KFC SuperCoach 2020: All the intel from the North Melbourne-Melbourne practice match at Arden Street
A number of KFC SuperCoach-relevant players took the field in the North Melbourne versus Melbourne practice match at Arden Street on Friday. The Phantom has detailed all you need to know about the game.
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It was a scrappy hitout at Arden Street, and both North Melbourne and Melbourne played inexperienced sides, but SuperCoaches can still learn plenty from Friday morning’s practice match.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Dom Tyson ($287,600 Mid)
Don’t forget about the 186cm left-footer, who hurt his calf on four separate occasions last year.
The 26-year-old didn’t play in the Kangaroos’ Marsh Series opener, but he was everywhere in the practice match, with his delivery inside 50 a highlight.
Tyson played predominantly on the outside in the first-half before spending more time at stoppages after halftime.
Aiden Bonar ($202,800 Mid-Fwd)
As he did in the opening week of the Marsh Series, Bonar attended plenty of centre bounces against Melbourne and was very strong at the contest.
The 20-year-old started well before fading in-and-out of the game as the Kangaroos rotated a few off the bench. But in a big concern for SuperCoaches, the former Giant walked away from the hitout with hamstring tightness. Keep your eyes peeled.
Lachie Hosie ($123,900 Fwd)
The 22-year-old forward, picked up in last year’s mid-season draft, was almost the best player on the ground in the first-half, finding space on the lead and showing off his clean hands at ground level.
Hosie, who booted 20 goals in 10 VFL games after arriving at the club in July, has impressed many at Arden Street over summer.
Tristan Xerri ($123,900 Mid)
Following on from his impressive performance as Todd Goldstein’s back-up against the Bulldogs, the third-year big man led the ruck brigade against the Demons, clearly beating the rookie-listed Austin Bradtke.
As he did last week, Xerri also went forward and took a strong contested mark in the final quarter.
Aaron Hall ($370,600 Mid)
After a difficult 2019, the North Melbourne fans in attendance at Arden Street on Friday would’ve been thrilled to see the talented midfielder back in action.
And, after starting on the bench, the 27-year-old moved well and found plenty of the footy, tallying multiple disposals in the same passage a number of times.
Might be a SuperCoach Draft smoky, if all goes well from here.
Curtis Taylor ($123,900 Fwd)
A lively performance from the second-year forward, who played two games in his debut season.
The 19-year-old attacked the body and used the ball well as he pushed up the ground.
MELBOURNE
Angus Brayshaw ($452,400 Mid)
In his first official appearance of the pre-season, Brayshaw started at half-forward, before pushing up to the contest, and had little impact in the first-half.
He failed to attend a centre bounce in the opening two quarters, but after moving to an inside-midfield role the 24-year-old was there at almost every one after halftime, finishing the game as one of the most-influential players on the ground.
Tom Sparrow ($182,500 Fwd)
The strong-bodied 19-year-old did start at the first centre-bounce, however, and he was an early standout at the contest for the Demons, going head-to-head with fellow rookie-price option Bonar.
It follows the second-year midfielder’s impressive 77-point performance, on the back of 17 disposals, eight contested possessions and seven tackles in the opening week of Marsh Series action.
Trent Rivers ($117,300 Def-Mid)
The Demons had two kick-ins in the first quarter and the 18-year-old draftee took both. And, more importantly for SuperCoaches, played-on twice.
Despite an early turnover in front of goal, as he did for WA last year, Rivers used the ball well from the back-half.
Late in the first term, the classy rebounding-defender took on the man on the mark and opened up the game by finding a teammate in the corridor with a pinpoint 40-metre pass, with the play resulting in a Demons’ shot-at-goal.
Kysaiah Pickett ($157,800 Fwd)
Despite failing to have a big impact, the excitement machine made North Melbourne defenders nervous and was a threat all game.
Pickett, who almost nailed a left-foot checkside shot for goal from the boundary line in the third quarter, might not be a big SuperCoach scorer in 2020, but he’ll be exciting to watch.
Bayley Fritsch ($413,900 Def-Fwd)
The strong-marking swingman played forward against North Melbourne and starred, presenting strongly on the lead and delivering with precision.
He might be worth some thought in SuperCoach Draft, especially with dual-position status.
Toby Bedford ($123,900 Fwd)
Melbourne’s NGA Academy member struggled in his first VFL season last year, but he impressed on Friday morning.
In form reminiscent of his junior career, the 19-year-old’s forward pressure was a highlight as was his long-running goal in the last quarter – his second major for the day.