Hello SCT Community. It’s me Freo Tragic. DR contacted me with an offer to return to SCT and you just can’t say no to the great man. I will follow up with more info on what’s install for 2026 soon. In the mean time, please post your team below and let the community help you with your side.
Bring on 2026.
First attempt with heaps of changes to come you would think.
Def: NWM, Rozee, J Clark, Uwland, Gibcus, Lindsay, Farrow, Serong
Mid: Butters, B Smith, Serong, W Ashcroft, Duursma, Annable, Sharp, J Smith, Fincher, Carmichael, McCrae
Ruck: Xerri, Meek, Reidy
Fwd: Sheezel, Pickett, Flanders, Marshall, Phillipou, Dovaston, Draper, Robertson
Flex: Petracca
Don’t mind this at all.
Meek and Baz a few POD’s
Not too may early Bye players
I fear Mc Kercher maybe close to a “must have” in defense , but overall a very good team.
Would love to hear any thoughts on this one.
DEF: NWM, Sinclair, Rozee, Bergman, Uwland, Grilj (Gibcus, Serong).
MID: Butters, Anderson, Callaghan, Steele, Young, Duursma, Sharp, Smith (Brodie, Smillie, Mccrae).
RUC: Xerri, Jackson (Kalani).
FWD: Sheezel, Flanders, Treloar, Phillipou, Marshall, Robertson (Draper, Lombard).
FLEX: Reidy
I am having serious doubts about starting Xerri as I can see him being badly affected by the new ruck rules and overall fewer stoppages due to the free kick for last touch between 50m arcs.
Kind of agree with your ruck idea, with the new rules the Ruckman may not dominate the SC scores this season unless they get used more in the forward line. Will have to wait and see how the coaches play them. Might be a better idea to go for the mid priced ruck man who has been rotated forward over the seasons.
I think in the first year with the last touch rule (ie disposal that went out of bounds without being touched) they saw only a drop in 1 or 2 boundary throw-ins in the first year on average per game. 5 years after the rule has been introduced i think it’s seen a drop (again on average) somehwere between 6-10 per game. We’ll see the skill level rise with this rule and bigger-bodied mids become more Rowell like if you want a comparison in 5 years rather than now.
The new 2026 last disposal rule could give the wing, half back and half forward positions a few more free kicks.
I don’t think there will be much difference to the old “deliberate” free that was paid.
….or when the “Out on the Full” rule was first introduced to stop “Deliberates”
Maybe it was/is all about the implications of the reportable offence for “Deliberately Wasting Time” that was/is in the Law Book.
Geez, wouldn’t it be awful if wasting time was somehow going to control the game……. and Bets !!!
Foot note: Why do I say this ?..
It was the only question I got wrong in my 1977 VFL Umpire’s exam for only paying the 15 yrd/mtr penalty and then not reporting the player.
Hopefully that error will never haunt me.
You have to remember it is last ‘disposal’ rule, not last ‘touch’ rule.
It’s easier for a touch to be accidental than it is for a disposal, hence the enforcement.
Nice team Ben.
I’m not as worried with the Ruckman regressing too much at this stage. Rule changes rarely affect the game as much as we tend to fear. I will certainly be looking to the preseason games to see what effect they may have though. If it looks bad we can always pivot.
Only real flags are Round 4 Bye. You’ll be missing
Nas
Sinclair
Callaghan
Flanders and Pou
Maybe one too many, although if they all fire you could make up the points lost.
Also training reports are Pitto is way ahead of Reidy at this stage , so unless they play 2 rucks I will personally be avoiding him
I had Reidy at F8, he looks unlikely so R3 will be ok
Anyone brave enough for Pitto at R2?
Hey Derek .
Finding it really hard to start any round 2 Bye players TBH.
What about NDaicos? Has R2 bye
Don’t know if I will ever start Nick. He’s almost guaranteed to cop a tag at some stage and drop in price significantly. He’s seems to be available around $550k mid year every season. If he had say , Butters fixture and Byes, I’d probably start him. Otherwise I will wait.
I think that Carlton will be playing him and mostly as a forward if Pitto is fit. I haven’t looked at Pittos price but if he’s fit and cheap why not. Blues lost Curnow and TDK and they need another tall up fwd so that harry doesn’t get triple teamed and Kemp can be the wildcard.
DEF: NWM, Rozee, Newman, Coleman, Farrow, Carmichael (Lindsay, Serong)
MID: Butters, Daicos, Callaghan, Serong, Young, Uwland, Cumming, Sharp (Dow, Smith, Smillie)
RUC: Xerri, Draper (Reidy)
FWD: Sheezel, Flanders, Treloar, Phillipou, Marshall, Draper (JUH, Robertson)
FLX: Gulden
Def: Nas, Rozee, Colby, Bergman, Zeke, AMW (Gibcus, Serong)
Mid: Butters, Gulden, Walsh, Young, Parish, Grij, Sharp, Jagga (Farrow, Retschko, Macrae)
Ruc: Xerri, English
Fwd: Sheezel, Trac, Flanders, Treloar, Pou, Robey (Marshall, Robertson)
Pretty stock standard now until we get more data in the PS games
Reidy R3
Trac has made his way back into my team. Has a round 3 bye, but round 1 and 2 are as good as it gets
First crack at a value-based, wary-of-new-ruck-rules, haven’t-looked-at-byes-yet team.
D: Ash, Mills, Fletcher, McKercher, Newman, Gibcus (Serong, Jacques)
M: Butters, Serong, Gulden, WAshcoft, Wardlaw, Parish, Sharp, Brodie (Draper, Smith, Smillie)
R: Draper, Bryan (Reidy)
F: Sheezel, SDarcy, Flanders, Treloar, Kemp, Gallop (Phillipou, Robertson)
Fl: LMcCarthy
55K ITB
Obvs, all rooks are placeholders.
