KFC SuperCoach 2022: The best premium options and must-have stars on every line
Sure, rookies are important, but so is nailing your premium selections in KFC SuperCoach. See The Phantom’s verdict on who to pick – and who to avoid – in every position.
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You know their names, but which KFC SuperCoach stars should you start this season?
Given the salary cap, as much as you want to, you just can’t pick all of the big-scoring guns.
The available rookies and mid-price value will dictate how many premiums you select on each line, but that’s only part of it.
Here’s my analysis on all the top-price options and the premium value in each position.
SCROLL DOWN FURTHER TO SEE THE BEST FORWARDS, MIDFIELDERS, DEFENDERS AND RUCKS
FORWARDS
TOP 12 MOST-EXPENSIVE
Josh Dunkley (WB) $558,200, Mid
2021 Ave: 102.5
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 27
AAMI Series score: 120
In a forward pool that is shallow on KFC SuperCoach stars, can you really overlook Dunkley, the fantasy gun who averaged 129 before injury last year and 116 in his most-recent injury-free season in 2019? No. His scoring potential outweighs the doubt over his position in the Bulldogs midfield. But the data suggests Dunkley’s poor run of scores to finish the year – 65, 75, 61, 66 - was more about his own form, the extended injury lay-off and the 14-day Covid isolation interruption. Dunkley played 62 per cent midfield during his hot start to the year and that figure only dropped to 55 per cent between Round 18 and the grand final. In the Bulldogs unsuccessful charge to a flag, Dunkley posted scores of 105, 109 and 84. And the word out of Footscray is the 25-year-old has taken his running to another level over summer.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Had 32 disposals and a game-high 18 contested possessions against the Lions. Lock.
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Mitch Duncan (Geel) $540,000, Mid
2021 Ave: 99.2
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 17
AAMI Series score: Dnp
The Geelong star is in a very similar boat to Dunkley. He may not have quite as high ceiling but the pair have the potential to outscore the next-best forward by at least 10 points per game. Duncan is priced at an average of 99 but only because of two injury-affected scores. The skilful midfielder was injured in the second term against the Suns in Round 10, finishing with an impressive 73 points in 40 per cent game-time. Then his minor round came to end a few weeks later, with Duncan suffering a knee injury in the opening minutes of the Round 14 clash with the Bulldogs. The resulting 10-point score hit his average the hardest. Take out those scores and Duncan averaged 114 in nine non-injury-affected matches. He returned after a long stint on the sidelines to tally 33 disposals, 13 marks and 122 points in the qualifying final loss to the Power. If you take out the injury-affected 13 from Round 6, Duncan averaged 110 the previous season, too. Sure, all this talk of injury is a concern, as is the load management program he’s on this pre-season, but he’s another who could hurt you very quickly this year.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:It’s more than talk now, with Duncan failing to feature in the pre-season as he battle to be fit for Round 1. I won’t be starting with him.
Tim Taranto (GWS) $529,700, Mid
2021 Ave: 97.3
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 15
AAMI Series score: 108
“It’ll be a combination – whether that is three talls, or we’ve used Tim Taranto down there (forward line) in great fashion the back end of last year,” Giants coach Leon Cameron said of how his side will cover the suspended Toby Greene early in the 2022. That, along with a poor kicking efficiency of just 50 per cent, is probably enough to look elsewhere to start. But, given he’s likely to have enough big games once Greene returns, it’s hard to see Taranto, who averaged 102 points per game through 16 rounds last season, missing the top-six by the year’s end.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:Upgrade target for mine. Although he was good against the Magpies, and won enough of the ball despite starting forward, the view still stands.
Tom Hawkins (GWS) $529,700
2021 Ave: 93.9
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 1
AAMI Series score: 52
Another forward who frustrated KFC SuperCoaches in 2021. Like Taranto, there were big scores – 11 KFC SuperCoach tons, four in excess of 120 – but Hawkins also dished up five scores of 65 or less. But the Geelong star is durable - missing just one game through injury in the past five years - rarely comes to the bench, and the development of his ruck craft inside-50 has helped him average 105 and 94 in the past two seasons. The Cats aren’t going away just yet and he’s one who will, again, be in the top-six frame for total points.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:After a quiet start to the year, Hawkins’ price fell by more than $100k after seven rounds in 2021. The Cats play seven of their final 13 games at home this year – after just two in the opening nine rounds – so jumping on mid-year could, again, be the way to go, despite his obvious durability.
Jake Stringer (Ess) $506,800, Mid
2021 Ave: 93.1
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 22
AAMI Series score: Dnp
Stringer’s midfield brilliance late in 2021 was hard to ignore. He was a big part of Essendon’s centre-bounce rotation and averaged 21 disposals, 13 contested possessions, two goals and 110 KFC SuperCoach points after the bye. They are elite numbers in anyone’s book. But if Jye Caldwell, Dylan Shiel and Andrew McGrath all stay injury-free, Stringer admitted his role will be ‘week-to-week’ in 2022, meaning he could be in the middle one round, and deep forward the next.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:As good as last year’s numbers were, Stringer’s role in 2022 makes it too hard to start him, especially after a groin injury kept him out of the pre-season games.
