SuperCoach AFL: The Official Podcast · supercoach.com.au

Practice match stats, intel, and overreactions! | The Phantom's Lair

·47 min·3 clips

Sammy Flanders drew 31 disposals, 8 marks, and 5 tackles in a dominant showing.

1. SuperCoach AFL: The Official Podcast focuses on official unofficial practice matches and what they mean for SuperCoach teams in 2026. 2. Phantom, Simeon Kingsley, Thomas Wilson, and the Chief drive the discussion because they are the named regulars breaking down the preseason. 3. The episode asks what the weekend's match-simulation sessions really changed for SuperCoach team structures and player roles. 4. The hosts start with the AFL ruck rules and say centre bounce looks significantly different from last year. 5. They argue that a player now needs to be tall or able to jump to have an impact at the bounce. 6. Tristan Sherry is named as a key example of the new ruck-rule conversation. 7. Lockie McAndrew becomes the major ruck watch after his game against Port Adelaide. 8. The panel says McAndrew took intercept marks, contested marks, and changed the way they think about R2 or Flex. 9. Riley O'Brien is used as the comparison point while they discuss job security and ownership changes. 10. Lockie Blackiston is then assessed from Essendon after his ruck work against Richmond. 11. The hosts cite his 2024 WAFL numbers, including 118 SuperCoach points per game, 16 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 33 hit-outs, and eight hit-outs to advantage. 12. They also mention Dan McPherson saying Blackiston's spot is effectively 'his to lose' while Nick Bryan is out. 13. Kitty Coleman is discussed as a defender who started forward but may still belong in defence at $233K. 14. Sam Flanders is the loudest standout, with Hef's manual stat sheet showing 31 disposals, eight marks, and five tackles. 15. The panel says Flanders demanded the ball and even took a kick-in, which pushed talk toward him as a possible F1 forward. 16. Archie Roberts gets attention for a midfield role at Essendon, with 28 possessions and seven tackles on the sheet. 17. Darcy Parish is described as having 'vintage Parrish' form and being everywhere in the Bombers midfield. 18. The tone is conversational and reactive, with the hosts constantly cross-checking eye test, manual stats, and ownership changes. 19. Listeners who enjoy preseason role changes, rookie prices, and SuperCoach planning will get the most from this episode. 20. Listeners who want polished analysis without draft banter or team tinkering may skip it.

As heard by us

A practical preseason SuperCoach wrap that puts Archie Roberts, Darcy Parish, and the role clues front and center.

This preseason wrap keeps its feet on the ground, turning the official unofficial practice matches into useful SuperCoach reading. Archie Roberts gets clear attention for his inside minutes and ball-winning output, while Darcy Parish is treated as someone whose preseason form…

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Why you'd press play

When your preseason team needs a reality check, not a highlight reel.

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