KFC SuperCoach 2021 mid-pricer guide: All the value options in every position
Looking for value in KFC SuperCoach? You’ve come to the right place. The Phantom runs the rule over the best mid-price options in every position for 2021.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Looking for value in KFC SuperCoach?
You’ve come to the right place.
Like most years, there is so much to like in the mid-price bracket in 2021.
The Phantom takes an in-depth look at the names to consider in every position.
DEFENDERS
THE TOP PRICE
Zac Williams (Carl) $458,600
The former Giant’s 2019 finals series tells the story of his KFC SuperCoach scoring power.
In the semi-final win over Brisbane, Williams starred in defence, tallying 17 disposals – all of them effective – eight intercepts, six tackles, 456 metres gained and a game-high 137 points.
A week later in the preliminary final, the long-kicking right-footer was, arguably, the best midfielder on the ground, finishing with 25 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 clearances and 115 points.
In the build-up to the major round, Williams averaged 108 points per game in the last 11 home-and-away matches, playing mainly in defence.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
WHISPERS: ALL THE LATEST KFC SUPERCOACH NEWS
PREMIUM GUIDE: WHERE TO SPLASH YOUR CASH IN 2021
If he lined-up at half-back for his new side, Wiliams would be underpriced.
But he’s set to add a new dynamic to the Blues’ mifdield in 2021 and the potential of Williams winning more ball – especially forward of centre – is the big thing for KFC SuperCoaches.
Despite battling form and inconsistency last year, the 26-year-old averaged 132 points per 100 minutes as a midfielder.
It’s a very small sample – eight per cent – but it, again, shows his ceiling.
The Phantom’s verdict: If he settles in the Blues’ midfield quickly - and he’ll be given every opportunity - he could be the pick of the year. It’s not a huge one, but there’s still an if.
Alex Witherden (WC) $456,100
If this isn’t your first mid-price week, you will know Witherden is a long-time favourite of The Phantom.
From the first 30 games of career when he tallied at least 20 disposals in 23 of them and passed the 85-point mark in KFC SuperCoach 16 times, to his huge return – scores of 170, 85, 100 and 101 – mid-way through last year.
And, now, after the 22-year-old’s move to the Eagles, I’m even more excited.
Witherden, who wins so much football in the back-half and, more importantly, rarely gives up possession, couldn’t have found a better new home.
Last year, West Coast ranked first for marks and uncontested marks and fifth for short kicks in the defensive half.
Over his career, Witherden rates elite for marks, uncontested marks, kicks, effective kicks, and uncontested possessions, as well as total disposals, metres gained and rebound-50s as a defender.
The Phantom’s verdict: Pls. One of my first picked.
Liam Duggan (WC) $448,600
In the 2019, the premiership defender failed to reach three figures in KFC SuperCoach and finished with an average of 65 – the second-highest of his career to that point.
He wasn’t a serious option in KFC SuperCoach, but he was entrenched in the Eagles defence.
Last year, however, the attacking traits, which were a big part of his game as a junior, came to the fore.
On average, Duggan won more of the ball and took more marks per 100 minutes than he ever has before, after pushing further up the ground in 2020.
He even spent some time in the middle – finally.
As a junior, Duggan was a damaging midfielder, averaging 22 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six score involvements, five tackles, four clearances and 119 KFC SuperCoach points, while also booting 14 goals, in his draft year in the NAB League.
So, expect his numbers to increase again if the new role continues this year. And there’s a good chance it does with the pre-season concerns over midfield stars Elliot Yeo and Luke Shuey.
The Phantom’s verdict: I’ll be watching very, very closely in the Eagles’ pre-season matches.
THE NEXT STEP
Hunter Clark (StK) $438,900
Speaking of favourites, Clark featured here last summer, after ranking second for uncontested possessions, third for handball-receives, fifth for disposals and sixth for effective kicks and metres gained at the Saints from Round 15 in 2019.
He averaged 86 KFC SuperCoach points in the final nine games from half-back.
On the back of the impressive second-year numbers – and a standout junior career – I tipped Clark to take a big step in 2020.
It wasn’t as dramatic as I had expected but there was a step, with the classy 21-year-old increasing his KFC SuperCoach average from 74 to 82.
And there were more glimpses of his scoring potential, with Clark posting five KFC SuperCoach tons.
None more impressive than his midfield cameo in Round 17.
Against the Eagles, Clark tallied 24 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 12 groundball-gets, six score involvements, five clearances and 124 KFC SuperCoach points.
Adjusting the stats per 100 minutes, they are all career-highs.
And, most impressive, zero clangers.
So am I making a similar prediction again?
The Phantom’s verdict: There will be another step, yes. But it’s all about the timing of the permanent midfield shift because his brilliant hands and composure could soon make him the Saints’ best.
