KFC SuperCoach 2020: All the standout performances and role changes from the recent practice games and intra-club matches
It’s not the real stuff but you can still learn a lot. The Phantom delivers all the SuperCoach intel on the Gold Coast-Brisbane practice game and the intra-club matches at Adelaide, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Fremantle
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They might only be practices matches, most with teammates pitted against each other, but SuperCoaches can still learn a lot at this stage of the pre-season. The Phantom delivers all of the SuperCoach intel on the recent practice and intra-club matches.
Brisbane 5.9 (39) defeated Gold Coast 2.12 (24)
Matt Rowell (GC – MID $207,300)
Fox Sports’ Ben Waterworth was at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night and, as he put it, Rowell showed more class and cleanliness, in slippery conditions, than any other player on the ground. In an impressive all-round display, the 18-year-old won plenty of football, playing a big role in a Gold Coast midfield missing David Swallow, Hugh Greenwood and Brayden Fiorini.
Just. Pick. Him.
Noah Anderson (GC – Mid $202,800)
As expected, Anderson, taken at No. 2 in last year’s draft, behind best mate Rowell, played more of an outside role for the Suns with his running and foot skills a highlight.
Will Brodie (GC – Mid $435,800)
In his final six games of the 2019 – all consecutive – before injury prematurely ended his season, Brodie ranked first at the Suns for hardball-gets, second for tackles and handballs, third for disposals, fourth for clearances and fifth for contested possessions.
And Brodie has hit the ground running this year, popping up everywhere against the Lions, including on the outside of the contest, highlighting the continued development of his all-round game.
Connor Budarick (GC – Mid, Fwd $106,900)
There’s been plenty of hype around his fellow draftees but don’t forget about the 18-year-old Academy gun, who played eight NEAFL games – and averaged 18 disposals – in his draft year. Budarick, along with WA running machine Jeremey Sharp, were two others to impress on Saturday night.
Grant Birchall (Bris – Def $292,700)
The former Hawk played across half-back and, most-importantly, got through unscathed. And at this stage of the pre-season, with his injury history, that’s a huge win.
Callum Ah Chee (Bris – Mid $311,700)
As he did late in his time at Gold Coast, Ah Chee played in defence for the Lions, alongside Birchall and 20-year-old Brandon Starcevich (DEF, MID $147,700), who is also pushing for a Round 1 spot.
In what might prick the ears of SuperCoaches, especially those who play the Draft format, Ah Chee took a number kick-ins against his former side.
Cam Rayner (Bris – Fwd $251,800)
Rayner has trimmed down after enjoying a terrific summer and he was a standout in the air and on the ground against the Suns. But, despite plenty of big midfield names missing, Rayner, again, spent most of his time inside 50.
Popular pre-season SuperCoach names Sam Flanders and Deven Robertson didn’t play for their respective sides.
ADELAIDE MATCH SIM
Chayce Jones (FWD $271,500)
The 20-year-old has been a standout on the track over summer, winning both of the club’s 2km time trial, and it was a similar story on Saturday.
Jones’ breakaway speed and ball-winning ability at the contest and away from it was on show as he spent most of the match on-ball.
Brodie Smith (DEF $481,300)
As he did late last season, the long-kicking right footer featured through the middle of the ground while Wayne Milera (DEF, MID $402,500) and Bryce Gibbs (MID $375,100) were stationed across half-back.
Fischer McAsey (DEF $184,800)
Played a role in defence in the stronger of the two sides, suggesting his Round 1 chances are growing stronger by the minute after a super-impressive first pre-season.
Tyson Stengle (FWD $202,000)
Stengle inherited Eddie Betts’ No. 18 jumper and also looks set to take his forward-50 spot, too, after booting five majors in the practice match.
His scoring might not be as consistent as some in the rookie-price bracket but he could have the job security.
Taylor Walker (FWD $365,600)
All the talk about a potential roaming role for the former skipper came to life on Saturday, with Walker playing further up the ground, even featuring in the ruck in the second-half.
