KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom’s rookie-priced midfielder guide
From draftees to second-year guns and the players who have been given a second chance, The Phantom ranks the best cheap midfield 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 potential cash cows in the midfield, excluding the dual-positions.
MIDFIELDERS
1. Marlion Pickett (Rich)
$123,900, Mid
Marsh Series Scores: 61, 61
The mature-age sensation finished third in the Norm Smith Medal voting last year after tallying 22 disposals, eight contested possessions, one goal and 96 SuperCoach points on debut in the grand final.
A week earlier, Pickett won the Norm Goss Medal as the best player on-the-ground in the VFL grand final after 20 disposals and 123 points.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: The guy was almost the best player on the ground in the biggest game last year. And Pickett, who featured in Richmond’s first-choice on-ball rotation in the Marsh Series, is available at rookie-price. What more do you need?
2. Matt Rowell (GC)
$207,300, Mid
Marsh Series Scores: 100, 36
Thought Sam Walsh had a good SuperCoach season in his first year? The output of this kid might be even better.
Like Walsh, Rowell has enjoyed a near-perfect junior career, dominating at all levels.
The strong-bodied, well-balanced midfielder averaged 32 disposals, 17 contested possessions and 171 SuperCoach points in the NAB League last season and 133 points for Vic Metro at the under-18 national carnival.
And in his first official hitout for the Suns, Rowell tallied a game-high 15 contested possessions and the first – of many – SuperCoach ton of his career against the Cats.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT:Justifying the hype in every way and only sits behind Pickett given the starting price. But you should be picking them both.
3. Tom Green (GWS)
$166,800, Mid
Marsh series scores: 106, 72
After averaging 16.2 contested possessions per game at the 2019 under-18 national carnival – the most ever-recorded by Champion Data – and 111 points, Green is a SuperCoach star in the making.
And, while there was early doubt over his Round 1 chances in a star-studded GWS midfield, Green might have played his into Leon Cameron’s side – which is now missing Tim Taranto – over the past two weeks.
In a commanding performance against the Swans, the 188cm Green finished with a game-high 15 contested possessions, while also booting two goals and playing a direct hand in two others to highlight his ability as a forward. A week later, Green had 16 disposals, one goal and another two assists.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: Has the game and body to be a great SuperCoach scorer from the outset and, now, he looks to have the opportunity.
4. Deven Robertson (Bris)
$117,300
Marsh series scores: DNP, 63
SuperCoaches – and Brisbane – will be happy the WA under-18 captain slid to No. 22 on draft night.
Instead of being priced at $150k or more as a top-10 selection, Robertson, who broke Sam Walsh’s disposal record at the national carnival, is at the bottom-end of rookie-pricing. And the tough midfielder, who averaged 128 SuperCoach points for WA and 153 at WAFL Colts level, is ready.
And, while he was a slider last November, Robertson, who didn’t play in the first round of pre-season action, has been a March bolter in SuperCoach after an impressive showing through the midfield in the Lions’ Marsh Series clash with the Blues.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: Hallelujah. If the draftee holds his place for Round 1, lock him in.
5. Dylan Stephens (Syd)
$189,300, Mid
Marsh Series scores: 38, 50
Despite his slight frame, the hard-running left-footer showed he can mix it with the big bodies, averaging 18 disposals and 82 SuperCoach points at senior level in the SANFL last year.
The 18-year-old did his best work at junior level on the outside, but he’s shown he’s clean and creative on the inside.
And he’s been turning heads – on the back of his endurance and damaging left-foot – during his first pre-season at Sydney.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: Despite a quiet Marsh Series opener,Stephens is doing all the right things to be there in Round 1, as coach John Longmire confirmed recently, and his scoring should improve as he settles.
6. Jeremy Sharp (GC)
$117,300, Mid
Marsh Series scores: 16, 42
The outsider midfielder is an elite runner with terrific skills who made six senior WAFL appearances last year and averaged 68 SuperCoach points per game against the bigger bodies.
The 18-year-old had nine disposals in the second-half against the Cats in the opening round of the Marsh Series and the teenager made the most of his limited opportunity against Adelaide, tallying 14 disposals and seven marks after coming on in the third-term.
Has he done enough to force his way past a number of other skilful runners at the Suns?
