KFC SuperCoach 2020: Who’s up, who’s down and what to watch for in Week 3 of the Marsh Community Series
In the second week of the Marsh Series, a number of players improved their standing in KFC SuperCoach. But a few went the other way. The Phantom looks at who’s up, who’s down and what to watch for in the final round.
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- SuperCoach Draft: Latest Top 50 player rankings
- The Phantom’s Marsh Series standouts on every line
- SuperCoach rookies: The Phantom’s updated Top 10
In the second edition of the Marsh Series KFC SuperCoach stock take, The Phantom looks at who’s up, who’s down and what to watch for in the all-important final week of pre-season action.
GOING UP
Luke Ryan (Fre)
$520,400, Def
Score: 113
The Dockers recorded 106 uncontested marks against the Blues in their opening Marsh Series hitout, a figure which would’ve been their highest tally of 2019.
Justin Longmuir’s side looks set to play a short, high-possession game in 2020 and the change in game-style will increase the stocks of a number of Dockers.
Ryan, who averaged 99 points per game before hurting his hamstring in the Round 19 clash with the Bulldogs last year, is already among the top SuperCoach options in defence, but he might take another step if his 26 disposals and 11 rebound-50s is anything to go by.
Jacob Hopper (GWS)
$520,200, Mid
Score: 116
The 23-year-old added 16 points to his SuperCoach average last year and, in the absence of a number of star teammates, attended more centre bounces than any other Giant on his way to 28 disposals, six clearances and 116 points against the Swans.
And with the injury to Tim Taranto, it might stay that way.
Tom Green (GWS)
$166,800, Mid
Score: 106
It wasn’t just the teenager’s game-high 15 contested possessions – or Taranto’s stint on the sideline – that has the GWS Academy gun shooting up rookie-price rankings.
Green booted two goals and recorded two goal assists in a performance which highlights his value as 188cm forward.
And the show of versatility may have all but sewn up a Round 1 spot.
Taylor Adams (Coll)
$521,100, Mid
Score: 112
The tough ball-winning midfielder, who played just 10 home-and-away matches last year after battling an adductor injury, was a force in Collingwood’s midfield against the Tigers, finishing with 30 disposals and 12 contested possessions.
Adams scored 100 or more in four of the final five games last season, including finals, and is flying quietly under the SuperCoach radar.
Sam Naismith (Syd)
$251,500, Ruck
Score: 79
Is the injury-plagued big man now the biggest risk-or-reward option in SuperCoach this year? As Naismith proved last week, he’s still the Swans’ No. 1 ruckman when fit.
And he can score well beyond his price suggests, with the 27-year-old tallying 79 points in 55 per cent game-time.
Keep in mind, however, he’s never averaged more than 70 points in an injury-interrupted career.
GOING DOWN
Nic Naitanui (WC)
$457,800, Ruck
Score: 58
The star Eagle controlled the ruck against former Blue Andrew Phillips, recording 58 SuperCoach points in half a game.
But while it, again, highlights Naitanui’s scoring power, it was another reminder of how West Coast might limit his game-time throughout the year.
Patrick Naish (Rich)
$236,200, Mid
Score: 22
The 21-year-old broke through for his first senior game last year, tallying 20 disposals and 78 SuperCoach points on debut against the Cats.
And Naish’s run-and-carry was a highlight in his quickfire performance against the Magpies, which resulted in nine disposals in 28 per cent game-time.
But his limited time-on-ground in an undermanned Richmond side confirms he’s still on the fringe.
Jacob Townsend (Ess)
$222,900, Fwd
Score: 61
Townsend attended seven centre bounces in the final quarter against the Eagles, he spent the entire first-half as a forward, registering just four disposals to halftime.
Monitor his role the final weekend of Marsh Series action, but it might be enough to turn you away for now.
Adam Treloar (Coll)
$615,800, Mid
Score: 114
The ball-magnet was everywhere against the Tigers, recording 34 disposals and seven clearances before hurting his hamstring in the final quarter – an injury which the club confirmed is likely to require the 21-day rehabilitation period.
Go with a premium-price option you can be sure about to start.
Don’t let him slide too far in SuperCoach Draft, though.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN WEEK 2
Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast, Friday
Flinders University Stadium (Noarlunga), 4:50pm
ADELAIDE
- He’s in and he’s a likely Round 1 starter, but watch for top pick Fischer McAsey’s ($184,800 Def) role in Adelaide’s defence.
- Chayce Jones ($271,500 Fwd) was good, without being great, against the Demons but can he show he’s worth the $270k price-tag with a strong midfield performance?
- Can Ben Crocker ($152,000 Fwd), who spent plenty of time one-out in the goalsquare during last week’s practice match with the Power, find a place in Adelaide’s new-look forward line?
GOLD COAST
- Hugh Greenwood ($463,100 Fwd-Mid) was one of the Suns’ best midfielders in the opening-round clash with the Cats. Look for the 28-year-old enhance his SuperCoach credentials against his old side.
