Champion Data’s ultimate 2024 SuperCoach pre-season formguide

Who staked a claim for a SuperCoach breakout, and who should we cross off our list?

SuperCoach guru Fantasy Freako runs the rule over all 18 clubs.

ADELAIDE CROWS

Rory Laird (Mid) $653,100 – Tick

A season-low 50 points in the season opener last year was the worst possible start for owners of Laird – especially if he was your captain. But he averaged 120 thereafter – ranked fourth in the AFL among midfielders. There was a bit of talk that he would make way for the younger brigade in the midfield this year, but he still attended 61 per cent of centre bounces in the Crows’ Community Series game against West Coast – ranked No.1 for Adelaide. You can still pick him with plenty of confidence.

Izak Rankine (Fwd) $461,600 – Tick

Could we finally see Rankine enjoy a breakout season? Potentially, yes. We need to be mindful that he only faced the Eagles in the pre-season, but from a role point of view it was promising, nonetheless. He attended eight centre bounces and won 18 disposals and five contested possessions, while hitting the scoreboard with four goals and three score assists. Rankine ranked third across the league for points per 100 minutes game time and is a POD to consider.

Daniel Curtin (Def/Mid) $175,800 – Cross

The fact that Curtin missed Adelaide’s clash against West Coast in the AAMI Community Series is reason alone to leave the top draftee out of your side. With an ownership of 31 per cent at the time of writing, he should replaced immediately. Jase Burgoyne is a like-for-like swap at that price should he play, or if you find some money a move to Zac Williams or Massimo D’Ambrosio.

BRISBANE LIONS

Josh Dunkley (Mid) $644,000 – Question mark

An early bye and a lofty price tag are deterrents, but Dunkley is a proven SuperCoach performer. A genuine POD after losing DPP status, he averaged 121 before getting injured last year – averaging 113 across all games. He began the season with 21 disposals, nine contested possessions, four inside-50s and nine tackles from an equal round-high 16 tackle attempts.

Jarryd Lyons (Mid) $258,000 – Tick

For a player that has averaged over 100 points in three of the past five seasons, Lyons is close to rookie priced after starting as the sub in seven of his 10 games last year. With Will Ashcroft sidelined long-term with a knee injury and Deven Robertson struggling with a wrist problem, Lyons could see game time in the early rounds. Lyons’ defensive effort was outstanding in the season opener with nine effective tackles from 13 attempts on his way to 106 points.

Lachie Neale (Mid) $617,000 – Question mark

Few SuperCoaches are backing Lachie Neale this season and that’s down to the Lions having a round 2 bye. He’s a player to keep an eye on as a trade-in target after the bye as he tallied 112 points in the season opener from 25 disposals, 13 contested possessions and three score assists. Neale has struggled at Optus Stadium ahead of this round’s clash with Fremantle – scoring below 100 in each of his last three games there.

CARLTON

Harry McKay (Fwd) $398,000 – Question mark

Is there a world in which McKay is a SuperCoach option? His 130 points in the opening round were his most since 2021, scoring 97 points in the Blues’ second-half comeback. He was the most targeted player inside 50 on the ground with 11 and pulled in four contested marks. McKay is a risk, and the early bye surely doesn’t help his cause.

Jack Carroll (Mid) $123,900 – Question mark

After starting as the sub in the opening round, Carroll replaced the injured Sam Docherty and had an immediate impact – scoring 43 points after entering the field. He attended four centre bounces in that time, having seven disposals, four contested possessions and two tackles. With Docherty and Sam Walsh both sidelined, Carroll may get more opportunities in the Carlton midfield – but his long-term job security is not great.

Zac Williams (Def) $216,100 – Tick

Williams doesn’t have the greatest durability, missing a total of 39 games across the past two years with injury. But at his price that doesn’t matter. He only needs to be fit long enough to make us some cash. Williams started the new season with 26 points in the opening term against the Lions and had 66 to his name at three-quarter time before a quiet final term. He played on from all three kick-ins and had eight handball-receives – ranked second in the latter category for Carlton.

COLLINGWOOD

Nick Daicos (Def) $650,000 – Tick

We had a question mark on Daicos last season, and he made us look silly by averaging 135 over the first six games. He began the new season with 131 points against the Giants, winning an equal career-high 16 contested possessions. Only two players won more of the ball in a contest than Daicos in the opening round. He scored over 120 in 60 per cent of games in 2023 but could have a Finn Maginness tag in Round 4 ahead of a Round 5 bye. SuperCoaches are backing him with close to 70 per cent ownership.

