KFC SuperCoach jury answer the key questions about how to build a winning team
Last year’s KFC SuperCoach winner Dwayne Delmenico joins our expert jury to answer the key questions after the opening two weeks of the Marsh Series. Which player is he most worried about?
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Who better than KFC SuperCoach’s reigning champion Dwayne Delmenico to join the second SuperCoach jury of 2020?
Last year’s winner, who recently revealed his secrets to success, has answered some of the burning questions after week two of the Marsh Series.
The biggest point of conjecture among our eight jury members was team structure.
Do you go skinny in defence to bolster in other areas? How many premium midfielders can you squeeze in?
And most importantly — which player has tempted you most in pre-season?
We’ve tackled all the key issues to help you lock in your starting teams.
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DWAYNE DELMENICO (2019 WINNER)
1. How many premium midfielders are you starting? And who?
Currently have five — Jack Macrae, Patrick Cripps, Lachie Neale, Tom Mitchell and Nat Fyfe.
2. How many mid-pricers (250k-450k) are in your team? Who?
Devon Smith ($335,800) and Christian Petracca ($441,300). I just put Smith in this week. He could very well be a top-six forward by season’s end.
3. How many defenders above 500k do you have?
Two — Jake Lloyd ($591,400) and James Sicily ($509,500).
4. Who are your bench midfielders?
Connor Budarick, Brandon Starcevich and Marlion Pickett, who is clearly the pick of the lot.
5. Who do you have at F3 and F4?
Christian Petracca and Devon Smith.
6. What position are you picking Stephen Hill in and why?
Currently have Hill in defence, but I’m happy to swap him forward if required. The final decision will come down to which rookies are named for Round 1.
7. How many top-price rookies do you have (150k-210k)?
Five.
8. Which player has tempted you most in the Marsh Series?
Christian Petracca. Midfield minutes and huge ceiling!
9. Which player in your team are you most worried about?
Christian Petracca. I know, I’m sounding repetitive. Will be in and out of my team up until the first bounce in the Demons’ Round 1 game on March 22.
10. Explain your team structure. Which position/positions are you loading up in?
Pretty even spread, but it could change depending on what rookies are named for Round 1. I’m always happy to let the rookies selected lead my team structure rather than locking in the top-end guys too far out.
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AL PATON (HERALD SUN)
1. How many premium midfielders are you starting? And who?
Four – Jack Macrae, Nat Fyfe, Josh Dunkley, Patrick Dangerfield.
2. How many mid-pricers (250k-450k) are in your team? Who?
Too many! Two in defence in Dylan Roberton and Sam Docherty and currently three up forward – Devon Smith, Jack Steven and (gulp) Christian Petracca.
3. How many defenders above 500k do you have?
Two – James Sicily and Luke Ryan ($520,400). Lots more value here than top-priced guys like Lloyd and Shannon Hurn ($562,200). I can see them all averaging around the 105-point mark.
4. Who are your bench midfielders?
Justin McInerney (Syd), Mitch Hibberd (Ess), Brad Close (Geel). Highly likely I start with none of those three after a proper rookie assessment following the completed Marsh series.
5. Who do you have at F3 and F4?
Christian Petracca and Jack Steven ($361,700). Levels of confidence in both these guys: not high!
6. What position are you picking Stephen Hill in and why?
He’s currently sitting in my defence but that could change based on the rookie mix for Round 1. Right now I can see more potential in forward rookies which is unusual.
7. How many top-price rookies do you have (150k-210k)?
Two – Tom Green and Matt Rowell.
8. Which player has tempted you most in the Marsh Series?
Petracca (or rather Demons fitness guru Darren Burgess) has sucked me into thinking this is the year he becomes a dominant AFL midfielder. Dan Houston and Jordan Dawson have been in my team at different stages over the past week.
9. Which player in your team are you most worried about?
Jack Steven. Hopefully his Cats debut will ease my nerves.
