KFC SuperCoach 2022: The Phantom’s rookie rankings
The countdown to Round 1 is officially on – it’s time to get your KFC SuperCoach rookies sorted. Here is The Phantom’s updated verdict and top 10 on every line.
The key to success is in KFC SuperCoach is nailing your rookie-price selections.
To help you start sorting the good from the bad, I’ve ranked the best cheapies in every position — with scoring potential, job security and price taken into account.
And after the AAMI Series, there have been some big changes to the list – and there could be more as the official team news drops over the next week.
FORWARDS
1. Josh Rachele (Adel) $184,800
AAMI Series score: 85
The Crows need class, skill and x-factor forward of centre, and Rachele fits the bill right away. Adelaide’s top pick in last year’s draft has already impressed on the track and if all goes well from here, will improve Matthew Nicks’ side offensively from Round 1. The 18-year-old averaged 129 KFC SuperCoach points and booted 11 goals in four games, playing as a forward, in the NAB League last year. The talk from West Lakes gets more positive by the day with Nicks confirming what onlookers have been saying for a while – Rachele is “a big chance for Round 1”.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: It’s more than a big chance now, with Rachele all but locked in for Round 1 after booting three goals in each of Adelaide’s pre-season games. And he won’t need a lot of the ball to have an impact as he proved with back-to-back AAMI Series scores in the 80s. Hasn’t left my team for a while.
2. Jack Hayes (StK) $102,400, Ruck
AAMI Series score: 60
At last, the SANFL star gets a shot at the big time. Hayes, St Kilda’s SSP signing, has been a state league KFC SuperCoach star for a while now, averaging 128 and 124 points for Woodville-West Torrens in the past two seasons. In 2021, the 192cm mobile big man, who wins plenty of the ball and is strong overhead, posted three KFC SuperCoach double-tons, along with a 177-point display, on the back of 26 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 11 score involvements, 1.2 and four hitouts-to-advantage, to win the Jack Oatey Medal as the best player in the SANFL grand final.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: The versatile Hayes looked more the comfortable in the AAMI Series and Paddy Ryder is racing the clock to be right for Round 1. Lock him on the bench, at the very least.
3. Nick Martin (Ess) $102,400
AAMI Series score: 50
Another SSP gift for KFC SuperCoaches. The mature-age recruit, officially signed by the Bombers after an impressive performance in the practice match, averaged 15 disposals and 80 KFC SuperCoach points and booted 24 goals in the WAFL last year. The 20-year-old from Subiaco averaged 124 KFC SuperCoach points at WAFL Colts level in his draft year of 2019.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: It was only a half, but Martin was terrific – with his clean hands in particular – on the wing for the Bombers in the AAMI Series, tallying 16 disposals and 50 KFC SuperCoach points in just 42 per cent game-time. A lock for the bench if he’s picked in Round 1, and that’s a chance.
4. Will Brodie (Freo) $224,300
AAMI Series score: 100
In four VFL seasons at the Suns, Brodie averaged 121, 127, 124 and 100. But he managed just 25 senior appearances at the club after being drafted in 2016. And that’s despite ranking first at the Suns for hardball-gets, second for tackles and handballs, third for disposals, fourth for clearances and fifth for contested possessions in the final six games of 2019. But Justin Longmuir likes Brodie’s strength and he’s impressed his new coach over summer.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: Back-to-back KFC SuperCoach tons in the pre-season, and Brodie has all but played his way into a Round 1 spot for the Dockers. Might not spend as much time on ground as some others, but he’s proved that might not matter – especially at $224k. I’ve said all along I would pick him if Longmuir did.
5. Kaine Baldwin (Ess) $123,900
AAMI Series score: 48
Baldwin joined the Bombers as an SSP signing in early 2021 after being overlooked in the draft. In terms of talent, the Glenelg junior was on par with fellow South Australians Riley Thilthorpe and Lachie Jones, but two knee reconstructions saw him overlooked. He’s on the way, however, to completing a full pre-season and could be one to surprise in 202 – and not just in KFC SuperCoach.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: Baldwin hasn’t just completed a full pre-season, he’s caught the eye of many. And now he’s looming as a surprise Round 1 debutant, brining him into the KFC SuperCoach bench conversation.