Dustin Martin (Rich) $503,500, Mid
2021 Ave: 92.5
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 9
AAMI Series score: 105
It’s been a difficult off-season for the superstar Tiger with a kidney injury resulting in dramatic weight loss last year, as well as the recent death of his father, Shane. But, despite all that, teammate Jack Riewoldt thinks we could see the return of 2017 Dustin this year. “The way we use him this year will be interesting as well. He’s obviously such a talented player and we may push him into the midfield a little bit more to see if we can get that bull from 2017 back again,” Reiwoldt said recently. That Dusty averaged 119 KFC SuperCoach points in a remarkable year. It was 103 and 100 in the next two seasons and, if you take out the two injury-affected games, Martin was close to three figures (98) again in 2021. So even if he bounces back to something close to his best, $503k is great buying. Remember, in the past five Round 1 clashes against the Blues, Martin has posted scores of 158, 126, 109, 139 and 159.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:Martin looked fit and sharp in the pre-season matches, tallying 26 disposals, only one clanger and 105 KFC SuperCoach points against the Hawks. I’ll still be waiting, though, there’s too much mid-price value in the forward line.
Chad Wingard (Haw) $501,500, Mid
2021 Ave: 92.1
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 19
AAMI Series score: 59
Yet another premium forward option with huge KFC SuperCoach scoring power, but a questionable role. From Round 19 onwards, Wingard averaged 28 disposals, five clearances, five tackles, one goal and 117 points, playing predominantly as a midfielder and attending more centre bounces. Four of his five KFC SuperCoach tons for the year came in that stretch. It’s not the first time we’ve seen glimpses of Wingard’s KFC SuperCoach Potential as a midfielder. But through injury, form and a varying role, we don’t see it often enough.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:Nah. Not to start with, anyway.
Toby Greene (GWS) $495,000
2021 Ave: 90.9
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 29
AAMI Series score: Dnp
The Giants star will miss the first five rounds of the season through suspension, ruling him out for KFC SuperCoach starting teams. But, if you play the draft format, you might get yourself a bargain, if he’s overlooked for too long because of it.
Charlie Dixon (Port) $484,900
2021 Ave: 89.1
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 14
AAMI Series score: Dnp
As Dixon booted another 46 goals and ranked third in the competition for contested marks, there were more big KFC SuperCoach scores – nine of 100 or more and two in excess of 130. But the powerful key-forward failed to reach the 80-point mark on seven occasions, making it 12 times in the past two seasons. Add to that the pre-season ankle surgery that has him in doubt for Round 1 and Dixon is not a legitimate starting option in KFC SuperCoach.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Pass, even if he’s ready to go.
Ben McEvoy (Haw) $483,700
2021 Ave: 88.9
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 9
AAMI Series score: 49
Sam Mitchell looks set to use his skipper in a variety of roles this year. McEvoy made the switch to defence in 2020 but was back in the ruck on a more regular basis last season, when he averaged 88 KFC SuperCoach points. His 17 hitouts – six of them to advantage – per game are still well down on the 32 he averaged in 2017. But with the rise of Ned Reeves, and arrival of Max Lynch, McEvoy has trained with the forwards over summer.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:The ruck-forward status is appealing but he’s not going to be a top-scorer in either position.
Adam Treloar (WB) $483,200, Mid
2021 Ave: 88.8
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 28
AAMI Series score: 132
Treloar is the 11th-most-expensive KFC SuperCoach forward in 2022. No one would’ve predicted that two years ago after the former Magpie averaged 109, 113 and 109 in his final three seasons as Collingwood’s prime mover through the midfield. But thanks to an injury-affected 43, and three scores of 80 or less after a three-month lay-off, Treloar is priced at an average of 89. It was a slightly different role given the depth of the Bulldogs engine room but the 28-year-old averaged 98 points in the opening nine rounds of the year. Nowhere near the top-eight in the midfield pool, but a figure that would have him entrenched in the top-scoring forwards in 2022. Treloar’s form in the last two finals – scores of 123 and 122 – suggests that figure could yet be higher.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Treloar’s pre-season form backed up that suggestion, too. He scored 93 points in three quarters in the practice match before tallying 29 disposals, two goals and 132 points against the Lions. Still might not reach the Collingwood heights again – but he doesn’t have to in order to finish as a top-six forward. He’s one I’m very much considering now.
Tim English (WB) $482,300, Ruck
2021 Ave: 88.7
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 13
AAMI Series score: 116
The young ruckman only averaged what McEvoy did last year. But there’s a big difference in their selection – English is on the way up. Well, at some point. Ruckman tend to take longer to reach their peak in KFC SuperCoach, especially those built has slight as English was when he arrived at the Bulldogs. But, while he still gets pushed around in the ruck by the big guns, he’s used his skill around the ground and elite hands to average 103 and 89 in his fourth and fifth seasons in the game. Last year, English took more marks inside-50 and kicked more goals than he ever has, as coach Luke Beveridge used him forward more often with the arrival of Stefan Martin. The former Demon and Lion has signed on for another year, and Josh Bruce will miss most of the season through injury, so will that change in 2022?
