KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom’s rookie defender guide
From draftees to second-year players and breakout candidates, The Phantom ranks all the best cheap defender options 1 to 10 and names the cash cows next in line.
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- Every standout from the final week of the Marsh Series
- Ultimate Rookie Guide: The Phantom’s cash cow rankings
The key to KFC SuperCoach success is nailing all of your rookie-price selections. The Phantom ranks the potential cash cows in defence.
1. Jarrod Brander (WC)
$133,000, Fwd-Def
Marsh series scores: 46, 76
Brander has posted scores of 25, 36 and 36 in his three career games playing as a forward, but the versatile 20-year-old, who stands at 195cm, can play in almost any position on the ground.
And over the pre-season, he’s impressed on a wing, in a role which is likely to be more SuperCoach-friendly.
Brander, who is still rookie-price – and dual-position – heading into his third year, saved his best performance for the final Marsh Series clash, finishing with 17 disposals – at 88 per cent efficiency – and five marks against the Dockers.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: SuperCoaches have lost faith in a number of rookie-price options over the past two weeks but Brander’s stocks have only risen in this time and he now appears one of the safe bets in his new role.
2. Lachie Ash (GWS)
$193,800 Def-Mid
Marsh series scores: 88, 62
The Giants’ top pick from last year’s draft – No. 4 overall – averaged 22 disposals and 102 for Vic Country at the national carnival and 129 points per game in the NAB League.
Ash’s junior numbers are matched by his standout ability to break the game open from halfback.
After two impressive Marsh Series performances in defence – and the uncertainty surrounding Zac Williams’ achilles – Ash’s chances of a Round 1 start are now very strong, despite the standout summer of fellow running defender Isaac Cumming.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: It appears we may have no choice but to fork out for the high-end rookie options this year and Ash’s pre-season scores justify the top-price tag.
3. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Ess)
$189,300 Def
Marsh series scores: 61, 104
The current Essendon injury list means the 21-year-old, who was the No. 1 player for intercept possessions in the VFL over the past two seasons, will see more senior action in 2020.
And Zerk-Thatcher showed enough in the Marsh Series, averaging 10.5 intercepts and 14.5 effective disposals per game, to suggest he’ll make SuperCoaches plenty of early cash this year, despite the $180k price-tag.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: A top-price key-defender at No. 3? Yep, that’s what sort of year it might be, SuperCoaches. Zerk-Thatcher appears to have more scoring avenues than your average key-backman, though.
4. John Noble (Coll)
$215,400, Def
Marsh series scores: 79, 73
The mid-season draftee averaged 20 disposals in his three home-and-away matches last season before recording tallies of 19 and 16 in Collingwood’s two finals. Noble can find the ball and he proved it again in the Marsh Series.
Noble tallied a combined 46 disposals, hitting the target with 39 of them, working up and down the ground in his two pre-season matches, as the Magpies played high-possession football.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: $215k is a lot to ask but Noble’s job security and scoring potential may be as high as any on the list. And, this year, that list is an unconvincing one.
5. Tobe Watson (Freo)
$123.000, Def
Marsh series scores: 62, 42
After averaging 17 disposals in the WAFL during his first year on the Dockers’ list – and rating elite for marks and above-average for intercept possessions, intercept marks, spoils and score involvements – the 190cm defender has put himself in the Round 1 mix after an impressive summer. The mature-age recruit finished disposal tallies of 13 and 14 and is the only $123k defender to have played both his club’s Marsh Series matches.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: If you don’t know, now you know. Watson is one of only a few bottom-price rookies likely to see early-season action, making him a great SuperCoach bench option.
6. Will Gould (Syd)
$117,300, Def
Marsh Series Score s: 68, DNP
The ready-made defender, who played an important role in Glenelg’s drought-breaking grand final win, could play 22 games this year without a problem.
Gould, 18, delivered with precision from the back-half and knocked around some of his more senior opponents in the SANFL, averaging 19 disposals and 89 SuperCoach points per game at the top-level in SA.
He’s made a big impression since arriving in Sydney and could feature in the Swans’ defence in 2020 – and even take some of Jake Lloyd’s kick-in duties.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: Cleaned up Giant Matt de Boer with a big, but fair, bump in the first 10 minutes of his career and, while he doesn’t appear to be the lock he once was after being left out of the club’s final Marsh Series match, Gould is still in the Round 1 mix at the Swans. Shoots straight to the top of this list if he’s picked.
7. Fischer McAsey (Adel)
$184,800 Def
Marsh series scores: DNP, 47
Adelaide’s top pick from last year’s draft was the No. 1 key-defender at the 2018 national under-18 carnival, leading all in his position for disposals, intercept marks, intercept possessions and marks.
The skilful, 195cm McAsey was already closing in on a Round 1 debut but, after the Tom Doedee setback, it’s now all but sealed, with the 18-year-old set to partner Daniel Talia in defence against the Swans.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: With Doedee out of the side and McAsey playing in the Crows’ final Marsh Series clash ahead of Kyle Hartigan and Jordon Butts, he might not play the floating third-tall role SuperCoaches were hoping for. But McAsey’s job security is as strong as any.