10. Explain your team structure. Which position/positions are you loading up in?
I had a supercharged five premium midfielder strategy since SuperCoach opened but in the past week I’ve given in to the laws of SuperCoach gravity. Sadly it’s just not possible to pick three premiums – or even cheap premiums like Sam Docherty or Petracca – in defence and up forward with all that cash spent in the middle (plus Grundy and Gawn). It all comes down to where I want to put one extra rookie on field and I’d feel a lot better backing in a gun mid like Tom Green than a speculative forward or defender. But things could change if more rookies emerge over the next week or so – or Green misses out on the Giants’ Round 1 team!
PAUL DUNN (RAGE TRADES)
1. How many premium midfielders are you starting? And who?
5 – Clayton Oliver, Patrick Cripps, Josh Dunkley, Tom Mitchell and Marcus Bontempelli.
2. How many mid-pricers (250k-450k) are in your team? Who?
I only have the three at the moment and they are no certainty to stay in my side. I have Dylan Roberton and Sam Docherty in defence and I have Devon Smith in my forwards.
3. How many defenders above 500k do you have?
None. I have Dan Houston and Jordan Dawson as my D1 and D2.
4. Who are your bench midfielders?
I could throw a blanket over all of them but currently I have Noah Anderson, Liam Henry and Luke Valente. To be honest, these guys are all placeholders until we have seen the second Marsh Series games and have the teams heading into lockout. I have two of the more expensive guys here as it is much easier to downgrade to a playing rookie than it is to find cash to get up to a premium rookie.
5. Who do you have at F3 and F4?
Devon Smith and Stephen Hill.
6. What position are you picking Stephen Hill in and why?
Hill is in my forwards at the moment. I think there is more value and the defensive rookies go deeper at the moment, but if I see a change in that last week before the season starts I will swing him back to defence.
7. How many top-price rookies do you have (150k-210k)?
Six. As I mentioned, I like to have the expensive ones in my squad now, it makes scrambling in that last few days much easier if I don’t have to find cash.
8. Which player has tempted you most in the Marsh Series?
Has to be Petracca. I don’t have him at the moment, but another big game like he had against Adelaide and he is a huge chance for my team. He has got the talent and if he is going to have the right role to go with it then he shouldn’t disappoint.
9. Which player in your team are you most worried about?
Stephen Hill. He is cheap for a reason and I have always lived by the motto of you get what you pay for.
10. Explain your team structure. Which position/positions are you loading up in?
At the moment I have five premium mids, Set-and-forget rucks with Gawn and Grundy and Whitfield upfront. I am going with the value picks of Houston, Dawson and Docherty to anchor my defence and the value of Hugh Greenwood and Smith up forward. Then I have filled the rest of the team with rookies. There is plenty of value to be had but when we see that last Marsh Series round it should solidify the structure and who will get that starting nod in my team.
DAN BATTEN (HERALD SUN)
1. How many premium midfielders are you starting? And who?
Five – Nat Fyfe and Patrick Cripps haven’t left my side. Macrae, Josh Kelly and Oliver are the other three, although they’ve been interchangeable.
2. How many mid-pricers (250k-450k) are in your team? Who?
Four – Sam Docherty, Devon Smith, Dylan Roberton and Christian Petracca.
3. How many defenders above 500k do you have?
Just one, Caleb Daniel. It makes me nervous thinking about it.
4. Who are your bench midfielders?
Justin McInerney and two rookies currently under an injury cloud — Ned McHenry and Jackson Mead. Lets hope some more options present themselves before Round 1.
Swans will be keen to give Justin McInerney games this season. Has 13 disposals (10 effective), 6 contested possessions, 54 #SuperCoach and 46 #AFLFantasy points at 1/2 time. #marshseries #2020AFLProspectus
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) February 29, 2020
5. Who do you have at F3 and F4?
Petracca and Devon Smith.
6. What position are you picking Stephen Hill in and why?
Defence due to structure but if Izak Rankine misses Round 1 or Hayden Young debuts, I will look to shift him forward.