Jack Scrimshaw (Haw) $399,600
When James Sicily went down with a season-ending knee injury last year, Scrimshaw’s output went up.
In his first seven games for the season, the left-footer averaged 63 KFC SuperCoach points.
In the six following Sicily’s injury, Scrimshaw averaged 85 per game.
The +22 differential is not the only impressive number to come from his fourth season in the competition.
From Round 12 onwards, the 22-year-old, who has only played 27 career games, averaged 2.8 intercept marks per game and took three or more in four of the final six matches.
Only Nick Haynes (3.4) and Jeremy McGovern (3.2) averaged more for the year.
The Phantom’s verdict: I’m tipping another spike but is a legitimate top-six chance? He’d want to go close at the price.
EXPLAINED: HOW THE KFC SUPERCOACH SCORING WORKS
Isaac Cumming (GWS) $288,000
No Zac Williams. No Heath Shaw. No Aidan Corr.
And Lachie Whitfield is injured.
Is it finally Cumming’s time at the Giants?
There are marks, kicks and kick-ins up for grabs in the GWS defence this year.
Coor (59), Shaw (24), Whifield (24) and Williams (18) took the bulk of the team’s kick-ins in 2020.
Despite an impressive pre-season, which included KFC SuperCoach scores of 86 and 111, the athletic 22-year-old played just three matches last year and tallied a total of 35 disposals.
But he hit the target with 32 of them. And in those three games, Cumming took 12 kick-ins.
So, if he cements a spot in the Giants side, a scoring spike is inevitable.
And given Cumming is priced at an average of 54, there’s plenty of value.
Second-year defender – and fellow mid-price option - Lachie Ash ($320,600) and mature-age draftee Jacob Wehr are the two who could get in his way, however.
The Phantom’s verdict: I’d love to say I’ll base my selection on his performance – and role – in the AAMI Series. But so many KFC SuperCoaches did that last year, and look how that turned out. I’m still deciding. The big question is; can he actually take the opportunity?
THE RETURN
Nic Newman (Carl) $415,400
In his first year at the Blues in 2019, Newman proved himself as a legitimate KFC SuperCoach defender, thanks largely to a strong finish.
The ball-winner posted KFC SuperCoach tons in five of his final nine matches – two of them in excess of 145 – to record a 109-point post-bye average.
His 97-point season average put him on the edge of the top-10 in defence.
Yes, for those who remember, my pre-season prediction that Newman would be a top-eight defender at his new club was, although close, wrong.
But with injury wiping out his 2020 season after Round 2, Newman is the 53rd most-expensive defender in KFC SuperCoach.
Given what he achieved the previous year, he has to remain on the on the watchlist for that fact alone.
The Phantom’s verdict: Docherty wasn’t there in 2019 and the Blues have to now also fit Adam Saad into their defence. So the question mark around his role is the big sticking point at this stage of the pre-season.
Wayne Milera (Adel) $312,200
There’s an issue with Milera’s role at the Crows, too, but it’s a good one.
Will he slot straight back in across half-back or be a part of Adelaide’s new-look midfield?
Either way, there’s also no doubting his value in KFC SuperCoach.
In 2018, his third year in the game, the speedster averaged 23 disposals, six marks, four rebound 50s and 95 SuperCoach points per game from Round 17 onwards.
He hit the target with 133 of his 158 disposals and took 19 intercept marks during this time.
Milera failed to have a consistent impact when moved into the midfield in 2019, as the Crows struggled.
And then injury ruined any chance he had to make up for it 2020.
The Phantom’s verdict: In time, it may be very different but for now, in KFC SuperCoach, his best spot might be half-back. I think the Crows need him in the midfield, however. I’m not saying he won’t score well, though.
MUST-HAVES: 11 PLAYERS YOU CAN’T START WITHOUT
SMOKIES
James Hames (Melb) $344,700
The experiment of Harmes as a defender appears to be over.
The 25-year-old recently confirmed he is back with the midfield group and will return to a role on the inside this year.
Harmes averaged 95 points per game - 100 in the final eight games - in a similar role in a career-best 2019.
Enough said, really.
The Phantom’s verdict: His status as a defender, after last year’s trial, makes him very KFC SuperCoach relevant if the midfield return does, in fact, happen.
Isaac Quaynor (Coll) $405,300
The young Magpie averaged 91 KFC SuperCoach points across half-back in the NAB League in his draft year and 84 points in his first season in the VFL in 2019.
And then last year, he made his mark at the top level.
Quaynor played nine senior matches in 2020 and put together a standout final month.
After being recalled in Round 14, the 21-year-old posted scores of 92, 64, 101 and 94 to finish the year.