Probably too many injury concerns, but I guess that’s where a lot of the value comes from.
Looks pretty solid first up Maz.
Could be a bit Defense heavy as it looks like we might get a few good rookies on that line.
Bryan also unlikely to start the year. I’m all over him ( probably at Flex) when he gets in.
Few tweaks and this could work nicely.
Yeah, my early drafts are often D-heavy and get pared back a bit later on. The defensive rookies usually fly under the radar early doors.
If anybody needs SC players can they throw the codes up on here when they get things sorted.
I will post a Leagues code thread soon.
Join My league thread up now.
TU: Mills
TD: Petracca
Similar price and both with an early bye.
At their price I believe they are slightly undervalued.
At moment I have both, but if push comes to shove and I want to reduce the number of early bye players, one will have to go.
I like them both as well.
The way I see it Trac almost guaranteed top 6 Forward.
Mills might make top 8 defender if things go well.
I vote Trac.
Suns first two rounds are pretty good. We do get a look at them round 0 to see where he is playing
I’m hoping to start both. At just over $500k they won’t lose too much if they start poor
Mills will break.
Thinking Mills works better for the byes.
G’day all,
Long time no speak, hope everyone is alive and well.
This is how I’m set up at the moment.
Def: NWM, Rozee, McKercher, Banks, Z.Uwland, Kyle // X.Taylor, Lindsay
Mid: Butters, Daicos, Callaghan, Gulden, Caldwell, Young, Sharp, J.Smith // Draper, Retschko, Carmichael
Rucks: English, Draper // Reidy
Fwd: Sheezel, Flanders, Daniels, Phillipou, Cook, Marshall // Lombard, Murray
Flex: Grlj
ITB: 2.9k.
Not sure what I want to do with M5. I like going deeper in the mids, struggling find that someone I like around that mid 550k mark. But I think I’m set on most my premiums, its just waiting for the rookies to emerg and chopping and changing to make it all work.
TJ.
M5 is alway tough, Having Young there seems a bit ‘light’ but Young at M6 takes up a midfield rookie place where we can usually find some decent scorers.
M5 you hope becomes a keeper, or at least your last midfield upgrade, score 100 like Cerra last year.
Having a M5 without the early bye is good, the first 5 round ‘average’ of a cheaper non-bye player will match a more expensive premium
I’ve got LDU at M5 at the moment. I’ve never owned him so I don’t have the burn marks. Every year he seems to start slow and finish great, wish I knew why.
Alternative you just go another proper premium, it’s a tough place and ultimately it’s determined by the quality of the rookie you can field in the midfield
Cheers Derek. Yeah M5 is always tricky. I’ve WAshcorft in there, but not sure how many of that early bye I really want. I like Caldwell, hes someone I had in my plans to trade in before his injury last year and his ownership screams as a nice pod. You’d think he continues to become a more a main stay in the midfield now. But If I need the cash, I might just go to Parish, but the risk is even greater. Not sure yet.
January Team. 13,900k bank
Def: Nas, Rozee, McKercher, Coleman, ZUwland, JSerong, (Lindsay, Grlj)
Mid: Butters, Brayshaw, Gulden, Young, Parish, WDuursmaa, Sharp, JSmith, (Brodie, Retschko, Greaves)
Ruck: Xerri, Jackson, (Reidy)
Fwds: Sheezel, Darcy, Flanders, Marshall, SDraper, DRobertson, (Dovaston, KWhite).
Util: McCarthy.
Mostly happy with team. Dovaston might become Robey or Harvey. Darcy could be downgraded to upgrade Parish.
It will be a close watch on North’s practice games, where McKerther and Harvey play.
I’m not keen on McKert in the guts, but very keen on Harvey in defence.
B: Rozee , McCarthy, McKerch,
Coleman, Ballard, Dean – L.Taylor, Gibcus
C: Butters, Rowell, Dunks, Parish, Cogs
Sharp, j. Smith, Smilie – Cootee, Cumming, Watkins
R: Xerri, D. Cameron
F: Sheez, K.Pickett, Flanders, Degoey
Treloar, Marshall – L.Pickett, Dovostan
Flex: Z Uwland
If I find must have rookie for round one than I will move two mid prices to a premium/rookie OR else I’m ready. LOL
Hey there Stav
Mc Carthy is a close watch for me. looks like he will play higher up the ground, likely losing the kick in role. If he plays mainly mid, even a pretty defensive role, he could still go well. If he gets booted to the wing too much might be an avoid.
Pretty high injury risk team here with all of De Goey ,Treloar, Parish, Cogs, Coleman.
I like some of your Pods in Cameron and Dunks
Thanks for the feedback. They are high risk high reward injury prone mid pricers but reports so far apart from (treloar) is that they are having strong presseason thus far.
This will change at least another thousand times but in its current formation
Back
Rozee, T McCarthy, Bergman, Coleman, J Farrow, J Lindsay, Gibcus and Serong
Mids
Butters, Caicos, Callaghan, Richards, Young, sharp, Smith, Brodie, Retschko, Smille, McCrae
Rucks
Jackson, witts, riedy
Forwards
Schedule, Darcy, naughton, Flanders, philipou, Marshall, draper, Robertson
Sub
Bruhan
Hey Boof. Darcy and Naughton in the same forward line is puzzling.
Are you a doggies fan my man ?
Probably prefer Treloar over Astro and bank the cash.
