P.O.D Premium Breakdown

For this article, we’ll discuss and breakdown those P.O.D (point of difference) premiums across each line that could seperate you from the rest of the pack.

For the sake of the article, the ownership % will be set at seperate % for each line at the time of data collection, while price will be set for each position, starting with…

Defenders above 500K with below 10% ownership:

Luke Ryan (628K, 8%): Just one of three defenders above 600k, Ryan is coming off a career best year with a 116 point average across 23 games. A massive ceiling (8 scores 125+, high of 197 LY), Ryan is one of those guys that can take minimal disposals to post a three figure score through élite efficiency and a high kick/handball ratio. The off-season movement doesn’t figure to eat into his role, with Young seemingly transitioning fully into the midfield and Clark running loose on flanks, Ryan can sit back in his role of intercepting and kick-ins with ease.

Verdict: Unless I’ve missed something, he’s heading into the season fully fit and in a role that has been his for years now. More likely than not to finish as a top 6 defender and a safe starting pick. Also durable, hasn’t missed a game in 3 years.

 

Dayne Zorko (595K, 3%): We thought he’d decline last year only to finish as a top three forward in both average and points. It was admittedly, a bounce back season after averages of 82 and 86 across 22-23 with a scoring friendly role across half-back. That was probably helped along by Coleman going down early with an ACL injury as the Lions prime distributor off half-back. But credit to Zorko, he notched up 15 tons with a couple of big 160’s.

Verdict: Safer starting picks for that hefty pricetag. 36 years old heading into 2025, with a rest surely coming at some point while the Lions ideally pile on the wins. Best to avoid a starting spot to on an aging veteran, but I wouldn’t rule out moving him in if theres good early signs.

 

Jeremy McGovern (594K, 1%): A career best season for McGovern in many ways, finishing with a season average of 110 across 19 games (the most he has played since 2019). Dominates in that intercepting, high metres gained role similar to what Ryan does, which led to him scoring 14 tons with a high of 155 in round 22.

Verdict: It’s a pass on McGovern here. While he may still score well, his price is right at its peak to start the year so you’d be paying top $$$. Throw in his age, injury history and the loss of Barrass, theres too much risk associated with this starting pick.

 

Nic Martin (566K, 3%): Really stepped up his game in that friendly role across half-back in 2024 to average a career best 105. There were frustrating patches, but overall 12 tons which usually went large (7/12 above 120) is a pretty good return across a backline that shared a lot of points between them. Admittedly there were stints further up the ground, showing his versatility, but this guy can find the ball at ease no matter where he plays, not having less than 21 touches in any game last year.

Verdict: I do like this option as a starting POD. He may be close to his peak price already but realistically only needs to clean up his disposal slightly to turn those six scores in the 90’s last year into triple figures. Throw in the fact Heppell hung up the boots, theres some spare points to go around and I think one could make worse choices than Martin.

 

Jordan Clark (563K, 5%): Surprise packet from last year, Clark increased his average from 82, all the way up to 105 across 23 games. Ultra consistent with 16 tons, it was usually down to high metres gained and disposal efficiency (82%) that got him over the line. Super durable, Clark hasn’t missed a game across the past three seasons and is just about to enter his prime.

Verdict: Seems about at his peak price to start the season, but in saying that, I don’t mind this starting pick mainly down to his ultra consistent scoring, but keep an eye on pre-season as I’ve heard rumours of a new game plan at the Dockers in the past few weeks.

 

Jordan Ridley (552K, 1%): Has bee there abouts for years now is a top tier SuperCoach defender. Actually finished with a career high average of 102.6, bettering his 101.9 from 2020. Issue was, it came from just 9 games. Ridley started the year injured, not playing until round 11, and then finishing the year with another injury in round 20.

Verdict: Don’t start up with Ridley, tends to miss a few games here and there and thats the defining factor for me here. Keep an eye on his early season form though, one of the best in game at that intercept/high DE%/metres gained roles and if it goes his way, could finish in the top 6 defenders.

