KFC SuperCoach 2020: All the Round 9 late mail, last-minute trade advice and best captain options
The Saturday teams are in and it’s mixed news for KFC SuperCoaches. Collingwood have named a potential rookie saviour in defence but two cheapies are out. See all the latest selection news plus Tom Doedee trade advice
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Defenders Pie Mark Keane ($123,900, DEF) and Eagle Harry Edwards ($123,900, DEF) will make their debuts while a number of rookies have kept their place.
Sydney bubble boy Matt Ling ($123,900, DEF) has held on and will play his second game, with prized youngster Dylan Stephens ousted.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE PHANTOM’S TOP ROUND 9 CAPTAINS
Keane, an Irish Category B drafted at the end of 2018, is an intercept defender and impressed with a promising 86-point outing against Richmond during the Marsh Series.
The key defender tallied 10 disposals, six of those won via intercepts, and 56 points per game at VFL level in his first season learning the craft.
The virtually unsighted Keane may be worth buying over Ling, who managed just 47 points on debut.
Edwards averaged seven touches and 50 points in the WAFL last season but shapes as a short-term replacement for Jeremy McGovern, who will miss another week with injury.
For the Crows, Ned McHenry has been left out again after being managed for Round 8 while Fischer McAsey (managed) also won’t play against North Melbourne on Saturday.
ADELAIDE STAR RULED OUT
The news is in and it’s not what Tom Doedee owners in KFC SuperCoach wanted to hear.
After sitting out the second half against Essendon last week with a minor hamstring injury, the Adelaide defender will miss Saturday’s clash with North Melbourne.
“Tommy Doedee will miss, we don’t want to take a risk there coming off a long term injury,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks said on Friday.
“He’s up and running and has had a solid week, but a six day break, it’s just not worth risking Tom.”
The 23-year-old is a chance to return for Adelaide’s home clash with the Demons on Wednesday, however, so, if you have the cover, given his recent scoring - and potential keeper-status - consider holding Doedee.
“Whether we look at a 10-day break for him, he might come in for Melbourne... we’ll have to wait and see,” Nicks said.
Sideways trading Doedee now, instead of executing your upgrade plan, while it could give you a small points-boost in Round 9, it’s unlikely to put your team in a better spot in the following rounds.
There is one positive for KFC SuperCoach, though. Doedee’s absence is likely to benefit mature-age rookie Andrew McPherson, who shone last week after the stand-in skipper’s injury to finish with 90 points. He has already jumped in value to $212,900 but with a break-even of -15 has more money to make and a solid role in the team.
Final teams will be announced for the Crows, Roos, Saints an Swans late on Friday.
BZT BACK, HAWKS SHOW CHEAPIES THE DOOR
Five cheapies have been dumped from the Bombers, Lions and Hawks but KFC SuperCoaches will watch several rookie inclusions with a keen eye on Friday night.
The axing of Essendon mature-age recruit Mitch Hibberd is the most surprising of the bunch, following a season-high 84 points against the Crows.
Hawthorn cash cow trio Darren Minchington, Keegan Brooksby and Josh Morris have also been dumped along with Brisbane’s Tom Berry, who collected just two handballs in Round 8.
Among the inclusions for the Hawks is ruckman Jon Ceglar ($415,700, RUCK/FWD) who has recovered from his broken toe and has been named on the interchange for his date with former teammate Marc Pittonet.
Essendon ruckman Sam Draper ($117,300, RUCK) will make his long-awaited debut in the same game as Lion Connor Ballenden ($123,900, FWD), both standing more than 200cm tall and likely to shoulder some of the ruck duties.
Luckless key forward Sam Skinner ($111,400, FWD) comes in for his first game since the end of 2017 and just the second of his career after a wretched run with injuries.
At a discounted price, Skinner presents as a promising option if he has an impact on Friday night.
Meanwhile, forgotten rookie Bomber Brandon Zerk-Thatcher ($189,000, DEF) returns for his first outing since Round 1, where he scored 49 points.
