of my thoughts at this extremely early stage:-
It certainly looks like finding decent Forward line premiums will be the challenge again like this year with Flanders,Heeney, Zorko, Caldwell etc all losing their fwd status. That being said, there are 3 I like :-
Forwards
One premium forward that has not been mentioned much for next year is Dylan Moore - has been underrated until this year, getting recognition finally. He had glandular fever just before the start of the season( 3 sub 60 scores in his first 5 games) whilst regaining fitness, before really hitting his straps. Can have the odd quiet game but can also go huge like the 169 v Adelaide. Averaging 110 last 3/ 106 last 5. He is 25 years old, in his prime with a big engine - works very hard both ways.
Another forward that needs to be considered is Brent Daniels - same work ethic as Moore. Averaging 124.7 last 3/ 119 last 5.
Rankine getting knocked out in that terrible incident with Houston brings his average down to 96.8 for the year.
Those 3 look very good premium options for next year in the forward line with B Smith & Phillipou as value/mid pricers so potentially 5 on field options thus only needing 1 fwd rookie.
Defenders
Flanders,Sheezel & Sinclair all look great options next year - all 3 high on my list. Coleman with his discount pending his preseason certainly worth consideration. McKercher might be awkwardly priced/ need to see his exact role.
Rucks
Xerri if 100% is hard to go past as the R1 for next year, R2 a challenge - maybe TDK, Marshall or Meek.
Mids
Might be a year where we get some value in the mids with Petracca & now Day after his early injury yesterday. Don't think I could go near Oliver myself, sad to see such a steep decline from a former SC star.
Bont is such a great captain each week, rarely has a bad game so almost certain I start him again. This year's draft has so much midfield talent, expect many of the top picks to get games early. Levi Ashcroft (Bris lions academy), Jagga Smith, Finn O'Sullivan, Sid Draper, Leonardo Lombard (suns academy prospect), Sam Lalor to name a few. Expect Richmond,WCE & Adelaide to pick Smith/FOS/Draper/Lalor with all 3 teams needing more midfield talent asap, so very good chance those 3 teams debut their early draft selections to start the season. North I think will look at key position players - need a key fwd to partner Larkey along with an intercept defender in my opinion.
Bit torn on Daicos because he will be tagged so heavily, every team will put so much into him I suspect, so can see him having a low scoring game early on so might be a better trade in target.
Mills looks like being mid only but offers great value, he will be of real interest for me.
Just some early thoughts at this stage.
It certainly looks like finding decent Forward line premiums will be the challenge again like this year with Flanders,Heeney, Zorko, Caldwell etc all losing their fwd status. That being said, there are 3 I like :-
Forwards
One premium forward that has not been mentioned much for next year is Dylan Moore - has been underrated until this year, getting recognition finally. He had glandular fever just before the start of the season( 3 sub 60 scores in his first 5 games) whilst regaining fitness, before really hitting his straps. Can have the odd quiet game but can also go huge like the 169 v Adelaide. Averaging 110 last 3/ 106 last 5. He is 25 years old, in his prime with a big engine - works very hard both ways.
Another forward that needs to be considered is Brent Daniels - same work ethic as Moore. Averaging 124.7 last 3/ 119 last 5.
Rankine getting knocked out in that terrible incident with Houston brings his average down to 96.8 for the year.
Those 3 look very good premium options for next year in the forward line with B Smith & Phillipou as value/mid pricers so potentially 5 on field options thus only needing 1 fwd rookie.
Defenders
Flanders,Sheezel & Sinclair all look great options next year - all 3 high on my list. Coleman with his discount pending his preseason certainly worth consideration. McKercher might be awkwardly priced/ need to see his exact role.
Rucks
Xerri if 100% is hard to go past as the R1 for next year, R2 a challenge - maybe TDK, Marshall or Meek.
Mids
Might be a year where we get some value in the mids with Petracca & now Day after his early injury yesterday. Don't think I could go near Oliver myself, sad to see such a steep decline from a former SC star.
