KFC SuperCoach 2023: Secret AFL recruiter’s take on the rookies to pick and avoid
There is a bumper crop of KFC SuperCoach rookies, but you need to choose the right ones. A recruiter who has been inside the AFL system has named his top picks.
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Introducing KFC SuperCoach’s Secret Recruiter – a trusted voice in the AFL industry, who has been front-and-centre rating and managing the draftees over a number of years.
The pre-season and practice game period typically elicit a strong sense of excitement and anticipation among all clubs supporters.
They get their first real glimpse of their teams new players, and project which of these players will have an impact in the coming season.
While it is an exciting time, the reality is that only a chosen handful of draftees, typically the early picks or mature-age players, will be selected in the early rounds of the AFL season.
The step up from playing in a boys competition, to competing against hardened men in an elite competition is well understood by coaches, but often not by a club’s supporters.
So what should you look for when scouring KFC SuperCoach lists for a cheap rookie to score you a few points and impress your mates in a real ‘moneyball’ selection?
KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
What position does the rookie play?
It is much easier for a 19-year-old midfielder/wingman to impact early in their first year than it is for a 19-year-old ruckman. The ruck is a combative, physical position where a player’s weight and physical strength are critical. These attributes can only be developed over time, which is why most ruckman don’t make a significant contribution at AFL level until their early-to-mid 20s and don’t peak as a player until their late 20s. A running midfielder can play outside the contest and be protected from the coalface of the contest at stoppages and still have an impact for their team. Also, clubs typically only play one or two rucks, but they play number of running players (mids, wings, half forwards and half backs), so the opportunity for midfield types will always be greater than the genuine talls
Where is the club positioned in their list development and premiership window?
If you are Richmond or the Western Bulldogs, you’re not in a development phase. You’ve just gone and topped up your list with senior players at the expense of early draft picks, so opportunities for your recent draftees are going to be harder to come by than at say, Hawthorn or North Melbourne, who appear committed to blooding youth
Who are the rookies competing with for a spot in the team?
If you’re rookie Melbourne ruckman Will Verrall, you’re going to need some luck if you want to get picked ahead of Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy this year!
SECRET RECRUITER’S TOP PICKS FOR 2023
Adelaide – Max Michalanney ($135,300 Def)
The next generation Ben Hart. Composed, nice mover and a smart footballer. The talk is that he may play early in the season, which is great for Crows fans, but for KFC SuperCoach fans, he hasn’t been a high possession player at junior level and I don’t expect this to change in the early stages of his AFL career.
ROOKIE BIBLE: VERDICT, STATS ON EVERY SUPERCOACH CHEAPIE
Brisbane – Will Ashcroft ($202,800 Mid)
Genuine stats pig. Rumour has it that when Ashcroft did the pre-season with Brisbane prior to the 2022 season, Chris Fagan told him that he’d pick him in Round 1 that year! Clean, hard, elite football IQ, loves winning the ball and will play round 1. Put up huge numbers as an under-18 and I expect his ball winning, smarts and competitiveness to be obvious early in his AFL career. 2023’s Nick Daicos. Pick him!
Carlton – Oli Hollands ($162,300 Mid)
While only slightly built, I can see him playing early as he will play outside the contest and complement Patrick Cripps, George Hewett, Matt Kennedy, Adam Cerra etc. Exceptional running capacity, which is critical at AFL level, and will provide him a lot of opportunities to win uncontested possessions and be an outlet from defensive 50. Injury to Sam Walsh will also help his case. Had some big possession games as a junior.
Essendon – Elijah Tsatas ($189,300 Mid)
Pick 4 from last year’s draft put together some huge games for the Oakleigh Chargers in 2022, but will commence the season on the injured list. Not likely to impact at AFL level until the back half of the season, but if he gets going, look out, because he can score heavily.
GWS – Aaron Cadman ($207,300 Fwd)
Number 1 pick in the 2022 Draft. Enormous future and the key-forward that the Giants have been desperate for since Jeremy Cameron left. But don’t pick him early on. As a young key-forward, he will take some time to adjust to AFL football and push past Jesse Hogan & Harry Himmelberg for a senior game. He’s one to watch but I expect he’ll need time in the VFL first.
GWS – Finn Callaghan ($244,000 Mid)
Missed most of 2022 with injury, but looks to have put that behind him and has banked a good summer. If he stays fit through the practice games, put him in your team. Callaghan may just be outside standard rookie pricing but he’s going to be a star and will have some big scoring games for the Giants.
Gold Coast – Bailey Humphrey ($184,800 Mid-Fwd)
Powerful kid who is exactly what Gold Coast need, particularly with the loss of Izak Rankine. Stamped his round 1 credentials with a solid showing in their match sim against Essendon. He’s returning from injury, and played less than half a season in 2022, so be wary. Humphrey is talented and can play both as a genuine goal-kicking forward and a mid-forward, so he’s capable of becoming a big point-scorer when in the team and fully fit.
