Here’s a list I have compiled of the top scorers by position, who I believe will be the players to lock in and upgrade to over the season. Also a handy tool when preferencing for your SuperCoach draft.
Defenders:
1. Brendon Goddard – Should be your first picked defender once again, he will be able to focus on his game more in 2013. A pure midfield role awaits him, BJ could average anywhere from 110-120, get around him!
2. Bryce Gibbs – Mick wants to play him more through the midfield this year, pre season thus far suggests that. A silky ball user and mover, a gem for your defence.
3. Heath Shaw – Looking to be a POD player at the moment, Shaw is a proven scorer, reads the play so well and rebounds brilliantly. Looks set to average 100+.
4. Beau Waters – When he’s out on the park is capable of great scores, his body does concern me. Will again be a solid pick in a successful side.
6. Grant Birchall – One of the most reliable and consistent defenders out there, scored 80+ 15 times last year, only breaking 120 twice - consistent. Will the addition of Lake see him on a wing? No matter what Birchall is a solid 90-100 scorer.
7. Greg Broughton – Oh Greggy, how you’ve frustrated us. But we are willing to forgive and forget. Will float across the half-back line for the Suns and should be back to his accumulating best. Lock and load.
8. Hamish Hartlett – Like Grimes, Hartlett is more of a case of injury than class. If he manages to play a full season, anything is possible from this boy. A risky pick with potentially high reward.
Midfielders:
1. Gary Ablett – What is there to say? Best player in the comp, capable of scores like no other.
2. Scott Pendlebury – The smooth moving pie averaged 125 in 2012 with a nagging leg injury. Now back to full fitness, he’s a chance to break 130, SC gold.
3. Patrick Dangerfield – I believe in a few years time he will be every coaches first selected player. After his breakout year of 2012, expect more of the same this year. Burning up the pre season.
4. Trent Cotchin – Wins the hard ball, lovely skills, born leader and now an established superstar of the game. Expect his average to crack the 120 mark.
5. Dayne Beams – Pendlebury, Swan and Beams? Don’t worry about point stealing for these magpies, when their all SC jets there’s no need to worry. Now in his prime, he will deliver again in 2013.
6. Dane Swan – Simply a ball magnet, some question his use of the ball, but when you dominate contested footy, clearances and run all day, Swanny can afford to waste the occasional possession of his 35.
7. Joel Selwood – Haven’t seen his name in too many mock sides through the pre season. With the older cats like Bartel, Corey and Chapman seeing less midfield time, Selwood will again lead the cats midfield in outstanding fashion. An in and under monster.
8. Josh Kennedy – Supremely suited to SC, 2012 was no one off. Kennedy is a superstar, ultra consistent, dropped under 90 once (86) last year.
9. Jobe Watson – The Brownlow medallist had a pristine season in 2012 and with the bombers on the improve and the addition of Goddard. I expect to see him around the 115-120 once again.
10. Keiran Jack – He’s a bit of a bolter for the elite in my eyes, averaged 112 in 2012, although 123 from round 8 onwards. Will be one of the top scorers this season. Unique option.
Rucks:
1. Sam Jacobs – Had a great 2012 averaging 102, will take on extra work load with Tippett leaving the club while entering his prime as a ruckman, a POD player who I expect to average around 115.
2. Ivan Maric – A massive break out season in 2012, hasn’t had the perfect pre season but is a SC gun. Wins plenty of the ball for a ruckman, the majority contested more importantly. 2013 will see him deliver again.
3. Dean Cox – Cox just seems to keeping pumping out great seasons, how could we write him off now? I think he may taper off slightly, but will still be one of the best ruck selections in the comp.
4. Todd Goldstein – With no Hamish McIntosh anymore, look for Goldstein to return so his form of 2011, slightly cheaper than other premiums. Will be a very popular selection.
Forwards:
1. Lance Franklin – Will contract issues effect buddy? I highly doubt it; he will still do what he does best. Has such a huge ceiling, will average around 110-115, the best forward option there is.
2. Tom Rockliff – 2013 will see him move back to a permanent midfield role for the lions, after causing us headaches in the back half of 2012, lock in Rockliff as he returns to his 2011 form. His DPP makes him all the more appealing.
3. Dean Cox – As mentioned before, he’s just like a good wine. Select with confidence.
4. Dustin Martin – Burst onto the scene in his first two years, a few off field issues and consequently a poor 2012 on the field will see many coaches tred carefully around Dusty, no need. He is flying through the pre season, will be one of the best scoring forwards in 2013, 105-110.
5. Steve Johnson – Stevie J warmed nicely to his midfield role in the second half of 2012, expect to see him run through the middle once more. So creative and influential, a proven scorer.
6. Taylor Walker – Bit of a wildcard is big Tex, has the game to be SC gold, I’m not so sure we will see his peak in 2013. Nonetheless he will crack the 100 average, lacks consistency as a key forward.
7. Tom Hawkins – My Coleman medal selection for 2013. Another key forward here, but he has shown he’s the real deal now, contested marks, plenty of goals and a big work rate. I’d select Hawkins with confidence.
8. Dayne Zorko – So much love for this man out there in SuperCoach land, and why not? Will there be second year blues? I’d back him in to follow up his debut season with more of the same, been looking the goods pre season, strong in and under player, immaculate tackler. 95-100.