SQUAD BREAKDOWN: Richmond Tigers SC roster analysis
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: SC Bandit drops 2022 squad

Some things never change: Days are always 24 hours long, you can’t erase the past, and no matter how hard you try to fight it; the sun will ALWAYS rise in the east and set in the west.

Similar to that, there are three certainties in life: Death, taxes, and me completely changing up my whole Supercoach team just two weeks after posting a team reveal.

The AAMI Community Series has opened my eyes to the realisation that my previous team was sh** house, so without further ado; let’s get into it.

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Defence

Crisp, Ryan, Short, Whitfield, Hinge, McCartin, (Gibcus), (De Koning)

Jack Crisp (DEF/MID, $571,000, 35%)

It was a big decision to take Lloyd out of the team, but after watching his AAMI game, I just didn’t see enough from him to justify him as my #1 defender.

There was also no way I was picking him up as my #2 at his price, hence why I’ve settled with Crisp as my top dog.

Crisp dominated against the Giants, racking up 25 touches, 5 marks, and 4 tackles on his way to 111. He did all of this while firmly cemented in the Midfield rotation, so he has become an absolute lock for me.

Jack will easily surpass his 104.9 average from last year, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him average 110+ this season.

Luke Ryan (DEF, $540,000, 7%)

Admittedly, this pick is keeping me up at night. I hadn’t even thought about picking Ryan up until I wrote that god-damn Dockers Squad Analysis and subsequently convinced myself that he was the greatest Supercoach pick of the 21^st century.

I went into a lot more detail about the ups and downs of Ryan in the article, but I’ll relay some of what I said just to justify the pick a bit more.

Yes, he’s not consistent; exemplified by the fact that at one-point last year he had a four-round average of 116.75, but at another point in the year he had a four round average 80.25.

I’m aware of all his inconsistencies and the heartbreak that he may bestow upon me, but I think my team is balanced enough that I can afford to take the risk of having him. He also has a dream run of fixtures to start the season and would be an amazing POD to get a leg up on the rest of the competition early. Gamble Responsibly.

Jayden Short (DEF, $535,200, 29%)

This one is a bit of a no-brainer for me. Last year Short didn’t miss a game and averaged 98.3 (which is pretty solid), but the real kicker here is that when he played without Houli, he averaged 105.

For those who are unaware, Houli has since retired; meaning that the ‘cheap kicks’ role is vacant and will be entirely occupied by Jayden Short this season.

He also showed his ability in the AAMI game where he scored 138 from 31 touches, 8 marks, and even 3 tackles… He can push for #1 Defender this year.

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Lachie Whitfield (DEF/MID, $502,600, 52%)

Another no-brainer here. After an injury riddled season last year, Whitfield is coming into Supercoach 2022 severely under-priced. He was only okay in the game against the pies, but I saw enough to know that: a). He wasn’t really trying, and b). He looked back to his best.

He’s had a full pre-season and looks ready for *hopefully* an injury-free season.

Mitch Hinge (DEF, $180,900, 23%)

Onto the Cheapies now! Hinge did his chances of selection no harm against the Power with a nice little 64 while playing out on the Wing. There was a slight concern that he may have injured his shoulder, but that concern has since subsided, with the Crows confirming that he was all good, and that he’ll be playing this week.

Patrick McCartin (DEF, $157,800, 57%)

McCartin’s ownership has skyrocketed in the last week, and there’s good reason for it… He’s playing!!! He scored a very nice 74 against the Roos, and played a whopping 91% of game time; meaning that he is a lock for the Swans and a lock for us at D6.

Josh Gibcus (DEF, $171,300, 37%) will make his debut this week, and while he probably won’t score that well (as a lockdown defender), he will provide some very handy bench cover and cash generation for the time being.

The last news I heard regarding Sam De Koning (DEF/FWD, $123,900, 64%) was that he was doubtful for Round 1. This doesn’t worry me too much because he should absolutely get some games this year; and even if he doesn’t play Round 1, you can still use him as a loophole for Macrae.

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Midfield

Macrae, Steele, Neale, Cripps, Rowell, Berry, Daicos, Ward, (D. Stephens), (C. Stephens), (Soligo)

Jack Macrae (MID, $699,900, 50%)

Lock.

Jack Steele (MID, $685,800, 45%)

It has to be either him or Touk at M2… Take your pick.

Lachie Neale (MID, $543,200, 53%)

112 against the Dogs? Yep, that’s enough for me. Lachie had a hugely interrupted season last year, meaning that his price has dropped a ridiculous $178,600. Let’s not forget that this guy is a Brownlow Medal winner, and that in 2020 he averaged an ABSURD 134.4. He is so under-priced it’s not even funny, and he must to be in your team.

Patrick Cripps (MID, $454,800, 34%)

I saw enough from Cripps’ 157 against the Dees to know that if I didn’t pick him, I would regret it immensely. He’s not going to be kicking four goals a game every game, but what he is going to be doing (especially with Walsh out), is getting a ton of footy, and laying a ton of tackles.

There are no signs that he’s struggling with any injuries like he has in the last couple years; and by all accounts, he’s as fit as he’s ever been. Bargain buy.

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Matt Rowell (MID, $342,900, 49%)

Another player who has been plagued with injuries lately is Matt Rowell. When he stepped out onto the oval to face up against the Cats, all I wanted to see was him get through unscathed and maybe, just maybe, get a couple of touches and a couple of tackles.