Shane McAdam (FWD $123,900)
The 24-year-old, who booted 15 goals in his final seven SANFL matches last year, is also after a berth in Adelaide’s new-look forward-line. And, after finishing with three goals for the stronger side, McAdam, who impressed on the lead, is in the mix.
Elliot Himmelberg (FWD $277,900)
Himmelberg booted four goals in a forward-ruck role and, while he won’t be SuperCoach relevant in 2020, his performance might mean recruit Billy Frampton (FWD $165,400) won’t be to start the year, either.
HAWTHORN INTRA-CLUB
Tom Mitchell (MID $630,900)
Of course he did. In his first competitive hitout since breaking his leg in January last year, the Brownlow Medallist tallied 21 disposals in three quarters of Hawthorn’s intra-club match on Friday.
And, importantly, Mitchell got through unscathed, ticking yet another box on the road to a Round 1 return.
If he can do it again against the Saints on Thursday – the first game of the Marsh Community Series – the SuperCoach midfield selection debate will only intensify.
Jon Patton (FWD, RUCK $337,000)
The other Hawk to get through unscathed was the former Giant, who missed all of 2019 after recovering from a third knee reconstruction. And he didn’t just get through, with the strong-marking forward booting three goals in an impressive display.
James Sicily (DEF $509,500)
With Sam Frost and ruckman-turned-defender Ben McEvoy holding down key posts, Sicily set up play from the back-half in the role SuperCoaches want to see consistently in 2020.
Chad Wingard (FWD, MID $412,300)
After battling injury for most of his first season at Hawthorn, Wingard played through the midfield in the final month of the 2019 and averaged 26 disposals and 91 points from Round 20 onwards. And on Friday, he was an early standout in a similar role.
READ JAY CLARK’S FULL REPORT HERE
NORTH MELBOURNE INTRA-CLUB
Aiden Bonar (FWD, MID $202,800)
By all reports, the former Giant was solid, without being spectacular, but he played predominantly in an on-ball role at Arden Street on Friday morning. The big-bodied midfielder, who can also take a mark inside-50, will be a significant SuperCoach cash cow this year if he gets this opportunity when the real stuff starts.
Tarryn Thomas (FWD $339,900)
Thomas, who was the No. 1 ranked player at the 2018 AFL Academy series, played 20 games in an impressive debut season last year. And, if his performance on Friday is anything to go by, he’s set for a spike in 2020. The 19-year-old’s speed and skill on the outside of the contest was a highlight with defender Jasper Pittard declaring “the sky’s the limit for Tarryn” post-match.
Majak Daw (DEF $339,600)
He’s an awkward price in SuperCoach but Daw was impressive, spoiling or marking anything that came his way in defence. A Round 1 return is firming.
Jack Mahony (FWD, MID $117,300)
The 176cm small forward, who averaged 106 points and led the competition for score involvements and assists at the national under-18 carnival, got his name on the scoresheet and showed enough to suggest he’ll get an opportunity in the Marsh Community Series.
Ben Cunnington (MID $554,100)
The 28-year-old starred in the practice match but it wasn’t just through the midfield with Cunnington drifting forward and contributing on the scoreboard. It’s the avenue of scoring he needs to elevate his name in SuperCoach.
PORT ADELAIDE INTRA-CLUB
DAN HOUSTON (DEF, MID $484,800)
The Dan Houston hype went to another level this week after Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley declared the 22-year-old a midfield lock in 2020. And his performance, albeit againt his teammates, might just raise it again.
He started at the opening centre bounce and had 13 disposals and five clearances to his name by the half-way point of the second term.
Houston spent most of the final quarter on a wing, capping his performance off with a goal from the boundary line after drifting forward.
By The Phantom’s count, the smooth-moving right-footer finished with 22 disposals, six clearances and three marks.
“He’s got some real natural midfield movement. His ability to get from one contest to another is a real strength,” senior assistant Michael Voss said of Houston post-match.
“And, of course, we know the polish he’s got with the footy, he’s a class act when he’s got the ball in his hands.”