-Watch Matt Rowell ($207,300 Mid) – not because you need any more convincing about his status as a SuperCoach lock, but just for your own enjoyment.
- Jack Lukosius ($274,600 Def-Fwd) impressed in limited game-time against the Cats, playing the intercept-defender role. And it’s a role which brings him right into the SuperCoach conversation at the price.
- Lachie Weller ($481,100 Def) is set to become a full-time midfielder in 2020 and should see a full game this week against the Crows.
- Will Connor Budarick ($106,900 Mid-Fwd) lock-in his Round 1 debut and can Jez McLennan make an impact at half-back?
Hawthorn v Melbourne, Friday
UTAS Stadium (Launceston), 7:40pm
HAWTHORN
- James Sicily ($509,500 Def) is back and there is no Blake Hardwick, so expect the intercept star to add to his disposal-tally by taking most of the Hawks’ kick-ins.
- With Hardwick to miss the start of the year, second-year defender Damon Greaves ($123,900 Def), who finished with a team-high eight rebound-50s and 77 points against the Saints, gets his chance to make a case for Round 1.
- Chad Wingard ($412,300 Fwd-Mid) has been named in the centre and, after attending 18 centre bounces in the opening Marsh Series clash, will be out to have a bigger midfield impact against the Demons.
MELBOURNE
- After an impressive practice match performance against North Melbourne, rookie-listed forward Toby Bedford ($123,900 Fwd) gets his chance against the Hawks.
- Can forward Tom McDonald ($387,000 Fwd) back-up his 139-point performance against the Crows and throw his hat in the mid-price forward ring?
- Tough injury-plagued forward-midfielder Aaron vandenBerg ($248,000 Fwd-Mid) was terrific in Melbourne’s first Marsh Series appearance and will be out to lock in his Round 1 spot on Friday.
Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Saturday
Bennett Oval (Whyalla), 4:10pm
PORT ADELAIDE
- Coach Ken Hinkley confirmed he will play just one recognised ruckman to start the season, giving Scott Lycett ($550,600 Ruck) a big chance to entice SuperCoaches on Saturday.
- How much midfield time will teenage sensation Connor Rozee ($422,100 Fwd) see against the Bulldogs?
- Mitch Georgiades ($130,800 Fwd) will, again, be given every opportunity to make a forward-line spot his own. Don’t write him off in SuperCoach based on his performance against the Lions.
- Up against the star trio of Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli and Josh Dunkley, Dan Houston ($484,800 Def-Mid) is set for his big midfield test.
- Tom Rockliff ($495,400 Mid) anyone?
WESTERN BULLDOGS
-Will this be Tim English’s ($448,400 Ruck) year? The 22-year-old SuperCoach battle with Lycett will be a good one.
-There’s no question mark over that trio of Macrae, Bontempelli and Dunkley, regardless of what happens on Saturday
-But what can Pat Lipinski ($441,500 Fwd-Mid) and Bailey Smith ($415,900 Fwd-Mid) do as the supporting cast?
West Coast v Fremantle, Saturday
HBF Arena (Joondalup), 7:10pm
WEST COAST
-There’s still no Jack Darling or Oscar Allen, so will popular rookie-price option Jarrod Brander ($133,000 Def-Fwd) play forward or on a wing?
FREMANTLE
- Rookie-price lock Stephen Hill ($190,600 Def-Fwd) is in! Look for his trademark dash and precise ball-use from half-back.
- With the Dockers’ short, high-possession game-style, wingmen James Aish ($353,000 Def) and Brett Bewley ($252,700 Fwd), in the absence of Blake Acres, should be prominent again.
- Keep a close eye on the influence of breakout candidates Adam Cerra ($338,900 Def) and Andrew Brayshaw ($382,800 Fwd-Mid) with the return of Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters.
- Following last week’s impressive second-half performance, can draftee Caleb Serong ($175,800 Mid) force his way in to Longmuir’s Round 1 side?
- Cash cow smoky Tobe Watson ($123,900 Def), a 190cm second-year defender, gets another chance against the Eagles.
GWS v Richmond, Sunday
Robertson Oval (Wagga Wagga), 12:40pm
GWS
-What does the arrival of the cavalry – Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Lachie Whitfield, Nick Haynes and Jeremy Cameron – mean for the young guns? Will Tom Green ($166,800 Mid) feature in the midfield? Does Lachie Ash ($193,800 Def) get more responsibility at half-back?
- Keep a close eye on the Giants’ midfield rotations, SuperCoaches will be eager to see who picks up Tim Taranto’s midfield minutes.
- Isaac Cumming ($245,000 Def) impressive in defence last week, but is he in Leon Cameron’s best 22?
RICHMOND
- Dustin Martin ($543,000 Fwd-Mid). Does he start in the goalsquare or at the first centre bounce?
