For our first entry for the year we thought we would right about a few of the smokies and a few of the good medium priced buys that you may want to look at when selecting your Supercoach Dream Team.

 

Anyone can look through the cheap prices and tell you the obvious buys like Nigel Lappin but we aim to find the next Priddis. A lot of these blokes won’t help you win the comp but they will make you some green. Getting off them at the right time is the key.

Repeat they WONT win you the comp but what will help you do is rocket up the rankings.

What will help you though is finding those middle range players in the ilk of the ’07 Carazzo, Foley and Brian Harris. Hopefully we can help you in that.

 

To make the choice a little easier:

 

The Priddis Rating System – We will award up to 5 Paddle Pops to who we think can be the very next Paddle Pop lion. This means cheap buy

 

The Toothpaste System - Former stars who are lower in value due to injury or poor form but are money this season – Nigel “Toothpaste” Lappin. Toothpaste because he’s proven to be effective. Again, we will give up to 5

 

 

With Worsfold signaling that he is going to rest his star players so that they are fresh for the final series, no Judd, no Cousins and what looks like a bad hammy to Kerr there will be some major changes in the west coast midfield. Our friends in the West speak highly of Sammy so if he can get over his troubles of the past he could be your safest bet. Be aware that he has had an interrupted pre-season so might be a slow starter

 

Schammer is a rare commodity in Fremantle. Someone who can win their own ball as well as run with it. Has promised so much for so long without delivering. Played only 7 games last year but finished with 24 in his last. The man with a face like a smashed crab will not be not to far off that mark for the year

 

Tippet is probably as close to a prodigy as they come having played less than 50 games of AFL footy and if his super performance in Abu Dubai against the pies is anything to go by he may be the man to make you the money. Matthew Kruzer is a safe bet to get a few games in the ruck but if you are looking for that bargain basement recruit to cash in on he may be the one. We understand that he may be 3^rd in line at the Crows but are prepared to take a punt (tippet, punt, get it???) on the bean stalk.

 

Played 9 games last year including the Grand Final. Had a reported 50 touches in a intra club game. Williams isn’t afraid the play the youngsters and this kid may be ready to be a permanent starter. Only averaged 59 last year so there is great room for improvement.

 

Okay heres a given. He comes in pretty much as a rookie and if he can get fit he is certain to make you some money. He won’t win you the league so get on him before his price goes up and jump off when it’s high and upgrade.

 

The Goat is a massive fan of this guy. He reportedly runs at top pace longer than anyone on the Brisbane list! - and this was without a pre-season. Only played 9 games and finished the season with 23, 14 and 19 posessions at 98 points. Topped off the year at $326,000 so he won’t be cheap but is a certain regular in the Brisbane lineup.

 

Armitage had a good season in the VFL and by all reports been very impressive in the pre-season. Monitor in the Wizard cup - only 3 games under his belt but with a few more kilos might now be ready to take the next step.

 

Has had a couple of injury interrupted seasons and will be on the cheap side of the experienced midfielders. Has proven in the past that he can find the pill and with Travis Johnstone gone he may be worth a punt. Top score of 103 but only an average of 69 so clearly room to prove.

 

A player who was a high draft pick and runner-up in the 2005 NAB AFL Rising Star Medal so he does have pedigree. Suffered an injury for much of last season and plays on a high possession team. A pretty safe bet if he can find some consistency

 

Played very much a tagging role and only averaged 14 possessions and 73 supercoach points (including a -11, 40, 41, 45 and 4) from 22 games. Another year in the gym will allow him to win more of his own ball and we should see an increase in his stats.

 

A tough in and under player and a favourite of Wallace so will get time. Will start slow but by mid year should be around 18 touches and 4 tackles a game. Maybe a good late pick.

 

 

Barry Hall (5 Toothpastes)

Do we even have to do a write up for this guy?

 

Troy Simmonds (5 Toothpastes)

Much the same as Barry Hall. Will be well below value after only averaging 42 last year, the Tiger Snake is a great ruck option and the one you should make as your number 2, no questions asked. High possession winner who can also kick goals. Hasn’t had a full pre-season but will have done enough by Round 1.

 

Chris Judd (4 Toothpastes)

Is a risk if you read the tabloids. Might be a safe bet to make him one of your first trades as he may be a slow starter. Round 5 or 6 might be his lowest value and a good time to grab him. 106 average – he’s not going to get better but he ain’t gonna get any worse!

 

Nick Stevens (4 Toothpastes)

Unsure of his value as he played 3 games last year and score a teeny tiny 261 supercoach points. Only get if his value is lower than what that price deserves.

 

Chook Mclean (4 Toothpastes)

Always a big injury concern but when fit gets 100 supercoach points in his sleep. Lead the league in points per minute in 2007. Has had a full pre-season so really a no brainer.

 

Brett Burton (If his body is right - 5 Toothpastes)

Injury prone year hence a massive drop in price. Played the first wizard cup game and looked lively. Would rather nail my sister than this bloke but he is a perennial Supercoach star (68 point average topping out at 129).

