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[Presto]

The best bargain buys of KFC SuperCoach 2020

Everyone loves a bargain, especially in SuperCoach. And this year we are blessed with a long shopping list of star player available at discount prices. How many can you fit in your squad?

Alistair Paton, Herald Sun

Subscriber only

January 22, 2020 12:59pm

Everyone loves a bargain, especially in KFC SuperCoach.

When trying to pack 30 top-scoring guns into your squad the key is finding players who can deliver value for money.

Look no further.

Due to injuries, time off or a late start to their AFL career, these players have received a discount - in some cases a very big one - from the SuperCoach bankers who assign starting prices for the 2020 season.

Who are you picking?

Sam Docherty (Carl) $436,100 DEF

The Blues co-captain was the first picked player in plenty of SuperCoach teams last year before suffering another knee injury in the pre-season. He will ease his way into full training after Christmas following a trip to the US, but he’s on track for Round 1. It’s two years since his breakout 2016-17 seasons when he emerged as one of the top defenders in the game, averaging 109 and 115 points. But at that price, he’s a risk worth taking.

Marlion Pickett (Rich) $123,900 MID

Richmond’s one-game wonder will be one of the most popular players in SuperCoach after scoring 96 points in his only AFL game, which also happened to be a Grand Final. Luckily for us, finals don't come into SuperCoach price calculations. The 28-year-old is cheaper than some teenage draftees.

Devon Smith (Ess) $335,800 FWD/MID

Ask any Essendon fan how much they missed Smith last season. He was one of the top SuperCoach forwards in 2018 (98 average) after crossing to the Bombers, but he was clearly not right in his seven games last year before sitting out the rest of the season with a knee injury. Latest reports from the track say he's absolutely flying.

Devon Smith is in great shape at pre-season training.

Mitchell Hibberd (Ess) $114,400 MID

Could be the hard midfielder Essendon needs if he can grasp his AFL lifeline. Hibberd was delisted by North Melbourne at the end of 2018 but had a great season for Williamstown, making the VFL team of the year and starring in the grand final before the Bombers pounced in the rookie draft. “I’ve still got a lot of AFL football left in me and I plan on proving everyone wrong,” the 23-year-old said. Also cheap as chips.

Jack Steven (Geel) $361,700 FWD/MID

Will a move home refresh the four-time Saints best-and-fairest winner? The early signs are good. At his best Steven is a SuperCoach dynamo — he scored 154 as recently as Round 23, 2018 and averaged 90-plus for the three seasons before 2019 — but his seven matches last year included a 32 and two scores in the 60s. Dual-position status a big plus.

Izak Rankine (GC) $123,900 FWD

One of the most hyped draftees going into last year but the No. 3 pick didn’t play a game after suffering a hamstring injury in the pre-season comp. The No. 1-ranked player at the 2018 under-18 championships (where he averaged 120 SuperCoach points a game) is $75,000 cheaper than he was 12 months ago.

Tom Doedee (Adel) $273,700 DEF

The young Crows defender was a revelation in 2018 when he averaged 82 points as a rookie, but he managed just one quarter in 2019 before rupturing his ACL. If he’s fully fit an intercepting role is his for the taking with Alex Keath now at the Western Bulldogs.

Nic Naitanui (WC) $457,800 RUCK

Nic Nat played three games mid-season last year — scoring 99, 84 and 94 — then returned for the finals, scoring 68 and 90. His knees are always a worry but the big selling point is picking him instead of Brodie Grundy or Max Gawn frees up almost $250,000 to spend elsewhere. If you’re feeling really brave, Sam Jacobs is just $348,400.

Callan Ward (GWS) $511,400 MID

Forgotten man who played just one game last season, scoring four points before wrecking his knee. A model of consistency before that, he played at least 20 games every season from 2011-18 (including 95 in a row) and averaging 89, 107, 97, 113, 106, 106, 100 and 105 in that time. A safe bet.

Tom McDonald (Melb) $387,000 FWD

After a nightmare first half of last season he found form after the bye — scoring 135, 62 and 139 in successive weeks — before a knee injury ended his year. Priced at a 71 average, can he produce numbers more like his 2018 season when he averaged 97.6 points a game? If the Demons bounce back hard he’s a chance.

Stephen Hill (Frem) $190,600 DEF/FWD

Freo wingman is a huge steal after missing most of last season with quad and calf injuries. Not a noted SuperCoach scorer but at that price he only needs to score 50 or more to jump in value (he averaged in the mid-90s in 2015-16 and in the 80s in his most recent full seasons). We know his body is fragile but you can’t ignore him if he’s on the park.

Harley Bennell

Not on an AFL list yet so we don’t have a price but expect him to be under $130,000 if Melbourne gives him a start. Has barely played for four years but he could be a superstar — he averaged 98, 97, 96 and 102 from 2012-15 — and if he’s playing in Round 1 everyone will take the risk.

 

[Presto]

Seven players you will need in your SuperCoach team this year

Everyone can tell you the big name stars to pick in SuperCoach. But it’s the ones you miss that separate the contenders from the pretenders. Check out Gilbert’s magnificent seven for 2020.

Gilbert Gardiner, Herald Sun

Subscriber only

| January 22, 2020 7:00am

Brodie Grundy will be in just about every KFC SuperCoach team in 2020.

That’s great, but the art of SuperCoach is not the players everyone picks. It’s the ones they miss that separates the contenders from the pretenders.

You can’t compete for the $50,000 grand prize unless you nail your starting 30-man, $10 million squad.

These may not be the biggest stars in the game, but they are the SuperCoach specials who will lay the foundations for a season of success, pumping points into your tally early and setting you up for those crucial mid-season upgrades. Each represents huge upside.

Over the next few weeks astute SuperCoach minds will digest a range of list management questions. How many elite scorers can we squeeze in? What is the right balance of mid-priced and cash cow prospects? Who can we afford to leave out?

Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the magnificent seven.

Lachie Whitfield (GWS) $604,100 FWD/MID

Endurance freak with exceptional skills, Whitfield needs only to stay fit and healthy to go close to being one of the game’s most prolific SuperCoach scorers. Whitfield, who suffered a broken collarbone mid-season in 2019, averaged 111 in 16 games. Dual-position eligibility (FWD/MID) an added bonus after being listed as a defender only last season.

Lachie Whitfield is a must-have in SuperCoach forward lines.

Tim Kelly (WCE) $561,800 MID

As silly as it sounds, Kelly — who went within striking distance of the Brownlow Medal last season — maps to only get better at West Coast with Nic Naitanui feeding him the ball. The only thing more impressive than magnet Kelly keeping Champion Data statisticians busy with kicks and handballs is the jet’s ability to drift forward and kick goals.

​

Ollie Florent (Syd) $373,400 MID

There is always one player that comes out of the mid-priced pack and makes you question whether or not to pull the trigger and trade during the bye rounds or hang onto him as a late-season POD. The fourth-year Swan tonned up twice in the last three rounds last year and with luck could be the surprise packet we need.

Dylan Roberton (StK) $260,400 DEF

As good as any half-back flanker in the competition, the Saints veteran just needs to stay healthy to be a serious money-making SuperCoach machine. All going well we could see Roberton rivalling the likes of Jake Lloyd, Rory Laird and Bachar Houli at about a third of the starting price. Carlton star Sam Docherty in the mix also, but happy to watch a few rounds following back-to-back knee reconstructions.

Marlion Pickett (Rich) $123,900 MID

The blind turn on DEBUT in the second quarter of the GRAND FINAL and pin-point long kick for a mark inside 50 is more than enough of a reason to bank on Pickett. The fact the mid-season rookie draft pick was in the conversation for the Norm Smith Medal at the end of that debut spectacular is merely the cherry on top.

Devon Smith (Ess) $335,800 (MID)

One of the most popular SuperCoach types in 2018 then battled injury all last year, managing just the seven matches. Ready to bounce back now. Ex-Giants forward-midfielder Smith had a five-year 87.7 average going into the wrecked 2019 campaign.

Darcy Cameron (Coll) $123,900 RUC/FWD

Take on trust as ruck minutes will be at a premium with Brodie Grundy the Pies’ top dog, but the former Sydney Swans tall could sneak a place forward of centre. Cameron hit the scoreboard regularly the past two seasons at Swans NEAFL level and if history should repeat it would not surprise to see the 204cm West Australian put selection pressure on Mason Cox. The ideal third ruck option with potential to bank some money.

 

[Presto]

The Phantom’s SuperCoach 2020 Pre-Season: Premium midfielder anaylsis

How many Bulldogs can you start? Who is a sure-thing? And which guns are undervalued? The Phantom runs the rule of the premium midfielders in SuperCoach for 2020

The Phantom, The Advertiser

Subscriber only

|

January 22, 2020 7:30am

It’s where the points are but who is worth the top-price in the midfield? Here’s a look at the all-important premium options for 2020.

THE TOP DOGS

Jack Macrae ($668,900), Josh Dunkley ($632,400) and Marcus Bontempelli ($623,000).

The star Bulldogs finished last season as the second, fifth and sixth-ranked SuperCoach players in the game respectively.

Macrae, who was the competition’s No. 1 ball-winner in 2019, finished with 100 points or more in 19 of his 22 games, passing the 120-point mark in 14 of them. It followed 16 SuperCoach tons from his 18 non-injury-affected matches in 2018.

In fact, of the top-10 most-expensive midfielders in 2020, only Patrick Dangerfield has scored more points than Macrae over the past three years.

While Macrae leads the way, his star teammates aren’t far behind.

Bontempelli spent more time in the midfield last season — after being used for long stints forward over the previous two years — and his numbers spiked as a result.

The 23-year-old, who averaged 104 points per game in 2018, passed the 130-point mark in seven games and added 11 points to his SuperCoach average.

With the addition of key-forward Josh Bruce and defender Alex Keath, who will allow Aaron Naughton to stay in attack, Bontempelli could improve that number again, as a full-time midfielder.

Dunkley was the one who did start forward in 2019 but that didn’t last long

After a permanent move into the midfield in Round 7, the 190cm 22-year-old exploded, posting a SuperCoach ton in 14 of the next 16 matches, including a huge 202-point performance in Round 17.

If you remove the first six games of the season, when he failed to pass three figures in attack, Dunkley’s average of 128 as a midfielder was bettered by only ruckmen Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn.

So could we actually start all three in 2020?

