KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom’s final word for Round 4 and all the best captain options
There was more KFC SuperCoach carnage at team selection this week. But there was some good news, too. The Phantom looks at all the Round 4 teams, how to deal with new rookie blow and all the weekend’s best captain options
Supercoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from Supercoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Another Thursday night, another blow to KFC SuperCoaches.
The game we all love – and hate – really is back now, my friends.
The biggest blow was the omission of popular rookies Marlion Pickett and Harley Bennell.
At least Pickett added $77k to his price tag, mainly on the back of his 94-point performance in Round 1.
Bennell, on the other hand, played one match - a pretty good one too, hitting the target with 12 of his 14 disposals in 50 per cent game-time – missed last week, with the fixture against the Bombers postponed, and now has been dropped.
“There’s clearly a lot of expectations on Harley to be in the team every week but that certainly won’t be the case, coach Simon Goodwin said on Thursday, before leaving him out of the side that night.
There’s no injury, Bennell just wasn’t picked.
But I’d still be trading out Pickett ahead of him. The Demons could still soon unleash Bennell once he gets enough miles into his legs – and hopefully that’s sooner rather than later.
Pickett on the other hand was one of four Tigers axed after the disappointing loss to the Hawks.
Last year’s grand final sensation has had a combined 17 disposals since the restart and was facing a breakeven of 28 this week.
Although it’s still less than his average of 60, his cash generation is slowing dramatically. Take the $77k and run.
And if you like the Lachie Neale VC into Max Gawn C combination, for most teams, Bennell’s Sunday zero is what you need.
THE GOOD NEWS
The good news is there’s a number of replacement options.
Bennell’s teammate Trent Rivers ($117k DEF-MID) is still available at basement-price after last week’s postponed game.
A week earlier, he starred in the first half on debut against the Blues to finish with 62 points.
The Pickett to Rivers trade is one I’m looking at this week. The original plan was to cash out on Lachie Whitfield but I think carrying Pickett, Bennell and slow-burn cash cow Ned McHenry will catch up with me. I made my other move last night – Dan Houston to Caleb Daniel.
Anyway, there’s a number of new faces to consider, too.
It’s finally Stephen Hill ($190k DEF-FWD) time at the Dockers and, if you can make the move via DPP, while it won’t make you a lot of money, Hill’s scoring is likely to be an immediate boost for your side.
His young teammate Caleb Serong, the No. 8 pick from last year’s draft, is another who could make some serious cash despite the elevated price tag.
The 19-year-old, who has Robbie Gray-like traits, averaged 129 points per game in the NAB League last year and tallied 60 SuperCoach points in 57 per cent game-time in the Marsh Series opener in February.
Don’t necessarily jump on straight away but he’s one to keep in mind if you’re working on a two or three-week trade plan.
But one who one who does boast an attractive price tag is North Melbourne dual-position midfielder-forward Jack Mahony ($117k MID-FWD), who will make his debut on Sunday.
The draftee struggled to have an impact in the Marsh Series but Mahony averaged 106 SuperCoach points at the national under-18 carnival after leading the competition for score involvements and score assists.
Crow Shane McAdam ($123k FWD) is another who has all the tricks to become a solid SuperCoach scorer.
The exciting forward booted 22 goals and averaged 66 SuperCoach points in 14 SANFL matches last year.
In the qualifying final against Norwood, McAdam finished with 12 disposals, 10 score involvements, three goals and 96 points.
Now that he’s forced his way in, it’s hard, given the club’s current situation, to see him not get a proper crack at senior level.
It’s a similar story with impressive second-year defender Will Hamill ($123k DEF), who’s been named on wing for the clash with Brisbane.
But how much opportunity does McAdam get to showcase his talent on-field with Adelaide’s inside-50 differential of -17 the worst in the competition?
If you are desperate to drop Sam Sturt, who will miss a month with an ankle injury, I’d be going with Mahony.
And I’ve also got him ahead of Eagle Jamaine Jones ($143k FWD), who will make his West Coast debut in Round 4, after averaging 44 points in seven games for Geelong in 2018.
ON-FIELD OPTIONS
In defence, I’m playing Brandon Starcevich against the Crows over Jarrod Brander. Even ahead of John Noble if that’s a decision you need to make.
After last week, and with still no sign of Adam Treloar, Tyler Brown would be my No. 1 on-field option to replace Pickett or Bennell.
I’d play dual-position rookie Connor Budarick over Curtis Taylor, Max King and co in the forward line but I still prefer Brown in the midfield.
OTHER TEAM NEWS
He was huge against the Lions, finishing with 137 points, but Nic Naitanui will this week have Tom Hickey alongside him in the ruck.
And that is likely to again stifle his game-time which was up to 69 per cent last week, the highest percentage since Round 21, 2016.
If you’ve still got him, I’d forget about the 137 and jump on the Marc Pittonet train. With a breakeven of -56 and projected price rise of more than $75k, it’s not too late.
Also, better check your loopholes if you’ve got North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri. He will play on Sunday.
ROUND 4 CAPTAINS
Forget the big men – well, not completely – there’s a new KFC SuperCoach perma-captain in town.
Lion Lachie Neale has posted scores of 157, 171 and 166 to start the season and his ball-winning ways almost look unstoppable.
