News Herald Sun SuperCoach Articles

THCLT

BBL|05 Winner
Joined
13 Sep 2014
Messages
18,596
Likes
118,260
AFL Club
North Melb.
I seconded IDIG comments...massive effort posting all these articles for us all.
 
Joined
1 Feb 2014
Messages
1,995
Likes
6,950
AFL Club
Hawthorn
The Phantom’s SuperCoach 2018 team: Defenders
The Phantom, The Advertiser
March 19, 2018 12:30pm
Subscriber only
AS The Phantom mentioned in the initial team reveal back in January, a shallow defence, which included a few failed mid-priced selections, set me back in 2017.
So, just like in that first team, I’ve gone big at the top end.
Essendon star Michael Hurley, left, is only in 11 per cent of SuperCoach teams.
Michael Hurley, who is in only 11 per cent of teams, despite posting 12 SuperCoach tons in his final 16 matches of 2017, is now a genuine point-of-difference after just one underwhelming JLT Series game.
Rory Laird just gets the job done — as he showed again with 102 and 90 in the JLT Series — and is as safe as selections come.
Demon Michael Hibberd’s blend of attacking rebound and intercept ability makes him a great SuperCoach scorer.
Expensive, yes, but you get what you pay for.
The trio should comfortably sit inside the top 6 at season’s end.
And, in my opinion, it’s an easier task to predict the top scorers in defence than it is in an overcrowded midfield pool and uncertain forward line.
SuperCoach is serious business!
At D4, replacing Tiger Brandon Ellis from the first team, sits a young Port Adelaide defender.
The Phantom expects skilful 21-year-old Riley Bonner — who has four career games to his name — to establish himself as a regular in the Power’s best 22 in 2018 and, as we saw in JLT Series clash with the Crows, become the No. 1 ball-carrier out of defence.
For a while over the pre-season, The Phantom had experimented with just one on-field rookie-priced player but, after the arrival of a number of genuine options, I’ll be going with two in defence.
The forward line is the place to go with just one.
Third-year Crow Tom Doedee is a lock in defence.
Tom Doedee reaffirmed his place as a Round 1 lock after an impressive JLT Series for the Crows across halfback. The versatile 21-year-old wins the ball in the air and on the ground and will help fill the void left by Jake Lever.
After missing the AFLX Tournament and the first JLT Series game, his spot was under serious question for more than a month but Collingwood recruit Sam Murray also holds his place on the field after an impressive display against the Bulldogs last week.
Jeremy Finlayson, who looks to have locked down a spot in the Giants’ back six, is a great D6/D7 selection, while Lachie Murphy will be too cheap to ignore if, as some expect, he makes Don Pyke’s Round 1 side.
Top-price rookies Aaron Naughton and Nick Coffield are appealing but you’ll get bang for your buck with Doedee, Murray, Finlayson and Murphy.
Of course, all rookie-price players may change depening on Round 1 team selections.
The Phantom's SuperCoach Team 2018: Defenders
But a strong, expensive top-end in defence means something’s got to give.
And it’s the midfield.
All will be revealed tomorrow.
 
Joined
1 Feb 2014
Messages
1,995
Likes
6,950
AFL Club
Hawthorn
The Phantom’s SuperCoach 2018 team: Dangerfield a certain starter in the midfield
The Phantom, The Advertiser
March 20, 2018 12:30pm
Subscriber only

WITH three big guns worth more than $545k each in defence, something’s got to give.
And it’s the midfield.
The Phantom saw first-hand last season the problems — mainly revolving around cash generation — that can arise if you don’t nail the selections when starting with a stacked midfield.
And, with more than 15 players capable of finishing inside the top-eight scorers and, potentially, a number of great rookie-priced scorers, The Phantom is starting with just four rolled-gold premiums.
Patrick Dangerfield, even if he misses Round 1 with a hamstring injury, is locked in.
It’s just going to be too hard, without wasting multiple trades, to bring him in within the first month.
And I wouldn’t want to be going any longer without him.
Whenever he does play, I can’t see him starting slow. This is the bloke who scored 141 SuperCoach points on one leg against the Hawks last year.
If Dangerfield doesn’t line up against the Demons, given the game is on Sunday, he will still be valuable in ensuring the highest-scoring rookie players count, via the emergency loophole.
That, in itself, could almost make up the difference between starting a rookie and another premium.
After adding 27 points to his average in 2017, The Phantom believes Josh Kelly has another level to go to this season and he could finish 2018 with an average in excess of 120.
Nat Fyfe is a no-brainer.
The Fremantle skipper could once again challenge for the No. 1 ranking this year.
And, as the 32nd-most expensive player in the game, I can’t leave out Carlton star Patrick Cripps, who is ready to explode after an injury-interrupted 2017.
Then, before three rookie-priced players, sits Giant midfielder Stephen Coniglio, who, at $452k, might be the Marc Murphy of SuperCoach in 2018.
The Phantom believes Coniglio can average between 105 and 110 to become a keeper — and that’s the reason I am starting with him.
The midfield is where most of the rookie points come from and, unlike I did last season, I’m not ignoring it in 2018.
With the idea of letting the topscoring players of 2018 show themselves before committing, I’ll be starting with three rookie-priced players on the field and six in the midfield in total.
Fremantle’s top draft pick Andrew Brayshaw, who — along with mature-age recruit Bailey Banfield — is a confirmed starter in Ross Lyon’s Round 1 side, was the standout rookie scorer in the JLT Series and should be one of the top cash cows this season.
The Phantom has been a fan of second-year Gold Coast midfielder Will Brodie, who boasts a contested game suited to SuperCoach, for a while now and I expect him to play a big role in the Suns’ new-look engine room.
I’m pretty set on Brayshaw and Brodie occupying on-field spots but M8 is still undecided with mature-age Geelong recruit Tim Kelly the favourite, just ahead of St Kilda’s Hunter Clark, Banfield and fellow mature-ager Nick Holman, who is a lock if he’s named on Thursday.
Tomorrow, The Phantom will reveal his ruckmen for 2018.
 