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Maybe it will. English started in the ruck and was brilliant around the ground against Lions Oscar McInerney and Darcy Fort. And Luke Beveridge says, while English will be needed forward at times, he wants him to play in the ruck. The dual-position status is great for ruck back-up but it’s hard to be certain the scoring spike will be big enough, especially with plenty of forward options at less than $300k.
RUCKS
TOP 10 MOST-EXPENSIVE
Max Gawn (Melb) $657,400
2021 Average: 120.8
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 13
AAMI Series score: 133
The Melbourne skipper was the No. 1 big man in KFC SuperCoach for the second year running, after recording the only 120-point average in the ruck. Since 2019, Gawn has posted 35 scores of 120 or more, the equal-most of any player in the competition. It was a significant drop from the career-best 140 of 2020, though, and scaling in the shortened quarters played a part there. But emerging star Luke Jackson also played a part last season, as he lined up in 21 games and spent more time in the ruck in this third year. How Jackson’s increasing role affects Gawn in 2022 is the big KFC SuperCoach ruck question of the summer. In the grand final, Gawn (95 points) attended 48 ruck contests, and Jackson (113 points) 37. Gawn’s hitout-win percentage was 20 per cent higher but, as a duo, they were so effective all over the ground - and that’s the concern for KFC SuperCoaches.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: We’re not talking a huge fall – not even close. But could it be enough for, say, Brodie Grundy to go back past him? Maybe. Then again, after he reminded us how effective he can be as a forward in the pre-season matches, maybe not. But I still think Grundy gets him.
Sean Darcy (Fre) $642,600
2021 Average: 118
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 18
AAMI Series score: 96
If his huge finish to last season is anything to go by, this guy could go past both and become the new ruck king in 2022. After finding his feet in his fifth season, the 23-year-old averaged 125 KFC SuperCoach points from Round 8 onwards. And he battled a number of injury issues along the way, too, some which forced him from the ground for long periods. The remarkable run of form included six scores of 140 or more, with Darcy posting 193 against the Blues in Round 16 and 183 a week later in the win over the Hawks. In Darcy’s first 62 matches, he’s averaged 95 KFC SuperCoach points per 100 minutes. At the same stage of their careers, Gawn averaged 94 and Grundy 87. Last year, Darcy also eclipsed Gawn and Grundy for hitout-to-advantage percentage, clearances, contested possessions and score involvements. But those 62 games have come across five seasons for Darcy – unfortunately the injury issues aren’t a new thing. He may have played 21 consecutive matches in 2021, and played through some pain, but he has missed 18 games through injury since he was drafted in 2016.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: He was in, then he was out, after two more injury issues in February. But he had just two kicks against the Eagles and still finished with 96 points, thanks to 15 hitouts-to-advantage, in the AAMI Series. So he’s back in, the upside is too hard to pass, even with the injury concern.
Nic Naitanui (WC) $627,400
2021 Average: 115.3
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 51
AAMI Series score: 65
As Naitanui proves, however, injury history isn’t everything. The star Eagle, who managed just 18 appearances between 2017 and 2019, has missed just one game in the past two years, and that was through back soreness. It’s allowed Naitanui to really solidify himself as a premium KFC SuperCoach ruckman. The high scoring came in spurts previously, but the 31-year-old averaged 110 points per game in 2020 and posted 19 KFC SuperCoach tons last season, including 16 in a row to finish the year. His disposal average may only be the seventh-highest of all ruckman, but Naitanui ranked first for hitouts-to-advantage, clearances, contested possessions and score assists of all big men to play at least five games.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: There’s not a lot of love for Naitanui, who is in just 3.9 per cent of teams ahead of Round 1 - less than at the start of February. But his monopoly on the No. 1 ruck role at the Eagles, and new-found SuperCoach consistency, make him a genuine point-of-difference option.
Brodie Grundy (Coll) $627,100
2021 Average: 115.2
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 2
AAMI Series score: 117
Along with Gawn, Grundy has recorded the most KFC SuperCoach scores of 120 or more since 2019. Despite dropping another five points of his average, like he did in 2020, the Collingwood big man still reached the 120-point mark on 10 occasions last year. He missed two games with a neck injury before the bye but still averaged 124 through 17 rounds. But four scores in the 80s in the final six weeks saw that figure fall dramatically, and cause frustration in the KFC SuperCoach community. There could be more frustration this year, too, but it might be with those who overlook the value in Grundy. He’s trimmed down over summer in order to reclaim his best form - and his best is far better than the 115-point average he’s priced at.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Got to take all the value you can in KFC SuperCoach and there is plenty in the guy who’s finished on top before. This view still stands, lock him in.
Tom Hickey (Syd) $562,000
2021 Average: 103.3
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 13
AAMI Series score: 91
On last year’s scoring, there’s a clear top four, and then Hickey. No offence, Tom, but 13 points separates the fourth and fifth most-expensive KFC SuperCoach ruckmen to start 2022. And, as good as he was for the Swans, posting 12 scores of 100 or more, he’s not going to close the gap this year, especially with the arrival of Peter Ladhams.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Only consider him KFC SuperCoach Draft – you may get him late.
