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KFC SuperCoach 2022: Trade guide for round 20 and league finals
Picking the right captain can decide a KFC SuperCoach final. Champion Data guru Fantasy Freako has crunched the numbers to find the best choice. Plus George Hewett trade advice.
Fantasy Freako
KFC SuperCoach finals are upon us!
And the finish line is getting closer for those vying for the top end of the rankings.
Some SuperCoaches are already out of trades with four rounds to go, while others still have a few up their sleeves. What tactic you adopt in the run home is clearly team dependent but being aggressive over the next month could see you make significant gains in the overall rankings.
Looking at the form players of the competition, Rory Laird is clearly the No.1 scorer since round 15. You could say he’s potentially been the best scorer across the season, dropping below 100 just once, which was his first game of the season after returning from injury. Indeed, if we rank players based on points scored since round 4, Laird is well ahead of Clayton Oliver.
Laird is as safe as houses from a VC/C point of view and is fixture-proof – averaging 133 points against top-eight teams and 123 against those in the bottom 10.
Marcus Bontempelli is a close second to Laird since round 15 with a return of 138 points per game. Scores of 161 and 181 over the last two rounds have propelled Bontempelli into second place – booting a total of four goals from his last three appearances.
Luke Beveridge has handed Bontempelli more midfield minutes over the last month, playing 78 per cent of game time as a centre bounce midfielder, up from 63 per cent from the first 15 rounds. If this trend continues in the run home, having the Bont as a VC/C option will be more than handy.
Chad Warner is one player who has crept up on everyone, averaging 120 points over this period – ranked equal-seventh. Many SuperCoaches flocking to Callum Mills in recent weeks, but Warner has outscored Mills by a total of 78 points since round 15.
Other unique options to score well over this period include Noah Anderson, Nick Vlastuin and Luke Davies-Uniacke.
LEADING KFC SUPERCOACH SCORERS SINCE ROUND 15
Rory Laird (Adel) – 141 av
Marcus Bontempelli (WB) – 138 av
Clayton Oliver (Melb) – 134 av
Zach Merrett (Ess) – 134 av
Touk Miller (G) – 131 av
Jack Steele (StK) –121 av
Chad Warner (Syd) – 120 av
Christian Petracca (Melb) – 120 av
Noah Anderson (GC) – 119 av
Jack Sinclair (StK) – 118 av
Nick Vlastuin (Rich) – 118 av
Tom Liberatore (WB) – 118 av
Lachie Neale (Bris) – 116 av
Luke Davies-Uniacke (NM) – 116 av
Sam Walsh (Carl) – 121
One word of caution – if you’re looking at one of Jack Steele or Jack Sinclair this week, Finn
Maginness is almost certain to tag one of the Jacks. Maginness key Jy Simpkin to just six disposals in the 83 minutes they were match up last round and has also held Jordan Dawson to just nine disposals.
ROOKIE WATCH
SuperCoaches who started the season with Elijah Hollands were finally rewarded lastround as he made his long-awaited AFL debut.
Hollands played 100 per cent of game time on the wing, finishing with 10 disposals, five marks, three tackles and one clearance. He also hit the scoreboard with two goals and had one score assist on his way to a solid 64 points. One would expect him to keep his place in the side in the run home, providing SuperCoaches with decent bench cover and flexibility.
Jai Culley though has been a revelation for the Eagles since coming into the team, attending the third-most centre bounces of any player at the club over the past two rounds. His defensive effort has really stood out, ranking third in the league for tackle attempts behind Rory Laird and Sam Berry and applying a total of 18 tackles – also ranked third.
Ash Johnson and Tyler Sonsie are also on the bubble this round. Johnson, a forward in KFC SuperCoach, has booted five goals from his two matches – scoring 67 and 61 points in that order. Sonsie, a midfielder, has collected 59 and 52 points respectively.
As always, best of luck for the round ahead and trade wisely for those that still have
trades in the bank!
Picking the right captain can decide a KFC SuperCoach final. Champion Data guru Fantasy Freako has crunched the numbers to find the best choice. Plus George Hewett trade advice.
Fantasy Freako
KFC SuperCoach finals are upon us!
And the finish line is getting closer for those vying for the top end of the rankings.
Some SuperCoaches are already out of trades with four rounds to go, while others still have a few up their sleeves. What tactic you adopt in the run home is clearly team dependent but being aggressive over the next month could see you make significant gains in the overall rankings.
Looking at the form players of the competition, Rory Laird is clearly the No.1 scorer since round 15. You could say he’s potentially been the best scorer across the season, dropping below 100 just once, which was his first game of the season after returning from injury. Indeed, if we rank players based on points scored since round 4, Laird is well ahead of Clayton Oliver.
Laird is as safe as houses from a VC/C point of view and is fixture-proof – averaging 133 points against top-eight teams and 123 against those in the bottom 10.
Marcus Bontempelli is a close second to Laird since round 15 with a return of 138 points per game. Scores of 161 and 181 over the last two rounds have propelled Bontempelli into second place – booting a total of four goals from his last three appearances.
Luke Beveridge has handed Bontempelli more midfield minutes over the last month, playing 78 per cent of game time as a centre bounce midfielder, up from 63 per cent from the first 15 rounds. If this trend continues in the run home, having the Bont as a VC/C option will be more than handy.
Chad Warner is one player who has crept up on everyone, averaging 120 points over this period – ranked equal-seventh. Many SuperCoaches flocking to Callum Mills in recent weeks, but Warner has outscored Mills by a total of 78 points since round 15.
Other unique options to score well over this period include Noah Anderson, Nick Vlastuin and Luke Davies-Uniacke.
LEADING KFC SUPERCOACH SCORERS SINCE ROUND 15
Rory Laird (Adel) – 141 av
Marcus Bontempelli (WB) – 138 av
Clayton Oliver (Melb) – 134 av
Zach Merrett (Ess) – 134 av
Touk Miller (G) – 131 av
Jack Steele (StK) –121 av
Chad Warner (Syd) – 120 av
Christian Petracca (Melb) – 120 av
Noah Anderson (GC) – 119 av
Jack Sinclair (StK) – 118 av
Nick Vlastuin (Rich) – 118 av
Tom Liberatore (WB) – 118 av
Lachie Neale (Bris) – 116 av
Luke Davies-Uniacke (NM) – 116 av
Sam Walsh (Carl) – 121
One word of caution – if you’re looking at one of Jack Steele or Jack Sinclair this week, Finn
Maginness is almost certain to tag one of the Jacks. Maginness key Jy Simpkin to just six disposals in the 83 minutes they were match up last round and has also held Jordan Dawson to just nine disposals.
ROOKIE WATCH
SuperCoaches who started the season with Elijah Hollands were finally rewarded lastround as he made his long-awaited AFL debut.
Hollands played 100 per cent of game time on the wing, finishing with 10 disposals, five marks, three tackles and one clearance. He also hit the scoreboard with two goals and had one score assist on his way to a solid 64 points. One would expect him to keep his place in the side in the run home, providing SuperCoaches with decent bench cover and flexibility.
Jai Culley though has been a revelation for the Eagles since coming into the team, attending the third-most centre bounces of any player at the club over the past two rounds. His defensive effort has really stood out, ranking third in the league for tackle attempts behind Rory Laird and Sam Berry and applying a total of 18 tackles – also ranked third.
Ash Johnson and Tyler Sonsie are also on the bubble this round. Johnson, a forward in KFC SuperCoach, has booted five goals from his two matches – scoring 67 and 61 points in that order. Sonsie, a midfielder, has collected 59 and 52 points respectively.
As always, best of luck for the round ahead and trade wisely for those that still have
trades in the bank!
KFC SuperCoach 2022: Selection mail plus top trade targets for round 21
Two key rookies have been ruled out for the second week of KFC SuperCoach finals, but will Stephen Coniglio and George Hewett return? Latest news plus trade advice.
KFC SuperCoach team depth will be tested like never before with news of an injury to GWS defender Jacob Wehr.
Wehr, who has been required on field in recent weeks for many teams to cover injured premiums like George Hewett, will miss 2-3 weeks after suffering a calf strain against the Swans.
That could mean season over for one of the most reliable rookies of the second half of the season, who has played 10 straight games since making his debut in round 10, averaging 62.5 KFC SuperCoach points.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THIS WEEK’S TOP TRADE TARGETS
The injury makes Hewett’s recovery from a back injury – which the Blues have described as a week to week proposition – even more crucial for the 63,000 coaches who have him over the past two weeks.
Making matters worse, Wehr is not the only popular rookie who will be sidelined.
West Coast’s mid-season draft recruit Jai Culley has been offered a two-game suspension for striking Noah Anderson at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.
Culley scored 76 and 90 points in his first two AFL matches but his third was a nightmare for his new owners as he managed only 26 points before being subbed out with a hamstring injury. Then came news from the MRO.
n better news, Stephen Coniglio is expected to return this week after he was a late withdrawal from the Sydney Derby with “soreness”.
He is not on the Giants’ updated injury list and after the game coach Mark McVeigh said: “I think he’ll be right to go next week. He needs a couple more days and hopefully he’s all right.”
And coaches relying on Collingwood’s Josh Carmichael could get a boost with news Taylor Adams will miss the rest of the home-and-away season. Carmichael has been the sub the past two rounds, including replacing Adams when he was subbed out on Saturday. Carmichael had 12 disposals and 47 KFC SuperCoach points, and would be at the front of the queue for a spot in the best 22 this week.
Trade guide: Seven players to save your season
It’s now or never.
From here every KFC SuperCoach final is winner take all, and any misstep could end your season.
With rankings tightening, trades dwindling and seasons on the line across the country, the ability to swing a move or make a trade now can be huge.
Here are seven players to put on your shopping list for round 21.
ROWAN MARSHALL $480,900 RUC/FWD
Marshall’s scoring power when playing as the solo ruckman was on full display against the Hawks as he racked up 30 disposals (at 73 per cent efficiency), nine marks, seven tackles, 10 intercepts and 12 hitouts to advantage for a monster 173 KFC SuperCoach points. He faces Geelong (Jon Ceglar), Brisbane (Oscar McInerney) and Sydney (Tom Hickey or Sam Reid) in the final three rounds and is the No.1 target if you can upgrade any forward. At his price he’s probably the best pick in the midfield too (by swapping a MID/FWD like Josh Dunkley into the midfield).
ORDAN DAWSON $554,800 DEF/MID
Miss the Tom Stewart train? You might be getting an even better scorer if you can grab Dawson in defence this week. The Crows playmaker broke a run of scores in the 90s with a big ton against the Blues but will still drop in price after falling short of his high Break Even. The Crows can finish the season on a high with matches against West Coast, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide, and Dawson – who is averaging 109.6 for the season – will be front and centre.
RORY LAIRD $702,700 MID
Money not an issue? Laird is the most expensive KFC SuperCoach player right now and the best (average 128.4) – and the most reliable captain choice every week. We could list all his numbers but all you need to know is when an uber premium like Clayton Oliver drops a rare score in the 80s Laird churns out yet another 140-plus score. That’s six in a row over 125. Will be very hard to win a final if your opponent has him and you don’t.
MASON REDMAN $576,700 DEF
With three rounds to play you can afford to take a punt on a lowly owned player who may not have a proven history of top-end KFC SuperCoach scoring. After all, you only need three good scores. And based on his second half of the season, Redman could score as much as anyone. Since round 14 he has five 100-plus scores from six games, with the only miss the match he was subbed out before halftime. Take that out and his past two scores are 176 and 152. If you don’t have trades left this year put him on your watch list for 2023.
ED RICHARDS $460,900 DEF
The bargain buy in defence this week, the rationale for picking Richards is similar to Redman – we’re judging only on form in the past few weeks. Richards has found a role as an attacking half-back and posted KFC SuperCoach scores of 114, 126 and 112 against strong opposition – St Kilda, Melbourne and Geelong. Other slightly more expensive options down back are Docker Luke Ryan ($531,300 DEF), who has scored 128, 128 and 110 in his past three, and Eagle Tom Barrass ($540,200 DEF, past three 142, 139 and 109).
SHAI BOLTON $484,500 FWD/MID
Need to roll the dice to spring a finals boilover? Shai is hot and cold but if he can run hot in two or three of the remaining matches he could be the ticket to KFC SuperCoach glory. Two of his past four scores are 131 and 162 – the other two are 55 and 84. The Tigers have to win every game to make the finals and you sense their fortunes could ride on the performances of their mercurial No.29.
DAN HANNEBERY $255,300 MID
Who needs a bargain? Hannebery returned from the wilderness and posted 27 disposals and a goal in his first game in almost 12 months, for a very handy 93 KFC SuperCoach points. He is a massive POD – in statistically 0 per cent of teams – so you can bet your finals opponent won’t have him. With no standout rookies this week, downgrading to Hanners could free up enough cash to get a Dawson type and give you a ninth midfielder to loophole off the bench. It was a long time ago, but he did average 113-plus two years in a row (2015-16).
Two key rookies have been ruled out for the second week of KFC SuperCoach finals, but will Stephen Coniglio and George Hewett return? Latest news plus trade advice.
KFC SuperCoach team depth will be tested like never before with news of an injury to GWS defender Jacob Wehr.
Wehr, who has been required on field in recent weeks for many teams to cover injured premiums like George Hewett, will miss 2-3 weeks after suffering a calf strain against the Swans.
