KFC SuperCoach 2021: The breakout players ready to take the next step

Dustin Martin is the KFC SuperCoach king at Richmond. But on recent numbers, a young Tiger may soon challenge him for the crown. All the top breakout picks.

Every KFC SuperCoach knows the big guns - the stars of the game almost guaranteed to score well.

But the key to getting the jump on the rest of the competition - in your league or in the race for the grand prize - is identifying the players set to take the next step.

Sure, it can backfire - we’ve all been there - but finding the value in KFC SuperCoach is key to building the foundation of a successful year.

Here are seven players The Phantom is tipping to increase their average significantly in 2021.

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Adam Cerra (Fremantle)

$484,800, Mid

2020 average: 90

The Phantom’s predicted 2021 average: 102

Technically, along with fellow top-five pick from the 2017 draft Andrew Brayshaw, Cerra had a breakout season last year. The 21-year-old increased his average from 62 to 90 after posting five KFC SuperCoach tons.

The spike was on the back of a move further up the ground with Cerra spending 86 per cent of game-time in the midfield last season – plenty of it on a wing.

But his form in the second-half of the year suggests the classy ball-user, who averaged 138 points in the NAB league in 2017, is a chance of another sharp spike in 2021. Cerra averaged 101 points per game from Round 9 onwards and, in another sign his midfield responsibility is on the way up, attended 27 centre bounces in the final two matches.

The Phantom’s verdict: The price and loss of dual-position status hurts – and it makes him hard to start with this season. But I’m tipping he’ll be a KFC SuperCoach favourite for years to come

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Can Tom Green do what Clayton Oliver did in his second year? Picture: Phil Hillyard

Tom Green (GWS)

$351,400, Mid

2020 average: 73

Phantom’s predicted 2021 average: 108

In Round 17 last year, Green tallied 30 disposals, 20 contested possessions and 119 KFC SuperCoach points in 67 per cent game-time. The big-bodied midfielder finished with 19 groundball gets, the most recorded in any match.

In fact, Clayton Oliver and Lachie Neale, the AFL’s top two groundball players over the past three seasons, have recorded more in a single outing just once since 2017.

It was 19-year-old Green’s fifth career game. Yes, the fifth time he’s pulled on the Giant’s jumper in the senior side.

But some weren’t surprised. The 191cm Green holds Champion Data’s contested possession record at the national under-18 carnival.

It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see Green mirror the second-year rise of Oliver, who increased his KFC SuperCoach average from 70 to 111 in 2017.

Phantom’s verdict: I’m serious about the predicted average and that’s why he’s in my side – and staying there.

Shai Bolton (Richmond)

$462,400, Fwd/Mid

2020 average: 86

Phantom’s predicted 2021 average: 98

It started in 2019 - the skilful Tiger’s third year in the competition. In Round 16, after spending most of the first 17 games of his career in the forward line, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick deployed Bolton in the midfield.

And he was electric, averaging 27 disposals, eight contested possessions, four clearances and 117 KFC SuperCoach points, while also booting three goals, in the next two matches. He returned to his role as a small-forward for the finals and was dropped after the Tigers loss to the Saints in Round 4 last year.

But with Dion Prestia going down with injury, Bolton not only returned to the Richmond side, but to the midfield, in Round 6 and he hasn’t looked back.

From that point, the 22-year-old ranked second at the Tigers for score involvements, third for contested possessions and fifth for disposals. He finished with five KFC SuperCoach tons in the minor round and posted a career-high 135 points, on the back of 16 disposals, nine contested possessions and seven tackles, in the grand final win over the Cats.

Dustin Martin was the only Tiget to average three figures last season, could Bolton join him in 2021?

Phantom’s verdict: A real chance to be a top-six forward this year.

REVEALED: MOST EXPENSIVE 2021 KFC SUPERCOACH PLAYERS

Jack Scrimshaw, middle, is a key man in the Hawks defence which is missing James Sicily. Picture: Michael Dodge/AAP

Jack Scrimshaw (Haw)

$399,600, Def

2020 average: 74

Phantom’s predicted 2021 average: 90

When James Sicily went down with a season-ending knee injury last year, Scrimshaw’s output went up.

In his first seven games for the season, the left-footer averaged 63 KFC SuperCoach points.