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: A great SuperCoach bench option if he has.
7. Ned McHenry (Adel)
$123,900, Mid
Marsh series scores: 37, DNP
In his draft year, McHenry applied five more tackles than any other player at the 2018 under-18 championships and averaged 115 SuperCoach points per game in the TAC Cup.
The running machine’s impressive form continued in the SANFL last year, with McHenry averaging 21 disposals, six marks and five tackles per game in his first five games for the Crows’ reserves.
Then, in his second game after returning from a long-term back injury, McHenry finished with 17 disposals, four goals and 123 points in the semi-final.
After recovering from a minor abdominal injury, McHenry finished with six disposals and five tackles in a half of footy in the opening weekend of the Marsh Series and is still in the Round 1 frame at West Lakes, despite a back-related hamstring issue forcing him off the ground at halftime of the under-23 Showdown.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: A lock for your bench if he’s picked. And he’s still an outside chance as new coach Matthew Nicks works out his best 22.
8. Mitch Hibberd (Ess)
$114,000 Mid
Marsh series scores: DNP
The 23-year-old failed to make it playing predominantly as a defender for North Melbourne but after being delisted at the end of last year, Hibberd turned himself into tall, big-bodied running midfielder in the VFL in 2019.
Playing for Williamstown, the 191cm Tasmanian averaged 24 disposals, seven tackles and 128 SuperCoach points per game to be named on a wing in the VFL’s team of the year.
Pre-season knee surgery ruined Hibberd’s preparation but he’s back training and is still a chance for an early-season Bombers debut.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: With the lack of starting options, less than two weeks out from Round 1, stashing Hibberd on your bench is worth some thought.
9. Tyler Brown (Coll)
$123,000 Mid
Marsh Series scores: 80, 35
The 20-year-old won 57 per cent of his possession in a contest in the VFL last year and is pushing hard for a senior debut in his third season.
Brown’s 65-point performance in the Magpies’ first official pre-season match, on the back of 16 disposals at 88 per cent efficiency in a different role on a wing, did his chances no harm.
As a number of stars returned, however, Brown was only on the ground for 39 per cent of the second Marsh Series match against the Saints. But he still finished with an impressive nine disposals and 35 points.
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: Another SuperCoaches should have their fingers crossed for. But if it’s not Round 1, it’s unlikely to be long after.
10. Noah Anderson (GC)
$202,800 Mid
Marsh series scores: 59, 13
The 188cm midfielder averaged 25 disposals and two goals in the NAB League this year, joining Tiger Jack Higgins, Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage and Bomber Devon Smith as the only players to achieve this feat in the junior competition. It’s no surprise, Anderson finished with a 143-point SuperCoach average.
He’s a star-in-the-making, no doubt, but will he get midfield minutes of best-mate Rowell to justify his $202k price tag in his first season?
PHANTOM’S MARCH VERDICT: Initially, I said no. But, now, amid the rookie crisis, should we just be thankful he’s playing? Anderson, who tallied 14 disposals in week one of the Marsh Series before playing a half against the Crows, is one I’m tipping will just get better and better as the year goes on.
MORE SUPERCOACH ADVICE
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WATCHLIST
Jackson Mead (Port, $117,300 Mid)
Marsh series scores: DNP
At 184cm and 83kg – and with terrific versatility in his game – the father-son prospect is a strong chance to see early action at the Power in 2020.
A smart and skilful midfielder, who wins the ball at the contest and away from it, Mead averaged 21 disposals and 106 SuperCoach points for South Australia and 20 disposals, eight marks and 101 points for the Eagles at reserves level in the SANFL.
But Mead is also strong overhead and it’s his ability as a forward which is likely to see him in the senior selection frame in his debut season.
The strong-bodied Mead has impressed at Alberton over summer and, while a pre-season hamstring injury has all-but ended his chances of a Round 1 debut, he’s back training and should still feature early in 2020.
Caleb Serong (Freo, $175,800 Mid)
Marsh series scores: 60, 16
Serong, who has drawn comparison to Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray, ranked fourth for clearances and fifth for contested possessions in the NAB League, where he averaged 129 points per game. And a standout performance in Fremantle’s recent intra-club match and a strong showing against the Magpies in week one of the Marsh Series – after halftime in particular – has him in the mix for a Round 1 debut, despite limited game-time in the Dockers’ final hitout.