Their combined averages - Macrae 123, Dunkley 116 and Bontempelli 115 – make them the 10th-best midfield trio since 2003. Only a number of champion Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn and St Kilda combinations have rated better in the past 17 years.

So, yes, you could, depending on how many other Round 14 bye players you go with.

Especially given Luke Beveridge’s side’s fixture this season.

The trio dominated at Marvel Stadium last year and the Bulldogs play 12 matches there in 2020.

Macrae averaged 138, Dunkley 135 – 150 from Round 7 onwards – and Bontempelli 117 points per game at the venue in 2019.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Macrae is a must but you really could have them all in 2020.

THE SURE-THINGS

Patrick Dangerfield (Geel)

$625,500

As mentioned earlier, of the top 10 – 11 if we’re including Tom Mitchell who missed all of 2019 – most-expensive midfielders this year, Dangerfield has scored 362 more points than any player over the past three years. And he’s seventh on the list by price.

After averaging 130 or more in consecutive seasons, the 29-year-old averaged 122 in 2018, before the figure fell to 115 last year.

It was still the ninth-best in the competition, despite an injury-affected score of 26 in Round 7.

But there is an explanation for the slight fall.

In the past two seasons, with the Cats in need of another marking target in attack and with Tim Kelly’s presence in the midfield, Dangerfield spent plenty of time inside-50.

In 2020, there is no Kelly and Geelong now have Josh Jenkins to fit in alongside Tom Hawkins and a fit Esava Ratugolea.

Geelong coach Chris Scott still might use his best player forward this year – he’s just too good not to – but even if his centre-bounce numbers increase slightly, the 120-point mark is in danger once again.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Lock him in.

Nat Fyfe at Dockers training over summer. Picture: Will Russell/Getty

Nat Fyfe (Freo)

$651,600

After 17 SuperCoach tons, six of them in excess of 140, the 2019 Brownlow Medallist finished as one of only four players in the competition to average 120 or more last year – even with the concussion-affected 63 in Round 3.

It was the third time he’s achieved the feat in his career.

And after playing just 41 of a possible 66 matches in the previous three seasons, Fyfe only missed two games last year as a result of minor, and unlucky, incidents – concussion and an infected elbow.

Who’s going to argue the league’s best contested-ball player won’t average 120 again if his body stays sound?

Not me, that’s for sure.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: I’m not using his injury history as an excuse not to pick him this year.

Lachie Neale (Bris)

$658,500

Speaking of durability and 120-point season-averages, there’s no safer selection in 2020 than the Brisbane star.

In his first year at the club, Neale posted 17 SuperCoach tons and finished with 322 more points than any other Lion.

But, while it did to some, the scoring should’ve come as no surprise, given Neale averaged 117 points in his final 18 games as a Docker.

And the previous year he averaged 112, if you take out the injury and role-affected 44 in Round 21.

And in 2016, he finished the season as the fifth-ranked scorer in the competition after recording an average of 113.

Yeah, he’s been doing it for a while.

The 26-year-old has also been playing a lot of football for a while now, too, missing only two matches since 2013.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: As safe as premium selections come in 2020.

Patrick Cripps (Carl)

$635,900

Oh, yes, this guy should probably get a mention in this category, too.

The Carlton co-captain has posted 18 scores of 120 or more over the past two seasons, nine of them in excess of 150.

And on four occasions, the contested-ball beast has passed the 169-point mark.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Another big scorer who could make you wish you had not left him out. But you can’t start them all.

UNDERVALUED?

Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)

$593,900

Dangerfield and Macrae might lead the way for total points over the past three seasons amongst the most-expensive midfielders but Oliver is the only one of the top-11 to have played every game.

Even after a double-shoulder reconstruction last off-season – a statement which makes his 109-point average of 2019 even more impressive.

But what really stands out is the fact last year was only the 22-year-old’s fourth season in the competition.

And in the previous two he finished with averages of 111 and 115 respectively.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Don’t forget about the young Demon in the shine of the stars priced above him.

Rory Sloane (Adelaide)

$559,300

Like his side, the newly-appointed sole captain was underwhelming in 2019.

But he still posted 14 SuperCoach tons, six of them in excess of 120.

The 29-year-old was inconsistent last year but he continued to a show a vast improvement in being able to deal with opposition attention – something, along with injury, which played a big part in his disappointing 97-point average in 2018.

But, as Sloane’s nine scores of 130 or more in 2017 proves, his SuperCoach scoring power unquestioned.

He’ll want to – and a young Crows side will need him to – lead from the front in 2020.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: If the Crows win more games than many expect them to this season, it’s likely to be on the back of this guy.

Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)

$579,100

Just quickly, the 30-year-old has stayed well out of the SuperCoach limelight so far this summer with Neale gaining all the attention.

But a closer look, past his 107-point season average, shows Zorko averaged 116 points per game from the Lions’ bye through to the semi-final loss to the Giants last year.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Just one to keep in the back of your mind.

HOLD OFF

Josh Kelly (GWS)

$637,700

The smooth-moving Giant only played 14 home-and-away matches last season but he finished with a SuperCoach ton in 11 of them – six of them in excess of 120.

In 2018, Kelly only played 15 games but scored 130 or more on five occasions, including a 202-point performance against the Blues.

Even most of the players listed above struggle to match the 24-year-old’s scoring when he’s up and going. But most of them played more than 29 games in the past two seasons.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: It’s hard to ignore a favourite but, while he’s enjoying a solid summer to date, the numbers say there’s better options for now.

Tom Mitchell (Haw)

$630,900

With still no time frame on his return to the field, the discount the Hawthorn ball-magnet received in SuperCoach after a year out of the game is unlikely to be enough to make him worth the risk in Round 1.

Even if he is there for the Hawks’ season opener against Brisbane, will his game-time be limited?

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Start planning on when and how you will be trading him in.

 

[Presto]

The Phantom’s SuperCoach Pre-Season: The best premium options in defence

Is Jake Lloyd worth the money? Can Rory Laird bounce back? The Phantom runs the rule over the top-price SuperCoach options in defence.

The Phantom, The Advertiser

Subscriber only

|

January 21, 2020 10:08am

Current Time 0:15

Welcome, my friends. SuperCoach is here and that means it’s time for the start of The Phantom’s pre-season.

Who is worth the top-price in defence? Here’s a look at the premium options for 2020.

THE TOP-PRICE

Jake Lloyd (Syd)

$591,400

The neat-kicking Swan picked up where he left off in 2018, confirming his status as a top-line SuperCoach premium – arguably, the only one in defence.

After posting SuperCoach tons in 13 of the final 15 matches of the previous year, Lloyd passed the 100-point mark 15 times to Round 18, 2019.

In his role as the distributor from half-back, the 26-year-old became even more prolific as his teammates continued to look for him whenever they could.

Lloyd, on average, tallied three more disposals per game and ranked first for effective disposals and metres gained and second for total kicks and rebound 50s in the competition.

The right-footer scored 236 more points than any other defender in SuperCoach and the 12th-most of any player.

But it’s what happened from Round 18 – or even earlier - onwards that is of some concern – albeit only slightly.

Between Rounds 1 and 12, Lloyd averaged 32 disposals and 117 points but with the introduction of Jordan Dawson’s more permanent role in defence, his average fell to less than 100 from Round 14.

A closer look reveals Lloyd still won plenty of football but his ability to impact the game as the chief – and only – distributor was hindered.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Again, it’s only a slight concern but, at the top price, are you better off waiting to see how it plays out early in 2020? That’s what I’m doing.

BOUNCING BACK

Rory Laird (Adel)

$525,800

In 2019, the ball-winning Adelaide defender posted eight SuperCoach tons less, and tallied four disposals less per game, than he did in the previous year.

And it resulted in Laird’s average falling by 11.

A disappointing year, right? Well, only by his high standards.

The 26-year-old still finished the year as the fourth-ranked SuperCoach defender, despite only breaking the 100-point barrier twice after Adelaide’s Round 14 bye.

It’s no coincidence his side won the same amount of games in the run-home.

The Crows failed to play the game on their terms for most of 2019 and it was a big reason Laird failed to get the ball in his hands as much as he did in 2018 – a year which saw him average 32 disposals and 108 points per game.

But it’s been a summer of rejuvenation at West Lakes and new coach Matthew Nicks knows his side needs to be better at creating – and then scoring from – turnovers.

Two years ago, Laird was the fourth-ranked player for intercept possessions in the league. Last year, he was 13th.

Expect those numbers, most of them in fact, to climb in 2020.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Laird was a top-four SuperCoach defender in what was a year to forget for his club. If that’s the floor to Laird’s output – and I think it’s pretty close – he’s hard to pass up at $525k.

James Sicily (Haw)

$509,500

Sicily’s final three scores of 140, 47 and 124 summed up his 2019 perfectly.

At his best, the 25-year-old’s scoring power is as good as any player in the game.

But after coach Alastair Clarkson, to the frustration of SuperCoaches Australia-wide, used Sicily inside 50 and as a lockdown defender on the opposition’s best forward at times, it wasn’t on show consistently last year.

In total, Sicily posted nine SuperCoach tons but also six scores of 77 or less.

But Clarkson is back in the good books, at least for now, after, through his list management team, adding key-defender Sam Frost and tall-forward Jon Patton to his side in the trade period.

In 2018, Sicily averaged the second-most intercept possessions and metres gained in the competition and averaged 105 points per game before injury ended his home-and-away season in Round 15.

With what appears to be an opportunity for Sicily to play the SuperCoach-friendly role of the floating-tall across half-back, the 105-point mark is in sight again.

But can we trust Sicily himself to stay focused on the task at hand?

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: It all comes down to trust. Is there enough? Because there’s more-than-enough ability. If you’re brave, you might be handsomely rewarded.

 

[Presto]

NEXT GEN

Zac Williams (GWS)

$551,700

Whether it was dashing off half-back or winning the ball through the midfield – in the absence of a number of star teammates - Williams was a prolific SuperCoach scorer in 2019.

After missing the entire 2018 season through injury, Williams bounced back in a big way, posting 11 SuperCoach tons – five in excess of 120 – in a career-best year.

The 25-year-old then impressed in the Giants’ finals campaign, with two performances in particular highlighting further his ability in different areas of the ground.

In the semi-final win over Brisbane, Williams starred in defence, tallying 17 disposals – all of them effective – eight intercepts, six tackles, 456 metres gained and a game-high 137 points.

