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10 AFL SuperCoach POD players to consider

We’ve named 10 enticing options that are currently in less than 10% of teams.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Point of difference (POD) players in SuperCoach can be what separates the great coaches from the god, with the perfect POD often aiding trades and cash generation to give coaches the perfect start to the season.

With pre-season matches right around the corner, discovering the perfect POD will be on the mind of many coaches as they look to separate themselves from the pack.

Here we assess and name 10 players that currently have an ownership percentage of less than 10%.

Defenders

Bailey Dale ($561,100) - 2%

The sling-shotting Bulldogs backman is the eighth most expensive defender heading into the 2023 season off the back of his 101.9 average from last year.

Dale will again be Luke Beveridge's go-to man to run the ball out of the backline and will likely take a majority of the Dogs' kick-ins this year, particularly with fellow defender Caleb Daniel flagged for a potential move into the midfield.

Should Daniel split his time between the back third and the middle, Dale is likely to benefit most from a SuperCoach perspective, with more of the ball in his hands to relieve their last line.

Despite a tough start against Melbourne, St Kilda and Brisbane to start the season, coaches that have Dale will be hoping to see similar scores from his last outings against the trio of clubs, having amassed totals of 105, 118 and 134 respectively.

Adam Saad ($567,900) - 3%

In the same price bracket as Dale, Carlton speedster Adam Saad is also among the lowest owned in the top line of defenders with just 3% selection.

Should his history against Richmond be anything to go off, Saad is in line for a strong opening round to the year after posting scores of 122, 139 and 114 in his past three outings against the Tigers for a career average of 97.2 against the yellow and black - his equal second best average for one club.

With the Blues also adamant on keeping Sam Docherty in midfield despite Zac Williams' season-ending injury, more of a reliance will be placed on Saad's shoulders to start the season.

Keidean Coleman ($479,000) - 1%

A cheaper option for coaches to consider, Coleman is tipped for a breakout year with the Lions after cutting his teeth as Daniel Rich's right-hand man.

The emerging defender now looks suited to taking on the leading role as Brisbane's go-to half-back flanker and ball user, offering surgeon-like kicking from the defensive third.

After a slow start to last year, Coleman managed just one score below 88 in his final eight matches to end last season, a run that included top scores of 118 and 119.

Coleman saw his SuperCoach average leap from 48.4 points per game in 2021 to 87.0 points last year in becoming a full-time defender for Chris Fagan, with coaches hoping a similar rise is on offer in 2023.

Midfielders

Callum Mills ($642,400) - 6%

Despite having the fifth-highest average last year, the Swans skipper sits in just 6% of teams a month out from Round 1 - the lowest ownership percentage among the seven most expensive midfielders, and by some margin.

Rory Laird (13%) and Jack Macrae (15%) are the next lowest and find themselves in more than double the number of teams as Mills.

The Swans midfielder isn't a large worry for copping a tag, and an opponent does look to put the brakes on Mills he can happy slot behind the ball and find the Sherrin with the same ease as in the middle.

If you've got the cash and want to take a risk, Mills might be your man.

Darcy Parish ($610,800) - 4%

Another $600k+ onballer that isn't as favoured as those around him, with many looking to avoid Parish and add the likes Patrick Cripps ($610,900 - 12%), Jack Steele ($604,400 - 19%) or Andrew Brayshaw ($615,600 - 16%).

Parish, in a contract year, is destined to hold up similar figures to his past two seasons, where he averaged 114.1 and 110.9 respectively.

Continuing to hold a leading role in Essendon's midfield, coupled with the rise of ruckman Sam Draper, expect Parish to feast on what will be an easier fixture compared to those also in his price range.

Jai Culley ($276,400) - 3%

A budget option for coaches to consider, with Culley expected to take on a more senior role after his first pre-season with the Eagles.

The Mid-Season draftee is one to keep an eye on across the course of West Coast's pre-season matches to best understand his role in Adam Simpson's engine room.

Can find the ball and ranked elite for tackles per game in his short handful of showings last year.

Ruck

Scott Lycett ($429,900) - 3%

For those that noticed Lycett was named in Port Adelaide's 'B' side for their intraclub hitout, there shouldn't be too much of a worry for Lycett's job security heading into Round 1.

After trialling Brynn Teakle and Sam Hayes through the match simulation, Lycett stood tall over his fellow ruckman to make a strong case that the first-string ruck duties are his.

Hoping to have his injury concerns behind him, Lycett will quickly make some money for coaches if he can replicate the figures he put up in 2021.

Forwards

Jack Ziebell ($356,400) - 4%

Almost every coach had the Roos veteran in their side in 2021 thanks to his role as their kick-ins specialist, gaining easy disposals on the last line for North Melbourne.

2022 was a different story for Ziebell, seeing his season average of 107.6 from the year prior drop to just 64.7 after his return to the forward line.

Now poised to be flicked back into the defensive third, Ziebell could near the triple-figure mark for his 2023 average and will have strong cash generation if so.

Nic Martin ($436,000) - 2%

Among an array of MID/FWD options for coaches to consider in their forward line, Martin will save coaches $70,000-$90,000 if taken over the likes of Butters, Rozee or Taranto for coaches needing to save some cash.

The young Bomber is by all reports looking sharp and spending a majority of his time in the middle of the field, hoping to break into the ideal starting onballer rotation alongside Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett.

In 2% of sides, Martin could be the perfect POD pickup, but more knowledge of his role will be needed before bringing him in. One to watch in the weeks ahead.

Toby Greene ($421,000) - 3%

If gaining the Giants' captaincy means Greene will have a cooler head this year, then the polarising forward is a near-must.

With suspensions, and at times injury, the biggest concerns for selecting Greene in recent seasons, a campaign in the clear might have him placed among the top six forwards by season's end.

At just $421,00 and in just 3% of teams, Greene is a tantalising option that has a - relatively - easy fixture in 2023.

Published by
Mitch Keating