MIXED NEWS FOR DOCKERS, KFC SUPERCOACHES
It is mixed news on the injury front for Fremantle with superstar Nat Fyfe set to return and midfield counterpart Michael Walters ruled out with hamstring tightness.
Walters has been a revelation in KFC SuperCoach this season, averaging 110 points per game and scoring above 92 in every match.
His absence from their clash with Collingwood means 34,000 coaches will be without him at least the next fortnight due to Fremantle’s Round 10 bye.
Dockers fitness boss Jason Weber said Walters came off with cramp late in their clash with Geelong on Monday night with a return date unclear.
“He cramped quite late, he came off and we kept him off as a precaution,” Weber said.
“At this stage, it’s just a watch and see to see how he recovers.”
Fyfe on the other hand was training fully on Tuesday with Weber impressed by his progression over the past fortnight.
The dual Brownlow medallist returned prematurely from a hamstring injury against St Kilda in Round 6 and injured another area of his hamstring.
Those who opted to hold him should be rewarded for their patience this weekend.
For non-owners, Fyfe becomes a key target post-bye at a projected price of $584,000.
It is also promising news for injury-riddled cheapie Stephen Hill who is expected to return in Round 11 from an adductor strain.
Hill may be worth holding onto over another non-playing rookie like Jarrod Brander for this reason.
TOP DOG DUNKLEY SET FOR TIMELY RETURN
Western Bulldogs are hopeful Josh Dunkley could be ready to take on Port Adelaide on Monday after his recovery from a syndesmosis strain.
The Dogs were badly beaten around the ball in the 41-point loss to the Tigers and would welcome his return.
There is no update on Lachie Hunter’s return as he battles personal issues while remaining in the Gold Coast hub.
But the Dogs are also hopeful that Aaron Naughton (syndesmosis) might be available in a fortnight to take on Adelaide.
He is making strong progress and will be ready well in advance of finals to help the spluttering Dogs forward line.
The Dogs lost Matt Suckling to a hamstring injury in the loss, with Josh Schache concussed and Tory Dickson pulling up sore in a scratch match last weekend against the Suns.
THE BIG ROOKIE HOPES
After working his way back from an ACL injury and impressing in recent practice matches, young Bomber Sam Draper ($123k RUCK) will make his long-awaited AFL debut on Friday night.
“Sam was on the verge of senior selection when he hurt his knee last year, so it’s been a long way back to this point but he’s worked extremely well,” Essendon coach John Worsfold told the club’s website.
“We’re very excited to see what he’s going to bring to the team.”
It’s welcome news for KFC SuperCoaches, as Draper could be used as a back-up on-field option in the event ruck stalwarts Max Gawn and Brodie Gundy are rested.
At worst, given his big numbers in the VFL last season, the 21-year-old may become a great cash cow at R3.
Playing in the ruck, the 205cm Draper amassed monster scores of 194 and 182 and averaged 131 points from his four games before hurting his knee in May.
In the same game at Gabba, Lions Academy graduate Connor Ballenden ($123k FWD) will also make his senior debut. The 200cm big man, who tips the scales at 101kg, is likely to support Oscar McInerney in the ruck, despite featuring as a key forward and defender for Brisbane’s reserves after being drafted in 2017.
BENNELL OUT AS SUPERCOACH CHAOS BEGINS
Melbourne speedster Harley Bennell ($215,700, MID) will miss his side’s important clash against Port Adelaide and is expected to be managed through the intense four-round block of fixtures.
It is a blow to close to 50,000 KFC SuperCoaches owners desperate for playing rookies with carnage imminent.
But it comes as no surprise given his horror run with injuries.
Bennell posted a season-low 42 points against Brisbane, winning 11 disposals and missing a crucial chance on the run close to goal.
The 27-year-old was rested from Round 4-5 after his side’s postponed match in Round 3, with coach Simon Goodwin flagging at that stage that restings will come.
