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[Professor]

Doctor SuperCoach: How to finish your team on a tight budget

Struggling to fill your team with stars on a limited budget? The experts from Doctor SuperCoach are here to help with four cut-price stars including the steal of the season.

Doctor SuperCoach, Herald Sun

June 25, 2019 12:25pm

FOXSPORTS1:41

AFL hand Walters one week ban

AFL: The MRO have handed down a one week ban to Fremantle star Michael Walters for a headbuttin...

You’ve probably heard SuperCoach being talked about like the stock market — buy low and sell high. But what happens when the stocks don’t rise as high as expected – or even worse, stop altogether?

In this week’s instalment of Doctors Orders, the expert team at Doctor SuperCoach will run through some cheap alternatives to target if you are strapped for cash!

Keep in mind that these players are not for everyone and only for those who may not get the chance to finish their team with outright premium scorers.

JACK CRISP $447,200 | AVG: 89.5 | BREAK EVEN: 76

Last year’s treasure started slower than expected in 2019, however, he is still boasting an average just half a point shy of 90.

Priced as the 21st-most expensive defender, Crisp offers a high floor for a defender and is constantly teasing us with the potential for a larger score. Crisp has averaged over 25 touches per game in 2019, more than the 23 he averaged last season, yet his SuperCoach average has dropped off by over five points per game.

Jack may be less effective with ball in hand this season, but any player that can average so many possession as a defender has decent SuperCoach potential. Coming off of a score of 109, Jack plays just two teams currently inside the top eight in the remaining nine matches, raising hopes that last season’s form can still be recaptured.

Crisp offers a cheap alternative while still having the capabilities to go at a similar pace to most fringe top-eight defenders.

Jack Crisp (right) is a reliable option in defence.STEELE SIDEBOTTOM $479,000 | AVG: 94.2 | BREAK EVEN: 72

The 2018 shock runner-up in the Brownlow Medal count has had an unremarkable year so far. Steele is experiencing inconsistent performances from week to week, having already posted scores of 66, 67 and 54 to go with highs of 132, 120 and 118. So what do we make of this selection?

With Dayne Beams suffering a season-ending injury, it was likely that Steele would be required to do more heavy lifting in the midfield. In a small two-game sample size, Sidebottom has averaged 106 points since the Beams injury, however, it is his form since Round 7 that has caught the eye. In those past seven matches, six of those have been 90 or more, including four tons.

The one shocker was against the Swans, when he was heavily tagged and restricted to just 54 points. With the same draw ahead as the previously mentioned Crisp, we can expect Sidebottom to come home strong against a slew of weaker sides.

MATT CROUCH $484,200 | AVG: 102 | BREAK EVEN: 73

A noted strong finisher in previous seasons, Crouch posted averages of 121 from Round 10 onwards in 2017, and 110 from Round 15 onwards last season. Crouch is again poised to storm home this year — Adelaide has a difficult two weeks ahead followed by a run of seven weeks in which they just face just two top-eight sides.

Matt Crouch is available at a huge SuperCoach discount. Picture: Sarah Reed

If the ability to finish the season strongly coupled with a soft draw hasn’t sold you, than look no further than Crouch’s form so far this season. With just one score below 90 this season — which was due to injury — the younger Crouch brother has already averaged 107 (minus the injury-affected game) to this point and is priced as the 38th highest midfielder – all while averaging inside the top 20 players in the game.

With all of these things considered, Matt Crouch could be one of the best budget options we see this year at his kind price of just $484,200.

ROBBIE GRAY $471,700 | AVG: 88.5 | BREAK EVEN: 65

This is not breaking news, but Gray is injury prone. This has its pros and cons in SuperCoach. On the pro side of the ledger, Gray started the season well, averaging 96 from his opening three games. This was followed by a con and an average of 57 in the following three games before Gray was shut down for a month due to injury – but this makes him cheap.

The story did not end there however, as Gray returned to the team and the midfield, for an average of 106 in his most recent four games.

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SC DRAFT: FREE GUIDE TO RUNNING YOUR OWN COMP

This could be explained by injuries to Port Adelaide midfielders such as Tom Rockliff, or due to the extra dimension he adds to the Power onball brigade — his midfield minutes have seemingly increased since his latest comeback.

Whatever the reason, it is undeniable that a fit Gray can — and has — scored well enough to be a worthwhile selection to sneak into that final forward line spot in all of our teams.

This selection comes with a flashing warning light as the risks are there, however it has to be said — a fit and firing Gray is capable of challenging the top six forwards for the rest of the year.

Get more expert tips from the team at Doctor SuperCoach here.

 

[Professor]

Essendon defender Mason Redman ranks as AFL’s most consistent player to Round 15

Every coach loves the player they can rely on to deliver each week. But you might be surprised who ranks No. 1 as the AFL’s most consistent performer of 2019.

Tim Michell, Herald Sun

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June 25, 2019 2:22pm

Howe breaks bet silence



Darcy Moore’s importance to Collingwood has been emphasised by statistics which reveal the key defender is one of the AFL’s most consistent players.

Champion Data statistics show Moore ranks third in the competition for ranking points consistency, behind Essendon’s Mason Redman and Melbourne’s Josh Wagner.

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After being restricted to seven games last season due to injury, Moore has scored between 64 and 79 in nine of his 11 matches, averaging 15.5 disposals and 4.6 marks in 2019.

“He’s certainly shored up their defence,” Magpies premiership player Mick McGuane said.

“I would love to see over an extended period of time how Moore and (Tom) Langdon operate.

“I reckon we’d be talking in similar volumes to (Tom) Barrass, (Shannon) Hurn and (Jeremy) McGovern.

“Them as a team within the team would be quite formidable.

“From an individual standpoint he’s very good one-on-one and he’s proven that on a number of occasions this year.

“He backs his judgment in the air which I like in a defender.”

Essendon's Mason Redman has been the most consistent player of 2019. Picture: Michael Klein.

Moore ranks fourth among players with an average of 70 ranking points or more for reliability behind Geelong’s Tom Stewart (101.1 points), Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel (89) and dumped Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder (83.8).

“I see a really driven individual that has lived in the land of hurt and frustration,” McGuane, who recently spoke to Moore for an exclusive one-on-one interview, said.

“Which has been outside of his control because his body has failed him at times. But the way he has attacked his rehab … it’s made him a consistent contributor this year.”

After 24 matches, Worpel has already established himself as a key member of Hawthorn’s engine room.

The 20-year-old has had at least 20 disposals in 12 of his 13 games this year, helping fill the void left by Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell’s season-ending injury.

Darcy Moore has proven his value to Collingwood in defence after overcoming injury. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

Geelong Falcons talent manager Michael Turner still regards Worpel as one of the greatest draft steals in his time at the NAB League footy factory.

Worpel led the Falcons to a premiership in his draft year, which Turner spent urging AFL clubs to pay close attention to the ball-winning ability of a midfielder he likened to Taylor Adams and Ben Cunnington.

“The James Worpel one, in my time, it’s probably one of the biggest shocks I’ve had that he went pick No. 45 in the draft,” Turner told the Herald Sun this week.

“He’s proven them wrong.”

Turner said he Worpel’s professionalism had enabled him to make the jump from under-18 football to AFL level with little fuss.

“The biggest thing with all players once they go to AFL clubs, as long as they have got that attitude that they are going to work hard to improve, they will improve,” he said.

“He’s been fantastic.”

Josh Wagner has been a reliable performer for Melbourne this year. Picture: Michael Klein

All-Australian defender Stewart has been the most consistent player with an average ranking above 100, followed by Western Bulldogs half-back flanker Caleb Daniel (103.6) and Sydney’s Jake Lloyd (116.2).

Geelong VFL coach Shane O’Bree, one of the key figures in Stewart’s successful transition to the AFL ranks, said the 26-year-old’s reliability was one of his strengths.

“He puts a lot of work into his game on and off the field which helps him be a consistent player,” O’Bree said.

“Now (reliability) is really importance because of no runners. You want all your players having a good knowledge of the game and awareness.

“Tom is very good at that … he knows our game plan inside and out.”

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YOUR CLUB’S MOST CONSISTENT PLAYER

Source: Champion Data.

Adelaide: Daniel Talia (13 games, average 68.2, standard deviation 13.3)Brisbane Lions: Luke Hodge (12 games, average 66.8, SD 13.9)Carlton: Paddy Dow (13 games, average 58.8, SD 13.6)Collingwood: Darcy Moore (11 games, average 76.2, SD 11.1)Essendon: Mason Redman (10 games, average rank 67.2, standard deviation 8.4).Fremantle: Ethan Hughes (13 games, average rank 61.5, SD 12)Geelong: Tom Stewart (13 games, average 101.1, SD 13.1)Gold Coast: Jesse Joyce (11 games, average 61.4, SD 12.1) GWS Giants: Adam Kennedy (13 games, average 63.1, SD 15.3)Hawthorn: James Worpel (12 games, average 89, SD 11.7)Melbourne: Josh Wagner (10 games, average 60.3, SD 9.6)North Melbourne: Luke McDonald (10 games, average 63, SD 13.2)Port Adelaide: Tom Clurey (13 matches, average 70.8, SD 11.2)Richmond: Kamdyn McIntosh (13 games, average 66.6, SD 13.9)St Kilda: Nathan Brown (10 matches, average 55.2, SD 12.5)Sydney: Tom McCartin (10 games, average 47.5, SD 14.1)Western Bulldogs: Zaine Cordy (13 matches, average 51.3, SD 13.8)West Coast: Oscar Allen (12 matches, average 64, SD 11.5)

Tom Stewart soars above a pack to mark against Port Adelaide. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

MOST CONSISTENT 100+ RANKING PLAYERS

Tom Stewart, GeelongCaleb Daniel, Western BulldogsJake Lloyd, SydneyMitch Duncan, GeelongTodd Goldstein, North MelbourneLuke Parker, SydneyAndrew Gaff, West CoastTravis Boak, Port AdelaideJosh Kelly, GWS GiantsAdam Treloar, Collingwood

 

[Professor]

St Kilda’s percentage the worst of any 6-7 Saints team in history after going winless against current top eight

St Kilda’s percentage is only four points better than bottom side Carlton, despite having four more wins than the Blues. At 83.4 per cent, it’s one of the worst records of any 6-7 team in AFL history.

Tim Michell, Herald Sun

June 25, 2019 1:31pm

FOXSPORTS3:24

Saints' grim coach comment

AFL: When St Kilda's footy boss Simon Lethlean, it spelt the start of danger for coach Alan Ric...

Only two sides in AFL history have had a poorer percentage than St Kilda with a 6-7 record.

After its 56-point defeat to Brisbane Lions on Saturday, the Saints’ percentage dropped to 83.4 — the worst of any Saints side to be 6-7 since 1942.

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Two years ago, Fremantle won six of its first 13 games but had a percentage of 79.6, while Carlton had a percentage of 81.8 after Round 14 in 2016.

St Kilda is the only team in the competition yet to win against one of the current top-eight, having lost their seven games by an average of 38 points.

The closest they came was against eighth-placed Fremantle in Round 3, going down by five points.

Dan Hannebery of the Saints (left) and Jack Billings leave the field after Saturday’s loss to Brisbane Lions. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

St Kilda’s six victories 2019 have been by one point (Gold Coast), 11 points (Essendon), five points (Hawthorn), 40 points (Melbourne), 13 points (Carlton) and four points (Gold Coast).

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In contrast, five of their losses have been by 29 points or more.

Pressure has intensified on Alan Richardson after the Saints’ heavy defeat to the Lions, with St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt suggesting the club needs at least four more winsfor the coach to save his job.

Riewoldt said that mark would give Richardson a “fighting chance” after a year where the club has been dogged by injuries.

“I think it’s plain to see,” he said on SEN.