7. How many top-price rookies do you have (150k-210k)?
Four.
8. Which player has tempted you most in the Marsh Series?
Hugh Greenwood — He has a SuperCoach-friendly game and set for a move into the Suns midfield. I think he can be a top-six forward but can’t afford him at this stage.
9. Which player in your team are you most worried about?
Rankine. If his shoulder injury keeps him out of Round 1 we will be in strife for cash generation up forward.
10. Explain your team structure. Which position/positions are you loading up in?
I have five top-tier mids and the set-and-forget rucks with value picks galore elsewhere. Only have one premium and Docherty in defence with Roberton and rookies, while up forward I have two mid-pricers alongside Lachie Whitfield ($604,100) and Dustin Martin ($543,000).
PISTOL (DOCTOR SUPERCOACH)
1. How many premium midfielders are you starting? And who?
Planning to start six premium midfielders. They will consist of Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley, Patrick Dangerfield, Nat Fyfe, Tom Mitchell and Clayton Oliver.
2. How many mid-pricers (250k-450k) are in your team? Who?
5 – Christian Petracca, Dylan Roberton, Blake Acres, Brett Bewley and Sam Naismith.
3. How many defenders above 500k do you have?
None.
4. Who are your bench midfielders?
Ned McHenry, Jackson Mead and Connor Budarick.
5. Who do you have at F3 and F4?
Christian Petracca and Blake Acres.
6. What position are you picking Stephen Hill in and why?
Backline, given I am very thin at the back, so I can load up my forward line.
7. How many top-price rookies do you have (150k-210k)?
One – Matthew Rowell (not including Stephen Hill of course!)
8. Which player has tempted you most in the Marsh Series?
Marcus Bontempelli – he’s a star but I can’t quite fit him in.
9. Which player in your team are you most worried about?
I have re-occurring nightmares about a Sam Naismith injury ruining my season.
10. Explain your team structure. Which position/positions are you loading up in?
I have tried to follow the good rookies and have gone light in defence. This has allowed me to load up on players up forward and in the midfield.
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THE PHANTOM
1. How many premium midfielders are you starting? And who?
Four at this stage, but it’s not set. Macrae, Fyfe, Dangerfield and Oliver.
2. How many mid-pricers (250k-450k) are in your team? Who?
Just two, at the moment, in that price bracket. And you’ll have to wait for the final team reveal!
3. How many defenders above 500k do you have?
One.
4. Who are your bench midfielders?
Ned McHenry, Connor Budarick and Tyler Brown.
5. Who do you have at F3 and F4?
Hugh Greenwood and Devon Smith. It hasn’t changed for a while and it probably won’t.
Big 2nd half for Devon Smith - attended 8 CBA's, 14 disposals, 66 #SuperCoach and 52 #AFLFantasy points for the half. Finished with 87 SC and 84 AFLF. #MarshSeries #2020AFLProspectus
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) February 27, 2020
FULL TEAM: SEE THE PHANTOM’S MOST RECENT REVEAL
6. What position are you picking Stephen Hill in and why?
Forward at this stage to allow room for the potential inclusion of a Lachie Ash or Hayden Young.
7. How many top-price rookies do you have (150k-210k)?
It’s still very much up in the air but it could be three or four.
8. Which player has tempted you most in the Marsh Series?
It’s been a temptation for a while now but Hugh McCluggage.
9. Which player in your team are you most worried about?
Max Gawn.
10. Explain your team structure. Which position/positions are you loading up in?
A ‘guns-and-rookies’ midfield — four and four — is currently allowing for some extra value at either end.
TIM MICHELL (HERALD SUN)
1. How many premium midfielders are you starting? And who?
Five, although some would say Stephen Coniglio ($549,500) is more in the fallen premium category. Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley and Lachie Neale are in, plus Nat Fyfe. That’s a nice mix of durability and players with huge ceilings but a history of missing games. Can’t go past Macrae and Neale for consistency despite the high price.