6. Tristan Xerri (NM) $208,200
AAMI Series score: 96
If the pre-season is anything to go by, the 22-year-old could be about to overtake Todd Goldstein as North Melbourne’s No. 1 ruckman. In the AAMI Series game against the Swans, Xerri finished with 96 points, on the back of 17 disposals, 14 contested possessions and 29 hitouts. And in his five VFL appearances last season, the ball-winning big man posted scores of 110, 105, 102, 125 and 109.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: Xerri has rocketed into the KFC SuperCoach conversation, and could be a shrewd selection if he really is the main man at the Kangaroos. He could gain ruck status by Round 6, too. But is Todd Goldstein really finished yet?
7. Corey Durdin (Carl) $143,700
AAMI Series score: 43
Motlop has arrived but Durdin could be the one to fill the Eddie Betts void first this year, after playing in the final two games of his debut season, He dominated in the midfield as a junior, with his speed, skill and footy smarts, before playing as a forward at senior level in his draft year. He’s one who could have an impact with limited possession, once he finds his feet.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: Durdin may find his feet quicker than anticipated after a two-goal first quarter against the Bulldogs. The 21-year-old played just 43 per cent game time but will be right to go in Round 1. An expensive bench option if you need.
Finn Maginness in action during Hawthorn’s intra-club match. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images
8. Finn Maginness (Haw) $143,700, Mid
AAMI Series score: 50
The 21-year-old, who played three matches in his first two years at the Hawks, has continued a push for more senior opportunity over summer. Maginness, an elite runner at 187cm, tallied just 12 disposals, but had seven contested possessions and five tackles, in his only non-sub-affected game of last year. In Round 10 of the VFL, Maginness finished with 17 disposals, six tackles – two inside-50 – two goals and 105 points – does a forward-line role await in 2022?
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: Did a lot right this pre-season and is a good chance for Round 1. But will he do enough at the price? Attended four centre bounces in the AAMI Series and tallied 15 disposals. Might be too much mid-price value to start Maginness and Josh Rachele on-field.
9. Jed McEntee (Port) $123,900, Mid
AAMI Series score: 58
Port Adelaide picked him to play a role in last year’s mid-season draft and that’s exactly what McEntee has done this pre-season. The 21-year-old, who finished the SANFL season with a 106-point three-game average, kicked 1.1 from 13 disposals against the Crows and could keep Stephen Motlop out of the Power’s Round 1 side.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: The price is good, as is the dual-position status, in a shallow rookie pool. But, with the strength of the Port team, will his spot be under threat each week? Bench at best.
Hugo Ralphsmith is primed for a KFC SuperCoach spike playing in defence. Picture: Michael Klein
10. Hugo Ralphsmith (Rich) $206,700 Mid
AAMI Series score: 72
A move to defence has put the young Tiger back in the KFC SuperCoach mix, after an underwhelming start to his career as a forward. Looked assured across half-back in the practice match against Geelong and tallied 20 disposals in the AAMI Series clash with the Hawks.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: A breakout of sorts is on the cards, with consistent opportunity in defence. But will it be a big enough spike to demand KFC SuperCoach selection? I’ve still got Rachele and Brodie ahead of him. Gets a place on this list just ahead of Charlie Curnow, though.
Next in line: Elijah Hollands (GC) $123,900, Mid
AAMI Series score: Dnp
The pick 7 from the 2020 draft hasn’t played a senior game but he’s on track to feature early in 2022 after an impressive finish to his debut season at VFL level. After working his way back from an ACL tear, Hollands, an explosive 188cm midfielder who can play forward, tallied 27 disposals, 11 contested possessions, five clearances and 112 KFC SuperCoach points in his third and final game for the year.
Phantom’s post-AAMI Series verdict: Unfortunately, the early rookie favourite in the forward line looks like he will start the season in the VFL. But he will be very relevant at some stage.
IN THE MIX: Charlie Curnow, Jesse Motlop, Charlie Parker, Ely Smith, Joel Jeffrey,Luke Nankervis