“The club needs to start beating teams above them on the ladder and they cannot put in performances where the effort is as bad as it was on the weekend.”

Wayne Carey went as far as saying“there are people inside the club white-anting” Richardson.

The Saints face three teams outside the top eight in the next four weeks (North Melbourne, Richmond and Western Bulldogs) and take on ladder leader Geelong in Round 17.

St Kilda also takes on Carlton, Melbourne and Sydney during the run home.

Worst percentages with a 6-7 record

TeamPercentageFremantle, 201779.6%Carlton, 201681.1%St Kilda, 201983.4%St Kilda, 194286%St Kilda, 201687.8%Melbourne, 194387.9%Fremantle, 201888.7%Richmond, 201688.8%Brisbane, 199489.2%

 

[Professor]

SuperCoach: Should Rory Sloane, Adam Treloar or Angus Brayshaw fill your last midfield spot?

Close in price and average, Caleb Daniel and Rowan Marshall will be popular picks to complete SuperCoach forward lines. Which should you target? TRADE GUIDE

Tim Michell, Herald Sun

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June 24, 2019 1:27pm

FOXSPORTS0:19

Lloyd soars over the Magpies

AFL: Western Bulldogs forward Sam Lloyd has soared for one of the better marks of season 2019 a...

That noise you can hear is the sound of every SuperCoach breathing a sigh of relief.

The three most trying weeks of the season are behind us and a check of your projected score for Round 15 should have provided welcome relief.

This year's bye rounds were easier to navigate than past seasons thanks to the number of premium scorers who pumped out scores above 120.

In the past three weeks, there have been 38 scores above 120 — including 32 in rounds 13 and 14.

It has meant the target most coaches settle for during the byes, generally about 5000 points, rose to about 6000 points for those in contention for the prizes.

If you used your trades wisely in the past three weeks, you should be close to a full premium team.

Rory Sloane ($511,000) and Adam Treloar ($502,500) are value selections who can help complete your midfield, while Luke Ryan ($514,500), Rowan Marshall ($530,000) and Caleb Daniel ($532,000) are standout picks in their respective positions.

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Use your trades sparingly from this point unless you have 10 or more.

If you have under eight trades left, as many coaches do, you’re likely to need at least four of those in the last month of the campaign.

You need to be prepared for players being rested, sent for surgery or spending longer than expected on the sidelines with injury once teams fall out of finals contention.

If you don’t have cover or trades saved for these inevitable scenarios, your rank will suffer and you’ll need a lot of luck to achieve glory come league finals.

|Hands up if you’re trading in Rory Sloane this week. He’ll be the most popular of the fallen premium midfielders. Picture: Sarah Reed.TOP TARGETS

Rory Sloane $511,000, Mid, Avg 108.7, BE 75

The buy of Round 15. The only reason Sloane (whose 108.7-point average ranks 12th among this year’s midfielders) is this cheap is his score of 35 from Round 11 when he suffered a hamstring injury against Melbourne. He has scored 111 or better in five of his last seven games and even managed 103 after getting off the leash in the last quarter against GWS. Any player who manages triple figures with Matt De Boer for company deserves respect. He’s burned coaches in the past but is flying this year and you’ll likely regret it if you don’t grab him.

Griffin Logue $164,300, Def, Avg 98, BE -99

Logue has more than justified his elevated rookie price with scores of 93 and 103 after returning to Fremantle’s side in place of injured backman Alex Pearce. His job security is strong and his scoring potential is clearly worth paying $164,300 for. Logue is predicted to rise by $70,000-$80,000 this week and will be a popular pick at D6 or D7 in most sides for the rest of the year. He took seven marks on Saturday and went at 88 per cent disposal efficiency. Don’t miss out.

Patrick Naish $123,900, Def, Avg 72.5, BE -72

If you can’t afford the extra $40,000 to grab Logue, Naish is the other cheap option in defence. Unlike Logue, the Tigers rookie doesn’t have great job security with players such as Trent Cotchin and Shane Edwards a chance to return this weekend. Scores of 78 and 67 mean he deserves to be on your radar but find the extra money to nab Logue if you can.

Nick Hind $117,300, Mid, Avg 66.5, BE -63

Hind rocketed into SuperCoach calculations with a score of 90 in St Kilda’s defeat to Brisbane Lions. After 43 on debut, he had 13 disposals and booted three goals in an impressive display against the Lions. His scoring will be volatile if it relies on goals, but he should be afforded a decent run in a St Kilda team hit by injuries and battling for form. If you’re downgrading in midfield, Hind is your man.

Angus Brayshaw has found form in the past three weeks. Picture: Michael Klein.

Angus Brayshaw $448,800, Mid, Avg 90.5, BE 49

We’ve seen enough in the last three weeks to be confident Brayshaw is back. If you are chasing a bargain pick for M8, Brayshaw needs to be considered courtesy of his three-round average of 102.7. He’s managed 116 and 101 in the past two games and is set for another price rise due to his break even of 49. His worst-case scenario is likely a run of scores close to his average of 90, which isn’t quite premium status but could be enough to secure league wins come finals.

Adam Treloar $502,500, Mid, Avg 105.8, BE 77

Treloar generally slips under the radar as a SuperCoach option and this year has been no different. He’s still only in 13.7 per cent of teams and is available this round for a $91,700 discount on his opening price, despite an average close to 106. He’s only scored less than 83 once and nine of his 13 scores have been 102-150. While most coaches prepare to add Rory Sloane to their teams, Treloar could be the POD pick who adds a touch of class to your midfield.

Matt Crouch $484,200, Mid, Avg 102, BE 73

Beware the possibility of an injury if you trade in Crouch, but he’s worth a look at this price. Before his injury-affected 54 in Round 8, Crouch had scored between 90-138 in each game to Round 7. He generally needs big possession numbers to rack up SuperCoach points but that’s no issue when Crouch is on song. Can he average more than teammate Sloane and Treloar for the rest of the year? It’s doubtful.

Luke Ryan $514,500, Def, Avg 103.3, BE 111

Fremantle star Ryan is shaping as a certain top-six defender with only Jake Lloyd boasting more points than the Docker this year. His low score of the season remains 78 and he has one of the highest ceilings of any defender with 156 in Round 3. You could yet get him cheaper next week due to his break even of 111 but he shouldn’t lose much value this week.

Adam Treloar has been one of the most consistent scorers of the star-studded Collingwood midfield. Picture: Michael Klein.

Rowan Marshall $530,000, Fwd, Avg 103.6, BE 73

Scores of 139, 122 and 119 for Marshall in the past three weeks have caused his price to jump from $444,200 in Round 11 to $530,000. He has a three-round average of 126.7 and still represents a value pick at that price. The No. 1 ruck role is one of the friendliest in SuperCoach and Marshall has a stranglehold on that position at St Kilda. Forget those doubts he’ll slow down at some point and get him in before it’s too late.

Caleb Daniel $532,000, Fwd, Avg 103.2, BE 87

Daniel backed up the news of signing a new deal with the Bulldogs with 114 against Collingwood. He’s averaged 105.5 at Marvel Stadium this year, where Western Bulldogs play five of their remaining games. With so much midfield talent at the Dogs, Daniel has avoided a tag so far and been allowed to roam free at halfback. That has resulted in an average of 28.2 disposals and he’s also having four marks per game. It’s a tough call to split him and Marshall.

 

[Professor]

Continued

HOLD

Reilly O’Brien $446,000, Ruc, Avg 95.6, BE -21

Sam Walsh $439,100, Mid, Avg 89.8, BE 69

Will Setterfield $265,600, Fwd-Mid, Avg 55.4, BE 28

If you held this trio through their Round 14 bye, it makes sense to retain them in your side for at least one more week. Reilly O’Brien is going to surge in price for the next two weeks and he’ll be a straight swap to a premium by about Round 17 thanks to his score of 181 from last weekend. Walsh should meet his break even of 69 this week and will afford you the luxury to upgrade in other positions before dealing with your M8 spot. Setterfield is doing enough to provide cover in midfield or attack and his dual-position status is a bonus. Four of his last five scores have been 62-67.

CHOPPING BLOCK

Marty Hore $423,300, Def, Avg 83.7, BE 108

Xavier Duursma $385,400, Def-Mid, Avg 73.5, BE 89

Brodie Smith $400,800, Def, Avg 85.2, BE 115

Noah Answerth $237,700, Def-Mid, Avg 52.8, BE 70

Darcy Moore $369,100, Def-Fwd, Avg 76.6, BE 77

What to do with Marty Hore is the head scratcher of the round. His average of 83.7 is enough to provide cover at D7, but there would be temptation to turn him into a player such as Shannon Hurn due to Hore’s break even of 108. I’d suggest holding Hore and dealing with bigger issues, but he may not be the keeper many coaches were hoping for. This is the week to bid farewell to reliable cash cow Xavier Duursma unless you need him on field in midfield or defence, while Brodie Smith is all but certain to drop below $400,000 after Round 15. Any score below 80 this week is going to make the Crows defender difficult to upgrade. Will you have $170,000 spare to turn him into Hurn next week? There’s a decent case for holding both Answerth (who hasn’t made enough value to justify a trade) and Moore (due to his valuable Def-Fwd swing).

Whether to trade or hold Marty Hore is a huge call for coaches this week. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.WAIT A WEEK

Shannon Hurn $570,000, Def, Avg 111.8, BE 161

Lachie Neale $558,700, Mid, Avg 120.4, BE 146

Ben Cunnington $568,400, Mid, Avg 110.5, BE 146

Start making plans to bring in Hurn and Neale next week if you’ve waited this long. Hurn will be one of the most popular additions ahead of Round 16 when his price will hopefully be around $550,000. That’s too good to resist for one of the top defensive picks of the year. Prioritise Neale over Cunnington for your last midfield spot. His 79 against St Kilda means he should drop to under $550,000 after this week, which is hard to believe considering his 120-point average.

BARGAIN BIN

Under $500,000

Tom Stewart $494,900, Def

Jack Ziebell $492,300, Fwd

Matt Crouch $482,300, Mid

Daniel Rich $479,500, Def

Jack Billings $476,200, Fwd

Robbie Gray $471,700, Fwd-Mid

James Sicily $464,100, Def

Jeremy Cameron $454,600, Fwd

Under $450,000

Angus Brayshaw $448,800, Mid

Jade Gresham $448,400, Fwd

Jack Crisp $447,200, Def

David Mundy $446,800, Fwd-Mid

Sam Menegola $419,400, Fwd-Mid

Tom McDonald $345,700, Fwd

Alex Witherden $344,500, Def

 

[Professor]

The Phantom’s Trade Talk: Griffin Logue’s numbers make him worthy of an on-field spot but which defender makes way?

It’s a small sample but Griffin Logue’s intercept numbers in the past two weeks make him one of the best SuperCoach downgrade options of the year. Is he worthy of an on-field spot? Recap The Phantom’s live chat now.

The Phantom, The Advertiser

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June 25, 2019 2:10pm

Howe breaks bet silence



Forget Sicily and Clarko, it’s time to focus on SloaneSuperCoach Round 14 trade guideUnique for the week for Round 14

After two impressive games, many SuperCoaches are considering Docker defender Griffin Logue for, not only a Round 15 downgrade, but an on-field spot.

And rightly so.

RECAP THE PHANTOM’S LIVE CHAT IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

While the 21-year-old’s first 13 games of senior footy — all which came in his debut season of 2017 — provided little to write home about in a SuperCoach sense, Logue’s numbers in the past two weeks make for impressive reading.

Following on from his 24-disposal, 93-point performance in Round 13, the former first-round draft pick tallied 17 disposals, 10 contested possessions and seven marks against the Demons on Saturday.

Griffin Logue was drafted by Ross Lyon and the Dockers at pick No. 8 in 2016.