What does he do next? Racks up 27 touches, 7 tackles, and 121 Supercoach points… That’s also without taking a single mark or kicking any goals (which he loves to do). Priced at 63, Rowell will easily eclipse that, and can legitimately average 90+.

Jarrod Berry (MID, $268,500, 27%)

ANOTHER injury plagued player in my side… What is going on?! The 97.1 average in 2020, + the 82 against the Dogs in pre-season, + the 158 against the Crows in pre-PRE-season is more than enough for me to pick him in my side. Absolute bargain. Absolute lock.

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Nick Daicos (MID, $193,800, 80%)

The kid looks like he’s been playing AFL for years. After scoring an effortless ton in his *debut* against the Giants, Daicos is the chosen one, and he has to be in your team. He should also get DEF DPP in Round 6.

Josh Ward (MID, $180,300, 58%)

Ward pumped out a tasty little 124 against the Tigers, making him an absolute lock for the Hawks in Round 1. I have slight concerns about how he may be affected by Mitchell coming back into the team, but regardless, he’ll be a great pick at M8 for your team this year.

Dylan Stephens (MID, $167,800, 27%) looks like he can cement a role in the Swans’ 22 this year and score well at a very cheap price. Cooper Stephens (MID, $123,900, 9%) made an impact against the Suns, scoring 62, and with the ageing Geelong midfield, the coaching staff might turn to Stephens for a spark in the engine room.

Jake Soligo (MID, $117,300, 9%) is confirmed to debut in Round 1 for the Crows, and with Laird still out for another 5 weeks, hopefully he can stay in the 22 for a little while longer.

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Rucks

Grundy, English, (Dixon)

Brodie Grundy (RUC, $627,100, 46%)

Will be the #1 Ruck this year IMO. Lock him in.

Tim English (RUC/FWD, $482,600, 10%)

I’m actually a bit surprised that English is still in my team. I thought that I would panic and just follow the rest of the competition and buy Gawn, but I’ve held strong and I’ve seen enough from English in pre-season to be comfortable with this pick.

He scored 116 against the Lions, and he’s also named as the starting RUC for the Doggies Round 1 opener against the Dees, so all signs are pointing towards him potentially taking over from Stefan Martin as their #1 RUC this season. DPP is handy as well.

It’s looking like Hugh Dixon (FWD/RUC, $102,400, 34%) will start the year in the Eagles’ 22. I’m not sure how good his job security is, but don’t worry!

There’s no cause for panic if he doesn’t get too many games because luckily, we have plenty of R3 options like: Jack Hayes (FWD/RUC, $102,400, 49%), Sam Hayes (RUC, $123,900, 10%), and Brayden Preuss (RUC, $204,700, 15%) when he comes back from suspension

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Forwards

Dunkley, Butters, Coniglio, McGovern, Xerri, Rachele, (Durdin), (Baldwin)

Josh Dunkley (MID/FWD, $558,200, 60%)

I think you can absolutely lock Dunkley in at F1 this season. If he can replicate just an inch of the form that he started with last year, there’s no stopping him becoming even a top four Supercoach Midfielder. He can average 120+ with ease if he keeps fit.

Zak Butters (FWD, $443,600, 46%)

Seeing him score 114 from 32 touches, 8 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal, and rotating through the Midfield was all that I needed to see to lock him in. Is an absolute bargain for the type of scores that he has the ability to put up.

Stephen Coniglio (MID/FWD, $261,000, 74%)

Cogs being priced at just 48 might just be the biggest bargain in the history of Supercoach. Get him in your team.

Mitch McGovern (FWD, $256,000, 13%)

I’ve been convinced by a couple other SC Playbook writers that McGovern is a great pick this season, and I was admittedly sceptical at first.

However, he looked unreal against the Dees in his new intercept role, scoring 100. We’ve seen what can happen with these cheap players who get a new role in defence: Ziebell, Hall, Haynes, Ridley, etc. McGovern has the role to turn him into a player like those, and I am super excited to see what he can do. He’ll also get DEF DPP in Round 6 which will work great with McCartin and De Koning.

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Tristan Xerri (FWD, $208,200, 16%)

Judging by pre-season, it looks as though Xerri has made the #1 Ruck spot at North his own. It’s a shame he doesn’t have RUC status because I would honestly pick him at R2, but he will probably get it in Round 6. 29 hitouts and a score of 96 was a great indication as to what he can produce for us this year.

Josh Rachele (MID/FWD, $184,800, 68%)

Already confirmed to be playing Round 1, Rachele is a great option at F6, or even F5! In his two practice games this pre-season, he scored 85 on both occasions, and kicked 3 goals on both occasions! He won’t do this every week, but it’s a great sign for what’s to come from Rachele.

A tight calf saw Corey Durdin (FWD, $143,700, 7%) exit the AAMI Community Series quite abruptly, but he has since been cleared of any further damage and will look to put his hand up for Round 1 selection.

Kaine Baldwin (FWD, $123,900, 16%) is confirmed to make his debut this week, and while he will rely heavily on goals to score well, he’s a good option to have on your forward bench.

REMAINING SALARY:

$47,000

Updated: Team Announcement: Charlie Dadds drops 2022 squad

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