As the newest AFL Supercoach article was released recently, discussion is already commencing across the off-season. This time relating to the new dual position player (DPP) reveals, which will no doubt hold significant relevance to the upcoming AFL Supercoach season.
Nick Daicos (DEF/MID)
Daicos is a name that already sparks conversation in the SC/AFL community, but with the addition of his DEF/MID eligibility, I expect him to draw further attention. Retaining his defender status means great things for the 20 year old star, as coaches can select him across the defensive line and arguably own an extra premium midfield option. Granted that the opening round doesn't harm the Pies fixture for Supercoach, Daicos should be an ever-present VC and Captain option as he averaged 116 SC points last season (including an injury hampered 41 points against the Hawks). Overall, Nick Daicos firms as a highly owned starting selection due to his defender eligibility and established Supercoach ability.
Harry Sheezel (DEF)
From one young gun to another, Harry Sheezel arrives as a DEF only in this upcoming Supercoach season. North Melbourne's shining light from the 2023 season averaged 99.5 SC points last year in his debut season, with a late burst coming in the last three rounds as he built a 128.3 three round average to conclude the season. 2023 owners of "The Sheez" will remember he was also available as a forward, which has now been stripped because of Alastair Clarkson's half-back role that he gave to the junior small forward at the beginning of the season. If this role continues for him, he could see a further spike in his scoring, especially since the likes of senior players Jack Ziebell and Aaron Hall have departed Arden Street. On the other hand, Clarko does enjoy swinging the magnets, which could lead to Sheezel returning to the half forward line in an instant. This pick will need more clarification across the pre-season, but many could be swayed away, making Sheezel an interesting POD.
Harry Himmelberg (DEF)
Another player that held a DEF/FWD status last season, but has now lost it, is Harry Himmelberg. The Giants high flyer enjoyed a positional switch last year under Adam Kingsley, moving to defence in the back half of the year. Himmelberg excelled in this position and made it his own, granting him a new contract extension. He also attracted Supercoach interest as he had a sub-400k price tag in the middle of the season, causing many coaches to jump on him. His year ended with an impressive 115 three round average and 101.6 five round average in Supercoach. While those numbers are solid for a defender, his flaw was his inconsistent scoring overtime. In some games he would score 100+ (Only five times for the season), whilst others came in the 70-90 range. This is as a result of his disposal count (18.2 average) being lower than other Supercoach friendly defenders, such as Jack Sinclair (28.9 average) and James Sicily (26.4 average). While Himmelberg definitely holds relevance in the upcoming season, I see him as many coaches' backup option in defence, where it seems to be rich with alternative options.
Luke Jackson (RUC/FWD)
The only RUC/FWD eligible player to enter my list comes in the form of the next ruck superstar, Luke Jackson. As Fremantle struggled last season after the lofty heights of finals the year before, Jackson proved to be a beacon of hope in his first season as a Docker. Jackson largely shared ruck duties with Sean Darcy for most of the season, but in the Dockers round 18 matchup against Collingwood, Darcy sustained a season-ending ankle injury. This meant Jackson needed to assume full-time ruck duties, causing his average to push up to 97.9 SC. With scores of 100, 87, 173, 124, 123 and 101 to close out the season, his five-round average reached 121.6 SC. With Darcy returning from injury for 2024, a dampener is put on Jackson's promise as a pick, not to mention his expected high price. This doesn't mean he isn't in consideration, especially if Darcy misses a significant amount of the season or if the forward options are as limited as expected.
Jack Macrae (MID/FWD)
Being one of Bevo's great SC disciples, Macrae has been a solid pick over the years in the midfield. Recently, Macrae has witnessed plenty of change at the kennel, as many new mids have arrived, such as Adam Treloar and Bailey Smith over the years. This then pushed Macrae to a half forward role, which has influenced his Supercoach position becoming MID/FWD. The Premiership Bulldog had seen a decline in his SC scoring last season, averaging 99.9 for the season and 64.3 for the last three rounds. Throughout the 2018-2021 seasons, Macrae averaged 120+ every year, highlighting how consistent he can be once picked in the Western Bulldogs midfield. Considering everything, Jack Macrae is a must when given the right role. The only thing Supercoach owners would need to see is a guaranteed midfield role for Macrae, to justify selecting him.
Bailey Smith (MID/FWD)
Another famous Bulldog that is available in the forward line this season is the highly talented Bailey Smith. After also enduring a tough season with minimal midfield time, Smith seems eager to return to the engine room in what looks to be an inportant year for his career. Rumours spread during the recent trade period of Smith wanting to leave the Dogs, due to a lack of midfield opportunity. Beveridge has taken action upon these issues in the past, such as shifting Marcus Bontempelli to a more full-time role in the middle. Across the start of this off-season, Smith went overseas to New York with Nick Daicos, as the two trained together. Then as the Western Bulldogs hit the track again, Smith finished first in their 2km time trial. This can only mean positive signs for Smith as he looks to impress Luke Beveridge and improve this season. The young star has shown he can score, even in a hard season such as 2023, as he managed six 100+ scores with four of those coming in successive matches. While it is fair to say that Smith would have to improve his overall consistency and get back in the midfield, he is doing all the right things as of now to create interest.
Sam Flanders (MID/FWD)
The last player on my list was somewhat of a bolter in the back end of last season, causing his Supercoach stocks to rise heading into 2024. Sam Flanders for the most part, applied his trade as a midfielder in a premiership-bound Suns VFL team last year. This resulted in his call-up to the AFL team when Steven King took the reins of the Gold Coast Suns. Flanders flourished as he played in the midfield, averaging 106.1 in a stretch from round 15-24, accompanied by six scores over 100. With the Suns appointing Damien Hardwick as their new senior coach, I wouldn't be surprised if the Suns new coaching staff take advantage of the talent in their grasp. Flanders definitely fits this bill, being taken at pick 11 in the 2019 National Draft. Overall, many should benefit from Sam Flanders being eligible as a FWD, in a season where forward stocks seem incredibly thin.
Hopefully this was entertaining for all viewers and I thank you all again for reading. Hopefully this peaks interest for Supercoach AFL during this pre-season. Also many rookies have been given DPP status, I plan on tackling that in a future rookie DPP article.
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