KFC SuperCoach 2021: The cheapies flying under the radar

Most KFC SuperCoaches, even new ones, know the popular rookies. But there are a number of cheapie options flying under the radar. Here are 10 to consider.

Getting an accurate read on cash cows this pre-season has been extremely difficult.

A KFC SuperCoach rookie crop weakened by the number of debutants last year, and a largely interrupted under-18 season, had just one official weekend to show their wares during the shortened Community Series.

Fortunately, certain cheapies boosted their stocks and others emerged as Round 1 bolters in these official pre-season matches.

Some quality options are slipping under KFC SuperCoaches’ noses while other popular rookies like Nakia Cockatoo, Will Gould and Finlay Macrae - all with above 20 per cent ownership - are set to miss the opening round.

These are the 10 underrated cheapies you must consider.

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Anthony Scott (WB)

$102,400 MID/FWD

SC average: 88 (VFL 2019)

Ownership (%): 17.4

KFC SuperCoaches are going to become very familiar with the name Anthony Scott.

The 25-year-old utility, signed in late February as a rookie during the supplementary selection period, is closing in on a Round 1 debut, following some strong signs in the Bulldogs’ practice matches.

Scott had 14 disposals and kicked two goals on his way to a score of 79 points against the Demons – the sixth highest rookie score in the Community Series.

Another mature-ager hailing from the Bulldogs’ VFL program, Scott slotted 19 goals and averaged 16.6 disposals and 88 points for Footscray in 2019 as a mid-forward.

Dual position rookies are extremely valuable and his scoring looks to be sound – especially for a player at his bargain price.

SC verdict: His ownership should be closer to 50 per cent. Lock him in.

Chad Warner starred against the Giants in the AAMI Series. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Chad Warner (Syd)

$144,000, FWD

SC Average: 33.5 (two matches)

Ownership (%): 10.9

A bolt from the blue in the Community Series, Warner has given KFC SuperCoaches plenty to think about after posting 89 points – the second highest score of all cheapies last weekend – against the Giants.

Warner racked up 19 touches and booted goal in an eye-catching display up forward and through the middle, attending six centre bounces.

The second-year Swan averaged just 33.5 points from two matches last season but looks a cut above in 2021.

Warner has KFC SuperCoach pedigree, averaging a whopping 156 points as a junior in the WAFL Colts, where he was a prolific ball-winner and manic tackler.

SC verdict: Was it a once in a blue moon display, or is there genuine improvement? I am leaning more towards the latter and picking him (for now). He won’t pass 80 every week but should get consistent opportunities in the young Swans side.

Miles Bergman (PA)

$123,900 FWD

SC Average: 91 (NAB League 2019)

Ownership (%): 10.4

While he is listed as a forward in KFC SuperCoach, Bergman looks to have jumped in front of Lachie Jones in the Power backline queue.

The former forward has been transformed into a running defender this pre-season and has been lauded by his teammates.

He enhanced his chances of a Round 1 debut against Adelaide, winning 17 disposals, four marks and scoring 77 points while starting ahead of Jones, who was benched until halftime.

The 188cm playmaker has a booming kick and showed the capacity to score well with limited possessions at junior level, averaging 91 points from 14 touches per game in the NAB League.

SC verdict: Has he overtaken Jones? If he is named for Round 1, which is looking good at this stage, he will be one of the leading rookie options up forward.

Miles Bergman is a big Round 1 chance at Port Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dean Martin

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Lloyd Meek (Frem)

$123,900, RUC

SC average: 87 (WAFL 2019)

Ownership (%): 10.1

Coaches are flocking to GWS ruckman Matthew Flynn - who remains in some doubt for round one – for the coveted R3 slot, while Meek is flying under the radar.

A knee injury to ruckman Sean Darcy has handed Meek the ruck mantle over the pre-season and he has taken the opportunity with both hands.

Following an impressive outing in their first practice match, the uncapped Docker locked horns with reigning All-Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui in the Comumunity Series and held his own, before the athletic Eagle was rested in the second half.

Meek’s physicality and his ability to cover the ground was notable, tallying 12 disposals, 18 hitouts, five clearances and 77 KFC SuperCoach points.

Darcy is in a race against time for their season-opener against Melbourne, listed as a ‘test’ on the Dockers’ injury list, but the big man may have to squeeze the in-form Meek out first.

SC verdict: Coaches are sleeping on Meek, who could prove to be the best rookie ruckman. He will be difficult to push out if he is named in Round 1 and continues to perform, but there is an element of risk in picking him with Darcy breathing down his neck.

Paul Hunter (St K)

$102,400 RUC

SC average: 136 (SANFL 2020)

Ownership (%): 16.3

Coach Brett Ratten confirmed Hunter is a certain starter for Round 1, following’s St Kilda’s announcement that ruckman Paddy Ryder will take personal leave from the club until the early rounds of the season.

This, and the injury to Marshall, who is expected back inside the first month, means Hunter will take the ruck reigns at the Saints in the short term.

The 28-year-old’s numbers in the SANFL last year are inviting for KFC SuperCoaches, averaging 136 points with a low score of 94, along with 16.6 disposals, 11.6 contested possessions, 30.3 hitouts and 4.7 clearances across nine matches for South Adelaide.

The 200cm, 104kg ruckman started like a house on fire against Carlton last week with a first quarter goal, finishing with 13 disposals, 23 hitouts and 77 points.

Hunter has a date with Matthew Flynn or Kieran Briggs in the opening round which looms as a favourable match-up.

