Fyfe, Yeo, Zac – The Unyielding Titans & Fragile Stars of SuperCoach

In the intricate, fast-paced and at times, chaotic nature of SuperCoach, where every decision counts, selecting a squad capable of enduring the rigours of the AFL season while consistently delivering standout performances is paramount.

As coaches meticulously craft their teams, evaluating player durability and reliability becomes a crucial factor in securing success.

In this analysis piece by SuperCoach stats guru, Azza, he’ll scrutinise the AFL’s most durable players, highlighting those who offer steadfast reliability and those who pose potential risks due to inconsistency and fragility.

The Iron Men of SuperCoach

In the realm of durability, certain players shine as beacons of resilience, demonstrating unwavering fortitude amidst the physical demands of the game. These stalwarts are not only reliable selections, but also provide a sense of security to SuperCoach teams.

Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)

Dawson has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in recent years, and his ascent is underscored not only by his stellar performances, but also by his remarkable durability.

Since 2019, Dawson has missed just the 2 games, suspended for one round in Round 18, 2019 and “general soreness” in Round 17, 2020. It’s this robustness that makes Dawson a sure fire pick in SuperCoach.

Christian Petracca (Melbourne)

Petracca’s consistent presence on the field sets him apart as the cornerstone of reliability in the SuperCoach arena.

Since 2020, there is only one AFL player that has played every game while maintaining an average exceeding 110 SC points per game. It’s not Bontempelli, Liberatore, Laird, Stewart….but Petracca. 

Not even SuperCoach legends, Gary Ablett Jr, Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury ever reached this exceptional level of durability and consistency, making him a must-have asset for astute coaches.

Luke Ryan (Fremantle)

Only in 3% of SuperCoach at the time of writing and often overlooked, Ryan’s durability and consistent outputs make him a hidden gem in SuperCoach.

Since 2020, Ryan has only missed 3 games, and over his entire career he has missed just 12 games from a possible 150 games, resulting in a career-long durability of 92%, well above the AFL average of 75%.

With an impressive career durability rate and a knack for delivering premium defensive performances, Ryan warrants serious consideration for team selection, especially given the scarcity of durable defenders.

The Bedrock of Consistency

Consistent performances in SuperCoach are synonymous with greatness, with certain players demonstrating an uncanny ability to deliver stellar performances week after week. These enduring titans of SuperCoach are players to back in, knowing exactly what you’ll receive.

There are various methods that can help to identify consistent performers, either by the statistical method of standard deviation, or by scrutinising their output and how often they exceed the magic 100+ score.

Standard deviation, for those unaware, is a measurement to show the variability of a player’s scores. The lower the standard deviation, the more consistent a player scores, the higher the standard deviation, the chaotic their scoring is.

Darcy Parish (Essendon)

Of the 39 SuperCoach players that averaged greater than 100 in 2023, only one displayed remarkable reliability in their scoring across the entire season, with Parish showing a variability in scoring of just 13.2 standard deviation. 

With a high of 131 and a low of 82, Parish was incredibly consistent in his scoring, despite an injury for 5 weeks, underscoring his reliability as a premium SuperCoach asset.

With minimal variability, Parish emerges as a dependable option for coaches seeking consistency in their midfield ranks.

Season	AVG	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
2023	108.1	109	124	82	98	108	110	108	117							92	131	126	92	109	101	119	122	91	107

Luke Davies-Uniake (North Melbourne)

While Parish was the standalone pillar of consistency in SuperCoach for 2023, Luke Davies-Uniacke showcased his potential as a reliable scoring option in SuperCoach after a flurry of impressive performances after returning from injury. 

With a string of six consecutive 100+ scores and minimal variability (9.34 standard deviation to be exact) LDU is poised to emerge as a beacon of reliability in the upcoming season, along with being hallmarked for greatness in 2024.

Season	AVG	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
2023	113.6	143	155		102	90	72		59	122							94	134	129	133	127	106	125

Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)

Bontempelli’s consistency in surpassing the coveted 100-point mark exemplifies his reliability as a premium SuperCoach selection.

In the past three seasons, Bontempelli has exceeded 100 SC points 58 out of 68 times, but more remarkably has exceeded 80 SC points an astonishing 67 out of 68 times, with a low of 67 coming in Round 23, 2021.

With an unparalleled track record of consistent scoring, Bontempelli justifies his premium price tag and remains a cornerstone of success in SuperCoach.

Season	AVG	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
2023	129.7	107	125	89	122	145	182	122	164	112	112	124	113	125	169		114	123	131	126	101	153	115	162	146
2022	116.7	105	105	108	136	102	88	115		125	130	96	109		120	136	108	101	181	161	98	100	100	115	129
2021	119.5	92	145	82	116	133	127	107	155	128	159	125	149		143	156	83	114	93	136	87	123	114	67	115

Navigating Fragility

Amidst the excitement of team selection, it’s crucial for coaches to exercise caution when considering players with an extensive injury history. These players, while possessing immense talent and offering value at their discounted price, may present inherent risks due to their susceptibility to injury.

Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)

Everyone loves a great comeback story, and we’re all incredibly hopeful of seeing former Brownlow medallist, Nat Fyfe at his very best. But his illustrious career has been marred by recurring injuries, raising serious concerns about his durability and long-term availability.

Despite missing 30 games in the past 2 seasons due to various injuries and setbacks, Fyfe is currently in 36% of SuperCoach teams. Fyfe’s injury history warrants cautious consideration from SuperCoach coaches seeking reliability in their selections.

Elliot Yeo (West Coast)

Yeo’s potential for greatness in 2024 is overshadowed by his troubling injury history, with significant periods spent on the sidelines in recent seasons.

Yeo hasn’t played a full season since 2018, and across the past four seasons has missed 43 out of a possible 85 games, more than 50%.

Coaches must carefully weigh up the allure of Yeo’s potential output against the inherent risks posed by his fragility when making team selections come Round 1. If you’re a risk-adverse player, look elsewhere.

Zac Williams (Carlton)

At the time of writing this, Zac Williams is the 5th most owned SuperCoach player heading into 2024. While Williams boasts undeniable talent, his injury history presents a significant risk factor for SuperCoach entrants.

While Williams has a substantial ownership percentage, with 60% of entrants hopeful of seeing Williams back to his very best, coaches must exercise prudence in evaluating Williams’ potential contributions against the backdrop of his fragility concerns.

While Williams boasts undeniable talent, his injury history presents a significant risk factor for SuperCoach coaches. With a substantial ownership percentage, coaches must exercise prudence in evaluating Williams’ potential contributions against the backdrop of his fragility concerns.

Summary

As SuperCoach coaches embark on their journey to assemble winning teams, navigating the intricate landscape of player durability and consistency becomes paramount. By leveraging these insights into a player’s reliability and fragility, I’m hopeful that coaches are armed to make informed decisions that maximise their team’s chances of success in the upcoming season.