THE VALUE
Oscar McInerney (Bris) $509,600
2021 Average: 93. 6
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 3
AAMI Series score: 57
He’s only in three per cent of teams, but McInerney is one of the few options outside of the big four to consider this year. My good friend, SuperCoach Hipster, has been talking about him all summer and he might be on to something. The Lions big man averaged 93.6 in 2021, and he’s priced accordingly. But, as his huge finish to the year proves, McInerney has the potential to far exceed that number. Including finals, the 27-year-old, who now has no pressing competition for the No. 1 ruck spot at Brisbane, posted scores of 115, 114, 106, 91, 148, 113, 120, 131, 96, 127 and 82 to finish the year. That’s a 11-round average of 113. Over the season, McInerney’s disposal (13.1) and hitout-to-advantage (9.4) numbers were a step below the top group. But an increase - 16 and 11 – was the catalyst to the impressive form. After debuting in 2018, McInerney has increased his average every year. He went from 58 to 68 in 2019, then to 82 in 2020. Last season’s big finish saw it jump to 94. Can he do similar in 2022?
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Ruckman always take longer so a true premium breakout is a strong chance for McInerney this year. But Brisbane coach Chris Fagan’s use of Darcy Fort over the pre-season is concerning. Avoid to start with.
Rowan Marshall (StK) $536,800
2021 Average: 98.6
Games missed through injury in the past 5 seasons: 10
AAMI Series score: 100
After putting an injury-interrupted start to the year behind him, Marshall reminded everyone what a KFC SuperCoach scoring powerhouse he is. In his final seven games, the St Kilda big man averaged 114 points. And the Saints were still being cautious with his game-time early in that stretch, and Paddy Ryder played in the first three matches. As a ruck-only, though, with such quality at the top-end of the position, his selection isn’t as straight forward as it was when he was a dual-position forward. Marshall is still effective inside-50 for the Saints and Ryder is still a strong tap ruckman, so, although he averaged 110 in a breakout 2019, can he match it with the big boys in 2022?
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: A fully-fit Marshall - with Ryder only there as a support – could go close, absolutely. But is that what we will get? That was the question I asked in February and, now, thinking about it, maybe the answer is yes. With Braydon Preuss suspended for Round 1, Marshall is my pick if you’re not going with two of the big three.
MIDFIELDERS
THE TOP 10 MOST-EXPENSIVE
Jack Macrae (WB) $699,900
2021 Average: 128.6
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 3
AAMI Series score: 138
Taking out the injury-affected 51 from 2018, Macrae has recorded a KFC SuperCoach ton in 68 of his past 79 matches. In the other 11 games, he scored less than 80 just once. The Bulldogs ball magnet has averaged 129, 121, 123 and 127 in each of the past four seasons. He’s the most expensive player in the competition but, given his sheer consistency at such a high level, a big, early price fall is unlikely to happen. And the three games he’s missed since 2017 have been with that one hamstring in 2018.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Lock. Next.
Jack Steele (StK) $685,800
2021 Average: 128.6
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 2
AAMI Series score: 89
If you didn’t have the St Kilda skipper in the back half of last season, it would’ve hurt. Trust me, I know. A 112-point average through the first 10 rounds is solid enough in itself but, after that, Steele went to a whole new level. From Round 11 onwards, he posted 12 consecutive KFC SuperCoach tons, seven of them in excess of 140. Yes, 140. His average from that point was a remarkable 137. That’s two 120-point season averages on the trot now. It may have been a rapid scoring rise at AFL level, but Steele has long been a KFC SuperCoach monster. He averaged 151 points at the 2014 under-18 champs and 142 at NAB League level before the Giants drafted him. But you don’t really need to hear any more.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Another set-and-forget pick. It just comes down to how many you can fit in.
Touk Miller (GC) $677,800
2021 average: 124.5
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 5
AAMI Series score: 149
I’ll admit, Miller is one I doubted for a while, but 16 consecutive KFC SuperCoach tons to finish the year is undeniable. The former Vic Metro captain has been creeping up slowly, too, pushing his average from 85 to 106 in 2020. Like most of the guys at the top-end, it’s hard to find any cons. But the only concern surrounding Miller could be his team. The Suns won seven games last year and he averaged 142 in those matches. But he averaged 116 in their 14 losses. Will Stuart Dew’s side win another seven matches in 2022?
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:Can you pick all four midfielders priced above $670k? Unlikely, but who do you leave out? I originally said Miller but, after he went 140 and 149 in the practice matches, and with Clayton Oliver’s looming date with Matt de Boer in Round 5, maybe it isn’t. Now a third set-and-forget pick.
Clayton Oliver (Melb) $672,000
2021 average: 123.5
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 0
AAMI Series score: 104
After a brilliant first five seasons in the competition, Oliver took his game to another level again in 2022. He won more contested possession than he ever has, and more than any other player. The premiership star’s total disposal and clearances numbers were up, too. But the key to Oliver adding another three points to his KFC SuperCoach average is what he did away from the contest. He’s worked hard on his kicking over the past year, with the help of assistant coach Mark Williams, and it showed. Oliver kicked, on average, 2.8 times more per game and he still improved his efficiency on last year. The 24-year-old also recorded career-highs for inside-50s, metres gained and score assists. So, now, as he refines that part of his game even further, does he have another level?
