SuperCoach AFL is set to open for the 2023 season next week but Team Picker is live, offering coaches the chance to start planning their starting squads with prices and positions confirmed.
So, we called in the experts to run a keen eye over the player pool and get their first impressions.
Our expert panelists are;
- Lachlan Hunter @hunterpunter_1, Five-time SC top 100 finisher, best finish fifth overall,
- The SuperCoach Bull @The_SC_Bull, seasoned veteran
- Dylan Bolch @BolchDylan, Herald Sun and SC scribe and regular top 1000 finisher,
- Janath Fernando @JanathFernando4, three straight top 1.5k SC finishes, best finish 146th in 2020.
We’ve asked them for their first impressions with one lock, some value picks and one rook for their starting squads to get some thought starters moving.
Locks
Lachlan Hunter: Touk Miller (SC $662k MID) – I value durability and consistency with my premos and Touk is just that. He averaged 120.3 last season and 124.5 in 2021 and has only missed one match in the last two years and that was due to suspension. Touk wills himself from contest to contest and as a result is an enjoyable player to watch when you have him in your Supercoach team. Lock him in at the beginning of the year and enjoy the ride.
Janath Fernando: Marcus Bontempelli (SC $639k MID) – With one of the highest ceiling of any player, the ‘Bont’ will look to capitalize on a change in the Bulldogs team structure – no Josh Dunkley, the addition of Rory Lobb and the emergence of Sam Darcy and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan should allow Bontempelli to be unleashed in the guts with more centre bounce appearances (CBAs). In 2021, Bontempelli averaged 107.2 points with Dunkley in the team, albeit 132.3 without, demonstrating his potential given the Dog’s new midfield predicament. Even without DPP, my first picked.
The SC Bull: Clayton Oliver (SC $699k MID) – It’s hard to go past one of the best SuperCoach selections which we’ve had since the game was built. In 2022, Clarry notched up an average of 127.1, his highest since debuting back in 2016. Last season, Oliver only missed 1 match due to injury. Looking back on his history of games played, 4 out of the 7 seasons he has played he has not missed a match, highlighting his durability. With only 4 scores under 100 in 2022, Oliver is one of the most consistent scorers on the market. 10+ scores of 120+ also indicate his ability to be a genuine VC/C option most weeks. It’s safe to assume that Oliver will finish in the top 8 midfielders in 2023. For $699k, lock him in and throw away the key!
Dylan Bolch: Josh Dunkley (SC $596k M/F) – I must admit that I do share some queries about the new club and the apparent midfield logjam at the Lions, but Dunkley’s sheer weight of numbers in a pretty weak forward premium pool makes him a lock in my eyes. An average of 100+ is generally enough to be a top 8 FWD and Dunkley has exceeded averages of 102+ in each of his past four seasons. I think he forms a scary midfield duo with Lachie Neale and continues to average 105+, despite the move to Queensland.
Value Picks
Janath Fernando: Tarryn Thomas (SC $295k M/F) and Jack Ziebell (SC $356k FWD) – From years gone by North Melbourne half backs have proven to be fantasy gold! Expect this to be no different with Alastair Clarkson at the helm. Thomas and Ziebell both present value at their prices given their roles. Playing in defense in 2021, Ziebell averaged 107.4; if he can re-capture close to this average (~105), he will make more than $150k, enough to vindicate him as a starting mid-price pick. With Josh Goater (SC $193k D/M) also poised to play a key role as a half-back, the North Melbourne defence will be an interesting one to navigate for SC purposes. I currently have Goater in my team-picker to fit my team structure.
Dylan Bolch: I think Jacob Hopper (SC $332k MID) is the best mid-priced selection of SuperCoach in 2023. The former Giant averaged just 67 points from seven matches in his 2022 campaign, but with a change of scenery and his arrival at Tigerland, I expect him to get back to his 90+ averages of previous seasons. The injury issues are a slight concern, but from all reports he has hit the ground running at Punt Road. Between 2019-2021, Hopper had averages of 95.8, 90.9 and 97 and if he is able to replicate those this season, he will be a perfect stepping stone to an uber-premium midfielder.