He’s highly-rated at the club, he wants to play in the midfield and he’s had a great summer.
The Phantom’s verdict: Track him closely.
Laird and Sholl
— Brodie smith (@Brodiesmith33) January 27, 2021
Lachie Sholl (Adel) $343,200, Mid
After averaging 24 disposals, six intercepts and 111 KFC SuperCoach points in the NAB League, Sholl made a strong start against the bigger bodies in the SANFL in 2019.
He posted five KFC SuperCoach tons, hit the target with 76 per cent of his disposals and averaged 23 touches and seven intercepts in the final month of the season.
He then added muscle to his slight frame and proved he can have an impact at the top level.
In Round 17 against the Blues, Sholl famously missed out on a Rising Star nomination despite tallying 24 disposals, eight score involvements, five inside 50s, 627 metres gained and 124 KFC SuperCoach points.
And if the talk out of West Lakes is anything to go by, he will hit the ground running in 2021.
The Phantom’s verdict: Awkward price but he might surprise.
Hayden Young (Freo) $279,400
The damaging left-footer ranked first for intercept possessions and second for metres gained and averaged 107 points at the national under-18 championships for Vic Country in 2019.
He then went even bigger in the NAB League, averaging 129 points per game.
After being drafted at pick No. 7 by the Dockers, Young battle injury during his debut season, playing just five matches. But he scored 109 KFC SuperCoach points in just his third career game in Round 4.
Now. this summer, like observers did throughout his junior career, the Dockers are raving about his left-foot.
“Hayden’s looking really good. He’s a lot fitter, a lot stronger,” fellow defender Luke Ryan told the club’s website.
“Even now, when he takes kick ins or does his running off half back, his leg just looks unbelievable at the moment. It’s exciting for us.”
The Phantom’s verdict: Did he say kick-ins? This kid will be a star. I just want role confirmation in the pre-season matches first.
MIDFIELDERS
THE MUST-HAVE
Matt Rowell (GC $495,100)
120, 167, 189, 111, 147, 128, 146, 129, 177, 152, 266, 80, 172, 142, 114, 6.
They are Matt Rowell’s KFC SuperCoach scores in his past 16 games covered by Champion Data at any level.
The 266-point performance was his last in the NAB League and the 172-point score was his second AFL game.
But his most recent score of six may be the most relevant when looking ahead to 2021.
Before the injury against the Cats in Round 5, Rowell averaged an extraordinary 124 points in the opening four games of his career.
That sort of figure would usually price him around the $670k mark.
But after missing the rest of the season – and with the six-point score included in his 2020 average – Rowell is priced at an average of 92.
Do you see many 92s in the scores above!?
The Phantom’s Verdict: The talk out of the Gold Coast is Rowell used his time-off to study the game further and looks set to return even stronger in 2021.
THE NEXT STEP
Tom Green (GWS $351)
I’m going to get straight to the point.
In 2017, Melbourne star Clayton Oliver increased his KFC SuperCoach average from 70 to 111 in a remarkable second year.
I’m predicting Green to do something similar this year. My prediction earlier in the pre-season was the 20-year-old can push his average from 73 to 108.
Why?
The 191cm Green holds Champion Data’s contested possession record at the national under-18 carnival and, last year, his first in the competition, he showed why it may not be the only record he breakss before his career is over.
In Round 17, Green tallied 30 disposals, 20 contested possessions and 119 KFC SuperCoach points in 67 per cent game-time.
The big-bodied midfielder finished with 19 groundball gets, the most recorded in any match.
Oliver and Lachie Neale, the AFL’s top two groundball players over the past three seasons, have recorded more in a single outing just once since 2017.
It was 19-year-old Green’s fifth career game. Yes, the fifth time he’s pulled on the Giant’s jumper in the senior side.
The Phantom’s Verdict: I’m all in. Even if it means I’m putting alot of faith in Giants coach Leon Cameron. But given their struggles with first-possession and clearances last year, they need Green.
Adam Cerra (Freo $484,800)
Speaking of spikes, the classy Docker increased his average from 62 to 90 after posting five KFC SuperCoach tons last year.
The increase was on the back of a move further up the ground with Cerra spending 86 per cent of game-time in the midfield last season – plenty of it on a wing.
But his form in the second-half of the year suggests the classy ball-user, who averaged 138 points in the NAB league in 2017, is a chance of another sharp spike in 2021.
Cerra averaged 101 points per game from Round 9 onwards and, in another sign his midfield responsibility is on the way up, attended 27 centre bounces in the final two matches.
“At this stage his role will be minutes inside as a midfielder and being one of our starting mids every week, Fremantle midfield coach Josh Carr told the AFL website in January.
“We rate him really highly as an inside midfielder.”