No not a dog’s fan just impressed on what naughton did late jn the season for his price and if they both fire could be massive scores or massive failures
First try but thinking of 3 premium rucks
DEf: NWM, rozee, mckercher, coleman, gibcus, serong, (lindsay, carmichael)
Mid: butters, daicos, callaghan, young, treloar, durrsma, sharp, smith, (brodie, smillie, anderson)
For: Sheezel, flanders, curnow, phillipou, marshall, finley macrae, (sid draper, robertson)
Rucks, Gawn, Xerri (reidy)
Flex: Grundy
I like the look the three rucks to be honest. Personally would go with English over Gawn and Xerri, think he is slightly underpriced and a bit better valued.
3 expensive rucks could be risky play before we know how these new rules play out.
Saying that Max and Grundy were easily the best scorers last year.
In 2026 Max has the best Bye.
English with his around the ground work and price is possibly the safest.
Love Xerri , but the round 12 Bye is already looking like a problem.
Jackson’s role and Darcy looking fit is a real unknown. Bye situation is awesome though
Grundy is the one no-one is talking about.
thoughts chaging from xerri to english
callaghan and curnow and finley mccrae into petracca, gulden and a 99k rookie
or going to serong from gulden, then downgrading sid draper back into finley macrae
Personally think Gulden can outscore Serong by close to 10 points on average this year. Even with his guldens Bye I would still start him.
durability is seeming like an issue with a few swans
Def Rozee, Mills, J Daicos, Coleman, Mcinnes, Gibcus (Fincher, Carmichael)
Mid Naicos, Brayshaw, Petracca, Steele, Young, Uwland, Dow, Brodie (Smith, Smillie, Said)
Ruc Xerri, Draper (Reidy)
Fwd Sheezel, Darcy, Wilson, Treloar, Gallop, Robertson (Harrison, Macrae)
Flex Gulden
Josh Daicos.
He was my POD last year. Pick him up early days. Bit of a roller coaster. If he can get into that midfield mix a bit more often he could be an amazing pick. Wilson another POD/ breakout. Do you think he gets the Nas HB role ?
i’m strugling with the early byes. you think we have had a few years to work this out.
how many players should we have?
I have a team that i’ve tried to pick with min of 2 ‘premo’ missing in rounds 2, 3 and 4.
I would love to have Daicos, Callaghan, Mills, Guelden, Anderson.
Has anyone given this a deep dive and done the numbers of what points will be lost for every bye player and if its worth it.
Premos shouldn’t be allowed to have byes… Lol
It probably only matters if you are in an elite league or just chasing overall ranking, then you need to deside.
we are in an elite league Wayne
Elite and unique……
It’s an ongoing debate that I don’t think has been definitively decided.
The way I look at it, for what it is worth, is that if you are running 14 premiums + mid pricers and 4 rookies, then you need your 5th best rookie score to count if you lose a premium in a bye round. A reasonable expectation for the 5th best rookie might be 60-70, to replace a premium of 100-105. Let’s say 40 points lost.
If you compare to someone who runs a premium without a bye, and we say round 6 before you can upgrade, then the premium with a bye might need to average 8 points a game higher than the premium without the bye to have the same total points.
So, I think that puts a big focus on early fixtures if you are using that as a benchmark.
the point spread could be even more. lets say a top premo could score 120 and the ‘5th’ rookie will be lucky to be 50, thats a 70 pt difference.
if you have 4 ‘extra’ early bye premiums, that is 280 points. based on 2025 after round 6, that is about 6,000 ranking places.
the counter argument is that you hold that premium for the whole year and they play just one less game than a non-early round premium, the difference over the whole season is 70pt divided by 22 = 3pts a week to make up.
The uber premos can have an early bye but the next level down I’m paying more attention to the byes.
Personally I try to ensure that all of my starting premos play every possible round before the mid season byes.
With inury and suspension always being part of the mix I think that anything less than ‘as many as possible’ is tempting fate. If you dive deep enough in your research you can find guys who consistently score better in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd block of 7 games and are average to ordinary in the the other games. The phrase is slow starters and fast finishers or vice versa.
Stack your squad with fast starting prems who don’t have an early by and trade them to cheaper slow starting prems who stand on the gas after their bye
Does “Best 18” come into these calculations.
Yes, that is why we take the 5th best rookie, not the 9th best
Hello folks and it is welcome back to me for the first time in 2026.
Here is my team at the moment for consideration.
Def – NWM, Rozee, McCarthy, Coleman, Farrow, Gibcus. Serong & Lindsay
Mids – Butters, Daicos, Gulden, Parish, Treloar, Culley, Dyson, Smith, Uwland, Annable & Cumming
Rucks – Xerri, English & Reidy
Fwds – Sheezel, Flanders, Phillipou, Marshall, Lalor Lombard, Dovaston & Robertson
Flex – Sam Darcy
ITB – $19K
What do people think
Tom McCarthy was a cash cow last year not sure he should be D3 this year?
apparently he has the pre-season gift of training with the midfield and is good for 95+
Anyone else thinking of doubling up on Callaghan and Tom Green? Can see both going 115+ as they enter their primes, both too big to be tagged, and GWS have favourable byes.
Where do we think Oliver will fit in then ?
callaghan is the gun, I reckon Green has peaked and satan will cut him back
They are the main 3 in the midfield, Cogs will do a bit. I think it will help Callaghan more having the other 3 hand ball happy inside midfielders getting the ball out to him to run and kick
Any love for Kozi Picket this year?
No Oliver or Petracca, surely he sees more midfield time this year
I’m surprised he is as expensive as he is. If he was $400k or under for sure
Kozi actually got nearly 70% CBA’s ( centre bounce attendances ) last season. He tends to drift forward after the bounce to create confusion with match ups. I can see potential for more time around the ball, not sure he can improve enough to get into those top 6-8 Forwards.
He does have a very favorable late Bye ( R16 ) though.