But it was Logue’s intercept numbers which saw him produce the first SuperCoach ton of his career.

“I was there first-hand to watch him on Saturday and the one thing that stood out to me was his ability to win the ball back,” Champion Data’s Fantasy Freako told The Phantom’s Lair Podcast.

“He had a game-high 12 intercepts and he actually leads the competition for this stat in the past two rounds with 25,” Freako added.

Not only does Logue rank No. 1, he has recorded six more than any other player and his 20 contested possessions is second-only to Nat Fyfe — who leads the competition — at Fremantle.

The 193cm Logue, whose 2018 was ruined by mid-season foot surgery, has taken eight intercept marks — Jeremy McGovern’s league-leading average is 3.7 — and four contested marks.

Logue also rates elite for tackles, pressure acts, ground-ball gets and score involvements among defenders.

Sure it’s a small sample size but as Fantasy Freako said “he couldn’t have done any more in his two games”.

With fellow key defender Alex Pearce’s season-ending injury, Logue’s job security is as good as we’ve seen for a rookie-price player this year.

If he can just get close to replicating these numbers from the past two rounds, Logue will make a perfect D6 for the next few weeks, for those teams struggling to afford a final upgrade in defence.

But for many teams, the question is who makes way?

For those still holding cash cows Jordan Clark, Noah Answerth and Chris Burgess, that’s the obvious move

While the Burgess trade won’t net you much cash, it will strengthen your bench cover for the run home — something many SuperCoaches don’t have.

Still own Magpie Darcy Moore? He could be the one to make way for Logue.

While Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursma and Darcy Moore will also come in handy in the back-half of the year, given their dual-position status, with breakevens greater than their average, they aren’t making fast money anytime soon.

A move to Logue, while sacrificing the dual-position status, will give you similar scoring power and in-excess of $200k to help with your final upgrades.

And the money could be important this week with plenty of midfield value, in the form of Rory Sloane, Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar and Matt Crouch, on offer.

But the decision SuperCoaches seem to be struggling with the most is whether it should be Brodie Smith or Marty Hore who makes way.

Prior to the 49-point return — the lowest of his career — post-bye, the mature-age Demon scored 86 or more in seven of the previous eight matches.

On the hand, after an impressive start which saw him average 92 points per game in the opening nine rounds — with three SuperCoach tons — Smith has posted scores of 65, 96, 48 and 74 in his past four matches.

Brodie Smith being put through his paces at Crows training.

But the dashing Crow defender was tagged by Giant Isaac Cumming in Round 12 and eight clangers against the Tigers in Round 13 severely hurt his score.

While Smith’s career-average of 55 in matches against Geelong — Adelaide’s Round 14 opponent — is the lowest against any side, the Crows play Gold Coast, Essendon, Carlton and St Kilda in a four-game stretch after the Showdown on Saturday week.

Hore should bounce back but I’m backing Smith to average more from here.

Originally published as Trade Talk: Rising star not just playing a supporting role

 

[Professor]

SuperCoach AFL Draft is the perfect mid-season pick-me-up

The week after the bye round is the perfect time to explore the options of SuperCoach Draft, the SuperCoach format game that allows you to draft your own side from scratch with no salary cap, playing against your mates in the pursuit of SuperCoach glory.

Andrew Weaver & Dan Batten, FOX SPORTS

June 24, 2019 12:38pm

If you’re lucky enough to have Pick 1 in SuperCoach Draft, do you pick up Brodie Grundy from the Pies or the Demons’ Max Gawn?

So does it feel like your SuperCoach Classic season is over at the conclusion of the bye rounds, with too many trades expended? Or perhaps you’re locked in a stressful battle for league supremacy and need something to freshen you up after the season has concluded?

START YOUR SUPERCOACH DRAFT NOW

The week after the bye round is the perfect time to explore the options of SuperCoach Draft, the SuperCoach format game that allows you to draft your own side from scratch with no salary cap, playing against your mates in the pursuit of SuperCoach glory.

FOXSPORTS0:45

Charlie in charge for Lions

AFL: Two days after his brother Jarrod made his AFL debut, Charlie Cameron has stolen the show ...

From a draft day to inter-team trading, SuperCoach Draft is a perfect way to close out a season, as you can set it up with any format that you want, which is exactly that Herald-Sun and Fox Footy SuperCoach fanatics are doing this week.

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With ten players taking part, they’ve gone with a simple head-to-head strategy with no finals, playing the opponent once, and starting in Round 15, with every team taking the other on once to close out the season and the winner decided by the Premier League approach of most wins getting the chocolates, with a simple 12 player per team set-up, with 2 defenders, 3 midfielders, 1 ruckman, 2 forwards, and 4 on the bench.

But, really, any format can be used for a SuperCoach Draft system, which is why it works so beautifully, with a myriad of different options available to select from, including:

League size (from four to 18 teams)League start round (any round you choose from now onwards)Fixture options (whether to finish with a finals or play a Premiership-style ladder)Fully customisable draft date and timeSquad size and field layout (from 12 players right up to 30 in the squad)Draft type (live, auto, or live on one computer)Draft order (snake, linear or banzai)Draft turn time (from 30 seconds to no limit)With Dual Position Player flexibility, Patrick Dangerfield is always an early Draft pick

LEAGUE CUSTOMISATION

In your league you can customise many different features to suit you and your mates.

You have the flexibility to choose different league and season length settings, the set-up of your draft and the trading and gameplay rules.

Everything from when finals in your league begin, to allowing a rolling lockout from when games kick-off on the weekend.

THE DRAFT

It’s in the name, isn’t it?

Set a date, a time and revel in the fun that is SuperCoach Draft.

This is one of the most exciting parts of the format. You play the role of the list manager on draft night, with all the players in the competition to choose from.

The twist here compared to SuperCoach Classic … there is only one of every player. One Brodie Grundy, one Patrick Dangerfield, one Nat Fyfe.

It makes for a nervous wait between picks, as you hope your opponents don’t choose the players your heart is set on.

The draft gets a little tricky towards the end as your bona-fide premiums are off the board, but half the fun is nailing hidden gems and draft steals to fill out your side.

The draft is done best when all in the league are together, armed with laptops and stats with a time limit set to keep tensions high.

You’re on the clock.

WARNING: Be sure the league leader in charge with randomising the draft order is someone you trust. If they end up with the No. 1 pick, it is no coincidence.

Red hot youngster Sam Walsh of the Blues is perfect if you’re in a SuperCoach Draft ‘keeper’ league

KEEPER LEAGUES

If you and your group of SuperCoach diehards are set on going the long hall, a keeper league is for you.

In this form of Draft, teams remain the exact same across however many years you wish to play together.

It brings different tactics into play; do you draft for the now and try to win this year’s flag, or instead do you draft for sustained success?

For instance, you may steer clear of a veteran like Shaun Burgoyne — who turns 37 in October — in a keeper league.

On the flip-side, young guns like No. 1 draft pick Sam Walsh are more highly sought after.

HOW THE DRAFT PLAYS OUT

How the draft will pan out will depend on whether you set the draft to “linear”, “snake” or “banzai” order.

Let’s see how these orders will look in a 12-team league.

In the linear order, getting the first pick is the greatest advantage, with the order of picks staying the same each round.

First pick will have selections No. 1 and 13, second will have No. 2 and 14, and so on.

If you choose snake, the player with the first pick will then have the last pick of the second round.

For instance, if you had the first selection in a 12-team league and chose Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn, you would have to wait another 23 selections until the next choice at pick 24.

With James Sicily of the Hawks earning far less points after moving into the forward line, is he now a risky SuperCoach Draft pick before the third round?

You would then have another selection at 25, before waiting until No. 48 for your fourth draft pick.

This is why having a pick somewhere in the middle can be an advantage if there is no clear standout.

In that same league, someone with pick five could snare Carlton beast Patrick Cripps and Hawks defender James Sicily with their second pick at No. 19.

The banzai format is like snake until the end of Round 2, but instead of reversing again in Round 3, the selections stay the same as Round 2. It then returns to a regular snake order.

The player with pick No. 1 will also have pick 24, 36 and 37.

Ultimately though, how the draft pans out will depend on what those before you select.

WARNING: Just don’t let the customisable timer, which can run for everything from 30 seconds to make a choice through to having no limit, run out and auto-select any player expected to miss the rest of the season with your picks.

TRADING

We have 30 trades to use in SuperCoach Classic, but we certainly can’t trade a player with another SuperCoach team

This is where the Draft gets really interesting.

If a player you fancied in the draft isn’t delivering on the park, you can offer him up to other members of your league.

Likewise, if you can see a player in your mate’s side with a favourable run home, you can look to nab him for one of your side’s underperforming stars.

You can trade up to five players at one time, making for endless possibilities on the trade table.

This format is at its best when teams are trigger happy throughout the season, with the regret and jubilation from one-sided trades creating plenty of banter in the league’s group inbox.

Shannon Hurn of the Eagles is one of the best scoring DEF available and is a sure-fire winner in SuperCoach Draft formats

FREE AGENCY

Just like in the NBA or NFL, those that aren’t drafted remain in the free agency pile.

If you see a player without a home who is lighting it up, you can trade out one of your players for that prized free agent.

With the unpredictability of SuperCoach and the likelihood of injury striking, picking up those that missed on draft night is crucial to Draft success.

FINAL WORD

Enjoy what is sure to be a bumpy ride as you battle injury, form slumps, draft regret, failed trades and everything in between.

Despite all this, you are sure to have plenty of fun along the way as you battle it out against your mates with your own unique side.

Best of luck for the mini-season ahead, and happy drafting.

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Originally published as SuperCoach Draft — time to buckle up and go again

 

[Professor]

Round 14 SuperCoach scores and late mail

Win, lose or draw, there are some players who just deliver in SuperCoach. Collingwood and Western Bulldogs are among the most fruitful clubs and they did not disappoint, with Brodie Grundy producing a monster. SEE EVERY SCORE

Herald Sun

Subscriber only

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June 23, 2019 6:48pm

FOXSPORTS1:41

Hamstrung Swans beat Hawks

AFL: The Swans have defeated Hawthorn at the SCG by 19 points but it could of come at a major cost.

It would seem unfathomable, but there are still almost 100,000 SuperCoaches who do not own Collingwood megastar ruckman Brodie Grundy.

And that means they’ve missed out on his highest ever career score he churned out against the Bombers.

After just 81 in Round 1, plenty of SuperCoaches dumped the towering tap machine, but, since then, he’s scored 11 tons from his past 12 games — his worst an 84 before the bye.

What better way to bounce back with more than double his score 174.

Talk about well-rested.

SCROLL DOWN FOR EVERY SUPERCOACH SCORE, PLUS LATE MAIL FOR EACH GAME

TIME TO TRADE MARTY HORE?

Marty Hore had long been shaping as the last ‘luxury’ trade SuperCoaches would make before finals.

Still in 91,900 teams, Hore was averaging 87.6 before he scored 49 on Saturday during Melbourne’s victory over Fremantle.

With a break even of 39 heading into Round 14, he still make money despite his worst total since Round 1.

If you can turn him into a defensive premium such as Tom Stewart or Shannon Hurn this week after his break even jumps, it might be hard to resist.

But remember he scored 116 and 94 in the two matches before Saturday’s total, so there is a strong case to be made for showing patience.

If you have bigger issues than a defender still likely to average 80 for the rest of the year, fix those first before trading the young Demon.

Is it time to trade Marty Hore? Picture: David CroslingNERVOUS WAIT AHEAD FOR COACHES WITH IN-FORM WALTERS

It will be a nervous few days for Michael Walters owners after the in-form Fremantle forward was reported for headbutting during Saturday’s game against Melbourne.

