SuperCoach late mail: All the latest news and whispers ahead of Round 4
At last some positive KFC SuperCoach news! Several stars are expected to return in Round 4 – and two of them are in more than half of all teams. Meanwhile, coach Simon Goodwin has sounded a Harley Bennell warning.
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There are plenty of KFC SuperCoach talking points ahead of Round 4 and at last there’s some good news.
See all the latest updates.
GIANT RELIEF FOR SUPERCOACHES
GWS coach Leon Cameron has confirmed that star trio Lachie Whitfield (concussion), Josh Kelly (calf) and Toby Greene (knee) will face Collingwood on Friday night.
Cameron said the three all passed fitness tests this week, coming as pleasing news for more than 90,000 coaches who own Whitfield.
The running-machine managed just eight SuperCoach points last weekend, going off the ground with concussion in the opening term.
In another boost, Kelly and Greene, who both missed their loss to the Bulldogs, are hungry for redemption after having their colours lowered in Round 2.
“Clearly Toby and Josh want to get their season kicked off again,” he told AAP.
“They were disappointed in their own performances in the round-two game and then they didn’t have the opportunity to play last week. Having those guys in definitely injects a lot of confidence.”
OPTING TO TRADE WHITFIELD OR KELLY? SEE TRADE OPTIONS BELOW
DUSTY SET TO RETURN
Those who held on to Dustin Martin could prove to be the biggest winners in Round 4, with coach Damien Hardwick all but confirming the superstar will play against St Kilda.
Martin has averaged 114.6 points in his last three outings against the Saints and appears to be over his rib concerns that saw him miss Round 3.
“He trained Tuesday, he’ll train today,” Hardwick told reporters on Thursday morning. “So our information is that he’ll play.”
Hardwick said Richmond hadn’t wanted to risk Martin if he wasn’t able to play to his capabilities.
“I think the week off no doubt helped him,” he said.
“From our point of view it was always touch and go last week – that he’s such an important player to the way we play, we just want to make sure he’s right.”
POPULAR ROOKIES ON CHOPPING BLOCK
The most popular player in SuperCoach could be axed. That’s right, Grand Final hero Marlion Pickett could be forced out of Richmond’s side.
The 28-year-old was a SuperCoach must-have after his impressive 94-point score in Round 1, but has posted just 87 points combined in his last two games.
Meanwhile, Magpies cash cow Darcy Cameron appears set to make way for American giant Mason Cox after gathering just two disposals in Round 3.
GOODWIN’S BENNELL WARNING
Injury riddled speedster Harley Bennell ($123,900, MID) shapes as a bargain with Melbourne’s postponed match giving SuperCoaches another week to snaffle him up.
However, his coach Simon Goodwin has sounded a warning to his owners that he is no certainty to front up each week.
Melbourne eased Bennell back into it in his comeback, playing just 50 per game-time, but Goodwin said the playmaker could be left out some weeks to manage his workload.
“There’s clearly a lot of expectations on Harley to be in the team every week but that certainly won’t be the case.
“He’s a player that we want to see as a long-term player and a player that we want to make sure he can sustain the full rigours of an AFL season.
“He’s still working his way back to that full fitness and full form that he knows he’s capable of ... and he’s progressing well.”
While his scoring potential has plenty of upside, Bennell’s cash generation could be stifled if he is rested in the coming weeks.
SWANS CHEAPIES NAMED
Swans cheapies Sam Naismith and Justin McInerney are among Sydney’s three inclusions for their Thursday night clash with the Bulldogs.
McInerney was a late omission last week as the Swans opted for tall forward Hayden McLean instead and is projected to rise $30,000 in price.
Naismith will bolster Sydney’s ruck stocks and those who kept the faith should be rewarded as he faces Bulldogs beanpole Tim English.
Dogs debutant Louis Butler ($117,300, DEF/MID) will be one to watch, having averaged 64 points per game at the under-18 national championships last season.
How to cure Giant SuperCoach headache
Doctor SuperCoach
We have a Giant problem on our hands.
Popular GWS trio Lachie Whitefield (in 57.3 per cent of sides), Josh Kelly (12.5 per cent) and Toby Greene (9.2 per cent) were in doubt again.