In the six following Sicily’s injury, Scrimshaw averaged 85 per game.

The +22 differential is enough to get him in this article alone, given Sicily’s absence in 2021.

But it’s not the only impressive number to come from his fourth season in the competition. From Round 12 onwards, the 22-year-old, who has only played 27 career games, averaged 2.8 intercept marks per game and took three or more in four of the final six matches.

Only Nick Haynes (3.4) and Jeremy McGovern (3.2) averaged more for the year.

Phantom’s verdict: I like him, but can he push the top-six in defence? I don’t think so but he’s likely to get you up to someone who will very quickly.

Josh Daicos was a highligh for the Magpies in 2020. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Josh Daicos (Coll)

$442,200, Mid

2020 average: 82

Phantom’s predicted 2021 average: 95

There’s a giant Adam Treloar-sized hole in Collingwood’s midfield. Sure, Taylor Adams has thrived in Treloar’s absence in the past and Scott Pendlebury is showing little sign of slowing down. And then there’s Brayden Sier.

But there’s also a chance Daicos, after an impressive finish to 2020, is handed more of an all-round midfield role, despite his effectiveness on the outside.

The 22-year-old was one of the highlights of Collingwood’s season, showing poise, skill – on both sides - and a terrific footy IQ.

Daicos, who averaged eight more points per game without Treloar in the side, passed the 85-point mark on eight occasions and posted four KFC SuperCoach tons.

More impressive, though, was his 1.7 clangers per game, the lowest of any Magpie to average 15 disposals or more.

His contested-possession rate has never been high, dating back through his junior career and VFL days, but his performance against the Lions in Round 15 proves he can win the ball in any way.

Daicos, who finished with 25 disposals, tallied 12 contested possessions and six clearances – both career-highs. Only Lions star Jarryd Lyons won more of the ball in contest that night.

Phantom’s verdict: Many were quick to write him off as a player – and in KFC SuperCoach – but there was so much to like last year. Is it enough to start him as a midfielder-only? I don’t think so, but expect a spike.

EXPERT TEAMS : The Phantom | Al Paton | Tim Michell

Will Setterfield starred for the Blues in second half of 2020. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Will Setterfield (Carl)

$481,900, Mid

2020 average: 90

Phantom’s predicted 2021 average: 105

Since arriving at Ikon Park at the end of 2018, the former Giant has been building quietly.

Setterfield failed to reach three figures in his first year, averaging just 61 points per game. But he did miss the previous 12 months with an ACL tear and the Blues struggled.

He started last season slow, too, averaging 68 points across the first five games.

But then, after a clear role change, he found the form which saw him average of 142 KFC SuperCoach points in his non-injury-affected NAB league games during his draft year.

From Round 5 onwards, Setterfield spent 74 per cent of his time in the midfield, averaged 99 points per game and in a huge end to the year, posted scores of 141, 97, 88, 107 and 111 in the final five matches.

Setterfield averaged 18 disposals, nine contested possessions, six tackles and four clearances over the impressive stretch, despite spending more than 81 per of the game on the ground just once.

Phantom’s verdict: Setterfield has always boasted KFC SuperCoach-friendly traits. And now, with confidence in his body and in his spot in the Blues’ midfield, I’m expecting him to carrying that 108-point five-game average into 2021.

Will Brodie (GC)

$344,900, Fwd/Mid

2020 average: 36

Phantom’s predicted 2021 average: 92

Again, Phantom, really?

It’s going to happen at some point, my friends.

In his eight games in 2019, Brodie tallied 20 disposals or more and passed the 88-point mark in KFC SuperCoach on four occasions.

In the final round of the year, the 189cm midfielder finished with 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 10 tackles and 110 KFC SuperCoach points in just 68 per cent game-time.

But then, for reasons mainly revolving around his work ethic, Brodie was dropped after one senior game in 2020 and didn’t return.

So, why now?

In the off-season, Brodie didn’t stop running. He’s shed five kilograms and slashed 30 seconds of his 2km time trial when the Suns returned to training.

“Hopefully this will be my year,” Brodie said recently.

So do I.

Phantom’s verdict: Long-time readers will know my affection for Brodie. And, as a mid-price forward, I may not be able to resist again if he impresses during the pre-season competition.