The Phantom’s verdict: I’d love to pick him. As a midfielder-only at $484k, though, it’s tough. But we could all be left saying “I knew it, I should’ve picked him.”
Bailey Smith (WB $494,600)
After playing every game in his debut season, scoring 86 or more in six of his final nine games, Smith started 2020 with a bang, posting KFC SuperCoach tons in four of the opening six rounds.
He scored 93 and a concussion-affected three - which affected his season average and 2021 starting price - in the other two.
Smith failed to pass the 77-point mark in five of the next 12 matches, but he posted another six KFC SuperCoach tons, including a huge 150-point score, on the back of 37 disposals against the Crows.
He has a history of going big, too, posting scores of 201 and 150 in his two NAB League games in his draft year, as well as three scores of 120 or more at the under-18 national carnival.
The 20-year-old is a running machine who can play on the inside and the outside.
He did both last year and, given the way the Bulldogs mix things up, he’s likely to do so again in 2021.
The Phantom’s verdict: In his short career, Smith has proven he can score in any midfield role, even as a high half-forward. But, as much as I believe he’s a KFC SuperCoach premium of the future, it would still be a big call to start him in the classic format as a midfielder-only.
NEW GAME: WHY YOU SHOULD PLAY KFC SUPERCOACH DRAFT
Jackson Hately (Adel $310,300)
Hately’s move home should mean consistent opportunity in the midfield, something he hasn’t had in his two years in the competition.
The 20-year-old, who averaged 108 points at the 2018 national under-18 carnival, has played just 13 senior games since being drafted at pick No. 14 in 2018 and he was a late inclusion to the Giants side for three of them.
But he still posted KFC SuperCoach scores of 95 and 85 in the opening two games of his career in 2019 and 108 in his first appearance in Round 3 last year.
The smart, ball-winning midfielder wasn’t picked in Round 1, despite a standout pre-season, which saw him average 115 points in the pre-season competition.
Following the impressive Round 3 performance against the Bulldogs, Hately scored 57 or less in four of his next five matches – and that’s a concern.
But it, again, all comes down to his role.
In 2020, Hately did not attend a centre bounce for the Giants.
With the departure of Brad Crouch, and the rejuvenation of Adelaide’s midfield, that is likely to change this year.
“There’s definitely the opportunity for centre bounces and that’s where I see myself playing really good footy,” Hately told Channel 10 in Adelaide earlier this summer.
The Phantom’s verdict: He’s in my team at the moment and, while I don’t think he’s a keeper, I’m picking him as a mid-price stepping stone, who can average 90.
HAVE THEY STILL GOT IT?
Ben Cunnington (NM $439,800)
In 2019, Cunnington ranked third for clearances and fourth for contested possesions in the competition, in a career-best KFC SuperCoach season.
He posted six scores of 127 or more, among 11 KFC SuperCoach tons.
But, with four scores of 66 or less, his final average of 102.
And the 29-year-old, while he boasts a huge ceiling, has always battled inconsistency in KFC SuperCoach.
In the six seasons before 2019, Cunnington averaged 96, 92, 83, 81, 93, 92 and 96.
It’s also summed up in his first two games of 2020, before he struggled with injury.
The contested-ball gun posted a round-high 185 in the season-opener against the Saints before recording 72 against the Giants the following week.
The Phantom’s verdict: For me, there’s not as much value at the price as it seems.
Dyson Heppell (Ess $319,100)
For more than $100k less, you can have the Bombers skipper who has averaged 101 or more in three of the five seasons before the injury-ravaged 2020.
And while he may not return to the same midfield role he occupied pre-injury, the slated move to half-back could also work nicely for KFC SuperCoach.
His KFC SuperCoach impact from the middle waned slightly in 2019, anyway.
In Rounds 7, 9 and 10, Heppell finished with 24, 27 and 26 disposals in each match respectively.
But, on the back of 16 clangers and poor execution by foot, his KFC SuperCoach scores were 75, 77 and 77.
Sure, I’m being selective, but maybe a role behind the ball – one he played at times during his 106-point season of 2014 – is better for us.
Regardless, at that price, like Hately, he doesn’t need to be a keeper and average 106 points per game.
But the other sticking point with Heppell is his recovery from the serious ankle injury has delayed his start to the pre-season. The 28-year-old says he still has his eyes on Round 1 but he’s far from a certainty.
The Phantom’s verdict: Price is very appealing but the limited pre-season is not. Scratch match form encouraging but still very much a wait-and-see.
UNDERPRICED
Tim Taranto (GWS $453,700)
Tim Michell currently has Taranto at No. 3 in his top-50 mid-price rankings – and No. 1 of all midfielders.
