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couchPOTATO · 13 Feb 2020

KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom analyses and rates every draftee ahead of the new season

As an 18-year-old out of high school, some draftees will take time to develop. But some will star and become KFC SuperCoach gold in 2020. The Phantom rates every player drafted and their junior numbers.

The Phantom, The Advertiser

Subscriber only

February 10, 2020 9:58am

Will every player drafted be KFC SuperCoach-relevant in 2020? Not even close.

But find out who definitely is and who might surprise in The Phantom’s complete national draft analysis.

LEGEND

RATING: 5 - Lock him in

RATING: 4 - Consider

RATING: 3 - Watchlist

RATING: 2 - No to start with

RATING: 1 - Avoid

1. Matt Rowell (GC)

Mid, $207,300

2019 U18 Champs ave: 132

NAB League: 171

Like 2018’s No. 1 pick Sam Walsh, Rowell enjoyed a near-perfect junior career, dominating at every level. And he’s justifying the hype over summer at his new club.

RATING: 5 - Lock him in.

2. Noah Anderson (GC)

Mid, $202,800

U18 Champs ave: 107

NAB League: 143

The 188cm Anderson, who was just as dominating in front of goal as he was at the contest at junior level, is a star-in-the-making. But he’s unlikely to feature in the midfield on a regular basis this year and might not be worth the starting price.

RATING: 3 - Watchlist

3. Luke Jackson (Melb)

Ruck, $198,300

U18 Champs ave: 109

WAFL Colts: 161

There’s plenty of Brodie Grundy in the athletic big man, who has plenty of tricks, and his elite tap-work is matched by an ability to follow up at ground level. But it will take some time before he gets anywhere near the Collingwood star’s level.

RATING: 2 - No to start with

4. Lachie Ash (GWS)

Def, $193,800

U18 Champs ave: 102

NAB League: 129

Ash’s junior numbers are matched by his standout ability to break the game open from half-back, but the premiership-contending team he was drafted to is not short on quick, skilful playmakers.

RATING: 4 - Consider

5. Dylan Stephens (Syd)

Mid, $189,300

U18 Champs ave: 89

SANFL: 81

In the SANFL, the 18-year-old did his best work on the outside, but he’s shown he’s clean and creative on the inside. And his endurance – and left foot – is turning heads at the Swans already.

RATING: 4 - Consider

6. Fischer McAsey (Adel)

Def, $184,800

U18 Champs ave: 97

NAB League: 87

If he does earn a Round 1 debut – something coach Matthew Nicks has suggested is a chance – expect the skilful, 195cm McAsey to play a SuperCoach-friendly intercept role in defence in his first year.

RATING: 4 - Consider

7. Hayden Young (Frem)

Def, $180,300

U18 Champs ave: 106

NAB League: 129

The damaging left-footer, who ranked first for intercept possessions at the national carnival, fits new coach Justin Longmuir’s want for an increase in skill level at the Dockers.

RATING: 5 - Lock him in

8. Caleb Serong (Frem)

Def, $175,800

U18 Champs ave: 129

NAB League: 123

Serong, who has drawn comparison to Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray, will be a popular SuperCoach name in the future, but can he break into the Fremantle midfield during his debut season?

RATING: 3 - Watchlist

9. Liam Henry (Frem)

Mid-Fwd, $171,300

U18 Champs ave: 92

WAFL Colts: 133

Fremantle’s Academy gun can switch between the forward line and midfield, in the mould of new teammate Michael Walters, but is set to be eased into senior football after a late-season injury in 2019.

RATING: 2 - No to start with

10. Tom Green (GWS)

Mid, $166,800

U18 Champs ave: 111

NEAFL: 68

Green’s contested-ball numbers at the 2019 under-18 carnival were the best ever recorded by Champion Data and he could develop into a Patrick Cripps-like midfielder. But the GWS engine room will be a tough one to break into this year.