SC verdict: Probably has the best scoring potential of the three main rookie rucks, but it will be all for nothing if he is dropped after a few weeks.

Kieran Briggs (GWS)

$123,900 FWD/DEF

SC average: 77 (NEAFL 2020)

Ownership (%): 13.3

Coaches across the land are crossing their fingers and toes that Briggs will be named over Matthew Flynn in Round 1, coming from nowhere as a potential rookie option in the Community Series.

Briggs tallied five disposals, 22 hitouts and 81 KFC SuperCoach points against Sydney with Flynn missing with an ankle injury, outplaying experienced journeyman Tom Hickey.

Six of his hitouts-to-advantage came against Hickey in his eye-catching performance, giving the Giants a selection headache for the number one ruck spot.

With DEF/FWD eligibility in SuperCoach, Briggs has massive appeal.

Drafted as an aggressive ruckman in the mould of teammate Shane Mumford, Briggs averaged 116 points per game at the national carnival in his draft year in 2018, and 77 points in 19 matches in the NEAFL in 2019.

SC verdict: Skipper Phil Davis said this week that Flynn is his choice to feature in their season opener. Nevertheless, if Briggs is named as the primary ruckman, he is close to a must-have.

Tom Fullarton is likely to get his chance in 2021 after the injury to Dan McStay. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Tom Fullarton (Bris)

$128,900, RUC/FWD

SC average: 30 (two matches)

Ownership (%): 8.7

He’s another rookie ruck option, but Fullarton can also be picked as a forward.

The 22-year-old proved his worth as a forward-ruck in the AAMI Series, after a medial ligament injury sidelined Dan McStay, kicking two majors and finishing with eight touches, three hitouts and 65 KFC SuperCoach points against the Suns.

McStay will miss between three to six weeks, paving the way for Fullarton to feature in Round 1 and possibly longer.

The former basketballer scored 54 points in a promising AFL debut last year while supporting Oscar McInerney in the ruck, with an injury affected score of six bringing his average – and 2021 price – down.

A second ruckman may be necessary to assist the ‘Big O’ following Stefan Martin’s departure. Could Fullarton be the man for the job?

SC verdict: Warming to Fullarton as an option up forward – especially if Josh Treacy isn’t named. The return date of McStay is the main concern.

Nick Murray (Adel)

$102,400 DEF

SC average: 66 (NEAFL 2019)

Ownership (%): 2.8

There appeared to be bargain basement rookies everywhere besides defence. That was until Murray joined the Crows as a rookie, following the club’s second practice match.

The Giants academy graduate finished with eight disposals and 39 points as a key-defender against Port Adelaide while Tom Doedee and Daniel Talia were out with injury.

With Talia expected to miss the early part of the season and Doedee in a race against time to play the Cats, Murray is in the frame to play a role early in 2021.

The 20-year-old averaged 12.9 disposals, 3.9 intercepts and 66 points as a defender in the NEAFL in 2019.

SC verdict: Must-have? Not quite, due to his questionable job security once Doedee and Talia return. But the lack of options in defence means he must be considered for a bench spot in defence, despite his fairly low scoring potential.

Nick Murray officially became a Crow following the AAMI Series. Picture: Brenton Edwards

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Harry Sharp (Bris)

$117,300 DEF/MID

SC average: 60 (NAB League 2019)

Ownership (%): 5.1

The Lions draftee is sharp by name and by nature, and might be the best runner in the competition at age 18.

Sharp shattered the 2km time-trial record at the combine with a mind-boggling time of 5:28 and the former steeplechase champion may get senior opportunity sooner than first thought.

The running machine was given extra game time in the AAMI Series due to Cam Rayner’s injury against Gold Coast and thrived, collecting 10 touches, slotting a goal and scoring 52 KFC SuperCoach points in a half.

Brisbane’s side is as difficult as any to break into, but he caught the eye of coach Chris Fagan, who praised Sharp post-match: “It was a pleasant surprise to see him do so well tonight, I must say… “He looks like he’s going to be able to play at the level at some point in time.”

Juggling footy with his successful athletics career as a junior, Sharp averaged 60 points at NAB League level as a bottom-ager.

SC verdict: Keep your eyes peeled for Brisbane’s Round 1 team. A DPP smokie that could help solve our defensive rookie woes.

Jordon Butts (Adel)

$176,800 DEF

Ownership (%): 2.2

SC average: 47 (two matches)

A player like Butts wouldn’t normally come into KFC SuperCoach considerations but the dearth of defensive rookies improves his standing.

The third-year defender looks to have reasonable job security with Doedee and Talia injured and Kyle Hartigan joining the Hawks in the off-season.

And his scoring might be better than first thought as a key defender, scoring 70 points from 13 disposals - at 92 per cent efficiency - and five marks in the AAMI Series.

This was while up against Power spearhead Charlie Dixon, indicating the Crows have faith in him to fulfill a key role in their defence.

Butts posted scores of 54 and 40 in his two matches in 2020.

SC verdict: While his job security looks sound, his role as a lockdown defender means it is probably too much to pay. Murray may score about the same at a far cheaper price. But does only one play in Round 1?

More overlooked rookies: James Jordon $123,900 MID, Lachlan Bramble $102,400, MID, Harrison Jones (123,900, FWD), Lachlan McNeil ($102,400) MID, Ned Cahill $161,200 FWD, Kade Chandler $161,200, FWD, Charlie Lazzaro ($117,300, MID)