Supercoach Group Supercoach: Round 7 in Review news

Adelaide

Kurt Tippett

Forward

Since playing a more prominent role in the ruck, Kurt Tippett has proven to be a more than handy player. In the loss to the Bulldogs, Tippett had 11 disposals and 16 hitouts, scoring a reasonable 80 points. He has been averaging 72.9 ppg, and is probably a better fantasy option than Mitch Clark at present.

Chris Knights

Midfielder

Knights returned this week and picked up where he left off gathering 24 disposals, 5 marks and kicking 3 goals. He scored a season best 115 points, and was showing no signs of his facial injury. Knights should be a safe fantasy start this week, and will be even safer should Simon Goodwin miss any time with his ankle injury.

Brisbane

Daniel Rich

Midfielder

The favourite for the 2009 Rising Star, Daniel Rich continued his recent quiet form in round 7. Rich had 16 disposals, 5 marks and 3 tackles, but managed just 47 points. He’s been a nice money earner after seven rounds, but his recent production is proving a little costly. His value has risen sufficiently to cash out now, but hold onto him for a bit longer, especially given the rate at which other players are getting injured.

Travis Johnstone

Midfielder

Johnstone was abysmal against Richmond, scoring just 27 points on 15 disposals, 5 marks and 2 tackles. Since scoring 156 points in round 1, Johnstone has not managed more than 85 points. Sadly his current average of 69 ppg may be what you can expect from him this year. Best to make your move soon if you can afford to – Stephen Hill would be an ideal replacement.

Carlton

Matthew Kreuzer

Ruck

Kreuzer continues to do just enough each week to warrant selection as a borderline #1 ruckman. Against Fremantle, he had 84 points with 19 disposals and 10 hitouts. It ended his two game streak of 100+ games, but barring injury, Kreuzer if showing enough consistency.

Heath Scotland

Defender

Three games back, Scotland put together a season best of 128 points. Scotland is well known for finding the ball, and with Nick Stevens struggling and Andrew Carrazzo playing a new role, has really played his way back into fantasy value. He’s a safe start at present.

Collingwood

Steele Sidebottom

Midfielder

Sidebottom came into the Collingwood lineup this week as a late replacement, and did well in his debut. He had 22 disposals, 4 marks and 3 tackles. Mick Malthouse is really thrusting his young players into strong roles in the senior team, so Sidebottom is another youngster who could go leaps and bounds in the second half of the year.

Essendon

Brent Stanton

Midfielder

Stanton was again prolific with 36 disposals, 14 marks and a goal against Hawthorn. His score of 125 points was his fourth score over 100 this year and raised his average to 104 ppg. Stanton has overtaken Jobe Watson as one of the most valuable fantasy midfielders at Essendon and should continue to do so this year.

Angus Monfries

Forward

Monfries broke out against Hawthorn with 22 disposals, 12 marks and 2 goals. His 119 was the first time he broke 100 this year. While Essendon keep rolling, Monfries may actually have some fantasy value, but consistency will be a big problem. His last fives scores have now been 119, 36, 92, 35 and 94 points. Up and down like a rollercoaster.

Fremantle

Luke McPharlin

Forward

McPharlin was ordinary in Fremantle’s win over Carlton with just 32 points. Playing forward, McPharlin managed to kick just one goal. After seven games, he’s yet to register a score over 100, and is averaging just 61 ppg. In years past, McPharlin has been able to provide decent fantasy value, but just hasn’t shown much in 2009. Time to go?

Nick Suban

Defender

The rookie defender has still yet to show enough to be started on fantasy teams. In round 7 he had 49 points, with just 11 disposals and 5 marks. While Stephen Hill has come on in the past fortnight, Suban continues to plod along. While he’ll likely play many games this year, there’s just not enough fantasy production from him to help a winning fantasy team.

Geelong

Steve Johnson

Forward

Johnson dominated the second quarter against Sydney, which helped setup his 146 points. However inaccurate kicking (4 goals, 5 behinds) prevented an even bigger score. Johnson had been in a mini-slump, having scored less than 100 for three straight games. Like most of the Geelong team, Johnson has incredible fantasy value, but this will come at a premium price.

Shane Mumford

Ruck

Those looking for a short-term ruck fill-in could well consider Mumford. The young ruckman has performed well in Brad Ottens’ absence, and this week had 83 points from 18 disposals and 13 hitouts. After four games, he has scored 63 ppg in his backup role to Mark Blake. If Blake gets injured himself, Mumford’s fantasy value will skyrocket. Keep an eye on him.

Hawthorn

Grant Birchall

Defender

Returning from injury, Birchall showed why he’s one of the more valuable defenders on the Hawthorn roster. He had 28 disposals and 7 marks, for a score of 110 points. After seven rounds, injury continues to be a problem at Hawthorn, and not knowing how many games he can string together hurts Birchall’s fantasy value.