Walters, who has scored 110, 127 and 158 in the past three weeks, will come under scrutiny from match review officer Michael Christian after he was reported when a spotfire broke out in the third quarter.

A $539,500 SuperCoach mid-forward, Walters was traded into thousands of teams this week after his heroics against Port Adelaide.

If you don’t have cover, you’ll have a big issue on your hands if he’s rubbed out for Round 15.

Michael Walters was reported for headbutting on Saturday. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

CLARKO FLAGS END OF SICILY’S FORWARD EXPERIMENT

What are you doing, Clarko?

In a bid to find a way to kick a winning score, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has turned to gun defender James Sicily.

It hasn’t worked on the field and it definitely hasn’t worked for SuperCoaches.

After scraping over the line for 87 last round thanks to a late swing back into defence, the Italian Stallion — in more than 45,000 SuperCoach teams — had just eight disposals on the way to a shocking 40 points in last night’s loss to Sydney.

At almost $500,000, that’s simply not good enough for SuperCoaches.

But there is a silver lining.

Clarkson has acknowledged the experiment hasn’t worked.

“We need to work out a way to score a little bit better — The Sicily experiment hasn’t worked for us so far, so we need to decide what we do there,” Clarkson said.

Here’s an idea, Al, park him in defence and watch him intercept mark, rebound and use that booming boot to rack up the SuperCoach scores.

Signed — 45,000 SuperCoaches.

Clarko, please put James Sicily back in defence. Picture: Christian GillesWESTERN BULLDOGS V COLLINGWOOD

No late changes

Heroes: Brodie Grundy, Brodie Grundy and Brodie Grundy. A monstrous 174 represents the highest SuperCoach score of his career. If you didn’t start with him, or you traded him after his sub-ton in Round 1, here’s a tough learning experience. Adam Treloar (117) continued his two-match resurgence while Jack Crisp rewarded those who held onto him in defence with his first triple figure score since Round 5. Bulldog premos Jack Macrae (148), Caleb Daniel (114), Marcus Bontempelli (109) and Josh Dunkley (101) all rewarded SuperCoaches with tons.

Villains: Pies captain Scott Pendlebury looked like he was SuperCoach relevant again with back-to-back scores of 146 and 135, but those who snapped him up won’t be happy with his 71 that followed 67 against the Dees before the bye. Darcy Moore managed just 64 and if you haven’t traded him yet, it really is time. The Dogs lost, but it’s hard to find a villain who was SuperCoach relevant. Bailey Smith only had 36, so that will hurt his 15,000 owners and If you wanted to be critical, Dunkley just scraped in his ton after 173 last week and three-round average of 140, but anything over three figures is gravy.

Brodie Grundy was a monster against the Dogs. Picture: Michael KleinWESTERN BULLDOGS

Jack Macrae 148

Caleb Daniel 114

Marcus Bontempelli 109

Matthew Suckling 101

Josh Dunkley 101

Jackson Trengove 91

Lachie Hunter 89

Tory Dickson 86

Patrick Lipinski 85

Jason Johannisen 75

Sam Lloyd 70

Ed Richards 68

Josh Schache 67

Bailey Williams 67

Tim English 63

Taylor Duryea 54

Hayden Crozier 53

Aaron Naughton 48

Easton Wood 47

Roarke Smith 45

Zaine Cordy 41

Bailey Smith 36

MAGPIES

Brodie Grundy 174

Adam Treloar 117

Jack Crisp 109

Jordan Roughead 99

Tom Phillips 96

Steele Sidebottom 94

Ben Reid 93

Will Hoskin-Elliott 84

Scott Pendlebury 71

Jordan De Goey 70

James Aish 67

Travis Varcoe 66

Brayden Maynard 65

Chris Mayne 65

Josh Thomas 65

Darcy Moore 64

Callum L. Brown 63

Mason Cox 51

Brody Mihocek 49

Levi Greenwood 31

Brayden Sier 28

Jeremy Howe 23

 

[Professor]

PORT ADELAIDE V GEELONG

No late changes

Heroes: The No.1 ruck role clearly sits well with Scott Lycett, who put in a best on ground performance against the Cats and scored a massive 180 SuperCoach points. Travis Boak (118 points) was a popular trade-in target this week and he didn’t disappoint, notching up his 10th ton of the season, while those who’ve taken a punt on cut-price Robbie Gray (116 points) would be laughing. SuperCoaches who still have Connor Rozee will be ecstatic with his 96 points. Fresh off the birth of his daughter, Felicity, Patrick Dangerfield was Geelong’s best with 141 points, while Mitch Duncan (121) is having his best SuperCoach season. Gary Ablett also got to triple figures, while those who brought Tom Stewart into their defence were rewarded with 96 points. Tom Atkins had a big second half to finish with 84 points.

Villains: Tim Kelly copped some close attention and didn’t have his best game, managing just 76 points in Geelong’s loss. Ollie Wines’ impact around the midfield didn’t quite translate into SuperCoach points, scoring just 61. Tom Hawkins managed just 24 points, a poor return for a player who’ll set you back $511,500.

POWER

Scott Lycett 180

Travis Boak 118

Robbie Gray 116

Dan Houston 110

Karl Amon 103

Ryan Burton 96

Sam Gray 93

Hamish Hartlett 91

Connor Rozee 91

Darcy Byrne-Jones 80

Charlie Dixon 75

Xavier Duursma 75

Tom Clurey 74

Dougal Howard 65

Ollie Wines 61

Riley Bonner 60

Tom Jonas 58

Joel Garner 50

Brad Ebert 49

Steven Motlop 47

Zak Butters 43

Kane Farrell 24

CATS

Patrick Dangerfield 141

Mitch Duncan 121

Gary Ablett 100

Tom Stewart 96

Zach Tuohy 96

Mark Blicavs 83

Brandan Parfitt 83

Tom Atkins 82

Tim Kelly 76

Joel Selwood 70

Jack Henry 68

Jake Kolodjashnij 68

Mark O’Connor 66

Cameron Guthrie 64

Harry Taylor 63

Rhys Stanley 54

Darcy Fort 53

Jordan Clark 46

Luke Dahlhaus 39

Gryan Miers 27

Gary Rohan 24

Tom Hawkins 24

Scott Lycett was huge for the Power. Picture: Sarah ReedST KILDA V BRISBANE LIONS

No late changes

Heroes: The expectation won’t go away that Rowan Marshall will slow down at some point during his first full season as an AFL ruckman. But the breakthrough Saint keeps delivering and has scored 139, 122 and 119 in his past three games. He is shaping as a top-six SuperCoach forward come season’s end. His fellow ruckman Stefan Martin (130) was influential, while Dayne Zorko (117) and Daniel Rich (113) were outstanding. Rich is having a career-best campaign.

Villains: If you held Noah Answerth (38) through his bye, it’s time to start making plans to move on the rookie Lion. He’s scored 33 ands 38 in his past two games and only just met his break even of 37 on Saturday. Lachie Neale only managed 79 for those who jumped on after his Round 13 bye, but there’ll be big numbers on their way soon.

SAINTS

Rowan Marshall 119

Jade Gresham 106

Sebastian Ross 101

Dan Hannebery 96

Jack Billings 91

Nick Hind 90

Josh Battle 87

Luke Dunstan 84

Jack Sinclair 80

Josh Bruce 78

Tim Membrey 72

Shane Savage 72

Blake Acres 72

Callum Wilkie 65

Hunter Clark 62

Matthew Parker 61

David Armitage 54

Jake Carlisle 48

Dean Kent 40

Daniel McKenzie 38

Jack Newnes 28

Jonathon Marsh 26

LIONS

Stefan Martin 130

Dayne Zorko 117

Daniel Rich 113

Jarryd Lyons 112

Allen Christensen 106

Charles Cameron 106

Oscar McInerney 102

Alex Witherden 95

Mitch Robinson 89

Lincoln McCarthy 81

Lachie Neale 79

Hugh McCluggage 73

Darcy Gardiner 70

Eric Hipwood 64

Luke Hodge 63

Daniel McStay 61

Cam Rayner 59

Harris Andrews 56

Ryan Lester 54

Rhys Mathieson 42

Noah Answerth 38

Jacob Allison 18

MELBOURNE v FREMANTLE

No late changes

Heroes: Is there a more reliable vice-captain or captain than Max Gawn? The Demons ruckman scored his third consecutive 150+ on Saturday and his fifth score of 144 or better. If you didn’t take him as captain or vice-captain, you’re going to be a long way behind most coaches who did. Tom McDonald was back to his best with 135, while Clayton Oliver spent a lot of time off the ground but still racked up 114 points. Angus Brayshaw rewarded those who took a punt on him with 101 and you’ll be smiling if you still have Jay Lockhart after his 108.

Villains: You’ve got a big call to make this week if you have Marty Hore. His 49 on Saturday was his worst of the season and the only time he has scored below 60 since Round 1. After two hundreds from Fremantle rookie Griffin Logue, it will be tough to resist cashing in on Hore and trading him to the Docker. It’s not ideal when many coaches had Hore pencilled in as a defensive keeper.

DEMONS

Max Gawn 151

Tom McDonald 135

Clayton Oliver 114

Jay Lockhart 108

Jack Viney 106

Christian Salem 104

Angus Brayshaw 101

Christian Petracca 101

Sam Frost 92

Steven May 81

James Harmes 69

Tim Smith 68

Nathan Jones 62

Alex Neal-Bullen 61

Bayley Fritsch 60

Oskar Baker 55

Marty Hore 49

Josh Wagner 46

Sam Weideman 44

Harrison Petty 39

Mitch Hannan 32

Jayden Hunt 27

DOCKERS

Ed Langdon 114

Brandon Matera 112

Luke Ryan 106

Griffin Logue 103

Michael Walters 100

Nat Fyfe 91

Bradley Hill 83

Taylin Duman 79

Sean Darcy 78

Joel Hamling 75

Andrew Brayshaw 70

Sam Switkowski 69

Darcy Tucker 68

Reece Conca 68

Brett Bewley 68

Ethan Hughes 65

Connor Blakely 64

David Mundy 63

Brennan Cox 43

Nathan Wilson 38

Stephen Hill 21

Jesse Hogan 14

 

[Professor]

SYDNEY V HAWTHORN

No late changes.

Heroes: Midfield beast Luke Parker (138) continues to churn out the big scores and is the third-most expensive playing midfielder right now (Tom Mitchell is out for the season). Did anyone hold onto Callum Mills? After a horror start to the season, Mills now has scores of 100, 65, 94 and now 132 in the past month. Cheapie Nick Blakey (76) had his highest score of the season and will kickstart another price rise for those who are yet to cash him in. Ricky Henderson (119) looks like a 60-year-old but is playing like a 22-year-old, scurrying up and down the wing in a new role that has made him a SuperCoach monster. Started the season under $450k and is averaging better than 105 on the back of eight tons from 13 games. He’s only in just over 5000 teams and with a five-round average of 110, he offers POD low-end premium scoring in the run home at a tick over $500k.

Villains: We’ve already talked about Sicily, but you can take your pick from the Hawks, with only the aforementioned Henderson reaching triple figures. Popular mid/fwd James Worpel had his second-lowest score of the season (71), ruckman Ben McEvoy scored just 55 and all of Shaun Burgoyne (42), Tom Scully (42) and Paul Puopolo (41) had stinkers. Feels a bit wrong to do it, but poor old Lance Franklin is a spent force in SuperCoach. Booted four goals, but managed just 52 points, before injuring his hamstring late in the match. Josh Kennedy returned to the team for his first game in a month but managed only 77. We’ll give him a mulligan next week.

