Travis Boak, Andrew Gaff shaping as top KFC SuperCoach point of difference picks in 2020
Looking to get an edge on the competition? There’s a host of hidden gems flying under the radar in KFC SuperCoach. See the best unique picks to spice up your team ahead of Round 4, including a very hot Pie.
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KFC SuperCoach is as much about finding a gem of your own as it is nailing the popular picks.
While No. 1 ranked Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale (in 44.5 per cent of teams), Nat Fyfe (37.6 per cent) and Brodie Grundy (66.8 per cent) have thousands of admirers, some of the top scorers of the first three rounds have attracted little fanfare.
Todd Goldstein is the leading ruckman but he is in only 4.5 per cent of sides, while Travis Boak ranks fifth for overall points and is in just 0.9 per cent of teams.
The Power star was one of the top forward-midfielders last season, but lost FWD status after being injected back into the middle by Ken Hinkley.
That deterred many coaches who chose Boak last year, but those who took the punt have been handsomely rewarded.
These are the best unique KFC SuperCoach selections for Round 4.
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Travis Boak (Port Adelaide) $616,200 MID Avg: 132 Ownership: 0.9 per cent
Turning 31 this season, many KFC SuperCoaches expected a sizeable drop-off from Travis Boak — his 0.9 per cent ownership emphasises that. He has made a mockery of suggestions he would slow down, averaging a whopping 132 points and recording the fifth-most points of any player. Boak amassed 159 points with Ollie Wines back in the side on Sunday. If you are looking for a unique replacement for injured Bulldog Josh Dunkley, Boak should be your man. — DB
Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs) $483,600, FWD-MID Avg: 111 Ownership: 4.6 per cent
While Dunkley’s syndesmosis injury tugged at the heartstrings of KFC SuperCoaches, it is set to benefit young gun Bailey Smith. Smith’s role change from his debut season has been evident, spending 87 per cent of time in the midfield and averaging 14.3 centre-bounce attendances – compared to 45 per cent and 6.3 CBAs in 2019. Expect his centre bounce action to rise with Dunkley sidelined for the next six weeks, meaning his 111-point average could be sustainable. A POD alternative to Christian Petracca and Jy Simpkin. – DB
Jon Ceglar (Hawthorn) $445,700 RUC-FWD Avg: 97.3 Ownership: 4.1 per cent
It has been a mixed bag for Hawthorn’s new No. 1 ruckman but his role gives Ceglar ample opportunity to score prodigiously. Ceglar has spent 97 per cent of time as a ruckman, a significant rise from 59 per cent last year while partnering Ben McEvoy. His 120-point showing against Ivan Soldo could be attributed largely to his follow-up work rather than hit-outs. He faces a tough challenge this weekend manning in-form Todd Goldstein, but his ability to win the footy around the ground holds him in good stead as a value forward option. – DB
Darcy Fort (Geelong) $264,800 FWD Avg: 94 (1 game) Ownership: 0.7 per cent
Max Gawn, Stefan Martin and Rowan Marshall were discount forwards who burst onto the scene as the No. 1 ruckman in KFC SuperCoach. That is not to compare Darcy Fort’s ability to these stars, but he shapes as the next to take advantage of this lucrative role. After being dropped ahead of Round 2, the door has opened for Fort once again due to Rhys Stanley’s medial ligament injury. That blow is likely to see the reins handed to Fort in coming weeks, having registered 94 points in the opening round. His upcoming match-up of Max Gawn looks ominous but if Marc Pittonet can score 134 against the bearded giant, anything as possible. – DB
Nick Haynes GWS $507,500 DEF Avg: 107 Ownership: 4 per cent
The blistering start of Jeremy Howe indicates that intercept possessions are more valuable than ever in shortened quarters and Nick Haynes is one of the best interceptors in the business. Haynes is averaging 7.3 intercepts and 3.3 intercept marks in 2020 – ahead of Howe in both indicators – and it has translated into consistent scoring, recording three totals between 97 and 114. His high kick-to-handball ratio also bodes well for KFC SuperCoach, kicking 5.5 times for every handball this season. – DB
Wondering why we went to best 18 scoring at the weekend? @al_superfooty and @tim_michell explain. https://t.co/R5WNt9k9Vt #SuperCoach
— SuperCoach AFL (@Supercoach) June 22, 2020
Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) $678,700 RUC Avg: 150.3 Ownership: 4.6 per cent
Seems crazy to think Goldstein features in less teams than teammates Tristan Xerri (13.2 per cent) and Charlie Comben (8.8 per cent). The star Roo is the No. 1 ranked ruckman after three rounds and only Lachie Neale has scored more points. Goldstein’s endurance is his greatest advantage over other ruckmen. He’s featured in 311 minutes across the opening three rounds, considerably more than Brodie Grundy (234) and Max Gawn (avg. 93.5 mins). Goldstein also boasts an impressive PPM ratio of 1.5 and will soon cost more than $700,000. — TM
Andrew Gaff (West Coast) $612,800 MID Avg: 124.3 Ownership: 3.5 per cent
No player has more disposals than Eagles wingman Gaff after three games — yes, not even Lachie Neale! Gaff has averaged 29.6 disposals a game despite West Coast’s early-season struggles in the Queensland hub. That bodes well for his scoring when the Eagles return to Western Australia as early trends suggest successful teams enjoy the greatest portion of KFC SuperCoach scaling. Wingmen have rarely matched inside midfielders in SuperCoach scoring but Gaff could change that history after scores of 119, 137 and 117 to start the campaign. — TM
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Jayden Short (Richmond) $400,500 DEF Avg: 96.7 Ownership: 3.6 per cent
So much for the theory Short’s scoring would suffer when Bachar Houli returned to the Richmond team. After scores of 86, 78 and 126, Short has proven to be one of the year’s best mid-pricers. His ton against Hawthorn smashed his break even down to 25 and Short is projected to be $450,000 by the end of Round 5. Even if his scoring drops off, that would give you the chance to trade him directly to a fallen premium. He’s averaging 15.7 disposals and six marks this season. — TM
Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs) $528,900 DEF Avg: 103 Ownership: 5.3 per cent
Maybe it’s a height thing, but Daniel always seems to be overlooked in discussions about KFC SuperCoach’s best defenders. That’s despite averaging 99.1 last season. He’s gone four points better so far this year, producing totals of 92, 83 and 134 to open 2020. There’s some great value options in defence but if you have the extra cash available, Daniel is well worth a look. He dominated at Marvel Stadium last season and only once scored less than 77. It’s his consistency that makes him a genuine trade option. — TM
Brayden Maynard (Collingwood) $487,500 DEF Avg: 111.3 Ownership: 1.3 per cent
With a career-best KFC SuperCoach average of 79.9, it would have taken a brave coach to start with Maynard at $433,900. The Magpie has put himself firmly on the radar with scores of 104, 105 and 125, ranking second for total points to Round 3 behind teammate Jeremy Howe in defence. He hasn’t increased his numbers dramatically (18.9 disposals to 21.7, 4.3 marks to 5.7), but a disposal efficiency of 89 per cent has helped him attract scaling points. — TM
Originally published as Travis Boak, Andrew Gaff shaping as top KFC SuperCoach point of difference picks in 2020