And he makes a good case. The 23-year-old was the Giants’ best-and-fairest in a year the club made the grand final, averaging 103 points per game in just his third season.
Taranto posted 13 KFC SuperCoach tons, four of them in excess of 130.
But he dislocated his shoulder last summer and missed the opening six rounds of 2020.
Despite the delayed start, Taranto posted scores of 81, 111, 126 and 92 in his first four games back before passing three figures just once in the final eight rounds as the limited preparation caught up with him.
But, as a result, he starts this year priced at an average of 84.
As a midfielder with multiple avenues of scoring – he rates above average for disposals, contested possessions, clearances, scoreboard impact and elite for metres gained – a fit Taranto is unlikely to average less than three figures.
The Phantom’s verdict: Well priced, and has the runs on the board – dating back to his NAB League average of 148.
SMOKIES
Noah Anderson (GC) $411,500
Matt Rowell this. Matt Rowell that.
Best mate Anderson is used to it by now, but, like he’s always done, he’s quietly starring in his own right.
The classy right-footer posted two KFC SuperCoach double-tons and averaged 143 points alongside Rowell in the NAB League, before playing every game in his debut season at the Suns.
After averaging 15 disposals, six contested possessions and two clearances in the first 11 matches, Anderson’s output skyrocketed.
In five of the final six games of the year, the 19-year-old tallied 20 disposals or more, as he spend time more time on-ball.
He had at least nine contested possessions in each of those matches, recording 12 or more in 13 of them.
Anderson finished with 38 clearances for the year in total and 19 of them came in the final six rounds.
It translated into KFC SuperCoach, too, with the young gun posting scores of 126, 35, 116, 90, 110 and 88 to finish the season.
And he’s been a standout in Gold Coast’s match-sim playing on-ball.
The Phantom’s verdict: Another I’d really like to pick, but is there better value?
Josh Daicos (Coll) $442,200
Adam Treloar is gone, and now Taylor Adams is injured.
Daicos’ chances of being handed more of an all-round midfield role, despite his effectiveness on the outside, after an impressive finish to 2020, are growing by the day.
The 22-year-old was one of the highlights of Collingwood’s season, showing poise, skill – on both sides - and a terrific footy IQ.
Daicos, who averaged eight more points per game without Treloar in the side, passed the 85-point mark on eight occasions and posted four KFC SuperCoach tons.
More impressive, though, was his 1.7 clangers per game, the lowest of any Magpie to average 15 disposals or more.
His contested-possession rate has never been high, dating back through his junior career and VFL days, but his performance against the Lions in Round 15 proves he can win the ball in any way.
Daicos, who finished with 25 disposals, tallied 12 contested possessions and six clearances – both career-highs. Only Lions star Jarryd Lyons won more of the ball in contest that night.
The Phantom’s verdict: Could breakout but I’m unlikely to take the punt at that price.
RUCKMEN
$1,399,600.
That’s how much the Max Gawn-Brodie Grundy combination will cost you.
That’s 14 per cent of your total KFC SuperCoach salary cap.
Sure, barring injury, they will almost certainly finish as the top two players in their position and that’s what your aim should be, to pick the best players in each part of the field.
And, like they did in the two years prior to 2020, they could finish as the No. 1 and No. 2 scorers in the game.
But it’s likely to affect the balance of the rest of your starting team.
If you’re confident on a mid-price option in, say, the midfield, you could splash the cash at R2, we’re all going to want them both at some stage anyway.
But if there’s a value option in the ruck, you could pair them up with another premium midfielder instead.
And then use them as a stepping stone to the premium ruck you didn’t start with.
If you missed premium week, I’m tipping Gawn and Grundy to meet in the middle at about a 130-point average this year. You can read the full analysis here.
That means the Melbourne big man dropping 10 points off his 2020 average and a stack of cash.
So, are there actually any mid-price ruckmen who could act as the perfect stepping stone?
Good question.
Brayden Preuss (GWS) $303,000
The answer was a resounding yes, until new Giants big man Preuss was ruled out for up to five months with shoulder injury.
The 25-year-old landed at GWS during last year’s trade period after serving as Todd Goldstein’s No. 2 at North Melbourne and Gawn’s reserve at the Demons.
With Sam Jacobs retiring and a 34-year-old Shane Mumford likely to serve as just back-up, Preuss looks set to finally take on the role as No. 1 ruckman.
He’s had very little exposure as the sole big man, lining up in just five of his 18 career games without Gawn or Goldstein.
But the numbers are impressive.
In the three matches he played without Gawn at the Demons, Preuss posted scores of 84, 85 and 140.
The 140-point score against Carlton in Round 16, 2019, coming on the back of 14 disposals, 19 hitouts-to-advantage, eight score involvements and three intercept marks.
