Doctor SuperCoach experts name their top KFC SuperCoach picks from week two of the Marsh Community Series
There were just four games in the second week of the pre-season competition, but a lot for SuperCoach players to know. The expert Doctor SuperCoach team were watching every minute. Who caught their eye?
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Week two of the pre-season competition involved just four matches but it gave KFC SuperCoach players a lot to think about.
Which rookies can we pick with confidence? Can we take a risk in the ruck? How many mid-pricers is too many?
Didn’t catch every game? Don’t worry, the experts from Doctor SuperCoach watched every minute and took detailed notes on which players we should add to the watch list — or cross off.
Essendon 95 def West Coast 87
MISSING IN ACTION
West Coast: Brad Sheppard, Shannon Hurn, Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff
Essendon: Dyson Heppell, Adam Saad
THE ROOKIE WATCH: Jarrod Brander $133,700 DEF-FWD – 46 SuperCoach points
Adam Simpson had high praise for the young Eagle before the match, stating he was destined for a wing role in 2020. Brander was solid, accumulating 11 touches (including four intercept possessions) and three marks in 72 per cent game time. He looks set to play a negating wing role that fills the Chris Masten void.
THE BARGAIN PREMIUM: Devon Smith $335,800 FWD-MID – 87 points
Alarm bells were ringing about Smith’s role in the first half he played as a high half-forward, scoring just 23 points. But a move to the midfield lead to a 64-point barrage in the second half. He finished with 20 disposals, six tackles, one score assist and a goal to cap off a successful night. Smith’s price tag and scoring potential make him a tempting selection.
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THE BREAKOUT Darcy Parish $465,400 FWD-MID – 115 points
Talk about an explosion! Parish was electrifying as a full-time midfielder, amassing 115 points in just 65 per cent game time. His stat line was impressive with 29 disposals, four tackles and a goal to cap off a brilliant night. If Parish plays the same role throughout the season, then expect a breakout year.
THE RISK: Nic Naitanui $457,800 RUCK – 58 points
After another injury riddled campaign, Nic Nat is back once again to prove the doubters wrong. In just 51 per cent game-time he amassed 58 SuperCoach points with a stat line of 11 disposals, two marks and 28 hitouts. His price tag is tempting but he looks set for low time-on-ground once again, which makes the selection questionable.
GWS Giants 121 def Sydney 27
MISSING IN ACTION:
GWS: Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Nick Haynes, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene
Sydney: Jake Lloyd, Tom Papley, Callum Mills, Isaac Heeney, Lance Franklin
THE STAR ON THE RISE: Jordan Dawson $467,800 DEF/MID – 125 SuperCoach points
Dawson put forward a strong case as to why he is a genuine contender for a spot in our forward or backlines, racking up 19 touches across half-back along with seven tackles to score 125 SuperCoach points in what was a tough day at the office against the Giants. Wait and see what his role looks like with Jake Lloyd and Callum Mills back in the side.
THE CHANGE OF CLUB: Sam Jacobs $348,400 RUCK – 66 points
Big Sauce showed promise for those contemplating him for their R2 position – he is currently in 13 per cent of sides. Jacobs amassed 11 touches, 23 hitouts and 66 SuperCoach points before exiting the game during the third quarter after copping a Sam Naismith knee to the head in a ruck contest. It looked to be more of a precautionary decision rather than a cause for concern.
THE YOUNG GUN: Tom Green $166,800 MID – 106 points
The No.10 selection in the 2019 national draft, Green could be the beneficiary of a couple of injured members of the Giants’ midfield. With Callan Ward set to have a delayed start to his season and Tim Taranto going down with a serious shoulder injury, the big-bodied Green gave coaches a glimpse of what he is capable of on Saturday. He did not look out of place, gathering 21 touches — including 15 contested — on his way to 106 SuperCoach points.
THE RETURN: Sam Naismith $251,500 RUC – 79 points
Are you feeling lucky? Naismith hasn’t played an AFL match since 2017, which sees him underpriced at $251,500. While he does not have a glowing scoring history, Naismith produced 79 SuperCoach points from 55 per cent time on ground as the Swans’ No.1 ruck on Saturday. Solo ruckmen are always a great chance to score well and he is the cheapest alternative for those searching for a mid-priced R2.
