KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Rowan Marshall-Paddy Ryder tandem and the performance of Stefan Martin headline week one Marsh Series standouts in the ruck
Missed any of the Marsh Series? Don’t worry, The Phantom has you covered. Here are the standout ruckmen and their SuperCoach scores from the first weekend of pre-season action.
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Marsh Series Standouts: Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards
- What the Tom Doedee injury means for SuperCoach
The Marsh Community Series is in full swing, meaning it’s time to get serious, SuperCoaches. The Phantom looks at the standout KFC SuperCoach ruckmen from week one of the pre-season competition.
Rowan Marshall (StK)
$598,700
117 points
SuperCoaches got their first look at the Marshall-Paddy Ryder combination against the Hawks and nothing Marshall owners saw would’ve put them off.
The breakout big man of 2019 finished with 13 disposals, an equal game-high eight hit-outs-to-advantage, two goals and 117 points.
Marshall, who attended 50 ruck contests to Ryder’s 28, scored 86 of his points after halftime.
And 47 came in the final term when the 201cm 24-year-old played as permanent forward with Ryan Abbot in the ruck and Ryder off the ground.
As expected, Marshall is still the No. 1 ruckman and, just as he was in the VFL in 2018, he’ll be dangerous – and score well – as a tall forward when Ryder gets his chance.
For the Hawks, Jon Ceglar ($417,000, Fwd) did enough – 12 contested possessions, eight clearances and 80 points – to keep his name on the mid-price watchlist.
Todd Goldstein (NM)
$609,400
100 points
Goldstein recaptured his best form last season, posting SuperCoach tons in eight of the final nine home-and-away matches.
And he shows no sign of slowing down in 2020, tallying 14 disposals and 47 hit-outs to be the only North Melbourne player to reach three figures against the Bulldogs.
Tristan Xerri (NM)
$123,900
98 points
Goldstein’s understudy, Xerri, a developing, third-year big man who a number of SuperCoaches have selected as their R3 loophole, also impressed last Friday as the back-up ruckman.
Xerri finished with 11 disposals, six contested possessions, five tackles and two goals.
Don’t be surprised to see him at some stage later in the year so go with draftee Charlie Comben instead.
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The Phantom’s pre-Marsh Series team
Stefan Martin (Bris)
$501,100
138 points
The 33-year-old’s average fell from 106 to 92 last season, on the back of five scores of 76 or less.
But after declaring he feels “physically perfect”, Martin could bounce back in 2020 as he works with one of the game’s best midfields.
Against inexperienced Port Adelaide ruckman Peter Ladhams, Martin dominated at the contest and around the ground, finishing with 21 disposals, 37 hit-outs, six clearances and 138 points.
Don’t write him off just yet.
Zac Smith (GC)
$254,700
87 points
Gold Coast skipper Jarrod Witts is “hopeful” he’ll be ready for Round 1 after pre-season foot surgery but if he’s not, Smith, who has returned to the club after a four-year stint at the Cats, could be the man.
The 30-year-old tallied 12 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 28 hit-outs and 87 SuperCoach points in just 58 per cent game-time.