Skip to main content
ARTICLES

All Articles

Long reads, cash-cow watchlists, captain calls and trade tactics. Filter by category, sort by popular.

FilterAllBetting StrategyCaptainsCash CowsDPPInjury WatchMid-PricersMidfieldersPlanningPlayer AnalysisPractice Match ReviewPremiumsRookie AnalysisRookiesRound ReviewsRuckRucksRule ChangesStrategySuperCoachTargetsTeam BuildingTipsTrade StrategyholdplayerstradetradesSortNewestPopular
StrategyRookie Analysis2 Mar 2026

AAMI Community Series Wash-Up: SuperCoach 2026 Winners & Losers

The five biggest SuperCoach takeaways from the 2026 AAMI Community Series. We watched all nine practice matches so you didn't have to — here are the winners who locked in Round 1 spots, the losers who raised red flags, and the role changes that reshape your squad.

9 AAMI Community Series gamesMatches Reviewed
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera — midfield role confirmedBiggest Winner
Riley Sanders — concussion, will miss R1Biggest Loser
Rookie AnalysisStrategy2 Mar 2026

SuperCoach Round 1 Locks: 8 Players You Can't Leave Out

Eight SuperCoach 2026 players you absolutely cannot leave out of your Round 1 team. SC price, average, value score, and a one-sentence verdict on each — structured to help you lock in before the March 20 lockout.

8 (4 draft picks + 4 proven rookies)Players Profiled
Thursday March 20Lockout Date
$113,500 (three picks)Cheapest Lock
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis1 Mar 2026

Every AAMI Community Series Practice Match Reviewed: SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

All 9 AAMI Community Series practice matches reviewed with SuperCoach analysis, three players to watch from every game, injury updates, and rookie signals heading into Round 1 2026.

9 (Feb 25 – Mar 1)Matches Played
Port Adelaide by 73 pts over West CoastBiggest Win
North Melbourne by 1 pt over CollingwoodClosest Game
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis1 Mar 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Fremantle vs Adelaide — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Fremantle rallied with five unanswered final-quarter goals to beat Adelaide by 16 points in Mandurah. Josh Treacy bagged five, Josh Rachele exploded through the midfield, and draftee Mitchell Marsh announced himself with a 65m bomb. Three players to watch.

Fremantle 12.12 (84) def. Adelaide 9.14 (68)Final Score
Rushton Park, MandurahVenue
Saturday, March 1Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis1 Mar 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Port Adelaide vs West Coast — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Port Adelaide obliterated West Coast by 73 points with an 11-goal third quarter. Mitch Georgiades bagged six, Zak Butters was untouchable, and Josh Lindsay emerged as the Eagles' lone bright spot. Three players to watch for Round 1.

Port Adelaide 22.8 (140) def. West Coast 9.13 (67)Final Score
Mineral Resources Park, PerthVenue
Sunday, March 1Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis1 Mar 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: St Kilda vs Essendon — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

St Kilda demolished Essendon by 43 points in Ballarat. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera announced himself as an elite SuperCoach option, Lachie Blakiston firmed as a must-start rookie, and Liam Ryan showed immediate chemistry. Three players to watch for Round 1.

St Kilda 17.13 (115) def. Essendon 10.12 (72)Final Score
Mars Stadium, BallaratVenue
Saturday, February 28Date
Rookie AnalysisStrategy1 Mar 2026

Rookies Nobody Is Talking About: 7 Undervalued SuperCoach 2026 Picks

The 7 most undervalued SuperCoach 2026 rookies the mainstream is sleeping on. Data-backed contrarian picks with real upside — structured for the coaches who want an edge.

7 (across 4 positions)Sleepers Profiled
Under 20%Avg Ownership
$113,500 (3 basement picks)Cheapest Pick
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis28 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Melbourne vs Richmond — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Melbourne showcased a bold new attacking game style in a 35-point win over Richmond before lightning ended the contest early. Caleb Windsor and Kysaiah Pickett starred in the new-look midfield, while Jacob van Rooyen kicked three. Three players to watch.

Melbourne 12.6 (78) def. Richmond 6.7 (43) — abandonedFinal Score
Mars Stadium, BallaratVenue
Friday, February 27Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis28 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

The Bulldogs powered past the reigning premiers by 44 points at Whitten Oval. Tim English dominated the ruck, Marcus Bontempelli was elite, and Nick Watson showed his class with two goals. Three players to watch for Round 1.

Western Bulldogs 18.9 (117) def. Hawthorn 11.7 (73)Final Score
Whitten OvalVenue
Friday, February 27Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis27 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Brisbane vs Gold Coast — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Two-time reigning premiers Brisbane held off a spirited Gold Coast in a high-scoring 126-101 thriller at Springfield. Logan Morris kicked four, Keidean Coleman returned from ACL, and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan teased on Suns debut. Three players to watch.

Brisbane 19.12 (126) def. Gold Coast 15.11 (101)Final Score
SpringfieldVenue
Thursday, February 26Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis27 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Sydney vs GWS — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Sydney smashed crosstown rivals GWS by 38 points in the rain at Henson Park. Brodie Grundy dominated under new ruck rules, Charlie Curnow kicked two on debut, and Clayton Oliver showed class for the Giants. Three players to watch.

Sydney 14.13 (97) def. GWS 8.11 (59)Final Score
Henson ParkVenue
Thursday, February 26Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis26 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Carlton vs Geelong — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Carlton's new era started with a 15-point win over Geelong at Princes Park. Jagga Smith dominated with 37 disposals on return from an ACL, Tanner Bruhn impressed for the Cats, and Shannon Neale avoided a serious injury scare. Three players to watch.