A week later in the preliminary final, the long-kicking right-footer was, arguably, the best midfielder on the ground, finishing with 25 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 clearances and 115 points.

He may not feature in the centre square as often in 2020, given the return of Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio, but, on recent form, that’s unlikely to affect his SuperCoach scoring.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: And that means he’s a SuperCoach must-have in defence at some stage this season. It just all comes down to balance – and personal preference – in your starting squad.

Caleb Daniel (WB)

$537,200

The skilful 23-year-old tallied 30 disposals or more eight times last year and scored in excess of 85 SuperCoach points in 13 of his 17 matches.

It was a super-consistent first season as a playmaking defender, to say the least.

After a glimpse of the new role at the end of 2018, Daniel’s efficiency and ability to influence the game, standout traits of an impressive junior career – which featured a huge 171-point average at the 2014 under-18 championships – finally came to the fore at the top-level last season.

The 168cm right-footer was the ninth-ranked player in the competition for effective disposals in a year which was interrupted by a hamstring injury in Round 15.

And more music to the ears of SuperCoaches, Daniel played-on from 85 per cent of his kick-ins.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Daniel won’t win you a head-to-head match-up with a 150-point performance but he might be as reliable as any in 2020 for a three-figure score.

Tom Stewart (Geel)

$533,200

In his third season in the competition, if you include the finals, the 26-year-old tallied more kicks, rebounds 50s and metres gained than any other player in the competition.

In a regular season, which earned him the second All-Australian jacket of his short career, Stewart scored 87 SuperCoach points or more in 18 of his 22 matches, passing the 100-point mark on eight occasions.

Of all defenders, only Lloyd finished with more points in 2019, as the intercept star added 13 points to his average.

He was so influential last year, Eagles coach Adam Simpson deployed Mark Hutchings to play a defensive forward role on him in the semi-final.

But he still tallied 24 disposals and 92 points.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Can he get even better in his fourth season? Stewart is a great starting selection but he’s unlikely to make you hurt if you leave him out to begin.

UNDERPRICED?

Dan Houston (Port)

$484,800, MID

For a while, Port Adelaide’s midfield has had little problem winning the ball but it’s what it did away from the stoppage which was a problem in 2019.

Enter Dan Houston.

If the 22-year-old’s pre-season – along with senior assistant coach Michael Voss’ glowing endorsement on Monday – he’s set to play a midfield role on a permanent basis in 2020.

And it all started in China last year.

In his first appearance in the Power’s engine room, which resulted in 98 SuperCoach points, Houston recorded then career-high disposals (28), effective disposals (22), clearances (7) and loose-ball gets (7) after attending 22 centre bounces against the Saints.

But, along with his efficient ball-use, what stood out the most was Houston’s clanger count.

He didn’t register one.

The smart right-footer played eight more matches as a pure midfielder, following coach Ken Hinkley’s experiment in Round 11, averaging 24 disposals and 94 SuperCoach points in those games.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: With 22 games in the midfield, Houston is a very, very likely top-eight defender.

Jordan Dawson (Syd)

$467,800, FWD

Two years ago, with one senior game to his name, Jordan Dawson arrived for day one of pre-season, as he put it, “a bit too fat”.

Fast forward two years and the 22-year-old crossed the line first in the club’s opening two 2km time trials of the 2019 campaign.

He’s fit and full of confidence after finding his place – and cementing it – across halfback in Sydney’s best 22 last season.

But, he didn’t just cement it.

After the Swans’ bye, despite two stints forward in Rounds 19 and 22, Dawson spent 77 per cent of game-time in defence and ranked second at the club for effective kicks, fourth for metres gained and ninth for disposals, uncontested possessions and handball-receives.

And the long-kicking left-footer booted seven goals and scored 93 points or more in six of the final nine matches of the year, four of them SuperCoach tons.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: It’s a lot to pay if it doesn’t come off but three-figures is on the cards for a player who could become one of the game’s next statistical beasts.

 

[Presto]

KFC SuperCoach 2020: Top cash cow at every club

Getting your rookies right is the key to SuperCoach success. Who should you pick? Here are 18 bottom-priced players making a strong case for AFL selection, and in our SuperCoach teams.

Dan Batten, Herald Sun

Subscriber only

January 23, 2020 7:00am

Most SuperCoaches already know which top-line stars they want, but picking cheapies can be tricky.

Even in January there are clear standouts, like a Tiger one-game wonder at a bargain basement price.

But judging whether some cheapies will see senior action – whether they are fresh draftees, mature-age recruits or developing youngsters – is a tough ask, especially two months out from Round 1.

Monitor the below list throughout the pre-season and use the Marsh Community Series to assess if they will be productive cash cows for your side.

But if you need rookies to fill bench spots in your early team, here are the leading contenders from each club ahead of season 2020.

ADELAIDE

Ned McHenry $123,900 MID

Adelaide will look to give opportunity to their kids and expect McHenry to feature in their new-look line-up. The No.16 pick in the 2018 draft was restricted by injuries in his first year but booted four goals in a senior SANFL final. tackling machine can impact up forward and in the midfield and has all the tools to score well.

BRISBANE LIONS

Deven Robertson $117,3000 MID

The strong midfielder broke Sam Walsh’s Under-18 carnival disposal record last year and will feature prominently in our SuperCoach sides in the future. It’s just a matter of breaking into that Lions midfield, which is a tough ask.

CARLTON

Tom Williamson $146,3000 DEF

Injury has kept the running defender to just two AFL games since his impressive first season in 2017. Sam Docherty’s return doesn’t help the 21-year-old’s chances but he is one to watch out for.

COLLINGWOOD

Darcy Cameron $123,900 RUCK/FWD

Cameron has been stuck in the Swans ruck queue for several years but will hope to challenge Mason Cox for the role of tall forward and ruck back-up to Brodie Grundy at the Magpies. The 205cm 24-year-old stands out as the leading cheap ruck option.

ESSENDON

Mitch Hibberd $114,400 MID

Former Kangaroo suffered an injury setback at training last week but has been cleared of serious damage to his knee. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old remains one of the leading midfield rookie options after averaging 128 points in the VFL last season as an inside midfielder – the kind of player the Bombers desperately need.

FREMANTLE

Stephen Hill $190,600 DEF/FWD

A player who has twice averaged over 95 points in a season for $190k with rare defender/forward dual position status is SuperCoach gold. Hill has played just 16 games in the past two seasons due to injury but the 29-year-old is worth the risk. He sits just ahead of smooth moving draftee Hayden Young ($180,3000 DEF) in the Docker rookie ranks.

GEELONG

Nakia Cockatoo $148,200 MID/FWD

It’s never been a question of talent for the Cats playmaker. Cockatoo is too good to resist at this price if he is fit and firing but, like Hill, injuries are always a concern.

GOLD COAST

Izak Rankine $123,9000 FWD

It would be easy to go with No.1 pick Matt Rowell, but Rankine comes much more cheaply after an injury interrupted first season at the Suns. The excitement machine could be anything and is set to make us a truckload of cash.

HAWTHORN

Finn Maginness $117,3000 MID

A bid came later than expected for the Hawthorn father-son which puts him in the base cash cow bracket. The fitness freak averaged 94 points per game at the Under-18 carnival and is one to watch during the pre-season.

GWS GIANTS

Tom Green $166,800 MID

This Giant looms as the next SuperCoach beast. The clearance machine had a higher contested possession rate than Patrick Cripps at Under-18 level, winning a whopping 66 per cent in a contest. Can he force his way into the Giants’ stacked midfield?

MELBOURNE

Trent Rivers $117,3000 DEF/MID

The Demons are crying out for efficient ball use and pace and Rivers brings these qualities in spades. The youngster has a mature frame and is another to keep tabs on during the Marsh Community Series. Kysaiah Pickett ($157,800 FWD) could also break into Melbourne’s side early.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Lachie Hosie $123,9000 FWD

Hosie joined the Roos through last season’s mid-season draft after booting 21 goals in eight games at SANFL level. The 22-year-old forward can perform in the air and at ground level and could get senior opportunity in 2020.

PORT ADELAIDE

Jackson Mead $117,3000 MID

The father-son draftee is closing in on a Round 1 berth and should debut sooner rather than later. Mead averaged 106 SuperCoach points at the Under-18 national championships and is one to slot on your midfield bench for now.

RICHMOND

Marlion Pickett $123,9000 MID

Pickett was in more than 80 per cent of pre-season sides thanks to his magnificent 96-point Grand Final debut. Thankfully, that performance isn’t factored into the 28-year-old’s 2020 starting price, making him a must-have.

ST KILDA

Jack Bytel $123,9000 FWD

The young Saint was kept on the sidelines his first season because of back surgery but is every chance to crack into their best 22 early in 2020. The tough midfielder thrives in the contest and is a strong tackler, two features that bode well for SuperCoach.

SYDNEY

Will Gould $117,3000 DEF

The Shannon Hurn comparisons are one thing, an average of 89 points at senior SANFL level in his Under-18 year is another. The big-bodied defender should get opportunities from the outset in a transitioning Swans side.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Ben Cavarra $123,9000 FWD

We had Cavarra locked into our forward lines last pre-season, but the mature-age recruit — who starred for years in the VFL — failed to play a game in his debut season. If he can break into the Bulldogs side before the season kicks off, he is close to a must-have.

WEST COAST

Jarrod Brander $133,000 FWD

Not much to speak of on the rookie front for the Eagles after giving away a raft of draft picks in the Tim Kelly deal during the trade period. Brander played two games last season but the 2017 first round draftee should feature more prominently in his third season.

 

[freowho]

KFC SuperCoach 2020: Top cash cow at every club

Getting your rookies right is the key to SuperCoach success. Who should you pick? Here are 18 bottom-priced players making a strong case for AFL selection, and in our SuperCoach teams.

.

Not much there.

 

[Presto]

KFC SuperCoach: Should you pay $1.4 million for the ‘set and forget’ ruck duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy?

Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn are massive SuperCoach scorers, and come with price tags to match. There are some much cheaper options this year, but can you afford to leave out the big two?

Tim Michell, Herald Sun

Subscriber only

January 24, 2020 7:00am

I’ll get him after their bye.

It was a common line before the start of 2019 from SuperCoaches who were unwilling to fork out $1.4 million to start Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn.

