KFC SuperCoach 2020: The good, bad and every selection from The Advertiser’s Draft
Playing KFC SuperCoach Draft this year? Here is the full re-cap of The Advertiser’s Draft night, including every selection, analysis, video and what the coaches said
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If you haven’t played KFC SuperCoach Draft before, you’re missing out.
Arguably, it’s a fun, more-exciting way to play our favourite fantasy game.
Take part in a league with your mates — or join any available public league — and select a unique SuperCoach team through a live draft where each player is only available once.
On Thursday, The Phantom assembled 12 of The Advertiser’s finest KFC SuperCoach minds for the 2020 draft.
It was a night full of laughs, banter and serious SuperCoach.
Here is how it unfolded.
Simeon Thomas-Wilson
Sports Reporter, The Advertiser
DRAFT SELECTIONS
Pick No. 1: Andrew Gaff (Mid)
24: Sam Jacobs (Ruck)
25: Brad Crouch (Mid)
48: Nick Haynes (Def)
49: Seb Ross (Mid)
72: Shaun Higgins (Mid)
73: Tom Hawkins (Fwd)
96: Darcy Moore (Def)
97: Brad Hill (Mid)
120: Bayley Fritsch (Fwd-Mid)
121: Tim Taranto (Mid)
144: Jack Darling (Fwd)
KEEPERS
Lachie Whitfield (Fwd-Mid)
Jake Lloyd (Def)
Michael Walters (Fwd-Mid)
WHAT THEY SAID
“Came in with three very strong keepers and the No. 1 pick allowed me to add Andrew Gaff to the mix. Brad Crouch was a nice pick-up considering where he went while hoping for some real improvement from Nick Haynes this year. Darcy Moore a risk but if his body holds up it could look good.”
VERDICT
Thomas-Wilson emerged with a very balanced side, taking three strong midfielders in his first five selections to add to positional stars Whitfield, Lloyd and Martin. Whether Tim Taranto returns in time to have impact remains to be seen, while word has it Thomas-Wilson and The Phantom are yet to speak after the latter robbed him off Bulldog Pat Lipinski right in front of him. Should make the finals if Nick Haynes can carry last year’s late-season form into 2020.
Graham Cornes
Inaugural Crows coach, The Advertiser columnist
DRAFT SELECTIONS
2: Bachar Houli (Def)
23: Stefan Martin (Ruck)
26: Jack Ziebell (Fwd-Mid)
47: Dylan Shiel (Mid)
50: Nic Newman (Def)
71: Chad Wingard (Fwd)
74: Jason Johannisen (Def)
95: Jeremy Finlayson (Fwd)
98: Ricky Henderson (Mid)
119: Mitch Robinson (Mid)
122: Ollie Wines (Mid)
143: Ben McEvoy (Ruck)
KEEPERS
Patrick Dangerfield (Mid)
Rory Sloane (Mid)
Hugh Greenwood (Mid-Fwd)
WHAT THEY SAID
“In the end I was a little disappointed with my team and my performance on the night. I never got in front of the game and felt I was always struggling against better prepared, better performed opponents. I think my team can be competitive but I’m not sure it will dominate the competition.”
VERDICT
Coach Cornes may have not been happy with his drafting on the night but the wash-up reveals a number of terrific selections – Newman, Wingard and Johannisen in the middle part of the draft in particular – which will help the side be more than competitive in 2020.
Patrick Keam
Sports Editor, The Messenger
DRAFT SELECTIONS
3: Toby Greene (Fwd)
22: Jordan De Goey (Fwd)
27: Daniel Rich (Def)
46: Jacob Hopper (Mid)
51: Andrew Brayshaw (Fwd-Mid)
70: Jaeger O’Meara (Mid)
75: Hunter Clark (Def)
94: Jarrod Berry (Mid)
99: Brayden Fiorini (Mid)
118: Sean Darcy (Ruck)
123: Tom T. Lynch (Fwd)
142: Alex Witherden (Def)
KEEPERS
Patrick Cripps (Mid)
Tom Mitchell (Mid)
Luke Ryan (Def)
WHAT THEY SAID
“Jacob Hopper, Andrew Brayshaw and Hunter Clark were three I targeted across each line and moved early to grab them. Left my ruck until one of the very last picks of the draft, so from here will hope Sean Darcy comes could or I’ll be rotating through the season. Generally happy with team balance and depth across the board and feel I’ve got a better hand than last year.”