Lachlan Hunter: Nat Fyfe (SC $313k M/F) – I generally try to avoid picking possible breakout players as they are so hard to get right. Instead, I like to pick a couple of players who are that little bit cheaper due to an injury affected year. Nat Fyfe as a mid/fwd at $313,600 presents great value. Last season he averaged only 63 SC points, largely due to injuries and when he did play, he spent a significant amount of time up forward. Prior to 2021, the last season he failed to average over 100 SC points was 2012. Unfortunately the word out of the club this preseason is that he’ll likely play significant periods of time up forward in 2023 again. At the price however, a player of his calibre could still prove to be a valid pick for our Supercoach forward lines. He is someone to monitor across the preseason and if he body appears to be holding up he could be a gamble worth taking.
Another player returning from injury is Toby McLean (SC $178k M/F). He is one who could benefit from Josh Dunkley’s departure from the club and is priced nicely at $178,900. 2018 was his best year to date where he averaged 95 and played 22 games. If he can get anywhere near that output, he will be a bargain at the price.
The SC Bull: Elliot Yeo (SC $337k DEF) – Currently not in my side, but high on my pre-season watchlist is Yeo. Having struggled the last few years with injury, Yeo is now back on the track, and according to all reports is in good shape. If you look back at his 2017 to 2019 stretch, it certainly highlights his ability to be considered a premium with 3 x 100+ averages. I generally try to avoid picking injury prone players when selecting a starting side, as most of the time they break down early and you have to burn a trade (why did I ignore this rule with Mitch McGovern). However, based on his price, scoring history, and role (noted that he will spend time both off the half back and in the midfield), Yeo is a juicy prospect this season at $337k and should be considered for your starting side. Watch this space!
Rookies
The SC Bull: Darcy Wilmot (SC $123k DEF) – My rookie pick for 2023 is Wilmot, a name which is not a new one in the AFL frame. Wilmot made his debut in the 2022 Finals Series due to an injury in the Lions backline late in 2022 regular season. His price of $123k does not include the 3 performances he had in the AFL Finals Series, so we have been blessed with a rookie nugget. Averaging 62 points across the finals, Wilmot is the perfect D6 of Defensive bench cover for your side.
Janath Fernando: Campbell Chesser (SC $123k D/M) – Following a rookie season in 2022 derailed by a preseason ankle injury, Chesser is expected to be close to a debut in Round 1 as a skilful wing and/or half-back. Both the Eagles coaching staff, and his teammates have high expectations for him, with teammate Brody Hough stating that: “Chesser will bring a lot of pace and strength around the ball”. This is exactly what you want to hear in preseason from a rookie priced selection and one to keep a close eye on as preseason games draw nearer.
Similarly, keep an eye on Corey Wagner (SC $117k D/M), Lachie Cowan (SC $117k DEF) and Leo Connolly (SC $123k DEF) who may also play key roles out of their respective defences. Drafted by the Dockers in the 2021 draft, Matthew Johnson (SC $123k MID) has impressed this preseason at centre stoppages, with an innate ability to win his own footy and there’s a wing role available with Blake Acres departed.
Lachlan Hunter: Will Phillips (SC $158k MID) – A rookie-priced player who interests me. He is yet to show the depths of his talents at AFL level after being a high draft pick a couple of years ago, but the word coming out of the club is that he is ready to make that next step.
Dylan Bolch: Will Ashcroft (SC $202k MID) – SuperCoaches can be reluctant to pay $200k+ for rookies, but Ashcroft is Sam Walsh 2.0. I was fortunate enough to watch ‘Ashy’s’ Under-18’s season up close through my work at the Sandringham Dragons and the man is a weapon and an absolute professional. He averaged 34.5 disposals, 4.9 tackles and close to 150 SuperCoach points in the NAB League last season and did not look out of place when he played for the Lions VFL side either, taking out best-on-ground honours in one of his outings. He won every award under the sun last season and has been waiting for his AFL opportunity for some time now. Just pick him. Josh Sinn (SC $123k M/F) and Campbell Chesser (SC $123k D/M) were also on radars this time last year and look like they could be decent rookies for our sides in 2023.
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