SWANS

Luke Parker 138

Callum Mills 132

Zak Jones 117

Callum Sinclair 115

Jake Lloyd 105

Jordan Dawson 104

Dane Rampe 100

Isaac Heeney 90

Tom Papley 89

George Hewett 86

Ryan Clarke 86

Colin O’Riordan 82

Josh P. Kennedy 77

Nick Blakey 76

Will Hayward 73

Lewis Melican 70

James Rose 67

Aliir Aliir 54

Lance Franklin 52

Sam Reid 52

Daniel Menzel 48

Oliver Florent 24

HAWKS

Ricky Henderson 119

Jaeger O’Meara 96

Isaac Smith 96

Liam Shiels 87

Jack Gunston 80

Blake Hardwick 76

Jarman Impey 75

Conor Glass 73

James Worpel 71

Dylan Moore 68

Jonathon Ceglar 68

Tim O’Brien 67

Kaiden Brand 64

Jarryd Roughead 62

James Frawley 59

Ben McEvoy 55

Luke Breust 54

Shaun Burgoyne 42

Tom Scully 42

Paul Puopolo 41

James Sicily 40

Harry Morrison 29

WEST COAST V ESSENDON

No late changes.

Five West Coast players churned out SuperCoach triple figures among 13 Eagles who went better than 80 in the demolition job of Essendon.

By contrast, the Dons had 14 players with 79 or less in a dirty day for those with Bombers in the SuperCoach teams.

Heroes : Eagles guns Elliot Yeo (142) and Luke Shuey (122) banged out tons with interest, but mid-priced Grand Final hero Dom Sheed took the chocolates with a mammoth 148 — a reminder that he’s available for under $500k. Debutant Jarrod Cameron gave rise to SuperCoach cheapie hopes, producing a crisp 69. One to watch in a fortnight. Not much to get excited about for the Bombers, but on-the-bubble rookie Dylan Clarke’s 59 will give him a nice bump in price.

Villains: Dylan Shiel (97) failed to crack the ton for the sixth time in seven games, but it was better than the 68 and 61 he’s managed in the past two weeks. Orazio Fantasia scored just 19 … ouch! If you held onto Jack Petrucelle, his 59 was two short of his break even.

EAGLES

Dom Sheed 148

Elliot Yeo 142

Jack Redden 122

Luke Shuey 122

Jamie Cripps 104

Brad Sheppard 95

Shannon Hurn 92

Liam Ryan 90

Andrew Gaff 89

Josh J. Kennedy 86

Tom Hickey 83

Lewis Jetta 82

Jeremy McGovern 81

Oscar Allen 72

Jarrod Cameron 69

Liam Duggan 60

Jack Petruccelle 59

Will Schofield 51

Jack Darling 42

Jackson Nelson 32

Mark Hutchings 32

Chris Masten 32

BOMBERS

Cale Hooker 110

Zach Merrett 104

Tom Bellchambers 102

Dyson Heppell 101

Dylan Shiel 97

Josh Begley 95

Jayden Laverde 90

David Zaharakis 85

Andrew McGrath 79

Michael Hurley 74

Darcy Parish 70

Mitch Brown 70

Mason Redman 70

Conor McKenna 63

Dylan Clarke 59

Kyle Langford 55

Adam Saad 46

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti 44

Patrick Ambrose 35

Shaun McKernan 25

Matt Guelfi 23

Orazio Fantasia 19

MORE SUPERCOACH:

Fantasy Freako’s SuperCoach formguide

Will Danger play? SuperCoach star on ‘baby watch’

Discount stars to power your SuperCoach side

 

[Professor]

WHAT DOES PORT ADELAIDE DO WITH THIS HIGH PROFILE QUARTET?

BY NIC NEGREPONTIS 16 HOURS AGO

Port Adelaide is in the process of making a number of changes to their regular side and in doing so, could see a number of stalwarts move on.

Paddy Ryder, Justin Westhoff and Sam Powell-Pepper were omitted from the team that defeated the top-of-the-table Cats last Saturday night, while Tom Rockliff remains on the outer with a hamstring issue.

Terry Wallace has gone through all four players and determined what he thinks the future holds for them.

Justin Westhoff

“Justin Westhoff, unless there is major injury, I don’t think gets back into this side,” Wallace told SEN Afternoons.

“So that’s fairly significant, I think he retires (at the end of the season).”

Patrick Ryder

“Patrick Ryder has always and will always want to be the number one ruckman. He is not fitting into the forward-ruck role whatsoever and he is now not even going to be considered for the forward-ruck role now that Charlie Dixon is back in.”

“Patrick Ryder will be at a new club in 12 months … I’ll go St Kilda. I wouldn’t if I was St Kilda, I would continue with Rowan Marshall, I love Marshall.”

This video will resume in 6 seconds



Sam Powell-Pepper

“The first thing with Sam Powell-Pepper is I think they want to re-establish what he is and who he is within that football club.”

“He’s the youngest of these players. I’ve never thought he was the Ollie Wines type midfielder to just be in there churning it out.

“When he came through the under 18s system, he was more a dynamic forward flanker.

“Maybe he’d be better suited more to the role of a Jordan de Goey – that type of role – I know de Goey plays a little bit deeper, but I think that they might readjust him. When Boak went back into the middle, Powell-Pepper might end up playing that Boak high half-forward role.

“He will have the WA clubs come knocking. Does he take on board what the club are trying to do with him, if so I think he comes back into the line-up, or does he put his tail between his leg and run for home.”

Tom Rockliff

“I think Tom Rockliff is in trouble. I think he’s superfluous to Port Adelaide’s needs.”

“When you have a look at what they’ve got, they’ve got Tom Rockliff’s all over the place.

“Personally, would someone else take him on this late, I’m doubtful.

“He probably has another year to go I would think (with Port) … personally, no I don’t (think another team will pick him up).

“He’s got 12 months to turn it around with Port Adelaide I would’ve thought.”

What does the coach say?

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley told SEN SA Breakfast this morning that none of the trio omitted are likely to return to face the Bulldogs this weekend.

“For us, it’s unlikely that we would bring any of the boys back in that actually haven’t played or missed out last week because of form,” the Power coach told SEN SA Breakfast.

“So I think that would be reasonable to suggest that they should and probably will play in the (Port Adelaide) Magpies.

“But we do face some challenges with selection so I won’t pre-empt exactly what’s going to happen or not happen.

“I’m one part of it so we’ll sit down and discuss that later on today.”

 

[Professor]

For those considering Chol, here's an sen1116 write up.

THE YOUNGSTERS WHO COULD BE CENTRAL TO TIGERS ASSAULT

BY ANDREW SLEVISON 2 HOURS AGO

Defender David Astbury has praised a pair of youngsters who are set to help Richmond launch an assault on the second half of the season.

The Tigers returned from the bye with a comfortable 33-point win over St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday courtesy of seven goals between Sydney Stack (four) and Mabior Chol (three).

With seven changes to the side, it was always going to take Damien Hardwick’s outfit a while to click and that was the case as they piled on 10 second-half goals to just three after a sluggish start which had them trailing by four points at the main break.

And it was the presence of the unlikely goal kicking duo Stack, 19, and Chol, 22, that sparked the Tigers, delighting their experienced teammate Astbury.

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“With a lot of changes there was probably a lot of unlucky boys but the way it worked, they were there youngest blokes we had out there,” he said on AFL Nation after the win.

“It’s great to see Mabior (play well). He’s unbelievably athletic and when he’s confident, he’s so difficult to play on.

“'Stacky’s' doing it all at the moment, at both ends of the ground.

“He’s quite a lunatic. We put him on our list in March, and just (love) the way he goes.

“He’s such a huge talent.”

Richmond is expected to charge home in the back-half of the year, but Astbury acknowledges plenty of improvement must be made for that to be the case.

However, he is confident the quality of those players still to return, married with the youthful exuberance currently on show, will take the Tigers a long way.

“We’ve definitely got work to do,” he added.

“At this stage last year, after the bye, we were probably in peak form. It turned out that it was probably too early.

“We’ve uncovered a lot of depth and we really feel like that could be called upon later in the year. We are definitely not at our best footy but we know that our best footy is good enough.

“I don't feel like there’d be too many teams wanting to play us in the back half of the year, particularly with the calibre of player we are going to get back.

“I’m really excited. There’s some players I haven’t played a lot of footy with over the course of my career and I’m really excited to play with them.

“'Marbs' (Chol) and Stacky are a couple of those and we reckon they can really carry us forward.”

Richmond, who currently sit seventh on the ladder, take on bottom-of-the-table Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

 

[Professor]

Spring-heeled suburban forward Cooper Sharman set to rocket up AFL draft charts

Jay Clark, Herald Sun

22 minutes ago

Subscriber only

A suburban footballer with a stunning vertical leap has emerged as one of the biggest bolters in this year’s draft pool.

Spring-heeled goal kicker Cooper Sharman, 19, has captured the attention of recruiters across the country with his dazzling athleticism and raw marking ability.

Likened to a younger Jeremy Howe, Sharman’s stocks have risen dramatically over the past month playing for Balwyn in the Eastern Football League under former AFL coach Rodney Eade.

And word has spread quickly, with recruiters from as many as eight AFL clubs watching him snag three goals in the wet against Blackburn on Saturday.

It comes on the back of a best-on-ground three-goal performance against Noble Park three weeks ago.

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Broncos pay the price for Seibold gamble

Recruiters are salivating over Balwyn prospect Cooper Sharman. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Trade HQ: Is $1.4m enough to join Carlton?

Trade HQ: What will Crows do with ‘in limbo’ stars?

Eade said the promising 190cm forward had “enormous upside”.

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“He has some good athletic traits but his vertical leap is like a trampoline, he can really jump up and mark at full extension and he has very good hands,” Eade said.

“Playing in our competition against men, on small grounds, he has outmarked some good VFL players, so he has certainly shown some raw talent.

“His basic skill set is very good, so marking, kicking, ground ball, his touch and footy IQ are all at a high level.

“The things that he needs to improve and that he hasn’t been exposed to, are things that will just improve in the AFL system, even a VFL system, like his running and fitness and strength.”

Originally from Leeton, in rural New South Wales, Sharman has developed late and moved to Melbourne to study and play for Balwyn this season.

He will play his second NAB League game for the Oakleigh Chargers against Geelong Falcons in Werribee on Sunday.

The goal ‘eccentric’ Dog waited five years for

Rowell and Anderson shape as top draft prospects

 

[Professor]

SuperCoach Round 16 trade guide: Which players are must-haves to complete your team?

Tim Michell, Herald Sun

July 1, 2019 11:16am

Subscriber only

League finals are in sight and the business end of the SuperCoach season will soon be upon us.

If you’re still carrying on-field rookies and have enough trades to upgrade them, your priority this week should be how to turn them into any of the year’s top scorers.

If you can flip Xavier Duursma ($366,400) to Shannon Hurn ($544,500), for example, you gain a premium scorer in defence to bolster your bid for a successful finish.

The must-have players on each line should be obvious by this point of the year.

If you can finish with Hurn, Lachie Whitfield and Jake Lloyd in defence, you’ll have an edge on those who don’t have the topscoring trio.

MORE IN SPORT

Round 16 AFL SuperCoach Trade Guide

Round 16 AFL SuperCoach Trade Guide

Trade HQ: Is $1.4m enough to join Carlton?

Trade HQ: Is $1.4m enough to join Carlton?

TRADE HQ: CAN BLUES PULL OFF CONIGLIO COUP?

MIRACLE WIN: HOW DID CARLTON DEFEAT DOCKERS?

The ‘big five’ in midfield is Josh Kelly, Lachie Neale, Nat Fyfe, Jack Macrae and Patrick Cripps. Complement these five players with the likes of Ben Cunnington, Rory Sloane and Zach Merrett and your side will be tough to topple.

Barring negative injury news out of the Demons this week, Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy will be the ruck combination you must finish with. They are averaging a combined 255 points per week and Gawn’s average of 125 is 22 points better than the third-ranked ruckman Todd Goldstein.