VERDICT
If, as many expect, the likes of young guns Hunter Clark, Andrew Brayshaw and Jacob Hopper take the next step this season, Keam might be the early premiership favourite.
Liz Walsh
Sports Reporter, The Advertiser
DRAFT SELECTIONS
4: Travis Boak (Mid)
21: James Harmes (Mid)
28: Kane Lambert (Fwd)
45: Connor Rozee (Fwd)
52: Will Hoskin-Elliot (Fwd)
69: Adam Saad (Def)
76: Mark Blicavs (Def)
93: Jarrod Harbrow (Def)
100: Tom Doedee (Def)
117: Paddy Ryder (Ruck-Fwd)
124: Brandon Ellis (Mid)
141: Jamie Cripps (Fwd)
KEEPERS
Brodie Grundy (Ruck)
Zach Merrett (Mid)
Luke Shuey (Mid)
WHAT THEY SAID
“Pleased to keep my No. 1 fav Brodie Grundy. But I’m confident he won’t be forced to carry some of my other picks that may have come from left field and will have surprised everyone by the end of the season … I’m looking at you James Harmes and Adam Saad.”
VERDICT
With a number of teams lining up, when Walsh read Connor Rozee’s name out at No. 45, there was a collective groan from the table. The reaction to the James Harmes selection, however, was more one of surprise. But Walsh is backing her in chargers to surprise the competition in 2020. And with Brodie Grundy leading the way, why wouldn’t you?
Jack Hudson/Grady Hudd
Sport Producers, The Advertiser
DRAFT SELECTIONS
5: Tim English (Ruck)
20: Scott Pendlebury (Mid)
29: Dane Rampe (Def)
44: Jack Steven (Mid-Fwd)
53: Robbie Gray (Fwd-Mid)
68: Tim Membrey (Fwd)
77: Jack Billings (Mid)
92: Kade Simpson (Def)
101: Justin Westhoff (Fwd-Mid)
116: Rory Lobb (Ruck)
125: Matthew Rowell (Mid)
140: Dylan Roberton (Def)
KEEPERS
Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
James Sicily (Haw)
Nat Fyfe (Freo)
(left) and Justin Westhoff. Picture: Matt Turner/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
WHAT THEY SAID
“We were very happy with our selections. We took a punt early on Tim English as we believe he’ll be the next ruck star, starting this year. We have a neat balance in our team, with some players on the bench, including Matt Rowell and Dylan Roberton, which could rattle a few.”
VERDICT
The competition’s newcomers inherited a very, very good list – Bontempelli, Sicily and Fyfe. But on draft night, the pair made sure their 2020 team bats much deeper than that. English could prove an inspired first selection, while Scott Pendlebury isn’t slowing down anytime soon. And even if it doesn’t work out this year, they get to keep Matt Rowell.
THE PHANTOM
The Advertiser
DRAFT SELECTIONS
6: Adam Treloar (Mid)
19: Lachie Weller (Def)
30: Jade Gresham (Fwd-Mid)
43: Jack Steele (Mid)
54: Sam Walsh (Mid)
67: Pat Lipinski (Fwd-Mid)
78: Callum Mills (Def)
91: Ed Curnow (Mid)
102: Will Brodie (Mid)
115: James Rowbottom (Fwd-Mid)
126: Jack Lukosius (Fwd-Def)
139: Zach Tuohy (Def)
KEEPERS
Dan Houston (Def-Mid)
Hugh McCluggage (Mid)
Reilly O’Brien (Ruck)
WHAT THEY SAID
“The Phantom was very, very happy – and surprised – to see Adam Treloar still on the board at No. 6, even with the pre-season hamstring injury. It was a similar story with Zach Tuohy at 139. The core is young and the success of the side will depend on a number of players taking the next step in 2020. And I think that’s exactly what Jade Gresham, Lachie Weller, Will Brodie and Jack Steele can do.”