Carlton 13.8 (86) def. Geelong 11.5 (71)Final Score
Princes ParkVenue
Wednesday, February 25Date
Rookie Analysis23 Feb 2026

The $113k Ghost List: Avoiding Basement Rookie Traps

The most dangerous picks in SuperCoach are the $113k players who never debut. We analyze the 2026 'Job Security Index' to find the real cash cows.

$113,500Basement Price
Usually 2-3 per teamDead Spots
15% of $113k players play 10+ gamesSuccess Rate
Rookie Analysis23 Feb 2026

The 2026 Defender Crisis: How to Survive a Midfield-Heavy Draft

Reliable defender rookies are rarer than ever in 2026. This guide solves the backline structural headache and identifies the best value picks.

70% of top-20 are MIDsDraft Bias
Harry Dean (Carlton)Key Target
The 'Mid-to-Def' PivotStructural Play
Betting StrategyRookie Analysis20 Feb 2026

SuperCoach 2026: 10 Round 1 Locks [Pre-Lockout Update]

Duursma, Uwland & Dean top our 10 SuperCoach 2026 Round 1 locks. Debut markets, confidence scores, basement prices — before lockout Mar 20.

10 (6 rookies + 4 value picks)Players Profiled
87% across our top 6Avg Round 1 Confidence
$113,500 (6 players)Cheapest Pick
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis16 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Essendon vs Carlton — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Essendon edged Carlton 89-81 at Marvel Stadium in a competitive practice match that gave SuperCoach coaches their first look at Zak Johnson's midfield role, Harry O'Farrell in Carlton's rebuilt defence, and Jagga Smith's carefully managed ACL return. Three players to watch.

Essendon 13.11 (89) def. Carlton 12.9 (81)Final Score
Marvel Stadium, MelbourneVenue
Sunday, February 15Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis16 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Port Adelaide vs Gold Coast — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Christian Petracca's first game as a Gold Coast Sun ended in a stunning 92-88 upset win at Coopers Stadium. Petracca had 21 disposals and 7 clearances on debut, Zak Butters was brilliant for Port, and Jed Walter kicked three. Three players to watch.

Gold Coast 13.14 (92) def. Port Adelaide 13.10 (88)Final Score
Coopers Stadium, AdelaideVenue
Sunday, February 15Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis16 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Sydney vs Hawthorn — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Sydney opened with a 21-point win over Hawthorn at the SCG as Charlie Curnow kicked three in his Swans debut and Brodie Grundy showed early command of the ruck role. Jai Newcombe was Hawthorn's best. Three players to watch.

Sydney 15.9 (99) def. Hawthorn 11.12 (78)Final Score
SCG, SydneyVenue
Sunday, February 15Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis16 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

The Western Bulldogs ran out 31-point winners over North Melbourne at Whitten Oval. Sam Darcy dominated in the ruck, Harry Sheezel was North's best with 30 touches, and Lachy Dovaston caught the eye with his first pre-season run. Three players to watch.

Western Bulldogs 16.13 (109) def. North Melbourne 11.12 (78)Final Score
Whitten Oval, MelbourneVenue
Sunday, February 15Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis15 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Adelaide vs Fremantle — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Adelaide edged Fremantle 93-80 at Adelaide Oval in a hard-fought practice match. Riley Thilthorpe dominated in the ruck, Josh Rachele showed midfield intent, and Caleb Serong was Fremantle's best with 27 disposals. Three players to watch.

Adelaide 14.9 (93) def. Fremantle 11.14 (80)Final Score
Adelaide OvalVenue
Saturday, February 14Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis15 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Brisbane vs West Coast — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Brisbane's premiership engine roared to life with a 41-point win over West Coast at Springfield. Lachie Neale controlled the midfield, Logan Morris kicked three, and Harley Reid was West Coast's lone bright spot with 23 disposals. Three players to watch.

Brisbane 17.9 (111) def. West Coast 10.10 (70)Final Score
Springfield, QueenslandVenue
Saturday, February 14Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis15 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Collingwood vs St Kilda — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

St Kilda stunned near-full-strength Collingwood 95-86 at Ikon Park as Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's new midfield role produced two goals. Nick Daicos was elite in a losing side. Three players to watch.

St Kilda 14.11 (95) def. Collingwood 13.8 (86)Final Score
Ikon Park, MelbourneVenue
Saturday, February 14Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis15 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Geelong vs Melbourne — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Melbourne stunned Geelong 88-74 at GMHBA Stadium as Jack Steele debuted in navy blue and Caleb Windsor ran the new-look midfield. Geelong's Jeremy Cameron kicked three on return. Three players to watch.

Melbourne 13.10 (88) def. Geelong 11.8 (74)Final Score
GMHBA Stadium, GeelongVenue
Saturday, February 14Date
Practice Match ReviewRookie Analysis14 Feb 2026

AAMI Practice Match Review: Richmond vs GWS — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Taj Hotton and Sam Lalor announced Richmond's midfield rebuild in a competitive 12-point win over GWS at the Swinburne Centre. Toby Greene was the game's best player for the Giants. Three players to watch.

Richmond 11.9 (75) def. GWS 9.9 (63)Final Score
Swinburne Centre, MelbourneVenue
Friday, February 13Date
Rookie Analysis12 Feb 2026

The SuperCoach Rookie Bible 2026: Every Rookie You Need to Know

Who are the best SuperCoach rookies in 2026? Our definitive guide covers prices, projections, and verdicts on 108 rookies to help you win your league.

108 players flaggedTotal Rookies
$113,500Basement Price
59.0 (Lucca Grego)Top Rookie Avg