Jye Caldwell (GWS, $190,100 Mid)
Marsh series scores: 42, DNP
The classy midfielder battled injury in his first season at the Giants, just as he did in the final two years of his junior career. But, after impressive form in the NEAFL mid-year, Caldwell earnt a late call-up to the senior side in Round 21. And it was an impressive debut, too, with the 19-year-old finishing with 13 disposals, six contested possession, six tackles, five marks and 73 points. Caldwell featured in the Giants’ Marsh Series opener but was squeezed out with the return of a number of star teammates for the clash with the Tigers. But he’s around the mark.
Justin McInerney (Syd $123,000, Mid)
Marsh Series scores: 80, 3
The young speedster, who made one senior appearance in his debut season last year, rated above-average in the NEAFL for SuperCoach points, disposals, uncontested possessions, marks and inside-50s. And most of his traits were on show in the first week of the Marsh Series, as the 19-year-old tallied 19 disposals and 80 points against the Giants. Dampening the hopes of his SuperCoach prospects, however was the five minutes of game-time he played in the final round.
Luke Valente (Freo, $123,900 Mid)
Marsh series scores: DNP
The 187cm, 81kg Valente is great by foot – on both sides of his body – and averaged 22 disposals and 118 SuperCoach points per game as South Australia’s under-18 captain in 2018.
Injury restricted the 19-year-old, who averaged 159 points at SANFL under-18 level in his draft year, to just seven WAFL league games last year but if his body stay sounds, Valente could get his first taste of senior action in 2020.
Jack Bytel (StK, $123,900 Mid)
Marsh series scores: DNP
Back surgery wiped out the 189cm midfielder’s debut season but he’s fit and looks ready to make his mark at the Saints this year. The No. 41 pick from the 2018 draft is a strong tackler, who can win the ball at the contest and away from it – three key contributors to SuperCoach scoring.
Riley Collier-Dawkins (Rich, $123,900 Mid)
Marsh series scores: 30, DNP
Richmond’s top pick from the 2018 draft – No. 20 overall – failed to break into the senior side last year but he impressed in 20 VFL matches. None more so than the grand final.
The 190cm midfielder, who boasts terrific speed away from the contested, was one of Richmond’s best, finishing with 15 disposals, nine contested possessions, six tackles and two goals in the win over Williamstown. And the 19-year-old has been turning heads at Tigers training over summer, putting on seven kilograms and putting himself in contention for an early-season debut.
Harry Schoenberg (Adel, $117,300 Mid)
Marsh series scores: DNP
It will be a new-look Crows in 2020 and SA’s under-18 MVP, who averaged 27 disposals, five marks, five tackles and 122 SuperCoach points at the national carnival, will be a chance for senior action in his debut season. His hands are brilliant at the contest – as he showed in the under-23 practice match against the Power – and Schoenberg, who averaged 128 points at SANFL under-18 level, also wins plenty of football on the spread.
Chad Warner (Syd, $117,300 Mid)
Marsh series scores: -2, DNP
The midfielder with a huge appetite for the contest, who averaged a huge 156 SuperCoach points per game at WAFL Colts level in 2019, might surprise in his debut season. Keep him on the watchlist for later in the year.
Finn Maginness (Haw, $117,300 Mid)
Marsh series scores: -2, DNP
The father-son recruit knocked off Isaac Smith in last month’s 2km time trial, ending the 31-year-old’s five-year reign as the Hawks’ best runner. But he’s not just an endurance athlete, Maginness, who averaged 21 disposals, five tackles and 113 points in the NAB League last year, has the body to step straight into senior footy in 2020.
Cooper Stephens (Geel, $139,800 Mid)
Marsh series scores: 21, DNP
The strong-bodied midfielder spent the second-half of 2018 working his way back to full fitness after breaking his leg in April. And the 18-year-old was in terrific condition when he arrived at pre-season training, earning himself a start in the Cats’ Marsh Series opener agaisnt the Suns. Stephens, a 188cm inside midfielder, averaged 100 SuperCoach points per game in the NAB League in 2018 and will be ready to step up if there’s an opening at Geelong. Big scoring potential but it’s a tough midfield to break into, especially when you haven’t played a competitive game since April last year.