In his two at North Melbourne without Todd Goldstein, the 206cm Preuss scored 111 and an injury-affected 39.
And dominant probably doesn’t even describe his VFL form accurately during his time in Victoria.
Preuss posted a KFC SuperCoach ton in 21 of his 27 state league games between 2018 and 2019, 12 of them in excess of 140.
And in his final three VFL appearances, Preuss scored 217, 140 and 254.
Yep, two double-tons.
Sure, not all the opposition ruckmen in the VFL are AFL standard but a double-ton is a double-ton.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Like many, I had him locked in at R2 - what a shame.
Sam Draper (Ess) $378,100
The young Bomber could now be the leading mid-price hope.
After averaging 131 points in the VFL in 2019, Draper finally got his chance at the top level last season.
And as a rookie-price ruckman, he didn’t disappoint.
Despite being rested twice due to the compressed fixture, Draper, who rated above-average for intercept possessions, intercept marks, inside 50s and metres gained in his debut season, gave Essendon fans plenty to get excited about, with his competitiveness at the contest and his marking around the ground.
He added to his price quickly, scoring 63 or more in each of his first six matches with the 122-point performance against the Tigers the highlight.
On that night in Round 13, Draper tallied 13 disposals, eight hitouts-to-advantage, eight intercepts – four of them marks - four tackles and four score involvements.
He’s still raw but he’s got so much upside – more than anyone on this list.
And he’s been a standout on the track over summer.
But how long will it take him to put it all together?
The Phantom’s Verdict: I think he will be a KFC SuperCoach favourite in-time, but this year? I’ll entertain the thought but I’m not certain.
Oscar McInerney (Bris) $443,400
‘Big O’ took over from Stefan Martin as the Lions’ No. 1 ruckman last year and announced himself in KFC SuperCoach.
After spending majority of the previous year forward, McInerney, who was drafted as a mature-rookie in 2017, added 14 points to his average after posting 10 scores of 85 or more, including five KFC SuperCoach tons.
He averaged 82 across the entire year, but he really got going in the back-half of the season without Martin.
McInerney averaged 92 points from Round 8 onwards, and, on average, he scored 18 more points with Martin out of the side in 2020.
He finished fourth in Brisbane’s best-and-fairest and has just signed a three-year contract extension.
The 26-year-old has lost is dual-position status but it would seem the only way is up for the Lions’ new cult hero.
The Phantom’s Verdict: A great story and he would’ve been a very intriguing option if he had retained his dual-position. Keep him on your KFC SuperCoach draft watchlist.
Stefan Martin (WB) $272,200
The Big O’s mentor has landed at Whitten Oval.
At the peak of his powers, Martin averaged 112, 111, 90, 98, 106 and 92 between 2014 and 2019 at the Lions.
The difference between his median price during those years and what he starts 2021 at is staggering.
But in a year ruined by injury, Martin scored 58 or less in five of his six matches in 2020.
Some would say he’s past it.
The 34-year-old has been given a fresh start at the Bulldogs, though and he recently said he’s feeling “fantastic”.
The Phantom’s Verdict: The one way you’d go there was if you knew he was going to lead the Bulldogs ruck brigade in the first-half of the season. Given the price, I won’t write him off completely until the AAMI Series, but, even if he does perform well, how many games does his play?
AND ANOTHER ONE TO WATCH
Tom Hickey (StK) $261,100
Just keep an eye on what the Swans do with their ruck setup because the former West Coast big man could easily average between 75 and 80, which he did in 2018 and 2019, if he can push past Cal Sinclair.
FORWARDS
The mid-price value across other lines is obvious but you have to dig a little bit deeper to find the KFC SuperCoach value in the forward line.
But, if you look close enough, there are a number of potential gems.
In the final installment of mid-price week, I’ve done the looking for you.
THE TOP PRICE
Isaac Heeney $452,500 (Syd), Toby Greene $448,400 (GWS) and Chad Wingard (Haw) $452,300
Given there are only 10 players price at $475k or more in the forward-line, I stretched the premium section out to $460k+, meaning Heeney, Greene and Wingard didn’t get a mention.
But given their standing in KFC SuperCoach – at one point or another over the past few seasons – they need to be mentioned.
As good as they are at the peak of their powers in KFC SuperCoach, however, all three are very risky starting selections.
One day, Heeney will become what we’ve all been waiting for, a true KFC SuperCoach premium. And it might be soon, depending on how quickly Sydney’s young forwards develop.
But he’s no certainty for Round 1 as he continues to build towards full fitness after a serious ankle injury last year. The price is good, but let’s wait and see.
The price is always enticing for Giants star Greene but given the departure of Jeremy Cameron, coach Leon Cameron has no real choice but to play, arguably, the competition’s best pound-for-pound forward close to goal.