Bont is such a great captain each week, rarely has a bad game so almost certain I start him again. This year's draft has so much midfield talent, expect many of the top picks to get games early. Levi Ashcroft (Bris lions academy), Jagga Smith, Finn O'Sullivan, Sid Draper, Leonardo Lombard (suns academy prospect), Sam Lalor to name a few. Expect Richmond,WCE & Adelaide to pick Smith/FOS/Draper/Lalor with all 3 teams needing more midfield talent asap, so very good chance those 3 teams debut their early draft selections to start the season. North I think will look at key position players - need a key fwd to partner Larkey along with an intercept defender in my opinion.
Bit torn on Daicos because he will be tagged so heavily, every team will put so much into him I suspect, so can see him having a low scoring game early on so might be a better trade in target.
Mills looks like being mid only but offers great value, he will be of real interest for me.
Just some early thoughts at this stage.
Great writeup.
Interestingly DFS has Moore classified as an inside mid in their matchup stats, and generally as a mid in the game by game positions (twice CHF, once forward pocket and otherwise mid or wing each game this season).
His CBAs are not that high at 17% this season, and interestingly they appear to have reduced in the second half (which makes the inside mid classification a little unusual), but it appears he’s been playing further up the ground than last season.
Interestingly DFS has Moore classified as an inside mid in their matchup stats, and generally as a mid in the game by game positions (twice CHF, once forward pocket and otherwise mid or wing each game this season).
His CBAs are not that high at 17% this season, and interestingly they appear to have reduced in the second half (which makes the inside mid classification a little unusual), but it appears he’s been playing further up the ground than last season.
I felt like this year I went away from picking a traditional midfield premo gun team to start with. I picked a stack of guys like Fyfe, Jordan, Fisher, Sexton. Then 'premos' like Martin, Young, Jackson, Flanders. It was just really inconsistent scoring while I sat back and watched Butters, Serong & Green avg close to 130 for the first five or six weeks. It was painful.
Think I'll be looking at starting; Bont, Butters, Serong & Green. I think when the season starts teams are focused on how they play and tagging won't be as prominent, plus all these guys are really tough to tag. I think a lot of people will be afraid too pay up for all these guys so can hopefully get a nice advantage there.
Think I'll be looking at starting; Bont, Butters, Serong & Green. I think when the season starts teams are focused on how they play and tagging won't be as prominent, plus all these guys are really tough to tag. I think a lot of people will be afraid too pay up for all these guys so can hopefully get a nice advantage there.
I’ll probably do a much more thoughtful reflection at the end of the season but a couple of things I’ll add:
1. Preseason role changes that seem meaningful are worth backing in, and definitely not disregarded after a bad score if the role is still there. Young and Martin were two that had a great role but poor round 1 score. If the role from the preseason is there, don’t jump at shadows. If the role is gone it’s different, but both turned into solid picks who just had some early yips.
2. Don’t be afraid to admit you made a mistake - especially with 40 trades. I traded a player in and traded them out the following round, because I’d made a bad decision getting them and didn’t want to continue to make a bad decision holding them. We have spare trades, and owning a mistake and fixing it can be worth more than a late season luxury upgrade.
3. Don’t “complete” a line too early because you can miss a great value selection that will hurt you. I really wanted Dale at his cheapest but had 6 defenders and not enough DPP moves to make it happen at the time.
4. M8 is usually a junk-ish scorer, so don’t be afraid to park a defender or forward DPP there. I ran a D/M player at M8 for a lot of the season (even M7 as well for 5/6 weeks) because the defenders were the more reliable top scorers and it allowed me to not lose out on defender only picks. It also gave me great flexibility when making trades as I could target options from multiple positions (eg, Sheezel to a mid).
5. I get the whole idea of not trading in $600k+ guys but the reality is, you need to just get the best upgrades you can when you can. Waiting for the perfect moment to save $50k on a Serong or Butters type can ultimately hurt more than just paying up, because the guy who is cheaper is probably cheaper for a reason. There are exceptions to this so it’s not a blanket approach, but I would have lost a lot of points if I’d targeted guys like Dawson over just getting the best guys like Butters.
There will be more I’m sure!
1. Preseason role changes that seem meaningful are worth backing in, and definitely not disregarded after a bad score if the role is still there. Young and Martin were two that had a great role but poor round 1 score. If the role from the preseason is there, don’t jump at shadows. If the role is gone it’s different, but both turned into solid picks who just had some early yips.