RATING: 3 - Watchlist

11. Sam Flanders (GC)

Mid-Fwd, $162,300

U18 Champs ave: 112

NAB League: 121

In a side now packed with young midfield talent, Flanders’ ability as a strong-marking, explosive forward with great goal sense – in the mould of Demon Christian Petracca – will see the 18-year-old jostling for a Round 1 debut.

RATING: 4 - Consider

12. Kysaiah Pickett (Melb)

Fwd, $157,800

U18 Champs ave: 76

SANFL Reserves: 91

The tough, aggressive excitement machine doesn’t need many touches to have an impact and fills an immediate need in Melbourne’s forward-line.

RATING: 3 - Watchlist

13. Will Day (Haw)

Def, $153,300

U18 Champs ave: 88

SANFL U18s: 132

The smart defender, who boasts terrific foot skills on both sides of his body, recorded a disposal efficiency of 92 per cent at SANFL under-18 level and 82 per cent at the under-18 championships. But 2020 is likely to be a development year for Day.

RATING: 2 - No to start with

14. Miles Bergman (Port)

Def, $148,800

U18 Champs ave: 74

NAB League: 90

Bergman suits Port Adelaide’s want for more speed and versatility and could feature as a high-half-forward from as early as Round 1, especially with recent injuries to Ollie Wines and fellow draftee Jackson Mead. He’s never been a big ball-winner, but he’ll have an impact.

RATING: 4 - Consider

15. Cody Weightman (WB)

Fwd, $144,300

U18 Champs ave: 79

NAB League: 89

The small-forward, who was the leading goalkicker at the under-18 carnival, has drawn early praise from his more-experienced teammates after an impressive first pre-season.

RATING: 3 - Watchlist

16. Cooper Stephens (Geel)

Mid, $139,800

U18 Champs ave: DNP

NAB League: 92

The scoring potential is there for the strong-bodied midfielder, who was one of the highest-rated juniors in the country before breaking his leg in 2019. But it’s a tough midfield to break into, especially when you haven’t played a competitive game since April last year.

RATING: 3 - Watchlist

17. Brodie Kemp (Carl)

Mid, $135,300

U18 Champs ave: 101

NAB League: 106

Transformed from key-defender to tall-midfielder late last year and thrived, starring for Vic Country at the national carnival. But he’s been added to the long-term injury list at the Blues and won’t be seen at the top-level for a while.

RATING: 1 - Avoid

18. Mitch Georgiades (Port)

Fwd, $130,800

U18 Champs ave: DNP

Port Adelaide footy boss Chris Davies, this week, described the Power’s top four draftees as “physically capable of competing” and more ready than last year’s trio. But Georgiades, who missed the entire 2019 season due to injury, is down the SuperCoach pecking order.

RATING: 2 - No to start with

19. Sam de Koning (Geel)

Def, $126,300

U18 Champs ave: 61

NAB League: 59

The 200cm defender lost just two of his 25 defensive one-on-one contests at any level last year. But, despite averaging six intercept possessions for Vic Country, he won’t be SuperCoach relevant any time soon.

RATING: 1 - Avoid

20. Sam Philp (Carl)

Mid, $121,800

U18 Champs ave: DNP

NAB League: 125

He was overlooked for Vic Metro’s squad, but the explosive midfielder, with pace to burn, stormed home in the NAB League, posting a SuperCoach ton in each of his final seven matches.

RATING: 3 - Watchlist

Thanks @Presto

Connor Buderick did not make this article as he was picked up as a zone selection by Gold Coast.

Apparently he had amazing NAB league stats but a quieter national championships.

If anyone already has the 2020 AFL prospectus can you please tell me if his player commentary section lists his CD averages for NAB league and the championships ?

Cheers.