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:I think he might, and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the competition. But if Matt De Boer goes to him in Round 5, and restricts him to something similar to last year’s 67, he could be great buying come upgrade time. It’s a what-if, but you have to look for little things when splitting the top few.
Marcus Bontempelli (WB) $651,700
2021 average: 119.7
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 3
AAMI Series score: 99
As good as Bontempelli is, he’s yet to register a KFC SuperCoach season average of 120 or more, like those above. But he was close last year. The Bulldogs skipper exploded out of the blocks to average 130 over the first 15 rounds, before three scores of less than 90 in his final eight matches saw that figure fall below 120 by the year’s end. In the first two, he had nine and 15 clangers respectively, numbers which contributed to a career-high number across the season. For newcomers, a clanger is -5 in KFC SuperCoach. The other two low scores were on the back of 15-disposal games against the Crows and Power, where he spent plenty of time forward. On his day, Bontempelli is the best KFC SuperCoach in the competition but the strength of the Bulldogs midfield, his own versatility and the fact he’s prone to the odd horrible day by foot, continues to hurt his consistency at the absolute top level of scoring.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Again, you have to be picky at the top-end, and I’ve probably talked myself out of The Bont to start. I’m not against doing it, though, I’d just pick one of the four above him, if you can afford it.
Jarryd Lyons (Bris) $640,100
2021 average: 117.6
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 4
AAMI Series score: 94
He’s played every game after joining the Lions and scored a KFC SuperCoach ton in all but seven of his 39 games in the past two seasons. Lyons averaged a career-best 28 disposals per game and when he doesn’t have the ball, he’s at the player who does, recording career-high tackle names in 2021. Put simply, he’s reliable, in a year when reliability will be even more important.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: But is that his level? It’s a very solid one, sure, but the next two on the list, at a slightly cheaper price, look to have more growth, especially with coach Chris Fagan forecasting more time across half-forward for Lyons in 2022.
Tom Mitchell (Haw) $638,100
2021 average: 117.2
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 22
AAMI Series score: Dnp
The Brownlow Medallist took a while to get going last year, averaging 106 points to Hawthorn’s Round 12 bye. But this can be put down to a number of reasons. Mitchell had a shoulder reconstruction over summer which wiped out his pre-season – hardly ideal ahead of just his second year back from a horrific broken leg. It also appeared to directly affect his role during the year, with Mitchell playing more of a receiving role through the midfield early on. In Round 5, the ball-magnet, who averaged 16 contested possessions in his Brownlow year of 2018, won just five of his 32 possessions in a contest. Then, four rounds later, Mitchell recorded just three contested possessions against the Kangaroos – the lowest non-injury-affected tally of his career. But it all clicked after the bye, with Mitchell averaging 35 disposals, 12 contested possessions and 129 points in the final 11 matches of the year.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Mitchell was flying well-and-truly under the radar before Sam Walsh’s injury, and many KFC SuperCoaches turned to him as the replacement. I considered it, too. Reckon he’ll be back to his best.
Sam Walsh (Carl) $637,100
2021 Average: 117
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 0
AAMI Series score: Dnp
After moving to the inside halfway through his second season at the top level, Walsh has been a KFC SuperCoach scoring powerhouse. In his past 30 games, the 21-year-old has posted 22 KFC SuperCoach tons, 15 of them excess of 120. In this extraordinary run of form, the young superstar boasts an average of 116. Before that, he had played just 28 games of AFL footy. But it should come as no surprise - especially to those who read The Phantom’s content last pre-season – with Walsh averaging 158 points at NAB League level before he was drafted. He can already out run taggers, wins the ball at the contest and out in space, kicks goals and tackles. Walsh averaged 132 points per game in Carlton’s wins last season and they look set to win more games in 2022.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Sadly, after having ankle surgery last month, Walsh is likely to miss at least the first two matches of the season. Don’t wait to long if you’re playing KFC SuperCoach Draft, though.
Rory Laird (Adel) $637,100
2021 Average: 116.2
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 2
AAMI Series score: 54
Forget that Laird isn’t a defender anymore. As far as total points go, the star Crow was the 10th-highest KFC SuperCoach scorer in the game last year. In the midfield, he averaged more than Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Cam Guthrie, Ollie Wines and Christian Petracca. Laird put up huge numbers in 2021 – 32 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances, six tackles and six score involvements per game. And it was his first full year playing as a pure midfielder.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Loomed as a great point-of-difference in a crowded midfield pool before injury ruled him out for the first month of the season.
Zach Merrett (Ess) $625,700
2021 Average: 115
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 0
AAMI Series score: 54
It’s been a consistent two years for the Bombers gun, who averaged 115.6 and 115 in 2020 and 2021 respectively. And the only game he missed was through suspension. Merrett posted 15 KFC SuperCoach tons in excess of 120 during this 38-game stretch, but there has also been four scores of 78 or less, highlighting he’s still susceptible to opposition attention. Sure, the rise of Darcy Parish and return of Dylan Shiel helps, but it’s the one thing holding him back from a 120-point season average, because the balanced midfielder has plenty of scoring avenues.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:It’s hard to pick him at that price to start - there’s going to be a few mouths to feed at the Bombers. And he looks set to float across half-back at times, too.