Joined
1 Feb 2014
Messages
1,995
Likes
6,950
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Jarryd Roughead reveals cancer treatment had impact on his football in 2017
GRANT McARTHUR, Herald Sun
March 15, 2018 9:00pm
Subscriber only
THE physical toll of Jarryd Roughead’s cancer treatment had a secret impact on his football last year.
The Hawthorn captain on Thursday night revealed he played much of last year with limited feeling in his feet as a result of nerve damage. It also forced him to stop immunotherapy treatment earlier than planned.
Roughead joined some of the world’s leading medical minds at the inaugural Eradicate Cancer conference in Melbourne, as they discussed the possibility immunotherapy may one day make it possible to eliminate cancers.
He credited breakthrough immunotherapy drugs for saving his life.
But the drugs took a huge toll on his health and he had to stop the treatment after just three rounds when his lungs, eyes, liver and finally his feet began shutting down due to critical inflammation.
The loss of nerves in his feet became so bad Roughead had to constantly soak them in water to restore feeling.
“I said to (my doctor) ... ‘If I’m going to get back to playing footy I kind-of need these’,” Roughead said.
“At that point, when there were four different side-effects, he said, ‘You’re pretty full in terms of the drugs, I think’.
By September 2016 the drugs had over-stimulated Roughead’s immune cells and they began turning on his body, resulting in a hepatitis-like disease in his liver.
But the treatment had also affected the cancer and in *December 2016 his body was remarkably free of the disease, just seven months after a *return of melanoma threatened his life.
When he started pre-season training last year Roughead thought his feet had returned to 90 per cent feeling, but later realised he was having issues.
“I got back and played every game but until the mid-season break some coaches said I was not kicking the ball as well and I did not have the agility I used to have.
“It was probably only the last five or six games last year and this preseason, the coaches are saying I am looking a lot better than at this time last year.
“I would say I was 90-95 per cent to them, but maybe I was only 80-85 per cent.”
Told the nerves grow back 1mm a day, Roughead said his giant frame had done him no favours recovering from the treatment.
But having just become a father — and being told he can look forward to becoming a grandfather — Roughead told the gathering of experts he owes his life to immunotherapy.
“It’s better than any Grand Final I’ve won,” he said.
“Footy is 5 to 10 per cent of my life — this drug has given me 100 per cent.”
 
Joined
18 Jan 2016
Messages
735
Likes
2,127
AFL Club
Adelaide
Jarryd Roughead reveals cancer treatment had impact on his football in 2017
GRANT McARTHUR, Herald Sun
March 15, 2018 9:00pm
Subscriber only
THE physical toll of Jarryd Roughead’s cancer treatment had a secret impact on his football last year.
The Hawthorn captain on Thursday night revealed he played much of last year with limited feeling in his feet as a result of nerve damage. It also forced him to stop immunotherapy treatment earlier than planned.
Roughead joined some of the world’s leading medical minds at the inaugural Eradicate Cancer conference in Melbourne, as they discussed the possibility immunotherapy may one day make it possible to eliminate cancers.
He credited breakthrough immunotherapy drugs for saving his life.
But the drugs took a huge toll on his health and he had to stop the treatment after just three rounds when his lungs, eyes, liver and finally his feet began shutting down due to critical inflammation.
The loss of nerves in his feet became so bad Roughead had to constantly soak them in water to restore feeling.
“I said to (my doctor) ... ‘If I’m going to get back to playing footy I kind-of need these’,” Roughead said.
“At that point, when there were four different side-effects, he said, ‘You’re pretty full in terms of the drugs, I think’.
By September 2016 the drugs had over-stimulated Roughead’s immune cells and they began turning on his body, resulting in a hepatitis-like disease in his liver.
But the treatment had also affected the cancer and in *December 2016 his body was remarkably free of the disease, just seven months after a *return of melanoma threatened his life.
When he started pre-season training last year Roughead thought his feet had returned to 90 per cent feeling, but later realised he was having issues.
“I got back and played every game but until the mid-season break some coaches said I was not kicking the ball as well and I did not have the agility I used to have.
“It was probably only the last five or six games last year and this preseason, the coaches are saying I am looking a lot better than at this time last year.
“I would say I was 90-95 per cent to them, but maybe I was only 80-85 per cent.”
Told the nerves grow back 1mm a day, Roughead said his giant frame had done him no favours recovering from the treatment.
But having just become a father — and being told he can look forward to becoming a grandfather — Roughead told the gathering of experts he owes his life to immunotherapy.
“It’s better than any Grand Final I’ve won,” he said.
“Footy is 5 to 10 per cent of my life — this drug has given me 100 per cent.”
Your a star, if roughy gets me 50k I'll send you 100 beers
 

