KFC SuperCoach 2021: Debutant trio a welcome boost for coaches
Several rookies have entered KFC SuperCoach calculations and could help solve our defensive cheapie woes. Here are all the rookies to watch in Round 2.
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Our defensive rookie woes might not be completely solved, but a pair of debutants could improve the situation for KFC SuperCoaches.
Adelaide rookie Nick Murray ($102,400, DEF) will play his first game against Sydney on Saturday, just three weeks after being signed, while first-round draftee Heath Chapman ($148,800, DEF) also appears set to make his debut this weekend.
Geelong have named a debutant of there own, with small forward Francis Evans ($123,900, FWD) getting his chance, but he may not be as relevant as the above pair.
We look to be well stocked with midfield and forward rookies, with dollar signs flashing before KFC SuperCoaches’ eyes when Swans cheapie Errol Gulden scored a mammoth 139 on debut, booting three goals and tallying 19 disposals (17 of those kicks), 10 marks and nine score involvements against Brisbane.
Hours later, Gulden’s herculean feat was overtaken – just – by Giants first-gamer Matthew Flynn, who put fellow ruck rookie Paul Hunter to the sword in a rousing 140-point display in the wet.
Flynn and Gulden hit the sixth and seventh highest scores respectively on a torrid KFC SuperCoach weekend and while prices will not fluctuate until after their third game, they shape as absolute must-haves ahead of Round 2 if you failed to start them.
Check out the cash cows to watch, trade and cull in Round 2.
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THE MUST-HAVES
Trade these rookies in ahead of Round 2.
1. Matthew Flynn (GWS) $123,900, RUC
R1 score: 140, Ownership (%): 41.8
2. Errol Gulden (Syd) $117,300
R1 score: 139, Ownership (%): 58.5
3. James Rowe (Adel) $117,300, FWD
R1 score: 104, Ownership (%): 60.7
Besides the Errol-Flynn combination, a Crow by the name of Rowe should also be a high priority for the 40 per cent of teams without the small forward.
The mature-ager scored an impressive 104 points from 16 disposals and nine contested possessions, as well as slotting two goals against the rock-solid Geelong defence.
The Crows face Sydney this week and, while John Longmire’s men proved they are no easy beats, another promising score could be on the way. The same goes for Gulden in the same match.
Flynn may find himself up against another inexperienced ruckman in Lloyd Meek, making him the top rookie to target for non-owners.
TRADE GUIDE: ALL THE BEST DANGER AND ROWELL REPLACEMENTS
ROUND 3 TARGETS
This is the next tier of rookies that could prove to be attractive options before Round 3 price changes.
James Jordon (Melb) $123,900, MID
R1 score: 78, Ownership (%): 21.3
Chad Warner (Syd) $144,000, FWD
R1 score: 70, Ownership (%): 23
Tom Highmore (STK) $117,300, DEF
R1 score: 60, Ownership (%): 58
Anthony Scott (WB) $102,400, FWD/MID
R1 score: 56, Ownership (%): 52.6
Logan McDonald (Syd) $193,800, FWD
R1 score: 88, Ownership (%): 6.8
Jordon’s job security looked in jeopardy with Jack Viney on the cusp of a return, but an eye-catching debut may see him hold his spot longer than first thought.
James Harmes is also injured and Angus Brayshaw reportedly hurt himself at Melbourne training this week.
Jordon and Sydney youngster Warner both received an encouraging amount of midfield time, with Jordon doubling KFC SuperCoach beast Max Gawn’s score in the first half.
The pair should be firmly in your Round 3 trade plans.
Highmore looms as the top defensive rookie in a slim batch, scoring 60 points in the wet – difficult conditions for an intercept defender.
Mature-age rookie Scott looked comfortable across halfback for the Dogs on Friday night and is another for non-owners to seriously consider at his bargain basement price with handy MID-FWD status. The 25-year-old can play all over the ground, which bodes well for his job security.
McDonald, a top-five selection in the 2020 draft, was arguably one of the biggest rookie surprise packets over the weekend.
The tall forward slotted three goals and scored 88 points on debut – no mean feat against one of the best defensive line-ups in the competition in Brisbane.
In his draft year, McDonald averaged 97 points per game at WAFL senior level and came second in the league goalkicking, illustrating that he can match it with bigger bodies.
Key-forward rookies generally aren’t our friends in KFC SuperCoach, but he is worth keeping in mind if he can produce a similar performance against last year’s wooden spooners this weekend.
KEEP AN EYE ON
These players had solid outings in Round 1 and should also come into your thinking.