And that’s unlikely to change against a struggling Crows side this week, either.
With the Adelaide-Brisbane clash the lunchtime fixture on Sunday, the question becomes what score do you accept from a VC before that?
A conservative SuperCoach will say anything more than 120. And, most of the time, that is the best option – points on the board is vital. As we learnt last week, who knows what could happen.
But we don’t see form like this often.
I’m not just talking about Neale, either. Adelaide’s midfield has been smashed – even that might be an understatement – in the opening three rounds and it’s conceded some big SuperCoach scores.
Gold Coast midfielders Matt Rowell (141), Touk Miller (126), Hugh Greenwood (116) and Lachie Weller (108) posted tons last week, while Connor Rozee (145), Zak Butters (119), Steven Motlop (116) and Travis Boak (112) starred in Showdown 48.
And Swans Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker posted scores of 125 or more in Round 1.
Anyway, you get the point.
I’ll be taking a risk and only accepting 140 or more from my VC.
If you had Marcus Bontempelli on Thursday night, well played. You’re taking his 166 points as captain.
Here’s a few other options who might hit that mark in Round 4.
Brodie Grundy (Coll)
v GWS, Friday night
Despite nursing bone bruising in his knee, Grundy had the better of St Kilda duo Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall in Round 3. The star big man finished with 20 disposals, 12 contested possessions and 103 points – a score which was affected by six clangers and a slow start. Veteran Shane Mumford has replaced Sam Jacobs in the ruck for the Giants and in Grundy’s past two meetings with Mumford, including last year’s preliminary final, he’s posted SuperCoach scores of 150 and 157. In that final, he had 73 hitouts to Mumford’s 14.
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Watch every match of every round Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Travis Boak (Port)
v West Coast, Saturday
He was curtailed by Mark Hutchings last season but Saturday will be different for the Power star. The West Coast tagger is injured and opposition midfielders are enjoying his absence, with Lions Neale (166) and Hugh McCluggage (155) going big last week. And Boak, who is averaging 25 disposals, 10 contested possessions, seven inside 50s, seven score involvements and 456 metres gained, is in some serious form, posting scores of 125, 112 and 159 to start the year.
Andrew Gaff (WC)
v Port Adelaide, Saturday
The endurance machine, who has posted 31 SuperCoach tons in his past 42 home-and-away matches, is enjoying the Queensland Hub, despite his side’s two losses. Gaff is averaging a league-leading 29.7 disposals per game and has posted scores of 137 and 117 since the restart.
Matt Rowell (GC)
v Fremantle, Saturday
He featured here last week as a half-serious option but after another 141 points against the Crows, it’s legitimate now. The Suns are flying, why can’t he do it again?
MORE SUPERCOACH ADVICE:
Round 4 trade guide: The KFC SuperCoach silver lining in Melbourne-Essendon delay
SuperCoach late mail: All the latest news and whispers ahead of Round 4
KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom names the top replacements for Bulldogs star Josh Dunkley
KFC SuperCoach Round 3 rage trades: Patrick Dangerfield’s poor run at GMHBA Stadium a worry
Nat Fyfe (Freo)
v Gold Coast, Saturday
Fyfe has posted scores of 143 and 166 since the restart but is yet to truly dominant a game like he has in the past. Could that happen this week as the Dockers search for their first win? Sure, it’s a different side but the Fremantle skipper, who is spending time forward, rather than off the ground, with the shorter quarters, has scored 124, 160 and 140 in his past three against the Suns.
Patrick Dangefield (Geel)
v Melbourne, Sunday
With a three-round average of 86, it’s fair to say the star Cat is struggling. And a number of SuperCoaches would’ve backed him in as captain at home in the past two matches. But he still can’t be ignored. Dangerfield can go as big as any on his day and has posted scores of 154, 126, 138 and 155 in his past four against the Demons.
Max Gawn (Melb)
v Geelong, Sunday
If you’re team allows it, the Neale VC into Gawn C option could be the perfect way to go. The Melbourne big man is coming off a 184-point performance – albeit two weeks ago – and is set to face Geelong’s Darcy Fort, in the absence of the injured Rhys Stanley, on Sunday. Or Esava Ratugolea. Who knows with Geelong!? What I do know is Gawn will be huge.
Todd Goldstein (NM)
v Hawthorn, Sunday
The same combination works with Goldstein, too. The 31-year-old has been huge in the opening three rounds, tallying the second-most points in the competition after spending 98 per cent of game-time on the ground. Hawk Jon Ceglar was great against Ivan Soldo last week but Goldstein is a different challenge altogether.
THE PHANTOM’S CALL
After last week’s failed attempt, I’ll be going back to the tried-and-tested VC option in Brodie Grundy. But, as I said at the top, if he score less than 140, Lachie Neale will get the C.
If I had him, I’d be going Gawn into Neale.
BY THE NUMBERS
Average past 3 v opponent
Nat Fyfe (Frem) 142
Brodie Grundy (Coll) 142
Marc Murphy (Carl) 129
Clayton Oliver (Melb) 127
Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) 122
Josh Kelly (GWS) 122
Jack Macrae (WB) 119
Marcus Bontempelli (WB) 117
Brad Crouch (Adel) 117
Dayne Zorko (Bris) 117