Supercoach Midfields 2010

This is where a big chunk of your Supercoach weekly score will come from. The midfield is where some of the best and biggest scorers do their best work, and it is critical to pick some of the best players going around, but to also invest in some youngsters who’s value will rise as the season goes on. Without further ado, here are some of the midfield maestros you may want to consider when it comes to picking your 9 midfielders.

Lock them in

Dane Swan (COLL)

Easily the best midfielder you can trust to score well for you, week in, week out. Huge price tag, but is worth every nook and cranny. The leader in the best midfield of the best team in the competition.

2010 SC Average: 126.9

Highest Score: 190

Lowest Score: 78

100’s: 19/22

Scott Pendlebury (COLL)

Young dynamo for Collingwood is fast becoming one of the best players in the competition. With a lot of attention being put on Swan by the opposition, Pendlebury usually flies under the radar, and it showed last season, which culminated in a Norm Smith Medal in the Grand Final Replay. Sublime skills, a turnover from this kid is very rare.

2010 SC Average: 110.5

Highest Score: 145

Lowest Score: 70

100’s: 15/22

Shaun Burgoyne (HAW)

The star recruit from Port Adelaide missed the first seven rounds of the season last year, before slotting into the Hawks midfield, which coincided with a huge lift in form and propelled Hawthorn to an unlikely finals berth. Had a huge finish to the season, and with a full pre-season under his belt, should tear things apart this season.

2010 SC Average: 99.5

Highest Score: 171

Lowest Score: 59

100’s: 6/15

Buy with caution

Gary Ablett (GC)

Will easily be the best player at the SUNS, and won’t have the likes of Selwood, Corey and Enright around him, so will cop the full  brunt of a heavy tag week in, week out, something Ablett can’t handle at times, as we saw a few times last season. Could struggle being the captain of the inaugural side, or could really turn it on and show why he’s the number one man in football. His price fell almost $200,000 during the year.

2010 SC Average: 129.9

Highest Score: 203

Lowest Score: 76

100’s: 17/21

Bold denotes a 200+ game.

Joel Selwood (GEEL)

The golden child at the Cats will be thrust into the leading role of the Geelong midfield with the departure of Gary Ablett, and it will be interesting to see how Selwood copes with a full tag each week. In the past he’s struggled to break from his opponent’s hold, but if he does he can be as inspirational as anyone in the AFL. Superb tackler, which is worth their weight in gold in Supercoach.

2010 SC Average: 117.8

Highest Score: 175

Lowest Score: 70

100’s: 15/21

Liam Anthony (NM)

The North Melbourne midfield dynamo has had his first two seasons of promising football cut short by injuries, but in his time on the park has proved he is a valuable asset. Finds the footy easily, and showed last season he can kick goals. Injury is a problem though.

2010 SC Average: 82.9

Highest Score: 127

Lowest Score: 42

100’s: 2/7

Michael Barlow (FREM)

The rookie sensation from last year was delighting thousands of Super Coaches, before that all disappeared with a severe broken leg just past the halfway mark in the year. Is training, but with a moderated regime, and rates himself to be ready for Round One. For such a sickening injury, will he return to his best football? Or will he be another Nathan Brown case?

2010 SC Average: 116

Highest Score: 151

Lowest Score: 53

100’s: 9/13

Richard Tambling (ADEL)

The former number four draft pick was traded to South Australia during the off-season last year, and has hit the ground running at training with the Crows, and may improve without the spotlight continually on him, as is the case when playing for Richmond.

2010 SC Average: 60.6

Highest Score: 97

Lowest Score: 32

100’s: 0/13

Ryan Griffen (WBD)

Has the potential to be one of the best players in the competition, but has failed to live up to it, despite making improvements each season. Maybe in 2011 we’ll see a much improved Ryan Griffen? Even if we don’t see an improvement, he’s still a very handy player in Supercoach terms.

2010 SC Average: 93.8

Highest Score: 137

Lowest Score: 54

100’s: 7/21

Don’t think twice

Andrew Swallow (NM)

Started to cop a tag last year, but still managed to have a brilliant season. Big on the tackles, high possession-winner and knows where the goals are. Could you ask for anymore?

2010 SC Average: 106.2

Highest Score: 160

Lowest Score: 43

100’s: 15/22

Travis Boak (PA)

The young gun from Port Adelaide had a ripper season last year, and is a high-possession, goalkicking midfielder. Looks ready to hit peak form in 2011.

2010 SC Average: 96.8

Highest Score: 153

Lowest Score: 54

100’s: 9/20

Chris Judd (CARL)

The 2010 Brownlow Medalist had an outstanding season, despite missing the first three games; he came back with 9 consecutive games of 100+ points. A safe choice for captain against the weaker sides.

2010 SC Average: 118.5

Highest Score: 153

Lowest Score: 75

100’s: 15/19

Value picks

Shaun Atley (NM)

Taken with North Melbourne’s first selection in the draft last year, has impressed with his silky skills and hard tackling at training, and will be given a crack at some stage in 2011.

Jack Ziebell (NM)

The excitement is building as Jay-Z prepares for what he hopes will be a season that produces 22 games. Has played just 24 games out of a possible 44 matches, so having a fully fit Ziebell will be like having a new recruit.

2010 SC Average: 62.3

Highest Score: 110

Lowest Score: 9

100’s: 1/14

Andrew Gaff (WCE)

Gaff is the prized selection in the recent National Draft by the Eagles, and is tipped to slot straight into the West Coast midfield and have an immediate impact.

David Swallow (GC)

Nothing else really needs to be said.

Trent Cotchin (RICH)

The number two draft pick from 2007 started to show serious glimpses of his immense talent last year, and with his first uninterrupted pre-season, should lead the Richmond midfield from the front.

2010 SC Average: 78.9

Highest Score: 124

Lowest Score: 32

100’s: 4/17

Brodie Martin (ADEL)

Inherited Simon Goodwin’s number 36 guernsey, so the club obviously rates him as a seriously good player, which is saying something as he’s only played four games.

2009 SC Average: 82.5

Highest Score: 100

Lowest Score: 65

100’s: 1/2

Levi Greenwood (NM)

The fiery youngster established himself as a part of North Melbourne’s future in 2010, impressing as a hard working midfielder who can tag as well as rack up the touches and apply a tackle. Had a big finish to the season against quality opposition in Melbourne.

2010 SC Average: 63.9

Highest Score: 139

Lowest Score: 30

100’s: 3/17

Remember not to go too crazy on midfielders in Supercoach, it’s easy to get carried away and before you know it, you’ve blown half your salary cap on the likes of Swan, Ablett and Hayes. Carefully moderate between stars, up and comers and rookies who will make an impact in their debut season, and you can’t go wrong!

Stay tuned for the ruck article!

About Josh Barnstable

21 year old North Melbourne supporter from country Victoria. Currently living in Melbourne studying a Bachelor of Sports Media. Dreams of becoming a sports journalist and broadcaster.

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