Bomber18

Leadership Group
Joined
11 Nov 2012
Messages
27,409
Likes
65,138
AFL Club
Essendon
Jarryd Roughead reveals cancer treatment had impact on his football in 2017
GRANT McARTHUR, Herald Sun
March 15, 2018 9:00pm
Subscriber only
THE physical toll of Jarryd Roughead’s cancer treatment had a secret impact on his football last year.
The Hawthorn captain on Thursday night revealed he played much of last year with limited feeling in his feet as a result of nerve damage. It also forced him to stop immunotherapy treatment earlier than planned.
Roughead joined some of the world’s leading medical minds at the inaugural Eradicate Cancer conference in Melbourne, as they discussed the possibility immunotherapy may one day make it possible to eliminate cancers.
He credited breakthrough immunotherapy drugs for saving his life.
But the drugs took a huge toll on his health and he had to stop the treatment after just three rounds when his lungs, eyes, liver and finally his feet began shutting down due to critical inflammation.
The loss of nerves in his feet became so bad Roughead had to constantly soak them in water to restore feeling.
“I said to (my doctor) ... ‘If I’m going to get back to playing footy I kind-of need these’,” Roughead said.
“At that point, when there were four different side-effects, he said, ‘You’re pretty full in terms of the drugs, I think’.
By September 2016 the drugs had over-stimulated Roughead’s immune cells and they began turning on his body, resulting in a hepatitis-like disease in his liver.
But the treatment had also affected the cancer and in *December 2016 his body was remarkably free of the disease, just seven months after a *return of melanoma threatened his life.
When he started pre-season training last year Roughead thought his feet had returned to 90 per cent feeling, but later realised he was having issues.
“I got back and played every game but until the mid-season break some coaches said I was not kicking the ball as well and I did not have the agility I used to have.
“It was probably only the last five or six games last year and this preseason, the coaches are saying I am looking a lot better than at this time last year.
“I would say I was 90-95 per cent to them, but maybe I was only 80-85 per cent.”
Told the nerves grow back 1mm a day, Roughead said his giant frame had done him no favours recovering from the treatment.
But having just become a father — and being told he can look forward to becoming a grandfather — Roughead told the gathering of experts he owes his life to immunotherapy.
“It’s better than any Grand Final I’ve won,” he said.
“Footy is 5 to 10 per cent of my life — this drug has given me 100 per cent.”
Gee this changes a lot just a day out from preseason. Completely missed this article. Thank you for sharing!

FWIW Roughy averaged 105 from his last 5 and 101 from his last 6. 93 post byes. Great bye round. Wondering if he's a safer bet than Dahlhaus
 
Joined
1 Feb 2014
Messages
1,022
Likes
2,337
AFL Club
North Melb.
Gee this changes a lot just a day out from preseason. Completely missed this article. Thank you for sharing!

FWIW Roughy averaged 105 from his last 5 and 101 from his last 6. 93 post byes. Great bye round. Wondering if he's a safer bet than Dahlhaus
Or McLean... with all the role uncertainty around Lambert/McLean/Dahl/Petracca might be worth grabbing him.
 
Joined
25 Jul 2012
Messages
47,728
Likes
107,810
AFL Club
Collingwood
Jarryd Roughead reveals cancer treatment had impact on his football in 2017
GRANT McARTHUR, Herald Sun
March 15, 2018 9:00pm
Subscriber only
THE physical toll of Jarryd Roughead’s cancer treatment had a secret impact on his football last year.
The Hawthorn captain on Thursday night revealed he played much of last year with limited feeling in his feet as a result of nerve damage. It also forced him to stop immunotherapy treatment earlier than planned.
Roughead joined some of the world’s leading medical minds at the inaugural Eradicate Cancer conference in Melbourne, as they discussed the possibility immunotherapy may one day make it possible to eliminate cancers.
He credited breakthrough immunotherapy drugs for saving his life.
But the drugs took a huge toll on his health and he had to stop the treatment after just three rounds when his lungs, eyes, liver and finally his feet began shutting down due to critical inflammation.
The loss of nerves in his feet became so bad Roughead had to constantly soak them in water to restore feeling.
“I said to (my doctor) ... ‘If I’m going to get back to playing footy I kind-of need these’,” Roughead said.
“At that point, when there were four different side-effects, he said, ‘You’re pretty full in terms of the drugs, I think’.
By September 2016 the drugs had over-stimulated Roughead’s immune cells and they began turning on his body, resulting in a hepatitis-like disease in his liver.
But the treatment had also affected the cancer and in *December 2016 his body was remarkably free of the disease, just seven months after a *return of melanoma threatened his life.
When he started pre-season training last year Roughead thought his feet had returned to 90 per cent feeling, but later realised he was having issues.
“I got back and played every game but until the mid-season break some coaches said I was not kicking the ball as well and I did not have the agility I used to have.
“It was probably only the last five or six games last year and this preseason, the coaches are saying I am looking a lot better than at this time last year.
“I would say I was 90-95 per cent to them, but maybe I was only 80-85 per cent.”
Told the nerves grow back 1mm a day, Roughead said his giant frame had done him no favours recovering from the treatment.
But having just become a father — and being told he can look forward to becoming a grandfather — Roughead told the gathering of experts he owes his life to immunotherapy.
“It’s better than any Grand Final I’ve won,” he said.
“Footy is 5 to 10 per cent of my life — this drug has given me 100 per cent.”
absolute incredible he got back and played like he did