That could mean season over for one of the most reliable rookies of the second half of the season, who has played 10 straight games since making his debut in round 10, averaging 62.5 KFC SuperCoach points.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THIS WEEK’S TOP TRADE TARGETS
The injury makes Hewett’s recovery from a back injury – which the Blues have described as a week to week proposition – even more crucial for the 63,000 coaches who have him over the past two weeks.
Making matters worse, Wehr is not the only popular rookie who will be sidelined.
West Coast’s mid-season draft recruit Jai Culley has been offered a two-game suspension for striking Noah Anderson at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.
Culley scored 76 and 90 points in his first two AFL matches but his third was a nightmare for his new owners as he managed only 26 points before being subbed out with a hamstring injury. Then came news from the MRO.
n better news, Stephen Coniglio is expected to return this week after he was a late withdrawal from the Sydney Derby with “soreness”.
He is not on the Giants’ updated injury list and after the game coach Mark McVeigh said: “I think he’ll be right to go next week. He needs a couple more days and hopefully he’s all right.”
And coaches relying on Collingwood’s Josh Carmichael could get a boost with news Taylor Adams will miss the rest of the home-and-away season. Carmichael has been the sub the past two rounds, including replacing Adams when he was subbed out on Saturday. Carmichael had 12 disposals and 47 KFC SuperCoach points, and would be at the front of the queue for a spot in the best 22 this week.
Trade guide: Seven players to save your season
It’s now or never.
From here every KFC SuperCoach final is winner take all, and any misstep could end your season.
With rankings tightening, trades dwindling and seasons on the line across the country, the ability to swing a move or make a trade now can be huge.
Here are seven players to put on your shopping list for round 21.
ROWAN MARSHALL $480,900 RUC/FWD
Marshall’s scoring power when playing as the solo ruckman was on full display against the Hawks as he racked up 30 disposals (at 73 per cent efficiency), nine marks, seven tackles, 10 intercepts and 12 hitouts to advantage for a monster 173 KFC SuperCoach points. He faces Geelong (Jon Ceglar), Brisbane (Oscar McInerney) and Sydney (Tom Hickey or Sam Reid) in the final three rounds and is the No.1 target if you can upgrade any forward. At his price he’s probably the best pick in the midfield too (by swapping a MID/FWD like Josh Dunkley into the midfield).
ORDAN DAWSON $554,800 DEF/MID
Miss the Tom Stewart train? You might be getting an even better scorer if you can grab Dawson in defence this week. The Crows playmaker broke a run of scores in the 90s with a big ton against the Blues but will still drop in price after falling short of his high Break Even. The Crows can finish the season on a high with matches against West Coast, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide, and Dawson – who is averaging 109.6 for the season – will be front and centre.
RORY LAIRD $702,700 MID
Money not an issue? Laird is the most expensive KFC SuperCoach player right now and the best (average 128.4) – and the most reliable captain choice every week. We could list all his numbers but all you need to know is when an uber premium like Clayton Oliver drops a rare score in the 80s Laird churns out yet another 140-plus score. That’s six in a row over 125. Will be very hard to win a final if your opponent has him and you don’t.
MASON REDMAN $576,700 DEF
With three rounds to play you can afford to take a punt on a lowly owned player who may not have a proven history of top-end KFC SuperCoach scoring. After all, you only need three good scores. And based on his second half of the season, Redman could score as much as anyone. Since round 14 he has five 100-plus scores from six games, with the only miss the match he was subbed out before halftime. Take that out and his past two scores are 176 and 152. If you don’t have trades left this year put him on your watch list for 2023.
ED RICHARDS $460,900 DEF
The bargain buy in defence this week, the rationale for picking Richards is similar to Redman – we’re judging only on form in the past few weeks. Richards has found a role as an attacking half-back and posted KFC SuperCoach scores of 114, 126 and 112 against strong opposition – St Kilda, Melbourne and Geelong. Other slightly more expensive options down back are Docker Luke Ryan ($531,300 DEF), who has scored 128, 128 and 110 in his past three, and Eagle Tom Barrass ($540,200 DEF, past three 142, 139 and 109).
SHAI BOLTON $484,500 FWD/MID
Need to roll the dice to spring a finals boilover? Shai is hot and cold but if he can run hot in two or three of the remaining matches he could be the ticket to KFC SuperCoach glory. Two of his past four scores are 131 and 162 – the other two are 55 and 84. The Tigers have to win every game to make the finals and you sense their fortunes could ride on the performances of their mercurial No.29.
DAN HANNEBERY $255,300 MID
Who needs a bargain? Hannebery returned from the wilderness and posted 27 disposals and a goal in his first game in almost 12 months, for a very handy 93 KFC SuperCoach points. He is a massive POD – in statistically 0 per cent of teams – so you can bet your finals opponent won’t have him. With no standout rookies this week, downgrading to Hanners could free up enough cash to get a Dawson type and give you a ninth midfielder to loophole off the bench. It was a long time ago, but he did average 113-plus two years in a row (2015-16).
SuperCoach Plus: 11 things you need to know for round 21 of the AFL season
What has happened to Jack Crisp? Who should be your captain this week? Get the numbers behind the KFC SuperCoach scores and key intel for round 21.
The final countdown is here.
With just three rounds to play every goal, turnover and tap-on can decide KFC SuperCoach fortunes.
Fortunately, there are things we can control – including who to name as captain and how to use any precious remaining trades.
SuperCoach Plus gives you the numbers behind the scores as well as a treasure trove of stats and tools including Break Evens, score and price projections, the new Trade Assist button and lots more.
And now SuperCoach Plus subscribers can see live KFC SuperCoach scores for every AFL game in the 2022 season.
And you get exclusive weekly analysis articles just like this one!
Scroll down for 11 key stats to help your team this week.
1. SUPER LAIRD
Rory Laird crashed through the $700k barrier after another huge score in round 20 and remarkably he has more money to make, according to SuperCoach Plus. The Crows star now has the best average in the game (128.4) after overtaking Clayton Oliver (126.3) at the weekend. Remarkably, he ranks sixth for total points despite playing two fewer games than most of the top 20. Laird faces West Coast and North Melbourne in his next two games and is forecast to score 137 and 149 – which could be conservative based on his recent form and the points those teams are giving up to opposition midfielders. Laird is in just 20 per cent of teams and will be a huge weapon for owners in KFC SuperCoach finals.
2. BURNT TO A CRISP
At round 13 Jack Crisp looked like one of the smartest picks of the season. To that point he had only three scores under 100 (and one of them was 97) and was averaging 105.5 points a game. But since then his season has fallen off a cliff from a KFC SuperCoach scoring perspective, with a high score of 91 in the past six rounds and a season-low 60 points against Port Adelaide on Saturday. After winning 24-29 disposals in every game from round 2 to round 13 Crisp has topped 20 disposals just once since – his 16 disposals last Saturday was a season-low. He’s still getting his share of centre bounce attendances, attending 12-15 most weeks, but since round 16 he has spent time in defence, the midfield and up forward. One key stat where his numbers are down in is handball-receives. From rounds 2-13 and had 9.9 per game – ranked third at the Pies. From rounds 15-20 that number has gone down to 6.3 per game – ranked fifth – while Nick Daicos’s numbers have gone from 11.2 to 14.2 – ranked No.1 at the club.
3. CRIPPS SECRET
If we thought Patrick Cripps was back last week, his performance on Saturday night put it beyond doubt. Cripps had a career-high 41 disposals and 146 KFC SuperCoach points against Adelaide, his highest score since round 8. That strengthened the argument that Cripps scores well without George Hewett in the Blues team, and there was another magic ingredient against the Crows. Marc Pittonet returned from a long injury lay-off for his sixth game of the season. Cripps has played in five of those matches and scored 132, 162, 119, 139 and 146.
4. RED DOG RED HOT
Who would like a defender who has scored 99 or more in his past eight full games, and 152 and 176 in his past two? Mason Redman is going so well he has the second-best three-round and five-round averages in defence even including a game he was subbed out before halftime (scoring 49 against Collingwood). Redman’s huge score against the Kangaroos was on the back of incredible efficiency – of his 32 disposals, 31 hit the target. That one miskick was a clanger in the last quarter that cost him 1.7 KFC SuperCoach points. It was the second-best efficiency recorded this year from a player who won at least 30 disposals, rating just below Daniel Rich’s 33-disposal effort in round 15. Redman’s 31-disposal game at 93.5 per cent efficiency in round 14 also ranks in the top five, along with Harry Himmelberg (37 disposals at 94.6 per cent in round 13) and Callum Mills (37 disposals at 91.9 per cent efficiency in round 6).
5. EMERGENCY WARNING
A number of late changes in round 20 provided a timely reminder about the value of trades and bench cover in the final rounds of the season, and the dangers of trying to loophole non-playing players. None of Mitch Owens, Maurice Rioli Jr, Josh Carmichael or Hugh Dixon were named on Thursday night but all played at least some minutes after being named the medical sub or, in Owens’ case, coming into the team at the last minute. Owens scored 67 points from 11 disposals, four tackles and a goal and has hopefully earned a few more weeks in the Saints team for his 47,000 owners. The results weren’t so good for the other three, with Carmichael scoring 47 points, Dixon 27 and Rioli just 6 after giving away a 50m penalty in the tight final quarter against Brisbane.
6. CULL CULLEY?
Jai Culley was the most traded in player in the past two rounds after his impressive start to his AFL career. After posting KFC SuperCoach scores of 90 and 76 in his first two games the top pick in the mid-season draft was added to more than 30,000 teams. Then disaster struck. Playing his third game, Culley could manage only 10 disposals and 26 points before being subbed out of the game with a hamstring injury. Even if he escapes serious damage he is set to miss the next two rounds after being offered a ban by the match review officer for an elbow to Gold Coast’s Noah Anderson.
7. DUNKLEY BOUNCES BACK
Josh Dunkley timed his return to form to perfection, top scoring for the Western Bulldogs in the first week of KFC SuperCoach finals. Dunkley, who was traded out of 500 teams last week after three scores under 80, scored 130 points – his highest tally since round 11 – on the back of 25 disposals, six marks and six tackles. Dunkley had just one more disposal than last round – when he scored 67 points – but he won six more contested possessions and hit the scoreboard with two goals and one score assist. He also had an impact early, scoring 79 points in the first half compared to 32 points against Melbourne.
8. ROLE CHANGE ALERT
Jayden Short had his first behind kick-in since round 6 on Sunday but unfortunately it didn’t lead to a boost in his KFC SuperCoach output, with his 74 points his second-lowest total of the season. Short started down back against the Lions and had three kick-ins – playing on from two of them, although one went straight to Lachie Neale, one of three clanger kicks in the first half. He played 66 per cent of the game in defence in the first half, 16 per cent midfield and 18 per cent forward. In the second half it was 22 per cent midfield and 78 per cent forward. Meanwhile, Harry Himmelberg’s versatility was on full display against the Swans, playing 16 per cent defence, 28 per cent ruck and 57 per cent forward in the first half, then switching to 88 per cent defence and 12 per cent forward after halftime.
9. GREEN AND BEAR IT
One player who can’t blame a role change for low KFC SuperCoach scores is Tom Green. He played 17 per cent of game time in the ruck but also spent 53 per cent in the midfield and just 30 per cent forward. His has scored 50, 49 and 55 in his past three matches and hasn’t cracked the ton in his past five. It’s a big fall from his blistering start to the season, when Green averaged 119.9 over the first seven rounds. At that stage he was worth $551,800 and looked like a mid-price success story, but his value has been falling ever since. Amazingly he is now worth $395,800 – $34,200 under his starting price.
10. CAPTAINS CORNER
When picking a captain this round it probably boils down to the three hottest player in KFC SuperCoach right now – Touk Miller, Zach Merrett and Rory Laird. Miller has the best five-round average in the comp (141.6) with three of his past five scores over 150. He hasn’t scored under 100 since round 10 and averages 120 in his past three matches against this round’s opponent, Hawthorn. Merrett is just behind Miller based on five-round average (139.2) but amazingly every score in that time has been between 133 and 147. He doesn’t have the best record against GWS though, scoring 71 last time they met, in round 19 last year. Laird, meanwhile, is a model of consistency. He has the third-best five-round average (138.6), has scored at least 100 points his past 16 matches and at least 125 in his past six. He scored 136 the last time he played West Coast, in round 12.
11. CAPTAINS CORNER (2)
If you don’t like any of those three for some reason, Clayton Oliver is a strong VC option on Friday night against Collingwood, a team he averages 128.6 against in his past three. Lachie Neale faces Carlton on Sunday, a team he scored 96 against in round 6. Patrick Cripps missed that game through injury but Sam Walsh scored 130 and averages the same number in his past three against Brisbane. Marcus Bontempelli averages 117 in his three against the Dockers, but could face the James Aish treatment this week. If you’re want a left-field candidate, James Sicily scored 147 against the Suns in round 11 and Jarrod Witts scored 119 in that game. He hasn’t topped 90 points in his past three games but Rowan Marshall did score 173 against Hawthorn’s ruck division last week.
What has happened to Jack Crisp? Who should be your captain this week? Get the numbers behind the KFC SuperCoach scores and key intel for round 21.
The final countdown is here.
With just three rounds to play every goal, turnover and tap-on can decide KFC SuperCoach fortunes.
Fortunately, there are things we can control – including who to name as captain and how to use any precious remaining trades.
SuperCoach Plus gives you the numbers behind the scores as well as a treasure trove of stats and tools including Break Evens, score and price projections, the new Trade Assist button and lots more.
And now SuperCoach Plus subscribers can see live KFC SuperCoach scores for every AFL game in the 2022 season.
And you get exclusive weekly analysis articles just like this one!
Scroll down for 11 key stats to help your team this week.
1. SUPER LAIRD
Rory Laird crashed through the $700k barrier after another huge score in round 20 and remarkably he has more money to make, according to SuperCoach Plus. The Crows star now has the best average in the game (128.4) after overtaking Clayton Oliver (126.3) at the weekend. Remarkably, he ranks sixth for total points despite playing two fewer games than most of the top 20. Laird faces West Coast and North Melbourne in his next two games and is forecast to score 137 and 149 – which could be conservative based on his recent form and the points those teams are giving up to opposition midfielders. Laird is in just 20 per cent of teams and will be a huge weapon for owners in KFC SuperCoach finals.
2. BURNT TO A CRISP
At round 13 Jack Crisp looked like one of the smartest picks of the season. To that point he had only three scores under 100 (and one of them was 97) and was averaging 105.5 points a game. But since then his season has fallen off a cliff from a KFC SuperCoach scoring perspective, with a high score of 91 in the past six rounds and a season-low 60 points against Port Adelaide on Saturday. After winning 24-29 disposals in every game from round 2 to round 13 Crisp has topped 20 disposals just once since – his 16 disposals last Saturday was a season-low. He’s still getting his share of centre bounce attendances, attending 12-15 most weeks, but since round 16 he has spent time in defence, the midfield and up forward. One key stat where his numbers are down in is handball-receives. From rounds 2-13 and had 9.9 per game – ranked third at the Pies. From rounds 15-20 that number has gone down to 6.3 per game – ranked fifth – while Nick Daicos’s numbers have gone from 11.2 to 14.2 – ranked No.1 at the club.
3. CRIPPS SECRET
If we thought Patrick Cripps was back last week, his performance on Saturday night put it beyond doubt. Cripps had a career-high 41 disposals and 146 KFC SuperCoach points against Adelaide, his highest score since round 8. That strengthened the argument that Cripps scores well without George Hewett in the Blues team, and there was another magic ingredient against the Crows. Marc Pittonet returned from a long injury lay-off for his sixth game of the season. Cripps has played in five of those matches and scored 132, 162, 119, 139 and 146.
4. RED DOG RED HOT
Who would like a defender who has scored 99 or more in his past eight full games, and 152 and 176 in his past two? Mason Redman is going so well he has the second-best three-round and five-round averages in defence even including a game he was subbed out before halftime (scoring 49 against Collingwood). Redman’s huge score against the Kangaroos was on the back of incredible efficiency – of his 32 disposals, 31 hit the target. That one miskick was a clanger in the last quarter that cost him 1.7 KFC SuperCoach points. It was the second-best efficiency recorded this year from a player who won at least 30 disposals, rating just below Daniel Rich’s 33-disposal effort in round 15. Redman’s 31-disposal game at 93.5 per cent efficiency in round 14 also ranks in the top five, along with Harry Himmelberg (37 disposals at 94.6 per cent in round 13) and Callum Mills (37 disposals at 91.9 per cent efficiency in round 6).
5. EMERGENCY WARNING
A number of late changes in round 20 provided a timely reminder about the value of trades and bench cover in the final rounds of the season, and the dangers of trying to loophole non-playing players. None of Mitch Owens, Maurice Rioli Jr, Josh Carmichael or Hugh Dixon were named on Thursday night but all played at least some minutes after being named the medical sub or, in Owens’ case, coming into the team at the last minute. Owens scored 67 points from 11 disposals, four tackles and a goal and has hopefully earned a few more weeks in the Saints team for his 47,000 owners. The results weren’t so good for the other three, with Carmichael scoring 47 points, Dixon 27 and Rioli just 6 after giving away a 50m penalty in the tight final quarter against Brisbane.
6. CULL CULLEY?
Jai Culley was the most traded in player in the past two rounds after his impressive start to his AFL career. After posting KFC SuperCoach scores of 90 and 76 in his first two games the top pick in the mid-season draft was added to more than 30,000 teams. Then disaster struck. Playing his third game, Culley could manage only 10 disposals and 26 points before being subbed out of the game with a hamstring injury. Even if he escapes serious damage he is set to miss the next two rounds after being offered a ban by the match review officer for an elbow to Gold Coast’s Noah Anderson.
7. DUNKLEY BOUNCES BACK
Josh Dunkley timed his return to form to perfection, top scoring for the Western Bulldogs in the first week of KFC SuperCoach finals. Dunkley, who was traded out of 500 teams last week after three scores under 80, scored 130 points – his highest tally since round 11 – on the back of 25 disposals, six marks and six tackles. Dunkley had just one more disposal than last round – when he scored 67 points – but he won six more contested possessions and hit the scoreboard with two goals and one score assist. He also had an impact early, scoring 79 points in the first half compared to 32 points against Melbourne.
8. ROLE CHANGE ALERT
Jayden Short had his first behind kick-in since round 6 on Sunday but unfortunately it didn’t lead to a boost in his KFC SuperCoach output, with his 74 points his second-lowest total of the season. Short started down back against the Lions and had three kick-ins – playing on from two of them, although one went straight to Lachie Neale, one of three clanger kicks in the first half. He played 66 per cent of the game in defence in the first half, 16 per cent midfield and 18 per cent forward. In the second half it was 22 per cent midfield and 78 per cent forward. Meanwhile, Harry Himmelberg’s versatility was on full display against the Swans, playing 16 per cent defence, 28 per cent ruck and 57 per cent forward in the first half, then switching to 88 per cent defence and 12 per cent forward after halftime.
9. GREEN AND BEAR IT
One player who can’t blame a role change for low KFC SuperCoach scores is Tom Green. He played 17 per cent of game time in the ruck but also spent 53 per cent in the midfield and just 30 per cent forward. His has scored 50, 49 and 55 in his past three matches and hasn’t cracked the ton in his past five. It’s a big fall from his blistering start to the season, when Green averaged 119.9 over the first seven rounds. At that stage he was worth $551,800 and looked like a mid-price success story, but his value has been falling ever since. Amazingly he is now worth $395,800 – $34,200 under his starting price.
10. CAPTAINS CORNER
When picking a captain this round it probably boils down to the three hottest player in KFC SuperCoach right now – Touk Miller, Zach Merrett and Rory Laird. Miller has the best five-round average in the comp (141.6) with three of his past five scores over 150. He hasn’t scored under 100 since round 10 and averages 120 in his past three matches against this round’s opponent, Hawthorn. Merrett is just behind Miller based on five-round average (139.2) but amazingly every score in that time has been between 133 and 147. He doesn’t have the best record against GWS though, scoring 71 last time they met, in round 19 last year. Laird, meanwhile, is a model of consistency. He has the third-best five-round average (138.6), has scored at least 100 points his past 16 matches and at least 125 in his past six. He scored 136 the last time he played West Coast, in round 12.
11. CAPTAINS CORNER (2)
If you don’t like any of those three for some reason, Clayton Oliver is a strong VC option on Friday night against Collingwood, a team he averages 128.6 against in his past three. Lachie Neale faces Carlton on Sunday, a team he scored 96 against in round 6. Patrick Cripps missed that game through injury but Sam Walsh scored 130 and averages the same number in his past three against Brisbane. Marcus Bontempelli averages 117 in his three against the Dockers, but could face the James Aish treatment this week. If you’re want a left-field candidate, James Sicily scored 147 against the Suns in round 11 and Jarrod Witts scored 119 in that game. He hasn’t topped 90 points in his past three games but Rowan Marshall did score 173 against Hawthorn’s ruck division last week.
KFC SuperCoach 2022: Selection mail plus top trade targets for round 21
Jack Crisp and Jayden Short are out of form and causing KFC SuperCoach nightmares. Do they need to be traded? See Fantasy Freako’s inside word plus latest injury news.
Fantasy Freako
The injury to Clayton Oliver will go down as a sliding doors moment in my season.
Like many of his owners at the time, we were hoping that he would end up playing through the pain barrier and front up against Port Adelaide in round 18, but in the end the Demons erred on the side of caution and kept him out.
Fast forward to Round 21 and since Oliver’s return he has only managed 96 and 85 points in that order – a combined tally of 181 points.
If you used Oliver’s injury as an opportunity to be aggressive and trade him out, then you have since been vindicated. The most obvious replacement at the time was Rory Laird and if you made that move, you have been rewarded with 438 points over the same period. That’s a huge difference, especially if you had Laird as your VC/C, where the discrepancy is far greater with the doubled score.
So, what is the lesson learned here? Simply, don’t be afraid to trade out a premium even if he’s missing the one week because if you make the right move, it can pay you back in spades.
As we turn our attention to round 21, your team should be full premium by now and if you still have one or more trades up your sleeve, then you’re in the enviable position of being able to make luxury trades.
Two players that fit the luxury trade criterion are Jayden Short and Jack Crisp. Both started the season like a house on fire and after Short moved into the midfield in Round 7, we thought it could propel him to greater heights. It did initially, but it was short-lived. Pardon the pun.
Short averaged 106 points in the first 13 rounds, ranked equal-fifth among defenders in the league. While Crisp averaged 105 points – ranked equal-seventh. So where did it all go wrong?
Post-bye, Short’s returns have dropped to 85 points per game, while Crisp is going at just 77 points per game. In both instances, it’s well below what they produced earlier in the year.
In the case of Short, he returned to his customary role in defence on the weekend and even took the kick-ins again, but after three woeful turnovers by foot, he was switched back to the forward line in the second half which did nothing for his scoring – playing 78 per cent of game time in that role.
Crisp spent time all over the ground last round but couldn’t get involved, returning a season low 60 points from just 16 disposals.
Can they turn it around? Potentially. But if you can move them on, I wouldn’t hesitate.
George Hewett, currently owned by over 63,000 SuperCoaches, is a player you should have already traded as his back injury will now keep him out for a third week in a row.
Patrick Cripps has been the main beneficiary, tallying 138, 151, 118 and 146 in the four games Hewett has missed, racking up a career-high 41 disposals on the weekend against Adelaide. From a KFC SuperCoach perspective, I’m hoping Hewett doesn’t rush his return.
FREAKO’S ROOKIE WATCH
Bench cover for SuperCoaches is dwindling by the week in the wake of Jacob Wehr’s calf injury and Jai Culley’s hamstring injury/two-week suspension.
As we know, coverage is important at this time of the year with the likes of Clayton Oliver, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Adam Treloar all missing games over the past few rounds.
If you’re still on the lookout for a downgrade option in defence, then Adelaide’s Josh Worrell is the clear standout after scoring 87 points on the weekend. With 31 SANFL games under his belt over the last two seasons, he looked right at home alongside Jordon Butts and Nick Murray.
Worrell’s reading of the play was a highlight as he won 12 intercept possessions – the
equal fourth-most of any player for the round. He also gained 446 metres and had a kicking efficiency of 75 per cent.
Fellow defender Kallan Dawson debuted last round against Essendon and finished with 13 disposals, six marks, two spoils, 63 points and a kicking efficiency of 89 per cent. He, too, is a player worth considering as a defensive downgrade.
Further up the ground, Elijah Hollands is on the bubble and has the bonus of DPP eligibility. He added 65 points to his season tally last round on the back if 14 disposals, seven contested possessions, three clearances, four tackles and one score assist.
We’re likely to also see a few more debutants over the remaining rounds, so you can also jump onto a first gamer if needed as they’ll more than likely be occupying a spot on your bench.
As always, best of luck for the round ahead and the remaining three rounds!
Jack Crisp and Jayden Short are out of form and causing KFC SuperCoach nightmares. Do they need to be traded? See Fantasy Freako’s inside word plus latest injury news.
Fantasy Freako
The injury to Clayton Oliver will go down as a sliding doors moment in my season.
Like many of his owners at the time, we were hoping that he would end up playing through the pain barrier and front up against Port Adelaide in round 18, but in the end the Demons erred on the side of caution and kept him out.
Fast forward to Round 21 and since Oliver’s return he has only managed 96 and 85 points in that order – a combined tally of 181 points.
If you used Oliver’s injury as an opportunity to be aggressive and trade him out, then you have since been vindicated. The most obvious replacement at the time was Rory Laird and if you made that move, you have been rewarded with 438 points over the same period. That’s a huge difference, especially if you had Laird as your VC/C, where the discrepancy is far greater with the doubled score.
So, what is the lesson learned here? Simply, don’t be afraid to trade out a premium even if he’s missing the one week because if you make the right move, it can pay you back in spades.
As we turn our attention to round 21, your team should be full premium by now and if you still have one or more trades up your sleeve, then you’re in the enviable position of being able to make luxury trades.
Two players that fit the luxury trade criterion are Jayden Short and Jack Crisp. Both started the season like a house on fire and after Short moved into the midfield in Round 7, we thought it could propel him to greater heights. It did initially, but it was short-lived. Pardon the pun.
Short averaged 106 points in the first 13 rounds, ranked equal-fifth among defenders in the league. While Crisp averaged 105 points – ranked equal-seventh. So where did it all go wrong?
Post-bye, Short’s returns have dropped to 85 points per game, while Crisp is going at just 77 points per game. In both instances, it’s well below what they produced earlier in the year.
In the case of Short, he returned to his customary role in defence on the weekend and even took the kick-ins again, but after three woeful turnovers by foot, he was switched back to the forward line in the second half which did nothing for his scoring – playing 78 per cent of game time in that role.
Crisp spent time all over the ground last round but couldn’t get involved, returning a season low 60 points from just 16 disposals.
Can they turn it around? Potentially. But if you can move them on, I wouldn’t hesitate.
George Hewett, currently owned by over 63,000 SuperCoaches, is a player you should have already traded as his back injury will now keep him out for a third week in a row.
Patrick Cripps has been the main beneficiary, tallying 138, 151, 118 and 146 in the four games Hewett has missed, racking up a career-high 41 disposals on the weekend against Adelaide. From a KFC SuperCoach perspective, I’m hoping Hewett doesn’t rush his return.
FREAKO’S ROOKIE WATCH
Bench cover for SuperCoaches is dwindling by the week in the wake of Jacob Wehr’s calf injury and Jai Culley’s hamstring injury/two-week suspension.
As we know, coverage is important at this time of the year with the likes of Clayton Oliver, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Adam Treloar all missing games over the past few rounds.
If you’re still on the lookout for a downgrade option in defence, then Adelaide’s Josh Worrell is the clear standout after scoring 87 points on the weekend. With 31 SANFL games under his belt over the last two seasons, he looked right at home alongside Jordon Butts and Nick Murray.
Worrell’s reading of the play was a highlight as he won 12 intercept possessions – the
equal fourth-most of any player for the round. He also gained 446 metres and had a kicking efficiency of 75 per cent.
Fellow defender Kallan Dawson debuted last round against Essendon and finished with 13 disposals, six marks, two spoils, 63 points and a kicking efficiency of 89 per cent. He, too, is a player worth considering as a defensive downgrade.
Further up the ground, Elijah Hollands is on the bubble and has the bonus of DPP eligibility. He added 65 points to his season tally last round on the back if 14 disposals, seven contested possessions, three clearances, four tackles and one score assist.
We’re likely to also see a few more debutants over the remaining rounds, so you can also jump onto a first gamer if needed as they’ll more than likely be occupying a spot on your bench.
As always, best of luck for the round ahead and the remaining three rounds!
KFC SuperCoach Plus: The 11 best selections of 2022
Rookies, bargains and mid-season steals. These were the 11 buys you needed to get right in KFC SuperCoach this year. How many did you pick?
SC Plus Article
With two rounds left in the KFC SuperCoach season it’s time to look back on the hits and misses
In this case, the hits. We like to stay positive at SuperCoach Plus!
Skill, strategy and a bit of luck all play a role in KFC SuperCoach success, along with a great sense of timing.
Buying Tom Stewart for $607,000 the week before he scored 187 against Fremantle was genius. Bringing him in last week for almost $30,000 less only to see him score 48 points in a full game not so much.
Frm rounds 3-9 Braydon Preuss averaged 110 and rocketed up in value from $204,700 to $457,100. Roughly 15,000 very smart SuperCoaches traded him out at the Giants’ bye before his continued unavailability and low scores when he did play (he hasn’t scored 100 since) put him on the “never again” list for many coaches.
We’ve dug through the numbers to name the 11 best KFC SuperCoach selections of 22.
There were some unlucky omissions, headed by super scorer Rory Laird. He never got cheaper than $628,000 (round 5) but any time would have been a good time to bring in the No.1 averaging player in the game this year.
However, he doesn’t really fit the bargain brief. Here are 11 players who did – and the prime time to have added them to your team. How many did you nail?
1. Lachie Neale – round 1
No.1 spot on this list was easy. Neale has scored more KFC SuperCoach points than any other player in the first 21 rounds, so it’s bonkers to think he started the year priced at $543,200. That didn’t last long – his value jumped $54k at the first price movements after scoring 198 points against Essendon and he hasn’t looked back, dropping below 100 just twice for the year. Neale is in more teams than any other player and by a big margin. He started the year in 81,000 teams, was in 101,000 by round 3 and that number has steadily climbed to 120,000 now. What a star.
2. Stephen Coniglio – round 1
How Coniglio averaged 60 points a game in five matches in 2021 is one of the great AFL mysteries. The GWS co-captain was an obvious starting pick after averaging over 100 points a game in three previous seasons and he is on track to make it No.4 with an average of 102.1 over the first 21 rounds, ranked sixth among forwards. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. After nine rounds his average had dropped to 88.2 and about 24,000 coaches cashed him in for a tidy profit of just under $200,000. But a change of coach worked wonders, with Mark McVeigh injecting him back into the midfield resulting in eight tons from his next 10 games.
3. Will Brodie – round 1
It really was just opportunity that was holding the former Gold Coast Sun back as a KFC SuperCoach scorer. Despite the odd frustrating week with time on ground of 65 per cent or lower, Brodie has proven an absolute bargain for those who started him at $224k as a FWD/MID. Brodie’s round 21 score of 65 was the first time he has posted less than 75 for the season, highlighting his consistency. He has tailed off somewhat since peaking at $573k in round 13, but eight tons in the opening 12 rounds were more than anyone could have hoped for considering his starting price. Brodie was averaging more than 100 to round 21 and it would be fitting if he can keep that average above 100 come the end of the season. Even if it dips into the 90s, he’s done an incredible job as one of the best starting picks of the year.
4. James Sicily – round 1
Any KFC SuperCoach who thought Sicily might be a risky proposition after about a season and a half on the sidelines were proven wrong very quickly. The star Hawk interceptor had jumped from $448k to more than $500k by round 6, only scoring less than 105 twice (98 and 84) prior to his round 14 bye. He peaked at $635k, almost $200k more than his starting price. Sicily doesn’t need big possession numbers to rack up KFC SuperCoach points as what he does is of such high value. Intercept possessions, in particular intercept marks, have long been a goldmine in KFC SuperCoach. Combine that with his season kicking efficiency of 81 per cent and it’s little wonder Sicily has been one of the top defenders this year. So much for not picking players coming off long-term injuries.
5. Nick Daicos/Paddy McCartin/Sam De Koning – round 1
OK, we are cheating a bit here by listing the three top rookies of 2022 as one item on the list. Daicos has been a phenomenon, averaging 93.2 for the season and 112 since round 12, around the time many coaches traded him out (rookies are supposed to tire as the season goes on!). He has made a ridiculous $346k and could start next year priced at over $500k, but he will be a legitimate option especially if he retains DEF/MID status. McCartin and De Koning have been ultra reliable as back-ups all year – McCartin resurrecting his career as an intercept defender to average 70.6 and De Koning shining in a similar role at the Cats to average 67.9. Both had DEF/FWD status, making them an ideal pairing.
6. Darcy Cameron – round 7
Collingwood’s back-up ruckman became a legimiate KFC SuperCoach option the moment Brodie Grundy went down with a long-term injury in round 6. Cameron had four scores in five of 50 or under that point of the season and his price had dipped from $420k to $347k. He would drop further again despite a ton in his first outing as the No.1 ruck, bottoming out at $321k. Cameron picked up valuable RUC-FWD status in round 12 and since taking on that mantle has recorded seven tons and four scores in the 90s. He peaked at $540k and coaches who have held on this long could be rewarded in the last two rounds after Grundy was ruled out for the season. Cameron has been so good, it sparked talk about Grundy being traded. If that happens, we might be talking about him as a genuine KFC SuperCoach option to start with next year.
7. Zach Merrett – round 13
Renowned as a fast finisher in recent seasons, the Bombers ball magnet was $520,700 coming off Essendon’s round 12 bye. He started slowly for those who jumped on immediately with a pair of 90s before going on an incredible run where he went 111, 140, 147, 136, 133 and 140, getting as high as $655k. Merrett has been one of the best midfielders in KFC SuperCoach since his bye and those type of premium numbers for just above $500k are an absolute bargain. He crashed back to earth when tagged against GWS in round 21 but that six-week run of five 133-plus scores made the prolific Bomber one of the best fallen premium mid-year buys of 2022.
Rookies, bargains and mid-season steals. These were the 11 buys you needed to get right in KFC SuperCoach this year. How many did you pick?
SC Plus Article
With two rounds left in the KFC SuperCoach season it’s time to look back on the hits and misses
In this case, the hits. We like to stay positive at SuperCoach Plus!
Skill, strategy and a bit of luck all play a role in KFC SuperCoach success, along with a great sense of timing.
Buying Tom Stewart for $607,000 the week before he scored 187 against Fremantle was genius. Bringing him in last week for almost $30,000 less only to see him score 48 points in a full game not so much.
Frm rounds 3-9 Braydon Preuss averaged 110 and rocketed up in value from $204,700 to $457,100. Roughly 15,000 very smart SuperCoaches traded him out at the Giants’ bye before his continued unavailability and low scores when he did play (he hasn’t scored 100 since) put him on the “never again” list for many coaches.
We’ve dug through the numbers to name the 11 best KFC SuperCoach selections of 22.
There were some unlucky omissions, headed by super scorer Rory Laird. He never got cheaper than $628,000 (round 5) but any time would have been a good time to bring in the No.1 averaging player in the game this year.
However, he doesn’t really fit the bargain brief. Here are 11 players who did – and the prime time to have added them to your team. How many did you nail?
1. Lachie Neale – round 1
No.1 spot on this list was easy. Neale has scored more KFC SuperCoach points than any other player in the first 21 rounds, so it’s bonkers to think he started the year priced at $543,200. That didn’t last long – his value jumped $54k at the first price movements after scoring 198 points against Essendon and he hasn’t looked back, dropping below 100 just twice for the year. Neale is in more teams than any other player and by a big margin. He started the year in 81,000 teams, was in 101,000 by round 3 and that number has steadily climbed to 120,000 now. What a star.
2. Stephen Coniglio – round 1
How Coniglio averaged 60 points a game in five matches in 2021 is one of the great AFL mysteries. The GWS co-captain was an obvious starting pick after averaging over 100 points a game in three previous seasons and he is on track to make it No.4 with an average of 102.1 over the first 21 rounds, ranked sixth among forwards. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. After nine rounds his average had dropped to 88.2 and about 24,000 coaches cashed him in for a tidy profit of just under $200,000. But a change of coach worked wonders, with Mark McVeigh injecting him back into the midfield resulting in eight tons from his next 10 games.
3. Will Brodie – round 1
It really was just opportunity that was holding the former Gold Coast Sun back as a KFC SuperCoach scorer. Despite the odd frustrating week with time on ground of 65 per cent or lower, Brodie has proven an absolute bargain for those who started him at $224k as a FWD/MID. Brodie’s round 21 score of 65 was the first time he has posted less than 75 for the season, highlighting his consistency. He has tailed off somewhat since peaking at $573k in round 13, but eight tons in the opening 12 rounds were more than anyone could have hoped for considering his starting price. Brodie was averaging more than 100 to round 21 and it would be fitting if he can keep that average above 100 come the end of the season. Even if it dips into the 90s, he’s done an incredible job as one of the best starting picks of the year.
4. James Sicily – round 1
Any KFC SuperCoach who thought Sicily might be a risky proposition after about a season and a half on the sidelines were proven wrong very quickly. The star Hawk interceptor had jumped from $448k to more than $500k by round 6, only scoring less than 105 twice (98 and 84) prior to his round 14 bye. He peaked at $635k, almost $200k more than his starting price. Sicily doesn’t need big possession numbers to rack up KFC SuperCoach points as what he does is of such high value. Intercept possessions, in particular intercept marks, have long been a goldmine in KFC SuperCoach. Combine that with his season kicking efficiency of 81 per cent and it’s little wonder Sicily has been one of the top defenders this year. So much for not picking players coming off long-term injuries.
5. Nick Daicos/Paddy McCartin/Sam De Koning – round 1
OK, we are cheating a bit here by listing the three top rookies of 2022 as one item on the list. Daicos has been a phenomenon, averaging 93.2 for the season and 112 since round 12, around the time many coaches traded him out (rookies are supposed to tire as the season goes on!). He has made a ridiculous $346k and could start next year priced at over $500k, but he will be a legitimate option especially if he retains DEF/MID status. McCartin and De Koning have been ultra reliable as back-ups all year – McCartin resurrecting his career as an intercept defender to average 70.6 and De Koning shining in a similar role at the Cats to average 67.9. Both had DEF/FWD status, making them an ideal pairing.
6. Darcy Cameron – round 7
Collingwood’s back-up ruckman became a legimiate KFC SuperCoach option the moment Brodie Grundy went down with a long-term injury in round 6. Cameron had four scores in five of 50 or under that point of the season and his price had dipped from $420k to $347k. He would drop further again despite a ton in his first outing as the No.1 ruck, bottoming out at $321k. Cameron picked up valuable RUC-FWD status in round 12 and since taking on that mantle has recorded seven tons and four scores in the 90s. He peaked at $540k and coaches who have held on this long could be rewarded in the last two rounds after Grundy was ruled out for the season. Cameron has been so good, it sparked talk about Grundy being traded. If that happens, we might be talking about him as a genuine KFC SuperCoach option to start with next year.
7. Zach Merrett – round 13
Renowned as a fast finisher in recent seasons, the Bombers ball magnet was $520,700 coming off Essendon’s round 12 bye. He started slowly for those who jumped on immediately with a pair of 90s before going on an incredible run where he went 111, 140, 147, 136, 133 and 140, getting as high as $655k. Merrett has been one of the best midfielders in KFC SuperCoach since his bye and those type of premium numbers for just above $500k are an absolute bargain. He crashed back to earth when tagged against GWS in round 21 but that six-week run of five 133-plus scores made the prolific Bomber one of the best fallen premium mid-year buys of 2022.
8. Harry Himmelberg – round 12
If key forward is a KFC SuperCoach graveyard then switching roles to become an intercept defender couldn’t be more perfect. Himmelberg had only one score above 80 to round 10 and had plumeted to $318k when the Giants first used him in defence against the Brisbane Lions. He had 21 disposals that day and those KFC SuperCoaches who took on a chance on him were rewarded handsomely when he monstered North Melbourne with 37 disposals and 16 marks coming off the bye. Himmelberg scored 187 that day, the start of a golden run which caused his price to rise as high as $568k and featured six tons and eight scores of 95 or better since round 13. Whether his new role continues under the Giants’ 2023 coach will be a big pre-season watch.
9. Jack Sinclair – round 1
Most top-end coaches now own Sinclair – he’s the fourth-most popular defender, behind James Sicily, Nick Daicos and Jayden Short – so it’s easy to forget how much of a POD he was at the start of the year. In round 1 he was in a paltry 1300 teams (that figure is now over 69,000) and just over 2000 had him in their squad after the first price change at round 3. The signs were already there with three tons in the first three rounds after a strong finish to 2021 when Sinclair averaged 99.3 of the last month of the season. He has gone to another level on 2022, becoming the Saints’ best playmaker and winning his own ball from intercepts (as well as taking several behind kick-ins every week) to put him well in the All-Australian mix. His KFC SuperCoach average has jumped by over 27 points per game from last year to 113.7, making him the No.1 scoring defender of the season. Not bad for a guy who started at $469,700. Those 1300 true believers, take a bow.
10. Jarrod Witts – round 1
A ruckman who had never averaged 100 before, coming off an ACL injury, becomes the No.1 big man of 2022. Sometimes KFC SuperCoach just doesn’t make all that much sense. The plan for most coaches who started Witts at $380k was to use him as a stepping stone to one of ‘set and forget’ pair Brodie Grundy or Max Gawn at some point. Instead, he has averaged 110 (more than 10 points above his previous best) and had 155 points more than second-ranked ruck Max Gawn after round 21. His scoring has dropped off since reaching $617k at the Suns’ round 13 bye, but don’t underestimate how important Witts staying fit has been for his owners. This is only the fourth time in his career he has reached 20 games in a season, while almost every other premium big man has missed multiple weeks. If you started with Witts, you have saved a trade (or many) while other coaches have had to flip their ruckmen several times due to injury. That’s huge.
11. Touk Miller – round 13
Miller took KFC SuperCoach by storm last year, boosting his average from 105 to over 124. The question was, could he back it up? His first half of the season was a little inconsistent (he had scores of 160 and 140 but also dropped a 76 and a 59) and by the time the Suns’ bye arrived in round 13 his price had fallen over $100,000 to $575,700. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he was a smart buy – in round 12 he pumped out a season-high 167 points against the Kangaroos. He didn’t go under 100 for the next seven rounds – with three of those scores over 150 – until Finn Maginness put the clamps on last weekend (and even then a 98 under a heavy tag is far from a disaster). Miller is the third-highest scorer this season for total points and No.4 by averages, making him a great starting pick and an even better mid-season bargain. And based on his current price ($675,700) he’s going to be another very tough call next pre-season.
If key forward is a KFC SuperCoach graveyard then switching roles to become an intercept defender couldn’t be more perfect. Himmelberg had only one score above 80 to round 10 and had plumeted to $318k when the Giants first used him in defence against the Brisbane Lions. He had 21 disposals that day and those KFC SuperCoaches who took on a chance on him were rewarded handsomely when he monstered North Melbourne with 37 disposals and 16 marks coming off the bye. Himmelberg scored 187 that day, the start of a golden run which caused his price to rise as high as $568k and featured six tons and eight scores of 95 or better since round 13. Whether his new role continues under the Giants’ 2023 coach will be a big pre-season watch.
9. Jack Sinclair – round 1
Most top-end coaches now own Sinclair – he’s the fourth-most popular defender, behind James Sicily, Nick Daicos and Jayden Short – so it’s easy to forget how much of a POD he was at the start of the year. In round 1 he was in a paltry 1300 teams (that figure is now over 69,000) and just over 2000 had him in their squad after the first price change at round 3. The signs were already there with three tons in the first three rounds after a strong finish to 2021 when Sinclair averaged 99.3 of the last month of the season. He has gone to another level on 2022, becoming the Saints’ best playmaker and winning his own ball from intercepts (as well as taking several behind kick-ins every week) to put him well in the All-Australian mix. His KFC SuperCoach average has jumped by over 27 points per game from last year to 113.7, making him the No.1 scoring defender of the season. Not bad for a guy who started at $469,700. Those 1300 true believers, take a bow.
10. Jarrod Witts – round 1
A ruckman who had never averaged 100 before, coming off an ACL injury, becomes the No.1 big man of 2022. Sometimes KFC SuperCoach just doesn’t make all that much sense. The plan for most coaches who started Witts at $380k was to use him as a stepping stone to one of ‘set and forget’ pair Brodie Grundy or Max Gawn at some point. Instead, he has averaged 110 (more than 10 points above his previous best) and had 155 points more than second-ranked ruck Max Gawn after round 21. His scoring has dropped off since reaching $617k at the Suns’ round 13 bye, but don’t underestimate how important Witts staying fit has been for his owners. This is only the fourth time in his career he has reached 20 games in a season, while almost every other premium big man has missed multiple weeks. If you started with Witts, you have saved a trade (or many) while other coaches have had to flip their ruckmen several times due to injury. That’s huge.
11. Touk Miller – round 13
Miller took KFC SuperCoach by storm last year, boosting his average from 105 to over 124. The question was, could he back it up? His first half of the season was a little inconsistent (he had scores of 160 and 140 but also dropped a 76 and a 59) and by the time the Suns’ bye arrived in round 13 his price had fallen over $100,000 to $575,700. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he was a smart buy – in round 12 he pumped out a season-high 167 points against the Kangaroos. He didn’t go under 100 for the next seven rounds – with three of those scores over 150 – until Finn Maginness put the clamps on last weekend (and even then a 98 under a heavy tag is far from a disaster). Miller is the third-highest scorer this season for total points and No.4 by averages, making him a great starting pick and an even better mid-season bargain. And based on his current price ($675,700) he’s going to be another very tough call next pre-season.
KFC SuperCoach 2022: Best trade targets for round 22, players likely to cop a tag
Taggers are set to play a key role in KFC SuperCoach finals. With multiple teams deploying run-with players, which of your stars could be in the gun?
Taggers are back, and they are set to have a big say in the KFC SuperCoach premiership race.
With two rounds to go most teams are set and a poor score from one of your usually reliable premiums can be a disaster – just ask Tom Stewart owners.
St Kilda coach Brett Ratten sent Mitch Owens to Stewart in round 21 and the teenager held the KFC SuperCoach superstar to just 48 points – and most of those came late in the match after Stewart barely got his hands on the ball in the first half (and gave away four free kicks).
The Saints aren’t the only team sending taggers to some of the biggest names in KFC SuperCoach. These are the teams to watch out for in the final two rounds, and players to avoid when it comes to trades and captaincy assignments.
ST KILDA
R22: Brisbane (Marvel), R23: Sydney (Marvel)
Will Owens get more assignments after his success on Stewart? Ratten also has Marcus Windhager at his disposal after the young bull held Tim Kelly to four disposals and also played negating roles on Touk Miller and Sam Docherty this year. Lachie Neale will be in the crosshairs this week and potentially Callum Mills, Isaac Heeney or Chad Warner in the final round.
SYDNEY
R22: Collingwood (SCG), R23: St Kilda (Marvel)
Ryan Clarke has blanketed Bailey Dale, Jack Sinclair and Jordan Dawson this year, and you can book in a return bout against Sinclair in round 23. Could he go to first-year marvel Nick Daicos this week?
HAWTHORN
R22: Richmond (MCG), R23: Western Bulldogs (UTAS)
Finn Maginness held Touk Miller to his first sub-100 score since round 10 on Saturday and has also kept Jordan Dawson, Ed Langdon and Tim Kelly to below their usual output this season. Shai Bolton or Dion Prestia could be his next assignment before a tough call for Sam Mitchell in the final round. Bailey Dale has been susceptible to a tag this year or does he target one of the big guns in Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae or Bailey Smith?
GWS GIANTS
R22: Western Bulldogs (Marvel), R23: Fremantle (Manuka)
Matt de Boer is seemingly no longer in the picture and neither is Leon Cameron, but coming up against the Giants is still a huge tag risk. On Saturday Mark McVeigh did his homework against his old side and sent Harry Perryman to Zach Merrett, restricting him to just 18 disposals after recording 36, 38 and 38 in his previous three games. Lachie Ash has also done run-with roles this year, making all the Dogs’ stars nervous this week while Andrew Brayshaw awaits in KFC SuperCoach grand final week.
SEVEN GUNS WHO CAN REPLACE CRIPPS
If you kept a trade in your back pocket until the second-last round of the season, this is why.
If you missed the news, Patrick Cripps has been suspended for the final two weeks of the season after concussing Lion Callum Ah Chee with a high bump at the Gabba on Sunday.
That means more than 93,000 KFC SuperCoach teams will either put a team out with a premium scorer taking Cripps’ place in preliminary final and grand final weekend in head-to-head leagues – or with a bench player taking Cripps’ spot.
Or, worse, with a zero in the midfield.
If you don’t have any trades, use any dual-position swings you can find to get your best reserve option on the field, and watch the order of games to loophole the best bench score. For example, if you have Mitch Owens, you can nominate him as an emergency and see how he scores on Friday night against the Lions before deciding whether to take his score or back in another bench player.
If you have a trade, now’s your chance to get a massive jump on a lot of the competition who didn’t have the same discipline over the first 21 rounds.
ripps is priced at $553,000, so it’s a big jump to the top-tier midfielders in KFC SuperCoach. But if you have two or more trades remaining now’s the time to use them to swap a bench player with any value to a bottom-priced rookie and turn Cripps into a superstar.
Rory Laird ($711,300 MID) is the No.1 target – pause for a second to think about the fact he is averaging 142 in his past seven games – but you would need serious cash reserves to grab the most expensive player in the game. Touk Miller ($675,700 MID) would be No.2 on that list, with Christian Petracca ($593,000 MID) the slightly more affordable member of the high-priced and high-scoring trio.
But if you’re shopping around or beneath Cripps price, there are still some excellent options.
Callum Mills $572,400
To play: Collingwood, St Kilda
Mills is the fourth-highest scorer in KFC SuperCoach this season and averages 115 over his past five games, but still manages to somehow fly under the radar. His price dropped slightly after a 106 v North Melbourne but he could explode against two teams who give up a lot of points to opposition midfielders.
Noah Anderson $568,800 MID
To play: Geelong, North Melbourne
The Suns flyer has overtaken teammate Matt Rowell as a KFC SuperCoach special and will be high on the watch list when we are picking a midfield in 2023. Why not get in early? The No.2 draft pick (taken one spot after Rowell in 2019) averages 117.3 over his past six games and has scored at least 90 in his past eight. He could go bonkers in the KFC SuperCoach grand final.
Darcy Parish $560,400 MID
To play: Port Adelaide, Richmond
Parish broke out as a genuine premium in KFC SuperCoach in 2021 but hasn’t reached the same heights this year. Having said that, he played the first 12 games and didn’t score below 97 before hurting his calf against Carlton. Since then he has played only twice for scores of 112 in round 16 and 120 in his comeback against the Giants last weekend. We know how high his ceiling is and with two good midfield match-ups to come he could put up more points than anyone else on this list.
Angus Brayshaw $554,900 DEF/MID
To play: Carlton, Brisbane
Priced at less than $2000 more than Cripps, Brayshaw has been thrown into the midfield in the past three weeks and has responded with 29 or more disposals in each game and KFC SuperCoach scores of 122, 123 and 113. He had 32 touches and six tackles against the Magpies and was heading for a much bigger score until his team suffered a last-quarter fade out. Can provide a dual-position link to the backline, which could be extremely valuable as trades vanish.
Jordan Dawson $556,300 DEF/MID
To play: North Melbourne, Port Adelaide
Dawson was $627k after round 16 but you can get him for just over $550k now, and that could be the biggest steal in KFC SuperCoach. Dawson averages 109.5 for the season and he scored 134 the last time Adelaide faced the Kangaroos. Coaches who picked him over Tom Stewart would have been laughing after the weekend. And the Roos and Power don’t have a noted tagger, which is more than we can say for the teams listed below.
Luke Davies-Uniacke $549,700 MID
To play: Adelaide, Gold Coast
The Kangaroos have the handicap of never playing against North Melbourne but that fixture looks very favourable for a player with a five-round average of 110. Neither the Crows or Suns apply a midfield tag, while LDU has dropped under 100 only twice in his past eight games and that stretch includes three scores of 124 or higher.
Errol Gulden $471,200 MID
To play: Collingwood, St Kilda
The Phantom’s favourite is another young gun who could explode next year, but is definitely in hot form right now – and that’s all that matters in knockout finals. He has six tons for the year and three of those have come in the past four matches, and the Swans have a great run home. He’s also extremely cheap if you need $100,000 change to fix another part of your team. In just 2 per cent of teams, he’s also a huge point of difference.
