A new approach to the midfield

[Jroo]

My latest article for SuperCoach HQ

Normally the midfield isn't the place where you should be taking risks in your SuperCoach side.

But with the announcement of the rule changes for SuperCoach 2013, you will now be able to have eight scoring midfielders, up from six in previous years, which means you can now afford to take some risks and go for a unique player.

A lot of your opponents will go safe with Ablett, Pendlebury, Swan, Cotchin and Murphy in their midfield, but I will go through 15 players that I think that are worth having a punt on, to give you that point of difference compared to your opponents. 
 
Uniques  
Josh Kennedy
One of the SuperCoach stars this year averaging 120 points and finishing third in the competition for total SuperCoach points. Kennedy is a very underrated player and is ultra consistent, only dropping below 100 points on four occasions (97, 94, 90 and 84 which isn't too bad at all). I haven't heard many people talk about this guy, but he will be a great unique pick up. The only negative is, he will be pretty expensive due to his amazing 2012 season.

Brett Deledio
It seems that Deledio will lose his DPP status in 2013, meaning he can only be selected as a midfielder. Many people will be selecting his Tiger teammate in Trent Cotchin, but Deledio can be just as good and he would make a great point of difference. Deledio only dropped below 100 on 3 occasions (91, 91, 67), so is very consistent. He has averaged over 100 in the past five seasons, so he is a proven gun and a safe midfield option.

Matt Priddis
Priddis had another fine year in SuperCoach, averaging a solid 114 (if you take out his score of 24, which was injury affected). Priddis never seems to get a tag from the opposition and is a ball magnet. Not many of your opponents will go with Priddis and he is a slightly cheaper option, due to that score of 24 where he suffered concussion, so if I was looking for a unique option, Priddis would be the pick of the bunch, due to his price and scoring ability.

Andrew Swallow
The tackling machine averaged 109 SuperCoach points this season, which included seven scores of 120+, so he does have a huge scoring ceiling. I would expect Swallow to step it up again next season, in his second season as captain. The only knock on Swallow would be to add some consistency, as he had eight games this year where he scored under 100.

Kieren Jack
After a disappointing 2011, Jack bounced back this year with a very good season. He averaged 112 SuperCoach points for the year and did average a whopping 128 from rounds 8 to 21. If Jack can produce that form again next season, than I would definitely consider him as he will be a very unique pick.

Jack Redden
Redden had a solid year averaging 102 SuperCoach points, but capped it off with a great finish to the year averaging 116 from round 17 onwards. I would expect Redden to continue to improve with the addition of Moloney into the midfield and a fit and firing ruckmen, Matthew Leuneberger will be back from injury, which will give Redden first use of the ball and only increase his SuperCoach scores.

Brad Ebert
Ebert's move from West Coast to Port Adelaide saw him increase his SuperCoach average from 63 the year before to 100 this season, that's a whopping 37 point increase! Ebert had 11 scores over 100 this season and averaged 112 under care-taker coach Gary Hocking. Port Adelaide are on the rise, and so is Brad Ebert, so if you’re willing to take a risk, Ebert is your man.

David Mundy
Mundy was on fire in 2011 averaging 118 SuperCoach points, before breaking his leg. Mundy was still recovering from his leg early in 2012 and only had one score over 100 in his first 14 games of the season. Towards the end of the year Mundy looked like he was getting back to his best averaging 126 in the last three rounds and continuing that over into the finals, scoring over 100 in both of Fremantle's finals. Mundy is a great unique choice and will be fairly cheap, so I would defiantly consider him.

Break Out Contenders
Daniel Hannebery
Hannebery is a SuperCoach gun in the making and has averaged 83, 84 and 82 in the last three years and is very durable, missing only three games since 2010. Hannebery stepped up in the big games for the Swans this year, averaging 109 SuperCoach points in the finals. He does have a big ceiling with four scores over 120 (not including finals) but he definitely needs to add some consistency to his game. He had five scores under 50 which shows he can go missing in some games. But with another pre season under his belt, he should continue to improve in 2013 and add some consistency to his game.

Mitch Duncan
Showing lots of promise in 2012, Duncan has shown in patches he will be a great player in the future, with five big scores over 100. Duncan averaged 80 SuperCoach points for the year and finished the year off averaging 97 from the last three weeks. Duncan does need some improvement, as he had 12 games where he scored under 80. If Duncan can add some consistency to his game, he may be someone to consider as a break out year in 2013 is looming. 

Mitch Wallis
Entering his third season in 2013, Wallis is a prime candidate for a break out season. He will play every game if fit in this young Bulldogs line up and has showed some good signs that he will be a great player. He averaged 87 SuperCoach points in 2012 and that included six scores over 100. Wallis is the future for the Doggies and will be a SuperCoach gun, but will 2013 be the year he has a break out season?

David Swallow
The number one draft pick from 2010, he is one of the most talented young players going around. Swallow's 2012 season was ruined with injury only playing the 12 games and averaging 78 SuperCoach points, but if you take out his two games where he was subbed out, he averages 86. If Swallow can stay fit next season, he is surely ready to explode and with the help of Gary Ablett in the Suns midfield, Swallow could take his game to the next level.

Claye Beams
In 2013, I am hopeful Beams can have a season like his brother Dayne did this year. Claye Beams only played the eight games in 2012 for a 66 point average, but when you take out his two sub affected games, it bumps his average up to 81. He also finished the season in fine form averaging 99 SuperCoach points from his last three games.

Value for Money
Brent Moloney
It was a disastrous year for Moloney in 2012. He averaged a disappointing 67 SuperCoach points, after 99 in 2011.  But a change of clubs to Brisbane in the Free Agency period and all of a sudden it makes Moloney a SuperCoach option again. A new environment will benefit Moloney and he won't have trouble getting games. Moloney will be a good option, because he has shown he is a proven scorer and will be cheap!

