KFC SuperCoach: Rookies to buy, hold and sell ahead of Round 7

Some of the most popular cheapies in KFC SuperCoach are running out of steam but there is hope on the horizon. Here’s who to sell, hold and buy this week.

Dan Batten

@danbatten_

5 min read

April 28, 2021 - 10:44AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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A KFC SuperCoach urban legend will become a reality on Friday night when the Tigers unveil Riley Collier-Dawkins ($123,900 MID).

Yep, you read that right.

Collier-Dawkins, the only top-20 selection from the talent-stacked 2018 national draft yet to debut, will be put to the test against the red-hot Western Bulldogs.

The elusive midfielder has been the source of intrigue for fantasy players, who have wondered when the 189cm contested ball-winner would receive a senior call-up.

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We caught a rare sight of him during the AAMI Community Series after being talked up by coach Damien Hardwick during the pre-season, before a concussion incident in the lead-up to Round 1 impeded his progress.

Collier-Dawkins started the VFL season with a bang, registering 31 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances and 122 KFC SuperCoach points.

He was quieter in Round 2, finishing with 17 touches – 10 of those won in a contest – but his inclusion suggests the Tigers are after some extra grunt in the engine-room.

Contested ball and KFC SuperCoach go hand in hand, which makes Collier-Dawkins an interesting proposition if he shows promise and can hold his spot in the Richmond side.

Riley Collier-Dawkins will make his debut against the hottest midfield in the AFL.

A downgrade from the likes of young midfielders Tom Powell or James Jordon ahead of Round 9 could appeal, as both still have money to make.

With Collier-Dawkins ticked off the list, could we see Will Gould or Luke Valente receive debuts in the coming weeks? A KFC SuperCoach can dream…

Meanwhile, Adelaide is tipped to hand a debut to defender Josh Worrell ($123,900 DEF/FWD) after a strong start to the SANFL season.

He has averaged 18.5 disposals, 5.8 intercept possessions and 81 KFC SuperCoach points across four matches in 2021 and will attract the interest of KFC SuperCoaches with attractive defender-forward eligibility.

WHICH ROOKIES ARE ON CHOPPING BLOCK?

KFC SuperCoaches are faced with a rookie predicament as Round 7 approaches.

The moment that many cash cows are ready to be put to pasture has corresponded with a devastating weekend of injuries.

Long-term injuries to popular premiums Josh Dunkley and Lachie Neale, along with a concussion blow for Dustin Martin, will force rookie upgrades and downgrades to take a back seat this week.

It means coaches will lose some cash this round from their cheapies, and that is OK.

It is perhaps a blessing in disguise that the most promising rookies are on the horizon, rather than on our doorstep.

However, if you are in the fortunate position of only needing to make one — or even zero — forced trades, then there are some cheapies worth considering, albeit in the higher price range.

See the rookies to buy, hold, sell and watch in Round 7 rookie review.

Former Pie Atu Bosenavulagi has been shifted down back at his new club. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

BUY

1. Atu Bosenavulagi (NM) $175,500 FWD

Average: 67, BE: -31

2. Connor Menadue (NM) $201,500 DEF

Average: 77, BE: -35

3. Jy Farrar (GC) $184,300 FWD

Average: 71, BE: -34

As we have seen with revelation Jack Ziebell, North Melbourne defenders are getting a case of leather poisoning this season.

Even recruit Lachie Young – who averaged below 50 points in eight games for the Western Bulldogs – is averaging 70 points per game this season and has made owners more than $100,000.

Former Magpie Bosenavulagi and delisted Tiger Connor Menadue are the latest to reap the spoils, with the pair scoring 62 and 92 points respectively against Fremantle.

Used as a pressure forward at Collingwood, the speedy Bosenavulagi has been redeployed as a running defender with the Roos looking to him for dash.

Menadue, 24, was the fourth-ranked Roos player on the ground with 18 disposals across half-back.

Farrar is another worth considering up forward after a score of 83 in Round 5. He managed to score 59 points in game two while locking down star Swan Isaac Heeney.

All three rookies of these rookies aren’t must-haves by any means, but could prove to be useful point-of-difference buys with great on-field potential.

