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

Which guns should we pick in KFC SuperCoach? Who are the cheapies we can trust? Champion Data’s SuperCoach expert Fantasy Freako reveals his 2020 squad, including a shock in the forward line.

With the Marsh Community Series now behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to the all-important home-and-away rounds.

It wouldn’t be a pre-season without bandwagon players and this year the likes of Dan Houston and Christian Petracca have made plenty of headlines. Both players have moved into permanent midfield roles, but from a KFC SuperCoach point of view, will they boom or be a bust? Only time will tell.

Looking at my team ahead of Round 1, finding basement price rookies with good job security has been difficult and, as a result, I’ve had to spend a bit more in that department. From a structure point of view, though, I have opted for the traditional guns and rookies approach, but with a little twist. The one caveat is that there’s always room for change, and that will all depend on Round 1 teams.

DEFENDERS

Structure: One premium, one under-priced, four high-end rookies and two rookies.

Jake Lloyd is always one of my first players picked in SuperCoach. Across the past three seasons, no player in the AFL has won more uncontested possessions in the defensive half than Lloyd, while he also ranks No.1 in playing on from kick-ins. Even though Jordan Dawson looks likely to play in defence at the Swans this year, I’m more than happy to pay top dollar for Lloyd.

After a solid hitout in the opening game in the Marsh Community Series, Sam Docherty showed signs of his scoring potential against the Lions last weekend, heading into halftime as the top-ranked player on the ground with 70 points. He was a lot quieter in the second half, but he still topped 100 points. He’s too cheap not to start with.

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Sam Docherty is resuming after missing two seasons with knee injuries. Picture: Michael Klein

Likewise, Dylan Roberton stands out from a value point of view. He got through unscathed against the Magpies, finishing with 16 disposals, 17 uncontested possessions and 60 points from 82 per cent game time. With kick-in duties in his locker, his selection is obvious.

This is where things change. With a genuine shortage of rookie options in defence, I’ve decided to spend big and as a result, John Noble, Lachie Ash and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher are all in my team – despite the trio each costing in excess of $180,000. Zerk-Thatcher has been a revelation for the Bombers, ranking No.1 in the competition for intercepts across the pre-season. He’s a near certainty to play in Round 1.

Will Gould and Jarrod Brander round out my bench.

Total intercepts across #MarshSeries:

1. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher - 21
2. Michael Hurley - 20
3. Liam Jones - 19
4. Alex Keath - 19
5. Jake Lever - 18#SuperCoach #AFLFantasy

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) March 9, 2020

MIDFIELDERS

Structure: Four premiums, one under-priced and six rookies.

There was a temptation to load up and go big in the midfield with five premiums, but I’ve had to shelve that plan as a way to accommodate the more expensive rookies. At this stage, I have only four premiums.

The midfield still boasts three of the top-five scorers from 2019, led by Lachie Neale. After missing out on Neale’s massive hauls in the first half of 2019, I’m not making the same mistake again. He gets the nod over Nat Fyfe based on durability alone, as Neale has missed just one match through injury since 2016 compared to Fyfe’s 26. Fyfe will no doubt be an upgrade target later on in the season, as will the Bulldogs trio of Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley and Marcus Bontempelli.

Josh Kelly also makes my team after a faultless pre-season. He ranked fourth in the competition for points per game in his position last season, which included averaging 125 in wins – also ranked fourth. His questionable durability is a concern, but I’m hoping he has a change of luck in 2020.

Patrick Cripps is also in. His inside game sets him apart from the rest – winning 60 per cent of all his possessions in a contest last season – the highest percentage of any permanent midfielder in the AFL. With back-to-back averages of 119 and 117, I’m expecting a similar output in 2020.

Josh Kelly has enjoyed a flawless pre-season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Patrick Cripps is in for another big season.

Tom Mitchell rounds out my premium quartet. He hasn’t missed a beat in his return from injury, scoring 112 on the weekend from 81 per cent game time. His scoring power is well-documented – reaching 100 points in all but four home-and-away games in 2018.

I was very bullish on Jack Steven as soon as he arrived at the Cattery, and he comes into my side at M5. He looked sharp against the Bombers, collecting 97 points from 26 disposals. He also attended the third-most centre bounces of any Cat. At his price he has enormous upside.

Matt Rowell and Marlion Pickett’s selections are a no-brainer, while I’m hoping that Tom Green gets a crack at the vacant GWS midfield spot after Tim Taranto’s injury. Rowell ranked sixth in the AFL among midfielders for points per 100 minutes of anyone to play both pre-season games. He looms as a short-term keeper, as Sam Walsh was for most of last season. Green has also been a constant at centre bounces for the Giants, ranking second for attendances behind Jacob Hopper.