It means coaches are stuck in limbo with Bennell, who has a low break even of 17 and has made just $91,800 to date.
“We said we weren’t going to manage our players, but we’re certainly not going to be reckless,” Demons coach Simon Goodwin said on Wednesday.
“One of those decisions is not to play Harley Bennell. He won’t be selected – he’ll be managed this week.
“Harley’s done an incredible job to get his body to a position where he can play consistent AFL footy, but we just feel with a four-day break, it was a risk we didn’t want to take.
“He’ll be the only player that will be managed in that space.”
TIGER ROOKIES SURVIVE
KFC SuperCoaches are bracing for carnage at selection but fortunately two popular Tigers have survived despite Damien Hardwick swinging the axe.
With captain Trent Cotchin, Sydney Stack and Jack Ross confirmed ins earlier on Tuesday, Richmond rookie duo Marlion Pickett and Jake Aarts looked to be in some strife after modest SuperCoach returns of 60 and 46 respectively in Round 8.
But the cash cows have held onto their spots as four Tigers were dumped for their clash against the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday.
Round 8 debutant Callum Porter (shoulder) is out with injury, so be sure to reverse your trade if you have brought him in.
In another big win for 15,000 KFC SuperCoaches, Eagles midfielder Elliot Yeo is free to play in Round 9 after his one-match ban was overturned at the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night.
DOCKER STAR SENT FOR SCANS
Luke Ryan has in blistering form with five successive tons but owners got a scare when reports emerged that he was sent in for scans.
There has been no update as to why the Dockers defender got assessed.
Could it be related to the elbow from Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins, that saw him cop a week’s suspension?
THE PHANTOM’S ROUND 9 CAPTAINS
If you didn’t already have enough to think about, don’t forget about your KFC SuperCoach captain.
Unless you had the VC on Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae, who scored 162 points on Wednesday night, that is. You’re taking that score in any round, let alone this one.
Max Gawn (Melb)
V Port Adelaide, Thursday night
Gawn seemed a safe selection based on his scoring spree and the fact St Kilda ruck duo Rowan Marshall (160) and Paddy Ryder (142) scored a combined 302 KFC SuperCoach points last weekend against inexperienced Port Adelaide big man Pete Ladhams. But Melbourne had a shocker all round and Gawn posted a season-low 87 points — his first score under 140 since Round 1. If he was your VC, put the C on one of the players below.
James Sicily (Haw)
V Carlton, Friday afternoon
The star defender has posted scores of 132, 149 and 164 in the past three rounds – only Gawn has scored more points during this period. And in his last encounter with the Blues, Sicily recorded 10 intercept possessions – four of them marks – 27 disposals and 127 KFC SuperCoach points.
Lachie Neale (Bris)
V Essendon, Friday night
If, in the off-chance, Gawn fails, Neale is your go-to man as C. The Brisbane star bounced back from the Matt de Boer-affected 87 points in Round 7 to score 152 points against the Demons – his fifth score of 147 or more this year. John Worsfold’s side hasn’t been tagging this year and Neale finished with 40 disposals and 140 points against the Bombers in Round 4, 2019.
Josh Kelly (GWS)
V Gold Coast, Sunday
The smooth-moving left-footer was back to his absolute KFC SuperCoach best last week, tallying a round-high 195 points against the Tigers. And, while they are a different side in 2020, Kelly is averaging 136 in his past three against the Suns.
Brodie Grundy (Coll)
V Fremantle, Sunday
Can we trust someone a week after they score nine points in the first half? If their name is Brodie Grundy, then yes. But maybe not ahead of Neale.
MORE KFC SUPERCOACH ADVICE:
Champion Data examines the key KFC SuperCoach stats ahead of Round 9
KFC SuperCoach: Trade targets, rookie options and everything you need to know for rounds 10-12
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2020: All the Round 9 late mail, last-minute trade advice and best captain options