THE ERADICATOR
The Phantom’s Lair SuperCoach Podcast
DRAFT SELECTIONS
7: Elliot Yeo (Mid)
18: Matt Crouch (Mid)
31: Christian Petracca (Fwd-Mid)
42: Mitch Duncan (Mid)
55: Christian Salem (Def)
66: Michael Hurley (Def)
79: Jack Viney (Mid)
90: Tom McDonald (Fwd)
103: Dom Sheed (Mid)
114: Blake Acres (Fwd-Mid)
127: Marc Murphy (Mid)
138: Jayden Short (Def)
KEEPERS
Zac Williams (Def)
Max Gawn (Ruck)
Dustin Martin (Fwd-Mid)
WHAT THEY SAID
“With keepers in defence, ruck and forward I had a focus on the midfield, while others were looking elsewhere. I was happy with Elliot Yeo and Matt Crouch as my first two live picks. Feel I’ve batted deep overall, although having Matthew Rowell snapped up two picks before me, while benches were filling up, hurt. A couple with injury clouds for R1 (if it happens on time) and more Demons than I thought possible, but overall, pretty happy with the squad.”
VERDICT
To go with star big man Max Gawn, The Eradicator drafted four of Gawn’s Melbourne teammates with his 12 selections on Thursday night. Deliberate? Stupid? Genius? Time well tell but it helps almost every one of The Eradicator’s eight other selections were spot on. Jayden Short may prove a steal at 138, while Elliot Yeo, Matt Crouch and Mitch Duncan could form one of the competition’s best midfields.
Andrew Capel
Sports Reporter, The Advertiser
DRAFT SELECTIONS
8: Devon Smith (Fwd-Mid)
17: Tom Stewart (Def)
32: Josh P. Kennedy (Mid)
41: Taylor Adams (Mid)
56: Gary Ablett (Fwd)
65: James Worpel (Mid)
80: Shane Edwards (Def)
89: Lance Franklin (Fwd)
104: Matthew Kreuzer (Ruck)
113: Sam Powell-Pepper (Fwd-Mid)
129: Dyson Heppell (Mid)
137: David Mundy (Mid)
KEEPERS
Rory Laird (Def)
Tim Kelly (Mid)
Nic Naitanui (Ruck)
WHAT THEY SAID
“My team would have been outstanding two years ago, with Lance Franklin and Gary Ablett leading the forward line. The way the draft cards fell for me, I’ve taken a punt on them reproducing some trademark magic in what could be the final years of their illustrious careers. If it pays off, I’m in business, if not, the finals seem like a longshot.’’
VERDICT
As Capel has admitted himself, this side would’ve been a walk-up grand finalist if it was 2012. But if can get enough out of his ageing stars, Gary Ablett, Lance Franklin and David Mundy, the rest will make sure Capel’s Crusaders will be competing when it counts in 2020.
Reece Homfray
Chief Sports Writer, The Advertiser
DRAFT SELECTIONS
9: Shannon Hurn (Def)
16: Darcy MacPherson (Fwd)
33: Lachie Hunter (Mid)
40: Charlie Cameron (Fwd)
57: Steele Sidebottom (Mid)
64: Nick Vlastuin (Def)
81: David Swallow (Mid)
88: Luke Dahlhaus (Fwd)
105: Adam Tomlinson (Mid)
112: Dougal Howard (Fwd-Def)
129: Touk Miller (Mid)
136: Hamish Hartlett (Def)
KEEPERS
Lachie Neale (Mid)
Todd Goldstein (Ruck)
Brodie Smith (Def)
WHAT THEY SAID
“No back up ruckman so I can’t afford Todd Goldstein to go down. Took a gamble on Darcy Macpherson with my second pick but won the lotto with Touk Miller with my second last selection. Grand finalist last year, haven’t been on a mind camp so expecting to be back there this season.”
VERDICT
Homfray jumped at Gold Coast pre-season star Darcy MacPherson with his second pick in the draft and it’s the young midfielder’s performance which is likely to dictate how the side’s 2020 season pans out. There’s plenty of scoring power in the line-up but a breakout year for MacPherson could mean consecutive finals appearances for last season’s grand finalist.