MITCH GEORGIADES (FWD $130,800)
Port Adelaide swooped on the talented forward at No. 18 in last year’s draft, despite the 19-year-old missing the entire year with a thigh injury. And it’s not hard to see why. Georgiades presented well and flew – often without fear – for the ball, taking a number of strong marks, playing alongside Charlie Dixon on Team Black. And when he didn’t hold them, the 192cm forward brought the ball to ground, bringing the smalls into the game. He finished with one major and now appears to be the leading rookie candidate for a Round 1 debut at the Power.
SEE THE FULL REPORT FROM ALBERTON HERE
ST KILDA INTRA-CLUB
Max King (FWD $123,900)
Everyone is excited at St Kilda. Fans, teammates, even former players. And rightly so with the 19-year-old, who booted 11 goals in five VFL games last year, starring in the Saints’ intra-club match at Moorabbin. After battling injury for the past two years, King is fit and ready for a Round 1 debut. Pick him on your bench.
Dan Hannebery (MID $417,000)
After an injury-riddle first year at the Saints, which didn’t officially begin until Round 14, Hannebery posted scores of 96, 65, 122, 94 and 103 in his five games. Scoring wasn’t a problem but his body was. So a full, uninterrupted hitout through the midfield on Thursday is a terrific start.
Dylan Roberton (DEF $260,400)
In a great sign, the 28-year-old, who has played just four senior matches since 2017 after battling heart issues, was another to get through the four quarters without a problem across half-back.
Ben Long (FWD $283,100)
This is the intel SuperCoaches came for. It’s not about the star who had 40 touches against his teammates but the fourth-year player set for a significant role change. After a glimpse in Round 23 last year, Long was a standout across half-back in the practice match with his speed and agility on show.
Jade Gresham (FWD, MID $456,400)
Spent most of the morning in the midfield and, like has done for most of his career, got his name on the scoresheet, finishing with two majors. The big spike is coming.
Ryan Byrnes (MID $117,300)
Byrnes, pick No. 52 in last year’s draft, averaged 119 points in the NAB League and had his moments through the midfield in the practice match. He might surprise in 2020, if the opportunity presents.
Rowan Marshall (RUCK $598,600)
Competed against Ryan Abbot in the ruck but, more interestingly, was stationed deep inside-50 in the last quarter. Marshall will start as the Saints No. 1 ruckman but, as expected, might spend a little more time forward this year with the addition of Paddy Ryder, who didn’t play in the trial.
FREMANTLE INTRA-CLUB
It was modified match-simulation with the Fremantle coaching star pausing the game at times to setup different scenarios. The Dockers are set for another internal trial on Friday.
Stephen Hill (DEF, FWD $190,600)
The vison of Hill dancing around a teammate in the middle of the ground, before delivering a short, pin-point pass is just about all you need to see. The 29-year-old has played just 16 games in the past two seasons but he’s in great shape heading into the start of the Marsh Community Series.
Hayden Young (DEF $180,300)
Playing alongside Hill across half-back, Young wasted little time showing off his powerful – and precise – left-foot in the competitive hitout, hitting skipper Nat Fyfe with a 60 metre pass to start the day. Lock him in.
Michael Walters (FWD, MID $547,200)
A fit Walters was everywhere, popping up through the midfield and also finishing with a game-high five goals.
Andrew Brayshaw (FWD, MID $382,800)
Started at the first centre bounce, alongside fellow third-year midfielder Adam Cerra, with both having a significant influence.
“All of those boys are growing. Andy (Brayshaw), Cez (Cerra), Darcy Tucker - those boys are really stepping up and they were looking really good out there today,” Stephen Hill told the club’s website following the match.
Lachlan Schultz (FWD $202,800)
The mature-age recruit played seven games in his debut season but five scores of 37 or less keeps him in the rookie-price bracket for 2020. He was lively across half-forward and took a spectacular one-handed mark over Brett Bewley late in the game.
Connor Blakely (DEF $411,500)
In a positive sign for astute SuperCoaches, the 23-year-old featured in an on-ball role in Friday’s match. And, as history shows, Blakely’s scoring potential as a permanent midfielder is big.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2020: All the standout performances and role changes from the recent practice games and intra-club matches