Martin Frederick (left) is one to watch in Round 7. Picture Mark Brake

WATCH

Martin Frederick (PA) $123,900 DEF

R6 score: 88

Riley Thilthorpe (Adel) $202,800 RUC/FWD

R6 score: 91

Finlay Macrae (Coll) $126,900 FWD/MID

Average: 39, BE: -4

Nathan Murphy (Coll) $123,900 DEF

R6 score: 47

The prospect of Frederick and Thilthorpe is the light at the end of the tunnel for KFC SuperCoaches.

Starved of cheap defenders this season, a solid score in Round 7 will see the masses turn to Frederick next week after an impressive debut that yielded 23 disposals (22 of those effective), eight intercept possessions and 88 points.

The 178cm Power defender averaged 68 points in his two SANFL games to start the season and 60 points across a full season last year, so his first-game return may be overs, but even scores in the 60s will make him a must-have going forward.

Thilthorpe, the first pick in the open draft last year, had a handful of goals to three-quarter-time in an astounding display, scoring 91 points from 16 disposals and five marks – three of those contested.

Riley Thilthorpe booted five goals in a glittering debut. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Coaches are advised not to jump on either just yet, with an injury to Power cult hero Lachie Jones burning those who took the plunge early.

Macrae could be in a similar boat to Jones after the allure of his surname coaxed some coaches last round – including this writer …

The first-round draftee managed just nine touches on Anzac Day and is among a group of Pies who face the selection axe.

At 1-5, Collingwood may opt to keep the faith with its youngsters, which could save Macrae, but he might not be worth buying anyway, considering he has averaged just 39 points in his first two matches.

The Pies play on Saturday afternoon so we will know for sure on Friday night whether Macrae or fellow cheapie Murphy, who showed some good signs on Sunday, will face the Suns.

Finlay Macrae’s spot could be up for grabs. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

HOLD

James Rowe (Adel) $232,600 FWD

Average: 56, BE: 31

Tom Highmore (St K) $117,300 DEF

Average: 68.5, BE: -68

Chad Warner (Syd) $337,100 FWD

Average: 80.8, BE: 76

Coaches will be tempted to rage trade Rowe after his quiet outing against Hawthorn, but I suspect any playing forward rookie will be a godsend this weekend.

The forward-line injury crisis is more reason to hold onto Warner for another week despite his high break even, as he has been producing better returns than any forward cheapie.

Upgrading your worst performing rookies for premiums will have the most significant impact on your weekly scoring, and it is worth keeping this in mind with Warner – who is only averaging 10 points less than the top-10 forwards.

Bubble-boy Highmore entered St Kilda’s emergencies in a positive step towards an elusive third game.

Yet another belting for the Saints should boost his chances of playing again soon. We hope.

Is it time to trade Errol Gulden? Picture: Richard Dobson

SELL

1. Braeden Campbell (Syd) $235,800 FWD/MID

Average: 54.7, BE: 65

2. Heath Chapman $269,200 DEF

Average:61.8, BE: 68

3. Nik Cox (Ess) $289,700 DEF/FWD

Average: 60.7, BE: 78

4. Errol Gulden (Syd) $309,500 MID

Average: 86.8, BE: 78

5. Sam Berry (Adel) $213,200 MID

Average:53.6, BE: 43

6. Tyler Brockman (Haw) $172,700 FWD/MID

Average:43, BE: 28

As mentioned above, these players aren’t must-sells for those with Dunkley and Neale.

But those without these two forced trades can certainly start looking at culling these cash cows, starting with Campbell.

The young Swan has well and truly hit the rookie wall after being named as the sub in Round 6 and is edging back closer to his starting price.

Chapman appeared set to eclipse the $300,000 mark but a score of 31 against North Melbourne has stalled his cash generation.

Gulden’s bubble has burst after scoring just 38 points in Sydney’s loss to Gold Coast, but if you have Cox (BE of 78) or Chapman (68), look to trade them out first.

Gulden’s poor total in Round 6 was his first score below 66, so he certainly isn’t the No.1 priority to move on.

Berry, omitted last week, and Brockman, unsighted since Round 4, aren’t losing cash but may find it tough to break back in.