KFC SuperCoach: 2021 champion Em Challis reveals her 2022 team

KFC SuperCoach’s ‘big-four’ midfielders all cost big money — and that means you need to be selective. Reigning champion Emily Challis reveals who she’s left out.

Rookies, where art thou?

I have found it quite difficult formulating a team this year, and my current team is not perfect but works with the rookie shortage.

My KFC SuperCoach friends know that I am very protective about my premium players, and they are like family to me. Therefore, my locks are called “Family” picks that are not leaving my team, “Tenants” are players that will likely start in my team by lockout, but their lease may run out, “Tourists” are players who come and go and change by the day, and “Quarantine” picks are players that are out of my team but after finishing their SC iso they could come back.

DEFENCE

Family: Jayden Short ($535,200) is a player I started last year, he averaged 98.3 and didn’t miss a game. Last year Short averaged 105 without Bachar Houli and now Bachar has retired Short will slip into his role. Lock!

Tenants: Jake Lloyd ($586,600) is not in my family section because I am still tossing up between Lloyd and Tom Stewart at my D1. Due to the rookie shortage, I have had to remove a premium defender. Lloyd is in because he has had a longer pre-season than Stewart and has a higher scoring ceiling.

Lachie Whitfield ($502,600) is a reluctant tenant, someone that I was very hesitant to pick for a very long time. I do quite like an “anti-pod” (going against the crowd by not selecting a popular player), however Whitfield screams too much value for his role. I am reducing my risk profile and not selecting Whitfield and James Sicily ($448k) in the same team.

Jayden Short has a monopoly on the Richmond kick-ins. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Carlton recruit George Hewett shone in the pre-season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Tourists: George Hewett ($399,000) has looked great in the pre-season games after crossing to Carlton from Sydney. He racked up the possessions and had an 88 per cent disposal efficiency in last week’s AAMI Series game. His price is very awkward, however I am taking the calculated risk. Mitchell Hinge ($180,900) and Patrick McCartin ($157,800) both look good in the pre-season, especially McCartin, and appear to have OK job security – crucial for rookie selections.

Quarantine: It breaks my heart that Tom Stewart ($585,700) is in SC iso, although I plan to have him in my team this year sooner than later.

Bench: Josh Sinn ($157,800) and Sam De Koning ($123,900).

MIDFIELD

Family: I know Jackson Macrae ($699,000) is expensive but don’t over-think it, he is worth every cent. Durable, reliable and a VC/C option every week. Next. Jack Steele ($685,800) has been in my SC family for a long time, I co-parent with the KFC SuperCoach Hipster (@matturner1986). I love how he plays, how he tackles. He is a machine. Lachie Neale ($543,200) is back in the family after a small rift and should be the first picked in your side. Amazing value for his potential and he has looked fantastic in the pre-season.

Tenants: Touk Miller ($677,800) has just signed a long-term lease and I am excited to have in my team. I think he actually has an upside and after his slight role change early last year he scored 16 tons in a row from Round 6. Jarrod Berry ($268,500) is just a great value pick, he averaged 97 in 2020 and looks like he has a great role at the Lions this year. Jason Horne-Francis ($207,300) Nick Daicos ($193,800k) Dylan Stephens ($167,800) and Josh Ward ($180,300) are all pretty locked in my team. Yes, one is on the bench, because there aren’t too many bench rookies at the moment with job security or scoring potential.

Touk Miller produced scores of 140 and 149 in Gold Coast’s two pre-season wins. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Quarantine: Clayton Oliver ($672,000) is in SC iso due to my structure, I had to choose a mid to leave out and Oliver was the unlucky one. He will be my first upgrade.

Bench: Brady Hough ($117,300) and Connor MacDonald ($117,300)

RUCKS

Family: Brodie Grundy ($627,100) hasn’t left my team. I fully expect him to return to the Grundy of old after his neck injury and Covid bubble blues.

Tenant: Max Gawn ($657,400) has been in and out of my team all pre-season. Desperately looking for a value pick, I searched elsewhere. However, there are not too many reliable, durable rucks out there. I do think Gawn will still average well even with Luke Jackson sharing ruck duties.

Bench: Hugh Dixon ($102,400)

Brodie Grundy battles with Mason Cox at Magpies training. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

FORWARDS

Family: Josh Dunkley ($558,200) is one my favourite players to own, has huge upside and looks like he is back to his destructive self. I owned Zak Butters ($443,600) last year and he almost had his breakout but sadly got injured. I am backing him in again and believe he can explode. I was hesitant to pick Stephen Coniglio ($261,300) but now he is locked, his premium scoring history and midfield minutes mean his is a must.

Tenants: Josh Rachele ($184,800) has unpacked his bags and is in my team, he has the job security and the scoring potential too.

Tourists: Will Brodie ($224,300) looked good in the pre-season, hopefully gets the opportunity to play consistent games. At this price point you can take the risk and hopefully it pays off. Tristan Xerri ($208,200) is another that looked amazing in the pre-season playing as the No.1 ruck for North Melbourne. His role is not locked in but his coach seems to rate him highly.

Stephen Coniglio is a must-have in KFC SuperCoach this year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Quarantine: Hugo Ralphsmith ($206,700) has moved to defence and looked great across half-back, but does he have the job security? Unsure.

Bench: Nick Martin ($102,400) and Jack Hayes ($102,400)

LAST-MINUTE TIPS

Do not over-think your team, trust your research!

Evaluate your risk profile – with Covid still causing havoc, durable players are your best friend.

Trades are diamonds, don’t use your trades before the season begins. I have heard the following phrase too many times ‘I will pick player x, I can always trade him’.

With the rolling lockout, there is no need to panic. Unless there is a significant late out there is no need for major surgery on your team.

Good luck!

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach: 2021 champion Em Challis reveals her 2022 team