It's that time of year again. SuperCoach is back, and it's bigger than ever.
SuperCoach can be the highlight and lowlight of the season for many pundits. The peaks and troughs happen so often you roll with the punches.
With Round 1 a month away, the biggest question is how can you build your team to win the ultimate prize.
In every friendship group, there's a handful of mates who reckon their team can go the distance. That false hope often comes around pre-season and disappears when the bye round hits like a nuclear bomb.
We at Zero Hanger have delved into the MUST HAVE's and POD (Point of Difference) players for your Defenders, Midfielders, Rucks, and Forwards.
Strategically, you want to build your side around premiums and rookies, let's look below and see who are the names you should be considering.
DEFENDERS
MUST HAVE PREMIUMS:
Jake Lloyd (SYD)
$586,600 (44%)
2021 Average: 107.8.
First picked in most sides, 'Mr. Dependable' Jake Lloyd's numbers speak for themselves. Lloyd cracked the ton 15 times in 2021 and was the third-ranked defender in SuperCoach behind Jack Crisp and Daniel Rich. Lloyd rarely misses matches, he frequently hits 90+, and without Jordan Dawson, I can see Lloyd regularly with the ball in his hands in 2022.
Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
$502,600 (42%)
2021 Average: 92.3.
Whitfield's durability demands answers for SuperCoaches looking to lock their D1-D3 away early, yet at such a low price of just a tick over $500,000 and his ability to hit 150+ scores, the carrot dangling may be too good to refuse. Whitfield is also a DPP (Dual Position Player) for 2022, making his price even juicer, as he can be used carefully as a midfield cover.
James Sicily (HW)
$448,100 (33%)
PROJ 3 Round Average: 84
James Sicily holds the key for cash generation and a cheeky score of 70+ as a D3 or D4 defender. Supercoaches can't expect instant results from Sicily as players notoriously take time to return from an ACL injury. Before his injury in 2020, Sicily was averaging 103 points per game. 33% of SuperCoaches know he has an elite ranking for rebounds from 50, contested marks, and kicking. Sicily has the potential to get back to a premium level with a base price of only $448,100.
MUST HAVE ROOKIES:
Will Kelly (CW)
$123,900 (40%)
Job security is a big win for SuperCoach, and I think Will Kelly is a crucial look-in for the injured Jordan Roughead. With Roughead out for up to a month, Kelly and new teammate Charlie Dean could see action early into the season. The young Magpie has also been moved forward at times this pre-season, adding great versatility for Collingwood's selection planning.
Will Gould (SY)
$123,900 (32%)
Will Gould has been on the stovetop simmering for the last three years. With Jordan Dawson moving to Adelaide, maybe this is Gould's time to shine after averaging 83 points in the VFL.
Charlie Dean (CW)
$102,400 (32%)
Charlie Dean averaged 85 points for Williamstown in his breakout 2021 season and was crowned the winner of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medallist as the best young player in the VFL. An intercept defender with a starting price of $102,400, Dean gives much-needed depth for Collingwood's defence and your SuperCoach side.
PODs:
Luke Ryan (FR)
$540,300 (4%)
2021 Average: 99.3.
Luke Ryan is only in 4% of SuperCoach sides for someone who was on par with many premium defenders. Ryan is still an excellent option for many coaches looking for a POD to go point-for-point with players like Lloyd, Stewart, Hall, and Crisp.
Daniel Rich (BL)
$582,700 (6%)
2021 Average: 107.
Daniel Rich is ageing like fine wine up north. Regarded as one of the most undervalued premium defenders, Rich keeps between 85-120 points every week, which is suitable for Supercoaches looking for consistency. Rich's ceiling capability is relatively low if coaches want their D1 or D2 defenders to push 140+ every fortnight, but with only 6% naming him in their side, his consistency may be a great POD.
Jordan Dawson (ADE)
$550,300 (11%)
2021 Average: 101.1.
Regarded as one of the better ball users in the competition, Jordan Dawson's move to Adelaide could spark a quick rise to SuperCoach premium for the left-footer. Coaches will most likely go for Whitfield over Dawson due to the price, yet be aware that Dawson had three scores over 140 in 2021.