seems a great bloke as well
 
Joined
1 Feb 2014
Messages
1,022
Likes
2,337
AFL Club
North Melb.
I think it will come down to Dixon v Rough for me and after having Dixon all preseason I would hate to miss out on a hot start if he has one... best of luck Bomber and as far as last minute selections go I think that you could do much worse!
 

Bomber18

Leadership Group
Joined
11 Nov 2012
Messages
27,409
Likes
65,138
AFL Club
Essendon
I think it will come down to Dixon v Rough for me and after having Dixon all preseason I would hate to miss out on a hot start if he has one... best of luck Bomber and as far as last minute selections go I think that you could do much worse!
Thanks mate! You too. I haven't really been on Dixon and think Watts could perhaps take away some of his goals. But if you're really keen on him, I won't talk you out of him.

Roughy seems a good a bet as any in that 430-480k range. I guess worst case, you could swap him to a R10 port premium like Wingard or Gray if it doesn't quite work out.
 
Joined
1 Feb 2014
Messages
1,022
Likes
2,337
AFL Club
North Melb.
Thanks mate! You too. I haven't really been on Dixon and think Watts could perhaps take away some of his goals. But if you're really keen on him, I won't talk you out of him.

Roughy seems a good a bet as any in that 430-480k range. I guess worst case, you could swap him to a R10 port premium like Wingard or Gray if it doesn't quite work out.
Yeah I have been bullish on Dixon for a variety of reasons;
A) very favourable early draw for a key fwd
B) Was the 3rd most targeted played inside fwd 50 last year and with Watts arrival could be less attention ie double teaming on Dixon
C) low ownership and no role uncertainty

As a Hawks fan I do have a huge soft spot for Roughy and think I made the right decision not starting him last year. There might be room for both up there actually if McLean finds his way out for him over the next couple of days. Never sold on Dahl or McLean with Bevo's high midfield rotations.

As it stands I'm Billings, Dixon, McLean Smith Sicily X3 rookies
 

Darkie

Leadership Group
Joined
12 Apr 2014
Messages
25,410
Likes
65,498
AFL Club
Collingwood
Gee this changes a lot just a day out from preseason. Completely missed this article. Thank you for sharing!

FWIW Roughy averaged 105 from his last 5 and 101 from his last 6. 93 post byes. Great bye round. Wondering if he's a safer bet than Dahlhaus
Or McLean... with all the role uncertainty around Lambert/McLean/Dahl/Petracca might be worth grabbing him.
absolute incredible he got back and played like he did

seems a great bloke as well
Thanks mate! You too. I haven't really been on Dixon and think Watts could perhaps take away some of his goals. But if you're really keen on him, I won't talk you out of him.

Roughy seems a good a bet as any in that 430-480k range. I guess worst case, you could swap him to a R10 port premium like Wingard or Gray if it doesn't quite work out.
Great minds re Roughy.

Five years of 96+ before his cancer treatment, typically plays 19+.

FWIW I saw on TV earlier this week someone saying that Dahl had been up for trade from the Dogs' perspective (I think the phrase used was 'surplus to requirements') ... I've had him all along and been skeptical that McLean had gone past him, but this did make me think again.

Maybe Roughy is a viable alternative.
 

Bomber18

Leadership Group
Joined
11 Nov 2012
Messages
27,409
Likes
65,138
AFL Club
Essendon
Great minds re Roughy.

Five years of 96+ before his cancer treatment, typically plays 19+.

FWIW I saw on TV earlier this week someone saying that Dahl had been up for trade from the Dogs' perspective (I think the phrase used was 'surplus to requirements') ... I've had him all along and been skeptical that McLean had gone past him, but this did make me think again.

Maybe Roughy is a viable alternative.
TBH, I know it's still fresh but I'm strongly leaning towards just taking the punt on Roughy. It was mainly Dahl's history that had me ignoring the clear red flags. Roughy has history too and finished the season very strongly. Had fitness issues early.

Other than the fact he was a disappointing starting selection last year, those things are really the usual traits we look for in a starting selection.
 
Joined
1 Feb 2014
Messages
1,995
Likes
6,950
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Experts answer the biggest SuperCoach questions heading into the 2018 season
Herald Sun
an hour ago
Subscriber only

AS THE first lockout of the 2018 SuperCoach season nears, there are some big questions weighing on the minds of players around the nation.
Who should partner Max Gawn in the ruck? How many rookies do you have on the field? Who is your biggest bolter?
We surveyed our experts to put their SuperCoach reputations on the line as the clock ticks.
AL PATON

1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Nat Fyfe hasn’t moved since day one. I expect him to challenge Dangerfield and Dusty as this year’s top-scorer and he’s under $600k.