Deven Robertson, Ned McHenry and Connor Budarick round out my bench.

My midfield in 2020. #SuperCoach pic.twitter.com/uKhWe7Ibp3

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) March 6, 2020

RUCKS

Structure: Two premiums and one floating doughnut.

Let’s not kid ourselves – Brodie Grundy picks himself in SuperCoach. No player has scored 120-plus points more often than Grundy across the past two seasons – averaging a whopping 130 in that time. With scores of 152, 159 and 174 points respectively in his past three games against Round 1 opponent the Western Bulldogs he’ll also be a prime VC loophole option ahead of the Pies’ season-opener. In saying that, he may not have it all his own way against the improving Tim English.

Partnering Grundy in the ruck will be Max Gawn. He had an injury hiccup midway through the pre-season, but he returned to action last week against the Hawks, racking up 68 points in just a half. Gawn ranks second behind Grundy for exceeding 120 points over the past two seasons, smashing that mark in 27 of 43 games.

Looking at the bench, I have opted for Charlie Comben as the floating doughnut. The Kangaroos play the equal-most Saturday night/Sunday games of any side, which is a huge bonus as I look to make the most out of the VC loophole. Also, a potential link with Darcy Cameron could be handy should the new Magpie force his way into the Collingwood side at any stage.

If Tristan Xerri earns an AFL debut in Round 1, then he’ll come in to replace Comben. As Reilly O’Brien proved last season, a playing bench rookie in the ruck has plenty of merit as a cash cow.

FORWARDS

Structure: Two premiums, one potential breakout, one under-priced, and four rookies.

On the back of a career-high average of 111 points, it should be no surprise to anyone that Lachie Whitfield is the second-most owned SuperCoach forward, and I’m part of that ownership group. With a tremendous ceiling, Whitfield reached 25 disposals in each of his full games last season — the only two times he fell below that benchmark was when he was injured. His durability is a concern, playing all 22 home-and-away games just once in his career, but I’m prepared to take the risk and pick him.

Dustin Martin’s DPP status locks him into my team. He’s as durable as they come, missing just three games through injury and one match through suspension across his career. He played as a forward for 67 per cent of game time during the 2019 finals series and averaged 112 points from 19 disposals, four goals and two score assists. He was back in the midfield on the weekend, attending 23 centre bounces against the Giants.

I always start the season with at least one punt and this year that’s Darcy MacPherson. I’ve picked him ahead of Christian Petracca at this stage, and it’s not based purely on MacPherson’s impressive pre-season numbers. Despite ranking third for disposals and fifth for contested possessions across the league, he is a prime breakout candidate, improving his scores from 47 to 61, and 82 in 2019. The Suns looks like big improvers this year, and he could be leading the way.

Gold Coast forward Darcy Macpherson. Picture: Jerad Williams

Devon Smith fits within the pricing structure of my team and presents value at his price. His pressure game is central to his output and he was back to his best against the Cats, applying 10 tackles from 14 tackle attempts. He scored 117 points and attended nine centre bounces – ranked fourth for the Bombers.

Lachie Schultz has stormed into contention after a strong pre-season, and he’s my most expensive forward rookie. It will be hard for Justin Longmuir not to pick him for the season opener after he led the Dockers for scoreboard impact and ranking equal-first for score involvements during the Marsh Community Series.

Curtis Taylor could be also be rewarded for his pre-season after finishing with 21 disposals, six inside-50s, two goals and an equal game-high eight score involvements against the Swans. At 187cm, he gives the Kangaroos’ attack something different and was a handful for Sydney’s defenders.

Rounding out my bench are Izak Rankine and Max King.

Money in the bank: $65,300

FINAL WORD

The midfield is where the points are and I hope to have that covered with four big guns. I’m also locked into the set-and-forget ruck combination of Grundy-Gawn. I have gone somewhat light in defence, but the value in other positions has essentially forced my hand.

As we count down the days until Round 1, one big trap you can fall into is looking at other teams on social media. There’ll be plenty of posts and screenshots over the coming days and by analysing them, you’ll more than likely tinker with your own team and make moves for the sake of it.

As always, back your research and own judgment and go with your first instinct. Quite often, it ends up being the right one. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake either, because even the best teams aren’t perfect from the start. Picking the team is the first hurdle in what is a long and challenging season, but what you do with the precious 30 trades will determine how successful you are in 2020.

Trade wisely and best of luck for the year ahead!

How Fantasy Freako's SuperCoach team looks a week from Round 1.

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