Luke Hodge

Defender

This may be the last time I mention Luke Hodge in 2009. The premier defender hasn’t really adapted to the extra attention he is now receiving. Against Essendon he had just 11 disposals and 3 tackles for 45 points. If you still own Hodge, you may as well bite the bullet, take the loss and o move him on. It’s looking extremely likely that Hodge may not regain his fantasy stock at all this year.

Kangaroos

Adam Simpson

Midfielder

The former skipper has really stood up for North this year, posting 115 points against the Power. Despite it being just his second tonne of the year, Simpson is averaging just over 96 ppg, making him a borderline premium midfielder. The 33 year old is showing no signs of slowing this year, and should be considered if you need a midfield replacement right now.

Daniel Wells

Midfielder

Wells was another experienced midfielder North has really needed back. Hounded by poor form in the first three rounds, Wells had missed the next three weeks with injury. He was back against Port in more ways than one. Wells had 26 disposals, 4 marks and 2 tackles for 124 points. It looks like he’s hindered no more, so get him back in your lineup.

Melbourne

Cale Morton

Midfielder

Morton converted his solid form into a big score with 143 points against West Coast. Morton had 34 disposals and 16 marks in his best performance of the year. He’s one of the rising stars on the Melbourne team, and with the Dees desperate for someone to step up, Morton is shaping up as the contender. Watch for Morton in the weeks to come.

Port Adelaide

Steven Salopek

Midfielder

Salopek, who had been averaging a superb 110 ppg, dislocated his shoulder against North and will now miss round 8. The prognosis isn’t as bad as first thought, so he could be out just a week. Bench Salopek by now, and let’s hope it doesn’t affect his fantasy scoring from here on in.

Jason Davenport

Midfielder

Davenport debuted this week, and was far from Port’s worst player. He had 14 disposals, 4 marks and kicked his first goal, scoring 80 points. With Hamish Hartlett due back soon, Davenport could get pushed out, but hopefully has done enough to hold his position.

Richmond

Angus Graham

Ruck

Richmond ruckman Angus Graham had by far his best fantasy game of the year with a season high 131 points. Graham dominated the smaller Lions part-timer Mitch Clark, racking up 19 disposals, 8 marks and 21 hitouts. Graham has been building up to a big score, with his previous scores of 76 and 87 points, but this performance did come against a fill-in. If you still are looking for a second ruckman, Graham is a cheap low-risk, low reward option.

Richard Tambling

Midfielder

Perennial whipping boy Tambling has now strung together two decent games after scoring another 97 points against Brisbane. Tambling had 27 disposals and 10 marks, and has shown nice form of late. It’s a bit of a tease for fantasy coaches, many of whom probably dropped Tambling after his early season bombs. Whatever you do, don’t get tempted by Tambling, as he’ll more than likely end up disappointing you.

St Kilda

Andrew McQualter

Midfielder

McQualter continued his strong 2009 form with 14 disposals, 2 marks and 9 tackles. After several seasons, it seems that McQualter has finally found his place in the team, and his defensive play is a big reason why he’s improved this year. While he is not at the level of a Goddard or Dal Santo, McQualter has quietly racked up 78 ppg, making him a handy midfielder to round out a starting lineup.

Sydney

Darren Jolly

Ruck

Jolly again floundered with 69 points against Geelong – coming from 9 disposals and 26 hitouts. After three rounds, Jolly was a fantasy standout, but is averaging just 66 ppg over his last four matches. Jolly will recover, so patience is required with this one.

Adam Goodes

Midfielder

Adam Goodes bounced back from his 58 points in round 6 with 112 against Geelong. You just can’t keep the good guys down for too long. Goodes had 27 disposals, 6 tackles and 2 goals in a stellar outing.

Western Bulldogs

Scott Welsh

Forward

Welsh came into the lineup as a late replacement but failed to show any signs with just 5 disposals, 2 marks and 2 behinds. It was Welsh’s first game of the year, but he may struggle to hold his position next week. If you still own Welsh, you may be waiting a long time for a return on your investment.

Jarrod Harbrow

Forward

Young forward, Jarrod Harbrow had one of his better returns for the year with a solid 91 points. Harbrow had 25 disposals and 8 marks, but still is yet to kick a goal this year. After five games, he’s averaging 74.6 ppg, and is showing good potential, but may still be another season away from having great fantasy value.

West Coast

Daniel Kerr

Midfielder

Kerr faces a fitness test this week after straining his adductor against Melbourne. In limited game time, Kerr finished with 32 points. Kerr has three scores over 100 this year, so he has earnt his way thus far, but injury did ravage his 2008 campaign. Fingers crossed, this isn’t the beginning of more of the same for Kerr.