2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Toby McLean. Really like how his career is tracking as a mid-forward.

3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
Just one - Bayley Fritsch. All the others are too risky this year.

4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Can I get back to you on this? At the moment Toby Nankervis ... but that could become Todd Goldstein or even Matthew Kreuzer before lockout.

5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
See above. I’ve also got two expensive rookies in the midfield, that could become one if a good cheap option presents itself when teams are announced (which would free up cash for Kreuzer). Also, if Dangerfield is named some late scrambling will be required!

6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Tom Rockliff. Have had him in at various stages, including a couple of days ago, but he is just too big a big risk with a poor injury history and no pre-season games. Don’t be surprised if he starts punching out 130s.

7. Who is your D4 (fourth-picked defender), M6 and F5?
D4 is Riley Bonner, M6 is Andrew Brayshaw, F5 is Allen Christensen.

GILBERT GARDINER

1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Josh Kelly by the length of the Randwick straight. Locked and loaded for the next nine years.

2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Todd Goldstein. Will rival Max Gawn as the No.1 ruckman in the game.

3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
One. Bayley Fritsch but subject to change. Gone a tad mid-priced cray cray so could still do some surgery.

4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Refer Q2.

5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
Tom Liberatore has been in and out of my side for the best part of six weeks, far from secure with Jaeger O’Meara looming large. Depending on selection could also go super cash cow and bank the $300k.

6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Dayne Zorko. He gets a look in every year but just can’t bring myself to do doing it despite the Lions stud being a lock for 115-plus+ average.

7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
Aaron Naughton, Liberatore and Allen Christensen - I like to live dangerously.

DAN BEGALA

1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
The Herald Sun’s finest, Max Gawn. I’ve had him locked and loaded since SuperCoach 2018 opened.

2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
I’m still in the final throes of deciding, but potentially one of Toby McLean, Kane Lambert or Sam Menegola.

3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
I’m concerned with the quality of the forward rookies, so I’ve stacked my side with premiums and will potentially only field Bayley Fritsch at F6.

4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
I’ve narrowed it down to one of Sam Jacobs, Todd Golstein or Stefan Martin. I will only be compelled by the latter two if their partners in crime (Braydon Preuss and Archie Smith, respectively) are not included in their Round 1 squads.

5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
Devon Smith’s sitting at F5, but should some of the less-fancied rookies be named, I will be disposing of Smith and redeploying the cash in my midfield (M6).

6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
The Bont was in, but now he’s (currently) out. With team selection and plenty of water to flow under the bridge, I’m not counting him out just yet as he’s a fan favourite at The Begala Brigade.

7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
D4: Aaron Naughton, M6: Andrew Brayshaw; D5: Devon Smith. I’ve got greater confidence in the rookies across the midfield and defensive lines, so I’ve loaded up accordingly.

THE PHANTOM

1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Gawn and Fyfe aside, Patrick Cripps was the first picked.

2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Todd Goldstein (in 4.6 per cent of teams).

3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
One.

4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Todd Goldstein.

5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
I’m set on all of the premiums and mid-pricers, it’s just the rookies who may change and Lachie Murphy is at the top of the list. Not sure I can go in without Aaron Naughton.

6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Jack Sinclair and Taylor Adams.

7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
Riley Bonner, Andrew Brayshaw, Allen Christensen.

KATE SALEMME

1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Tom Mitchell. This guy brings his own footy to every game he plays. Expect him to start with a bang against the Pies after 50 and 35 disposals against them in the two games last year.

2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
He was a little disappointing last year but I’m backing Adam Treloar to have a big season for Collingwood. He’s in just 5 per cent of teams.

3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
Just one rookie on the field up forward, Demon Bayley Fritsch.

4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Big Lion Stefan Martin ... at this stage.

5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
I’ve still got Cam O’Shea on my bench. He has to go for a rookie named tonight.

6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Cyril Rioli is so cheap at just over $300,000 and averaged more than 90 points from 2014-16 but will he play Round 1? Does he need a match or two in the VFL first? Will his body stand up? I love Cyril but a few too many question marks heading into 2018.

7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
D4 is Tom Doedee, M6 is David Armitage and F5 Allen Christensen.
Do you have the courage to select Cyril Rioli?

TIM MICHELL

1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Rory Laird is one of the few players who hasn’t moved since my first side. I’ve been pretty hot on James Sicily too.

2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
His ownership has risen to a touch above 4 per cent but I’ve had Kane Lambert locked in at F2 for a while now. I prefer him and Michael Walters as my top-two forwards. Most coaches have Isaac Heeney or Jack Billings, who I think will be available cheaper than their starting prices.

3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
Two. Daniel Venables and Bailey Fritsch. But I’ll be starting Paul Ahern if he’s named in place of Venables.

4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Toby Nankervis. He’ll be better for a season as No.1 ruck at the Tigers and is underpriced compared to others. I’ll be aiming to upgrade to Patrick Ryder post-Round 10.