The plan seemed sound enough. Surely one of the premium ruck pair would be $50,000-$100,000 cheaper halfway through the season.

Gawn scuppered those plans when he pumped out scores of 144, 149, 158 and 153 in consecutive weeks before the bye, surging to $706,000 — $13,900 more than his starting price.

Grundy was $22,000 cheaper than his starting quote of $708,200, but you have to wonder whether that saving was worth hundreds of points which went begging.

By Queen’s Birthday, Grundy and Gawn had clearly established themselves as the No.1 and No.2 ruckmen of the season.

The Demons star ranked No. 1 at the bye with 1553 points, 43 more than the year’s eventual No. 1 scorer Grundy (1510).

At Round 13, the season’s third ranked ruckman Todd Goldstein had 1219 points, highlighting the huge gulf between the best and the rest.

Of course, you could make up those 300 points by spending the money saved on premium scorers in other positions.

New GWS ruckman Sam Jacobs ($348,400) and West Coast’s Nic Naitanui ($457,800) will be popular for bargain hunters, raising the possibility of starting with one of the big two and a cheaper second ruck with a plan to upgrade to the other one after they share the Round 13 bye.

Naitanui has been a premium SuperCoach scorer in the past and so has Jacobs — that was a few years ago but he’s likely to be the No.1 big man again at GWS. Both will be tapping the ball to elite midfields and are likely to rise in value.

But can they hit the heights necessary to bridge the huge gap to Grundy and Gawn, even if the Pies and Demons big men suffer a small price drop?

Last year the cheapest you could get Grundy (before the final two rounds) was $655,100 in Round 9. Gawn’s lowest price was $639,900 in Round 6. That’s too early to make much money from a rookie you would need to cash in as part of an upgrade — it would have cost $136,000 to turn Todd Goldstein into Grundy and $107,200 to turn him into Gawn.

And Nic Nat and Jacobs are starting from way behind where Goldstein was last year.

Save yourself the hassle of when to trade in Grundy and Gawn and pay top dollar to start them.

It’ll mean sacrificing in other positions, but the star duo will more than make up for it.

SIX REASONS TO GO WITH THE ‘SET AND FORGET’ RUCK SET-UP

1. TWO CAPTAINCY OPTIONS

Play your captaincy smartly and you’ll have choice of either Gawn or Grundy as captain most rounds. The Magpies and Demons only have overlapping fixtures five times in the current fixture and the vice-captain loophole doesn’t get much simpler than looping Gawn into Grundy, or vice-versa.

2. MONSTER SCORING POTENTIAL

Grundy scored 140-plus in eight matches last season with a high of 174, while Gawn went 140-plus seven times with a best of 212 in Round 23. It doesn’t get much better than that in SuperCoach grand final week!

3. SAVING TRADES

If you don’t start Gawn and Grundy, the likelihood is you’ll need to burn two trades at some point to get either into your team (one downgrade, one upgrade). That’s two valuable trades you could better use elsewhere.

4. THE VALUE RUCKS ARE RISKY

Sam Jacobs SHOULD be No.1 ruckman at GWS, but the Giants still have Shane Mumford on their list and developing rucks Lachlan Keefe and Kieren Briggs. His job security won’t be a huge concern, but can he really score the numbers you need to gain $150,000-plus? Nic Naitanui’s injury history is enough to put me off.

5. CONSISTENT OUTPUT

There are no players who compare to Grundy and Gawn for sheer consistency. Their 2019 averages of 130 (Grundy) and 128.4 (Gawn) were more than five points a game higher than the No.1 ranked midfielder Jackson Macrae (123.2) and 12 points more than the best forward Josh Dunkley (116.5). Between them they have missed one game to injury over the past two seasons.

6. YOU SHOULD HAVE COVER IN ROUND 13

The AFL hasn’t done SuperCoaches any favours by giving Gawn and Grundy Round 13 off together. But it’s a scenario we’ve run into before and if you plan the rest of your team accordingly, you should still be able to field the required 18 players in week two of the byes.

2020 SuperCoach ruck options

Brodie Grundy (Collingwood) 2019 average: 130 2020 price: $705,900

Price at bye: $676,200 (-$22,000)

Points at bye: 1510 (average: 125.8)

Lowest price: $616,200 (Round 23)

Max Gawn (Melbourne) 2019 average: 128.4 2020 price: $697,100

Price at bye: $706,000 (+$13,900)

Points at bye: 1553 (average: 129.4)

Lowest price: $604,300 (Round 19)

Others to consider for 2020

Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) 2019 average: 112.2 $609,400

Rowan Marshall (St Kilda) 2019 average: 110.3 $598,700

Nic Naitanui (West Coast) 2019 average: 93.7 $457,800

Tim English (Western Bulldogs) 2019 average: 82.6 $448,400

Sam Jacobs (GWS Giants) 2019 average: 80.2 $348,400

WHO ARE THE EXPERTS PICKING?

Tim Michell: Gawn, Grundy and loophole Matt Conroy are locked in.

Al Paton: I’m a boring Grundy-Gawn man. The bench is more interesting, normally I go for the cheapest ruck available (Conroy) but I think Darcy Cameron ($123,900 RUCK/FWD) is a chance to get games at the Pies.

Gilbert Gardiner: Grundy-Goldstein but football department inquiring with Nic Nat’s people.

The Phantom: I’ve given in. Gawn and Grundy for me.

Dan Batten: Grundy/Nic Nat (Conroy) for now

 

[Presto]

SuperCoach: Want to select a ruck premium other than Grundy or Gawn? The Phantom looks at the best options

It might be a risk to go against the two best scorers in SuperCoach, but The Phantom has named the premium alternatives to powerful ruck duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy.

The Phantom, The Advertiser

Subscriber only

January 23, 2020 12:15pm

It’s a risky move.

Actually, it’s more than that.

Overlooking the top-two scorers in the competition, let alone in a position which allows just two on-field spots, might have you playing catch-up from the get-go.

I could spend this entire article outlining why you should start with Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn but I won’t.

My fellow SuperCoach friend Tim Michell has that covered. Look out for that on Friday.

But for those of you who do want something else – and don’t trust any of the mid-price options in the ruck – there’s three serious options to consider. Two of them will free up a considerable amount of cash but, as always, it all depends on how you can spend it elsewhere.

Reilly O’Brien (Adelaide)

$517,400

After the Sam Jacobs injury in Round 2 last year, Adelaide, with no real alternative, recalled O’Brien for his first senior game since 2016.

He struggled at the centre bounce but, immediately, O’Brien showed his competitiveness, strong marking and ball-winning ability at ground level.

The 24-year-old posted SuperCoach scores of 85, 84, 90, 88 and 123 in his first five matches of the 2019.

But he was only just getting started.

As the 202cm big man’s confidence grew – as did the understanding of why the Crows’ faith in the back-up ruckman never wavered – he really showcased his scoring power.

In the 12th appearance of his career, O’Brien tallied 17 disposals, 12 contested possessions, nine clearances and 104 points against the Giants.

The following week, O’Brien posted the highest SuperCoach score by a ruckman since 2017. Not even Grundy or Gawn – at that stage – had reached the heights of O’Brien’s 181-point performance against the Tigers.

After three more SuperCoach tons in the next five matches, O’Brien’s seven-game average ballooned to 116. And he had only made 18 appearances at the top-level.

He signed a two-year contract extension to stay at West Lakes in July, after recording more hit-outs than any other player on record after 16 career games.

“I want to elevate my game to another level next year and become one of the best ruckmen in the competition,” O’Brien said in December.

With Jacobs moving to the Giants, and seemingly no real back-up, he will get every chance to do so.

Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide)

$550,600

Let’s not talk about the Round 19 demotion to the SANFL after a 111-point performance against the Giants.

Ken Hinkley wanted to reward the form of young big man Peter Ladhams and persisted with Paddy Ryder

Anyway, I don’t want to get angry.

Ryder is no longer at Alberton, after being traded to St Kilda in October and, with Ladhams’ support, Lycett is the clear No. 1 ruckman at the Power.

And he’s a big SuperCoach sleeper in all formats, given Lycett averaged 33 more points per game when Ryder wasn’t in the same side.

The 27-year-old also has the high ceiling, as evident by scores of 180, 167 and 165 last year.

And he’s also consistent when given the opportunity.

From Round 11 onwards, Lycett averaged 121 points per game and posted SuperCoach tons in seven of his nine matches to finish the year.

Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne)

$609,400

After a slow start last season – a 98-point average through the first eight rounds – Goldstein wound back the clock.

In form reminiscent of his league-leading 128-point season in 2015, Goldstein posted SuperCoach tons in 10 or his 13 matches between Round 9 and 22 – six in excess of 130 – to average 124 points per game in this stretch.

In Round 23, he encountered an unstoppable Gawn, who tallied 212 points.

And, after signing a three-year contract extension in September last year, Goldstein said “I feel the best I ever have in terms of both my body and my mind”.

There’s no doubt Goldstein can still score but you have to ask yourself is the $100k saving really worth it?

 

[Presto]

Whitfield and Martin are must-haves, but who else should make your SuperCoach forward line?

Is Dusty a lock? Who is set to breakout? And why we can’t ignore an old favourite. The Phantom runs the rule of the premium forwards in KFC SuperCoach for 2020

The Phantom, The Advertiser

Subscriber only

January 24, 2020 3:02pm

There’s two top-price locks in the forward line but who else should you consider? The Phantom looks at the all-important premium options for 2020.

THE MUST-HAVES

Lachie Whitfield (GWS) $604,100 and Dustin Martin (Rich) $543,000

We’ve been handed two gifts in the forwardline this season.

Whitfield and Martin should be automatic selections and form the foundation of any serious SuperCoach team come Round 1, 2020.

If you take out the star Giant’s two injury-affected scores last year, he averaged 119 from 15 matches. Enough said, really. He played every game in 2018 so don’t let the seven regular-season fixtures he missed last year put you off.

But what about if Martin starts slow again?

I’ve heard this question raised a number of time already this pre-season – and the argument, in parts, to start without him is a reasonable one.

Even if Martin’s start to 2020 mirrors that of last year, which featured just two SuperCoach tons – and two scores of 66 or less – in the opening eight rounds, he’s a certain top-six forward by the year’s end.

And isn’t picking the players you believe will finish the year in the top six-to-eight in their position what you set out to do?