 

Nic Newman (546k, 0%): Great season last year for Newman, but he is at 0% ownership for a reason.

Verdict: Knee injury just a few weeks back means Newman will miss the entire season, so don’t start with him.

 

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (543K, 7%): Massive up tick last year for NWM, and will start this season at just 21 years old. Primed to provide plenty for the Saints backline for the next decade and with a high K/H ratio, he has plenty of upside.

Verdict: Nice guy to start with and one I think will only get better. Didn’t show much of a ceiling last year (just two scores of 120+) but that may come in 2025. Has the potential for 110+ in him, although we are yet to see what a forward tag does to his game.

James Sicily (532K, 7%): An up and down year for the Hawks skipper after starting 2024 as one of the top priced defenders in the game. Finished with his worst average (99) in a four year period with some annoying floors mixed in with constant role changes depending on the game at the time.

Verdict: While it might not have been his year in 2024, I’m tipping Sicily to return to the top in 2025, hence I like this pick. The off-season addition of Barrass, plus an ideally fit forward line, should lead to Sicily to return to his former role of loose man/playmaker.

Bailey Dale (528K, 3%): Had that distributor role all to himself at the Dogs last year and that led to a 98 average across 23 games. Had a massive high of 175 but also some frustratingly low floors, with 11 scores below triple figures. Dare say he’ll have the same role again in 2025.

Verdict: Not the worst starting POD but I’m personally not about him with the others around this price. Can have some massive games and they will happen, but the frustrating disposal at times, a 22 touch game can quite easily be 130 one week and 65 the next.

 

Nick Blakey (525K, 1%): Entering his prime now, Blakey has improved his average each year, last year coming in at 97.5. Like Dale though, the scores were very up and down depending on how his touches were used.  Had numerous scores above 115 but just as many in the 60’s.

Verdict: For now, its a pass, until theres more consistency in his scoring, they’ll be too much frustration from this starting pick, going on recent history.

 

Tom Stewart (521K, 8%): One of the top defenders of the past half-decade, Stewart at this price seems like a good get. A look into his 2024 is similar to Sicily: a few role changes throughout games and the odd tag,  saw him have his lowest average since 2018. 12 tons with a really good month a bit in the midfield, but there were many frustrating mid 70’s plus a grim 33 in round 24 that is fresh in the memory.

Verdict: It’s all about the role for Stewart, if its there in that intercepting, loose defender role, or even in the midfield, he can score well. For his price, I like the starting pick as theres more reward than risk. Even if he falters a touch, can’t see him loosing more than 40-50K which is an easy upgrade.

 

Andrew McGrath (514K, 0%): Touted for years to take that next step, McGrath has never really reached premium status in SupeCoach. Ultra consistent, 2024 was his best so far with a 95 average, but there were only 8 tons across that, including some big ones of 129, 131 and 146. Throw in several scores between 70-85, there was just too much fluctuation.

Verdict: Unless the next step can be taken with the retirement of Heppell, I don’t think this starting pick holds any value, which I guess is supported by the 0% ownership. Potential is there, but it hasn’t been showed yet.

 

Mitch Hinge (503K, 0%): It’s been a steady improvement for Hinge, and last year it was topped off with a 93.5 average from 22 games. Had some ripping game with 139 and 121 in back to back games, but then failed to score above 85 across the final 5 games. Seemed to take over a bit of Lairds role across half-back with a solid left foot.

Verdict: The ownership should tell you here. Just hasn’t shown that he can sustain premium scoring for a whole season just yet, and with Laird touted to return to half-back, points might be harder to come by.

 

Daniel Rioli (500K, 3%): The former premiership Tiger made the move up to the Suns for 2025. Had a super year with a career high 92.9 average despite the Tigers getting roasted week in week out. Got better as the year went on and had two big scores of 130+ in the final six weeks.

Verdict: For 500K, I like this starting POD. Moving up to the Gold Coast and figures to slot into a familiar role, he has scoring history that could mean premium status. Similar to Stewart too, the price point shouldn’t have too much fluctuation if it doesn’t work out.

