Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English’s 204-point performance ranks in KFC SuperCoach’s 20-best scores of all-time
After Friday’s night’s KFC SuperCoach double ton, young Bulldogs ruckman Tim English now sits in elite company. His score ranks as the 19th-best score of all-time. See all the stats and the rest of the top 20
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Many were quick to label Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English the next Dean Cox early in his career and Friday night’s KFC SuperCoach double-ton showed why the comparison is a good one.
The 22-year-old, whose skill and class for a ruckman is similar to that of Cox in his prime, was in career-best form heading into the clash with the Bombers, averaging 19 disposals, eight contested possessions, six marks and 124 KFC SuperCoach since Round 2.
But he reached new heights in the dominant dispay against former Blue Andrew Phillips.
English’s 204-point performance in his 36th AFL game, on the back of 22 disposals, 17 contested possessions, eight score involvments, six clearances and four contested marks, was the first score of 200 or more for the year
And it almost equalled the West Coast champion’s career-best tally of 215.
In fact, English’s Round 7 score sits inside the top 20 of all-time, replacing teammate Josh Dunkley’s huge performance in Round 17 last year.
Massive game from Tim English tonight:
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) July 17, 2020
22 disposals
17 contested possessions
4 contested marks
4 tackles
203 #SuperCoach
115 #AFLFantasy points#AFLDonsDogs
It won’t come as any shock to seasoned KFC SuperCoaches to see Gary Ablett holds the record for the highest score of all-time, though.
The little master has been the dominant player in Australia’s favourite fantasy game throughout his career, amassing four of the top-20 scores recorded.
But while the names Ablett, Dangerfield and Franklin would be expected to feature in the top-20, how about Corey Jones, Lindsay Thomas and Mark Le Cras?
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Forwards are notoriously volatile SuperCoach scorers and Jones (career-best average 88.1), Le Cras (93.7) and Thomas (74.1) rarely threatened to become premiums.
However, the one monster performance of each of their careers puts them in illustrious company.
These are the top-20 scores in KFC SuperCoach history, including four Ablett masterclasses.
1. Gary Ablett Round 5, 2008 — 251 points
Only one player has gone within 20 points of Ablett’s KFC SuperCoach record since it was set 12 years ago. Five games into the 2008 season, the Geelong champion had 35 disposals, six marks, five tackles and booted three goals as the Cats stormed home to claim a 42-point win over Sydney. Ablett also had nine clearances and 20 of his possessions were contested.
They said it: “If the umpires don’t all give him three (votes) they all should be sacked. He was awesome.” — then Cats coach Mark Thompson.
2. Lance Franklin Round 10, 2012 — 232 points
Thirteen! Anthony Hudson’s famous call of Lance Franklin’s record haul at York Park has gone down in footy folklore. Buddy had 23 disposals, 13 marks and bagged 13.4, 23 points more than the Hawks’ opponent North Melbourne managed. Hawthorn romped to a 115-point demolition thanks to Franklin’s heroics.
They said it: “It was one of the best individual displays I’ve seen in my time in footy. We haven’t seen a goalkicking effort like that since the glory days of the full-forwards of (Jason) Dunstall, (Gary) Ablett and (Tony) Lockett.” — then North Mebourne coach Brad Scott.
Lance Franklin 13.4 (82) def North Melbourne 9.5 (59). #aflhawksnorth
— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) June 2, 2012
3. Patrick Dangerfield Round 12, 2016 — 229 points
Another standout individual display against the Roos. Dangerfield inspired Geelong to a 31-point triumph with 48 disposals, two goals and 13 clearances. The Brownlow medallist had 23 contested disposals and 11 inside-50s in an individual masterclass.
They said it: “The numbers aren’t as important to us as maybe some but the thing from the coaches’ box, we even commented a few times — some of the stuff in the contest, seemingly the ball was just going to him.” — Chris Scott
Dangerfield equals the most ever disposals by a Geelong player with 48! #AFLCatsNorth
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) June 11, 2016
Patrick Dangerfield ... unbelievable! Starts play at half back, gut runs into the 50, marks + goals #AFLCatsNorth pic.twitter.com/Mfbvta5TqO
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) June 11, 2016
4. Adam Goodes Round 19, 2009 — 225 points
One of the great games in one of the AFL’s great careers. Goodes would have gone close to Ablett’s record of 251 KFC SuperCoach points had he registered seven goals instead of 4.3 from 25 possessions. He also had six tackles and 12 marks in a 55-point win for the Swans. The match marked Michael O’Loughlin’s 300th game for Sydney.
They said it: ‘‘We were never going to lose today. It’s just one of those days we knew we weren’t going to lose and knew what we had to do.’’ — Adam Goodes
5. Joel Bowden Round 13, 2008 — 222 points
Richmond won an epic at Football Park in Round 13, 2008, with Bowden instrumental in defence. Only two players — Greg Parke and Brian Lake (24) — have reeled in more marks than Bowden’s 23 in the Tigers’ four-point victory over the Power. The left-footer had 39 possessions and six rebound-50s to help Richmond hold off a fast-finishing Port Adelaide.
They said it: “This week he got a free licence and he played a superb game. He looked after Brett Ebert and also the big men when they went forward, but he also ran loose and was creative.’’ — then Richmond coach Terry Wallace.
@8siwel8 @championdata Brian Lake with 24 and Joel Bowden had 23.