Kelly and Greene have already missing one match, while Whitfield suffered a concussion early in the Giants’ loss to the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.
Kelly was a late out with calf tightness while Greene was out with knee soreness.
To add insult to, well, injury, Josh Dunkley is set for an extended period on the sidelines, suffering a syndesmosis injury in his ankle late in that game.
While the Giants’ injuries aren’t long-term, you may still want to assess some potential trades considering their history, particularly Kelly. Regardless, a Dunkley replacement is needed. Let’s explore some options.
Isaac Heeney ($536,200 FWD/MID) is an obvious choice as a potential replacement for Greene or Whitfield, unless you have enough cash in the bank to afford the in-form Michael Walters ($588,600 FWD/MID).
Heeney is averaging 111.7 over the first three rounds, but it is worth noting he is playing more of a forward role for the Swans. Heeney is averaging his lowest clearances per game since his debut season. Having averaged 3.5, 3.1 and 2.5 clearances over the past three years, he is averaging just one a game in 2020.
Heeney is definitely an old SuperCoach favourite, but is this the year to look elsewhere?
Christian Petracca ($470,000 FWD), despite not getting the opportunity to continue his strong form on the weekend, is a man in demand. Petracca had scores of 105 and 126 in the first two rounds, racking up contested possessions and clearances and relishing his extra time in the Demons’ midfield.
Another man enjoying his time in the engine room is Gold Coast Sun Hugh Greenwood ($502,900 FWD/MID). Greenwood is doing what he does best as a midfielder — clearances and tackles.
He is not a big ball-winner, but he has always been able to lay huge tackle numbers and win it in the contest. Greenwood is averaging 6.3 tackles — including 13 against the Crows — and six clearances across the first three rounds in a rejuvenated Gold Coast outfit. This has seen him return scores of 116, 95 and 116, but can he continue this form having previously never averaged beyond 86 in a season? Given the shorter quarters and playing style, it is looking more likely by the week.
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Otherwise, Chad Wingard (458,700 FWD/MID) and Jy Simpkin ($483,100 FWD/MID) have hit the ground running this season, averaging well over triple figures and would offer a nice point of difference to your side. Jy Simpkin leads the North Melbourne midfielders in centre bounce attendances in 2020 and a role change is great reason to jump on a underpriced player.
In the midfield, for those contemplating a Josh Kelly replacement, Travis Boak ($616,200 MID) is less than $2000 more expensive than Kelly, and he is absolutely flying.
Boak has scored 125, 112 and 159 for the top-of-the-table Port Adelaide and is one of the in-form players in the competition.
Andrew Gaff ($612,800 MID) is his usual picture of consistency, averaging 124.3 without a score below 117. He won’t provide you with too many mammoth scores, but he’s a bankable option to rack up 25 touches and score 100-120.
If you’re backing Marcus Bontempelli ($530,900 MID) to return to his best, he is priced well under what he is capable of after averaging just 89 in the opening three rounds. He will need to lift his game to shoulder extra responsibility with both Lachie Hunter and Dunkley out.
Can Patrick Dangerfield ($563,500 MID) find his best form? In previous seasons, Dangerfield at this price would be a no-brainer – although to be fair, he’s rarely dropped too low throughout a stellar five-year period of averaging between 115 and 137 points.
Without Tim Kelly, Paddy is certainly copping plenty of attention, and interestingly it has been the likes of Mitch Duncan, Joel Selwood and Brandan Parfitt who have reaped the benefits. Dangerfield is currently recording a sub 60 per cent disposal efficiency, well below his career averages.
We know his best will be seen at some stage this season, but is now the time to put faith into the Geelong star?
MORE SUPERCOACH ADVICE:
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Clayton Oliver ($594,300 MID), who is averaging 113, albeit from just the two matches, should also be considered.
If you’re looking for a point of difference in your midfield, Taylor Adams ($561,700 MID) is yet to drop under 100 with an average of 116.3 and is in just 1.2 per cent of sides. While the aforementioned Duncan ($584,300) is producing outstanding numbers with scores of 120, 114 and 123, the classy Cat is in just 0.5 per cent of sides.
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Originally published as SuperCoach late mail: All the latest news and whispers ahead of Round 4