5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
Jack Graham. I’m very keen on the hard-tackling Tiger but weighing up whether to spend $70,000 more than I would to pick Andrew Brayshaw.

6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Tom Mitchell. As consistent as they come and has an ideal bye structure, but with Patrick Dangerfield and Matt Crouch I couldn’t find the coin for him.

7. Who is your D4 (fourth-picked defender), M6 and F5?
Ciaran Byrne, Stephen Coniglio and Dan Venables.

PAUL DUNN
1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Rory Laird was easily first picked once Sam Docherty went down. He will be the top scorer of the season in defence. Max Gawn is a close second.

2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Shane Savage is my point of difference, apart from rookies. Other than that my second ruck, Jacobs may end up being a POD with a lot of people going for Todd Goldstein and Stefan Martin.

3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
One. Bayley Fritsch is the only one that I trust up forward at the moment. Allen Christensen may be cheap but not really a rookie. The forward rookies are just a bit thin this year.

4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Sam Jacobs. Set and forget with no second ruckman risk. I like Goldy and Stef, but it is their teammates (Braydon Preuss and Archie Smith) that worry me the most. If they play that will hurt their scoring.

5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
David Armitage and Shane Savage are the two that are at most risk. Either of those will be downgraded if I need to shuffle and find some cash.

6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Patrick Dangerfield. Was in my team until that hammy went twang. I would love to have him in there but just can’t bring myself to do it.

7. Who is your D4, M6 and F5?
Naughton, Armitage and Christensen. However, Armitage is a chance to drop out if I need some cash.

ANTHONY HACK

1. Who is the biggest lock in your team?
Nat Fyfe, never in question for my team.

2. Who is the biggest point of difference in your team?
Todd Goldstein has the lowest ownership.

3. How many rookies are you starting on the field in the forward line?
One.

4. Who is your other ruckman (assuming you’re starting with Max Gawn)?
Todd Goldstein.

5. Which player is the most vulnerable to a last-minute change?
David Armitage.

6. Who would you love to pick but didn’t?
Tom Rockliff.

7. Who is your D4 (fourth-picked defender), M6 and F5?
Aaron Naughton, David Armitage, Allen Christensen.
 
Joined
1 Feb 2014
Messages
1,995
Likes
6,950
AFL Club
Hawthorn
The Phantom’s Round 1 SuperCoach review: The good, the bad, Riley Bonner and what to do next
The Phantom, The Advertiser
March 26, 2018 2:58pm
Subscriber only

DID you take The Phantom’s advice on 21-year-old, mid-priced, Port Adelaide defender Riley Bonner?
Excuse the boasting but how good was he on Saturday!?
Just as The Phantom predicted earlier in the pre-season and on The Phantom’s Lair SuperCoach podcast, after what we saw during the JLT Series, the Power looked to get the ball in Bonner’s hands whenever they could coming out of defence.
The result; 31 disposals — at 81 per cent efficiency — five rebound 50s, four inside 50s, seven intercept possessions, 689 metres gained and 119 SuperCoach points.
Not bad for $257k.
But, although The Phantom believes this will be his breakout year — rather than just a once-off — before you scramble to trade Bonner in this week, give him another game.
Remember, his price will not change until after Round 3.
Nothing topped Bonner’s performance for The Phantom in Round 1 but there were plenty of other positives in an up-and-down start to the SuperCoach season.

THE GOOD

1. Lance Franklin. I’m sorry, Buddy, after your eight-goal, 175-point performance against the Eagles, I’ll never bring up your slow starts again.

2. Tom Mitchell was at his dominant best in Hawthorn’s victory over Collingwood, breaking the all-time AFL/VFL record for disposals in a game. Mitchell tallied 54 touches and 27 contested possessions, to finish with 167 SuperCoach points.
Only three the players on the ground won 27 disposals or more, let alone in a contest.
Well done to not only those who started with him but made him captain.

3. Speaking of winning the footy in a contest, in the season opener on Thursday night, Carlton star Patrick Cripps registered 25 contested possessions of his own, on the way to 130 SuperCoach points. It was the start The Phantom, and fellow Cripps owners, needed.

4. In the same game, veteran defender Kade Simpson wound back the clock, tallying 35 disposals, 10 rebound 50s, nine intercept possessions and a game-high 150 SuperCoach points. In the absence of the injured Sam Docherty, Simpson kicked to himself five times from eight kick-ins. During the pre-season, The Phantom wasn’t convinced Simpson could score big enough, often enough anymore but the 33-year-old has made a good start.

5. Bonner wasn’t the only mid-price defender to impress in Round 1. Hawk James Sicily, whose popularity surged in the lead-up to the start of the season, finished with 26 disposals and 125 points against the Magpies and Bomber Andrew McGrath, after an underwhelming pre-season, was a standout through the midfield against the Crows. The 19-year-old tallied 26 disposals, 11 contested possessions and 102 points.

Given their price, both might come into consideration in correction trades next week. Again, try to leave that for after Round 2.

