This was one of the more interesting rounds of SuperCoach I can remember!

The weekend started with the unadulterated carnage of team selection, with popular picks Brodie Grundy, George Hewett, Patrick McCartin, Josh Ward – to name a few – all finding themselves on the sidelines for various reasons, leaving many coaches scrambling to field a full side.

The weekend finished with “par” for the round being somewhere in the 2400-2500 range, with a host of teams scoring in excess of 2,700. Make it make sense!

Captain selection was a huge factor this week, even more so than it usually is. Max Gawn, Lachie Neale, Jayden Short, Patrick Cripps and Josh Dunkley went large, but the (I use this word very tentatively) former perma-captain Jack Macrae went well below expectations, costing coaches 75-90 points right off the bat.

There are rookies on the bubble, rejuvenated veterans, left-field surprise premos and stacks of other stuff to talk about as always – let’s get in to the game recaps!

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West Coast v Richmond

Yikes, it’s hard to believe after how competitive they’ve been for so long, but the Eagles are now officially a rabble.

All of the Tigers’ big guns fired, with Tom Lynch (167 SC, 7.5) and Shai Bolton (139 SC) carving up the Eagles forward of centre. The Richmond backline is a proven source of SuperCoach scoring this season and both Jayden Short (152 SC) and Nick Vlastuin (110 SC) need to be in your upgrade considerations.

Josh Gibcus (79 SC) is paying coaches back who held on to him, with another cash-generating score.

For the Eagles, the major SuperCoach story was the debut of Greg Clark (104 SC) who played on a wing and fit like a glove. Clark’s 16 disposals came at 83% efficiency and he added six tackles on top of that for good measure.

Alex Witherden (97 SC) was again decent; his ownership will continue to grow. Rookie options Luke Strnadica (76 SC), Patrick Naish (72 SC) and Hugh Dixon (42 SC) – who was a late in – all did their jobs.

Injuries

Dion Prestia was subbed off at three quarter time with an ankle injury.

Liam Ryan hurt his knee in the third quarter as well. Willie Rioli copped a left hamstring corky in the first quarter and was subbed off at half time.

Reports

N/A

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Geelong v Fremantle

Super impressive again from the Dockers, with the three-point final scoreline not at all reflective of how much they controlled the contest from the second quarter onwards.

Blake Acres (125 SC) played his best game of football at AFL level and was a clear BOG. Despite the result, from a SuperCoach perspective it wasn’t the greatest day for the popular Freo players. Andrew Brayshaw (77 SC) had 28 touches but went at just 64% efficiency and gave away 5 free kicks. Will Brodie (75 SC) played a great last quarter but was quiet before that, while Nathan O’Driscoll (57 SC) was again serviceable but was also one of only two Dockers not to lay a tackle, which hurt his score.

Luke Ryan (62 SC) couldn’t get near it and is becoming a headache for coaches, with this now his fourth sub-80 score of the season.

For the Cats, Tom Stewart (187 SC) was monstrous. His 40 touches (at 80% efficiency) came with 14 marks and 4 tackles in what was just about the complete game as a roaming defender. With many teams looking for a final defensive upgrade, Stewart might be the perfect option.

Sam De Koning (77 SC) took 7 marks, most of them contested, and proved a valiant replacement for George Hewett. Another cheap option, Oliver Dempsey (12 SC), was invisible and may not be able to hold his spot.

Injuries

Max Holmes hurt his ankle in the first quarter and was subbed out.

Reports

N/A

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Adelaide v GWS

It’s been an impressive start to the year for the Crows but it was always going to be hard to maintain given the lack of experience they’ve got at key posts.

GWS had way too much class for the outmatched Crom, with Josh Kelly (153 SC), Toby Greene (117 SC), Stephen Coniglio (108 SC) and Tom Green (107 SC) doing as they pleased all over the ground.

Isaac Cumming (135 SC) is in less than 1% of teams, but with a juicy role across halfback, averaging 106 for the season and priced at $521k, he’s putting himself in D5/6 upgrade consideration.

Brayden Preuss (109 SC) outplayed Reilly O’Brien in great signs for his longevity as a SuperCoach option, while owners actually would’ve been a bit disappointed in the end with Lachie Whitfield’s (95 SC) score given he kicked three goals.

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Bargain basement option Cooper Hamilton (68 SC, $102k, Mid) performed well, as did Finn Callaghan (63 SC).

For the Crows, their usual suspects in Rory Laird (116 SC), Ben Keays (103 SC) and Jordan Dawson (94 SC) were standouts. Taylor Walker (68 SC) couldn’t get near it in the first half but did put in a respectable shift in the second, while Josh Rachele (46 SC) has hit the rookie wall and needs to be moved on.