2. Don’t be afraid to admit you made a mistake - especially with 40 trades. I traded a player in and traded them out the following round, because I’d made a bad decision getting them and didn’t want to continue to make a bad decision holding them. We have spare trades, and owning a mistake and fixing it can be worth more than a late season luxury upgrade.
3. Don’t “complete” a line too early because you can miss a great value selection that will hurt you. I really wanted Dale at his cheapest but had 6 defenders and not enough DPP moves to make it happen at the time.
4. M8 is usually a junk-ish scorer, so don’t be afraid to park a defender or forward DPP there. I ran a D/M player at M8 for a lot of the season (even M7 as well for 5/6 weeks) because the defenders were the more reliable top scorers and it allowed me to not lose out on defender only picks. It also gave me great flexibility when making trades as I could target options from multiple positions (eg, Sheezel to a mid).
5. I get the whole idea of not trading in $600k+ guys but the reality is, you need to just get the best upgrades you can when you can. Waiting for the perfect moment to save $50k on a Serong or Butters type can ultimately hurt more than just paying up, because the guy who is cheaper is probably cheaper for a reason. There are exceptions to this so it’s not a blanket approach, but I would have lost a lot of points if I’d targeted guys like Dawson over just getting the best guys like Butters.
There will be more I’m sure!
As we count down the final rounds of the 2024 SuperCoach season, shrewd coaches are already looking ahead to 2025.
And a big factor in what teams look like next season will be position changes over summer.
It’s never too early to start your SuperCoach pre-season, so get an early jump on the competition with exclusive time in position stats for 24 SuperCoach stars heading into round 23 – remembering that 35 per cent of game time is the threshold for a player to be listed in any position, either as their primary position or as a DPP (and players can have a maximum of two positions).
All stats courtesy of Champion Data.
NEW DPP – LOCK THEM IN
LIAM BAKER FWD/MID
MID 53% FWD 47%
Baker (DEF/FWD to FWD/MID) Baker has never truly threatened to break through as a SuperCoach premium – but that could change as an Eagle. Assuming he heads west, and with a shallow pool of true forward premiums likely to be available, coaches might need to consider Baker if he wins a role at half-back or as a full-time centre bounce midfielder for West Coast. But that’s still to be seen with Baker yet to declare his intentions despite strong links to his home state.
NEW DPP - CROSS YOUR FINGERS
SAM FLANDERS DEF/MID
DEF 45% MID 37% FWD 18%
Damien Hardwick has ensured a stressful finish to the season for SuperCoaches planning for Flanders to be a DEF-MID in 2025. That looked a lock three weeks ago but after playing predominantly as a forward in the past two rounds – it was an 8 per cent midfield, 92 per cent forward split last weekend – things are a bit shaky. But even with his forward time receiving an unexpected bump, he should stay above 35 per cent in the midfield – but it would be nice if Dimma let him loose at centre bounces against Richmond just to be sure.
Sam Flanders has been one of the best SuperCoach picks of 2024. Can he repeat the dose in 2025? Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
HARRY SHEEZEL DEF/MID
DEF 39% MID 35% FWD 26%
One silver lining to Sheezel potentially missing the final two rounds of 2024 is it locks in DEF/MID status for 2025. If he returns this week – and we all hope he does, unless you’re one of the 21,000 coaches who traded him out last week – he should stay above 35 per cent in defence even if he plays as a forward-mid, as he has for the second half of the season. That would make him a must-have for 2025.
TOM STEWART DEF/MID
DEF 66% MID 34%
Stewart has now spent 34 per cent of the season playing in the midfield and another game in the role will push him over the 35 per cent threshold to deliver SuperCoaches a surprise DPP for next season. Normally over summer we look for younger players who have shown they are about to take the next step by increasing their output in the back end of the year. At 31, Stewart doesn’t quite fit the breakout category, but after averaging 92.5 to Geelong’s bye he has rattled home with a 109 average post-bye and shapes as an easy pick in defence in 2025.
