SuperCoach HQ

John Hall (ADL) $125k

With Eugene Galekovic ruled out for over a month, the Adelaide no.2 has emerged as the first no-brainer of the season. Albeit, many Fantasy managers were burned by Jamie Young last season in what was a similar injury situation, but facing a Wanderers side in transition, who haven’t picked up a point away to Adelaide since a 4-2 win in their debut season, Hall should be leading the way come the end of round 2.

Dylan McGowan (ADL) $150k

Another Reds defender is selected with Adelaide’s home game against the Wanderers looking the most probable clean sheet of the weekend. McGowan should retain his position in Guillermo Amor’s back four after a sturdy showing last Friday against Victory.

Daniel Bowles (BRI) $125k

Round 1’s highest scoring defender is knee-jerked straight into the Picks for round 2. If Bowles, who demonstrated his towering presence from set pieces against the Wanderers in last week’s season opener, can continue his impressive start to the season at home to the Mariners, there’s every chance he’ll be rewarded with bonus points too.

Jason Hoffman (NEW) $125k

Newcastle are a different proposition defensively this season. Although left-back Lee offers a great amount of attacking threat on the opposite flank, a no-frills Hoffman is a solid option as Newcastle look to grab their first clean sheet of the season at home to Sydney.

Marcelo Carrusca (ADL) $325k

After a slow start last round, Carrusca looks a comfortable shout to open his account at home to the Wanderers. Carrusca has already netted three times against Western Sydney, and with the added incentive of penalty duties and all the threat that the Argentine offers on a consistent basis, he looks like a genuine captaincy option too.

Diego Castro (PER) $225k

With a home fixture against Wellington on the cards, we’re backing the Spaniard to open his account for his new club when the Phoenix arrive in Western Australia. Castro supplied three shot assists in last week’s defeat to the Mariners, and with the Nix travelling halfway round the globe, we’re backing Castro to take advantage and consign the New Zealanders to more misery.

Mitch Austin (CCM) $100k

The game’s third most popular pick in midfield, Austin impressed on his debut against Perth last week without returning assist or goal points. The Mariners were swashbuckling going forward against Perth, and if they can replicate half of that performance, Austin could be set to benefit this time when the Mariners take on Brisbane on Sunday.

Aaron Mooy (MCY) $350k

Mooy is indispensable not only to Melbourne City, who rushed the Socceroo back into the squad for their 1-1 draw with Sydney last time out, but to the teams of Fantasy managers, who might look to do the same for the Melbourne derby on Saturday night. Can any side with ambitions for the top prize really do without the mercurial City midfielder? We doubt it.

Jamie Maclaren (BRI) $250k

Brisbane may have inadvertently found a replacement for Besart Berisha at last. The former Perth man wasted no time in getting off the mark last weekend against the Wanderers, scoring a double, and we think he’s a must have at the start of the season, and indeed for this round when Brisbane take on the Mariners. He looks central to everything Brisbane do.

Kosta Barbarouses (MVC) $275k

Melbourne Victory have won three of the last four Melbourne derbies by scorelines of 3-0, 3-0 and 5-2 – therefore it’s no surprise that we’ve lumped for two of their forward players for Saturday night’s big game. Although City might be made of sterner stuff this time around, Barbarouses and co. should still enjoy and benefit from what is historically an open affair.

Besart Berisha (MVC) $350k

Finally, we’re backing Besart Berisha to bounce back from a coach-killing showing against Adelaide last week. Berisha has developed an odd erraticism in front of goal over the past season, but still remains the top marksman in the league and can normally be depended upon to deliver in big games – he’s scored five in his last four in this one, including a hat trick.

Supercoach HQ Round 2 XI (3-4-3)