 

Midfielders above 550K with below 5% ownership (plus a few more)

Isaac Heeney (629K, 4%): Emerged last year as one of the top picks in the game, bumping his average up 30 points from 2023. Hasn’t missed much time in the past few years, and a full time move to the midfield with plenty of impact points up forward was rewarded with massive scores. 10 scores of 120+, plenty of other good triple ones too.

Verdict: Massive ownership drop, and thats purely due to him not being listed as a forward. I’m a fan of starting with him overall, don’t see much of a role change, in a strong midfield group and still has the impact up forward.

Adam Treloar (628K, 1%): Another guy who had a career year last year, averaging 116 in a star-studded Bulldogs midfield. Led the league for disposals and finished the year on a wicked run of 146, 149, 104 and 120. Overall really only had the one fail of 58, every other game was 91 or above.

Verdict: If he was healthy, I’d be starting him. Issue is, theres a calf issue that means he wont be seen until after the first month of the season by current reports, so for that reason, don’t select him.

Josh Dunkley (602K, 1%): Six seasons in a row with triple figure averages for Dunkley now, and with just 1 regular season game missed in 3 years, his durability is in a great spot. Central to the Lions strong midfield, Dunkley has the potential to go huge with his contested style and high-tackling game, as was showcased by scores of 144, 143 and 140 across rounds 15-17.

Verdict: Really like this starting pick. Don’t see any reason for him to have a reduced role and with strong scoring history and his age, you’re more likely than not to get what you paid for.

Jack Steele (585K, 1%)

Sam Walsh (583K, 2%)

Noah Anderson (574K, 2%)

Matt Crouch (568K, 0%)

Elliot Yeo (564K, 0%)

Verdict: While he scores so well when’s he’s on the park, actually being on the park is Yeo’s issue. Already set to miss the early parts of the year, no point starting him.

Tom Liberatore (561K, 0%)

Rory Laird (561K, 1%)

Verdict: Interesting one here. Laird has proven scoring ability at half-back and with DPP coming in, maybe he’ll get that status early enough to make it worth it. I’m on the fence for this one.

Chad Warner (559K, 2%)

Touk Miller (552K, 1%)

Jordan Dawson (550K, 3%)

Matt Rowell (550K, 3%)

Others: Kelly (538K), Richards (531K), Newcombe (529K), Taranto (509K)

 

Ruckman above 550K with less than 10% ownership

Rowan Marshall (603K, 4%)

Verdict: While the word is that he’ll be good to go fro round 1, best off to avoid starting with him after an injury interrupted pre-season. Might well become a top 2 ruck and one to aim for, but best to wait and see on this one.

Toby Nankervis (594K, 2%)

Jarrod Witts (581K, 2%)

Verdict: While I wouldn’t hate this starting pick on the previous few seasons of data, the impending development and ruck split with Moyle causes to many variables to start with the former captain.

Brodie Grundy (574K, 2%)

Darcy Cameron (566K, 6%)

Verdict: Don’t mind this one, and DCam saves you nearly 100K from the big guys. I don’t know how much more money he has to make and feel the price will stagnate, but I prefer this starting POD over others around this price range.

Lloyd Meek (557K, 5%)

Darcy (529K, 3%), McInerney (517K, 1%), Briggs (516K, 2%), O’Brien (502K, 1%)

 

Forwards above 450K with less than 10% ownership

Dylan Moore (526K, 8%)

Verdict: Not so much of a POD with 8% ownership, Moore is a safe bet to start with and likely to end up as one of the top 8 forwards even once DPP roles in.

Jesse Hogan (497K, 2%)

Verdict: Coming off a career best year and with GWS looking to threaten again, Hogan could well be in contention for the Coleman again. I don’t recommend starting with him or any tall forward, but with the flex position, i understand the argument going for one of those guys who can slot a bag of goals.

Brent Daniels (485K, 2%)

Harry McKay (467K, 1%)

Jeremy Cameron (466K, 3%)

Alex-Neal-Bullen (458K, 1%)

Josh Treacy (454K, 1%)