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) April 5, 2015
6. Todd Goldstein Round 16, 2015 — 221 points
Ask anyone which player boasts the best KFC SuperCoach score by a ruckman and they would likely land on Brodie Grundy or Max Gawn. However, North Melbourne big man Goldstein holds the No. 1 mantle. Goldstein monstered stand-in Bombers ruckman Shaun McKernan, recording 56 hit outs, 27 disposals and taking eight marks. It’s little wonder he was awarded the three Brownlow Medal votes.
They said it: “(It is) really hard to say in terms of the Brownlow … (but) I think he would be right up there with a couple of others, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the umpires thought the same.” — then Roos coach Brad Scott.
Goldstein 27 disp at 93%, 8 marks,8 clearances, 20 hit outs to advantage, 7 frees-for against a hapless McKernan. Biggest game of the year
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) July 17, 2015
7. Jack Riewoldt Round 21, 2018 — 219 points
Riewoldt bottomed out at a bargain KFC SuperCoach price of $324,100 in Round 14, 2018. In the last nine rounds the Tigers spearhead averaged 114 points, including his monster 219 against Gold Coast. Riewoldt had 23 kicks, 14 marks and finished with 10.6, booting more than half of the Tigers’ 19 majors in a 74-point win over the Suns.
They said it: “I look at him and his value, he has improved his game in a different way again which for me is the measure of a player who has gone from good to great.’’ — Richmond coach Damien Hardwick.
8. Dean Cox Round 15, 2012 — 215 points
The stats don’t immediately spring off the page — 21 disposals and 24 hit outs. But Cox also kicked three goals and reeled in 15 marks in a game where he went toe-to-toe with Todd Goldstein. The Eagles came from 15 points down at three-quarter-time to triumph by two points in a thriller, largely thanks to Cox’s influence in the middle.
They said it: ‘‘(He took) two really big marks, one at centre halfback and one to kick a late goal. One guy doesn’t win you a game of football, but I thought he played like the champion he is and stood up in the last quarter.’’ — Cox’s teammate Daniel Kerr.
9. Max Gawn Round 23, 2019 — 212 points
The greatest performance of KFC SuperCoach Grand Final week. Gawn went into his Round 23 clash with Todd Goldstein last season with scores of 99 and 119 in the previous two weeks. Meanwhile, the Roos ruckman amassed 176 points in Round 22 against Port Adelaide. With 26 possessions and 41 hit outs, Gawn outgunned Goldstein in the last-round battle of two of the best SuperCoach big men of all time.
They said it: “It’s a great thing for our footy club to have someone like Max who can pick up the boys who are coming through and lead them in the right way and demand the behaviours needed to take this club forward again.” — Demons coach Simon Goodwin.
10. Gary Ablett Round 6, 2017 — 210 points
The second of the little master’s four games in the KFC SuperCoach top 20. Ablett had 45 disposals, 18 clearances and laid nine tackles in one of his best games for Gold Coast, finishing with 210 KFC SuperCoach points despite the Suns falling by 13 points to North Melbourne. Ablett’s 27 contested possessions ranks equal-fourth overall behind record holder Ben Cunnington (32).
They said it: “He was terrific, Gary. His game was fantastic. I thought he worked extremely hard. He was criticised in Round 2 for workrate and defensive running, but I thought he was terrific in that. His willingness to work and lead from the front was great.” – Ex-Suns coach Rodney Eade.
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THE NEXT BEST
11. Mark LeCras Round 16, 2010 — 210 points
Le Cras kicked 12 of West Coast’s 20 goals against Essendon.
12. Bryce Gibbs Round 13, 2017 — 208 points
In one of his last games for Carlton, Gibbs had 43 possessions against Gold Coast.
13. Lindsay Thomas Round 12, 2010 — 208 points
Thomas ran amok against the Blues on a Friday night, booting 7.5 from 20 disposals.
14. Gary Ablett Round 13, 2009 — 207 points
Geelong dominated from the first term against Port Adelaide with Ablett at the forefront, kicking 2.3 from 36 possessions.
15. Stephen Coniglio Round 11, 2019 — 207 points
Eight tackles, three goals and 36 possessions for the current GWS skipper against Gold Coast.
16. Josh Kelly Round 20, 2018 — 207 points
In a game where GWS played with 16 players during the last quarter, Kelly had 41 possessions and 10 clearances.
17. Gary Ablett Round 8, 2011 — 204 points
Yep, Ablett again. The greatest player in KFC SuperCoach history was at it again midway through 2011 when he had 41 possessions and kicked four majors against Adelaide and his future teammate Patrick Dangerfield.
18. Corey Jones Round 2, 2008 — 204 points
Jones would only average 78.5 SuperCoach points in 2008, with the highlight of his North Melbourne career a seven-goal outing against Richmond.
19. Tom Rockliff Round 11, 2016 — 204 points
He’s known as a fantasy ‘pig’ and the best score of Rockliff’s career was when he recorded 48 possessions and had 13 clearances for Brisbane Lions against Carlton.
20. Tim English Round 7, 2020 - 204 points
The young big man had 22 disposals, 17 contested possessions, eight score involvments and four contested marks in a statement game against the Bombers.
20. Josh Dunkley Round 17, 2019 — 202 points
The Western Bulldogs on-baller announced himself as a KFC SuperCoach premium in the second half of 2019 and his highest score was 202 — from 39 disposals and 15 tackles — against Melbourne.
Originally published as Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English’s 204-point performance ranks in KFC SuperCoach’s 20-best scores of all-time