 

Ken McGregor (1 Toothpaste)

9 games last year. Only averaged 56 points a game. Looking very fit and is going to be a key component of the forward line. Think Cam Mooney type numbers

 

 

For anyone who watched the game in Dubai they would of heard Porplyzia has been doing high altitude training to get into the midfield. Played a full game there against Collingwood and had 20 odd touches and goal and didn’t miss a target making him even more valuable in Supercoach. Look at his graph for last year…. It goes up and up. It’s his time to shine.

 

Matthew Knights has stated a need to get more run out of the backline. A man who never missed a target last season scoring 2 100’s and 2 90’s, Nashty is going to be a prime mover and perfect for Supercoach with his high skill level. Could put up Lindsay Gilbee type numbers. Maggot favourite.

 

It’s his time to shine. Has been told he will play forward this year in a Brad Johnson type role. Very good one on one mark, great kick, has NG Brown and Richo alongside him. Only concern being how often will Richmond get it down there. 8 Scores of over 100 means he will no doubt be pricey but he will deliver.

 

Another one of the Adelaide young midfielders who need to step up now. Has been raved about in Adelaide for years and with finally a full pre-season looks set to fulfill this promise.

 

Provided this guy can keep his body right he might be a major player in the eagles midfield. He only managed 11 games last year and dropped $100,000 in price from where he started so is sure to increase.

 

134 points in his final game. Add that to his scores of 156, 144 and a whalloping 162 and you have a massive star in the making. We both reckon that its going to be either this fella or Jordie McMahon who take a big step up.

 

Nicoski was built for supercoach. Sublime user of the football and plays for a side that last year shattered all records for possessions per game. Was injured last year but shows his standing at West Coast by getting rushed in late season without much fitness under his belt. Averaged 44 points last year, he is guaranteed to make you money and is the steal of the comp.

 

By all reports will be playing forward this season again and should return to his form pre-knee injury. Has not missed a session.

 

Has always been inconsistent in Supercoach due to playing a tough position on the half forward flank. Spent more time in the midfield come finals time last season and shone. Expect to see him spend more time there and his good use of the ball will ensure when he gets 20 touches will score 100+.

 

This is solely just a gut feeling. Has been in the system for a while as a high draft pick and has always had a negating role. My gut says he is asked to be a bit more attacking this year and while wont be an elite points scorer will improve on last year (61)

 

Justin Sherman (if he can find a spot), Xavier Ellis, The Tommahawk, Jason Gram, Danyle Pearce

 

Stay away from (some of these are big calls, but hey we have the kahuna’s to do it)  

 

Joel Bowden – I know I know. How can one of the best backmen in the game be one to stay away from? Look Joel is the games record holder for Team Goat, no-one loves him more. It may be false hope that Richmond are going to be more attacking this season but with the pickups of Morton and McMahon to play along half back there are a couple of extra good ball users. This means Joel shouldn’t get as many cheap possessions as years gone by

 

Peter Burgoyne – Has been injury prone in the past. Already missed part of the pre-season (shoulder injury) and always gets a lot of attention. Will struggle to replicate the numbers he put up in the second half of the year

 

Brian Harris – Became one of the elite backmen in the comp last year. Lead the league in marks from opposition kicks. It might just be me but I can’t see that being a very easy stat to replicate. Hence will struggle to match his hefty price tag

 

Richard Hadley – Everyone I read is all over this guy just because he is at Carlton. With Carazzo, Judd, Murphy, Walker, Gibbs and Stevens we just can’t see him getting a massive run in the midfield. Plus he has had another minor knee injury in the pre season and never had even one good supercoach season. ‘Don’t believe the hype’ he wont be special – sorry Bruce!

 

Colin Sylvia – Really a make or break year for him. Appeared to fall out of favour with Daniher last year. Only 63 points a game is really not good enough. Expect him to be extremely motivated and may even get pushed into the midfield for certain times.

 

Simon Goodwin – This might be the classic over-reaction to pre-season form but Goodwin played forward against Collingwood and struggled to get a kick. We don’t think he will be there full time but even spells there will prevent him from being the elite points scorer he has been in the past

 

Adam Bentick – Read about Richard Hadley above. No room for this bloke who was only a leading tackler last year due to being to slow to get the ball himself.

 

Paul Haselby – Every year you read he has dropped weight and is ready to return as an elite midfielder. Don’t believe it or trust this guy. The purple haze is done as an elite midfielder(86 points average last year)

 

Jeff White – Long been a top 3 supercoach ruckman. Melbourne are going to make a contentious effort this season to give Maric and Jamar more time so expect his minutes and number to go down. There are a few boys who are better options for your ruck than him.

 

Well ladies and gents, hope this helps you make up your mind or gives you a few ideas. Let us know what you think and tell us if we have missed any keepers. Ignore at your own peril kiddies and good luck.