KFC SuperCoach Top 40: Gilbert Gardiner lists Todd Goldstein ahead of $1.4 million ruck duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy

Gilbert Gardiner’s KFC SuperCoach love for North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein is well-known. But rating the Roos big man ahead of Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn in his annual top-40? Surely not …

Nobody could argue with pick No.1.

As for the next 39, form an orderly queue, please.

My KFC SuperCoach Top 40 is based on what should be the backbone for every fantasy football decision — price, potential and consistency.

Richmond premiership star Marlion Pickett ticks every box. If you’re serious about SuperCoach, he has to be in your side.

What a luxury it is having a player the calibre of Pickett in the $123,900 bargain bin.

DID GILBERT GET IT RIGHT? TELL US BELOW

Dylan Roberton and Devon Smith were no-brainers at picks 2 and 3, while Matthew Rowell will get every chance to shine on the Glitter Strip.

There was some liberties taken among the top 10 — let’s call them wildcards — with Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, John Noble and Jarrod Brander primed to be plump 2020 cash cows.

Dylan Roberton leads a St Kilda running drill during pre-season. Picture: Michael Klein.

GILBERT GARDINER’S TOP 40 SUPERCOACH GEMS

1. Marlion Pickett (Rich) $123,900 MID

Should be first picked in every SuperCoach team. Pickett has the highest ceiling of any player in the competition, the perfect combination of silky skills and job security.

2. Dylan Roberton (StK) $260,400 DEF

Will score like a $500,000+ defender and had it not been for the well-documented health scares Roberton would be priced accordingly.

3. Devon Smith (Ess) $335,800 FWD/MID

Rarely sets the world on fire but sits around the 85-100 mark each week.

4. Matthew Rowell (GC) $207,300 MID

Some erred on Sam Walsh last year and paid dearly for it. Will be harder for Rowell, who operates at the coal face unlike Walsh, but the emerging Sun should get every chance.

5. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Ess) $189,000 DEF

Third-year Bomber is ready to blossom in 2020 after a standout pre-season. Maps to more than double in price by the byes.

GWS academy star Tom Green is destined to feature early after Tim Taranto’s injury. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Tom Green getting to pick 10 proving a godsend for #KFCSuperCoach.

🔒 him in. #MarshSeries

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) March 8, 2020

6. Tom Green (GWS) $166,800 MID

Tough team to break into the Giants but Green has all the hallmarks of 2020 Cash Cow of the Year. Got all the tools and body shape to impact straight away.

7. Sam Docherty (Carl) $436,100 DEF

On price and potential would be close to No. 1 had it not been for Docherty’s back-to-back knee reconstructions.

John Noble looks set for a prominent role across halfback for Collingwood.

8. John Noble (Coll) $215,400 DEF

More upside than not for the unheralded Magpie, who looks to have cemented a spot in the back six.

9. Jarrod Brander (WC) $133,000 DEF/FWD

If he played at Collingwood or Carlton would be on every SuperCoach shopping list. The 196cm forward-turned-wingman is undoubtedly a breakout contender.

10. Jack Steven (Geel) $361,700 FWD/MID

Similar boat to Docherty, the upside is huge but we need to see it on the field first.

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11. Max King (StK) $123,900 FWD

Steer clear of the genuine key forwards and especially young ones but the way King has marked the footy in the pre-season just screams pick me!

GWS’ new skipper Stephen Coniglio is a ‘perfect KFC SuperCoach poster boy’. Picture: Richard Dobson.

12. Stephen Coniglio (GWS) $549,500 MID

Has a knack of picking up an injury or two, but otherwise the perfect KFC SuperCoach poster boy – gets a heap of the footy and kicks goals.

13. Dustin Martin (Rich) $534,000 FWD/MID

How could you not pick him?

14. Tim Kelly (WC) $561,800 MID

Got all the tricks and now gets the chance to play at the feet of a superstar ruckman. Top-five SuperCoach scorer by seasons’ end?

15. Jack Mahony (NM) $117,300 MID/FWD

A playing cash cow is a good cash cow and small pressure forward Mahony ticks both boxes.