Taggers are set to play a key role in KFC SuperCoach finals. With multiple teams deploying run-with players, which of your stars could be in the gun?
Taggers are back, and they are set to have a big say in the KFC SuperCoach premiership race.
With two rounds to go most teams are set and a poor score from one of your usually reliable premiums can be a disaster – just ask Tom Stewart owners.
St Kilda coach Brett Ratten sent Mitch Owens to Stewart in round 21 and the teenager held the KFC SuperCoach superstar to just 48 points – and most of those came late in the match after Stewart barely got his hands on the ball in the first half (and gave away four free kicks).
The Saints aren’t the only team sending taggers to some of the biggest names in KFC SuperCoach. These are the teams to watch out for in the final two rounds, and players to avoid when it comes to trades and captaincy assignments.
ST KILDA
R22: Brisbane (Marvel), R23: Sydney (Marvel)
Will Owens get more assignments after his success on Stewart? Ratten also has Marcus Windhager at his disposal after the young bull held Tim Kelly to four disposals and also played negating roles on Touk Miller and Sam Docherty this year. Lachie Neale will be in the crosshairs this week and potentially Callum Mills, Isaac Heeney or Chad Warner in the final round.
SYDNEY
R22: Collingwood (SCG), R23: St Kilda (Marvel)
Ryan Clarke has blanketed Bailey Dale, Jack Sinclair and Jordan Dawson this year, and you can book in a return bout against Sinclair in round 23. Could he go to first-year marvel Nick Daicos this week?
HAWTHORN
R22: Richmond (MCG), R23: Western Bulldogs (UTAS)
Finn Maginness held Touk Miller to his first sub-100 score since round 10 on Saturday and has also kept Jordan Dawson, Ed Langdon and Tim Kelly to below their usual output this season. Shai Bolton or Dion Prestia could be his next assignment before a tough call for Sam Mitchell in the final round. Bailey Dale has been susceptible to a tag this year or does he target one of the big guns in Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae or Bailey Smith?
GWS GIANTS
R22: Western Bulldogs (Marvel), R23: Fremantle (Manuka)
Matt de Boer is seemingly no longer in the picture and neither is Leon Cameron, but coming up against the Giants is still a huge tag risk. On Saturday Mark McVeigh did his homework against his old side and sent Harry Perryman to Zach Merrett, restricting him to just 18 disposals after recording 36, 38 and 38 in his previous three games. Lachie Ash has also done run-with roles this year, making all the Dogs’ stars nervous this week while Andrew Brayshaw awaits in KFC SuperCoach grand final week.
SEVEN GUNS WHO CAN REPLACE CRIPPS
If you kept a trade in your back pocket until the second-last round of the season, this is why.
If you missed the news, Patrick Cripps has been suspended for the final two weeks of the season after concussing Lion Callum Ah Chee with a high bump at the Gabba on Sunday.
That means more than 93,000 KFC SuperCoach teams will either put a team out with a premium scorer taking Cripps’ place in preliminary final and grand final weekend in head-to-head leagues – or with a bench player taking Cripps’ spot.
Or, worse, with a zero in the midfield.
If you don’t have any trades, use any dual-position swings you can find to get your best reserve option on the field, and watch the order of games to loophole the best bench score. For example, if you have Mitch Owens, you can nominate him as an emergency and see how he scores on Friday night against the Lions before deciding whether to take his score or back in another bench player.
If you have a trade, now’s your chance to get a massive jump on a lot of the competition who didn’t have the same discipline over the first 21 rounds.
ripps is priced at $553,000, so it’s a big jump to the top-tier midfielders in KFC SuperCoach. But if you have two or more trades remaining now’s the time to use them to swap a bench player with any value to a bottom-priced rookie and turn Cripps into a superstar.
Rory Laird ($711,300 MID) is the No.1 target – pause for a second to think about the fact he is averaging 142 in his past seven games – but you would need serious cash reserves to grab the most expensive player in the game. Touk Miller ($675,700 MID) would be No.2 on that list, with Christian Petracca ($593,000 MID) the slightly more affordable member of the high-priced and high-scoring trio.
But if you’re shopping around or beneath Cripps price, there are still some excellent options.
Callum Mills $572,400
To play: Collingwood, St Kilda
Mills is the fourth-highest scorer in KFC SuperCoach this season and averages 115 over his past five games, but still manages to somehow fly under the radar. His price dropped slightly after a 106 v North Melbourne but he could explode against two teams who give up a lot of points to opposition midfielders.
Noah Anderson $568,800 MID
To play: Geelong, North Melbourne
The Suns flyer has overtaken teammate Matt Rowell as a KFC SuperCoach special and will be high on the watch list when we are picking a midfield in 2023. Why not get in early? The No.2 draft pick (taken one spot after Rowell in 2019) averages 117.3 over his past six games and has scored at least 90 in his past eight. He could go bonkers in the KFC SuperCoach grand final.
Darcy Parish $560,400 MID
To play: Port Adelaide, Richmond
Parish broke out as a genuine premium in KFC SuperCoach in 2021 but hasn’t reached the same heights this year. Having said that, he played the first 12 games and didn’t score below 97 before hurting his calf against Carlton. Since then he has played only twice for scores of 112 in round 16 and 120 in his comeback against the Giants last weekend. We know how high his ceiling is and with two good midfield match-ups to come he could put up more points than anyone else on this list.
Angus Brayshaw $554,900 DEF/MID
To play: Carlton, Brisbane
Priced at less than $2000 more than Cripps, Brayshaw has been thrown into the midfield in the past three weeks and has responded with 29 or more disposals in each game and KFC SuperCoach scores of 122, 123 and 113. He had 32 touches and six tackles against the Magpies and was heading for a much bigger score until his team suffered a last-quarter fade out. Can provide a dual-position link to the backline, which could be extremely valuable as trades vanish.
Jordan Dawson $556,300 DEF/MID
To play: North Melbourne, Port Adelaide
Dawson was $627k after round 16 but you can get him for just over $550k now, and that could be the biggest steal in KFC SuperCoach. Dawson averages 109.5 for the season and he scored 134 the last time Adelaide faced the Kangaroos. Coaches who picked him over Tom Stewart would have been laughing after the weekend. And the Roos and Power don’t have a noted tagger, which is more than we can say for the teams listed below.
Luke Davies-Uniacke $549,700 MID
To play: Adelaide, Gold Coast
The Kangaroos have the handicap of never playing against North Melbourne but that fixture looks very favourable for a player with a five-round average of 110. Neither the Crows or Suns apply a midfield tag, while LDU has dropped under 100 only twice in his past eight games and that stretch includes three scores of 124 or higher.
Errol Gulden $471,200 MID
To play: Collingwood, St Kilda
The Phantom’s favourite is another young gun who could explode next year, but is definitely in hot form right now – and that’s all that matters in knockout finals. He has six tons for the year and three of those have come in the past four matches, and the Swans have a great run home. He’s also extremely cheap if you need $100,000 change to fix another part of your team. In just 2 per cent of teams, he’s also a huge point of difference.
KFC SuperCoach 2022: Best trade targets for round 22
With Patrick Cripps almost certain to miss the final two rounds, who you replace him with will define your KFC SuperCoach fortunes. See who our experts are picking.
It’s the move that could make or break your KFC SuperCoach finals campaign.
Of the top 10 trades this week, all 10 are swaps for suspended Carlton captain Patrick Cripps.
But there is no clear consensus on who the best replacement is.
With options at every price range and across multiple positions (The Phantom has run the rule over 14 of them), which way should you turn?
Here’s what our experts recommend this week.
AL PATON
1. Darcy Parish
2. Jordan Dawson
3. Andrew Brayshaw
You would need about $7000 in the bank to get Parish in one trade and $3000 for Dawson, while Brayshaw comes in at $543,400, leaving you $10k in change from a Cripps swap.
Parish graduated to premium status in KFC SuperCoach last year and despite what may seem like a slightly underwhelming season his average of 113.2 is just one point lower than 2021, and ahead of players including Sam Walsh, Andrew Brayshaw and Jack Steele. He quietly slipped back into the Bombers line-up last week and scored 120 and could go even bigger against Port Adelaide and Richmond (a team he scored 166 against last year).
I also love Dawson’s fixture (North Melbourne, Port Adelaide) and some bonus DPP flexibility, which Gus Brayshaw also delivers. He has been moved into the guts in recent weeks and is a genuine ball magnet in there. He has a three-round average of 119 and should absolutely monster a Patrick Cripps-less Blues onball outfit on Saturday night.
TIM MICHELL
1. Max Gawn
2. Jordan Dawson
3. Sam Walsh
Demons skipper Gawn has rebounded from three scores under 100 between rounds 13-18 (when he was also out injured) with 147, 114 and 136 in successive matches. He takes on the combination of Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning in round 22 and Oscar McInerney in round 23, both match-ups he should dominate. Gawn has 117 and 184 in his last two against the Blues and 138 and 157 against the Lions. How would you work the DPP? Trade Cripps, swing a MID-FWD to midfield, swing Tim English/Rowan Marshall to your FWD line and trade in Gawn for only $20k more than Cripps.
Dawson has North Melbourne this week and Port Adelaide in round 23. The Crows star has DPP, which could be crucial if another player is injured or suspended this week and you need to go down to zero trades. Dawson has also scored 123, 111 and 110 in his past three matches against Port.
Walsh stepped up with 38 disposals and 128 KFC SuperCoach points when Cripps missed in round 5, and seems unlikely to get more attention even though Cripps and George Hewett will be missing. I have him just ahead of Darcy Parish. I would advise against trading in Andrew Brayshaw, who will get a hard tag against GWS Giants next week. That’s a huge red flag.
EM CHALLIS (2021 KFC SuperCoach champion)
1. Jordan Dawson
2. Callum Mills
3. Andrew Brayshaw
Obviously if you have money I would get Rory Laird but I wouldn’t use two trades to make it happen. He’s a gun! For just $19k more I would get Callum Mills, who is the 4th averaging midfielder this year. I also rate Brayshaw highly, who will only cost you $2k. Nick Daicos is my preferred $0 money in the bank option!
LEKDOG (jockreynolds.com.au)
1. Callum Mills
2. Sam Walsh
1. Jordan Dawson.
I’m getting Clayton Oliver but if you don’t have that cash Mills has a high ceiling and reasonable form of late. The void of significance means Walsh will need to stand up for the Blues to make finals. He averages 95 against Melbourne and 120 against Collingwood. Dawson averages 116 against North and 109 against Port, and already has scores of 134 and 123 against them respectively in 2022
DANIEL BEGALA (KFC SuperCoach Investor)
1. Rory Laird
2. Callum Mills
3. Jordan Dawson
If you’ve got the liquidity, Laird has to be the priority replacement for Patrick Cripps this weekend, with daylight second. He is the most in-form player in the competition and chalks up 150s like they’re going out of fashion. As Vincent Freeman proclaims in the final stanza of Gattaca, we’re not playing KFC SuperCoach to “save anything for the swim back”.
Mills is the competition’s fourth best scorer is the picture of consistency and available at a “gettable” price of $572K. His scoring has tapered off slightly, but at that price point and scoring average, it’s quite simply: arbitrage.
“Smoky” Dawson finds a spot on the podium as my third best option to replace Cripps. I like the dual position (MID/DEF) option as I have coverage across every line except the defence if one of my premiums was to be concussed, injured or impacted by H&S protocols.
Dawson has a date with the Kangaroos this weekend, so he could be the catalyst for a momentous drive into the KFC SuperCoach grand final.
FANTASY FREAKO’S CRIPPS TRADE ADVICE
The biggest dilemma facing SuperCoaches this round is the Patrick Cripps suspension. Currently the fifth-most selected player at the time of writing, for those with a trade up their sleeve, the answer is an easy one – just trade him out. For those without any trades, you’ll have to rely on your bench over the final two rounds.
There’s still a glimmer of hope though, as the Blues will appeal the decision for a second time, so Cripps’ fate won’t be known until Thursday evening.
For SuperCoaches looking to make the move, there are plenty of options to consider but the one thing we always look for is consistency. It’s one of the most important traits we look for in a player, regardless of the result of a match.
In searching for consistency, if we use the top 50 scorers in the game and rank them by points differential based on results, then the most even performer is Bailey Dale – averaging 103.5 in wins and 103.6 in losses. You can’t get more even than that. He has scored at least 87 points in all 10 wins, while dropping below 80 just once from 10 losses. Well played to SuperCoaches that started or even traded him in this year.
ack Macrae’s consistency is one of the main reasons why he’s a revered SuperCoach asset and this season his numbers have once again stood up – averaging 115.8 in wins and 116.5 in losses – a differential of just -0.6 points per game. Yes, he has frustrated SuperCoaches at times this season, but at the end of the day – he continues to produce consistently high scores. Priced at $544,700, he’s cheaper than Cripps.
Rory Laird, on the other hand, has both consistency and ceiling – two of the most valuable traits in a fantasy player. He’s averaging 131.2 in wins and 128.2 in losses. We can expect a 125-plus point score from him every week irrespective of the result on a match.
If we look at players with the biggest differential based on results, then Stephen Coniglio comes out on top – averaging 130.4 in wins and 89.2 in losses for a differential of +41.2 points per game.
At the other end of the spectrum, Tom Stewart is a better scorer when Geelong loses, averaging 102.7 in wins and 132.9 in losses for a differential of -30.2 points per game. Max Gawn is another player who has posted better scores in losses, averaging 107.6 inwins and 127.9 in losses for a differential of –20.3 points per game.