TRENT RIVERS DEF/MID
DEF 64% MID 35% FWD 1%
The 23-year-old has crossed the 35 per cent barrier to be awarded a second position in SuperCoach after attending 67 per cent of centre bounces against Gold Coast. We’ll need to see his role when (if?) Christian Petracca returns before committing, but he looks set to be part of the midfield mix at the Dees going forward and won’t break the bank.
MATTAES PHILLIPOU FWD/MID
DEF 2% MID 42% FWD 56%
You can all but lock him in after missing again through illness, unless Ross Lyon has a change of heart in the final round. After being on the outer at St Kilda for a large chunk of the season, Philippou returned with three stellar games playing as one of the club’s main midfielders. That has pushed his on-ball percentage well above the 35 per cent required for DPP. He’d currently be priced at 56, too, although that average could rise as he showcases his talent in the engine room.
Mattaes Phillipou has been a late-season shining light for the Saints. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
CALLUM MILLS MID/DEF
DEF 31% MID 47% FWD 22%
John Longmire threw some spice into the DPP discussion by playing Mills exclusively as a defender against Essendon. Playing such a low number of games means percentages can swing wildly, and that’s exactly what happened with his defence percentage spiking from 10 to 31. Another game in the backline will push him over 35 per cent. On the other hand, if he plays 100 per cent as a forward against the Crows he could qualify for MID-FWD. Anything could happen! Forward options will be a lot thinner on the ground next year, so if you’re listening Horse we’d be happy to see him at full-forward.
LUKE PARKER MID/FWD
MID 44% FWD 56%
Parker is also tracking towards DPP, but as a MID-FWD. The veteran Swan will be a big watch in pre-season, but realistically only someone we turn to if we’re desperate for forward options (and he snares DPP). He’ll be 32 at the start of next year and there’s no guarantee week-to-week that he’s in Sydney’s best 22. He won’t come cheap, either.
KEEPING DPP – LOCK THEM IN
JACK SINCLAIR DEF/MID
DEF 62% MID 38%
Sinclair played exclusively as a defender last weekend, attending zero centre bounces, but it won’t change his DEF/MID status to start 2025. We’re more accustomed to Ross Lyon starting him in defence, using Sinclair for 4-6 weeks in the middle and him then becoming DPP mid-year. The addition of MID status isn’t as important for a defender though, it’s more the other way around when a midfielder picks up DPP in either the forward line or defence.
MAX HOLMES DEF/MID
DEF 54% MID 45% FWD 1%
Wonder if next year is the one Holmes fully takes the leap from almost premium to full premium? He’s still only 21 years of age but has become one of the main men for the Cats, whether it’s dashing from defence or attending centre bounces. Holmes has spent the majority of the year in defence, but has done enough work through the middle to keep DPP status in 2025.
KEEPING DPP – CROSS YOUR FINGERS
Luke Jackson RUC/FWD
RUC 63% FWD 37%
Thank you, Liam Reidy. Jackson was teetering dangerously close to losing FWD status, but the inclusion of the ruck debutant allowed him to spend most of the game against GWS in the forward line. That might not be great for his scoring in this year’s SuperCoach finals, but it’s likely to mean we get Jackson as a FWD option again next season. Will we take the plunge again? That’s going to be a fun debate in pre-season.
Can Luke Jackson hang onto RUC-FWD status? Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
JYE CALDWELL MID/FWD
MID 70% FWD 30%
When it comes to SuperCoach, nothing hurts more than watching one of your breakout stars be so good that they lose DPP the next year. Think about when we had Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Marcus Bontempelli as FWD-MIDs, and Caldwell is heading down the same path. He has been a difference maker for many SuperCoach teams in the home stretch, with seven 100-plus scores from rounds 15-22.
And a big factor in what teams look like next season will be position changes over summer.
It’s never too early to start your SuperCoach pre-season, so get an early jump on the competition with exclusive time in position stats for 24 SuperCoach stars heading into round 23 – remembering that 35 per cent of game time is the threshold for a player to be listed in any position, either as their primary position or as a DPP (and players can have a maximum of two positions).
All stats courtesy of Champion Data.