Jack Crisp (Mid) $498,600 – Cross

Crisp isn’t an option to start the season but he could enter our thoughts at a later stage. He could gain DPP status ahead of the first set of changes after spending 65 per cent of game time in defence against the Giants, but a score of just 77 from 18 disposals isn’t anything to get excited about. Crisp moved into the midfield after Tom Mitchell was subbed out late in the third term.

Finlay Macrae (Fwd) $152,600 – Question mark

Macrae was an emergency in the opening round and if the Magpies do make changes ahead of this week’s clash against Sydney, he could come into the team. Even though he has been sparingly used over the pre-season, every time he gets a chance he impacts games. The Magpies were outscored by 22 points from stoppages against the Lions and they could do with Macrae’s stoppage influence.

ESSENDON

Nic Martin (Mid) $492,800 – Tick

There has been plenty of noise around Martin and he backed that up against the Cats, collecting 28 disposals and a game-high 11 marks. He won 21 disposals in the defensive half and gained a team-high 562 metres gained. His role looks too good to pass up – starting across half-back and pushing up the ground. Martin also took four kicks-ins and played on three times.

Nate Caddy (Fwd) $166,800 – Question mark

We haven’t seen Caddy over the pre-season except for a VFL practice match. He arrives at the Bombers with a lot of expectation after showing glimpse of his quality at junior level, averaging 16 disposals, three contested marks, three goals and 107 in the Coates Talent League. Caddy is a chance to make his debut in round 1 but there must be some doubt.

Zach Reid (Def) $123,900 – Tick

The injury to Jordan Ridley makes Reid far more important for the Bombers, hence he also becomes SuperCoach relevant. Injuries have held him back, missing a total of 37 games over three seasons, but he looks set to feature in the season opener. Reid hit the target with 14 of 15 disposals against the Cats in the pre-season and also hauled in a game-high four intercept marks. He’s a solid option for the bench.

FREMANTLE

Caleb Serong (Mid) $621,600 – Tick

Serong scored over 120 eight times last year and dropped below 90 just twice. The addition of Hayden Young and return of Nat Fyfe to the midfield shouldn’t impact his scoring, but he did drop below 100 in two of the four games that Young was in the middle last year. Sean Darcy’s injury is also a bit of a blow, but not enough to avoid picking Serong.

Nat Fyfe (Mid/Fwd) $283,200 – Tick

Almost half the competition has selected Fyfe. He won’t be a season keeper, but a two-time Brownlow Medallist under $300k is just too good to pass up. After experimenting with his role, he looks set to return to the midfield – a role he made his own over a decade. Fyfe attended 76 per cent of centre bounces against the Power in the pre-season and had 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions and five clearances. Yes, durability is a worry but at his price it doesn’t matter.

Hayden Young (Def) $525,100 – Tick

Young looks set to continue playing as a centre bounce midfielder this year, a role he played in the final month of last season. In that time, only Marcus Bontempelli laid more effect tackles than Young. He attended 80 per cent of centre bounces against the Power – the most at Fremantle – finishing with 26 disposals, six inside-50s, seven tackles and two goals. He’s a lock to earn DPP status in the first set of changes.

GEELONG

Shaun Mannagh (Mid/Fwd) $117,300 – Question mark

Historically, the Cats have had great success with mature-age recruits. That puts Mannagh firmly on our radar on the back of starring in the VFL Grand Final – finishing with 27 disposals, six goals and 144 SuperCoach points. But we haven’t seen him start a match yet, coming on in the latter part of both pre-season games. Currently owned by 39 per cent of the competition at the time of writing, hopefully he earns an AFL debut in the season opener.

Max Holmes (Mid) $446,000 – Tick

When asked about which player has caught the eye most over summer, Chris Scott named Max Holmes. That should put him firmly on the radar for SuperCoaches. He starred against the Bombers, collecting 29 disposals, ranking second in the league for disposals per minute. In terms of role, Holmes is set to play predominantly across half-back – leading the Cats for handball-receives against Essendon with 17.

Jhye Clark (Mid) $123,900 – Tick

Injury ended debut Clark’s season last year in round 10, having just one match at AFL level under his belt. But he looks set to play a key role in the Cats’ midfield this year – attending a team-high 64 per cent of centre bounces against the Bombers, finishing with 17 disposals, 10 contested possessions, four tackles and 86 points. At his price he’s an absolute lock for the bench.

