Your SuperCoach Coach Blog

Preseason Hype

Scott Pendlebury, $595 200, has by all records had a fantastic preseason. Entering his 5th year on the AFL and really should be hitting the peak of his career now. Moves so well through the contests and surprisingly is very rarely tagged. Opposition coaches prefer to tag Didak, Shaw or Davis over Pendles, despite his arguably higher impact on the game as all of Didak, Shaw and Davis are easier to tag (that is, they get frustrated by their taggers and therefore easily and often have their game compromised because of it). Pendles is also very consistent and is a player whose lowest price in the season won’t ever get significantly below his starting price. A good quality to have in your premium starters. Should be in the top 6 SC-averaging midfielders come the end of the year.

Darren Jolly, $493 200, read ‘A Player A Day’ article here.

Paul Medhurst, $320 400, read ‘A Player A Day’ article here.

Heath Shaw, $503 100, has had a fantastic preseason, particularly impressing in the NAB games. @$500k he also holds some value. The tag is still a bit of a concern but he experienced far less and less of it as last season progressed. Should have a strong season.

The Bargain

The Bargain

Luke Ball, $457 100, he’s underpriced and at a new club, and we should see that first year at a new club bump in scoring that players seem to experience. Kicking efficiency has been an issue for Ball in recent times but that’s not too much of a concern as we’re looking at a breakout from 86 –> 100-110, not a breakout to 115+. Low kicking efficiency is less of an issue for inside players’ scoring. They shouldn’t have problems in achieving averages of 100-110 with a low kicking efficiency. Received only 66% game time in ’09 with the Saints – really quite pathetic for a player of his calibre. TOG should increase to 95-100 minutes under Malthouse (the average TOG for players in his position/of his ability playing at Collingwood). Just an increase in TOG alone should see Ball average 104 next year… let alone if he increases output whilst on-field. Lickity lock.

The ‘I Told You So’

Travis Cloke, $391 100, has had an interrupted pre-season due to a bruised knee injury hanging over from the end of last year. Has an uncanny ability to have stinkers. 15 of his 40 games in the last 2 seasons have brought scores below 60. For some reason – seems to always get the love on the SC selection table. Will start exceptionally slowly off a poor preseason and will be a dud should you pick him – so avoid that!

The Smokey

Simon Buckley, $265 600, had an injury-ravaged season with Melbourne last year with ongoing hip and groin issues. Delisted by Melbourne at the end of ’09 and picked up by the Pies in the draft. He offers decent value at his price but the problem is his place in the best 22 (which I don’t think he’s in). If he gets gametime he should average 65-75 and serve as a pretty decent cash cow. Much more suited for DT and I prefer a few of the other cheap defenders available this year, but is a decent smokey if you’re looking for a unique pick.

The Superstar

The Superstar

Dane Swan, $654 500, goes without saying that Swan is a fantasy jet. Racked up a ludicrous 48 disposals in round 10. Hit 30+ disposals in 16 of his 22 H&A games. An absolutely ridiculous ball magnet and has obviously earned himself the Superstar tag for Collingwood. Super consistent and averaged a career-best 123 last year.