Luke Ball
Ball missed most of 2012, with a horrific knee injury, in which he sustained in round 3. Ball is reportedly making good progress from his injury and will be fit and firing in 2013. Ball is a proven scorer in the past and he is cheap due to him only playing the three games. Watch how he goes over the pre season and definitely consider him as he should be able to raise his average back up into the 90's.

http://www.supercoachhq.com/16/post/2012/11/a-new-approach-to-the-midfield.html

[shorty3264]

Great article mate, quality reading.
Your spot on their, with the mids going from 6 to 8, it allows more of a POD from our midfielders, I think many will go for 4-5 premiums and a few risks as you say. I love Hannebery, gotta be the most likely to explode into a break out season in 2013. I also like Ziebell. Great write up

[Nige]

Great article once again, JROO! I've got Ball locked in already and my most recent FanPlanner squad has 4 of the 5 you mentioned (the exception being Swan). Went the 4 guns, Ball and Viney/Jaeger/Crouch/Wines/Hrovat. I'd be willing to ditch one of the 4 guns for one of the mentioned uniques. Priddis and Jack have served me well before, and Ebert and Swallow were ones I considered last year. Wallis and Hannebery are the two that catch my eye as far as the 'break-outs' are concerned, might take the gamble as it could be a good point of difference that could very well pay off.

[Capper]

Nice write up JROO, thoughts on Andrew Embley and Koby Stevens for next year??

[quinny88]

Nice write up Jroo, love your work.
Another 2 ill be considering are Joel Selwood (Mr. Consistant)
And Luke shuey (think he could really push into premium contention in 2013)

[Jay]

Great work JROO, a good read! Agree with everything

Im on the Kieran Jack bandwagon 8)

[Jroo]

Great article mate, quality reading.
Your spot on their, with the mids going from 6 to 8, it allows more of a POD from our midfielders, I think many will go for 4-5 premiums and a few risks as you say. I love Hannebery, gotta be the most likely to explode into a break out season in 2013. I also like Ziebell. Great write up

Cheers Shorty. Ziebell was on my list for a potential break out season and I really think he can take it to another level next season.

Great article once again, JROO! I've got Ball locked in already and my most recent FanPlanner squad has 4 of the 5 you mentioned (the exception being Swan). Went the 4 guns, Ball and Viney/Jaeger/Crouch/Wines/Hrovat. I'd be willing to ditch one of the 4 guns for one of the mentioned uniques. Priddis and Jack have served me well before, and Ebert and Swallow were ones I considered last year. Wallis and Hannebery are the two that catch my eye as far as the 'break-outs' are concerned, might take the gamble as it could be a good point of difference that could very well pay off.

Thanks Nigey. Now that there is eight spots in the Midfields I think you can afford to take a risk!

Nice write up JROO, thoughts on Andrew Embley and Koby Stevens for next year??

Thanks Tabs. Even though Embley's best footy is behind him, he is pretty cheap and could be a solid cash cow. I really like Stevens and I would defintley consider him, depending on his price.

Nice write up Jroo, love your work.
Another 2 ill be considering are Joel Selwood (Mr. Consistant)
And Luke shuey (think he could really push into premium contention in 2013)

Thanks Quinny. Selwood is a great unique option and I was considering writing about Shuey and reckon he is a good chance to take his game to the next level and become a elite midfielder.

Great work JROO, a good read! Agree with everything

Im on the Kieran Jack bandwagon 8)

Cheers Jay and yes Jack is a gun  8)

[The_Captain]

Liking the look of kennedy for a pod!

[Frankfaust1]

This is a great thread. Very helpful in the thinking department. Thanks for it.

[Jroo]

This is a great thread. Very helpful in the thinking department. Thanks for it.

Aprreacite it Frank!  :)

[Milney1234]

Great. helped alot. wondering whether morabito is worth the risk though

[Jroo]

Great. helped alot. wondering whether morabito is worth the risk though

Cheers. Morabito is definitely wort the risk, if he is named round 1 and has had a good pre season. He is very cheap so worth the risk. The only problem is he might be used as the sub

[Milney1234]

Thanks, yeh i'm risking Luke Ball aswell changed my team to this.

Backs:Goddard Gibbs Scotland Birchall Bock Pedersen (Plowman Vlastuin)

Mids: Murphy Dal Santo Fyfe Ball Carrazzo Embley Morabito O'Meara (Menzel Viney)

Rucks: Maric McEvoy (Grundy Daw)

Fwds: Bartel Bennel Rockliff  N Riewoldt Gray  Mayes (Jaksch  MShaw)

Please tell me if it is good enough or rate cheers

[dmac07]

Ball is locked in my team if fit rnd 1, mundy is currently in my fanplanner as well. Dangerfield looking like he could be a unique this year worth considering, havent seen his name pop up very often.

[tbagrocks]

I really don't mind people not talking about Paddy Dangerman!! Gives me a chance to move up the rankings ;D

He started the year slowley having to ajust to life as a full time midfielder after Craig left him forward to long, once he began to realize how he could dominate, dominate he did, look at his late season brownlow run to back this up!!

Rd 16 - 110
Rd 17 - 138
Rd 18 - 133
Rd 19 - 127
Rd 20 - 187
Rd 21 - 134
Rd 22 - 106, he and Thommo started this first half very slowly (tired boy), second half he dominated
Rd 23 - 169

Kids only 22 and was his first full year in the guts, he will only get better ;)

I also believe the new training under Sando with the bikes gone and the boxing in, players like Sauce, Sloane, Petrenko, Callinan, Danger (finals) got tired in the end, another pre season of this and by late 2013 they should still be firing this time!