THE NEXT GROUP
Darcy Parish (Ess) $621,300
2021 Average: 114
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 7
AAMI Series score: 116
On the surface, Parish averaged one point less than his teammate Merrett. But if you isolate the numbers from the point when the young Bomber was finally unleashed in the midfield role he played as a junior, then you get a picture of what might happen this year. Parish was just a bit-part player in the midfield during his early years at Essendon but after Jye Caldwell and Dylan Shiel went down with early-season injuries in 2021, Parish was injected on-ball in Round 3. Then three weeks later, he really made his mark. In Round 6, Parish scored 161 points on ANZAC Day and averaged 32 disposals and 122 from that point onwards. And Parish was huge in the club’s final, too, tallying 35 disposals, 18 contested possessions and 169 points in a losing elimination final side.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Given he was only a bit-part player through the middle in the opening month, along with his enormous ceiling, I think the star Bomber can be a 120-point man very soon. I’m currently willing to overlook the tag and returning teammates concerns because he might just be, simply, too good for any of it to matter.
Andrew Brayshaw (Freo) $584,300
2021 Average: 107
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 6
AAMI Series score: 101
Brayshaw is another young KFC SuperCoach star on the rise. The Dockers midfielder added another six points to his average after lifting it from 70 to 101 in 2020. There was inconsistency, as you would expect from players in their fourth seasons, as well tagging and being tagged early in the year, with Brayshaw failing to score more than 70 points on three occasions. But his heroic 190-point display against the Tigers in Round 20 highlights his scoring power – and he should be rewarded more this year for his want to tackle.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: I jumped on-board last year, and I’m tipping him to be a KFC SuperCoach premium for years to come. But not to start with at that price for me, especially with a few value options popping up in the midfield.
Josh Kelly (GWS) $582,000
2021 Average: 107
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 21
AAMI Series score: 161
If Leon Cameron puts the Josh Kelly forward experiment in the bin where it belongs, the classy midfielder will push back into top-eight midfielder calculations. In a year when he was thrown around and used differently – forward and on the outside – the smooth-moving Giant still bounced back to average 113 points from Round 7 onwards, when he was moved back into the midfield.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: There is some value in Kelly’s price, for sure. But is it enough to overlook the games-missed number above? Going by the way he moved against the Magpies in the AAMI Series, maybe it is enough. Like him as a point-of-difference, but I’ll still wait and see.
DPP?
Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) $567,800
2021 Average: 104
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 8
AAMI Series score: 87
Now this is where it gets interesting. In 2022, KFC SuperCoach will integrate Champion Data’s updated positions, meaning if Dangerfield spends a certain percentage of time forward, he could become a dual-position player early on. It could still be a long shot, given he played deep forward on a number of occasions last year, but it wasn’t enough to achieve forward-status. But the truth is, you could pick him as a midfield point-of-difference regardless. He may not be the player he once was, but he still averaged 111 KFC SuperCoach points, if you take out the injury-affected Round 21 score, in a season where he missed nine of Geelong’s first 11 matches through injury and suspension.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Always a chance, but unlikely to be in my starting team. I think it’s way, way too early to write him off in KFC SuperCoach, though.
THE VALUE
Lachie Neale (Bris) $543,200
2021 Average: 99.8
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 8
AAMI Series score: 112
Forget last year. If Lachie Neale is injury-free – and he’s reportedly flying on the track – he’ll reclaim his thrown as, not only Lion king, but maybe KFC SuperCoach king. It was only 18 months ago he finished as the No. 1 scorer in the game with an average of 134.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: You can’t start without him.
THE SMOKY
Brayden Fiorini (GC) $551,600
2021 Average: 101.3
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 11
AAMI Series score: 92
In 2019, his fourth year at the Suns, the fantasy gun played 21 AFL matches, scoring five KFC SuperCoach tons and averaging 88 points per game. He struggled, however, to cement a senior spot the following year. But he finally broke back in after posting scores of 149, 103, 149, 132, 94 and 168 in the VFL last season. And the form translated to the top level, with the 24-year-old averaging 28 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six marks, five tackles and 114 points in the final six rounds.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: A difficult one to start, but he’s got most of the tools needed to become a premium KFC SuperCoach scorer.
DEFENDERS
TOP 10 MOST-EXPENSIVE
Jake Lloyd (Syd) $586,000
2021 average: 107.9
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 2
AAMI Series score: 82
The Swans star hasn’t started this cheap since 2018 – the year his KFC SuperCoach scoring really took off. Yet, despite a quieter season by his high standards, Lloyd’s 2021 average of 107.8 was the highest of all available defenders this year. But that’s not the only thing he did better. Lloyd averaged more disposals than any other defender, hit more targets than any of the top-10 ball-winners and played on with 98 per cent of his kick-ins. He finished 2021 with six consecutive KFC SuperCoach tons – taking his count to 60 scores of 100 or more in the past 75 home-and-away matches – as Jordan Dawson pushed further up the ground. Lloyd’s total disposal numbers dropped in 2021 but Dawson – who took 28 per cent of Sydney’s kick-ins - is gone and that could mean more footy again for the neat-kicking 28-year-old.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:About as safe – in terms of scoring and durability - as premiums come in KFC SuperCoach, even with the rapid development of a number of young Swans. Lloyd has missed just two games through injury since 2015.