Professor · 13 Feb 2020

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1227768718412808194

Professor · 13 Feb 2020

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1227780617586102273

Ironhawk · 13 Feb 2020

couchPOTATO said:

I don't have that, but this was his draft profile on the AFL website, which will give some idea:

https://draftprospects.prod.afl/prospect/1008454

Professor · 13 Feb 2020

To

couchPOTATO said:

It's been quoted by Toothless Tigers in the Rookie Discussion thread, refer to that. ?

Ironhawk · 13 Feb 2020

Professor said:

Yep, saw that after my above post but as both posts have some different info kept mine too.

Professor · 13 Feb 2020

AFL premier Richmond enters 2020 with near-clean bill of health

Don’t expect a premiership hangover from Richmond. The Tigers have hit the ground running this pre-season, with almost a full contingent of players available from last year’s stunning Grand Final run.

Jay Clark, Herald Sun

Subscriber only

|

February 13, 2020 6:08pm

FOXSPORTS0:23

'For f***'s sake, Razor!'

AFL: It has been revealed that Richmond superstar Dustin Martin sought out cult AFL umpire 'Razor' Ray Chamberlain to apologise for swearing at h...

Reigning premier Richmond is on track to start its premiership defence in full health.

In a warning for the rest of the competition, the Tigers were missing only three senior players as they completed 35 minutes of match simulation in hot conditions at Punt Rd on Thursday.

Other than ruckman Toby Nankervis (groin), hard nut Jack Graham (shoulder) and rebounding defender Kamdyn McIntosh (ankle) all the big guns were out there with Dustin Martin playing about 70 per cent forward.

Watch every match of the Marsh Community Series AFL pre-season comp LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Dustin Martin has looked in great nick this pre-season. Picture: Getty Images

In the opening passage of play, skipper Trent Cotchin burst out of the centre square and hit the dual Norm Smith Medalist on the chest 30m out.

Even goal sneak Jack Higgins, who had a second bout of brain surgery last year, continued his remarkable recovery completing the whole session largely in the midfield.

Things are looking good for an early return for Higgins.

Grand Final hero Marlion Pickett showed he has more tricks than a brilliant blind turn, pulling out a wicked sidestep on another darting run down the middle early on in the piece.

Looking completely comfortable on the wing and in the centre square, the mature-age revelation looked like a man set to play 20 games in his second season of AFL in 2020.

What an incredible story he is, playing in a premiership in his only senior match.

Dustin Martin the teacher. Not a bad bloke for Marlion Pickett to learn fhe the craft from. Picture: Sarah Matray

MORE AFL:

Track watch: Brown down as big Roo sent for scans

Why Dusty said sorry to Razor Ray

Is Tom Lynch an ‘average’ player?

But this year, Pickett seems almost certain to become a regular member of the senior team.

That’s despite the club’s ridiculous depth.

Sydney Stack and Shai Bolton both showed flare in the forward half yesterday, while livewire Liam Baker was another who was prominent off half back, seemingly taking up some of the slack from departed flanked Brandon Ellis.

Key defenders David Astbury, Nathan Broad and Dylan Grimes had things sorted down back as part of a defence which will be once again missing superstar Alex Rance.

Twin towers Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch led the forward set up alongside Martin, while Ivan Soldo took charge in the ruck as Nankervis completed run-throughs on the sidelines.

Nankervis and Graham are expected to be back in full training in coming weeks.

Professor · 13 Feb 2020

Senior coach Ken Hinkley is expected to shuffle the magnets around during the Power’s first competitive hit-out of the 2020 season.

With Ollie Wines set to miss the start of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season, Hinkley has indicated he will have a look at various options to run through the midfield.

“Rozee will certainly have a look at the midfield. He will certainly get a bit more time in the midfield,” Hinkley told media.

“Butters I suspect will get a bit more time in the midfield. There are plenty of opportunities with the growth of the players.

“Houston is a lock. Put him in the midfield when he plays footy. It doesn’t mean he can’t go back and play in our backline, but we see what he added to our midfield last year.”

Hinkley also suggested veteran Brad Ebert would spend some more time in the middle of the ground, while Sam Powell-Pepper will most likely play a role in attack.

