Cheap as Chips: Forwards

[Jroo]

There will be plenty of discounted and underpriced players for SuperCoach 2014, and I will assess each position for the best value. Here, the best bargains forwards have been profiled so you know who to look out for over the preseason.
http://www.supercoachhq.com/uploads/6/5/1/8/6518160/4811543_orig.png

Jonathon Patton
2014 Predicted Price: $200-220k
2013 Average: 56
2013 Games: 3

Why is he cheap? Patton suffered a terrible season-ending knee injury in round three, meaning he only played three games for the year. He only averaged 56 points from those games, so he will be close to rookie priced next season.

2014 Prediction - Patton is entering his third season in 2014 and there's no doubt he has talent. Jeremy Cameron will commend the opposition's best key defender, which will benefit Patton. Patton knows how to kick goals and I wouldn't be surprised if 2014 is the year that Patton breaks out and kicks some bags of goals, which will lead to good SuperCoach scores. However, it's never easy coming back from a serious knee injury, so monitor him over the preseason and keep track of his progress.

Shaun Higgins
2014 Predicted Price: $220-240k
2013 Average: 59
2013 Games: 3

Why is he cheap? Durability has been Higgins' main issue in the past and yet again his body broke down on him. Higgins only played the first three games of 2013 and was then ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring his foot.

2014 Prediction - Higgins has been a good scorer when he's on the park, but Higgins is injury prone and is often not on the park. The most games Higgins has played in a season is 20 games (back in 2007), however Higgins is very cheap and I'll definitely be watching him over the preseason.

Mitch Clark
2014 Predicted Price: $240-260k
2013 Average: 59
2013 Games: 3

Why is he cheap? Clark's season was again cut short by a foot injury. Clark has only played fifteen games since making the transition from Brisbane to Melbourne, although he does average 76 points in that time, so he's worth keeping an eye on as he will get a discount due to the large amount of games he has missed.

2014 Prediction - Clark is a goal kicker and the addition of Dawes and Hogan in recent years will only help him. If he can stay fit he's a good scorer and if he's priced under $300k you would have to consider him, but picking him would come down to whether you think his body will hold up or not.

Taylor Walker
2014 Predicted Price: $290-310k
2013 Average: 69
2013 Games: 5

Why is he cheap? After a break out year in 2012, Walker came crashing down back to Earth (literally) suffering a horrific knee injury in round five which brought his season to an end.

2014 Prediction - Walker is a star, but it's never easy coming back from a serious knee injury. It's also highly unlikely he will be available in round one as superstar teammate Patrick Dangerfield said that "It's going to take time and we're not going to rush him in any capacity" and that "Maybe Round 8 or 9 you might see him". Because Walker won't be able to have a preseason and the difficulty he faces in returning from injury, you could nearly cross him off your watch list. Although, Walker is still very cheap and even if he isn't named in round one you could always pick him up later in the year, when he is on the bubble, if he posts impressive scores.

Dale Thomas
2014 Predicted Price: $340-360
2013 Average: 79
2013 Games: 5

Why is he cheap? Thomas' 2013 season was severely interrupted by injuries and he could only manage five games. As a result Thomas should receive a discount and if he retains forward status then he will be a popular pick.

2014 Prediction - Thomas has reunited with Mick, who will be hoping Thomas has his best football ahead of him. However, there are no guarantees he will be ready come round one and his ankle problems will concern some SuperCoachers and discourage them from picking him. I think if he has had a solid preseason, is named round one and if he remains a forward in 2014 you could nearly lock him in, so he's one to definitely watch.

http://www.supercoachhq.com/16/post/2013/11/cheap-as-chips-forwards.html

[nrich102]

Daisy is the only one in my team so far, but Patton is on my watchlist. Staying away from Higgins/Clark, but may jump on Tex when he returns.  Should Karnezis be on that list? Has only played a handful of games, but is a lock for me he plays round 1.

[Jroo]

Daisy is the only one in my team so far, but Patton is on my watchlist. Staying away from Higgins/Clark, but may jump on Tex when he returns.  Should Karnezis be on that list? Has only played a handful of games, but is a lock for me he plays round 1.

Karnezis and Rohan were two I was thinking of writing about but couldn't fit them all in. I will have to update them later and add more players, maybe next month when the prices arr announced (I think?)

[Vinny]

<------- Lock if fit Round 1. Nice work as usual JRoo, really liking these write-ups! :)

[Southstorm]

Fasolo was the another one I was keeping an eye on. If he goes back to averaging 75ppg he'll be a handy cash cow, surely he'll have a spot in the Pies' best 22.

[Jroo]

<------- Lock if fit Round 1. Nice work as usual JRoo, really liking these write-ups! :)

Thanks Vinny  :D
I agree, Thomas was one of my biggest locks last preseason after hearing he got DPP, but then I didn't end up picking him obviously because he wasn't ready in round one. Thomas will again be a lock  ;)

[nrich102]

<------- Lock if fit Round 1. Nice work as usual JRoo, really liking these write-ups! :)

Thanks Vinny  :D
I agree, Thomas was one of my biggest locks last preseason after hearing he got DPP, but then I didn't end up picking him obviously because he wasn't ready in round one. Thomas will again be a lock  ;)

Now the arrow is pointing at my avatar. Trains are locked in.

[Vinny]

Only if it is fit ;)

[Holz]

All are in my team if named round 1.

I'm seriously considering no premos up front and just pumping the other lines.

[EZA100]

Great write-up JROO, definitely going with daisy in round 1 absolute bargain if he is fit and ready, and will be jumping on walker if he returns and picks up some form. Patton is an interesting one, interested to see how he goes in the pre season.

[specky92]

Another great write up jroo, was looking forward to this one the most.  ;D

Patton - would need to see him kick some bags in the NAB cup

Higgins - 50/50 full preseason + good nab = 85/15

Clark - not for me, KPF in a team that averages the least goals per game

Walker - is he back round 1? Might be a sideways trade for one of my forward rookies

Thomas - Locked provided he's fit


Worth mentioning: Rohan, Fasolo, Caddy (if he gets dpp), Chapman, Pavlich and Karnezis

[Big Mac]

Did a bit of research and found that Clark averages 83 when not injured. Only going to get better with more support from teammates so I think I might start him if fit.