Travis Boak, Patrick Dangerfield and Tim Kelly are still the three top guns up forward, although Rowan Marshall and Josh Dunkley have stated a strong case to usurp them in the past month.

Of course, there are mitigating factors when considering how many of these players are in your final side.

Shannon Hurn is a pivotal player for all SuperCoach defences. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright.Travis Boak continues to pump out big scores as a SuperCoach forward. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes.

If you’re low on trades, you’ll need to hold firm with rookies and upgrade closer to the end of the season. Otherwise, cross your fingers and hope you avoid injuries or players being rested — which seems unlikely.

Those with Reilly O’Brien, Scott Lycett and Sydney Stack face a difficult call on when, and whether, to upgrade them.

Lycett has a break even of -8 after scores of 180 and 165 in the past two weeks and will surge past $600,000 as the sole ruckman at Port Adelaide.

O’Brien has a break even of one and plenty more money to make, despite the obvious temptation to upgrade him should he be stuck at R3 behind Gawn and Grundy. If you can stay patient for a few more rounds, he could be a direct swap to a top midfielder such as Kelly.

Stack will have no trouble meeting his break even of 43 this week and has jumped to $411,500.

Loading your team with premiums is usually a safe ploy, but it doesn’t guarantee success. As we saw with Max Gawn on Sunday, even the best can be slowed by an unforeseen injury and premium midfielders often carry the danger of being tagged.

Play the long game with Stack, O’Brien and Lycett and you’ll be rewarded when others are scrambling in the last month.

Josh Kelly is one of the must-have players in your SuperCoach midfield. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts;

TOP TARGETS

Shannon Hurn $544,500, Def, Average 111.2, Break even 127

One of the defensive premiums of the year, the West Coast skipper just finds a way to rack up points. He benefited from Hawthorn’s inaccuracy on Saturday which led to kick outs and has scored 94 and 102 in the past two weeks despite two of his quieter games for the year. If it’s not this week, then plan on adding Hurn to your team in Round 17. He’s still only in 19.1 per cent of sides, but that number should soar before league finals.

Josh Kelly $629,900, Mid, Avg 121.1, BE: 141

You might get him cheaper next week, but do you really want to wait another round for a player who scores points as easily as Kelly? He cruised to 104 with little fuss against Essendon despite having Dylan Clarke for company after a red-hot start on Thursday. Few players can score as quickly as the GWS star does and if you’ve got enough bank to grab him, he’s worth the high price tag. He’s scored eight tons in a row and 128 or better in five of his past seven games.

Travis Boak $564,500, Fwd, Avg 113.1, BE: 102

Boak has the best average and the most points of any SuperCoach forward this year. Need we say more? His return to midfield has been a masterstroke by Power coach Ken Hinkley and Boak produces the goods regardless of whether the inconsistent Port Adelaide wins or not. His past four scores are 114 or better and you’ll suffer if he’s not in your finishing team.

Nat Fyfe $621,000, Mid, Avg 120.6, BE: 130

One of the most reliable captaincy options, the Fremantle skipper has seven scores of 124 or better in his last nine games (most coaches use 125 as the line for taking a VC loophole). If you’ve still got a spot available in your midfield and money up your sleeve, Fyfe or Josh Kelly should be in your sights.

Lachie Neale $554,600, Mid, Avg 121.6, BE: 113

The Brisbane Lions star already features in 49.1 per cent of sides and rewarded those coaches when he returned to top form with 137 points against Melbourne. Neale’s season average of 121.6 is still the best of any midfielder, yet he’s available for almost $70,000 less than Fyfe and more than $75,000 less than Josh Kelly. If you don’t have him yet, make this the round you jump on. There’s no Matt De Boer tag to worry about this week.

Marc Murphy has returned to top form in the past two weeks for Carlton. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Marc Murphy $379,100, Mid, Avg 81.3, BE: 1

The bargain pick of this week’s options. Forgive Murphy’s season average, which is largely due to a score of 18 when he was crunched by Shane Mumford and a 39 when he had a poor outing against Hawthorn. The former Carlton skipper was superb against Fremantle on Sunday in Patrick Cripps’ absence, amassing 125 points. Murphy has six scores of 91 or higher in 11 matches and represents serious value at $379,100. If Cripps misses again due to his foot injury, that will only increase Murphy’s value.

Tim Kelly $551,300, Fwd-Mid, Avg 107.4, BE: 123

The Brownlow Medal favourite will be one of the top SuperCoach forwards of the year. His average might be six points below Travis Boak, but when Kelly is on he arguably has the highest ceiling of any forward. He’s dipped below 100 three times in the past six weeks but $551,300 is well below where he should be priced.

Rory Sloane $535,300, Mid, Avg 110.1, BE: 63

It’s not too late to jump on Sloane even if you missed out at his base price of $511,000 last week. There’s a school of thought due to his history of being restricted by past tags that Sloane represents a SuperCoach trap. But he scored triple figures when tagged by Matt De Boer and has hit the 120-mark in six matches. Trap? Not any more.

Rowan Marshall’s price is heading toward $600,000. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross.

Adam Treloar $529,100, Mid, Avg 108, BE: 60

Like Sloane, Treloar was at his base price heading into Round 15 when he was $502,500. His Round 16 price is still value for a player with a 108-point average. Treloar’s consistency has been undersold this year. He’s already pumped out 10 hundreds and three of the four matches he didn’t reach that mark were between 83-93. You’ll be paying top dollar in a few weeks if you don’t make the move now.

Ben Cunnington $568,500, Mid, Avg 113.1, BE: 132

After being kept to 59 by Matt De Boer, contested bull Cunnington returned to premium numbers with 146 against Collingwood. In his past six matches he has gone — 127, 99, 133, 132, 59 and 146. Contested possessions are gold in SuperCoach and no one is as prolific in that area as Cunnington. A few savvy coaches jumped on during the byes but he’s still a POD with 6.8 per cent ownership.

Rowan Marshall $569,500, Ruc, Avg 108.4, BE: 57

You’ve heard and read it every week — a first-year ruckman will slow down at some point. But Marshall continues to silence those suggestions with dominant performances. In the past four rounds he’s averaging 135.2 points and his work around the ground has been as good as any ruckman in the game. His current price is as expensive as he has been for the season but with a break even of 57, Marshall will be close to $600,000 by Round 17.

 

[Professor]

Continued

RAGE TRADES: SHOULD WE GET LITTLE MASTER?

RANKED: MAX GAWN’S TOP-10 AFL PLAYERS

WAIT A WEEK

Jake Lloyd $575,400, Def, Avg 112.7, BE: 174

Michael Walters $569,700, Fwd-Mid, Avg 102.2, BE: 157

Lachie Whitfield $564,100, Def, Avg 110.9, BE: 154

Lloyd, Walters and Whitfield are capable of massive scores, but still unlikely to meet their sky-high break evens this round. GWS co-captain Phil Davis said at the weekend he hoped Whitfield would return from a collarbone injury in Round 16. Lloyd’s score of 61 against Gold Coast was his lowest since Round 20, 2017, while Walters’ 81 against Carlton wasn’t enough to stop his break even soaring. The Fremantle star has hit 157 once this year, when he kicked six goals against Port Adelaide.

Scott Lycett has posted huge numbers since Paddy Ryder was dropped to the SANFL. Picture: Sarah Reed.

CHOPPING BLOCK

Xavier Duursma $366,400, Def-Mid, Avg 71.6, BE: 95

Marty Hore $409,000, Def, Avg 83, BE: 117

Oskar Baker $236,100, Mid, Avg 54.2, BE: 32

Noah Answerth $234,700, Def-Mid, Avg 53.9 BE: 38

Sam Walsh $444,000, Mid, Avg 89.1, BE: 133

Duursma and Hore have done their jobs as starting SuperCoach rookies, reaching their maximum price and averaging above 70. If you’ve still got either defender, cash in now before their price falls further. Ideally, you’ll have the money spare to upgrade them to either Hurn or Whitfield. Baker and Answerth aren’t must-trades, but if you need to consider a midfield move, they would be the most likely to make way from the popular rookie selections. Walsh managed 80 in Carlton’s win against Fremantle but you should be aiming to turn him into Kelly or Fyfe soon. The bold move would be downgrading him to Marc Murphy and making a $64,900 profit.

HOLD

Reilly O’Brien $509,200, Ruc, Avg 97.7, BE: 1

Scott Lycett $568,600, Fwd-Ruc, Avg 100.4, BE: -8

Sydney Stack $411,500, Mid, Avg 81.8, BE: 43

Yes, you want to get to full premium status as quickly as possible. But unless you’re flush with trades, it doesn’t make sense to be trading out players who still have ample money to make. Reilly O’Brien sitting at R3 heading toward the run home isn’t ideal, but if you’re patient enough you can turn him into Josh Kelly or Nat Fyfe in 2-3 weeks. Lycett has scored 180 and 165 in the past two weeks since Paddy Ryder has been dropped, while Stack’s 98 against St Kilda should enable him to reach $450,000.

BARGAIN BIN

Under 500k

Luke Ryan $492,600

Daniel Rich $490,700

Tom Stewart $488,000

Isaac Heeney $467,900

Christian Salem $466,600

Jack Crisp $457,500

Dylan Shiel $455,800

Under 450k

Joel Selwood $448,700

James Sicily $435,000

David Mundy $429,900

Marc Murphy $379,100

 

[Professor]

Alex Keath tells Crows he wants to stay with the club as negotiations on a new deal begin

The reigning Showdown Medallist and one of Adelaide’s 2019 revelations has told the club he wants to stay as the two parties open talks on a new contract, his manager has revealed.

Reece Homfray, The Advertiser

Subscriber only

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32 minutes ago

FOXSPORTS1:46

Showdown 47 preview

AFL: Ahead of Showdown 47, Port Adelaide co-captain Tom Jonas is baffled by the Power's crippling inconsistency.

Keath a humble Showdown Medal winnerCam and co ready to boost CrowsGreatest Showdowns Part 1: A city dividedGreatest Showdowns Part 2: The brutal 24th editionGreatest Showdowns Part 3: The electrifying 44th

Reigning Showdown Medallist Alex Keath has told Adelaide he wants to stay at the club as the two parties open talks on a new contract beyond this year.

The 27-year-old Victorian has been a revelation in defence this season and is in All-Australian contention after making his transition from cricket to AFL football complete.

Keath went into this season unsure of his spot in the side but has played every game and after Round 15 is ranked second in the competition for intercept possessions and fourth for intercept marks.

Alex Keath receives the Showdown Medal for his efforts in Round 8. Picture SARAH REED

The two-year contract he signed in 2017 is due to expire this season but he has told the Crows he is happy in Adelaide and his preference is to re-sign with the club.

“That’s exactly right,” his agent Neil McMullin from OMP Sports Management told The Advertiser on Monday.

“It’s going at a measured pace.

“There is no real urgency on either party in the negotiating, everyone is relaxed about it.

“With any two parties there is toing and froing and if we get down to the nitty gritty we are at the point where we are waiting for something from the club.”

Negotiations will centre on the length and value of Keath’s new contract but McMullin would not comment on specifics or whether Keath’s preference was for a long-term deal in the ballpark of 3-4 years.

“They (Adelaide) have a number of different players they are trying to deal with, so they have a lot more to do than we do,” he said.

Keath’s stunning form this year could reportedly earn him up north of $600,000-a-season if rumoured interest from interstate clubs is genuine. A Fox Footy report last month said Melbourne was considering making a play for him.

If Adelaide offers that type of pay rise it would put Keath in the top bracket of players at the club alongside the likes of Josh Jenkins and Rory Sloane.

Keath walked away from a promising cricket career to pursue his AFL dream with Adelaide and has risen from a Category B rookie to become one of the first picked at West Lakes every week.

