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Daily Telegraph
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
SuperCoach AFL 2025 round 15 trade guide: Best rookies, bargain buys
What rookie crisis? It might have taken 14 rounds, but all of a sudden there is a bounty of cheapies to pick from in SuperCoach. Tom McCarthy is already one of the most traded players despite playing just one game and West Coats having a bye this week. His bargain basement $99k price tag frees up money for other moves, but there a handful of cheapies already on the bubble who will provide an extra green dot in round 15. There are also some standout bargain options to finish your team without breaking the bank. Here are my top picks. ROOKIES Nick Madden could be competing with Kieren Briggs for a spot in the GWS team. GWS ruckman has the lowest Break Even of any player available this week after posting scores of 81 and 78 filling in as the Giants' No.1 ruck the past two rounds. Cheap rucks have proved to be excellent scorers and money makers in SuperCoach in the past, the issue here is Kieren Briggs might only be a week or two away. Young GWS ruckman Nicholas Madden. Picture:Data strip for SuperCoach AFL 2025 Another Giant who played seven games in 2023 and none last year, returning to the senior side in round 11 this season. He scored three points as the sub in the game and was dropped the next week, but returned on the weekend and was a key part of the centre bounce mix, picking up 18 disposals and six tackles. Hard to trust the role will hold, but if it does there should be some more good scores. Sam Butler had six tackles against the Crows. Played 19 games from 2022-2024 as a small forward, but has been playing as a midfielder in the VFL this year – racking up 42 disposals in one game. His numbers at AFL level haven't been that prolific – 19 and 14 touches in his two senior appearances – but his pressure (11 tackles) has been crucial. And the Hawks have won their past two. He's $25k cheaper than Martin in the forward line. Sam Butler is part of a winning Hawthorn formula. Picture:Is Jack Martin the new Tyson Stengle? Never thought we would consider one of the most injury-prone players in the AFL as a SuperCoach option, but that's the magic of Geelong's recruiting and conditioning departments. Martin hasn't played more than 11 games in a season since 2020, and only broke into the Cats' line-up two weeks ago. But the former forward has landed a plum role in defence, taking 10 marks on his way to 79 SuperCoach points. If you need a cheapie to play on field for a while, he could be the best bet. Just keep a trade up your sleeve in case the injury curse strikes again. AL'S ROOKIE RANKINGS 1. Sam Butler 2. Jack Martin 3. Harry Rowston 4. Nick Madden CUT-PRICE PREMIUMS Callum Mills could be one of the bargains of the season. We had to wait until after Sydney's bye to snap up the captain at a bargain price, but the timing couldn't be better – hopefully Mills will play every week from here until round 24. And his price is yet to move. It's hard to read too much into the Swans' big win over a barely competitive Richmond, but Mills moved well and had a great role across half-back and through the midfield. And we know what he can do (career-best average 116 in 2022. With a projected $23k price rise after a tough match-up against Port Adelaide you could afford to wait a week, but who has that spare cash lying around – and no need for an extra green dot in a tricky bye round. Callum Mills is on the bubble. Picture: Phil Hillyard Key forwards are usually avoided in SuperCoach, but Sam Darcy could be the exception. Dropped $35k after returning from a knee injury with a huge Break Even, and should be a little bit cheaper again next week. But that's no guarantee with a match-up this week against Richmond under the roof on Sunday. This is the sort of game the Dogs could run up the score, with Darcy looking ominous against the Saints as he warmed back into senior AFL action. He even had a hitout to advantage to help boost his SuperCoach numbers. Jason Horne-Francis made a spectacular return against Melbourne, JHF was supposed to be dirt cheap in the next week or two but that now seems like a pipedream after he also blitzed his return game last round. He was everywhere against the Demons early, and only inaccuracy in front of goal (1.3) and a shoulder stinger than kept him off the ground for most of the last quarter prevented a much bigger score. Watch injury news and teams this week, but Port expects him to line up against the Swans. Dion Prestia was in brilliant form before Richmond's bye. He's cheap and he's scoring a lot of points (132, 121 in his two games). He also has a very low Break Even, which does provide some cover if he breaks down again. But sadly with Prestia that feels like a matter of when, not if, and it would be a huge roll of the dice to gamble on him playing out the season – we don't want to be bringing in stepping stones at this stage of the season. Still, stranger things have happened. Dion Prestia is a very tempting price. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images George Hewett is flying under the radar. Looking for a point of difference in the midfield? Hewett is owned by just 7 per cent of teams despite scoring the sixth-most SuperCoach points in the midfield in 2025. After scoring 94 in round 1 he has only missed the ton once in the next 11 games, with six of those above 120. He's bye-free, available for a very reasonable price and an injury to Sam Walsh opened the door for Hewett to increase his centre bounce numbers. This week he will be a prime mover against North Melbourne. The last time these teams met, in round 6 this year, he scored 171 SuperCoach points. AL'S TOP TARGETS 1. Callum Mills 2. Sam Darcy 3. Jason Horne-Francis Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2025: Top trade targets for round 15
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: AFL star Sam Butler posts stomach-churning photo of horrific injury that has kept him off the field for 418 days
AFL star Sam Butler has posted a stomach-churning image of his broken leg which saw the Hawthorn forward sidelined for over 400 days. Butler, 22, broke both his fibula and tibia in a game for VFL side Box Hill on April 28 last year in horrific scenes. Adding to the drama was Butler then having to wait half an hour for an ambulance to arrive and take him to hospital. A few niggles late in the pre-season delayed the youngster's start to 2025, but he has been recalled by Hawks coach Sam Mitchell to play the Western Bulldogs in a blockbuster at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Thursday night. Butler, who has displayed his versatility by playing in the midfield for Box Hill in recent weeks, will look to help the Hawks avoid a fourth successive defeat. Concerningly, they were hammered by premiership favourites Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions in their last two outings. Mitchell has outlined what he desperately wants to see from his players more than any other against the Bulldogs. 'I just think it's pressure,' the coach said. The Hawks were outclassed in the tackle counts against the Magpies and Lions, with the numbers - 82-38 and 59-36 - painting a grim picture. 'The winning tackle count is often not the winning team, but you can't get beaten the way we have been,' Mitchell added. 'Enabling the players to be able to put pressure on the opposition is going to be the most important thing for us.' Meanwhile, Luke Beveridge's Bulldogs are bracing themselves for a fierce attack on the contest from a desperate Hawthorn side. 'You're always wary when a club's been under the microscope a bit and the way they galvanise and prepare for their next game,' he said. 'We've got to be ready for their intensity in this game, because it might be more explosive than what you're sometimes used to. 'That's our challenge in the bigger part of the platform to springboard into the back half of the year off a really good experience. 'It's a really critical game for both clubs.'