GOLD COAST

Touk Miller (Mid) $545,500 – Tick

Miller has a strong SuperCoach pedigree after averaging 120-plus in both 2021 and 2022, hence he’s underpriced for what he can produce. Injury derailed his 2023 season – scoring just three tons in seven matches post-injury, with no score over 110. But that’s not the Miller we know. He starred against the Tigers last week with 116 points from 28 disposals and three score assists. The only negative for Miller is the Suns’ round 3 bye.

Sam Flanders (Mid/Fwd) $494,200 – Tick

After a glowing endorsement from Damien Hardwick, how can you not start with Flanders? He averaged 29 disposals, 11 contested possessions, five clearances, five inside-50s and 106 points in his last seven games of 2023. Flanders was one of just four Suns players to attend a centre bounce in the season opener – scoring 124 points from 26 disposals and nine contested possessions.

Alex Sexton (Fwd) $133,400 – Tick

Sexton took his strong pre-season form into the season opener and scored a respectable 73 points from 78 per cent game time. Only Sam Flanders and Touk Miller had more handball-receives, and Sexton hit the target with 15 of his 21 disposals. He took only one kick-in as Connor Budarick and Wil Powell shared the other five – but at Sexton’s price it is an easy decision. Expect him to get DPP status after the first set of changes.

GWS GIANTS

Tom Green (Mid) $621,500 – Tick

Green scored 132 points against Collingwood in the opening round and now has two favourable match-ups against North Melbourne and West Coast Eagles before a round 3 bye. The early bye isn’t great, but he could easily be flipped to Josh Dunkley or Lachie Neale in that week in what looms as an aggressive play. Green scored 120-plus in six of his last 10 games in 2023 and led the AFL for disposals per game.

Lachie Whitfield (Def) $519,000 – Tick

Only Nick Daicos ranked higher than Whitfield for disposals per minute in their opening round clash. Whitfield played on from all six of his kick-ins and used the ball well – hitting the target with 26 of 33 disposals. With an ownership of just 3 per cent at the time of wring, he ended last season in terrific form – averaging 110 in his last 10 games, ranked second at the Giants. Whitfield has hurt us in the past, but don’t let that deter you from starting him.

Harvey Thomas (Mid/Fwd) $117,300 – Cross

Thomas debuted in the season opener against Collingwood and impacted to match as a provider with four score assists. But he didn’t find much of the ball, gathering nine disposals, and he failed to lay a tackle from two attempts. It’s unlikely that he loses his place any time soon as those competing for his spot are sidelined with injury – but if need a bench rookie pick Aaron Cadman ahead of Thomas as the upside is much higher.

HAWTHORN

Henry Hustwaite (Mid) $184,400 – Tick

Hustwaite has stormed into contention for the season opener after an excellent pre-season. A silky left-footer, he attended 47 per cent of centre bounces against the Bulldogs – ranked fourth for the Hawks – finishing with 17 disposals, nine contested possessions and five tackles. Hustwaite debuted late in 2023 which is why he starts this year above the basement price for a rookie.

Karl Amon (Mid) $483,300 – Tick

Amon ended last season playing as a running defender, winning 27 or more disposals in each of the five games he had at least 50 per cent of game time in that role. He also averaged 101 points. He thrived in the same role against the Bulldogs, winning a game-high 23 disposals and 12 handball receives in the defensive half. A midfielder to start with in 2024, he’s set to gain DPP status if he continues in this role.

Ethan Phillips (Def) $102.400 – Tick

Phillips finally gets his chance at AFL level after excelling in the VFL for many years. An elite reader of the play, he won five intercept possessions and scored 56 points against the Bulldogs. In the VFL he has averaged five intercept marks over the last two seasons; to put that figure into perspective – the AFL leader in that stat last year took 3.8 per game.

MELBOURNE

Max Gawn (Ruck) $583,700 – Tick

The Gawn and Grundy ruck partnership didn’t work last season. In Gawn’s first match without Grundy, he piled on 215 points and went on to average a whopping 130 without him. The two faced off in the season opener and it was Grundy that took the honours – winning the head-to-head hitout-to-advantage count 12-6. Despite a poor score by his lofty standards against Sydney, Gawn presents far too much value to bypass him.

Caleb Windsor (Mid/Fwd) $180,300 – Tick

Windsor was on track for a solid score on debut against Sydney, but he could only manage five points in the final term. With 13 disposals, six contested possessions and three tackles to his name from 81 per cent game time, Windsor was one of only two players on the ground without a mark. He played 100 per cent of game time on the wing and with Lachie Hunter still missing through injury, Windsor should be assured of minutes in the short term.