The versatile defender captained Adelaide’s SANFL side before making his AFL debut in 2017 and has now played 26 senior games.

Adelaide’s Alex Keath has been one of the top defenders in the competition this season after playing just 26 AFL games. Picture: Mark Stewart.

Crows coach Don Pyke last week said the club’s priority was re-signing its uncontracted talent before worrying about end-of-season trades or draft picks.

“Clearly we’ve got some guys on our list that we want to re-sign … all of the machinations that go with trading, from this point on it starts to really build as guys who are either out of contract or free agents and that whole circus will start kicking off shortly,” Pyke said on FIVEaa.

“My priority, or our club’s priority, is to firstly try to re-contract the guys who we value, who we think are going to have great careers for us and keep them on board the list.

“Then we’ll assess the list and the needs and what we need to add from there.”

Pyke wouldn’t comment on individuals but asked about Keath, ruckman Reilly O’Brien and midfielder/forward Hugh Greenwood, he described them as “required players”.

“Clearly we’re engaged with those guys and in discussions and trying to come to some arrangement, they’re all required players so hopefully we can keep those things moving forward and get something done.”

Riley Knight, Jake Kelly, Richard Douglas and Sam Jacobs are other Crows coming out of contract this season.

reece.homfray@news.com.au

 

[Professor]

The Phantom’s Round 16 Captain Analysis: Brodie Grundy and Rory Sloane the perfect SuperCoach combination

In SuperCoach, some weeks the numbers and fixture just add up. And Round 16 is one of those weeks with an obvious early-weekend VC option and a great in-form captain candidate to fall back on. The Phantom looks at who they are.

The Phantom, The Advertiser

Subscriber only

|

July 4, 2019 5:29pm

AAP1:54

Gawn will train on badly swollen ankle on Saturday

Melbourne Demons Coach Simon Goodwin says that injured ruckman Max Gawn will train on Saturday before making a call

What to do with Caleb DanielTime to Lycett and forget in the forward lineForget Whitfield at your peril

I’ll keep it short this week.

Brodie Grundy.

Friday night.

VC.

The end.

OK, I’ll expand slightly.

In his past three Friday night matches this season, Grundy has posted scores of 160, 108 and 165.

And he’s averaging 126 at the MCG — the venue for the clash against the Hawks — this season.

While his lowest score in 2018 came against Hawthorn in Round 1 — the last time the two sides met — Mason Cox did a lot of ruckwork that day.

Grundy dispelled any match-up concern The Phantom raised last week, finishing with 133 points against Todd Goldstein — his first score of more than 114 against the North Melbourne big man.

But if he does fail, there are a number of great captain options to fall back on.

DUSTIN MARTIN (RICH)

v Gold Coast, Saturday

In his past three matches against the Gold Coast, the Tiger star has posted scores of 91, 142 and 167. And while he’s still spending plenty of time forward in the absence of Jack Riewoldt, Martin has recorded SuperCoach tons in five of his past seven matches. While he’s only passed the 115-point mark on one occasion this season — after achieving the feat 18 times in the previous two years — a trip to Metricon Stadium on Saturday could be Martin’s chance to go big.

Adelaide co-captain Rory Sloane, left, with Port’s co-captain Tom Jonas ahead of Showdown 47.RORY SLOANE (ADEL)

v Port Adelaide, Saturday

Adelaide’s co-captain loves a Showdown. In his past four matches against the cross-town rival, Sloane is averaging 142 SuperCoach points, after scores of 138, 111, 151 and 168. And if you take the injury-affected 35-point performance against the Demons in Round 11, Sloane is averaging 116 points per game this season. The best fallback-VC option this week.

JACK MACRAE (WB)

v Geelong, Saturday night

After a season-low 84 points against the Eagles in Round 11, the ball-magnet has responded in a big way, scoring 140 points or more in each of his past three matches. Macrae’s 147-point three-round average is second-only to Port’s Scott Lycett and he’s back at Marvel Stadium, a venue he averages 125 at this season.

Bulldogs start Marcus Bontempelli has a great record at Marvel Stadium this season.MARCUS BONTEMPELLI (GEEL)

v WB, Saturday night

Like Macrae, Bontempelli likes Marvel Stadium, posting scores of 109, 112, 118, 146, 104, 124 and 158 there this season. And, while he finished with 130 points, the star midfielder had passed the three-figure mark by half-time against Port Adelaide last week, in another reminder of his scoring power.

TIM KELLY (GEEL)

v WB, Saturday night

The Geelong star has gone 162, 87, 140, 92, 121, 76 and 128 in his past seven matches. Can he buck the trend in a midfield-shootout against the Bulldogs this weekend? He enjoyed Marvel Stadium in Round 8, tallying 36 disposals and two goals against the Kangaroos in Geelong’s only appearance at the venue this season.

NAT FYFE (FREO)

v WC, Saturday night

Fyfe has posted scores of 114 and 126 in his past two Western Derbies despite copping some pretty heavy attention. But, again, he’s showed this season he’s almost unstoppable, finishing with SuperCoach tons in nine of his past 10 matches, seven of them in excess of 120. Another captain option you can trust.

JOSH KELLY (GWS)

v Brisbane, Sunday

Another round, another SuperCoach ton for the classy midfielder. Kelly’s 104-point performance makes it eight on-the-trot this season, with five of them scores of 128 or more. And Kelly tallied 30 disposals, two goals and 149 points in his last meeting with the Lions. Expect a huge midfield battle with an impressive Brisbane engine room on Sunday.

Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale will play his 150th game against the Giants on Sunday.LACHIE NEALE (BRIS)

v GWS, Sunday

Leading that engine room will be the former Docker, who bounced back after a season-low in Round 14 with 38 disposals and 137 points against the Demons last week. While he was playing for a different team, Neale boasts a career average of 114 against the Giants.

LEFT-FIELD

Scott Lycett (Port)

v Adelaide, Saturday

With scores of 115, 111, 180 and 165, no player has recorded more points than Lycett over the past month. The former Eagle averages 140 points per game when he plays 85 per cent or more game-time as a ruckman — and that looks set to continue with Paddy Ryder likely to stay in the SANFL. Can he get the upper-hand on in-form Crow Reilly O’Brien?

THE PHANTOM’S CALL

Easy for me this week — Grundy VC into Sloane C.

Originally published as The perfect SuperCoach captain combo you can’t overlook

 

[Professor]

Barometer: See every AFL club’s injury list after Round 16 of the season
Jack Riewoldt’s team is mounting a challenge for the top four and now the Tigers are poised to get stronger should the star forward return this week. And there’s a host of big names facing a fitness battle.
Jay Clark, Herald Sun
Subscriber only
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July 7, 2019 9:42pm
Close




FOXSPORTS1:33
Bombers edge past Swans
AFL: Essendon claim a narrow win over the Sydney Swans at the MCG thanks to a late surge in the 4th quarter.

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Forget Kennett Curse, this is Bucks’ Clarko Curse

Here come the Tigers: Richmond wallops Suns

Richmond superstar Jack Riewoldt will push hard to make his return from knee injury this week in a massive boost to the Tigers’ premiership tilt.
The premiership hero is on track to return against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday if he can complete training this week.
Richmond was dealt a savage blow in Round 6 when he hurt his posterior cruciate ligament, leaving new recruit Tom Lynch to spearhead the forward line for the past nine games.

But Riewoldt is set to rejoin Lynch against the Giants as the Tigers push hard to secure a top-four berth over the remaining seven rounds.
The Tigers hit hot form demolishing Gold Coast by 92 points at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, delivering the club’s percentage a much-needed boost.
They sit four points outside the top-four and play their last seven games of the season at the MCG.
Football manager Neil Balme said Riewoldt showed positive signs on the training track last week and was likely to take on GWS.

“He was really close to playing on Saturday,” Balme said.
“So as long as he can get through training no worries this week, I expect to be available for selection this weekend.
“At this stage, I will be surprised if he’s not available, but he’s got to do everything this week and pull up OK from that.
“But he’s going well”.
Midfielder Dion Prestia also suffered cramp in the win over the Suns but is expected to be fine for Sunday’s clash against the Giants.
SUPER LADDER: DOES KANE CORNES WISH TO RETHINK?
Riewoldt, 30, has booted three goals in his three games so far this season, but will add help lighten the load on Lynch and provide another dynamic marking target.
He has also carved a reputation as one of the most selfless and defensively-minded key forwards in the competition, but will need time to regain some match fitness in the run home to the finals.
While Riewoldt and Lynch experienced some teething issues in their three games together earlier in the season, former AFL coach Rodney Eade said Riewoldt’s return would clearly “make them a better side”.

Jack Riewoldt is on the verge of an AFL return. Pic: Getty Images
“Riewoldt will be a real plus for them,” Eade said on Triple M.
“He has got high footy IQ, he is smart, he can get it on the ground, and he can get it up the ground, as Tom Lynch can.
“The beauty with them is that they are so different, but they don’t need to be anchored to the goalsquare either.
“Tom is a very unselfish player, he is team-orientated and Jack has been for a couple of years as well and he has got great agility, mobility, he can rove the pack as well as he marks the ball.
“They will complement each other.”
Lynch booted three goals in the rollicking win over the Suns to sit fourth in the Coleman Medal race with 34 majors before Sunday’s matches.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said bigger challenges lay ahead for the Tigers.
“We’re looking forward to challenging ourselves against one of the better sides of the competition,” Hardwick said.
“We’ll probably get a better understanding of where we’re at but we’re certainly confident our best footy is capable.”
It’s worrying times for Don Pyke and his Crows. Pic: Sarah Reed
ADELAIDE
Expect Don Pyke to swing the axe this week after labelling Showdown 47 “embarrassing” and publicly apologising to the club’s supporters.
There are a few in the gun and the spotlight is on Eddie Betts who hasn’t kicked a goal in his past two games in which Adelaide has lost to Geelong and the Power, while Richard Douglas is yet to regain his best form after an ankle injury and neither wingman Rory Atkins or David Mackay had an impact on Saturday night.
Whether that opens the door for Bryce Gibbs to come back in — his cause may be helped by Pyke’s decision to play Brodie Smith and Wayne Milera forward against Port Adelaide — will be interesting while Darcy Fogarty and Tyson Stengle are still waiting for a senior game this year.
But there is genuine intrigue surrounding veteran ruckman Sam Jacobs who is stranded on 198 games and doesn’t look to be going past Reilly O’Brien any time soon, so the question is can he force his way into the team as a forward instead of Jenkins, Walker, Lynch or Himmelberg who have featured inside 50m this season?
— Reece Homfray
INJURY LIST:
Tom Doedee (knee) season
Cam Ellis-Yolmen (shin) TBC
Jordan Gallucci (concussion) test
Alex Keath (knee) test
Tom Lynch (calf) test
Ned McHenry (back) test
Myles Poholke (calf) TBC
Daniel Talia (ankle) test
BRISBANE LIONS
Any premiership contender will tell you luck plays a big part. Brisbane have certainly received their share of that. They are expected to have just one player on their injury list for next weekend after Mitch Hinge did a hamstring in the NEAFL win over GWS yesterday. That NEAFL side is undefeated as the competition for places in the seniors drives performances. It puts Chris Fagan in a position most coaches would envy when it comes to selection each week. The pressure on the players in the AFL side to hold their position is high. The win over GWS was the best of the Fagan era so widespread changes are unlikely. But they face Port Adelaide in Adelaide and Fagan will be tempted to recall ruckman Oscar McInerny if he passes concussion tests. All eyes will be on Eric Hipwood also after he suffered an ankle injury against the Giants.
— Andrew Hamilton
INJURY LIST:
Mitch Hinge (hamstring) TBC
Tom Cutler (foot) test
CARLTON
Five games into David Teague’s tenure not only do the Blues have three wins and two losses by under a goal, there are finally some signs of growth (green shoots???) from the likes of Matt Kennedy and Will Setterfield. Kennedy could have kicked six goals in his 2.4 and Setterfield was thrust forward and kicked three goals. David Teague says Patrick Cripps, David Cuningham and Harry McKay are due back against Sydney. He might need another four or five wins to get over the line. But why wouldn’t the Blues at least consider him as a match-day coach alongside a mentor like Paul Roos? Or is the Roos-Michael Voss due one that might end up their set-up next year? Jacob Weitering broke his nose in a nasty clash and it is yet to be confirmed if he will miss any time. A trip to Sydney all of a sudden doesn’t look so tough for the newly competitive Blues.
—Jon Ralph
INJURY LIST:
Jacob Weitering (broken nose) TBC
Patrick Cripps (foot) test
David Cuningham (knee) test
Charlie Curnow (knee) 3 weeks
Sam Docherty (knee) indefinite
Harry McKay (groin) test
Liam Stocker (foot) test
Tom Williamson (back) indefinite

 

[Professor]

COLLINGWOOD

The Magpies have the longest injury list in the competition. But are things about to get any better? Taylor Adams is close to making his return but it would be a gutsy call for his first game back from a long lay-off to include a trip to Perth.