First draft ive tried to keep it as cookie cutter and can be and go with majority guns and rookies
NAS, Rozee, Coleman, Uwland, Simpson, Gibcus (Lindsay, Serong)
Butters, Anderson, Callaghan, Serong, Gulden, Duursma, Sharp, Brodie (Draper, Smith, Smillie)
Gawn, Xerri (White)
Sheezel, Darcy, Petracca, MArshall, Reidy, Macrae (Lombard, Roberston)
Philipou is the flex, 66K left over
I can’t see Flanders anywhere
I prefer a stronger/less questionable regarding post injury mind fitness D3. If coleman was D4 and you didn’t have 6 guns with a bye in first few rounds it would be a lot more attractive to me.
1st team of the year. Love to know your thoughts.
Rozee Jaicos McKercher Coleman Uwland Farrow (Lindsay Serong)
Butters Naicos Dunkley Gulden Washcroft Duursma Jagga Sharp (Draper Brodie Smillie)
Gawn English (White)
Sheezel Draper Flanders Treloar Phillipou Macrae (Reidy Robertson)
Gibcus
It looks good but you have a lot of expensive players who will miss at least 1 of the first 4 rounds. so, if you expect them to ave 110 p/game over the first 4 rounds they will only average 82.5 because 1 round will be a zero.
You are right in theory David, but…
SC is for the whole season and the Byes are not just at the beginning of the season.
Round 12 we miss Crows / North / Port / Gold Coast.
If you avoid too many early Bye players you end messing with your long term Bye structure.
It’s Ok to have a few early Bye players , Just not too many from any week or on any line.
Remember Byes are best 18
Spread out a few early Bye picks and your team will be fine.
Try and think long term .
I actually love this team Mat D
G’day all,
My 2nd go at it… with many more to go, no doubt!
Please let me know your thoughts:
DEF: Whitfield, Rozee, McKercher, Coleman, Uwland, Allan, Gibcus, Serong
MID: Butters, Smith, Naicos, Dawson, Young, Sharp, Brodie, Macrae, Draper, Smith, Retschko
RUC: Meek, Sweet, White
FWD: Sheezel, Pickett, Flanders, Treloar, Philipou, Marshall, Lombard, Roberston
FLX: Draper
Not sure I have too many mid pricers that could come good and become significant cash cows, or bomb.
Is there anyone here who I definitely should (or should not) consider?
Thanks SuperCoaches!
Trying to avoid prems with early bye I reckon everyone will have Naz and Callahan might be a Bont Mk2
Naz-Rozee-Clark-McKercher
x.Taylor-B.Allan-Gibcus-J.Lindsay
Butters-Brayshaw-Dawson-Callaghan-C.Serong
Young-D.Sharp-Brodie-Jagga-Smillie-Carmichael
Jackson-Madden-White
Sheez-Flanders-UGH-Marshall
Reidy-F.Macrae-Draper-Robertson
X.Lindsay
No Coleman because of bye giving a chance to preview before price rises. No Mills because he’s made of tissue paper and spit. No xerri of gawn because there’s no value. UGH & Young have been scrapped because connor macdonald is doing great things and J.Lindsay became that Uwland fella
Mills said he is playing mainly in defence this year. i’ve taken him out of my team
Will Madden get a game?
Do you know somthing?
Nah I don’t know any gossip on Madden other than he was a better ruck than Briggs last year.
It’s only january and I haven’t seen any training or or paid for any herald sun articles but Giants rate him a lot higher than they did Flynn.
I could end up fading Nas until round 5 and start xerri or Gawn. It all depends on what happens between now and then.
Do you know who these 9 are ?
Bargain alert! The 9 best value for money picks in SuperCoach
Were the SuperCoach bankers asleep when they set the prices for these nine potential stars? Don’t miss the chance to benefit from once-in-a-lifetime bargains.
Who are the 9?
Dunno it’s an article on supercoach home page but you have to subscribe to read it
9 biggest bargains in SC 2026 from Herald Sun restricted article
1. S Flanders
2. D Robertson
3. M Phillipou
4. W Brodie
5. D Parish
6. A Treloar
7. N Newman
8. H Young
9. B Daniels
Thank you Lisa.
Do they have a reason why Coleman is not on the list ?
…..or could it be, they all have him and Treloar as well, who both fit into the equation quite convincingly…….hmmm
….and now that I’ve put my glasses back on…..
Cancel that Treloar bit…
Thanks Lisa, I’ll go and have a look at ’em.
Few too many Freo players in this team even for me. 🙂
Maybe downgrade a midfielder ( there’s good rookies there ) and Bolster the Ruck / Forwards.
Yeah Serong is just a placeholder for cash while I play with my team I’ll trade him to Darcy or any gun who has an early bye after their bye and before price rise.
I only see 1 expensive ruck likely to increase in price early and Jacko is all I need in the ruck plus at first change he’ll be mid/ruck. Ruck rule change will probably benefit Madden a lot more than Briggs, if it doesn’t I’ll choose again.
That was first iteration and after looking into Lord I want him and will scrap the minimal early bye players rule that I had
Thoughts on going power heavy given their piss easy start?
butters, rozee are locks
but idk with horne francis
or do i go gulden instead of horne francis
I’m not interested in JHF, had foot injury last year, had surgery and he is being ask if he will be ‘ready’ for round 1. He should be ok, but the fact he is being asked by every reporter, not confident.
Bergman does interest me for $447k defender who should be near 100% midfielder
After a couple of goes, I’ve landed here! Rookies are maybe’s only.
Def: Sinclair, Rozee, Clark, Z. Uwland, Grlj, Taylor [Lindsay, Serong]
Mids: Butters, Dunkley, Dawson, Gulden, Young, W. Duursma, Sharp, Smith [Brodie, Retschko, Smillie]
Rucks: Xerri, De Koning [White]
Fwds: Sheezel, K. Pickett, Humphrey, Lalor, Phillipou, F. Macrae [Dovaston, Robertson]
Flex: Gibcus
Bank: $13.7k
Any thoughts???