Anyway, if you include the finals series, the dual Norm Smith Medallist averaged 115 points in the final eight matches of 2018.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Set and forget.

THE NEXT STEP

Hugh Greenwood (GC)

$463,100

In his 51 career matches, Greenwood has scored 80 points or more in 31 of them, passing the 100-point mark on 12 occasions.

And the impressive scoring record comes on the back of the 27-year-old’s elite ability at the contest.

His contested possession rate of 64.1 per cent was the highest of the 225 players in the competition to average 17 disposals or more in 2019.

Across his career, the 191cm midfielder also rates elite for groundball gets, clearances, tackles, pressure acts and contested marks, despite never being part of Adelaide’s first-choice on-ball rotation.

In fact, despite spending 65 per cent of is time in the midfield during his time at the Crows, he was only the sixth-ranked player for centre bounce attendances.

It’s hard to see him anywhere else, when the first ball is bounced against Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium in Round 1.

He’s never averaged more than 17 disposals in a season but even if there’s an increase of four per game, on the back of a greater midfield role at the Suns, there will be a spike.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Locked in.

Jade Gresham (StK)

$456,400

The breakout year is coming.

In 2019, Gresham took another step away from the forward-line role he played so well in the first three years of his career.

And one toward becoming the midfield star he was throughout his junior career.

In his draft year of 2014, the Northern Knights captain averaged 29 disposals, 12 contested possessions and 146 SuperCoach points per game.

On numbers, he was the best-performed midfielder in the TAC Cup. No draftee to play at least five games was better.

Gresham had regular AFL midfielders Clayton Oliver, Tom Phillips, Darcy Parish and Jacob Hopper covered.

After an impressive first two years stationed inside-50, Gresham’s midfield minutes increased in 2018 and he tallied 22 more clearances and 72 more disposals than the previous season.

And last year, despite playing three less matches, he finished with 43 more disposals, 37 more contested possessions and 33 more clearances.

Across his 81-game career, Gresham has played 32 per cent midfield and 67 per cent forward.

In 2019, he spent 61 per of his game-time in the midfield.

His goal tally might have gone from 35 to 15 but he added five points to his SuperCoach average.

But Gresham, who recorded career-high disposals (32), contested possesions (13) and clearances (9) in Round 20 last year, is a chance to double that increase in 2020.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: I’d love to fit him in but it might be too difficult with the value of Devon Smith and Jack Steven.

IS THIS THE YEAR?

Isaac Heeney (Syd)

$510,700

After averaging 98 and 97 in the third and fourth years of his career, many – The Phantom included – thought 2019 was the year Heeney would finally leave the forward-line behind him and become an elite premium.

But that didn’t happen. None of it did.

The 23-year-old’s influence in attack was still too important to John Longmire’s side and, as a result, the midfield minutes just weren’t consistent.

That wasn’t the only reason, however.

Heeney injured his ankle in the Swans’ final pre-season fixture and played through the pain of a deltoid tear for most of his 22 games in 2019.

“My body has been battered and bruised through the year, more than it ever has,” Heeney said in August.

So, maybe, the 94-point average, on the back of nine SuperCoach tons, wasn’t as disappointing as it looks.

Is this the year he finally reaches three figures?

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: There I was thinking I could overlook this guy without agonising over it. We all might, again, have him after the first two months.

CAN WE TRUST THEM?

Michael Walters (Freo)

$547,200

In 2019, the mercurial star played 22 games – after missing nine in the previous two years through injury and suspension – and added 13 points to his average.

After 12 SuperCoach tons last year, Walters is one of only three eligible-forwards coming off a three-figure average.

And with a new coach – or one that isn’t Ross Lyon – maybe there’s no reason to not trust the 29-year-old anymore.

The question is, however, with all the value in the forward group in 2020, can you afford to start three players worth in excess of $540k?

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Not over Dusty for me.

Toby Greene (GWS)

$510,100

Early in the first quarter of the Round 17 clash with the Tigers, GWS star Stephen Coniglio goes down with a knee injury.

Enter Toby Greene the midfielder.

The match-winning forward, who started his career as an on-baller, finished the day with game-highs in SuperCoach points (138) and disposals (34).

He then posted SuperCoach tons in the next five games, reinforcing the view the 26-year-old is among the top fantasy scorers in the competition when unleashed in the midfield.

But with the return of Coniglio and Callan Ward, who played less than 5 minutes of football in 2019, Greene is likely to revert back to the All-Australian forward, who can pinch hit through the midfield.

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: He’ll still be right around the mark of the top-six scorers but far from a certainty.

THE VETERAN

Gary Ablett (Geel)

$519,500

He’ll be 36 in May but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the greatest SuperCoach scorer of all-time.

Last year, at 35, Ablett played 21, scoring 90 or more in 14 of them, and was picked in the All-Australian squad of 40.

His relevance was low last year in a stacked midfield pool but as a forward, only Whitfield, Martin and Walters averaged more points per game last year.

And, in December, Geelong football manager Simon Lloyd said Ablett is “working very hard at the moment to get himself in the right condition to be ready to go for a long season.”

THE PHANTOM’S VERDICT: Don’t write off this champion.

 

[Schods25]

Does anyone have an AdelaideNow subscription that could post the Phantoms Top 50 Draft selections? Cheers

 

[Professor]

@Schods25

1. BRODIE GRUNDY (COLL) RUCK

2019 Average: 130

The star big man has posted a SuperCoach ton in 38 of his past 44 home-and-away matches – 25 of them in excess of 130 – and has finished the past two seasons as the top-ranked player in the game. Don’t even think about doing otherwise.

2. MAX GAWN (MELB) RUCK

2019 Average: 128

Gawn isn’t far behind, scoring 100 or more on 36 occasions in the past two years. By average, the third-ranked ruckman is 16-points adrift – there’s no such discrepancy in any other position.

3. LACHIE WHITFIELD (GWS) FWD, MID

2019 Average: 111

The next biggest points differential between the top scorer and the rest of the field is likely to be in the forward-line, depending, of course, whether there’s another slow start from Dustin Martin or not. If you take out Whitfield’s two injury-affected scores last year, he averaged 119 from 15 matches.

Lachie Whitfield, right, at GWS training in January. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP4. JACK MACRAE (WB) MID

2019 Average: 123

With the three best positional players gone, it’s time to take the likely No. 1 midfielder. Or, at least, the safest bet. Macrae is coming off consecutive season averages of 123 or more and posted SuperCoach tons - six in excess of 135 - in every game following the Bulldogs’ Round 12 bye.

5. PATRICK DANGERFIELD (GEEL) MID

2019 Average: 115

For as good as Macrae has been in recent seasons, Dangerfield has scored 362 more points over the past three years. He averaged less than 120 for the first time since 2014 last year but the Cats have added to their attack and there’s no Tim Kelly in the midfield this year.

6. NAT FYFE (FREO) MID

2019 Average: 120

Some might go after Lachie Neale and Patrick Cripps at this point but the 2019 Brownlow Medallist, who posted 17 SuperCoach tons, six of them in excess of 140, last year, should outscore both if he stays fit.

7. LACHIE NEALE (BRIS) MID

2019 Average: 121

The 26-year-old averaged 121 points per game in a career-best season and has only missed two matches since 2013. And, don’t forget he averaged 117 points in his final 18 games as a Docker.

8. PATRICK CRIPPS (CARL) MID

2019 Average: 117

There would be a strong argument to make the Carlton co-captain the first-picked midfielder after 18 scores of 120 or more over the past two seasons, nine of them in excess of 150. You should be taking one of the big five here, regardless.

9. JAKE LLOYD (SYD) DEF

2019 Average: 109

After posting SuperCoach tons in 13 of the final 15 matches of the previous year, Lloyd passed the 100-point mark 15 times to Round 18, 2019. Concern over the effect of teammate Jordan Dawson shouldn’t deter you from taking the top-scoring defender, ahead of the next-best midfielder or forward.

Dion Prestia evades a Dustin Martin handball at Punt Road Oval. Picture: Luke Hemer/Getty10. DUSTIN MARTIN (RICH) FWD, MID

2019 Average: 100

Inconsistent start to the year SuperCoach-wise but if you include the finals series, Martin averaged 115 in the final eight matches of 2019. It might be hard to overlook midfielders Josh Dunkley or Josh Kelly but, at his best, Martin is an absolute gift as a forward.

MORE SUPERCOACH ADVICE

The premium alterngives to Grundy and Gawn

Four must-have starters to build your team around

Rookie Bible: All the early cheapies

11. Josh Dunkley (WB) MID

2019 Average: 116

12. Josh Kelly (GWS) MID

2019 Average: 117

13. Clayton Oliver (Melb) MID

2019 Average: 109

14. Rory Laird (Adel) DEF

2019 Average: 97

15. Marcus Bontempelli (WB) MID

2019 Average: 115

16. Adam Treloar (Coll) MID

2019 Average: 113

17. Zac Williams (GWS) D EF

2019 Average: 102

18. Tom Mitchell (HAW) MID

2019 Average: DNP

19. James Sicily (Haw) DEF

2019 Average: 94

20. Todd Goldstein (NM) RUCK

2019 Average: 112

21. Michael Walters (Freo) FWD

2019 Aveage: 101

 

[Professor]

22. Tim Kelly (WC) MID

2019 Average: 103

23. Rory Sloane (Adel) MID

2019 Average: 103

24. Tom Stewart (Geel) DEF

2019 Average: 98

25. Devon Smith (Ess) FWD, MID

2019 Average: 69

26. Reilly O’Brien (Adel) RUCK

2019 Average: 95

27. Stephen Coniglio (GWD) MID

2019 Average: 101

28. Tim Taranto (GWS) MID

2019 Average: 102

29. Matt Crouch (Adel) MID

2019 Average: 104

30. Hugh Greenwood (GC) F WD, MID

2019 Average: 85

Isaac Heeney, left, during a Sydney pre-season running session. Picture: Phil Hillyard