With Patrick Cripps almost certain to miss the final two rounds, who you replace him with will define your KFC SuperCoach fortunes. See who our experts are picking.
It’s the move that could make or break your KFC SuperCoach finals campaign.
Of the top 10 trades this week, all 10 are swaps for suspended Carlton captain Patrick Cripps.
But there is no clear consensus on who the best replacement is.
With options at every price range and across multiple positions (The Phantom has run the rule over 14 of them), which way should you turn?
Here’s what our experts recommend this week.
AL PATON
1. Darcy Parish
2. Jordan Dawson
3. Andrew Brayshaw
You would need about $7000 in the bank to get Parish in one trade and $3000 for Dawson, while Brayshaw comes in at $543,400, leaving you $10k in change from a Cripps swap.
Parish graduated to premium status in KFC SuperCoach last year and despite what may seem like a slightly underwhelming season his average of 113.2 is just one point lower than 2021, and ahead of players including Sam Walsh, Andrew Brayshaw and Jack Steele. He quietly slipped back into the Bombers line-up last week and scored 120 and could go even bigger against Port Adelaide and Richmond (a team he scored 166 against last year).
I also love Dawson’s fixture (North Melbourne, Port Adelaide) and some bonus DPP flexibility, which Gus Brayshaw also delivers. He has been moved into the guts in recent weeks and is a genuine ball magnet in there. He has a three-round average of 119 and should absolutely monster a Patrick Cripps-less Blues onball outfit on Saturday night.
TIM MICHELL
1. Max Gawn
2. Jordan Dawson
3. Sam Walsh
Demons skipper Gawn has rebounded from three scores under 100 between rounds 13-18 (when he was also out injured) with 147, 114 and 136 in successive matches. He takes on the combination of Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning in round 22 and Oscar McInerney in round 23, both match-ups he should dominate. Gawn has 117 and 184 in his last two against the Blues and 138 and 157 against the Lions. How would you work the DPP? Trade Cripps, swing a MID-FWD to midfield, swing Tim English/Rowan Marshall to your FWD line and trade in Gawn for only $20k more than Cripps.
Dawson has North Melbourne this week and Port Adelaide in round 23. The Crows star has DPP, which could be crucial if another player is injured or suspended this week and you need to go down to zero trades. Dawson has also scored 123, 111 and 110 in his past three matches against Port.
Walsh stepped up with 38 disposals and 128 KFC SuperCoach points when Cripps missed in round 5, and seems unlikely to get more attention even though Cripps and George Hewett will be missing. I have him just ahead of Darcy Parish. I would advise against trading in Andrew Brayshaw, who will get a hard tag against GWS Giants next week. That’s a huge red flag.
EM CHALLIS (2021 KFC SuperCoach champion)
1. Jordan Dawson
2. Callum Mills
3. Andrew Brayshaw
Obviously if you have money I would get Rory Laird but I wouldn’t use two trades to make it happen. He’s a gun! For just $19k more I would get Callum Mills, who is the 4th averaging midfielder this year. I also rate Brayshaw highly, who will only cost you $2k. Nick Daicos is my preferred $0 money in the bank option!
LEKDOG (jockreynolds.com.au)
1. Callum Mills
2. Sam Walsh
1. Jordan Dawson.
I’m getting Clayton Oliver but if you don’t have that cash Mills has a high ceiling and reasonable form of late. The void of significance means Walsh will need to stand up for the Blues to make finals. He averages 95 against Melbourne and 120 against Collingwood. Dawson averages 116 against North and 109 against Port, and already has scores of 134 and 123 against them respectively in 2022
DANIEL BEGALA (KFC SuperCoach Investor)
1. Rory Laird
2. Callum Mills
3. Jordan Dawson
If you’ve got the liquidity, Laird has to be the priority replacement for Patrick Cripps this weekend, with daylight second. He is the most in-form player in the competition and chalks up 150s like they’re going out of fashion. As Vincent Freeman proclaims in the final stanza of Gattaca, we’re not playing KFC SuperCoach to “save anything for the swim back”.
Mills is the competition’s fourth best scorer is the picture of consistency and available at a “gettable” price of $572K. His scoring has tapered off slightly, but at that price point and scoring average, it’s quite simply: arbitrage.
“Smoky” Dawson finds a spot on the podium as my third best option to replace Cripps. I like the dual position (MID/DEF) option as I have coverage across every line except the defence if one of my premiums was to be concussed, injured or impacted by H&S protocols.
Dawson has a date with the Kangaroos this weekend, so he could be the catalyst for a momentous drive into the KFC SuperCoach grand final.
FANTASY FREAKO’S CRIPPS TRADE ADVICE
The biggest dilemma facing SuperCoaches this round is the Patrick Cripps suspension. Currently the fifth-most selected player at the time of writing, for those with a trade up their sleeve, the answer is an easy one – just trade him out. For those without any trades, you’ll have to rely on your bench over the final two rounds.
There’s still a glimmer of hope though, as the Blues will appeal the decision for a second time, so Cripps’ fate won’t be known until Thursday evening.
For SuperCoaches looking to make the move, there are plenty of options to consider but the one thing we always look for is consistency. It’s one of the most important traits we look for in a player, regardless of the result of a match.
In searching for consistency, if we use the top 50 scorers in the game and rank them by points differential based on results, then the most even performer is Bailey Dale – averaging 103.5 in wins and 103.6 in losses. You can’t get more even than that. He has scored at least 87 points in all 10 wins, while dropping below 80 just once from 10 losses. Well played to SuperCoaches that started or even traded him in this year.
ack Macrae’s consistency is one of the main reasons why he’s a revered SuperCoach asset and this season his numbers have once again stood up – averaging 115.8 in wins and 116.5 in losses – a differential of just -0.6 points per game. Yes, he has frustrated SuperCoaches at times this season, but at the end of the day – he continues to produce consistently high scores. Priced at $544,700, he’s cheaper than Cripps.
Rory Laird, on the other hand, has both consistency and ceiling – two of the most valuable traits in a fantasy player. He’s averaging 131.2 in wins and 128.2 in losses. We can expect a 125-plus point score from him every week irrespective of the result on a match.
If we look at players with the biggest differential based on results, then Stephen Coniglio comes out on top – averaging 130.4 in wins and 89.2 in losses for a differential of +41.2 points per game.
At the other end of the spectrum, Tom Stewart is a better scorer when Geelong loses, averaging 102.7 in wins and 132.9 in losses for a differential of -30.2 points per game. Max Gawn is another player who has posted better scores in losses, averaging 107.6 inwins and 127.9 in losses for a differential of –20.3 points per game.
AFL Rich 100: Reviewing the best bargains and most regrettable contracts in the AFL
Who has the cleanest books in the AFL? See the best bargain contracts in the game and also take a look at the ones clubs would be regretting.
A whiff of desperation and expansion outfits trying valiantly to fend off the raids of heartland clubs.
Those two separate themes are both writ large across the list of the most challenging contracts across the AFL Rich 100 list.
If the toughest jobs in football are the match review boss and those who govern the league’s rules, being in charge of an expansion list might be on the podium.
It is why Gold Coast’s Craig Cameron and GWS football boss Jason McCartney, at times, have to make impossible decisions on overpaying to keep players and bring in others on significant wages.
It is why Jack Lukosius is on over $600,000 in 2022 — because from the day he was drafted, Adelaide clubs attempted to prise him out of the Gold Coast.
At GWS, the Giants could match a Carlton bid on Stephen Coniglio at nearly $1 million a year or lose a man they believed to be their future captain and a critical part of selling their message in western Sydney.
While down the Princes Highway at Geelong, the Cats culture of success and perfect work-life balance mean they can secure star players for around $600,000 a season.
Consider the output of Blicavs and Lukosius despite their similar salaries and it will tell you everything about the two-speed economy of the AFL.
As for that whiff of desperation?
Clubs will always believe they can turn a player into something they have not been, or even ignore their worst tendencies when they become available.
North Melbourne believed Port Adelaide wingman Jared Polec could be a more robust and hardworking player when they signed him up, using a draft pick that would have been swallowed up if they hadn’t used it before matching a bid for NGA talent Tarryn Thomas (pick 8).
After a strong first season (509 possessions, 16 goals), then 13 games in 2020, he has played only seven games in the two seasons since given form and injury issues.
Carlton has had similar issues with Mitch McGovern and Zac Williams.
They were so thrilled McGovern was prepared to consider them, the Blues signed him on a five-year deal that expires next year, in the nick of time for them to use that cap space on Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow’s free agency deals.
Former GWS defender Williams had been capable of stints in the midfield, including a brilliant finals series in 2019, but his durability issues have meant he is what the Giants believed he was.
A very capable, but injury-prone half back flanker.
This time, the Giants made the right call in deciding against matching a bid for Williams, but the Blues still hope he can be part of their premiership window if his body issues can be sorted out.
REGRETTABLE CONTRACTS
JARED POLEC (PORT ADELAIDE)
It is not Polec’s fault that the Roos signed him up on a five-year deal worth around $3.5 million, with the left-footer still contracted until the end of 2023 despite being demoted to the rookie list. The Roos believed he was the icing on the cake, but quickly dropped from finals contention, with their game plan not suiting his run-and-gun style of game.
RORY LOBB (FREMANTLE)
Lobb has always been exceptionally well paid after GWS was seduced by one exceptional year and then Fremantle handing him a king’s ransom to head back to Perth.
The 2022 season has been the best of his AFL career but he is due $750,000 this year and next, with a long-term deal at the Dogs likely to balance out the $750,000 he is owed in 2023.
BRADLEY HILL (ST KILDA)
The Saints believed Hill would be the king of the Marvel Stadium wing, capping off a list close to premiership contention. He has had a solid season - above average disposals, elite pressure - but his price tag is the kind that requires match-changing performances.
ZAC WILLIAMS (CARLTON)
Williams’ free agency status meant clubs including the Roos were desperate for his services and if he had been able to sustain his rampaging form off half back he might have been worth the price of nearly $800,000. Still, he has four more years to prove himself and as he deals with another injury could even make a finals impact this year.
RORY ATKINS (GOLD COAST)
The Suns were desperate for some experience and classy ball-use, so they signed Adelaide utility Atkins on a four-year deal of around $400,000. It’s not huge money, but he has failed to inspire so far, this year ranking poor for disposals, contested possessions, kicking efficiency, scoreboard impact and pressure.
MITCH MCGOVERN (CARLTON)
McGovern’s first three years at Carlton on a deal of nearly $800,000 a season were disappointing as he battled for impact and wasn’t always in elite shape. This year, hamstring issues have curtailed his impact but he has shown huge potential thrown into the intercepting role his brother Jeremy has mastered at West Coast. The contract has been overpriced but he could still feature in a deep finals run in coming seasons.
BARGAIN CONTRACTS
TOM STEWART (GEELONG)
The star Cat is the best backman in the league and, yet, like so many other Geelong players he takes less to keep the list together and live a relatively carefree lifestyle down the Princes Highway. When you consider Jeremy McGovern has been on a long-term deal of $1.2 million dollars and Stewart plays for between $600,000-$700,000, you realise the Cats have got something special going on.
TOM HAWKINS (GEELONG)
Tom Hawkins is 34 years of age, but still could be taking part in the kind of drawn-out contract negotiations to maximise his worth that Taylor Walker and Lance Franklin have found themselves part of this year. Instead, the no-fuss forward, who has been All Australian in the past three years, accepts unders for the same reason as Stewart.
NICK VLASTUIN (RICHMOND)
When the Tigers handed Vlastuin a fresh five-year deal in 2021, they knew he wasn’t going anywhere and so did he. He accepted the long-term deal for security and is still well-paid but when you consider the deal of Zac Williams it shows you what a superb character Vlastuin is to accept much less - between $600,000-$700,000.
SCOTT PENDLEBURY (COLLINGWOOD)
There is no doubt the Pies captain has been extremely well paid in his career, but his current deal emphasises tenure - two seasons - over cash. Pendlebury is in the $500,000-$600,000 range when his output is still of the highest order, allowing the Pies the cap space to chase free agents like Dan McStay.
SHAI BOLTON (RICHMOND)
Bolton is paid just over $600,000, still extremely good money, but he is putting in a million-dollar type season. His next contract past 2023 will likely reflect that output, but, while Dustin Martin is sidelined, the brilliant Bolton is picking up the slack.
TRAVIS BOAK (PORT ADELAIDE)
Boak has shown extreme loyalty throughout his career and at 34 years of age he’s still doing it, on a contract that is closer to $500,000 than $600,000. He will end his career as a beloved Power champion even when he could be asking for more as a midfielder pumping out 27 possessions a game and averaging 107 ranking points.
Who has the cleanest books in the AFL? See the best bargain contracts in the game and also take a look at the ones clubs would be regretting.
A whiff of desperation and expansion outfits trying valiantly to fend off the raids of heartland clubs.
Those two separate themes are both writ large across the list of the most challenging contracts across the AFL Rich 100 list.
If the toughest jobs in football are the match review boss and those who govern the league’s rules, being in charge of an expansion list might be on the podium.
It is why Gold Coast’s Craig Cameron and GWS football boss Jason McCartney, at times, have to make impossible decisions on overpaying to keep players and bring in others on significant wages.
It is why Jack Lukosius is on over $600,000 in 2022 — because from the day he was drafted, Adelaide clubs attempted to prise him out of the Gold Coast.