“Brad will get a little more time on ball than he did last year and Pep (Powell-Pepper) will certainly spend some more time forward,” he said.

“We want him to create some intensity in our front half that puts the opposition under pressure and makes them be a bit fearful of who’s around because Pep can be a bit dangerous when he’s out there.

“There will be that sort of stuff, there will be opportunities for people to play slightly different roles.”

Port Adelaide’s intra-club will commence at 5.30pm, with gates opening at Alberton Oval from 4.30pm for a gold coin donation.

Food and beverages will be available throughout the night, as well as a bouncy castle and plenty of giveaways, competitions and prizes.

There will also be a full squad signing session after the game, so make sure to bring all of your Power merchandise and get the autographs of all of your favourite players.

The final squads will be announced tomorrow afternoon, although teams are subject to change throughout the internal trial.

GrainFedBeef · 13 Feb 2020

Professor said:

Senior coach Ken Hinkley is expected to shuffle the magnets around during the Power’s first competitive hit-out of the 2020 season.

With Ollie Wines set to miss the start of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season, Hinkley has indicated he will have a look at various options to run through the midfield.

“Rozee will certainly have a look at the midfield. He will certainly get a bit more time in the midfield,” Hinkley told media.

“Butters I suspect will get a bit more time in the midfield. There are plenty of opportunities with the growth of the players.

“Houston is a lock. Put him in the midfield when he plays footy. It doesn’t mean he can’t go back and play in our backline, but we see what he added to our midfield last year.”

Hinkley also suggested veteran Brad Ebert would spend some more time in the middle of the ground, while Sam Powell-Pepper will most likely play a role in attack.

“Brad will get a little more time on ball than he did last year and Pep (Powell-Pepper) will certainly spend some more time forward,” he said.

“We want him to create some intensity in our front half that puts the opposition under pressure and makes them be a bit fearful of who’s around because Pep can be a bit dangerous when he’s out there.

“There will be that sort of stuff, there will be opportunities for people to play slightly different roles.”

Port Adelaide’s intra-club will commence at 5.30pm, with gates opening at Alberton Oval from 4.30pm for a gold coin donation.

Food and beverages will be available throughout the night, as well as a bouncy castle and plenty of giveaways, competitions and prizes.

There will also be a full squad signing session after the game, so make sure to bring all of your Power merchandise and get the autographs of all of your favourite players.

The final squads will be announced tomorrow afternoon, although teams are subject to change throughout the internal trial.

Houston is a lock. Put him in the midfield when he plays footy. It doesn’t mean he can’t go back and play in our backline (shivers down our spine), but we see what he added to our midfield last year.”

Professor · 13 Feb 2020

GEELONG will use the Marsh Community Series to explore the possibility of Tom Hawkins, Esava Ratugolea and Josh Jenkins all playing in the same forward 50.

The trio combined in the front half as the Cats hosted Collingwood for match simulation at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

With Rhys Stanley and Darcy Fort rotating in the ruck off an extended bench, the forward trio played in a tall attacking unit alongside 189cm second-year swingman Ben Jarvis.

"We're probably still working out our best combinations and I think it'll change throughout the year," Geelong forward coach Corey Enright said before the session with the Pies.

"(It will be) depending on how those guys are going, opposition teams and where we play.

"I'm pretty keen to see how it unfolds and once we get into games against oppositions."

A host of first-choice Cats, including Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett, Mark O'Connor, Luke Dahlhaus, Sam Menegola and Brandan Parfitt didn't take part in the hitout due to load management.

Joel Selwood was an onlooker, however the Cats remain optimistic he'll play in the Marsh Series against Gold Coast (February 22) or Essendon (March 9).

“He’s done a mountain of work, as you would expect from such a professional," Enright said.

“Once he’s ready to go, he’ll be fine.”

In a positive sign, dual All-Australian defender Tom Stewart was on the track against the Pies after battling groin troubles.