Injuries

Keays had a minor hand issue but played through it. Brodie Smith knocked himself out late in a concerning incident and will likely be out for at least next week.

Reports

N/A

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Melbourne v Hawthorn

Valiant performance by the Hawks, but ultimately Melbourne are the best team in football and it will take a lot to knock them off.

Max Gawn (172 SC) played as brilliant a game in the ruck as you’re likely to see, chalking up 35 hit outs to go along with 29 possessions and two goals. Christian Petracca (131 SC) and Clayton Oliver (119 SC) were the beneficiaries of Gawn’s dominance and both duly cashed in.

Angus Brayshaw (97 SC) had 26 possessions but went at just 73% disposal efficiency, well down on his usual numbers. Jake Bowey (63 SC) is topping out and it’s time to move him on.

Dylan Moore (147 SC) was magnificent for the Hawks, racking up 33 disposals across half forward. His workrate is immense, and with an average of 102, and just one score for the year below 90 (an 88 last week), it’s time to start thinking of him as a legitimate forward premium option.

James Sicily (116 SC) continued his fantastic 2022 campaign and now surely has to be a lock as one of the top 10 defenders by the end of the year. Tom Mitchell (78 SC) had 22 possessions but went at just over 50% disposal efficiency, which, needless to say, hurt his score.

Rookie options Connor Macdonald (55 SC), Finn Maginness (26 SC) and Jackson Callow (25 SC) were all sub par and the job security of each looks shaky.

Injuries

Joel Smith hurt his ankle in the third quarter and was subbed off.

Connor Nash did a hammy in the last quarter and was subbed off.

Reports

N/A

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St Kilda v Port Adelaide

Probably the worst game of the year so far up in Cairns, but Port Adelaide did just enough to consign the Saints to their second loss of the year.

Robbie Gray (100 SC) was the star for Port, turning back the clock with a vintage display. Ryan Burton (120 SC) and Ollie Wines (104 SC) were also fantastic, while Zak Butters (89 SC) and Connor Rozee (87 SC) were reasonable, with both seeing significant midfield time.

Travis Boak (87 SC) has been moved to a half forward role and his scoring is suffering as a result. Sam Hayes (53 SC) struggled with the dewy conditions – I wouldn’t read too much in to his score.

For the Saints, Jack Steele (122 SC) was again their best, but I was very impressed with the performance of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (85 SC), who played clearly his best game of AFL footy. His classy ball-use is a pleasure to watch.

Jack Sinclair (85 SC) didn’t have his usual impact on the game, and 65% disposal efficiency is well down on his usual numbers. Patrick Ryder (59 SC) will take a while to work himself back to full match fitness.

Injuries

Mitch Georgiades was subbed off at three quarter time with a calf injury.

Reports

N/A

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Carlton v North Melbourne

Way too good by the Blues against an undermanned North Melbourne outfit, and the scoreboard (a 50-point win for Carlton) probably doesn’t quite tell the full story of how dominant the Blues were.

Patty Cripps (138 SC) is now the outright favourite for the Brownlow Medal and is an absolute SuperCoach must-have. His score could’ve been even higher this week had he converted more than one of his three shots on goal.

Sam Walsh (129 SC) is a magnificent footballer, while Adam Saad (125 SC) is now averaging 107 for the season and needs to be in defensive upgrade calculations. Matt Kennedy (112 SC) stood up with George Hewett out and Sam Docherty (93 SC, 33 disposals) was also excellent.

Jack Carroll (95 SC) was fantastic on debut, racking up 19 disposals and kicking a goal playing a high half forward role. One to watch. Corey Durdin (57 SC) put in a serviceable shift, with many relying on him at F6.

With Tristan Xerri out, Todd Goldstein (125 SC) thrived in the primary ruck role, but it was a dirty day elsewhere for the Roos. Callum Coleman-Jones (79 SC) was okay as the backup ruck but certainly didn’t light the world on fire.

Jason Horne-Francis (58 SC) has hit a bit of a rookie wall and may need to be moved on, although he did have 20 possessions and wasn’t helped by giving away four free kicks.

Injuries

Liam Stocker was subbed off with a shoulder injury in the last quarter.

Miller Bergman unfortunately hurt his shoulder early doors on debut. Horne-Francis hurt his neck but seemed okay. Cam Zurhaar was winded after a big hit in the last quarter.

Reports

A tunneling incident involving Nick Larkey will be looked at – it wasn’t great, he deserves a week or two.

Lewis Young bumped Zurhaar in a big hit that will be looked at as well.

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Collingwood v Gold Coast

Clinical performance from the Magpies, as they did enough to take care of a plucky Suns team and move in to the top 8.

