The predicted top SuperCoach scorer at every club

Which SuperCoach stars will maintain the rage in 2020 and who is set to go to another level? We predict who will lead the way at every club. Plus, your chance to vote on the top scorer for all 18 teams.

Aussie rules is an unpredictable game and KFC SuperCoach is no exception.

Predictions of a player improving on last year’s average or even maintaining it can leave us with egg on our face.

Adelaide ball-magnet Rory Laird was a notable example last season. Scoring more SuperCoach points than any Crow with an average of 108.2 in 2018, the defender fell to a season average of 96.8 in 2019.

On the flip side, who would have predicted then SuperCoach forward Rowan Marshall – who missed out on selection in Round 1- to be St Kilda’s clear top scorer of 2019?

While some clubs require some guesswork, there are sides with clear SuperCoach standouts who top the charts year in, year out.

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Adelaide

Predicted top scorer: Reilly O’Brien ($517.3k, RUCK)

Predicted average: 105

Set to rise: Rory Laird ($525,800, DEF)

Move over Matt Crouch and Rory Sloane, there will be a new SuperCoach king at West Lakes in 2020. We saw Reilly O’Brien burst out of the blocks when the durable Sam Jacobs went down with injury last year and then overtake him as the No. 1 ruckman when he returned. Without Jacobs at the club, more will be expected of O’Brien and he should build on his 95.3 average of last year as a SuperCoach rookie. The scoring potential is definitely there, registering five 110-plus totals in 2019 -including a mammoth 181 point total. Could he be a possible alternative to Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy? Meanwhile, teammate Rory Laird should return to his SuperCoach best after a down year.

Brisbane

Predicted top scorer: Lachie Neale ($658,500, MID)

Predicted average: 115

Set to rise: Hugh McCluggage ($510,700, MID)

Lachie Neale was averaging close to 130 for the first half of the season until opposition sides finally opted to tag the prolific ball-winner. He should receive that extra attention again in 2020, but Neale’s elite tank and work around stoppages will ensure he still leads all comers at the Lions. Young star Hugh McCluggage might not be far behind, along with Dayne Zorko and Jarryd Lyons.

Carlton

Predicted top scorer: Patrick Cripps ($635,900, MID)

Predicted average: 120+

Set to rise: Sam Docherty ($436,100, DEF)

Contested beast Patrick Cripps has been close to 120 season averages in his last two seasons. With a better side around him in 2020, Cripps is every chance to surpass the elusive 120-mark. The Blues won five games in the run home and the clearance specialist produced scores above 150 in two them. It will be Cripps by the length of the Flemington straight in Carlton’s SuperCoach race, with defender Sam Docherty returning to his former SuperCoach glory.

Collingwood

Predicted top scorer: Brodie Grundy ($705,900, RUCK)

Predicted average: 130+

Set to rise: Brayden Sier ($242,700, MID)

Speaking of a one horse race, Brodie Grundy has the highest scorer stakes sewn up at Collingwood. Grundy has been the top scorer of the competition for the past two seasons, finishing with season averages of 130.5 (2018) and 130 (2019). Adam Treloar is another option to consider in the middle with Grundy putting it to him on a platter, while Brayden Sier should increase his SuperCoach average significantly with greater midfield opportunity.

Essendon

Predicted top scorer: Zach Merrett ($573,600, MID)

Predicted average: 105-110

Set to rise: Darcy Parish ($465,400, FWD/MID)

Zach Merrett certainly has a point to prove after being ousted as vice-captain and expect the SuperCoach stud to respond in kind. The Bomber ball-winner has been the major SuperCoach player at the The Hanger since his career-high 111.5 average of 2016. He is unlikely to reach those heights with the Dons’ pre-season injury woes, but he should add to his 2019 season average of 105.6. Otherwise, the Bombers are devoid of SuperCoach relevance, with Dylan Shiel the only real contender for Zach Merrett’s throne, while Darcy Parish is a potential riser.