Blake Howes (Def) $123,900 – Tick

Howes was a shining light for the Demons in the season opener with a game-high 12 intercept possessions – the most by a debutant on record. He hit the target with 14 of 17 disposals, took seven marks and laid three tackles. A 50-point second half pushed his score to 91 and he’s now in the mix for a bench spot in defence in our teams. After playing a total of 24 games in the VFL over the last two years, Howes could be here to stay.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Luke Davies-Uniacke (Mid) $635,100 – Tick

Durability is the biggest question mark on Davies-Uniacke, who missed nine games through injury last season in four separate stints. He had a stinker in the AAMI Community Series as well with just 45 points, but he scored 55 in last year’s pre-season match and followed that up with 143, 155 and 102 in his first three home-and-away games. Back him in.

Harry Sheezel (Fwd) $556,200 – Tick

A $357k price jump from last year for Sheezel has some SuperCoaches thinking twice about starting with him, but like Nick Daicos in 2023 he looks primed for a huge year. In his debut season, Sheezel ranked eighth in the AFL for uncontested possessions per game. He didn’t set the world alight against the Saints in the AAMI Community Series, but he stormed home with a 13-disposal and 52-point final term.

Zac Fisher (Fwd) $378,600 – Tick

Fisher dominated on the outside against the Saints with a team-high 24 uncontested possessions, of which 18 were from handball-receives – also a team-high tally. Overall, he won 19 disposals in the defensive 50; only just Alex Sexton (25) found more of the ball in that zone. Fisher is a handy mid-price option to start with and DPP status is all but assured if he remains injury free.

PORT ADELAIDE

Dan Houston (Def) $593,100 – Tick

Port Adelaide’s favourable start to the season ensures that Houston is in the SuperCoach selection mix, with seven of its first 10 games at Adelaide Oval. He averaged 25 disposals, 15 uncontested possessions, six intercept possessions and 116 points from 14 games at home last year. Houston was one of six Power players to reach three figures against the Dockers in the pre-season.

Zak Butters (Mid) $636,100 – Tick

Butters joins the elite of the game after a huge breakout season in which he had nine scores of 120-plus points. He ranked fourth for total points scored by midfielders and averaged 119 in wins alone. He has a nice round 13 bye and starts the year with a favourable clash against the Eagles, a game he has been declared fit for after suffering a minor ankle injury in the final pre-season match.

Ollie Wines (Mid) $463,600 – Tick

Wines’ struggles were well publicised last season as he was pushed out of the midfield – attending just 51 per cent of centre bounces in the games he played. But he has had a faultless pre-season – attending a team-high 76 per cent of centre bounces against the Dockers – finishing with 27 disposals, 12 contested possessions, one goal and a game-high 130 points. The upside with Wines is huge!

RICHMOND

Seth Campbell (Fwd) $123,900 – Tick

Campbell was rewarded for a strong pre-season with a debut in the season opener. He was one of the Tigers’ best on the day with 70 points – finishing with nine disposals, four tackles, one score assist and two goals from 80 per cent game time. Campbell also applied himself defensively and had the third-most pressure points of any Tiger. With a plethora of bench options available up forward, add him to the mix.

Dustin Martin (Mid/Fwd) $527,300 – Question mark

Martin missed the opening round clash against the Suns with a knock to the calf, but is expected to return against Carlton this Thursday night. With Isaac Heeney lighting it up against the Demons, picking him over Martin is probably the right play as he has a clear midfield role and is much cheaper. Martin did finish 2023 off in fine fashion – scoring 158 and 139 in that order in his last two games.

Sam Naismith (Ruck) $123,900 – Question mark

Naismith was the feel-good story of opening round, playing his first match at AFL level since round 4, 2020. He held his own against Jarrod Witts and broke even in the hitouts-to-advantage with five apiece – scoring a handy 93 points. Naismith also generated a team-high seven clearances and won 11 disposals around the ground. It remains to be seen if Adem Yze plays Naismith alongside Toby Nankervis, who is set to return from injury soon – keep an eye on the teams this week.

ST KILDA

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Def) $475,800 – Tick

A third-year breakout for Wanganeen-Milera is a reality. He improved his average by 33 points last season and is every chance to nudge three figures in 2024. The Saints played a fantasy friendly game under Ross Lyon and led the league for short kicks and marks in the defensive 50. Wanganeen-Milera had a field day against the Kangaroos in the community series with 29 disposals and 107 points.