Not too bad Mallee Boy.
Missing a couple of “Must haves” in Flanders and Mc Kercher
Might need to cull a mid to sort out the ruck.
TDK sharing and I’d only want one of Hump or Lalor.
Bit of tinkering and this could work.
First post for the year. A few PODs for me this year, but not having a lot of risky picks. Don’t want to waste heaps of early trades because of that like last year
DEF – NAS, Clark, McKercher, Uwland, Dean, Farrow (Lindsay, Serong)
MID – Butters, Daicos, Dawson, W Ashcroft, Young, Duursma, Sharp, Smith (Brodie, Retschko, F Macrae)
RUC – Xerri, Witts (White)
FWD – Sheezel, Pickett, Flanders, Lalor, Philipou, Robertson (Marshall, Lombard)
$29k remaining
No Coleman for me. Played only two games over the last two years, not risking him. If he stays healthy and has a cracker year, that’ll be my loss that I’ll take on the chin.
And I went Clark over Rozee, that’s my POD premo in the defence. I just have a hunch he’ll be slightly better than Rozee, but again that’s my loss if I’m wrong.
Only POD in my mid is Ashcroft. I think he’ll be the best Lions mid at the end of the year. Surprised more people haven’t got him on their team. Went Young over Parish, Young’s injury history is less scary than the latter.
Rucks are gonna be interesting with the new rules. Witts is my POD there, he’s consistent and reliable. Going White over Reidy unless he plays first round. Don’t like Reidy’s job security when Pittonet is fit and in form.
Pickett looks like he’s gonna spend more time in the midfield with Trac and Satan gone. Lalor I think will have a great year based off what I’ve read about his pre season performances so far. Same with Lombard.
Grlj is my flex, as I can switch him in two positions if needed. I think he’ll play most games this year, so his JS isn’t a concern.
You don’t like Reidy Job security behind Pittonet…. Mmmmm yet you pick White who is behind Gawn best ruck in the game for the last 10 years!! Strange logic!! I think Reidy more likely to go past Pittonet than White is Gawn!!
love this team.
Very well explained.
Witts would be my only real concern.
If you’re going a cheaper Ruck as a place holder, I would prefer one without the early Bye. Sweet or Nank. or just go up to more of keeper like English, Cameron or Jackson, they’re not too much more expensive.
Briggs is cheaper but has the R4 Bye. I only see him as a play if you get Sam Draper to cover the Byes as well though.
This from Bombers website report on a recent match sim
Spending 2025 largely as a defender, Lachie Blakiston is lapping up a move back to his more familiar position in the ruck.
His athleticism and ability to outleap opponents gives his mids a good chance for first use at stoppages, and Darcy Parish was more than willing to capitalise on this.
Continuing his positive pre-season form, Parish clearly had the most touches of anyone on the ground and put the footy in dangerous spots for Wright to compete – on one play, Parish’s gut running allowed him to crumb off a Caddy contest in the pocket and snap truly.
Lachlan Blakiston $295.500 is listed in SC as a Defender unfortunately. 🙁
TU: Treloar (Flex) and bergman (D4)
TD: Grundy (FLex) and lindsay (bench rookie)
Why TD just wondering
because i dont want to play gibcus, and a couple other rookies and having treloar and bergman makes the roster more balanced idk though
Good luck everyone my team is thiz early I.might change it.
Def. J Clarke. Nwm. T McCarthy. C Salem. H Dean. J serong. Brnch j Lindsay l Carmichael.
Mids z butters . M Rowell. J dunkley. E gulden. H young. W duursma. S draper. J smith. Bench w brodie. J smillie. F macrae.
Brnch. T xerri. T English. Bench k white
Fwds C petracca. S Flanders. B Daniels. S Lalor. T Marshall. L reidy Bench. L Lombard. D Robertson.
Flexi. D sharp what do u guys think of my team. I might just leave it
Teloar is off the track and Bergman news is.. He will still be mr Fix it.
Might be more about the players than Balance.
There is a lot of speculation about Melbourne’s mids.
Have a look at Rivers stats last year to compare.
Now match them to this years “new” on-ballers, not only at Melbourne……. When do Melbourne have their 1st bye ?…
Are you eating the same caviar I’ve been eating SCT?
I reckon certain players be injected into Melbourne midfield with new coach there. Like Salam for one. As king as the coach he loves a fast half back then go into midfield
Not sure about Salam, Has been on light duties. But keep an eye out for C Windsor $283K Played the last few games in the midfield. and..X Taylor $158K may take his place in defense. Both quick and good ball uses.
Is Petracca going to take many of Rowells points?
630k for a flex
TU: english
TD:daicos
TU: Mckercher
TD: Bergman
Hi All for another season. Feel like I’m a bit early posting this Team but I guess I’ve got to start somewhere. So ok here is the first go for 2026.
Defenders: C.Rozee, J.Fletcher, C.McKercher, M.Bergman, K.Coleman, J.Lindsay, (J.Serong, L.Carmichael)
Midfielders: Z.Butters, F.Callaghan, C.Serong, E.Gulden, H.Young, D.Parish, A.Treloar, J.Smith
(W.Brodie,J.Smillie, F.Macrae)
Rucks: M.Gawn, T.Xerri (K.White)
Forwards: H.Sheezel, S.Flanders, S.Lalor, M.Phillipou, T.Marshall, Sid Draper (L.Lombard, D.Robertson)
Flex: L.Reidy
Def: Jasper Fletcher is my POD here. Think he will have a big year. Have gone Coleman for now but a watch on Z.Uwland in the preseason for a potential swap. Couldn’t fit NWM in but would love to.