NEW DPP – LOCK THEM IN
LIAM BAKER FWD/MID
MID 53% FWD 47%
Baker (DEF/FWD to FWD/MID) Baker has never truly threatened to break through as a SuperCoach premium – but that could change as an Eagle. Assuming he heads west, and with a shallow pool of true forward premiums likely to be available, coaches might need to consider Baker if he wins a role at half-back or as a full-time centre bounce midfielder for West Coast. But that’s still to be seen with Baker yet to declare his intentions despite strong links to his home state.
NEW DPP - CROSS YOUR FINGERS
SAM FLANDERS DEF/MID
DEF 45% MID 37% FWD 18%
Damien Hardwick has ensured a stressful finish to the season for SuperCoaches planning for Flanders to be a DEF-MID in 2025. That looked a lock three weeks ago but after playing predominantly as a forward in the past two rounds – it was an 8 per cent midfield, 92 per cent forward split last weekend – things are a bit shaky. But even with his forward time receiving an unexpected bump, he should stay above 35 per cent in the midfield – but it would be nice if Dimma let him loose at centre bounces against Richmond just to be sure.
Sam Flanders has been one of the best SuperCoach picks of 2024. Can he repeat the dose in 2025? Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
HARRY SHEEZEL DEF/MID
DEF 39% MID 35% FWD 26%
One silver lining to Sheezel potentially missing the final two rounds of 2024 is it locks in DEF/MID status for 2025. If he returns this week – and we all hope he does, unless you’re one of the 21,000 coaches who traded him out last week – he should stay above 35 per cent in defence even if he plays as a forward-mid, as he has for the second half of the season. That would make him a must-have for 2025.
TOM STEWART DEF/MID
DEF 66% MID 34%
Stewart has now spent 34 per cent of the season playing in the midfield and another game in the role will push him over the 35 per cent threshold to deliver SuperCoaches a surprise DPP for next season. Normally over summer we look for younger players who have shown they are about to take the next step by increasing their output in the back end of the year. At 31, Stewart doesn’t quite fit the breakout category, but after averaging 92.5 to Geelong’s bye he has rattled home with a 109 average post-bye and shapes as an easy pick in defence in 2025.
TRENT RIVERS DEF/MID
DEF 64% MID 35% FWD 1%
The 23-year-old has crossed the 35 per cent barrier to be awarded a second position in SuperCoach after attending 67 per cent of centre bounces against Gold Coast. We’ll need to see his role when (if?) Christian Petracca returns before committing, but he looks set to be part of the midfield mix at the Dees going forward and won’t break the bank.
MATTAES PHILLIPOU FWD/MID
DEF 2% MID 42% FWD 56%
You can all but lock him in after missing again through illness, unless Ross Lyon has a change of heart in the final round. After being on the outer at St Kilda for a large chunk of the season, Philippou returned with three stellar games playing as one of the club’s main midfielders. That has pushed his on-ball percentage well above the 35 per cent required for DPP. He’d currently be priced at 56, too, although that average could rise as he showcases his talent in the engine room.
Mattaes Phillipou has been a late-season shining light for the Saints. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
CALLUM MILLS MID/DEF
DEF 31% MID 47% FWD 22%
John Longmire threw some spice into the DPP discussion by playing Mills exclusively as a defender against Essendon. Playing such a low number of games means percentages can swing wildly, and that’s exactly what happened with his defence percentage spiking from 10 to 31. Another game in the backline will push him over 35 per cent. On the other hand, if he plays 100 per cent as a forward against the Crows he could qualify for MID-FWD. Anything could happen! Forward options will be a lot thinner on the ground next year, so if you’re listening Horse we’d be happy to see him at full-forward.
LUKE PARKER MID/FWD
MID 44% FWD 56%
Parker is also tracking towards DPP, but as a MID-FWD. The veteran Swan will be a big watch in pre-season, but realistically only someone we turn to if we’re desperate for forward options (and he snares DPP). He’ll be 32 at the start of next year and there’s no guarantee week-to-week that he’s in Sydney’s best 22. He won’t come cheap, either.
KEEPING DPP – LOCK THEM IN
JACK SINCLAIR DEF/MID
DEF 62% MID 38%
Sinclair played exclusively as a defender last weekend, attending zero centre bounces, but it won’t change his DEF/MID status to start 2025. We’re more accustomed to Ross Lyon starting him in defence, using Sinclair for 4-6 weeks in the middle and him then becoming DPP mid-year. The addition of MID status isn’t as important for a defender though, it’s more the other way around when a midfielder picks up DPP in either the forward line or defence.
MAX HOLMES DEF/MID
DEF 54% MID 45% FWD 1%
Wonder if next year is the one Holmes fully takes the leap from almost premium to full premium? He’s still only 21 years of age but has become one of the main men for the Cats, whether it’s dashing from defence or attending centre bounces. Holmes has spent the majority of the year in defence, but has done enough work through the middle to keep DPP status in 2025.
KEEPING DPP – CROSS YOUR FINGERS
Luke Jackson RUC/FWD
RUC 63% FWD 37%
Thank you, Liam Reidy. Jackson was teetering dangerously close to losing FWD status, but the inclusion of the ruck debutant allowed him to spend most of the game against GWS in the forward line. That might not be great for his scoring in this year’s SuperCoach finals, but it’s likely to mean we get Jackson as a FWD option again next season. Will we take the plunge again? That’s going to be a fun debate in pre-season.
Can Luke Jackson hang onto RUC-FWD status? Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
JYE CALDWELL MID/FWD
MID 70% FWD 30%
When it comes to SuperCoach, nothing hurts more than watching one of your breakout stars be so good that they lose DPP the next year. Think about when we had Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Marcus Bontempelli as FWD-MIDs, and Caldwell is heading down the same path. He has been a difference maker for many SuperCoach teams in the home stretch, with seven 100-plus scores from rounds 15-22.
LOSING DPP – LOCK THEM IN
ISAAC HEENEY MID
MID 86% FWD 14%
At least we got to enjoy Isaac as a genuine SuperCoach superstar in his last year as a FWD ... unless John Longmire sends him back to the forward line next year. After spending more time forward against Collingwood, he was back in the guts against the Bombers, and that’s where we’ll have to pick him next year.
NICK DAICOS MID
DEF 10% MID 85% FWD 5%
Spent some time in the forward line to help spark Collingwood’s comeback against Brisbane but he’s now a full-time midfielder. We have been blessed with three years of premium-level scoring in defence, and it’s easy to forget he’s still only 21. Will be high in consideration as a starting pick in the midfield in 2025 – and for many years beyond.
Dayne Zorko’s move to half-back has been a big success. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images
DAYNE ZORKO DEF
DEF 89% MID 4% FWD 7%
It took most coaches a while to catch on that Zorko was an elite defender this year after a surprise switch to half-back paid off in a huge way. At round 9 he still featured in just 15,000 of SuperCoach teams – he’s now in more than 85,000. We couldn’t pick him next season at age 36 and with a history of soft-tissue injuries, could we? He has played 22 of 23 possible games this year and averaged 111 – and is coming home strong (five-round average 117).
HAYDEN YOUNG MID
DEF 2% MID 91% FWD 7%
The Phantom talked him up in the pre-season and now says he’ll pick him again in 2025 when he’s MID only. The former half-back moved into the midfield in the final month of 2023 and has really found his groove in the new role, and won’t be going back to defence.
NIC MARTIN DEF
DEF 73% MID 13% FWD 14%
The seventh-highest scoring defender for the season for under $500k? That’s a successful pick in our books. Martin has frustrated his owners at times this season, but he’s producing when it matters with scores of 104, 130 and 135 in SuperCoach finals. He won’t represent the same value next season and will be DEF only, but add him to the list of elite scorers down back to consider for our starting sides.
Nic Martin has been used at both ends of the ground
COLBY McKERCHER DEF
DEF 84% MID 9% FWD 7%
One of the more intriguing players to consider as a starting option in 2025. The No.2 draft pick has demonstrated his elite scoring power in his first season, but his role going forward remains something of a question mark. He spent some time forward last week against the Bulldogs (while still taking six kick-ins), but following Harry Sheezel into the midfield seems a more likely move. Will be DEF only but his price – and talent – will still make him very tempting.
ED RICHARDS MID
DEF 28% MID56% FWD16%
A surprise magnet move by Luke Beveridge that has paid off for the Bulldogs and the 6000 SuperCoaches who took the punt on him. Unfortunately, his defence percentage is headed in the wrong direction for him to be any hope of maintaining DEF/MID eligibility.