31. Isaac Heeney (Syd) FWD, MID

2019 Average: 94

32. Caleb Daniel (WB) DEF

2019 Average: 99

33. Dayne Zorko (Bris) MID

2019 Average: 107

34. Sam Docherty (Carl) DEF

2019 Average: DNP

35. Zach Merrett (Ess) MID

2019 Average: 106

36. Rowan Marshall (StK) RUCK

2019 Average: 110

37. Scott Lycett (Port) RUCK

2019 Average: 101

38. Jordan Dawson (Syd) DEF, FWD

2019 Average: 86

39. Jack Steven (Geel) F WD, MI D

2019 Average: 74

40. Toby Greene (GWS) FWD

2019 Average: 94

Is Jade Gresham ready for a full-blown SuperCoach breakout year? Picture: Michael Klein

41. Jade Gresham (StK) FWD, MID

2019 Average: 84

42. Andrew Gaff (WC) MID

2019 Average: 107

43. Luke Parker (Syd) MID

2019 Average: 105

44. Taylor Adams (Coll) MID

2019 Average: 97

45. Dan Houston (Port) DEF, MID

2019 Average: 89

46. Elliot Yeo (WC) MID

2019 Average: 108

47. Nic Naitanui (WC) RUCK

2019 Average: 94

48. Hugh McCluggage (Bris) MID

2019 Average: 94

49. Shannon Hurn (WC) DEF

2019 Average: 103

50. Gary Ablett (Geel) FWD

2019 Average: 96

Originally published as SuperCoach Draft: Top 50 player rankings

 

[Schods25]

22. Tim Kelly (WC) MID

2019 Average: 103

23. Rory Sloane (Adel) MID

2019 Average: 103

24. Tom Stewart (Geel) DEF

2019 Average: 98

25. Devon Smith (Ess) FWD, MID

2019 Average: 69

26. Reilly O’Brien (Adel) RUCK

2019 Average: 95

27. Stephen Coniglio (GWD) MID

2019 Average: 101

28. Tim Taranto (GWS) MID

2019 Average: 102

29. Matt Crouch (Adel) MID

2019 Average: 104

30. Hugh Greenwood (GC) F WD, MID

2019 Average: 85

Isaac Heeney, left, during a Sydney pre-season running session. Picture: Phil Hillyard

31. Isaac Heeney (Syd) FWD, MID

2019 Average: 94

32. Caleb Daniel (WB) DEF

2019 Average: 99

33. Dayne Zorko (Bris) MID

2019 Average: 107

34. Sam Docherty (Carl) DEF

2019 Average: DNP

35. Zach Merrett (Ess) MID

2019 Average: 106

36. Rowan Marshall (StK) RUCK

2019 Average: 110

37. Scott Lycett (Port) RUCK

2019 Average: 101

38. Jordan Dawson (Syd) DEF, FWD

2019 Average: 86

39. Jack Steven (Geel) F WD, MI D

2019 Average: 74

40. Toby Greene (GWS) FWD

2019 Average: 94

Is Jade Gresham ready for a full-blown SuperCoach breakout year? Picture: Michael Klein

41. Jade Gresham (StK) FWD, MID

2019 Average: 84

42. Andrew Gaff (WC) MID

2019 Average: 107

43. Luke Parker (Syd) MID

2019 Average: 105

44. Taylor Adams (Coll) MID

2019 Average: 97

45. Dan Houston (Port) DEF, MID

2019 Average: 89

46. Elliot Yeo (WC) MID

2019 Average: 108

47. Nic Naitanui (WC) RUCK

2019 Average: 94

48. Hugh McCluggage (Bris) MID

2019 Average: 94

49. Shannon Hurn (WC) DEF

2019 Average: 103

50. Gary Ablett (Geel) FWD

2019 Average: 96

Originally published as SuperCoach Draft: Top 50 player rankings

Thanks @Professor

 

[Presto]

Here is the best under 21 player from each AFL club to keep an eye on in season 2020

The AFL is brimming with exciting young talent ready to make their mark on the competition. We’ve listed the top under 21 player from each club who’s set for a big 2020 season.

Grady Hudd, Jack Hudson, The Advertiser

Subscriber only

January 27, 2020 4:16pm

The AFL is chock-full of young talent.

So much so that ahead of the 2020 premiership season kicking off in March – and with the Marsh Community Series pre-season games beginning in a little over three weeks time – we’ve named the top under 21 player from each club who looks set to have a big year.

Think we’ve got it right? Let us know in the comments!

Adelaide – Darcy Fogarty (age 20)

Games: 14

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $283,500

After a big turnover of their list – which saw Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Sam Jacobs, Hugh Greenwood, Alex Keath and Cam Ellis-Yolmen depart the club – the Crows will look to their youth to drive the team forward in 2020.

One of the most exciting prospects is Fogarty, affectionately known as ‘Fog’, who will get a lot more opportunity to make his mark up forward.

While Ned McHenry and Chayce Jones are also ones to watch, Fogarty has the chance to grab the game by the horns this season – just as he did during his five-goal game against West Coast in Round 21 last year.

Brisbane – Cameron Rayner (age 20)

Games: 46

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $251,800

The young Lion is such an excitement machine, and already such a big part of the club’s future, that it’s easy to forget how young he is despite having played 46 games.

Rayner has given Brisbane’s forward line some added X-Factor alongside Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood – contributing 20 goals last year – attributing to its meteoric rise up the ladder in 2019.

With a straight sets exit fuelling the fire, expect Rayner to take his game to another level as the Lions look to push further into September this season.

Carlton – Sam Walsh (age 19)

Games: 22

Position: Midfield

SuperCoach Price: $471,900

The 2019 AFL Rising Star winner moves with such grace and poise that on skills alone he looks like he’s been playing at the elite level for a decade.

The reality is, Walsh – now entering only his second season – has years of exciting football ahead of him, which is brilliant for Carlton fans and a scary thought for opposition teams.

Having played all 22 games last season, expect the classy youngster to take what he learned during his debut AFL season and apply it to his gameplay in 2020 to devastating effect.

Collingwood – Isaac Quaynor (age 20)

Games: 4

Position: Defender

SuperCoach Price: $261,700

The Oakleigh Chargers export may have only played four times at AFL level in his budding career, but you can expect that number to rise in 2020.

An All-Australian at under 18 level with Vic Metro, the 180cm defender showed plenty of promise during his 18-touch, seven-mark game against Hawthorn in Round 16 last year.

Described as having a precise kick and super decision-making, one would expect the young Magpie to spend more time in the top flight this season.

Essendon – Brayden Ham (age 20)

Games: 5

Position: Midfield/Forward

SuperCoach Price: $217,500

When looking at the under 21 talent at each AFL club, the Bombers probably run the thinnest – a result of them trading their 2018 and 2019 first round picks to GWS in return for Dylan Shiel.

All five of small forward Ham’s career games came in 2019, which included the Elimination Final loss to West Coast, with his standout performance being his 16-possession, six-mark Round 22 effort against Fremantle.

‘Hammer’ slotted three goals from those appearances, and Essendon will be hoping for even greater return from the youngster when he gets his next shot at senior level.

Fremantle – Andrew Brayshaw (age 20)

Games: 39

Position: Midfield/Forward

SuperCoach Price: $382,800

Sadly, the early stages of the young Docker’s career were overshadowed by the ugly 2018 Derby incident, in which he had his jaw broken by West Coast’s Andrew Gaff.

But with that behind him, Brayshaw has quickly become a renowned for his hard-edge approach – he led the club for tackling in 2019, highlighted by 10-tackle games against Gold Coast and St Kilda.

Now entering his third AFL season, the younger brother of Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw looks set to flourish in the midfield under new coach Justin Longmuir, much to the delight of Dockers fans.

Geelong – Charlie Constable (age 20)

Games: 7

Position: Midfield

SuperCoach Price: $391,000

The Cats have some of the competition’s most exciting youngsters – such as Jordan Clark, Gryan Miers and Lachlan Fogarty – but none more so than ‘Chook’.

The rangy midfielder, having dominated at VFL in 2018, played seven of Geelong’s first eight games last year and earned a Rising Star nomination for his breakout 31-touch, one-goal game against Melbourne in Round 2.

Constable, strangely, didn’t play at AFL level after Round 9, but has been building up his endurance and two-way running over summer ahead of an expected bigger role in the Cats’ engine room in 2020.

Gold Coast – Izak Rankine (age 19)

Games: 0

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $123,900

The Suns are building quite an impressive list of youngsters, such as Ben King and Jack Lukosius, but arguably none have more expectations on them than Rankine.

The No. 3 pick from the 2018 National Draft has yet to debut at AFL level, after injury crippled the lively forward’s 2019 season.

However, the West Adelaide product has shed 4kg from his frame after a solid summer on the training track, meaning Suns fans can expect to see what their prized draftee is capable of this year.

GWS – Jackson Hately (age 19)

Games: 7

Position: Midfield

SuperCoach Price: $301,600

The Trinity College product had limited opportunities in 2019 in a stacked Giants midfield, and it’s only going to get tougher with more reinforcements.

Hately is a clean user of the ball, and with more game time can be one of the elite players in the competition.

Keep a close eye on Hately both at AFL and NEAFL level.

Hawthorn – Will Day (age 18)

Games: 0

Position: Defender

SuperCoach Price: $153,300

The West Adelaide export was one of Hawthorn’s earliest picks in years at the 2019 AFL National Draft, and he’s already one of their most exciting prospects.

He’s been likened to Geelong defender Andrew Mackie, his cousin plays for the Suns and his grandfather also played for the Hawks.

He’s lightly framed at just 70kg, but prepare to see how clean he is with the ball.

 

[Presto]

Melbourne – Kysaiah Pickett (age 18)

Games: 0

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $157,800

There is a new cult hero in the making at the Demons, and it’s come at the perfect time after an atrocious 2019 campaign.

The nephew of former Port Adelaide and Melbourne player Byron Pickett, ‘Kossie’ is clean and, like his uncle, he has a mean bump on him.

Pickett loves to put his body on the line and that’ll sit very well with the Melbourne faithful for years to come.

North Melbourne – Tarryn Thomas (age 19)

Games: 20

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $339,900

As a first-round selection and a member of the Kangaroos’ Next Generation Academy, Thomas smashed his way into the side in 2019.

He played 20 games in his debut season and booted 16 goals, but expect much more from this talented Roo in 2020.

Thomas is the future for the Shinboners, who will be hoping he can avoid the second year blues.

Port Adelaide – Connor Rozee (age 19)

Games: 22

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $422,100

The 2019 AFL Rising Star runner-up has no limit on his abilities and won the Power’s leading goal-kicker award in his first season.

Rozee showed composure, skill and pace beyond his years and a move to the midfield beckons.