Mid: Couldn’t fit Bont in at his pricepoint and bye. Hoping Callaghan can backup from last season. Guilden on price (and think new last touch rules might suit him at the SCG). Serong just fits in there at price. Prob one or two too many ageing injury prone mid price stars. Will prob end up moving on Treloar to a Dyson Sharp or another rookie. I like Treloar’s DPP. Any news on Smille or look elsewhere?
Rucks: Set and Forget (hopefully) both Gawn and Xerri have great byes. Shame K White (sub) plays for Melb, and may affect Captains choices but its the only $99k donut loop/cheapy.
Fwd: Sheezel I’m not really keen on but have picked him anyway. Let me down last year and is still a lot of money outlayed. Everyone has him though. If I could wangle it I would drop Sheez and add NWM in Def but my forwards would look threadbare, plus there is advantage in the byes with Sheeze vs NWM. Lalor plenty of publicity sucking me in. T.Marshall in for the moment but that’s a Marshall v D Sharp choice depending on preseason and cash. Lombard is another subjective pick like most of the rooks. Heard he won the first time trial but that’s about all so he is keen.
Flex: L.Reidy. Likely to change. More of a placeholder and easier to check all positions and comparing cash and who is avail all at once in that spot! Will prob be an extra Rookie.
So there you go. Complete guide to how to lose at Supercoach. Comments/thoughts welcome.
Looking like Retschko for Smillie the first change of many.
Hi Rod,
I think a simple Treloar to D.Sharp is plenty of cash to spread around get a few players you might like, or if you had 14k in the bank you could do Bergman to NWM (or drop to Coleman to Grlj to fund it)
Overall decent structure. Hate that you don’t like Sheezel, Kid will be F1/F2 ith Flanders (or any DPP’s that become). Seems a no brainer/don’t out think the room situation.
Thanks TJ, yeah suspect Treloar won’t be there R1 unless he does something pretty good in the preseason or R0. Another option I am considering is to sacrifice my (only) POD and play safe with a Fletcher to Newman to get Dyson Sharp in (prob in Flex or for Fin Mccrae as I’m not sure he starts R1).Will see if I stick to my gut.
And yeah you are right about Sheezel being a no brainer pick for F1 and will be a top 3 fwd but I just think he will drop $50k in the process of that (what I was getting at really) and actually think Darcy and Thilthrope are better priced picks ( but you run the roller-coaster with KP players). Was only Darcy’s bye stopping me from doing it (i.e and picking Sheezel up later). But for now Sheezel stays and is one less trade to worry about down the track.
Anyway lots to see in the preseason games (will try not to do like last year and change my team after each game!).
Thanks again TJ, appreciate the feedback.
Hello everyone,
This is my 1st post ever, although I have browsed frequently. Thought I would post in my team at the moment for 2026, and welcome all feedback.
Defence:
J.Sinclair, L.Whitfield, C.Rozee, C.Salem, Z.Uwland, J.Blanck//J.Lindsay, L.Carmichael
Mids:
M.Bontempelli, Z.Butters, T.Miller, B.Fiorini, G.Wardlaw, D.Parish, B.Cooke, W.Brodie//J.Smith, F.Macrae, H.Schoenberg.
Rucks:
M.Gawn, T.Xerri//L.Reidy
Forwards:
M.Georgiades, S.Lalor, C.Trembath, M.Cox, L.Pickett, A.Jones//T.Murray, H.Mikunda
Look forward to hearing thoughts.
Hi Tracey,
Welcome to SCT!
With all respect, and as Rod said, I think your team needs a bit of a rework, mainly the forward line.
Not picking Sheezel & Flanders at their ownership could be suicidal and basically must haves in my opinion. Georgiades & Cox should be non selections. I would bet my hard earned cash there isn’t much improvement on their prices.
I don’t know much on Trembath so if you personally think he will make $150k, go for it.
For Miller and Fiorini. Not sure Fiorini improves much on what will likely be a wing role (maybe?) to be a top 10 mid. What role does Miller play with Petracca in the side. If you think Wardlaw makes cash to be a stepping stone, but his body is a real concern for me.
I like the rest but you might need to downgrade one of your expensive premiums to fund some moves.
Would love to know how much cash you have in the bank. Try and find the your balance of risk and reward.
This is just my personal opinion.
Good luck 🙂
Further to my team above, at the moment, I have D.Sharp as flex.
Think it’s the forward line and couple of the mids need looking at Tracey. Wardlaw I think hurt himself again so I would look elsewhere there. Need at least one solid Fwd with good history of scoring well. I like the Sinclair pick.
Thanks Rod, wasn’t aware of the Wardlaw injury, and yes, the forwards need further tweaking. Thanks again.
Hi all,
Update on my team.
ITB: $36k
DeF: Sinclair, Rozee, McKercher. Uwland, Grlj, Taylor // Lindsay, Serong
Mid: Butters, McCluggage, Callaghan, Gulden, Caldwell, Young, Parish, J.Smith // Kyle, Retschko, Carroll,
Rucks: Grundy, English // Reidy
Fwd: Sheezel, Flanders, Phillipou, Marshall, Harrison, Lombard // Robertson, Murray
Flex: Sharp.
I believe I have found a nice mix of risk and reward.
I feel there is plenty of defender rookies to select from, so will take more on that line, and really like the midfield even if it is a bit too deep.
Forwards up and down for me. There are a few premium options I like but not enough I think I want to sacrifice my other lines for that fit within my bye structure.
I like the flexiablity. If I need cash, Parish is the one to go and can spread the cash round that way.
Thanks, TJ
Hi again TJ, Ok only fair I share my thoughts on your team .