Darcy Wilson (Mid/Fwd) $130,800 – Tick

The praise for Wilson has been glowing all pre-season and he backed that up with a startling display against North Melbourne, finishing with 24 disposals, 10 marks, 19 uncontested possessions and four inside-50s. Wilson was the second-ranked player on the ground at three-quarter time, but he could only manage 10 points in the final term. A must-have to start with.

Riley Bonner (Mid) $284,500 – Tick

As great as Bonner was in the AAMI Community Series, we need to be mindful that Jack Sinclair was missing though injury. At Bonner’s price, though, it’s a low risk play that could pay off. He hit the target with 24 of 30 disposals and gathered 14 handball-receives – ranked second for St Kilda in the latter category. He also played on from all three kick-ins.

SYDNEY SWANS

Brodie Grundy (Ruck) $481,900 – Tick

Has there ever been a bigger SuperCoach lock than Grundy? The one-time king of SuperCoach is coming off his worst season wince 2014 – scoring just one ton in his last 12 games. But he averaged 138 in the three games Max Gawn missed through injury, which underlines his value. A round 5 bye is more than manageable and after overwhelming Max Gawn in the season opener, Grundy all but locks himself into our teams. He scored 99 points in the second half alone and generated seven centre bounce clearances.

Matt Roberts (Mid) $156,800 – Tick

A changing of the guard has seen SuperCoach stalwart Jake Lloyd move to the wing to accommodate Roberts in defence. Roberts had 53 points to his name at halftime against the Demons but then slowed down in the second half – but that shouldn’t be a concern. He played on from all five kick-ins and is now among the must-have rookies to begin the season. Roberts has already been awarded a Rising Star nomination for his performance.

Errol Gulden (Mid) $622,100 – Question mark

We flagged Gulden as a starting option last year and he didn’t let us down. But he lost now lost DPP status and is expensive and after a below-par score in the season opener, he looks set for an early price drop. Bypassing Gulden and then picking him up after Sydney’s bye is a play, however if you want to back yourself in and snap up the Swan, go ahead. Gulden scored 155 points in his last game against his round 1 opponent Collingwood.

WEST COAST

Harley Reid (Mid/Fwd) $207,300 – Tick

There were a few question marks about the No.1 draft pick after his performance in match simulation, but he dispelled those fears with a solid performance in the AAMI Community Series – finishing with 20 disposals, five clearances and three tackles. Reid also attended 61 per cent of centre bounces, ranked third for the Eagles. In terms of role, he’s likely to share his time between centre bounces and half-back.

Elliot Yeo (Def/Mid) $447,100 – Question mark

We know the risks associated with picking a player like Yeo, who has missed 43 games through injury over the past four seasons. But in saying that, he has enjoyed a faultless pre-season. He and Tim Kelly attended 75 per cent of centre bounces in the AAMI Community Series and Yeo laid nine effective tackles from a competition-high 16 tackle attempts. He is a classic risk vs reward pick.

Liam Duggan (Def) $503,500 (Def) – Question mark

You can’t get a more POD pick than Duggan as he currently has an ownership of 0 per cent at the time of writing. He was one of the Eagles’ better scorers in 2023 – averaging 27 disposals, 17.5 uncontested possessions, seven marks and 102 points in the last month of the season. With no Shannon Hurn, his numbers should spike again this season after Hurn took a team-high 92 kick-ins from 13 games.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Ryley Sanders (Mid) $184,800 – Tick

Sanders looks right at home alongside the Bulldogs’ gun midfield brigade. From a role point of view, he only attended five centre bounces against the Hawks, but that didn’t stop him finding the ball – racking up 30 disposals. He ranked fifth on the ground for disposals per minute, but a kicking efficiency of 50 per cent adversely affected his score. Nonetheless, Sanders scored 86 points and is a safe player to field in round 1.

Tim English (Ruck) $715,100 – Tick

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English’s current ownership remains low, which can be attributed to the value that other ruck options provide. Add to that a limited pre-season due to migraine-related symptoms and he’s currently a point of difference. But are SuperCoaches sleeping on him? He dominated against the Hawks in the AAMI Community Series with 133 points from 15 disposals and nine hitouts-to-advantage.

Jack Macrae (Mid/Fwd) $558,400 – Cross

On pedigree alone Macrae should be an absolute lock. But after averaging his fewest disposals since his debut season in 2023 and ending the year with 57 and 49 points in the final two games, there would be a few SuperCoaches having second thoughts. Luke Beveridge didn’t help his cause, playing Macrae as a forward 42 per cent of the time, and that saw a decline in clearance and tackle numbers. Macrae missed the Bulldogs’ two pre-season games with a hamstring injury and is no certainty to play in round 1.