2. How many mid-pricers (250k-450k) are in your team? Who?
Six. Three in defence and up forward. Sam Docherty hasn’t shifted from the first incarnation of my team, while I’m very bullish on Docker Adam Cerra at $338k or Jayden Short ($349,300). Short has his nose in front this week. Dylan Roberton is close to a must-have at $260k if fit for Round 1. Up forward it’s Connor Rozee ($422k), Andrew Brayshaw ($382k) and Devon Smith ($335k). Risky, but if 4-5 start strongly I’ll be on a winner and eyeing fallen premiums.
3. How many defenders above 500k do you have?
One. James Sicily. I like the depth and rookies in defence and think Sicily is underpriced at $509k. That puts Docherty at D2. I’d love Jake Lloyd and still might start him if another on-field midfield rookie option presents.
4. Who are your bench midfielders?
They change every few days. Justin McInerney (123k) is in after his impressive Marsh Series score against GWS with Trent Rivers (117k) and Brad Close (109k) at M10 and M11. The Close-Connor Budarick swing is appealing.
5. Who do you have at F3 and F4?
Connor Rozee and Andrew Brayshaw. Rozee is $40k cheaper than Darcy Parish and Hugh Greenwood yet arguably has more upside. This will likely be the last year he’ll be available as a forward, so make the most of it.
6. What position are you picking Stephen Hill in and why?
As it stands, I’m not. My current side is the first without him and it makes me a bit nervous. But the comments from Justin Longmuir post-Carlton game suggested he’ll be managed during the year and that’ll test the depth in whichever line you start him.
7. How many top-price rookies do you have (150k-210k)?
Just midfield bulls Matthew Rowell (207k) and Tom Green (166k) pending the GWS No. 10 pick being chosen for Round 1.
8. Which player has tempted you most in the Marsh Series?
Blake Acres. Never thought I’d consider the ex-Saint, especially when his former teammate Jack Steven is $20k cheaper. But it was hard to ignore that performance against Carlton and with a more defined role he has top-six-to-eight potential. He suffered a hamstring injury at training this week which was a blow, but he’s still in the mix if he recovers quickly.
😳 | You hate to see it... #KFCSuperCoach whispers: https://t.co/ugGqepcE57 pic.twitter.com/hTGWT1npas
— SuperCoach AFL (@Supercoach) March 4, 2020
9. Which player in your team are you most worried about?
Sam Docherty. As a Carlton supporter, it’s hard not to be. I’ll just take a full season from Doch regardless of SuperCoach scores.
10. Explain your team structure. Which position/positions are you loading up in?
I don’t trust the forward rookies, especially with Izak Rankine in serious doubt for Round 1. For that reason I’ve spent up to push Devon Smith to F5 behind Greenwood, Gresham, Rozee and Brayshaw. That means sacrificing in defence where Short is D3 and Roberton D4. I’ll be happy starting either Coniglio or Sam Walsh at M5.
ALEXIE BEOVICH (@LekDogSC, JOCK REYNOLDS)
How many premium midfielders are you starting? And who?
Six deep in the midfield – Macrae, Neale, Cripps, Dangerfield, Oliver and Treloar (pending Round 1 fitness). Tossing up between Bontempelli, Josh Kelly, Tim Kelly and James Worpel to replace Treloar after injuring his hamstring on the weekend.
How many mid-pricers (250k-450k) are in your team? Who?
Three, Devon Smith, Darcy MacPherson and Sam Docherty. Currently contemplating a third in Sydney’s Sam Naismith.
How many defenders above 500k do you have?
Two, Caleb Daniel and Rory Laird.
4. Who are your bench midfielders?
Sam Philp, Finn Maginness and Connor Budarick … but by no means are these guys locked in.
5. Who do you have at F3 and F4?
F3 – Devon Smith
F4 – Jarrod Brander
Positive was Sam Naismith got through the game. He played 65mins, he will only get better for that run.