Gold Coast – Ned Moyle ($123,900 Ruck)
Not much in the way of genuine ruckmen behind Jarrod Witts at the Suns, and Moyle is just about ready to go. Mid-season Draftee in 2021, his improvement in the second half of last year was significant. If Witts is injured, Moyle will play. Keep him close by
Geelong – Jhye Clark ($175,800 Mid)
Not sure whether he gets a game early, as he has an all star cast to push past, but if he does, lock him in for 18+ possessions and 7+ tackles per game. A warrior who I’m sure the Cats faithful would love to see early in the season.
Hawthorn – Fergus Greene ($123, 900 Fwd)
The Hawks moved quickly at the end of last year to sign 25-year-old Greene as a de-listed free agent after he impressed with 53 goals in 2022 with their VFL affiliate Box Hill. With Jack Gunston gone, Greene looms as a ready made replacement and, by all reports, has impressed over summer and looks likely to play early this season.
Hawthorn – Cam Mackenzie ($180,300 Mid)
All class and a genuine ball winner. He’s a Sam Mitchell type, so I expect he’ll play early and play in the midfield, which will lend itself to some good KFC SuperCoach point tallies for a rookie.
North Melbourne – Harry Sheezel ($198,300 Fwd)
While still only a kid, I expect North will play him early, due to his enormous talent. A natural forward with an ability to play in the midfield, the fact that he’s also been used at half-back in trial games is a real potential points ‘bonus’. Beautiful ball user and decision maker. Get him in your KFC SuperCoach side!
North Melbourne – George Wardlaw ($193,800 Mid)
North will be patient with him, given his significant injury history, so don’t expect him to play early. Give him a wide berth until he banks 2-3 weeks in the VFL then consider him for selection. If he stays fit, he’ll be a star. A pocket-sized Clayton Oliver.
North Melbourne – Charlie Comben ($123,900 Fwd)
A fourth-year key-forward, Comben has had a horrid run with injury, but has put together his best pre-season yet and may finally get a clean run at it in 2023. Great size and competitor, he takes an excellent contested mark and, with Nick Larkey, Callum Coleman Jones/Todd Goldstein and Cam Zurhaar alongside him, he will be likely to get the opposition’s third or fourth tall defender. If he plays well again in the second practice game, he should be seriously considered a cheap forward in KFC SuperCoach.
North – Will Phillips ($158,300 Mid)
Pick 3 in the 2020 draft, who showed some positive signs in first year, but had his 2022 ruined by injury and illness. Phillips has had a good summer and impressed in the first practice match, but I don’t see him as a lock for round 1. He’s a small inside midfielder, and obviously well behind Luke Davies-Uniacke & Jy Simpkin in that role, so it will depend on what they want their midfield to look like as to whether he gets picked. Phillips could be a beneficiary of the Horne-Francis trade, as if he was still at the club, I couldn’t see Phillips getting a game. Hold off – I think there are safer bets among the KFC SuperCoach rookie crew.
Port – Josh Sinn ($123,900 Mid-Fwd)
Port will be hoping that this kid gets going in 2023. They gave up pick 14 and an early second-round pick in 2022 just to get up two spots to take him at pick 12 in 2021. But he failed to fire a shot in his first year. Has had some injury issues for a couple of years now after no footy in 2020 so steer clear until he shows some continuity
St Kilda – Mattaes Phillipou ($166,800 Mid-Fwd)
The type of midfielder the Saints need, so expect them to give him a shot early. Great athlete and has the ability to play as a high-half-forward and wing, as well as a midfielder, which gives him more opportunities to get picked and also to play high game time.
Sydney – Jacob Konstanty ($121,800 Fwd)
All reports out of Sydney are that the kid from Gippsland is pushing for a round 1 spot, which is not out of the question given the role he plays – fast, tenacious small-forward. So, while he is unlikely to bank huge points through lots of possessions, he is a pressure act bandit who can hit the scoreboard. Will need to impress in week two of the practice match series after missing the game on the weekend.
West Coast – Rueben Ginbey ($171,300 Def-Mid)
Versatility, toughness, running power and the West Coast list make the kid from Dunsborough a big chance for a round 1 debut. Will probably start in defence, where he can play on a multitude of opponent types, before moving into the midfield if/when opportunities present.
West Coast – Elijah Hewett ($148,800 Mid)
Played some good WAFL games for Swan Districts last year as an 18 year old, so looks ready to play AFL and has a steely determination not to just make up the numbers. Expect him to play early and be good for 15+ touches and a goal.
West Coast – Noah Long ($117,300 Mid-Fwd)
A new Robbie Gray? Not the archetype modern athlete, but this kid is a genuine footballer. Highly rated by many recruiters, but slid down draft boards before West Coast picked him at 58. Sounds like he may play early, and if he does, he’ll be good for a goal a game and 12+ touches.
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