Paddy Dow (Carl) $202,400, FWD/MID
R1 score: 60 Ownership (%): 43.6
Jarman Impey (Haw) $212,800, FWD
R1 score: 64 Ownership (%): 13.4
Tom Powell (NM) $153,300, MID
R1 score: 53 Ownership (%): 59.3
Lachie Young (NM) $202,000, DEF
R1 score: 85 Ownership (%): 7.6
Braeden Campbell (Syd) 189,300, FWD/MID
R1 score: 56 Ownership (%): 61.6
Jacob Koschitzke (Haw) $117,300
R1 score: 53 Ownership (%): 66.6
Sam Berry (Adel) $117,300, MID
R1 score: 59 Ownership (%): 19.5
Harry Sharp (Bris) $117,300, DEF/MID
R1 score: 51 Ownership (%): 25.2
Heath Chapman (Frem) $148,800, DEF
R1 score: DNP Ownership (%): 2
Nick Murray (Adel) $102,400, DEF
R1 score: DNP Ownership (%): 3
Francis Evans (Geel) $123,900, FWD
R1 score: DNP Ownership (%): less than 1
Coaches in the cheap seats came for Dow on Thursday night after an underwhelming second half, which was unfair considering he managed a solid total of 60 points.
The maligned Blue booted a goal and won 18 disposals, with five clangers, and just 69 per cent game-time, hurting his final score.
Dow was a regular in the engine room and should be persisted with for at least another week.
Impey was a similar story, bursting out of the blocks and fading out in the second half. The defender’s run and intercepting give him the potential to score above the 64 he reached in Round 1.
Like McDonald, new Roo Young was another cash cow that performed better than expected, scoring 81 points after averaging under 50 in his eight previous matches.
It may be a one off, so assess his match-up against Gold Coast in Round 2.
Popular cheapies Koschitzke, Powell and Campbell all scored in the 50s and showed positive signs at stages in their Round 1 debuts. The latter two are capable of hitting higher scores on a consistent basis.
Berry received a wrap from Crows coach Matthew Nicks post game, after the 18-year-old applied great pressure, laying seven tackles, resulting in solid total of 59, while Lions running machine Sharp scored 51.
While they showed enough on debut, the pair have the shakiest job security of this bunch so don’t be surprised if they lose their spot in the coming weeks.
Three weeks ago he wasn't on our list.
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) March 25, 2021
On Saturday, he'll make his AFL debut!
💙â¤ï¸ðŸ’›#weflyasone
While we’re at it, keep your eyes peeled for Round 2 debutants Chapman and Murray who could help fill the defensive rookie void in the coming weeks.
Chapman was an intercept star in the WAFL Colts last year, averaging a fomrdiable 132 points, while 20-year-old Murray has senior experience under his belt in the NEAFL.
Cats first-gamer Evans is a small forward, which doesn’t bode well for SuperCoach, but is also worth watching.
BURNING QUESTIONS: THE PHANTOM TACKLES ALL THE BIG ISSUES
PASS
Don’t fret if you missed out on this crew. It would take a big score in Round 2 for them to come into your considerations.
Lloyd Meek (Frem) $123,900, RUC – 43 points
Paul Hunter $102,400, RUCK – 44 points
Tanner Bruhn (GWS) $157,800 – 48 points
Harry Jones (ESS) $123,900, FWD – 48 points
Tom Fullarton $128,900, FWD/RUC – 38 points
Ned Cahill (ESS) $161,200, FWD – 37 points,
Nik Cox (ESS) $175,800, DEF/FWD – 33 points
Miles Bergman (PA) $123,900, FWD – 31 points
Lachie McNeil (WB) $102,400, MID) – 26 points
Tyler Brockman $117,300, FWD/MD – 22 points
There are concerns surrounding rookie ruckmen Meek (43 points) and Hunter (44).
Dockers ruckman Sean Darcy was named as emergency for their clash with Melbourne and Meek’s display against Gawn may see coach Justin Longmuir look to Darcy in Round 2.
Meek eclipsed 30 points inside the first quarter but managed just six handballs and 13 hit-outs for the match.
St Kilda back-up ruckman Shaun McKernan carried the ruck mantle in the all-important final term over Hunter, who was moved forward – a worrying sign considering he was up against fellow debutant Flynn.
He faces the daunting task of Gawn this weekend, which could get ugly.
If you are running with Hunter or Meek at R3, and don’t have Flynn, a straight swap to the Giant looms as a smart move this round.
Bergman could also be in selection strife with defender Hamish Hartlett on the cusp of a return.
If any of this group dish up a similar score next week, look to trade them to the rookies mentioned above.
TRADE OUT
Oliver Henry (Coll) $135,300, FWD – 9 points
Charlie Lazzaro (NM) $117,300, MID – 3 points
Collingwood first-round draftee Henry had more time to show his wares than Lazzaro, who was the medical sub, but both need to be traded out before price changes in Round 3.
Henry scored just seven points in the pre-season and only just beat that in Round 1, finishing with a paltry nine points from 64 per cent game-time, while Lazzaro was brought on in the final quarter.
At this rate, their prices will go backwards, so look to move them on as soon as possible.
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