Greene will still pop up with big scores in the role, like he has done for a number of seasons, but he’s only a top-eight lock in a permanent midfield role.
Wingard is the interesting one. Or maybe frustrating is the more appropriate term.
He averaged three figures in the midfield in his final year at Port Adelaide in 2018 and he posted three scores of 120 or more in opening four rounds of 2020, in a hybrid midfield-forward role.
If Hawthorn’s match-sim over summer is anything to go by, Wingard will play a similar role in 2021 but can he overcome the consistency issues that affected him from Round 4 onwards last year – and at numerous times over his career?
The Phantom’s Verdict: As much as I love Greene the midfielder, it’s a no this year. But Heeney and Wingard are on the wait-and-see list.
THE BARGAINS
Jack Ziebell (NM) $257,900
Now we’re talking.
You have to scroll past 169 players before you get to the North Melbourne skipper.
At $257k, Ziebell is priced at an average 48 points per game.
He’s so far down the list because of an injury-ravaged 2020, which saw him play just eight games, three of them heavily injury-affected, resulting in scores of 0, 19 and 20.
In the previous seven seasons, the 29-year-old averaged 91, 84, 89, 94, 87, 84 and 95.
He may not play in the midfield-forward role we’re accustomed to, after confirming he is being trialed across half-back, but a fit Ziebell would probably average more than 48 points as the club’s waterboy.
The Phantom’s Verdict: With the forward-line rookie-price options looking a little slim at this early stage, compared to other lines, a fit Ziebell is looming as a Round 1 must-have.
EXPERT TEAMS: The Phantom | Al Paton | Tim Michell | Dan Batten
NO-GONE ZONE: THE PLAYERS TO AVOID IN KFC SUPERCOACH
Connor Rozee (Port) $377,200
We could all be laughing at Rozee’s $377k starting price tag by the year’s end, too.
Despite a blistering start to 2020 in the midfield, he spent most of his second season in a forward role and battled a heel injury from Round 7.
Playing on one leg is a term I’ve even heard used.
But he’s fitter, and the Power want to get him back in the middle.
Assistant coach Michael Voss has said it this summer. Midfield star Travis Boak, too. Even All-Australian Darcy Byrne-Jones conceded he’s unlikely to win a spot in the midfield “in front of Ollie (Wines) and Trav (Boak) and Connor (Rozee) and Pep (Sam Powell-Pepper)” on Adelaide radio last week.
Now, I’m saying it, too. Look out.
We saw his enormous KFC SuperCoach ceiling, with scores of 125 and 145, in the opening two rounds of last year.
And, while he spent his draft year at half-back in North Adelaide’s senior side, he averaged 140 KFC SuperCoach points in his bottom-age season in the SANFL under-18s as a midfielder.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Only in 7.7 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches are onboard - I’m one of them. But that figure should be a lot higher - and it will be after six goals in Port’s recent intra-club match.
THE NEXT STEP?
Zac Bailey (Bris) $420,300, Mid
In the lead-up to the Lions’ Round 14 bye last year, Bailey gave the KFC SuperCoach community a glimpse of his scoring potential.
The 21-year-old settled in a wing-forward role in 2020, with Brisbane coach Chris Fagan making use of Bailey’s impressive combination of work-rate, ball-winning, kicking inside-50 and goal sense.
As a midfielder-forward, Bailey rated elite for kicking and inside-50 kicks and above average for scoreboard impact, metres gained and pressure.
Highlighting his purple patch between Rounds 7 and 14, Bailey averaged 97 points per game, posting four KFC SuperCoach tons in the seven-game stretch.
The Phantom’s Verdict: It’s hard to be sure his role increases with the talent running around in the Lions midfield but last year’s spike keeps him on the radar as a dual-position forward.
Jaidyn Stephenson (NM) $354,100
“At this stage, that’s what it is looking like.”
They are the words of North Melbourne coach David Noble when asked about the former Magpie playing in the midfield at his new club.
It certainly got my attention.
Stephenson, who is currently in 3.1 per cent of teams, won the Rising Star award in 2018, after booting 38 goals and averaging 64 KFC SuperCoach points in his debut season.
He then scored 82 points or more in seven of the opening 12 rounds of 2019, including three KFC SuperCoach tons, before he was suspended for breaching the AFL’s betting rules.
But in terms of pure midfield numbers, we have to cast our minds back to 2017.
In the final nine NAB League games of his draft year, Stephenson averaged 26 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six tackles, six score involvements, five marks, five inside-5os, four clearances and 134 KFC SuperCoach points.
I’ve got your attention now, too, don’t I?
The Phantom’s Verdict: Very much on the watchlist.