At GWS, the Giants could match a Carlton bid on Stephen Coniglio at nearly $1 million a year or lose a man they believed to be their future captain and a critical part of selling their message in western Sydney.
While down the Princes Highway at Geelong, the Cats culture of success and perfect work-life balance mean they can secure star players for around $600,000 a season.
Consider the output of Blicavs and Lukosius despite their similar salaries and it will tell you everything about the two-speed economy of the AFL.
As for that whiff of desperation?
Clubs will always believe they can turn a player into something they have not been, or even ignore their worst tendencies when they become available.
North Melbourne believed Port Adelaide wingman Jared Polec could be a more robust and hardworking player when they signed him up, using a draft pick that would have been swallowed up if they hadn’t used it before matching a bid for NGA talent Tarryn Thomas (pick 8).
After a strong first season (509 possessions, 16 goals), then 13 games in 2020, he has played only seven games in the two seasons since given form and injury issues.
Carlton has had similar issues with Mitch McGovern and Zac Williams.
They were so thrilled McGovern was prepared to consider them, the Blues signed him on a five-year deal that expires next year, in the nick of time for them to use that cap space on Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow’s free agency deals.
Former GWS defender Williams had been capable of stints in the midfield, including a brilliant finals series in 2019, but his durability issues have meant he is what the Giants believed he was.
A very capable, but injury-prone half back flanker.
This time, the Giants made the right call in deciding against matching a bid for Williams, but the Blues still hope he can be part of their premiership window if his body issues can be sorted out.
REGRETTABLE CONTRACTS
JARED POLEC (PORT ADELAIDE)
It is not Polec’s fault that the Roos signed him up on a five-year deal worth around $3.5 million, with the left-footer still contracted until the end of 2023 despite being demoted to the rookie list. The Roos believed he was the icing on the cake, but quickly dropped from finals contention, with their game plan not suiting his run-and-gun style of game.
RORY LOBB (FREMANTLE)
Lobb has always been exceptionally well paid after GWS was seduced by one exceptional year and then Fremantle handing him a king’s ransom to head back to Perth.
The 2022 season has been the best of his AFL career but he is due $750,000 this year and next, with a long-term deal at the Dogs likely to balance out the $750,000 he is owed in 2023.
BRADLEY HILL (ST KILDA)
The Saints believed Hill would be the king of the Marvel Stadium wing, capping off a list close to premiership contention. He has had a solid season - above average disposals, elite pressure - but his price tag is the kind that requires match-changing performances.
ZAC WILLIAMS (CARLTON)
Williams’ free agency status meant clubs including the Roos were desperate for his services and if he had been able to sustain his rampaging form off half back he might have been worth the price of nearly $800,000. Still, he has four more years to prove himself and as he deals with another injury could even make a finals impact this year.
RORY ATKINS (GOLD COAST)
The Suns were desperate for some experience and classy ball-use, so they signed Adelaide utility Atkins on a four-year deal of around $400,000. It’s not huge money, but he has failed to inspire so far, this year ranking poor for disposals, contested possessions, kicking efficiency, scoreboard impact and pressure.
MITCH MCGOVERN (CARLTON)
McGovern’s first three years at Carlton on a deal of nearly $800,000 a season were disappointing as he battled for impact and wasn’t always in elite shape. This year, hamstring issues have curtailed his impact but he has shown huge potential thrown into the intercepting role his brother Jeremy has mastered at West Coast. The contract has been overpriced but he could still feature in a deep finals run in coming seasons.
BARGAIN CONTRACTS
TOM STEWART (GEELONG)
The star Cat is the best backman in the league and, yet, like so many other Geelong players he takes less to keep the list together and live a relatively carefree lifestyle down the Princes Highway. When you consider Jeremy McGovern has been on a long-term deal of $1.2 million dollars and Stewart plays for between $600,000-$700,000, you realise the Cats have got something special going on.
TOM HAWKINS (GEELONG)
Tom Hawkins is 34 years of age, but still could be taking part in the kind of drawn-out contract negotiations to maximise his worth that Taylor Walker and Lance Franklin have found themselves part of this year. Instead, the no-fuss forward, who has been All Australian in the past three years, accepts unders for the same reason as Stewart.
NICK VLASTUIN (RICHMOND)
When the Tigers handed Vlastuin a fresh five-year deal in 2021, they knew he wasn’t going anywhere and so did he. He accepted the long-term deal for security and is still well-paid but when you consider the deal of Zac Williams it shows you what a superb character Vlastuin is to accept much less - between $600,000-$700,000.
SCOTT PENDLEBURY (COLLINGWOOD)
There is no doubt the Pies captain has been extremely well paid in his career, but his current deal emphasises tenure - two seasons - over cash. Pendlebury is in the $500,000-$600,000 range when his output is still of the highest order, allowing the Pies the cap space to chase free agents like Dan McStay.
SHAI BOLTON (RICHMOND)
Bolton is paid just over $600,000, still extremely good money, but he is putting in a million-dollar type season. His next contract past 2023 will likely reflect that output, but, while Dustin Martin is sidelined, the brilliant Bolton is picking up the slack.
TRAVIS BOAK (PORT ADELAIDE)
Boak has shown extreme loyalty throughout his career and at 34 years of age he’s still doing it, on a contract that is closer to $500,000 than $600,000. He will end his career as a beloved Power champion even when he could be asking for more as a midfielder pumping out 27 possessions a game and averaging 107 ranking points.
The top 10 in order :-
Dustin Martin
Richmond
$1.2-$1.3 million
Will he or won’t he? It’s the question not even Richmond knows yet as the game’s highest paid player sorts through what happens next in his extraordinary career. He still has two seasons to run on his seven-year $9 million contract signed a month before the Tigers’ 2017 premiership triumph. Richmond desperately wants him to stay, but interstate rivals are selling the benefits of being out of the Melbourne AFL fishbowl. Wherever it is, if he plays on, he is set to earn between $1.2m and $1.3m for seasons 2023 and 2024.
Nat Fyfe
Fremantle
$1.05-$1.15 million
Fyfe’s deal running through to 2023 averages out at about $1.1 million across his career, with the dual Brownlow Medallist happy to have it shuffled forward and back to suit the club’s needs in any given season. Despite his injury-prone recent years it’s been worth every cent given rivals were prepared to offer up to $1.5 million for his services.
Jeremy McGovern
West Coast
$1-$1.1 million
McGovern’s monster five-year deal through to the end of 2023 averaged out at around $1.2 million but he has taken a significant cut this year of up to $200,000 to help out the club’s list. The four-time All-Australian and 2018 premiership player is one of footy’s highest-paid players but has earned every dime given his elite contributions. Keen to stay to help the rebuild.
Lance Franklin
Sydney
$950,000-$1.05 million
The Swans’ kingpin is in the final season of a nine-year, $10.2 million megadeal that many critics doubted he would complete when soft-tissue injuries besieged him. But Franklin kicked the 1000th goal of his sensational career in round 2 this season, after putting 51 through the uprights a year ago. He is still going strong and will play on in 2023 but Sydney’s initial offer of roughly $500,000 is yet to satisfy his camp.
Brodie Grundy
Collingwood
$925,000-$1.025 million
Grundy signed one of the most talked-about long-term deals in AFL football when the Magpies blinked and offered him seven years after he won the 2019 Copeland Trophy. The deal averages out at about $950,000 per season and runs through until the end of 2027. The past two-and-a-half years haven’t been quite as productive, with a knee injury costing him half a season this year. Trade options looms, with GWS more than interested and making contact with his management group. The Pies - and Grundy - may have some big decisions to make in the coming months.
Tom Lynch
Richmond
$925,000-$1.025 million
Lynch’s free agency deal with the Tigers was heavily back-ended as the club worked to keep its flag-winning group together. His first three seasons in yellow and black had him earning as little as $500,000 per season, but the real financial reward comes now. This season sees a pay increase to around $1 million, with the contract running through until the end of 2025.
Jeremy Cameron
Geelong
$900,000 - $1 million
After an injury-riddled first season in the hoops, Cameron has rediscovered his best form this year as one of the competition’s most destructive forwards. His partnership with Tom Hawkins and Tyson Stengle has helped put the Cats in the box seat for another premiership. They gave up three first-round picks to GWS Giants for Cameron and two second-round picks back. Good business for both clubs.
Marcus Bontempelli
Western Bulldogs
$900,000 - $1 million
Suffered an early-season ankle injury which restricted him more than everyone let on at the time. Bontempelli also went forward for a period this season to help support Aaron Naughton when the team was struggling to hit the scoreboard. Back in an onball role, he looks like the No.1 player in the game again. Tied to the kennel until the end of 2025. Worth every cent.
Stephen Coniglio
GWS Giants
$900,000 - $1 million
Coniglio signed a seven-year, seven-million dollar deal at the end of 2019 worth close to $1 million a season that runs through to 2027, with the Giants fiercely defending the decision given Carlton was offering the same terms. He has got back into rampaging form in recent months, but on pure value the deal hasn’t yet reaped what the Giants believed the commitment would sew.
Patrick Cripps
Carlton
$875,000 - $975,000
Never doubt a champion! Cripps has given us a reminder of that in 2022, turning in a blistering start to the season. He accepted a little less than market value to stay with the Blues in the middle of last year, despite big incentives to return home to WA. But he is still very well compensated on around $900,000 this year in a deal that descends throughout the lifetime of the contract which runs until the end of 2027. His premiership dream edges closer.
Dustin Martin
Richmond
$1.2-$1.3 million
Will he or won’t he? It’s the question not even Richmond knows yet as the game’s highest paid player sorts through what happens next in his extraordinary career. He still has two seasons to run on his seven-year $9 million contract signed a month before the Tigers’ 2017 premiership triumph. Richmond desperately wants him to stay, but interstate rivals are selling the benefits of being out of the Melbourne AFL fishbowl. Wherever it is, if he plays on, he is set to earn between $1.2m and $1.3m for seasons 2023 and 2024.
Nat Fyfe
Fremantle
$1.05-$1.15 million
Fyfe’s deal running through to 2023 averages out at about $1.1 million across his career, with the dual Brownlow Medallist happy to have it shuffled forward and back to suit the club’s needs in any given season. Despite his injury-prone recent years it’s been worth every cent given rivals were prepared to offer up to $1.5 million for his services.
Jeremy McGovern
West Coast
$1-$1.1 million
McGovern’s monster five-year deal through to the end of 2023 averaged out at around $1.2 million but he has taken a significant cut this year of up to $200,000 to help out the club’s list. The four-time All-Australian and 2018 premiership player is one of footy’s highest-paid players but has earned every dime given his elite contributions. Keen to stay to help the rebuild.
Lance Franklin
Sydney
$950,000-$1.05 million
The Swans’ kingpin is in the final season of a nine-year, $10.2 million megadeal that many critics doubted he would complete when soft-tissue injuries besieged him. But Franklin kicked the 1000th goal of his sensational career in round 2 this season, after putting 51 through the uprights a year ago. He is still going strong and will play on in 2023 but Sydney’s initial offer of roughly $500,000 is yet to satisfy his camp.
Brodie Grundy
Collingwood
$925,000-$1.025 million
Grundy signed one of the most talked-about long-term deals in AFL football when the Magpies blinked and offered him seven years after he won the 2019 Copeland Trophy. The deal averages out at about $950,000 per season and runs through until the end of 2027. The past two-and-a-half years haven’t been quite as productive, with a knee injury costing him half a season this year. Trade options looms, with GWS more than interested and making contact with his management group. The Pies - and Grundy - may have some big decisions to make in the coming months.
Tom Lynch
Richmond
$925,000-$1.025 million
Lynch’s free agency deal with the Tigers was heavily back-ended as the club worked to keep its flag-winning group together. His first three seasons in yellow and black had him earning as little as $500,000 per season, but the real financial reward comes now. This season sees a pay increase to around $1 million, with the contract running through until the end of 2025.
Jeremy Cameron
Geelong
$900,000 - $1 million
After an injury-riddled first season in the hoops, Cameron has rediscovered his best form this year as one of the competition’s most destructive forwards. His partnership with Tom Hawkins and Tyson Stengle has helped put the Cats in the box seat for another premiership. They gave up three first-round picks to GWS Giants for Cameron and two second-round picks back. Good business for both clubs.
Marcus Bontempelli
Western Bulldogs
$900,000 - $1 million
Suffered an early-season ankle injury which restricted him more than everyone let on at the time. Bontempelli also went forward for a period this season to help support Aaron Naughton when the team was struggling to hit the scoreboard. Back in an onball role, he looks like the No.1 player in the game again. Tied to the kennel until the end of 2025. Worth every cent.
Stephen Coniglio
GWS Giants
$900,000 - $1 million
Coniglio signed a seven-year, seven-million dollar deal at the end of 2019 worth close to $1 million a season that runs through to 2027, with the Giants fiercely defending the decision given Carlton was offering the same terms. He has got back into rampaging form in recent months, but on pure value the deal hasn’t yet reaped what the Giants believed the commitment would sew.
Patrick Cripps
Carlton
$875,000 - $975,000
Never doubt a champion! Cripps has given us a reminder of that in 2022, turning in a blistering start to the season. He accepted a little less than market value to stay with the Blues in the middle of last year, despite big incentives to return home to WA. But he is still very well compensated on around $900,000 this year in a deal that descends throughout the lifetime of the contract which runs until the end of 2027. His premiership dream edges closer.