Fremantle

Predicted top scorer: Nat Fyfe ($651,600, MID)

Predicted average: 120+

Set to rise: Andrew Brayshaw ($382,800, FWD/MID)

Injury has been the only thing stopping dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe from owning the No. 1 SuperCoach title at the Dockers since 2014. Fyfe has finished three seasons with an average of 120 points or more and finished with the eleventh most SuperCoach points last home-and-away season despite missing two games with injury. Michael Walters will take the silver medal for scoring at Fremantle and don’t be surprised if former No. 2 draft pick Andrew Brayshaw finishes in their top-five points scorers.

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Gold Coast

Predicted top scorer: Jarrod Witts ($541,300, RUCK)

Predicted average: 95

Set to rise: Hugh Greenwood ($463,100, FWD/MID)

The Suns have SuperCoach relevant players at the cheaper end of the scale, but Jarrod Witts should end 2020 as their top scorer for the second straight season. The underrated ruckman averaged a touch under 100 points and won more hit-outs than any player in the competition in 2019. But don’t pick him in SuperCoach – he is coming off pre-season foot surgery and is no competition to ruck behemoths Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn. Former Crow Hugh Greenwood is one to watch with FWD/MID eligibility and could be just behind Witts at the Suns.

Geelong

Predicted top scorer: Patrick Dangerfield ($625,500, MID)

Predicted average: 120+

Set to rise: Jack Steven ($361,700, FWD/MID)

Despite losing his forward status in SuperCoach, think twice before leaving Patrick Dangerfield out of your side. Dangerfield shaved six points off his SuperCoach average from 2018 average compared to 2019 but with Tim Kelly gone, expect the superstar to boast a 120-plus average at season’s end with increased midfield time. Gun teammate Mitch Duncan will be somewhere in the top-three while new Cat Jack Steven is likely to show glimpses of his best.

GWS

Predicted top scorer: Lachie Whitfield ($604,100, FWD/MID)

Predicted average: 115

Set to rise: Stephen Coniglio ($549,500, MID)

It will be a tight finish between stars Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield for the highest average, but Kelly hasn’t played a full season since 2016. Whitfield looms as the likely top scorer for that reason, averaging 111.1 points in 2019 – 115 without his injury affected score of 46. Expect him to reach that mark and be the No. 1 forward in SuperCoach. The Giants have an embarrassment of SuperCoach riches with Tim Taranto, Stephen Coniglio also likely to be around the mark.

Hawthorn

Predicted top scorer: Tom Mitchell ($630,900, MID)

Predicted average: 120

Set to rise: James Sicily ($509,500)

Closing in on a Round 1 return, clearance machine Tom Mitchell will be the clear SuperCoach leader at Hawthorn – as he was in his Brownlow winning season of 2018. Expecting Mitchell to repeat those phenomenal numbers – averaging 1291.1 points per game – may be unrealistic, but there is no one who matches Michell’s scoring power at the Hawks. Young gun James Worpel and intercept defender James Sicily will likely battle it out for second place, with the latter looming as one of their best SuperCoach options.

Melbourne

Predicted top scorer: Max Gawn ($697,100, RUCK)

Predicted average: 125

Set to rise: Clayton Oliver ($593,900, MID)

Don’t let that pre-season injury deter you. Max Gawn has said he is on track for Round 1 and he should comfortable sit atop Melbourne’s SuperCoach scorers list. Gawn has scored the second most points of any player over the past two seasons, edging close to a 130 average in both seasons. His pre-season setback may curb his influence somewhat, but not enough to justify going without him. His teammate Clayton Oliver fell below a 110 average for the first time since his debut season, which he should improve on in 2020.