ISAAC HEENEY MID
MID 86% FWD 14%
At least we got to enjoy Isaac as a genuine SuperCoach superstar in his last year as a FWD ... unless John Longmire sends him back to the forward line next year. After spending more time forward against Collingwood, he was back in the guts against the Bombers, and that’s where we’ll have to pick him next year.
NICK DAICOS MID
DEF 10% MID 85% FWD 5%
Spent some time in the forward line to help spark Collingwood’s comeback against Brisbane but he’s now a full-time midfielder. We have been blessed with three years of premium-level scoring in defence, and it’s easy to forget he’s still only 21. Will be high in consideration as a starting pick in the midfield in 2025 – and for many years beyond.
Dayne Zorko’s move to half-back has been a big success. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images
DAYNE ZORKO DEF
DEF 89% MID 4% FWD 7%
It took most coaches a while to catch on that Zorko was an elite defender this year after a surprise switch to half-back paid off in a huge way. At round 9 he still featured in just 15,000 of SuperCoach teams – he’s now in more than 85,000. We couldn’t pick him next season at age 36 and with a history of soft-tissue injuries, could we? He has played 22 of 23 possible games this year and averaged 111 – and is coming home strong (five-round average 117).
HAYDEN YOUNG MID
DEF 2% MID 91% FWD 7%
The Phantom talked him up in the pre-season and now says he’ll pick him again in 2025 when he’s MID only. The former half-back moved into the midfield in the final month of 2023 and has really found his groove in the new role, and won’t be going back to defence.
NIC MARTIN DEF
DEF 73% MID 13% FWD 14%
The seventh-highest scoring defender for the season for under $500k? That’s a successful pick in our books. Martin has frustrated his owners at times this season, but he’s producing when it matters with scores of 104, 130 and 135 in SuperCoach finals. He won’t represent the same value next season and will be DEF only, but add him to the list of elite scorers down back to consider for our starting sides.
Nic Martin has been used at both ends of the ground
COLBY McKERCHER DEF
DEF 84% MID 9% FWD 7%
One of the more intriguing players to consider as a starting option in 2025. The No.2 draft pick has demonstrated his elite scoring power in his first season, but his role going forward remains something of a question mark. He spent some time forward last week against the Bulldogs (while still taking six kick-ins), but following Harry Sheezel into the midfield seems a more likely move. Will be DEF only but his price – and talent – will still make him very tempting.
ED RICHARDS MID
DEF 28% MID56% FWD16%
A surprise magnet move by Luke Beveridge that has paid off for the Bulldogs and the 6000 SuperCoaches who took the punt on him. Unfortunately, his defence percentage is headed in the wrong direction for him to be any hope of maintaining DEF/MID eligibility.
Lots of good sage advice here from proven experienced coaches, much appreciated.
I'm not a wordsmith or particularly knowledgeable on the AFL but I have one bit of advice, mostly for myself for next year.
Maintain your dpp links!, I started with all the right ones, even had doubles on two lines, ended up sacrificing some of them for the purpose of improving my scoring and it did. Went from a 90k start to just over 6000 now.
But now I am at round 24 with Sheezel getting a donut, no trades and no dpp option to fill in.
Very frustrating to lose a GF that way and I'm in quite a few minors and majors.
I'm not a wordsmith or particularly knowledgeable on the AFL but I have one bit of advice, mostly for myself for next year.
Maintain your dpp links!, I started with all the right ones, even had doubles on two lines, ended up sacrificing some of them for the purpose of improving my scoring and it did. Went from a 90k start to just over 6000 now.
But now I am at round 24 with Sheezel getting a donut, no trades and no dpp option to fill in.
Very frustrating to lose a GF that way and I'm in quite a few minors and majors.
This is an underrated point and very relevant. A few weeks ago I needed a downgrade and had so many d/m dpp guys split across both lines so I deliberately got El-Hawli. It’s been invaluable in moving guys around to get cover, as well as allowed me to trade Sheezel to a mid. I also avoided some rookies because of how they would clog up my bench (especially back or forward). So it pays to look at all those things together!