Like the Sinclair pick. Like McSuitcase (but don’t like his bye or top $$), Caldwell is interesting, much prefer Ashcroft at same price but understand its not ideal having McCluggage and Ashcroft together (I would drop McCluggage and take Ashcroft I think in your situation as its very tricky that $545k mark). Caldwell has a good bye structure at least. Not sure on his durability would be my question as well.
English is prob fine or Cameron if you are looking at that bracket Ruck. Maybe prefer Cameron only just there.
Fwds, I get that’s where you are saving some money and part of the plan but could be big problems if some of those rookie priced players go down or don’t perform and you have to sideways them early. Luckily you have the byes best of to help through the early games.
Anyway All the best mate, hope it gives you some possible alternative options to think about.
Edit: Other option is drop Caldwell to boost Fwds. But maybe that’s too safe
I’ve taken McKercher out of my team, until I know exactly where he is playing. Talk of him playing pure midfield isn’t good for SuperCoach scoring.
That’s what will be happening with all the running HB now to fit in with the bench rotation system.
The bonus ones will be the ones who do the majority of the kick ins.
IMO the benches will be; Ruck/Tall, Fwd, Back and 2x OB with the extra interchanges now permitted.
It’s all about keeping the game more free flowing.
(With less physical contact and injuries????)
The practice matches and Rd 0 should be a good guide.
Hi all
Comments Plse…
Def : Sinclair Whitney Rozee
Uwland Farrow Taylor (Lindsay Serong)
Mids : Butters N.Daicos
Sheezel Gulden Oliver
Sharp J.Smith Retschko (Grlj Brodie Greeves)
Ruck : Jackson English (White)
Fwd : Darcy Flanders Macdonald
Rachelle Phillipou Marshall (Reidy Robertson)
Flex : W.Duurshma
$16,300 ITB
Like this one RWG.
Latest news on C Mac is he probably won’t get those mid minutes we all wanted.
The other one is Oliver, Not sure well he gels at GWS, Steele maybe safer at this price point. Melb have so many injuries he’s sure to play midfield.
Hello again,
This Tracey with my updated/tweaked team for 2026, after sound advice from Rod and TJ Thunder. Thanks guys.
DEFENDERS:
J.Sinclair, L.Whitfield, C.Rozee, W.Dawson, J.Adams, J.Serong//J.Blanck, L.Carmichael
MIDFIELDERS:
M.Bontempelli, Z.Butters, M.Rowell, D.Parish, Z.Uwland, S.Marshall, J.Smith, A.Jones//L.Kickett, O.Greeves, P.Said
RUCKS:
M.Gawn, T.Xerri//Z.McCarthy
FORWARDS:
H.Sheezel, R.Thilthorpe, M.Hall, S.Flanders, M.Reid, L.Reidy//T.Gallop, T.Murray
FLEX:
J.Carroll
ITB : $31,700.
Quite a range of placeholders(as you would say) at this stage).
Further thoughts please, and thanks again.
Not having Young could really hurt. He will be very highly owned and if he comes out scoring 100+ you will be chasing the pack
Hi Tracey, you are getting there but maybe just a few away from a good team.
Be careful of the overpriced high 100k rookie. I’m looking at W.Dawson,/S.Marshall, those sorts. It’s a lot safer in the 119k to sideways and not lose too much.
Also be careful of the awkwardly priced high 300k low 400k players that did ok last year that maybe ok but won’t spectacularly perform. I’m looking at M.Hall and to a less extent M.Reid.
I’d be monitoring them and how they go in the pre season games along with all the rookies sub $200. There will only really be a handful that stand out and are worth picking.
Good luck! More revisions to come for all of us I am sure.
Hey thanks Rod. Heading in the right direction. Let’s wait and see what happens with the rookies, who’s to be named, etc. Looking forward to season proper. Thanks again Rod.
Nice work. All the best
Sorry that’s for RWG.
Oliver is a risk/reward pick and Sheezel in the Mids to move Fwd later I don’t mind if you think there are some better fwds to pick.
Hi guys, i need your opinions. Please rank these mid-pricers. I don’t want too many of them, maybe 2 or 3, but which ones to pick and which ones to leave out is the question. Young should be first? The rest are in a very similar boat, have scoring potential but will their bodies hold up? Lalor is a different kettle of fish, but is he worth a punt?
Young/Parish/Flanders/De Goey/Treloar/Coniglio/Lalor
I would lock Flanders and Young.
Treloar if he looks good in R0
For me: Flanders, Young, Parish, Lalor, Daniels,Treloar/Cogs/DeGoey (prob together)
Top 4 mentioned.
They will probably be all MD and MF after a few weeks with the rotations.
that is a very interesting point Chameleon, someone like Young could get DDP in 6 weeks and average enough to become a keeper.
Just out of curiosity,
What are people’s projected scores
While setting up their teams?
ATM mine’s 1806
I realise that the more rookies you have the lower the score, so what would be an ideal projected score.
1- current score
2- ideal score
Cheers
I wouldn’t be trusting those projected scores yet Mick. So many misleading factors in them. Not only unknown rookies but fallen premiums are not rated properly and then you have who they play first up all being factors. So I would completely ignore them for now.
Thanks Rod
Best of luck ( skill )
agree with Rod, we should be looking around 2200+ as a realistic score round 1, the projections are just using CD’s ‘magic’ number for estimates
def: nwm, rozee, mkercher, newman, coleman, uwland
mid: butters, dawson, callaghan, gulden, young, grilj, sharp, jagga
ruc: xerri, draper
fwd: sheezel, trac, flanders, pou, marshall, macrae
flx: gibcus
bench just rookies that will probably change
thoughts pls
Draper is a bit scary at R2, especially with his pre-season injury worries.
I’d prefer if he was at Flex (like Flynn last year), if he misses a game or two at R2 he is a donut, at flex you have cover.