North Melbourne

Predicted top scorer: Todd Goldstein ($609,400, RUCK)

Predicted average: 105

Set to rise: Tarryn Thomas ($339,900, FWD/MID)

Todd Goldstein proved his best form isn’t behind him just yet. Goldstein amassed seven 120-plus scores in his last nine matches averaging a formidable 128.1 points. While he is no spring chicken, the 31-year-old is set to be a top four ruckman and the points leader at the Roos. Coalface specialist Ben Cunnington won’t be far behind, while talented youngster Tarryn Thomas looms as a potential breakout, but he is at an awkward price.

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Port Adelaide

Predicted top scorer: Scott Lycett ($550,600, RUCK)

Predicted average: 105

Set to rise: Dan Houston ($484,400, DEF)

It was a topsy-turvy year for Scott Lycett in 2019, but he still managed to average six points below Power top scorer Travis Boak. Without sharing the ruck duties with Paddy Ryder, Scott Lycett should go to another level, while Boak, who turns 32 this year, may drop off a touch. A midfield move has been mooted for SuperCoach defender Dan Houston, which could catapult him into premium status.

Richmond

Predicted top scorer: Dion Prestia ($550,200, MID)

Predicted average: 105-110

Set to rise: Tom J. Lynch ($388,800, FWD)

Hang on – no Dusty? Dion Prestia’s finish to last season was unheralded in SuperCoach land, averaging an impressive 111.9 points from Round 10. With Trent Cotchin’s prominence likely to be reduced and Dustin Martin being used as a weapon up forward, Dion Prestia should finish 2020 as the Tigers top scorer. Meanwhile, look out for an increased SuperCoach output from a fully fit Tom Lynch.

St Kilda

Predicted top scorer: Sebastian Ross ($530,900, MID)

Predicted average: 100

Set to rise: Jade Gresham ($456,300, FWD/MID)

Ruckman Rowan Marshall was the clear standout last year for the Saints. However with Paddy Ryder expected to share duties with him, it could see Sebastian Ross usurp the young ruckman as top scorer. Ross has delivered modest SuperCoach returns in recent seasons, averaging between 94-101 points each year since 2016. But points are set to be shared around in a new-look Saints side. Others to watch out for are Jade Gresham if he receives greater midfield minutes and Jack Steele if he is no longer tagging.

Sydney

Predicted top scorer: Jake Lloyd ($591,400, DEF)

Predicted average: 105+

Set to rise: Jordan Dawson ($467,800, DEF/FWD)

Jake Lloyd has been the comfortable SuperCoach leader the past two seasons and he is the favourite to do it again in 2020. Sydney love to get the ball in his hands out of defence and he generally adds a handy 10-15 points to his total each game playing on from kick-ins. Midfield bulls Josh P. Kennedy and Luke Parker still have plenty of fight left in them but are unlikely to reach the heights that Lloyd can. Youngster Jordan Dawson, who will partner Jake Lloyd in defence, is another option with upside.

Western Bulldogs

Predicted top scorer: Jack Macrae ($668,900, MID)

Predicted average: 120+

Set to rise: Patrick Lipinski ($441,500, FWD/MID)

SuperCoach gun Jack Macrae will be competing for points again with both Josh Dunkley and Marcus Bontempelli, but expect the ever-reliable midfielder to come out on top. Macrae was by far the best Bulldog in 2018, averaging 127.1 points per game, but was challenged by his two prolific teammates last season. Picking two of the three Bulldogs seems risky but the ball-winning trio finished all finished in the top six points scorers last season.

West Coast

Predicted top scorer: Andrew Gaff ($583,200, MID)

Predicted average: 110

Set to rise: Nic Naitanui ($457,800 RUCK)

As the likes of Elliot Yeo and Luke Shuey receive the plaudits, consistent wingman Andrew Gaff goes about his business in the background. Gaff had 27 disposals or more in every game last season, averaging 107.2 points per game in 2019. He should benefit from Tim Kelly’s arrival with another class midfielder dishing it to him on the outside. Yeo and Kelly will challenge him for their top scorer, along with Nic Naitanui if he can stay on the park.

Originally published as The predicted top SuperCoach scorer at every club