KFC SuperCoach 2021: The Phantom answers the burning questions ahead of Round 3
Considering Round 2’s highest KFC SuperCoach scorer Zak Butters this week? You should see these stats first. Plus Round 3 trade advice from The Phantom.
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Every KFC SuperCoach will have questions ahead of the all-important first round of price change.
So, again, no time for Phantom gags this week - not even Leon Cameron ones.
Actually, we’ll see. Here’s my take on KFC SuperCoach’s biggest questions.
Should I be trading this week?
Unless you picked the perfect starting team – with all the right rookies and no failing mid-pricers – this is the week to make any corrective trades, before player prices rise and fall.
I’m not talking about correcting a slow-starting premium, though – I’m firmly in the hold Lachie Neale camp.
Why are you holding, Neale? His price will take a big hit.
It will, but I believe he’s still a top-eight midfielder from this point and you’ll want him in your final team. So, is his price even relevant? Read my full analysis here.
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So what should be our priority?
Rookies – and imminent cash injection – should be at the top of your list. If you don’t have any of the following – and some of you don’t – it’s where you should start this week.
Errol Gulden ($117k MID) – Average: 137, Breakeven: -206
Matt Flynn ($123k RUCK) – Average: 109, Breakeven: -145
James Jordon ($123k MID) – Average: 80, Breakeven: -87
Tom Highmore ($117 DEF) – Average: 68, Breakeven: -68
Chad Warner ($144 FWD) – Average: 82, Breakeven: -80
Braeden Campbell ($189k FWD-MID) – Average: 87, Breakeven: -63
Given the scoring we’ve seen from these six names, in particular, trading a failed mid-price selection down to one of the must-have rookies you don’t own is the perfect trade.
Or, if you really are set on dumping an underperforming premium, consider a rookie restructure.
Trade down, play an extra rookie on-field and bolster your defence for example.
Premium defenders, you reckon?
On what we’ve seen so far, yep.
After two rounds, 10 defenders are averaging 110 points or more, placing them all inside the top-26 players in the competition.
There’s been a few surprises, too. In a pure footy sense, it’s no surprise to see Darcy Moore doing what he’s doing but his 118-point average is 38 points more than last season’s, while Shannon Hurn (117) has turned back the clock.
But it’s St Kilda’s go-to man at the kick-ins – wait for it – Dougal Howard (116) who has been the biggest shock.
TRADE GUIDE: ALL THE OPTIONS TO CONSIDER AHEAD OF ROUND 3
Who?
Fair question. He’s the former Port Adelaide defender who averaged 66 points in his first year at the Saints, and 69, 72 and 73 in the three seasons before that.
But he’s being trusted with the ball in 2021, playing on from 16 kick-ins over the first two rounds – the third-most in the AFL.
And of all players to have played both matches, Howard ranks first for spoils, third for metres gained, seventh for intercept marks and ninth for effective kicks in the competition. He’s posted KFC SuperCoach scores of 99 and 133 as a result.
Yes, really.
He’s set to reach the $400k mark this week but, if he is legitimate this year, Howard will still be a good buy over the next two weeks. We need to see more.
Back to the real premium options in defence, which one is best?
I still like Callum Mills. I traded him in last week after the long-awaited midfield move was confirmed in Round 1. And, while he wasn’t as prolific against the Crows, he still scored 93 points from just 18 disposals, on the back of seven tackles, five marks, five groundball-gets, four inside-50s and three clearances.
But it’s hard to go past Bomber Jordan Ridley, the fifth-ranked player in the competition after scores of 125 and 136 in the opening two rounds.
He’s hit the target with 49 of his 53 disposals to start the year and ranks first in the AFL rebound-50s and fourth for effective kicks.
Ridley, who has also recorded 16 kick-in play-ons to tie with Howard, showed last year he doesn’t need a lot of the ball to score well in KFC SuperCoach.
But now, this season – well, so far anyway – he is winning a lot of the ball.
You’re not getting a top-eight certainty in the midfield for $547k.
ROOKIE BIBLE: BUY, SELL OR HOLD VERDICT ON EVERY CHEAPIE
Speaking of top-eight scorers, is Zak Butters a certainty at the other end?
Have you seen the forward line? Jamie Cripps, Sam Switkowski and Steven Motlop are among the top-10 scorers after two rounds.
So, yes, in my view, Butters is. And I’m not just getting seduced by his round-high 163 points against the Bombers – although his game-high 36 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 11 groundball-gets, eight score involvements and six tackles were pretty impressive.
Butters averaged 88 points per game, spending only seven per cent of his time in the midfield last year – his second in the competition.
That midfield percentage has increased to 43 per cent in 2021 – and it doesn’t need to be any higher for the 20-year-old to maintain his hot start, give his ability forward-of-centre.
Butters tallied 98 points in Round 1, on the back of just 18 disposals, highlighting his scoring power.
He’s not going to play North Melbourne or Essendon every week, but I’ve seen enough in his role – one which could even increase with Connor Rozee’s imminent forward-line return.
What about Taylor Walker?
Top 8? Unlikely. But KFC SuperCoach relevant, at least in the short term? Absolutely.
If Walker, who has posted scores of 146 and 143 in the opening two rounds, can hit three figures again, his price could spike by $100k ahead of Round 4.
And with the Crows hosting the Suns at Adelaide Oval, there’s every chance.
Walker booted another six goals, from nine scoring shots, in Round 2, with the more open and free-flowing game, highlighting his skills and aiding his ability to find space.
And, proving his covering ground better than he his in the past two seasons, the 30-year-old caught four Swans holding-the-ball. Four.
With North Melbourne, Fremantle, Hawthorn and GWS to follow, even with two quiet weeks, Walker could get you up to a premium very soon.
But what if he beco…? Let’s not go there just yet.
Sounds like I need to jump on then, Phantom?
If you have the Jye Caldwell injury to deal with or have another mid-price you’re set on dumping, then maybe.
But I’m not sure it’s worth spending $96k from someone like Paddy Dow. And, trust me, I’ve thought about it.
Walker works as a short-term option, but I wouldn’t force it.
Jarman Impey, at $212, makes more sense for Dow, who is only set for a small price rise - and that’s if he holds his spot in the side.
Impey has enjoyed a terrific start to 2021 across half-back for the Hawks, in a big win for the 13 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches who started him.
Geelong forward-turned-defender Tom Atkins ($293k), while he won’t have the immediate cash injection of Walker, could, arguably, be a better longer-term option than, given his new, KFC SuperCoach-friendly, role across half-back.
OK, time for the elephant…. WHAT WAS LEON CAMERON THINKING?
No comment.
But, when you get smashed at the contest, the best first-possession winner at your club should be in line for an immediate recall.
So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
Yes.
The Phantom’s Round 2 score: 2239
Overall ranking: 17665 (+19,137)
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