6. Staying on mid-pricers, I hope you started star Giant midfielder Stephen Coniglio. He missed most of last season through injury but lead the club for disposals, contested possessions and clearances in 2016.
And, if yesterday’s performance, which saw Coniglio tally 32 disposals, 12 contested possessions, two goals and 129 points, is anything to go by, he’ll go close again this year. At $452k, he’s looming as a must-have before the Round 3 price rise.

7. Patrick who? In the absence of superstar team-mate Patrick Dangerfield — in the Geelong midfield and in SuperCoach teams across the country — mature-age recruit Tim Kelly was outstanding on debut against the Demons. The 23-year-old recorded 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six inside 50s, one goal and 118 points. Play him on your field going forward with confidence.

THE BAD

1. Injuries to popular ruckmen Matthew Kreuzer and Paddy Ryder have SuperCoaches scrambling across the country.
The Blues have said Kreuzer is still in the frame for the clash with the Suns but, given the way he moved after returning to the field on Thursday night and his importance to the team, it’s unlikely. If he does miss one, or even two, The Phantom would still be tempted to hold and look to Bulldog Tim English as bench cover, after the 20-year-old scored 83 points in Round 1.
However, the early indication on Ryder, who is left the field against the Dockers with an achilles problem — one that he’s had some trouble with before — is the star big man could miss about a month. If it is confirmed, you will need to trade.
And, after 113 points on Sunday, Nic Naitanui, who moved well, despite the pre-season concern about his fitness, is looming as a money-making trade.
More on both of these issues and the rest of the Round 1 trade talk on Wednesday.

2. Those who went with unique midfield option Dayne Zorko would’ve been throwing whatever they could find at the TV on Saturday, when the Brisbane midfielder could only manage 14 disposals and 32 SuperCoach points against the Saints. But, as much as you might want to, avoid rage trading Zorko out at all costs. The Lions are back at the Gabba this week and there’s every chance he responds in a big way. Those who don’t have him; put him at the top of your upgrade list.

3. After a standout JLT Series, many SuperCoach teams started first-year Bulldog defender Aaron Naughton on the field in his debut against the Giants.
But they wouldn’t have been happy with the result. The 18-year-old posted just 25 points, on the back of 11 disposals and two marks. Again, give the kid a chance and back him in.

4. Another concussion to Essendon star Zach Merrett. A Richard Douglas bump saw Merrett leave the game in the first quarter on Friday with just 17 SuperCoach points to his name. That makes it two head knocks in a month, after one in the pre-season opener against the Tigers, so he’s very much in doubt for Round 2. Hold for now, though.

5. After a terrific pre-season, Tom Libertore looked set to bounce back after a disappointing 2017. But, unfortunately, the Bulldog midfielder will undergo a second knee reconstruction after injuring his right knee against the Giants. If you don’t have Coniglio, he’s your man.

ROUND 1 WARNING

Nat Fyfe wasn’t at his best in Round 1 but that doesn’t mean you should trade him out.
The Phantom has said it before and will definitely say it again; it’s only Round 1, SuperCoaches. As frustrating as this game can be, try not to panic. Give the kids another go and back your premiums in. You picked them for a reason.
The early talk from some SuperCoaches about trading Zorko, Nat Fyfe and Michael Hibberd is crazy. Like the old saying goes; it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

THE PHANTOM’S MENACE

Stuart Dew

Thanks for picking Nick Holman, Stuey but where was second-year midfielder Will Brodie? He would’ve had a field day in those conditions on Saturday night.
 
Joined
1 Feb 2014
Messages
1,995
Likes
6,950
AFL Club
Hawthorn
SuperCoach 2018: Players you need to trade in or out after Round 2
Paul Dunn, Herald Sun
April 3, 2018 12:02pm
Subscriber only

AFTER last week’s round everyone told us to hold our trades and not make rash decisions after just one week of data.
Some of the rage trades that people made last week certainly backfired, while a few paid dividends.
This week though is the key for SuperCoach trading, it is the last week before most players change in price, particularly the rookies.
As with all rage trades, we can use that fantastic Reverse Trades button once we have given these players a bit of time out of sides tonight and tomorrow to think about what they did to our scoring.

BOOT HIM
Unfortunately, one of our favourites Tom Rockliff has to be booted.
He scored a measly 17 on the weekend and with Port’s depth he isn’t relied on like he was at Brisbane. He must go.
Keep an eye on Matt Crouch to see if he is going to miss some significant time with his hamstring injury.
Even if he doesn’t miss more than one week he will have a significant price drop.
Dayne Beams has now struggled in the first two games of the season and you could be easily forgiven for side swapping him to another premium player that has been performing in the opening two rounds.
Another you may want to sideswap is Michael Hibberd from Melbourne. He promised so much early in the game but faded out to finish in the 70s again.
Not what you want from one of your premium defenders, we will forgive you now for trading him after two weeks.
Sam Menegola may have been one of the highest priced forwards this year, but he is not getting the footy as much as he was last season.
He hasn’t gotten over 75 in either game so far and for that’s money you can certainly use better.
Maybe we aren’t quite ready to remove big Aaron Sandilands from our sides, but just keep a watch on him.
Only 42 points against Tom Bellchambers in a Fremantle win is not what we expected to see after last week’s great score.
If he is going to yo-yo around like this maybe we don’t want him in our sides.
While Paddy Dow was better this week. Given his elevated starting price he needs to score more than other rookies and he just isn’t doing that currently.
Number 1 draft pick Cameron Rayner also failed to deliver over the first two weeks and hence you can’t afford to keep him in your side either.
While we are on rookies, Hunter Clark was even lower than the previous week’s 40, he is the one you should consider removing. He just hasn’t done enough in his two games.