Keep an eye on the power-packed talent each and every week.

Richmond – Sydney Stack (age 19)

Games: 17

Position: Defender

SuperCoach Price: $435,100

As the bargain signing of the 2019 season, Stack was selected in the supplemental period prior to the campaign getting underway.

He looked ready made for the AFL, underlined by the ease of his huge hit on Melbourne’s Jack Viney early in the season.

Injury crippled his chances of playing in the Tigers’ grand final win over GWS, so expect that to be a driving force for him in 2020.

St Kilda – Max King (age 19)

Young Saint Max King has so much promise.

Games: 0

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $123,900

There hasn’t been a sense of optimism around Moorabbin like this since the Ross Lyon days, and a lot of it is surrounding this talented tall.

King grew up as a Saints fan, and after making a full recovery from his ACL injury, which he suffered in his draft year, he’s ready to make an impact at AFL level.

There’ll be pressure on his shoulders as the Saints aim to push into the finals, but he should be able to handle it.

Sydney – Nick Blakey (age 19)

Games: 19

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $295,800

In a tough year for the Swans, Blakey was thrust into the forward line as Lance Franklin and Sam Reid both struggled with fitness.

He fared well with 19 goals from 21 games, but with another pre-season under his belt, plus the impending return of Franklin and Reid, Blakey should excel further.

Expect him to break the 30-goal barrier in 2020.

West Coast – Jack Petruccelle (age 19)

Games: 23

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $276,400

The rapid, curly-haired forward lit up the West Coast forward line in 2019, kicking 21 goals in his 20 games.

He booted a career-high five majors against Port Adelaide in a heavy loss, which shows he doesn’t need support in order to excel.

With Willie Rioli set to miss time through his ASADA issues, Petruccelle can expect to feature even more prominently in 2020.

Western Bulldogs – Aaron Naughton (age 20)

Games: 41

Position: Forward

SuperCoach Price: $367,800

The Western Bulldogs are on the verge of something exciting once again with their new army of stars.

Naughton, nicknamed the ‘AstroNaught’, at just 20 years of age is one of those, and he showed his talents against Richmond with nine uncontested marks – one shy of the AFL record.

This kid can pluck a ball, and if the Dogs are to finish in the top four, he’ll be a vital part of it.

 

[Presto]

KFC SuperCoach 2020: First take on SuperCoach midfielders

How many star midfielders can you fit under the SuperCoach salary cap? With a promising crop of cheapies as well, striking the right balance is a key to success. Here are our top picks.

Al Paton, Herald Sun

Subscriber only

January 28, 2020 1:49pm

The midfield is the beating heart of every KFC SuperCoach team.

This is where most of your points are scored, and where you can pick the biggest stars in the game.

It’s also where the best rookies are usually found, with bottom-priced players delivering solid on-field scores and boosting their price value quicker than in any other position.

This is vital for improving your team as the season progresses, but you also want to get as many points in the bank as possible.

With eight on-field slots to fill and three on the bench, what is the right balance? The tougher question is how many of the topscoring stars can you fit in the $10 million salary cap.

Here’s a quick run-down of our first take on the 2020 SuperCoach midfield crop.

HIGH ROLLERS

Jack Macrae (WB) $668,900

The No.1 scoring midfielder in 2019 with an average of 123, slightly down on his phenomenal 127 the year before. Hardly misses a game and dominates at Marvel Stadium, where the Dogs play 12 times this year including four of the first five rounds. You get what you pay for.

Lachie Neale (BL) $658,500

“How do I get Neale?” was the biggest question in the SuperCoach world last season as the former Docker exploded with a personal-best 121 average after moving to Brisbane. Avoid the headaches this year and start him from Round 1.

Nat Fyfe (Frem) $651,600

Shoulder surgery will mean a delayed start to his pre-season but he’s always bandaged up and still pumps out massive scores — since 2013 his worst season average is 105, and last year he hit 120 for the third time. Might miss a game or two but can you pass on those numbers?

Josh Kelly (GWS) $637,700

The Giants’ Rolls Royce can score like few others, the issue is getting out on the park regularly. Has averaged at least 114 for the past three seasons but played only 15 and 14 games the past two years. If you’re spending big bucks we need him out there scoring points. Make sure he’s 100 per cent before committing.

Patrick Cripps (Carl) $635,900

The fact he attracted a hard tag last year is a measure of how far Cripps’ star has risen. If the Blues win more games, his scores should improve — and they are already very good (average 119, 117 the past two seasons).

Josh Dunkley (WB) $632,400

A move to the midfield triggered a scoring bonanza, with Dunkley averaging 126 after Luke Beveridge swung the magnets in Round 5 last year. Surely he won’t move the contested ball machine out of the guts this season.

MORE SUPERCOACH MIDFIELD ANALYSIS:

Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) $625,200

Like Dunkley, Dangerfield has lost his dual-position status but still demands selection. Since 2012 these are his season averages: 119, 113, 106, 120, 132, 136, 122, 115. Think you can find a spot for him?

Marcus Bontempelli (WB) $623,000

The Bont elevated his game to super premium status in SuperCoach in 2019, adding 10 points to his average. Can you pick three Bulldogs in one position? If you’ve got cover in Round 14 when they have a bye, why not?

Adam Treloar (Coll) $615,800

The Magpie magnet had more disposals than any other player in 2019. His SuperCoach averaged has increased from 101 to 110 to 113 in the past three seasons. If the Pies contend again he’ll be in thick of it.

BARGAIN BUYS

Tom Mitchell (Haw) $630,900

A very expensive bargain but that is potentially great value for a player who averaged 129 in his last full season. Mitchell is $70,000 cheaper than this time last year after missing the season with a knee injury. Will he play in Round 1? Watch his pre-season closely.

Dan Hannebery (StK) $417,000

Priced at an average of 76 despite scoring 94 or more in four of his five matches last season. He has an amazing SuperCoach pedigree but can he get out there regularly enough to score points for us?

Andrew McGrath (Ess) $399,400

Averages of 71, 71 and 74 in his first three seasons, fourth season breakout? The Bomber has all the tools to be a SuperCoach gun — he averaged 145 points a game at under-18 level — he just needs to be unleashed into the midfield full-time. Come on, Woosha.

Tom Cutler (Ess) $296,500

Starved of opportunities at Brisbane, Essendon targeted him to fill a need as a wingman who can win the footy and deliver it with his accurate right boot. Add him to the watch list.

ROOKIES

Matt Rowell (GC) $207,300

The No.1 draft pick comes with a big price tag but if he can go anywhere close to his junior numbers (averages of 171 in the NAB League and 133 in the under-18 championships) he’ll be worth every penny. Experts say he’s better than Sam Walsh and that’s enough for us.

Noah Anderson (GC) $202,800

Taken at No.2 in the draft behind best mate Rowell, and his numbers are nearly as impressive — averaging 25 disposals, two goals and 143 SuperCoach points at under-18 level. They should both get plenty of midfield time at the Suns, but can you spend $400k on two rookies?

Marlion Pickett (Rich) $123,900

Showed a bit in his one AFL game - the Grand Final, finishing third in Norm Smith Medal voting after picking up 22 disposals and a goal, which would have been worth 96 points if SuperCoach was still active. Fortunately, it wasn’t which means he has the same price tag as teenagers who haven’t played a game.

Deven Robertson (BL) $117,300

Surprisingly slipped through to the second round on draft night which means a lower than expected price tag. The WA under-18 captain averaged 128 SuperCoach points for his state and 153 at Colts level. The Lions side will be tough to break into, though.

 

[Spots]

KFC SuperCoach 2020: First take on SuperCoach defenders
Al Paton, Herald Sun
January 29, 2020 7:00am
Subscriber only

Ask any AFL coach and they will tell you premierships are built from defence. It’s no different in KFC SuperCoach.
Players like Jake Lloyd, Shannon Hurn and Tom Stewart provide the building blocks of a solid SuperCoach team, while the likes of James Sicily and Luke Ryan are less stable but capable of huge spikes in scoring.
Last year the backline produced some of the best rookies of the season including Marty Hore, Xavier Duursma and Sydney Stack.

HIGH ROLLERS
Jake Lloyd (Syd) $591,400
The topscoring SuperCoach defender for the past two years is safe as houses, although his numbers dipped a bit in the back half of last season. Can he keep the crown?
Bachar Houli (Rich) $571,600
A career-best season at age 31 was a surprise, backing it up this year would be an even bigger shock. But he absolutely loves the MCG.
Zac Williams (GWS) $551,700
Enjoyed a superb 2019 season as an attacking defender who could also play through the midfield, averaging 24 disposals a game. May find opportunities there limited this season if all the Giants big guns stay fit, but still one of the top choices.
Rory Laird (Adel) $525,800
Like his team, he had a somewhat disappointing 2019 season but a SuperCoach average of 97 is nothing to sneeze at. Priced a lot more attractively this year especially if he can return to his 2018 heights (108 average).
Shannon Hurn (WC) $562,200
Sent a thankyou letter to the AFL rules committee for the new kick-in rule that helped him boost his average from 96 to 104 last year. Should be safe for a 100-point average even after stepping down as Eagles captain, but there may be better value options out there.
Luke Ryan (Frem) $520,400
Often overlooked Docker defender was better last year than his 96 average suggests after suffering an untimely injury in Round 19. His scores before then included 131, 145 and 156. Could benefit from Fremantle’s friendly fixture.
James Sicily (Haw) $509,500
Scored the fifth-most points among defenders last season based largely on his durability, playing every game for the first time in his career. The arrival of ex-Demon Sam Frost should free him up to play as an intercepting defender where he does his best work.

BARGAIN BUYS
Sam Docherty (Carl) $436,100
On the comeback trail from two knee reconstructions which is a big red flag, but one most SuperCoach players will happily ignore given his scoring potential. Docherty averaged 109 and 115 in his past two full seasons (2016-17). The Blues say he’ll be there in Round 1.
Tom Doedee (Adel) $273,700
Crows interceptor wrecked his knee in Round 1 last year but should at least match his numbers from his breakout 2018 season when he averaged 82 points a game.
Grant Birchall (BL) $292,700
We can say with confidence that if Birchall plays, the four-time premiership Hawk will score about 80 points a game. The issue has been getting out there — he’s managed eight matches in the past three years.
Dylan Roberton (StK) $260,400
Averaged 93 points a game in his last full season, but sadly that was in 2017. Everyone is barracking for him to get back out there after frightening heart issues, good SuperCoach output would be a bonus.