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 29, 2020
6. What position are you picking Stephen Hill in and why?
He is currently sitting in defence to swing with Jordan Dawson in the forward line.
7. How many top-price rookies do you have (150k-210k)?
Just Matthew Rowell for me at this stage.
8. Which player has tempted you most in the Marsh Series?
Sam Naismith, a lot of point from not a lot of time on ground … however I’m probably too scared to pick him. Will likely have Grundy and Gawn locked in come round 1.
9. Which player in your team are you most worried about?
Caleb Daniel funnily enough. I think he’s a lock to pump out 90+ every week of the year but I’m worried I’m missing out on some serious value by having him over a Houston/Sicily.
10. Explain your team structure. Which position/positions are you loading up in?
I’m confident in loading up rookie priced players in forward and defence. I’m currently running three on-field rookies on both ends. This allows me to run six premos in the midfield with a goal to generate points early … I might squeeze in a seventh midfielder if I drop my R2 down to Naismith … if I do this please send help.
DAN BEGALA (SUPERCOACH INVESTOR)
1. How many premium midfielders are you starting? And who?
The midfield is the epicentre of our sides, so I will be deploying the investor’s capital into four proven blue chip stocks (M1 – M4) with an underpriced option likely to fulfil the pivotal role of M5. Analysts are working overtime to identify the perfect portfolio mix, however as it stands, I’ve acquired Cripps, Bontempelli, Dangerfield, Oliver and Stephen Coniglio (M5).
2. How many mid-pricers (250k-450k) are in your team? Who?
They are the speculative stocks that will make or break your KFC SuperCoach portfolio – so as always – we must exercise the upmost caution. There are currently three mid-priced players in my side including Dylan Roberton ($260K), Christian Petracca ($441K) and Devon Smith ($336K). Petracca currently has pole position, but the others are not guaranteed starters.
3. How many defenders above 500k do you have?
Two at this stage, but their identify is yet to be confirmed with the “kick out” merchants, Jake Lloyd, Shannon Hurn and Luke Ryan, vying for D1 & D2.
4. Who are your bench midfielders?
Connor Budarick, Justin McInerney and the unsighted, Deven Robertson.
5. Who do you have at F3 and F4?
Christian Petracca (F3) and Devon Smith (F4).
6. What position are you picking Stephen Hill in and why?
I’ve selected Stephen Hill at “F5” as I believe there exists greater rookie depth in the backline including Hayden Young, Tom Williamson, Jarrod Brander, Will Gould, Mark Keane and Damon Greaves.
7. How many top-price rookies do you have (150k-210k)?
I’m currently the holder of three top-priced rookies including Matthew Rowell, Hayden Young (pending availability) and Tom Green who really impressed the investors with his performance and dividend yield against Sydney last week.
8. Which player has tempted you most in the Marsh Series?
Christian Petracca. The penny has finally dropped and the Demon is poised to pivot himself into the top six-to-eight forwards in 2020 with a ballistic game and increased midfield exposure (23 centre bounce attendances, Marsh Series Game 1).
9. Which player in your team are you most worried about?
He’s been entrenched in the portfolio all summer, but after his first pre-season foray, Sam Docherty has found himself intermittently ousted from The Begala Brigade. The trading halt, however, may only be short-lived given my bias towards Carlton stocks.
10. Explain your team structure. Which position/positions are you loading up in?
The portfolio is built on balance, calculated risks and most importantly, penny stocks. I will proceed with the tried-and-tested philosophy of guns-and-rookies; however, I will make two or three speculative decisions on players such as Sam Docherty (D3), Christian Petracca (F3) and Devon Smith (F4). I will load up and take long positions on the proven stalwarts of the SuperCoach competition that I know can be relied upon to deliver top-shelf dividends on a weekly basis. They’re worth every buck.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach jury answer the key questions about how to build a winning team