Antimo Iannella
Adelaide Confidential, The Advertiser & The Phantom’s Lair SuperCoach Podcast
DRAFT SELECTIONS
10: Caleb Daniel (Def)
15: Jarrod Witts (Ruck)
34: Jeremy Cameron (Fwd)
39: Ben Cunnington (Mid)
58: Wayne Milera (Def-Mid)
63: Jeremy McGovern (Def)
82: Tom J. Lynch (Fwd)
87: Tom Papley (Fwd)
106: Brad Sheppard (Def)
111: Andrew McGrath (Mid)
130: Liam Baker (Def-Fwd)
135: Zak Jones (Mid)
KEEPERS
Clayton Oliver (Mid)
Luke Parker (Mid)
Dayne Zorko (Mid)
WHAT THEY SAID
“Back to back flags look on track, with a strong midfield, highlighted by mid draft pick Ben Cunnington (to go with my three keepers), a versatile defence including Caleb Daniel, Wayne Milera and Jeremy McGovern, and the twin towers in attack, Jeremy Cameron and Tom J Lynch. Also very happy to snare Brad Sheppard and Andy McGrath for my bench. Just need Jarrod Witts to be right for round 1 and it’s all coming up roses …”
WHAT THEY SAID
Iannella, last year’s premier, has publicly declared himself the favourite for the 2020 crown, after adding positional stars Caleb Daniel, Jarrod Witts and Jeremy Cameron to his star-studded midfield group. And it’s hard to argue, especially after Iannella swooped on Richmond’s Tom Lynch at No. 82, in what could be his best move yet.
Matt Turner
Sports Reporter, The Advertiser
DRAFT SELECTIONS
11: Sam Docherty (Def)
14: Jordan Dawson (Def-Fwd)
35: Dion Prestia (Mid)
38: Jon Ceglar (Ruck-Fwd)
59: Bailey Smith (Fwd-Mid)
62: Harris Andrews (Def)
83: Luke Dunstan (Mid)
86: Jeremy Howe (Def)
107: Quinton Narkle (Mid)
110: Callan Ward (Mid)
131: Ben Brown (Fwd)
134: Heath Shaw (Def)
KEEPERS
Josh Kelly (Mid)
Rowan Marshall (Ruck)
Stephen Coniglio (Mid)
WHAT THEY SAID
“I went with a mix of tried and tested vets (Howe, Shaw) some gambles (Bailey Smith, Narkle), blokes who could play multiple positions (Ceglar, Dawson) and two players whose should boost my side from injuries (Ward, Ben Brown). I was knocked out in straight sets last year and I’m determined to make a grand final in 2020.”
VERDICT
The Hipster likes to standout from the crowd and he did just that on Thursday night, nailing some of the draft’s best selections. Sam Docherty, Jordan Dawson and Dion Prestia is as strong a top-three as any, while Bailey Smith, Jeremy Howe and Quinton Narkle could prove just as significant.
Josh Money
Fox Sports
DRAFT SELECTIONS
12: Scott Lycett (Ruck)
13: Isaac Heeney (Fwd-Mid)
36: Darcy Parish (Fwd-Mid)
37: Jarryd Lyons (Mid)
60: Darcy Byrne-Jones (Def)
61: Jack Martin (Fwd-Mid)
84: Tom Rockliff (Mid)
85: Connor Blakely (Def)
108: Ed Langdon (Mid)
109: Sam Petrevski-Seton (Def-Mid)
132: Brad Ebert (Fwd)
133: Angus Brayshaw (Mid)
KEEPERS
Jack Macrae (Mid)
Josh Dunkley (Mid)
Jack Crisp (Def)
WHAT THEY SAID
“With the luxury of already having Macrae and Dunkley I was able to focus on other areas. I had Lycett and Heeney as the best ruck and forward left in the pool, so I happily snapped them both up with picks 12 & 13. Excited about a forward line that also boasts Parish & Martin. Hoping Rockliff and Blakely prove to be steals, but fully prepared for it all to come crashing down!”
VERDICT
If you’ve got Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley in the midfield, you’re already ahead. But Money clearly hand a plan to balance the rest of his squad and he executed it perfectly on draft night. The top four are good but the bottom-four names are just as intriguing. If Money can get an improved output from Ed Langdon, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Brad Ebert and Angus Brayshaw this year, he’ll be hard to catch.