TU: English gawn
TD: Grundy Jackson
can you have Gawn and Jackson?
….. or English Jackson if R 0 is good……
….. why so pro- Jackson ?……
IMO he will be used as a mobile Tall Forward / OB….. kept away from strong physical contact ie Ruck @ throw-ups……
for me it is the byes. i have Gawn, Xerri and Jackson (flex) in my team, 3 big dogs with no early bye
Because the ruck scoring system is going to be compromised by new ruck rules and less throw ins.
Of the rucks who may gain from the new rules you’d think that Jackson, Marshall and English are the main beneficiaries. Xerri, Gawn, Grundy all are likely worse off, and Grundy has two byes so that rules him out. Both Gawn and Grundy are fairly old now, and Gawn has a stripped back midfield to ruck to.
Marshall and English have two byes, both bad ones at that, and Marshall we’ve got no idea on role since the Saints wanted TDK.
Jackson has the best bye outcomes, the lowest risk and the best potential. That one bye difference automatically makes him the equivalent of a 5 point more valuable player over the extra game he plays.
That’s why everyone is so bullish on Jackson.
yeah but then i have 2 99k rookies on bench
Just done a bit of swapsie swapsie after going through some data. Looking at who got most of their points from centre bounce/ clearances and a bit of intraclub significantly changed my approach on the midfield, so I’ll put up 2 teams for a vote
Team 1
B: Ash Rozee Mills Coleman Gibcus Serong (Lindsay Jaques)
M: Butters Daicos Gulden Young Parish Treloar Sharp Smith (Farrow Retschko Schoenberg)
R: Xerri Jackson (White)
F: Sheezel Darcy Flanders Curnow Philipou Marshall (Reidy Robertson)
Flex: Duff-Tytler
Team 2
B: Whitfield Rozee Clark Coleman Gibcus Serong (Lindsay Jaques)
M: Butters Daicos Gulden Young Parish Treloar Sharp Smith (Grlj Farrow Retschko)
R: Xerri Jackson (White)
F: Sheezel Darcy Flanders Curnow Marshall Reidy (Alger Bowman)
Flex: Robertson
Main changes:
1) See Clark possibly being overpriced as Judd McVee takes other side. Mills likely unders based on last 6 of 2025 season.
2) Grlj and Farrow is too much money on mid bench, but too hard to throw away Lindsay Jacques Gibcus Serong as potential cash cows until more evidence shown
3) Alger and Bowman too much risk, although there are other 119k options (eg Lombard Kickett Murray), and up to 140k to spend
4) Age risk on Whitfield versus cheaper Ash gave extra cash to boost forward bench and Flex.
Is anyone considering Blakiston ????? Looks to have the no 1 ruck position at the hangar at least until Bryan comes back, and his leap looks compatable with the new rules. Should also get DPP early in the year.
You’d think he’ll get dpp.
If he was starting with Ruck status I’d probably R2 him and trade him out when the ruck rules are clear.
But you’d think he’ll lose the ruck role once Bryan is fit.
So by the time his ruck is actually useful his spot in the team is at risk.
If he was a fwd/ruck I’d consider him but there’s too many defender cash cow options to consider. Uwland, Grlj, Farrow, Serong, Gibcus, Jaques, Lindsay, Patterson, Coleman
Anyone else getting super stressed about the ruck situation? Xerri and Jackson scored poorly. English even worse and has an early bye. Cameron has an early Bye. Gawn had hammy problems before and during Origin, meaning what his 3rd injury this preseason. Grundy has concussion and an early bye. Nank’s still injured.
Marshall and TDK’s role is unknown and they have the early bye. I can’t see Marshall scoring better than last year.
Briggs, Fort and Witts all get an early bye.
Cheap options like Conway, Draper and Bryan are out. Soldo’s gone for the season.
Is going in with Jackson/Reidy and dpp donut Kalani White, and Duff-Tytler in the forwards a viable option?
Except for the Oedipus reaction because eyeballs and seeing my sins…
Here’s a theoretical 1 ruck team.
It has issues. I have issues. Oh god. So many issues.
B: NWM Ash Mills Coleman Gibcus Serong (Lindsay Jaques)
M: Butters Daicos Serong Rozee Gulden Young Parish Sharp (Farrow Retschko Schoenberg)
R: Well anything but R: Jackson Reidy (White)
F: Sheezel Flanders Curnow Treloar Duff-Tytler Marshall (Phillipou Robertson)
Flex: Jagga Smith
+12,800
I’m thinking of trying out those new King Charles coins and some fancy new glass paper weights to help lock-in my rucks……..
So long as they’re not Prince Andrew coins…
In Blakiston I trust. Will have dpp ruck status early in the year.
If you think you can carry enough games from Reidy, Duff-Tytler or even a McAndrew to get through to round 6 dpp that certainly could work. Or a cheaper non rookie option like Cox (if Darcy is injured, as insurance for Darcy getting injured, or they just commit to a two rucks and Jackson as a permanent midfielder) or Bailey J Williams. You’d need scores in rounds 1,5 and 6 as we’ve got best 18 in the other 3 rounds.
Obviously with free selections in Round 1 still being available, that means that the risk is really only for rounds 5 and 6.
Relying on the Flex could let you cover that hole. But then you might not have the flex as backup for the inevitable in and out rookie rotation we see every season.
It’s certainly a risky strategy, but it’s worth considering.
It’s a bold strategy.
Where are the visentini brothers at? Anyone know?
It depends on how many teams use the extra bench spot for a second ruck.
Maxy always plays terrible until Round 2! I am sticking with the big dogs. Think there will be a lot closer checking and tagging come the regular season. See how Opening Round goes I reckon.
Hey SCTalk, any chance of getting a new Rate My team thread going?