It was an even spread of performers for Collingwood, with Scott Pendlebury (115 SC), Jack Crisp (103 SC), Darcy Cameron (115 SC), Pat Lipinski (97 SC) and Brody Mihocek (103 SC) likely sharing the coaches votes amongst them.

It was a super impressive debut from Aiden Begg (81 SC), who was playing a difficult half-forward/ruck role splitting time with Cameron. Nick Daicos (75 SC) had 19 touches at 94% disposal efficiency, which was a handy result. Jack Ginnivan (93 SC) is creating havoc week in, week out at this point – his Rising Star stocks are rising.

Jordan De Goey (60 SC) had been struggling with gastro all week and looked a step off the pace. He will hopefully be back to full fitness next week.

Touk Miller (160 SC) is well and truly back in business. The Suns’ gun had 36 touches, six tackles and kicked two goals as well to top off an enormous day. Jarrod Witts (136 SC) continued his magnificent start to the season. He is now averaging 117 and has just two scores below 95.

Matt Rowell (99 SC) is rounding in to form after a 103 last week. Did we all sell too early? Malcolm Rosas (48 SC) crashed back to earth in his third game for the season – this was always the worry, and this 7 possession performance won’t exactly help his job security.

Injuries

Connor Budarick rolled his right ankle in a contest with Ginnivan in third quarter and was subbed off.

Ginnivan got a corky in the first half but seemed fine.

Reports

N/A

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Western Bulldogs v Essendon

Another week, another lackluster Essendon performance, with the beleaguered Bombers handled with ease by the star-studded Dogs.

Josh Dunkley (139 SC) was again one of the Dogs’ best, racking up 29 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles and two goals in a complete display. He was aided through the mid/forward line by Marcus Bontempelli (115 SC) and Bailey Smith (95 SC).

Jack Macrae (89 SC) was again quiet by his standards, finding the ball 28 times but giving away 3 free kicks in the process. Tom Liberatore (87 SC) didn’t have his best day out but was more than serviceable.

Caleb Daniel (108 SC) and Bailey Dale (113 SC) were magnificent off half back, while Robbie McComb (63 SC) likely secured his place in the starting side for a few more weeks.

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For the Dons, Jordan Ridley (115 SC) beat Aaron Naughton (56 SC) all ends up. Mason Redman (107 SC) and Dyson Heppell (100 SC) also scored heavily, which is a pretty fair indication of what end the ball was living down.

Darcy Parish (111 SC) and Zach Merrett (99 SC) were okay through the midfield. Nick Martin (106 SC) was again arguably Essendon’s best, which I think says more about where the club is at than how well he’s playing.

Jye Caldwell (70 SC) was okay and second-gamer Zach Reid (60 SC) did a few very good things. Overall another dirty day for Essendon.

Injuries

Dion Prestia was subbed off at halftime with a calf injury.

Mitch Wallis was subbed out in the last quarter with a foot injury.

Reports

N/A

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Sydney v Brisbane

Statement game from the Lions, who have now surged to 6-1 and 2nd on the AFL ladder after taking care of business at the SCG for the first time since 2009.

Lachie Neale (185 SC). What an extraordinary performance. Neale had 37 possessions, 9 tackles and kicked a goal but even those stats don’t tell the full story. Sydney came out of the halftime and kicked 5 goals in 5 minutes to start the third quarter, but it was Neale who steadied the ship for Brisbane, kicking a goal and having a hand in several others.

Dayne Zorko (119 SC) kicked 2.3 playing as a high half-back and Hugh McLuggage (107 SC) was also great in the Brisbane midfield, but it was really Neale that was the lone star of this show.

Jarrod Berry (47 SC) was bad again and needs to be on the chopping block as soon as you can manage it. Keidean Coleman (57 SC) started well but faded late. He remains an interesting prospect, but you’d have to be pretty desperate to do it at this point.

For the Swans, Luke Parker (148 SC) and Callum Mills (134 SC) were outstanding. Both should be high priority upgrade targets for teams this week.

Lance Franklin (113 SC) wound the clock back with a six goal bag, Isaac Heeney (102 SC) finished strongly after a slow start to the game and Peter Ladhams (83 SC) was again solid. Jake Lloyd (83 SC) seems to have a lower ceiling than he’s had for the last 5+ years, with the likes of Nick Blakey (78 SC) and Justin McInerney (53 SC) finding a lot of the pill in the Swans backline.

Injuries

Harry Cunningham hurt a groin in the last quarter and was subbed out.

Joe Daniher hurt his shoulder in the second quarter and was subbed out at halftime. Jaxon Prior hurt his left knee late in the last quarter.

Reports

N/A

Weekly wrap: Round 7 studs, duds, injuries

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