Jack Ziebell (NM) $585,800
2021 average: 107.6
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 13
AAMI Series score: 91
After putting an injury-interrupted 2020 behind him, Ziebell was one of the KFC SuperCoach stories of last year. He started the season as a $258k forward after spending plenty of time there in the previous two years. But by May, he was the hottest player in the game, topping out at $599k after averaging 122 points in the opening eight rounds, all on the back of a switch to a very KFC SuperCoach-friendly, loose-man role in defence. Of all defenders this year, only Lloyd averaged more points per game. There’s no value in his price compared to last year – although four scores of 100 or less in his final five matches helps – but is there a better KFC SuperCoach role, one which saw him take more kick-ins than any other player, in the game than Ziebell’s?
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:It’s hard to say yes to that question – especially with Aaron Hall missing – and it’s why you have to forget his mid-price tag of last year. Ziebell is a likely top-six scorer and is worth considering as a point-of-difference to start.
Tom Stewart (Geelong) $585,700
2021 average: 107.6
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 9
AAMI Series score: Dnp
Another proven, reliable scorer who is in less than 20 per cent of KFC SuperCoach teams. Before the season-ending injury last year, Stewart posted six KFC SuperCoach tons on the trot, and nine in his final 10 game of the year. And apart from a rare off day like the one against the Lions in Round 15, Stewart’s floor is high. The All-Australian defender has scored 84 points or more in 48 of his past 56 matches and is coming off a career-best season for disposals, KFC SuperCoach points and marks – a stat he lead the competition for. Highlighting a terrific mix of offence and defence, Stewart is the only player in the competition to average at least 20 disposals and seven intercept possessions – he averaged 24 and 7.8
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:Stewart’s consistency and improvement last year are what makes him another great starting selection. But it also means he’s unlikely to sky rocket in price and be out of reach, come upgrade time. And the Cats only play at GMHBA twice in the opening nine rounds.
Daniel Rich (Bris) $582,700
2021 average: 107
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 7
AAMI Series score: 81
The new kick-in rule saw the damaging left-footer post career-best numbers in 2021. Rich averaged 26 disposals – up nine on the previous season – 21 kicks and 107 KFC SuperCoach points, the first three-figure average of his career. In the first 12 years at AFL level Rich’s previous bests were 22.5 disposals, 18 kicks and 97 points in 2019. So can he maintain it? Rich took 60 per cent (135) of Brisbane’s kick-ins and played on with 132 of them. The only other Lion trusted to restart play on a regular basis was Grant Birchall, who took 72 – but he’s retired.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:His kick-in numbers could go up again but is that enough to forget the 11 season averages of 91 or less? Still not sure, so I won’t be going there with the other premium options around.
Aaron Hall (NM) $572,900
2021 average: 105
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 19
AAMI Series score: Dnp
A move to half-back with his skipper Ziebell brought the best out of the skilful playmaker, who had been inconsistent and unreliable previously. And it was some year. If you take out the injury-affected scores of 6 and 37 in the opening month, Hall averaged 114.5 KFC SuperCoach points per game – a figure that would’ve ranked him 15th in the competition, ahead of midfield stars Darcy Parish, Cam Guthrie, Ollie Wines and Christian Petracca. Hall was the No. 1 metres-gained player in the competition last year and, as a defender, rated elite for kicks, marks, score involvements, rebound 50s and only Lloyd won more of the ball. Given those injury-affected scores, there’s more value in his price than those above him, but can we confidently trust Aaron Hall, who has let us down before?
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:We need to be able to trust our premiums this year, with Covid sure to interrupt our great game in some way, so I’ve been hesitant. But I said that for a month last year as I watched Hall dominate every week. I eventually jumped on and he didn’t let me down. And not many can score as big. All of that is still true but he did a hamstring in the practice match, making one decision for us.
Jack Crisp (Coll) $571,000
2021 average: 104.9
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 0
AAMI Series score: 111
Look at that number. Crisp hasn’t missed a game in his seven seasons at Collingwood – he’s a premium we can trust with confidence. He’s also coming off a career-best year scoring wise, after pushing up through the midfield at times. Crisp averaged 110 points from Round 8 onwards and a huge 31 disposals, 10 contested possessions, nine intercepts, four clearances and 128 in the final four home-and-away matches to highlight his effectiveness in a dual role. Only Lloyd and Hall won more of the footy – and only just – but, crucially, Crisp had them covered for contested possessions, tackles and pressure acts.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:One of my first picked this after listening to the SuperCoach Hipster. He’s durable and there looks to be value in his price, too. And the midfield stints are set to continue in 2022, as the warm-up games proved.
Jordan Dawson (Adel) $550,300
2021 average: 101.1
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 11
AAMI Series score: Dnp
The new Crow averaged 114 in his final nine matches as a Swan – 13 points above this year’s starting price – as he thrived on a wing in a big finish to last season. The Crows are expected to use him in a similar way as they look to use his kicking inside 50. But there’s even been talk of the 192cm Dawson playing on the inside, too, just like he did in the NEAFL when he averaged 28 disposals, five clearances, 2.5 goals and 135 points per game before he got his chance in the senior side. “I can’t see him playing down back, his weapon, his kick, is unbelievable and his vision is so good and the way he reads games with ball in hand is second to none at the club,” teammate Tom Doedee said in January.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:Most will know he’s a long-time favourite of The Phantom’s and he’s been in all summer...until now. Dawson is battling a calf injury and had still not resumed full training on March 8, so I’ll have to look elsewhere for now.