BUY HIM
Dustin Martin. Nothing more to say.
160 points in a loss tells us that he is going to be a must have midfielder once again this season.
Right up there with Dusty is Tom Mitchell. Despite a slow (by his standards) first quarter he launched from there finishing with a huge score from another 40 touches.
In that same game we saw Patrick Dangerfield for the first time this year, and if you didn’t start with him, you need to start planning on how you will get him in.
Perhaps a sideways from Matt Crouch?
And the little master, Gary Ablett hasn’t let us down either. Another fantastic game has us thinking, maybe he isn’t done as a SuperCoach star just yet.
Tim Kelly has been a revelation at Geelong. Picture: Peter Ristevski
Tom Doedee gave us a glimpse in Round 1 but confirmed it in Round 2.
He was fantastic and posted his first SuperCoach ton. The Crows like having him in their defence and you should too.
Fellow rookies Andrew Brayshaw and Bailey Banfield from the Dockers showed us that they were worth having in the side when the Dockers play well.
The other rookies to do well this week were Liam Ryan from the Eagles and Tim Kelly from the Cats, both of whom posted 100-plus.
Nick Holman also confirmed his status as a must-have rookie.
He was fantastic for his 92 and is one of the rookies that you should be playing on your ground.
Gold Coast captain Tom Lynch saw what Buddy did last week and said, “anything you can do, I can do too” and had eight goals of his own.
He has promised for so long and if this week is anything to go by he could be on the verge of delivering on that potential.
Allen Christensen produced for SuperCoaches in Round 2.
Nat Fyfe was someone we should never have questioned last week and if you jumped off, you may want to see what you can do to get him back into your side.
He was everywhere and answered all of the questions asked of him during the week from SuperCoaches.
Allen Christensen was questioned as a pick after Round 1 where he failed to lay a tackle.
In Round 2 he put on five of them and gave us a 100 which is what we all wanted to see when we picked him up cheap. Well worth his spot in your team at that price.
Stephen Coniglio was another player that was coming back from injury this season and he has dominated in the first two rounds.
If you are looking for a slightly cheaper corrective trade in the midfield look no further.
Robbie Gray spent the first week on the sidelines with suspension, he more than made up for it in Round 2 showing us just why he is so important to Port and with forward status, why he is so important to your SuperCoach side, perhaps a sideways trade from Menegola could be the way to go.

CAPTAINS REPORT CARD
A+: Dusty Martin, Tom Lynch, Tom Mitchell, Gary Ablett
A: Ollie Wines, Bryce Gibbs, Todd Goldstein, Nat Fyfe, Patrick Dangerfield
B+: Luke Parker, Robbie Gray
B: Josh Kelly, Lance Franklin
C+: Max Gawn, Stef Martin
D: Dayne Beams, Zach Merrett
F: Matt Crouch

BENCH CALLS
Should have had on field: Tom Doedee, Tim Kelly, Lachlan Murphy, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Nick Holman, Jaidyn Stephenson, Sam Murray, Jeremy Finlayson, Zac Langdon, Bayley Fritsch, Andrew Brayshaw, Bailey Banfield, Adam Cerra, Liam Ryan, Jake Waterman, Dom Barry
Should have had on the bench: Darcy Fogarty, Hunter Clark, Paddy Dow, Cameron Rayner, Mitch Crowden, Aaron Naughton, Billy Gowers, Ed Richards, Willie Rioli, Daniel Venables, Lachlan Fogarty

BIGGEST PRICE RISES/DROPS

This week is critical in SuperCoach.
With players prices changing from next week, it’s imperative you get your trades right.
Whether that be snaring the best cash cows or corrective trades for mid-prices risks and points-of-difference that didn’t work.
We’ve covered the cash cows, so here are the biggest breakevens heading into Round 3 and players perhaps you should be considering trading out.
Zach Merrett - Breakeven: 241
The Bombers star will have to score a world record to hold his price after a concussion induced 17 in Round 1 and failing to hit triple figures in Round 2.

Tom Rockliff- Breakeven 239
As we said above, Rocky is no longer the fantasy superstar we loved in Brisbane.

Dayne Zorko - Breakeven 221
The Lions star returned to form in Round 2 but his Round 1 effort of 32 will haunt him this week.

Matt Crouch - Breakeven 202
Excelled in Round 1 but injured held him to 51 in Round 2 and when (he’s got a hamstring injury) he plays his third game, he’ll drop dramatically.

Sam Menegola - Breakeven 194
The top-priced forward was always a huge risk with Gary Ablett’s arrival - and Tim Kelly’s development - and those that jumped on board should jump off now before sinking.

Patrick Dangerfield - Breakeven 181
He’s only played one game but those that held off hoping to snare Danger on the cheap (relatively speaking) will be licking their chops.
 
Top