In first of my Supercoach articles for year I thought I’d take a look at some of the Saints players you should put on your watchlist and a few to basically cross off your list! This wasn't initially meant to be a TooSerious article, but Walsey thought it might be worth posting here. Obviously one best ways to get advice on particular players is to ask people that know their club like back of their hand, not from people that just look at stats and decide. This doesnt have to be a Saints players post, you can comment on any player from any club that you think would be worth putting on watchlist.

Will be doing a full preview of all the Saints players closer to the season, and hopefully other clubs but for now join us over break for the Saints watchlist.

2013 WATCHLIST – Saints players to keep eye on

Jarryn Geary
2012 Average: 73.65 (up from 39.29 in 2011)
2013 Price:  $394K

Jarryn Geary had a breakout season in 2012 and for bargain price of $213K if you held onto him for entire year you would have been rewarded. He started year in spectacular fashion averaging 94.5 in opening 4 rounds before the return of Jason Gram in Round 5 saw a change of role, playing a shutdown role on small forwards. This had massive impact on his scores, averaging only 45.2 in next 10 games. He scored over 55 only twice in that time (78 & 113).

In final 6 weeks he went back to role he started the year with and averaged 92.1. In his 10 games that he had the freedom to take game on and rebound out of defence Geary averaged extremely respectable 93.1.

Geary is prime candidate to play the role of the recently departed Brendon Goddard or Jason Gram in Saints. If Geary isn’t used as shut-down player on small forwards next year he will be under-priced and as pointed out he has decent ceiling when given freedom in defence and could easily average 90-100.

Verdict: Keep a close eye on his preseason and if he is being used in the Supercoach friendly role then don’t be afraid to jump onboard.

Arryn Siposs
2012 Average: 58.72
2013 Price: $316K

Arryn Siposs is my 2013 breakout player to watch. He is being groomed to play the Brendon Goddard role, which we all know is Supercoach gold. Siposs is elite user of the ball by foot and has great footy smarts. He might be little bit overpriced but when playing full game has scored very well. He scored 104, 101, 91 in 2012 when not used as sub which shows his scoring potential. In last game of season he amassed 16 disposals and 66 points in just over half game before sitting on bench injured for rest of day. Give this kid another full pre-season and freedom to run and set up play out of defence and through middle and he could well have breakout season.

Siposs was used as sub in 4 of his 11 games and when he wasn’t used as sub or subbed off he averaged 76.8 points.

Verdict: Unfortunately Siposs will be only classified as a forward and it probably rules him out as there is just too many other decent options below his price. Eg Mark LeCras, Josh Kennedy, Robbie Gray, Travis Varcoe are all potentially under $350K

James Gwilt
2012 Average: 63.4 (down from 82.33 in 2011 & 74 in 2010)
2013 Price: $339K

Before his season ending knee injury in 2011 James Gwilt was fast becoming a premium defender. He averaged 82.33 in 2011 and in the 7 games leading into that West Coast game where he injured his knee was averaging 95.87.

In 2012 he just wasn’t able to recapture his pre-injury form and for majority of season his elite kicking skills went missing. He didn’t seem to have confidence in his knee. In last few weeks of season he started to show signs that he was getting close to his best. He will be remarkably cheap in 2013, at projected price only $330K you could really get yourself a bargain.

Ben McEvoy
2012 Average: 104 (up from 101 in 2011)
2013 Price: $557K

McEvoy only played 16 matches in 2012 after injuring his knee before Round 6. He also only averaged 78.1 in his first 6 games (5 before injury & comeback game). However in his last 10 games he increased his average to 111.8 and showed what most people expected. For this reason he will be massively under-priced on his potential in 2013 and could be very could POD next year as most people don’t have him under consideration.

Verdict: The major concern will be how many games Tom Hickey plays and if this will have an effect on his scoring. Personally I still see them using Rhys Stanley as the 2nd ruck and McEvoy to keep Number 1 mantle.

Nick Dal Santo
2012 Average: 101.82 (down from 119 in 2011)
2013 Price: $544K

For only the 2nd time in his Supercoach career Nick Dal Santo averaged less than 112, and quite remarkably the only other time he averaged 101.8 as well, back in 2008. It appears Dal will have 3 massive years and then have down season. Over years he’s averaged: 123, 117, 115, 101.8, 115, 112, 119, 101.8

He will cheap (for his standard) next season and going by his history you’d have to expect he will bounce back. The Saints have incredible easy(ish) draw early and could really repay the faith. Saints play Gold Coast, Richmond, GWS and Essendon in opening 4 weeks!



DONT TOUCH

Sam Fisher
2012 Average: 83 (down from 99.23 in 2011)
2013 Price: $444K

2012 was Sam Fisher’s worst Supercoach seasons since 2005 when he averaged 70 points. He only managed to play 15 games, missing 5 weeks early in season with a “1 week hamstring” and then being put out for surgery when Saints season was all but over in Round 22. Fisher’s drop in form was mainly due to change in role in side, Sean Dempster now plays his rebounding/loose man in defence role that made Fisher one best supercoach defenders you can get. With lack of tall defenders on Saints list it was left up to Fisher to take the key forwards. In last 5 rounds he did show he could still score half decently, averaging 91.2. In 2012 he only topped the ton on 3 occasions and had 10 scores under 88.

Before selecting him in 2013 I’d make sure you watch his role in team during pre-season very closely. Sean Dempster will most likely keep playing the same role as this season which will affect Fisher again. At this early stage I would be steering clear as the Saints didnt get a key defender and he is likely to play shut down role once again in 2013.

Daniel Markworth – The poor lad has done a ACL and its expected he’ll miss the entire 2013 season.

Justin Koschitzke – If this needs explaining then you are playing the wrong game!!