- How will Jayden Short’s ($349,300 Def) ball-winning ability be affected by the return of Bachar Houli ($571,600 Def)?
- Damian Hardwick praised first-year midfielder Thomson Dow ($117,300) after last week’s clash with the Magpies. What can he do against the Giants?
Collingwood v St Kilda, Sunday
Morwell Recreation Reserve, 3:50pm
COLLINGWOOD
- How does recruit Darcy Cameron ($123,900 Fwd-Ruck) – coming off an impressive 127-point performance against the Tigers – fit in with the return of No. 1 big man Brodie Grundy?
- Tyler Brown’s ($123,900 Mid) 65-point performance, on the back of 16 disposals at 88 per cent efficiency, on a wing last week was another big tick. If he can produce similar against the Saints, he looms as a terrific SuperCoach bench option.
- Keep a very, very close on classy defender Nathan Murphy ($123,900 Def).
ST KILDA
- Hunter Clark ($402,200 Def) was a standout off half-back against the Hawks. Don’t expect much to change, despite the inclusion of a number of other first-choice Saints.
- One of those is defender Dylan Roberton ($260,400 Def) who starred in last week’s practice match. If he can get through, and find enough ball in a strong St Kilda defence, the 28-year-old will be the perfect Tom Doedee replacement.
- How will the Rowan Marshall-Paddy Ryder combination work against a Grundy-led Collingwood big man brigade?
- He was prolific in half a game in the opening round, so what can forward-turned-midfielder Jade Gresham ($456,400 Fwd-Mid) produce in a full hitout against the Magpies?
Carlton v Brisbane, Sunday
Ikon Park, 6:40pm
CARLTON
- What happens to Tom Williamson ($146,300 Def) with the return of defender Caleb Marchbank and Lachie Plowman?
- Don’t be turned off by Sam Docherty’s ($436,100 Def) 69-point performance last week – it was his first official game in 917 days. Expect him to have more of an impact against the Lions.
- Jack Martin ($420,800 Fwd-Mid) started forward – and booted the Blues’ first goal – but attended three centre bounces in the second-quarter before leaving the game at halftime. Keep a close eye on the former Sun this week.
BRISBANE
-After missing the first Marsh Series match, draftee Deven Robertson ($117,300 Mid), who averaged 128 points at the under-18 carnival last week, will play against Carlton on Sunday. If he keeps his spot for Round 1, the 18-year-old ready-made midfielder is a SuperCoach lock.
-After limited game-time against the Power, where do Brandon Starcevich ($147,700 Def-Mid) and Ely Smith ($123,900 Fwd-Mid) fit?
North Melbourne v Sydney, Monday
Kingston Twin Ovals (Hobart), 1:40pm
NORTH MELBOURNE
- Aiden Bonar ($202,800 Fwd-Mid) has been named despite suffering some hamstring tightness in last week’s practice match. Breathe easy, SuperCoaches. For now, anyway.
- Small-forward Jack Mahony ($117,300 Mid-Fwd) struggled in the first round of the Marsh Series but he gets another chance against the Swans. He should still be on your rookie watchlist.
SYDNEY
- Jordan Dawson ($467,800 Def-Fwd) dominated across half-back last week. Will the return of Callum Mills and Jake Lloyd affect his influence in defence? It’s unlikely, but you can watch for yourself.
- Will Gould ($117,300 Def). That’s it.
- Can the Swans’ top-pick Dylan Stephens ($189,300 Mid) have a bigger impact this week as he settles in at the top-level?
Geelong v Essendon, Monday
Central Reserve (Colac), 4:40pm
GEELONG
- All eyes will be on former Saint Jack Steven ($361,700 Fwd-Mid), who will make his first official appearance for the Cats. There appears to be better mid-price options in the forward line, but don’t discount the 29-year-old if his role is predominantly a midfield one against the Bombers.
- Will Quinton Narkle ($396,600, Mid) and Tom Atkins ($327,200 Fwd) continue their on-ball roles on Monday?
- And on the outside, can second-year midfielder Jacob Kennerley ($123,900 Def) do enough to keep his name in the Round 1 selection frame?
- With the return of Sam Menegola, Luke Dahlhaus and Brandan Partiff, there will be plenty of pressure on mature-age draftee Brad Close ($109,900 Mid-Fwd) to perform.
ESSENDON
- Will Devon Smith ($335,800 Fwd-Mid) start in the midfield this week?
- Keep a close eye on former Lion Tom Cutler ($296,500 Mid) who makes his first appearance for the Bombers, named on wing for Monday’s clash with the Cats.
- Brandon Zerk-Thatcher ($189,000 Def) gets another opportunity to cement his spot in the Bombers’ defence. But can he do enough to convince SuperCoaches he’s worth the top-end rookie price?
- Darcy Parish ($465,400 Fwd-Mid), the No. 5 pick from the 2015 draft, was outstanding against the Eagles so expect his midfield minutes to remain against the Lions.