Fremantle 90 def Carlton 43
MISSING IN ACTION:
Fremantle: Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters
Carlton: Patrick Cripps
THE INJURED STAR: Sam Docherty $436,100 DEF – 69 SuperCoach Points
After two seasons out of the game, Docherty had a predictably slow start. Racking up 19 touches, Docherty looked much more comfortable in the second half when he was able to display his previously renowned kicking skills. A time on ground of 80 per cent was encouraging, but coaches will need to see more points on the board in Marsh 2.
THE RECRUIT: Blake Acres $384,400 FWD-MID – 111 points
Acres owned his spot on the wing with a game-high 31 disposals. While his disposal efficiency was at an abysmal 48 per cent, Acres still managed to score 111 points in just 69 per cent time on ground. Given the variety of forward options available, Acres might end up being a premium forward at a cut price cost.
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THE BREAKOUT CONTENDER: Brett Bewley $252,700 FWD – 93 points
Bewley played on the opposite wing compared to Acres and managed to have similar success. While he only had 19 possessions of his own, at a cut-price cost and playing a SuperCoach-friendly role, Bewley has now rocketed into considerations. His scoring has never been an issue in the VFL or the WAFL, so fingers crossed it can finally translate at AFL level.
THE POD: Luke Ryan $482,800 DEF – 118 points
Twenty-six disposals for Ryan, including some kick-ins, was a wake-up call for coaches who may have been sleeping on him. In just 2.5 per cent of teams, Ryan looms as a massive point of difference who could start your season on the right foot. He has improved every year and there is no reason why 2020 should be any different.
Collingwood 84 def Richmond 44
MISSING IN ACTION:
Richmond: Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Bachar Houli, Shane Edwards, Tom Lynch, Toby Nankervis
Collingwood: Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy, Jaidyn Stephenson, Steele Sidebottom, Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe
THE INJURED STAR: Adam Treloar $615,800 MID – 114 points
Treloar features in just under 7 per cent of teams this season but his performance against the Tigers was eye-catching. Adam looked to have cleaned up his disposal (76 per cent efficiency) and he still won plenty of the ball (34 disposals), but a hamstring injury in the last quarter has put his pre-season and Round 1 hopes in jeopardy.
THE ONE GAME WONDER: Darcy Cameron $123,900 RUC/FWD – 127 points
Cameron top-scored in Wangaratta and boosted his hopes of a Round 1 berth with a strong two goal, 20 hitout performance. A dual-position player who scores 127 points in a pre-season game is usually a lock in our starting sides, but beware that No.1 ruckman Brodie Grundy did not play on Sunday. It’s likely that Cameron will be in a head-to-head battle with Mason Cox to partner Grundy against the Western Bulldogs in the Magpies’ season-opener.
THE GRAND FINAL STAR: Marlion Pickett $123,900 MID – 61 points
Pickett had only 14 disposals but still managed to score 61 SuperCoach points, which is a good showing for a rookie. We know he can score well (96 points in the Grand Final) and looks to be in Richmond’s best 22, so lock him in and watch that cash flow. There’s good reason why he is in almost 70 per cent of sides!
THE POD: Jack Crisp $482,800 DEF – 118 points
Remember this guy? Crisp reminded SuperCoaches of his scoring potential with 118 points from just 63 per cent time on ground thanks to 28 disposals, 12 marks and a goal. The former Lion was free to roam wherever he pleased, doing most of his work uncontested at half-back. Crisp has played every game in the past five years for the Pies and is one of the most durable players in the competition.
MORE SUPERCOACH TIPS
Doctor SuperCoach reviews the opening week of the pre-season Marsh Series
KFC SuperCoach Rookie Bible: Every potential cash cow for season 2020
KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom looks at the Marsh Series week two standouts in every position
KFC SuperCoach guru Lachie Hunter reveals his plans for 2020
KFC SuperCoach winner Dwayne Delmenico reveals his tactics to go back-to-back in 2020
KFC SuperCoach crystal ball: Expert predictions for top-six scorers in every position
THE TEASE: Jordan De Goey $473,800 FWD – 71 points
De Goey’s role will be constantly changing in 2020 and for this reason, coaches should proceed with caution. He has averaged 87 in his past two seasons, but it’s hard to see why this would jump more. He scored 71 points but he only really came to play in the last quarter, kicking two goals. With just 14 touches for the day, he is one to monitor.
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Originally published as Doctor SuperCoach experts name their top KFC SuperCoach picks from week two of the Marsh Community Series