Broadcast Pro
27-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
BLAST and eCLUTCH strike global esports broadcast deal
The BLAST deal is the first of a number of planned acquisitions by eCLUTCH, as part of its mass strategy to change the way esports is served to mainstream audiences. ECLUTCH, the rising force in esports broadcasting, has announced a major global rights deal with esports organiser BLAST to deliver some of the world's top-tier gaming tournaments to broader audiences across its network of pay-TV, FAST channels and OTT platforms. The multi-territory agreement covers live events from three of BLAST's most famous tournament ecosystems, each centred around leading titles in the gaming industry — Fortnite and Rocket League from Epic Games, and Rainbow Six: Siege from Ubisoft. This move signals a significant expansion in the way elite esports content reaches mainstream viewers worldwide. Sam Butler, Director of Acquisitions at eCLUTCH, said: 'BLAST events are a benchmark in tier one esports. The titles BLAST work with align perfectly with our content strategy of curating for the mainstream audience. BLAST is an ideal partner for eCLUTCH and aside from the quality of the content, the team are awesome to work with and they really understand the mainstream entertainment landscape.' Alexander Lewin, SVP Commercial Revenue at BLAST, added: 'We're thrilled to be partnering with eCLUTCH for some of our biggest events in 2025. eCLUTCH will help distribute BLAST in new innovative ways across the globe and we're excited for fans both new and existing to tune in for our action this year in a brand new way.' As part of the deal, BLAST's live esports events will be broadcast across eCLUTCH's platforms nearly every week through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. These tournaments, taking place in diverse global locations including Rio de Janeiro, Raleigh, and Lyon, offer a rotating lineup of distinctive player communities, cultures, and competitive energy, contributing to a continually fresh viewer experience. This marks the first in a series of anticipated acquisitions by eCLUTCH, reinforcing its ambitious strategy to transform how esports content is delivered to and consumed by mainstream audiences. By integrating live championships, FAST channels, and premium on-demand content into a unified, interactive experience, eCLUTCH is redefining esports entertainment. Leveraging advanced satellite broadcasting technology, eCLUTCH is expanding its global reach and accessibility, positioning itself as a premier destination for esports fans seeking top-quality viewing.
Broadcast Pro
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
eCLUTCH launches second 24/7 esports channel to expand global reach
Backed by strategic partnerships and global broadcasting technology from iKOMG, eCLUTCH LIVE 2 will be available across satellite, pay-TV, and connected TV platforms. eCLUTCH, the premium esports television platform, has officially launched eCLUTCH LIVE 2, a second 24/7 linear channel dedicated to broadcasting top-tier live esports tournaments and dynamic programming to a growing global audience. This expansion marks a significant step in the company's mission to redefine how esports is consumed on television. Built on the same multiscreen infrastructure as the original eCLUTCH LIVE channel, the new service is designed to appeal to both newcomers and seasoned esports enthusiasts alike. By offering more live content without compromising quality, eCLUTCH LIVE 2 aims to deliver a better viewing experience for fans around the world. Arnaud Verlhac, Managing Director, eCLUTCH, said: 'The launch of our second Premium live channel marks a new chapter in eClutch growth, building a consistent offer and delivering high-quality live content and tournaments wherever our audience is. We definitely aim to building a unique Media platform dedicated to LIVE esport events across the globe.' Sam Butler, Director of Acquisitions, eCLUTCH, added: 'When it comes to any sport, live is king and esports is no exception. This underpins eClutch's content strategy for curating the most exciting and relevant live esports events for a TV audience to create maximum impact and engagement for our distribution partners. The launch of a second channel allows eClutch to air even more live events, without compromising the excitement or immediacy of a truly live experience.' eCLUTCH LIVE 2 introduces a programmatic content structure that not only delivers premium live tournaments from top organisers like BLAST, Init Esports and Capcom, but also helps new viewers discover teams, personalities and stories within the esports world. It features enhanced interactive tools to deepen fan engagement and complements the original channel with expanded regional and genre-specific programming. Powered by iKOMG's global broadcasting technology, the new channel will be available via satellite, pay-TV, and connected TV platforms. This distribution strategy is aimed at reaching underserved and hard-to-access audiences, further extending esports' footprint worldwide. As esports viewership continues to skyrocket—forecasted to exceed 1bn by 2025—eCLUTCH is positioning itself as the essential link between traditional broadcast media and a new generation of digital-native fans.