Dyson Heppell (Ess) $541,000
2021 average: 99.4
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 23
AAMI Series score: 52
It was a welcome return for the Bombers skipper, who quietly added $200k to his starting price tag, after scoring 80 or more in every match, with nine KFC SuperCoach tons, last year. After a battle with injury, the role across half-back worked for everyone in 2021 – and it should be a similar story this season. Heppell passed the 100-point mark in six of his final nine home-and-away matches and had 21 disposals or more in each of his 18 games. All going well on the injury front, Heppell might not let you down, but can you be sure he’s a top six or eight defender this year? Those are the guys you start with.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:I’m not sure he is.
Luke Ryan (Freo) $540,300
2021 average: 99.3
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 12
AAMI Series score: 111
Like Rich, the new kick-in rule resulted in a boost in numbers for Ryan last year. He restarted play 65 per cent of the time for the Dockers, playing on with 91 of his 128 kick-ins. Ryan recorded career-highs for total disposals, kicks, kicking efficiency and rebound-50s. But given considerably less of his possession was won directly off the opposition than in the previous two seasons, the 25-year-old dropped eight points off his KFC SuperCoach average. Hayden Young, Griffin Logue, Ethan Hughes and Nathan Wilson all recorded a slight bump in intercept possessions, while the returning Alex Pearce also averaged 4.7 per game. With Young a chance to take his game to another level, after a strong finish to 2021, and the addition of Jordan Clark, will Ryan be able to maintain his career-best disposal numbers?
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:A proven scorer, who only scored below 80 twice in 19 games last year. Those questions marks make his price a difficult one, but he took four kick-ins and tallied 24 disposals and an equal-game-high 13 marks against the Eagles. Better options, though, I think.
Jordan Ridley (Ess) $537,100
2021 average: 98.7
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 12
AAMI Series score: 99
Jake Kelly has lost only 35 of his 193 one-on-one contests since 2018 – the second-best number of any player over the past four seasons. Aren’t we talking about Jordan Ridley, Phantom? Yes. Kelly’s addition to Essendon’s back-six, along with the emergence of Zach Reid, should free up Ridley to play the more attacking, KFC SuperCoach-friendly role he played early last season. In the first four rounds of 2021, Ridley averaged 29 disposals, 11 rebound 50s, 7 intercepts, 603 metres gained and 133 KFC SuperCoach points. He was concussed early in Round 5, and averaged 92 points from the rest of the season after returning in Round 7. Ridley played a lock-down role numerous times in the back-half of the year, and failed to record double-digit rebound-50s again after doing so three times in the opening four matches. Ridley recorded 500 metres gained or more just four times after returning from concussion.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict:Ridley played with more freedom in both pre-season matches, confirming the belief Kelly’s inclusion will help with his role. Still might not return to the kick-in numbers of the opening month of 2021, but he’s still set for a spike. In for me.
THE VALUE
Jayden Short (Rich) $535,200
2021 average: 98.3
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 10
AAMI Series score: 138
Bachar Houli retiring is good news for Short’s KFC SuperCoach stocks. In the 12 games Short played alongside the Tigers veteran in 2021, he averaged 93 points per game. When Short was the main attacking avenue out of defence with Houli on the sidelines, he averaged 105. The running playmaker played on with 94 of his 115 kick-ins in 2021, and without Houli, that figure should increase this season. His total disposal and kick numbers, which were career-highs in 2021, could also do the same.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: There’s value here, and after he recorded AAMI Series highs for kicks (26) and kick-ins (9), on his way to 138 KFC SuperCoach points, maybe he does have the ceiling to match it with the big guns.
Lachie Whitfield (GWS) $502,600
2021 average: 92.3
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 14
AAMI Series score: 96
Whitfield’s average looks better if you take out the injury-affected Round 17 score – 97 – especially given his pre-season and first half of the year was wiped out by a lacerated spleen. Sure, you can’t always overlook injury-affected scores for a player who is often injured. But at his best, he’s an elite KFC SuperCoach scorer, as highlighted by averages of 104 and 111 in the previous two seasons.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: He’s been in and out of my side so far this summer. But, in a season when durability is even more important, are there better options? I’ve decided the answer is probably no, not with his scoring power, anyway. Plus, the extra trades make it easier.
SMOKY
Nic Newman (Carl) $477,100
2021 average: 87.6
Games missed through injury in past 5 seasons: 23
AAMI Series score: 114
Like Whitfield, Newman, too, had the first half of his season ruined by injury. But he averaged a solid 88 points per game on return. Sure, 88 is nowhere near the top-eight, but he posted two big KFC SuperCoach tons – 126 and 128 - in his final three matches to remind everyone of his scoring power.
Phantom’s Post-AAMI Series Verdict: Things could change with the return of Sam Docherty, but he was very good, in a very good role, against the Demons. But I’ll probably only go there in the draft format.
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