Jeremy Howe is also edging closer to a comeback after his calf injury. He may need another week on the sidelines though.

Aside from those two, the majority of Collingwood’s injured stars are still some time away.

Potential changes will come down to how much Nathan Buckley wants to shake things up. On the forward line, Josh Thomas looks out of form but he has a lot of credits in the bank after last year. Meanwhile, Mason Cox is struggling but is important for structure. There is no way his position should be under threat. Out of the VFL, Rupert Wills, Ben Crocker and Tyler Brown were all impressive.

— Liam Twomey

INJURY LIST:

Taylor Adams (groin) 1 week

Ben Reid (achilles) TBC

Brayden Sier (concussion) TBC

James Aish (hamstring) test

Dayne Beams (hip/mental health) indefinite

Lynden Dunn (knee) season

Jeremy Howe (calf) 1-2 weeks

Will Kelly (leg) 1-3 weeks

Tom Langdon (knee) indefinite

Nathan Murphy (back) indefinite

Sam Murray (suspension) TBC

Jaidyn Stephenson (suspended) 7 weeks

Daniel Wells (knee) 8 weeks

Rupert Wills (calf) test

ESSENDON
Consistency is key and the Dons have been anything but in a topsy-turvy season that has seen them at times play like they could win the flag and at others, the wooden spoon. The win over Sydney was both hard-fought and inspiring, especially without captain Dyson Heppell, who missed his first game since 2014 as a late withdrawal with a foot injury. They’ll be hoping it’s something very minor. Apart from those missing for the season, the Dons are relatively healthy and have almost a full list to choose from. Will Snelling is bashing down the door for an AFL recall after 33 touches in the VFL, while Josh Begley (three goals), Brayden Ham and Mark Baguley (two) were among the goals as the Bombers reclaimed top spot in the state league. They were good against the Swans, but they’ll have to be much better against the relentless pressure of on-fire North Melbourne this week.

—Michael Randall

INJURY LIST:

Dyson Heppell (foot) TBC

Tom Bellchambers (achilles/calf) TBC

Patrick Ambrose (quad) 2-3 weeks

James Stewart (groin) test

Devon Smith (knee) season

Joe Daniher (groin) season

Sam Draper (knee) season

FREMANTLE
What a horrible few weeks for Freo. After beating Collingwood at the MCG and then Port Adelaide to loom large in the race for September, the Dockers have lost to Melbourne (MCG), Carlton at home and now been whacked by West Coast in their showcase home and away match of the year.

“There’s certainly no panic stations,” Lyon said after the 85-point hammering to their cross-town rival.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to go through undefeated.

“Our average losing margin was 50 points last year. It’s 11 this season (before the derby loss) and we’ve been in every game.”

So, who comes in for next week’s trip to Tassie to face a resurgent Hawthorn?

Ruckman Sean Darcy is one, with Lyon saying Aaron Sandilands, well beaten by Nic Naitanui, would be rested against the Hawks to make way for Darcy.

Nat Fyfe injured his shoulder in the second quarter but played on, but it’s finding an avenue to goal that’s proving most difficult for Freo.

Jesse Hogan has resumed running after his recent foot injury but Lyon said he was unsure when exactly the former Demon would be cleared to return.

— Ben Broad

INJURY LIST:

Harley Bennell (calf) TBC

Travis Colyer (corked thigh) test

Stefan Giro (knee) season

Stephen Hill (hamstring) 1-2 weeks

Jesse Hogan (foot) indefinite

Shane Kersten (foot) TBC

Lloyd Meek (foot) TBC

Alex Pearce (ankle) Season

Matt Taberner (foot) Season

GEELONG
The Cats might still be clear premiership favourites but they are in the midst of some mid-season wobbles.

After winning 11 of 12 games before the bye, Geelong has now lost two of its past three matches including giving up a 10-point lead at the final change to lose to Western Bulldogs by 16 points on Saturday night.

However, there is some good news on the horizon.

Coach Chris Scott said post-game he expected key forward Esava Ratugolea to be available to return against St Kilda next weekend, prodiving a second tall option alongside Tom Hawkins in the forward line.

Geelong managed just seven goals against the Bulldogs, but had only 20 inside-50s after halftime as they were also beaten in the midfield battle.

Ratugolea has only six goals to his name from 10 games this season but kicked two goals in each of his most recent two games before missing the last three matches with a hamstring injury.

Brandon Parfitt was a late withdrawal for the clash with the Bulldogs but Scott said he was only “managed”, with no injury concerns.

The Cats do look set to lose defender Jake Kolodjashni for the clash with the Saints though after he suffered a concussion just before halftime against the Bulldogs and did not return to the field.

James Parsons and Scott Selwood were among the best in the Cats’ VFL loss, Quinton Narkle continued to show glimpses of what he’s capable of and Wylie Buzza kicked a couple and also impressed.

— Chris Cavanagh

INJURY LIST:

Nakia Cockatoo (knee) 2-3 weeks

Charlie Constable (toe) test

Jordan Cunico (ankle) 2-3 weeks

Jake Kolodjashni (concussion) test

Sam Menegola (knee) test

Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) test

 

[Professor]

GOLD COAST
There would only be a handful of Suns, among them captains David Swallow and Jarrod Witts, who should not be fearing for their position after the miserable performance against the Tigers. It was the club’s worst performance of the season and undid a lot of the goodwill around the Suns that has been generated off the back of generally more competitive efforts each week. The reality though is there isn’t much in reserve for Stuart Dew to work with. And they lost Wil Powell for potentially the rest of the year with a knee injury before quarter time. Sean Lemmens has now played two games in the NEAFL and if they believe he is fit, he will definitely play. Peter Wright who was left out due to the weather conditions will also be a contender to return as will Aaron Young who is building fitness in the reserves.

— Andrew Hamilton

INJURY LIST:

Callum Ah Chee (ankle) indefinite

Ben Ainsworth (foot) 2 weeks

Jack Bowes (foot) 2 weeks

Sam Collins (hip) season

Sam Fletcher (quad) 1-2 weeks

Nick Holman (back) indefinite

Sean Lemmens (ankle) test

Wil Powell (knee) indefinite

Josh Schoenfeld (knee) 2-3 weeks

Rory Thompson (knee) season

Harrison Wigg (knee) season

GWS
What’s wrong with the Giants? They took no risks with Lachie Whitfield, but maybe that was a mistake, given the lack of run they produced against the Lions. Back-to-back losses has pushed them out of the top four and they now face the daunting task of a healthier-by-the-day Richmond with superstar Josh Kelly under a dark injury cloud. Whitfield surely plays, but the MCG has never been a happy hunting ground for the men in orange.

—Michael Randall

INJURY LIST:

Josh Kelly (calf) TBC

Aidan Corr (calf) 2 weeks

Matt de Boer (shoulder) 6-8 weeks

Lachie Keeffe (hand) 2 weeks

Xavier O’Halloran (knee) 4-6 weeks

Jon Patton (knee) TBC

Tommy Sheridan (calf) TBC

Zach Sproule (knee) 1 week

Callan Ward (knee) season

Lachie Whitfield (collarbone) test

HAWTHORN
The Hawks are coming off one of their best wins of the year, so it is hard to see them making too many changes. Conor Glass had a couple of horror turnovers against the Magpies and might be a little nervous about his job security. Daniel Howe could find himself in MRO trouble after kneeing Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury in the head during a tackle in the second quarter. As for who could come in, Chad Wingard is close to making his return from a hamstring injury. It would be touch and go for this week and the Hawks may even choose to bring him back through the VFL. Jack Scrimshaw is likely one more week away after his knee injury. In what would be a terrific story, Grant Birchall was named in the best in the VFL and could play his first game since Round 15, 2017. Ruckman Jonathan Cegler and veteran Jarryd Roughead were also in the best and given the struggles up forward, could be called upon.

— Liam Twomey

INJURY LIST:

Changkuoth Jiath (jaw) 1-3 weeks

Tom Mitchell (broken leg) indefinite

Tim Mohr (dislocated knee/ACL) season

Jarryd Roughead (side strain) test

Ryan Schoenmakers (calf) 1-3 weeks

Jack Scrimshaw (knee) 1 week

Chad Wingard (hamstring) 1 week

MELBOURNE
Ok, so the season is pretty much a train wreck given the lack of wins. Let’s look at the positives as Jake Lever and Nev Jetta prepare to come back and stiffen Melbourne’s back six. Steven May was tremendous against Mitch McGovern, Harry Petty did a couple of nice things before being concussed and Marty Hore (collarbone) has also been a find. Against Carlton Braydon Preuss was also excellent, even if Max Gawn (ankle) is a good chance to return next week. Jayden Hunt kicked three second-half goals and could have set up a couple more in the first half. Kyle Dunkley set up Tom McDonald for a first-half goal and looks nice and rugged. Add someone like Ed Langdon from Fremantle for even more run and carry and spend the next two months with Lever and May gelling together and at least they go into the pre-season with a sliver of silver lining.

— Jon Ralph

INJURY LIST:

Kade Chandler (hip) test

Jeff Garlett (shoulder) season

Max Gawn (ankle) test

Marty Hore (shoulder) TBC

Neville Jetta (knee) test

Kade Kolodjashnij (head) TBC

Declan Keilty (ankle) test

Jake Lever (knee) test

Jake Melksham (foot) 2-3 weeks

Aaron Nietschke (knee) eason

Joel Smith (groin) season

Tom Sparrow (knee) 3-4 weeks

Billy Stretch (foot) TBC

Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) TBC

Guy Walker (shoulder) indefinite

NORTH MELBOURNE
Do the Roos even need to make a change? They’d love to inject Shaun Higgins back into the engine room, but he still appears at least a week away. North could be sweating on a nasty corkie suffered by silky utility Mason Wood. Fingers crossed there. There’s an old saying: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and never has it applied more to a Kangaroo line-up that just might be the form side of the competition under interim coach Rhyce Shaw. Should go in as warm favourites against a Bombers’ side that will also feel like it is on the up and up.

—Michael Randall

INJURY LIST:

Mason Wood (corked thigh) TBC

Taylor Garner (club suspension) round 19

Aaron Hall (mental health) indefinite

Kyron Hayden (achilles) season

Shaun Higgins (AC joint) 1-2 weeks

Ben Jacobs (head/neck) indefinite

Tom McKenzie (back) TBC

Bailey Scott (foot) indefinite

Dom Tyson (calf) test

Ed Vickers-Willis (knee) season

Will Walker (knee) season

Tom Wilkinson (ankle) test