ROOKIES
Stephen Hill (Frem) $190,600
Looks like a misprint but the smooth-moving Dockers wingman is priced as cheaply as a rookie after another injury-cursed season. Hamstrings are a massive worry but if he’s there in Round 1 he’s going to be hard to resist.
Tom Williamson (Carl) $146,300
Hard to know exactly what to make of Williamson, who has played only 15 games since he was selected in the 2016 draft due to a series of injuries. The Blues like him a lot. If he gets a clear run at it, keep him in mind.
Will Gould (Syd) $117,300
The No.26 pick in the draft is ready to go after playing regular senior footy in the SANFL last year, where he averaged 19 disposals and 89 SuperCoach points. Has been likened to a young Shannon Hurn.

 

[Presto]

KFC SuperCoach no-go zone: The tempting players you shouldn’t pick in 2020

Temptation is high at this time of year as SuperCoach players try to squeeze as many premium scorers as possible into their teams. But starting these players could come back to haunt you.

Tim Michell, Herald Sun

Subscriber only

January 30, 2020 7:00am

Picking injury-prone players is the fastest way to derail your KFC SuperCoach season.

For every Brad Crouch who overcomes years of injury troubles to average more than 95, there are several tales of woe which have resulted in the loss of trades, points or both.

Crouch’s brother Matt was a prime example last season.

The ball magnet started the campaign at $551,300, a price which proved too tempting for thousands of coaches.

M.Crouch opened the season with seven 90-plus scores before an injury which was originally diagnosed as a corked muscle turned into three weeks on the sidelines.

His price bottomed out at $484,200 two weeks after returning, more than $100,000 from SuperCoach’s premium scorers.

Learn your lesson and avoid players with an injury history if you’ve been sucked in previously. They generally come with a discounted price tag for good reason and will have you tearing your hair out when the worst inevitably strikes.

An exorbitant price tag or a change of role are other reasons to avoid some of the biggest names in footy when it comes to SuperCoach this season. Here are nine I won’t be touching.

THE 2020 NO-GO ZONE

TOM ROCKLIFF (Port Adelaide) 2020 price: $495,400 | 2019 average: 91.2

The greatest SuperCoach tease of the past three years. Rockliff started last year at $405,900 and those who took the risk were rewarded with six tons in his opening nine games and an injury-free run until Round 10. Disaster struck at that point when he was injured just before the bye, flew to China with the possibility of playing in Round 11 yet then didn’t feature again until Round 16. He hasn’t averaged more than 100 since 2016 and last played more than 20 games in 2013. Save yourself the heartache.

MATT CROUCH (Adelaide) 2020 price: $563,000 | 2019 av: 103.7

See above. Crouch has played more than 20 games in a season once in his career (2017) and his high disposal rates don’t always equate to big SuperCoach numbers. His starting price is higher than more reliable performers such as Tim Kelly ($561,800), Ben Cunnington ($554,100) and even Dustin Martin ($543,000).

NIC NAITANUI (West Coast) 2020 price: $457,800 | 2019 av: 93.7

If you are intent on going for a bargain ruckman, why not pick Sam Jacobs ($348,400) who is more than $100,000 cheaper? The veteran big man was traded from Adelaide to GWS Giants and should command the No.1 ruck role ahead of Shane Mumford. Durability wasn’t the reason Jacobs was squeezed out of the Crows, but rather Reilly O’Brien’s emergence. Naitanui is a rare talent but has played only 33 games in the past three years. When he has featured, it’s been for limited game time due to a lack of match fitness.

DAN HANNEBERY (St Kilda) 2020 price: $417,000 | 2019 av: 96

Hard to believe it was only four years ago Hannebery had one of the best midfield averages of any player at 113.4 points a game. He’s endured injury and form issues since then and was sidelined for most of his first season with St Kilda. He finished last year with scores of 122, 94 and 103, but you’re taking a huge risk on a battered midfield bull if you pick the 28-year-old who is already behind the Eight ball in pre-season after breaking his foot falling down a set of stairs.

LANCE FRANKLIN (Sydney) 2020 price: $394,200 | 2019 av: 72.6

Franklin would have come right into calculations had his pre-season not been hampered by knee surgery. The Swans have a friendly fixture to start 2020, taking on Adelaide, Essendon, Gold Coast and Carlton in the opening four rounds. That would have given Buddy the perfect springboard to launch into the season. The Swans have maintained Franklin is a chance to play in Round 1 but you have to wonder whether he’ll be risked after being ruled out of pre-season for 10 weeks.

TOBY GREENE (GWS Giants) 2020 price: $510,100 | 2019 av: 93.9

A combination of injury and suspension have meant Greene has played an average of 13 games a season in the past three years. He averaged 118 during an eight-game stretch as a midfielder between Round 17 and the Giants’ semi-final last year. But his increased midfield role came during a period when Stephen Coniglio was sidelined due to a knee injury and Callan Ward and Josh Kelly were also missing. At full strength, does Greene play midfield regularly enough to become a top 6-8 SuperCoach forward? It’s highly unlikely.

GRANT BIRCHALL (Brisbane Lions) 2020 price: $292,700 | 2019 av: 77

A change of scenery for the premiership Hawk, who has been earmarked for Luke Hodge’s role across half-back at the Lions. Birchall has never been a huge SuperCoach scorer, only averaging more than 90 in consecutive years from 2011-2013. At 32 and after being restricted to eight games in the past three years by injury, is he really worth the mid-price risk? Returning Crow Tom Doedee ($273,700) and Collingwood young gun Isaac Quaynor ($261,700) are cheaper and come with greater upside.

JAMES WORPEL (Hawthorn) 2020 price: $527,000 | 2019 av: 97

One of the breakout stars of 2019, the tough Hawks midfielder was a bargain for those who jumped on at $395,700 at the start of the year. Stepping up in the absence of Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell, Worpel averaged 97 points and increased in value to $577,000 by the end of the season. As impressive as he was, Worpel’s average last year was outside the top-30 for midfielders. There’s too many question marks at his price with Mitchell to return and likely take the lion’s share of contested ball, which Worpel relished.

MORE KFC SUPERCOACH NEWS:

ROWAN MARSHALL (St Kilda) 2020 price: $598,700 | 2019 av: 110.2

Thanks for 2019, but no thanks for 2020. Marshall came from the clouds to average more than 110 last season when he was classed solely as a FWD in SuperCoach. His role as the No.1 ruckman at St Kilda helped him score SuperCoach points freely. But the Saints were mindful of the workload placed on the mobile big man and have recruited Paddy Ryder from Port Adelaide to provide support. Marshall will still be the first-choice ruckman, but do you really want to pay almost $600,000 when the role which helped him accumulate premium points will decrease?

 

[Presto]

KFC SuperCoach 2020: First take on SuperCoach forwards

Most of last year’s topscoring SuperCoach forwards are gone, but there are some big-name replacements — plus a long list of potential bargains. Here are our top picks.

Al Paton, Herald Sun

Subscriber only

January 31, 2020 11:08am

KFC SuperCoach players are starting with a clean slate when it comes to picking a forward line in 2020.

Of the topscorers in this part of the ground last year, nine of the top 10 are not available as forwards this season.

Former dual-position players Patrick Dangerfield, Josh Dunkley, Travis Boak and Tim Kelly are all midfield-only this year, Rowan Marshall is a ruckman and Caleb Daniel is a defender. The one survivor is Docker Michael Walters, who is a MID/FWD again.

So how do we fill the six on-field and two bench spots?

Position assignments for 2020 aren’t all bad, with two huge forward DPP gifts and a good batch of potential bargains. Here’s our quick take on this year’s forward stocks.

HIGH ROLLERS

Lachie Whitfield (GWS) $604,100 FWD/MID

New DPP classification from Champion Data makes him a must-have given his elite scoring. Only worry is an occasionally fragile body.

Michael Walters (Frem) $547,200 FWD/MID

Has always had a spectacular highlights reel, last year he added consistency to his bag of tricks to average over 100 for the first time. Could benefit from a more attacking game plan under Justin Longmuir.

Dustin Martin (Rich) $543,000

Dusty’s SuperCoach average (100) isn’t high as you might think but you want to be on board

Isaac Heeney (Syd) $510,700 FWD/MID

The SuperCoach community has been waiting for several seasons for Heeney to turn his massive talent into regular big scores. Is this the year? Breaking his thumb at training this week isn’t a great start.

BARGAIN BUYS

Lance Franklin (Syd) $394,200

Is it time to jump back on the Buddy rollercoaster? He hasn’t been this cheap for a decade and was flying on the track before suffering an injury setback. Fun to barrack for, but he needs to be fit for Round 1 to consider.

Jack Steven (Geel) $361,700 FWD/MID

If Jack is happy and loving footy again, that price is too cheap to ignore. Can score with the best midfielders on his day, and we can pick him as a forward.

Devon Smith (Ess) $335,800 FWD/MID

Forgotten Bomber started last year priced at $531,000 and should get back to that level after injury wrecked his 2019 season. Was one of the smartest forward line picks in 2018, can he make it two out of three?

Hugh Greenwood (GC) $463,100 FWD/MID

Was remarkably consistent in his three seasons at the Crows, producing averages of 85, 86 and 85. That was playing mostly forward. He’s likely to be a permanent fixture in the Suns midfield. Expect a spike.

ROOKIES

Izak Rankine (GC) $123,900

One of the best rookie picks of 2020, Rankine didn’t play a game in his first AFL season after hurting his hamstring in a pre-season game. But the top-ranked player from the 2018 under-18 championships (average 120 points a game) will be a key to the Suns’ plans in 2020.

Aiden Bonar (NM) $202,800 FWD/MID

Tough but talented young midfielder made the move from GWS in search of more opportunities. If he gets them he could be a DPP steal.

Sam Flanders (GC) $162,300

Was touted as a possible top-five draft pick but slid to No.11. An explosive ball-winner with a long kick, he should get games early.

Nakia Cockatoo (Geel) $148,200 FWD/MID

Can we trust the Cats’ excitement machine? Injuries have restricted him to 33 games in five years since being recruited with pick 10 in the 2014 draft. Has talent to burn but will be a risky selection even if he makes it to Round 1.