8. Brandon Starcevich (Bris)
$147,700, Def-Mid
Marsh series scores: 40, 61
Starcevich, who was drafted as a forward in 2017, played the final four matches of 2018 and then featured in last year’s pre-season competition for the Lions.
But a serious hamstring injury in a practice match against the Demons halted any momentum he was building, with the strong, skilful right-footer adding just one game to his career tally in 2019.
After a standout summer on the track, however, Starcevich was tipped to help fill the void left by the retirement of Luke Hodge at halfback in 2020.
But, while he’s been in defence at times, the 20-year-old played majority of the final Marsh Series match against the Blues at half-forward.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: If you can afford the extra $40k, I’d spend it. But, otherwise, if he’s picked, Starcevich’s traits should see him score well in either role.
9. Bailey Williams (WC)
$123,900, Def-Ruck
Marsh Series Scores: 70, DNP
The 19-year-old, taken at pick No. 35 in the 2018 draft, was a standout against the Bombers in the Eagles’ Marsh Series opening and is now right in the mix for a Round 1 spot. Williams, who averaged 73 points per game in the WAFL last year, finished with 12 disposals, six contested possessions and six score involvements playing a back-up ruck-forward role, before missing the summer derby with hamstring tightness.
The athletic big man, who has impressed with his hands in the air and at ground level, could force his way in ahead of Nathan Vardy if he can do enough in Friday’s intra-club hitout.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: A playing bottom-price option in defence? We’ll take it for the bench. Fingers crossed.
10. Hayden Young (Freo)
$180,300 Def
Marsh series scores: DNP
The damaging left-footer, who ranked first for intercept possessions and second for metres gained, averaged 107 points at the national under-18 championships for Vic Country.
Young, regarded as the best kick in this year’s draft class, went even bigger in the NAB League, averaging 129 points per game and fits new coach Justin Longmuir’s want for an increase in skill level at the Dockers.
But a recent injury setback has put the his Round 1 debut in doubt, with the 18-year-old unsighted in the Marsh Series.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: We haven’t heard much on Young’s progress after he joined the rehab group prior to the start of the Marsh Series. But that doesn’t mean rule him out of Round 1 just yet, especially with the injury to Stephen Hill. He’s another who will bolt to the top of the rankings if the Dockers spring a surprise next week.
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WATCHLIST
Stephen Hill (Freo $190,600, Fwd-Def)
Marsh Series scores: DNP, 32
The 29-year-old has played just 16 games in the past two seasons but he averaged 86, 96, 96, 90 and 80 in the five years before that. Last week, a fit Hill was The Phantom’s fourth-best rookie option on any line. But after hurting his troublesome quad against the Eagles, the alarms bells are ringing.
Jacob Kennerley (Geel, $123,900 Def-Mid)
Marsh series scores: 34, 11
The dominant runner of the 2018 draft class returned to Geelong training in outstanding condition in December, pushing some of the club’s best athletes, Mark Blicavs included, over summer. And the 19-year-old outside-midfielder, who averaged 133 points at SANFL under-18 level, will be close to an early-season debut after an impressive first year in the VFL and game-time in both the Cats’ Marsh Series matches. Coach Chris Scott isn’t afraid to give young runners who can use the ball well senior opportunity.
Damon Greaves (Haw $123,900, Def)
Marsh Series scores: 77, 3
The 19-year-old, who went at 74 per cent by foot in 18 VFL games last year, finished with 19 disposals and a team-high eight rebound 50s in the Hawks’ first Marsh Series appearance but only played the final minutes of the second-round clash with the Demons, despite the injury to defender Blake Hardwick.
Trent Rivers (Melb $117,300, Def-Mid)
Marsh Series scores: DNP
The West Australian starred at last year’s national under-18 championships, averaging 22 disposals – at 77 per cent efficiency – and 94 points per game. His ball-use and speed from halfback was a highlight, as it was at WAFL Colts level, where he averaged 149 points across nine matches. And the 18-year-old’s traits appear to address the needs of a Melbourne side looking to bounce back.
Tom Williamson (Carl $146,300, Def)
Marsh Series scores: 52, DNP
The injury-plagued defender, who has made just two senior appearances since his impressive debut season of 2017, is fit and featured across halfback in the first week of the official pre-season competition. Carlton like the 21-year-old so, if his body stays sound, expect him to get an opportunity.
Trent Bianco (Coll $117,300, Def-Mid)
Marsh Series scores: 14, DNP
The ball-magnet tallied 22 disposals or more in 10 of his 11 NAB League matches last season and, more importantly, made most of them count. Bianco, who captain Oakleigh Chargers in 2019, is smart with ball in hand and uses it well on both sides of his body, averaging 119 SuperCoach points per game as a result. The potential downgrade target doesn’t win a lot of football in a contest but makes up for it with his efficiency.