ULTIMATE GUIDE: ALL THE BEST PREMIUMS TO PICK
NEW CLUB
Jye Caldwell (Ess) $348,600, Mid
Back in 2019, Caldwell made his AFL debut as a late replacement for Jacob Hopper – and it was an impressive one, too.
He tallied 13 disposals, six contested possessions, six tackles, five marks and 73 KFC SuperCoach points.
Caldwell failed to pass that mark in his next nine games, partly due to his limited role in a stacked Giants side and the fact he’s been dropped on three separate occasions since.
Like former teammate, and fellow 2018 draftee Jackson Hately, Caldwell has never had consistent opportunity – in a senior side and in a role.
But, like Hately, he looks set for greater midfield opportunities from Round 1 at his new club.
Caldwell averaged 93 KFC SuperCoach points in his eight non-injury-affected NEAFL games in 2019 but most of his draft year was wiped out through injury.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Role aside, there’s not a lot to be certain on so the pre-season matches will be very important.
Jack Higgins (StK) $419,600
Higgins’ junior career was the complete opposite.
As a midfielder, he averaged 144 KFC SuperCoach points in the 33 games covered by Champion Data, eclipsing Tom Rockliff’s long-standing record.
And he made a strong start to his career at the top-level, averaging 72 points per game playing a forward role in his debut season of 2018.
After undergoing brain surgery which threatened his career, Higgins - who is in less than one per cent of KFC SuperCoach teams - is healthy, back at the club he supported as a junior and is a chance for extra midfield minutes at the Saints.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Jack Higgins the midfielder could be KFC SuperCoach gold.
Tom Phillips (Haw) $402,600, Mid
The hard-running left-footer was trending in the right way in terms of KFC SuperCoach in 2018.
After averaging 65 points in six games in 2016, Phillips added 11 points to that figure after player 18 matches the following year.
Then he really made his mark, increasing his average from 76 to 90 in 2018, after posting eight KFC SuperCoach tons – seven in the opening 11 rounds – and tallying 20 disposals or more in all but one of his 21 non-injury-affect home-and-away matches.
But, over his five-year career, that was the peak.
Phillips had 1.3 less disposals per game in 2019 but, more damning, his kicking-efficiency dropped from 62 to 55 per cent and total disposal-efficiency from 71 to 64.
His KFC SuperCoach average dropped to 83.
And before injury ended his season two games early, Phillips averaged just 75 points per game in his last year at the Magpies.
The Phantom’s Verdict: He may have more responsibility at the Hawks – and that’s a big tick – but I’m still concerned about how much impact he’ll have.
IS IT FINALLY TIME?
Will Brodie (GC) $344,900, Mid
“Hopefully this will be my year,” Brodie said recently.
So do I, Will, so do I.
And after shedding five kilograms in the off-season and slashing 30 seconds of time 2km time trial, in a bid to overcome the concerns around his work ethic, it really could be.
His numbers have never been a problem.
In his eight games in 2019, Brodie tallied 20 disposals or more and passed the 88-point mark in KFC SuperCoach on four occasions.
In the final round of the year, the 189cm midfielder finished with 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 10 tackles and 110 KFC SuperCoach points in just 68 per cent game-time.
But after one senior game in 2020, Brodie, who has averaged 100, 124 and 127 in his three NEAFL seasons, was dropped and didn’t return.
Over to you, Stuart.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Long-time readers will know I’ve been waiting on this for a long time and there’s a chance – even if only a slight one given the Suns’ midfield talent – the wait comes to an end this year.
AND ANOTHER ONE TO WATCH
Jack Martin (Carl) $446,300
“He’s spending more time through the midfield this pre-season, specifically more as an inside midfielder - we know how good he is as a ball hunter, Carlton assistant coach John Barker told the club’s website about the plan for Martin in 2021.
He’ll play both midfield and up forward. What we want to do is expose him to more midfield minutes this year.”
I couldn’t sleep the night after hearing those comments.
But, at the price, it would still be a big call to start. I’m happy jumping on if the role eventuates.
AVOID
Orazio Fantasia (Port) $271,800, Def and Ben Brown (Melb) $260,300
With Fantasia’s injury history and Brown’s latest knee setback, you probably get exactly what you pay for in terms of games played. Avoid to start with, anyway.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2021 mid-pricer guide: All the value options in every position
The AFL trades set to deliver big SuperCoach bargains
Bailey Smith and Clayton Oliver could be huge SuperCoach steals at a new club in 2025. Which other names should be on the watch list? Here are the moves to watch.
AFL obsession to NBL addiction: How SuperCoach hooked me on hoops
I hadn’t watch the NBL since the Andrew Gaze and Shane Heal days. Now I’m taking my son to United games and watching Phoenix on Kayo because of one reason.