Lachie Neale exploded as one of SuperCoach’s premier midfielders last season.

16. Lachie Neale (Bris) $658,500 MID

Not the most exciting nor talented midfielder going around but what Neale lacks in bells and whistles the 26 year-old makes up for in consistency.

17. Jake Lloyd (Syd) $591,400 DEF

No ifs, buts or maybes, the Swans rebounder should be your set and forget D1.

18. Lachie Whitfield (GWS) $604,100 FWD/MID

Pricey yes, but Whitfield stays fit could be a top-3 scorer.

19. Hugh McCluggage (Bris) $510,700 MID

Dare to be different? Emerging Lions screams POD (point of difference) midfielder.

20. Marcus Bontempelli (WB) $623,000 MID

The scariest thing is “The Bont” is only just about to enter his prime. Get on.

Michael Walters is one of this year’s best forward options in KFC SuperCoach.

21. Josh Dunkley (WB) $632,400 MID

The real deal. Showed us that last season and ready to take the next step.

22. Michael Walters (Frem) $547,200 FWD/MID

Good things come in small packages.

Rising Star winner Sam Walsh will be a key player for Carlton in his second season.

23. Sam Walsh (Carl) $471,900 MID

Rose with a rocket last year, will find it harder but oozes class.

24. Todd Goldstein (NM) $609,400 RUC

Consistency and durability, two of the most important words in SuperCoach.

25. Patrick Cripps (Carl) $635,900 MID

Beast. Priced accordingly but can’t go wrong.

26. Josh Kelly (GWS) $637,700 MID

As long as the body is right, Kelly can be a top-five scorer.

27. Caleb Daniel (WB) $537,900 DEF

The gap between his best and worst matches is negligible. A must-have.

Gilbert Gardiner is happy to pay up to have Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett in his KFC SuperCoach team.

28. Kysaiah Kropinyeri-Pickett (Melb) $157,800 FWD

Hard-nosed small forward is exactly what the Dees need.

29. Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) $625,500 MID

Future SuperCoach Hall of Famer. Not many capable of scoring 200 — Danger can.

30. Clayton Oliver (Melb) $593,900 MID

Raging bull winged last year by injury. Take on trust, but can bounce back.

31. Jack Macrae (WB) $668,900 MID

How will Dunkley and The Bont impact on Macrae’s output?

32. Nat Fyfe (Frem) $651,600 MID

Genuine superstar worth serious consideration but has had a knack of missing the odd game.

Rory Laird is part of an even crop of KFC SuperCoach premium defenders in 2020.

33. Rory Laird (Adel) $525,800 DEF

Hard to have any of the top flight defenders with any confidence. Even bunch.

34. Alex Keath (WB) $413,000 DEF

Intercept specialist could find another level at the Kennel.

35. Max Gawn (Melb) $697,100 RUC

Price and pre-season knee setback the only thing holding Gawn back. Watch and act.

36. Brodie Grundy (Coll) $705,900 RUC

The best ruckman in the game. Set and forget.

Brisbane draftee Deven Robertson is pushing for a Round 1 debut. Photo: Steve Pohlner

37. Deven Robertson (Bris) $117,300 MID

Showed promise in his first pre-season, watch team sheets closely.

38. Noah Anderson (GC) $202,800 MID

Big wraps and one for the future.

39. Will Gould (Syd) $117,000 DEF

Missed the Swans’ last pre-season hitout. Worrying.

40. Izak Rankine (GC) $123,900 FWD

Recent injury setback the only concern, if fit and firing could be anything.

MORE SUPERCOACH:

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Jonathan Brown reveals his top rookie picks for KFC SuperCoach 2020

Every KFC SuperCoach score from the 2020 Marsh Community Series

Champion Data’s KFC SuperCoach expert Fantasy Freako reveals his 2020 team

KFC SuperCoach Rookie Bible: Every potential cash cow for season 2020

Experts rank the top KFC SuperCoach midfield premiums in 2020

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Top 40: Gilbert Gardiner lists Todd Goldstein ahead of $1.4 million ruck duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy