KFC SuperCoach 2020: How to replace injured Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell
Suns coach Stuart Dew has given an update on injured young gun Matt Rowell and it’s not the news KFC SuperCoaches wanted to hear. But there are plenty of replacements to choose from, including a breakout Saint. See all the best options
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The 2020 KFC SuperCoach season hit a new low on Saturday afternoon with Matt Rowell dislocating his shoulder against the Cats.
In a big blow to the trade plans of more than 125,000 teams, Rowell was helped off the ground with six points to his name and, while there’s been no official decision on his immediate playing future, the 18-year-old looks set for a stint on the sidelines.
After scans confirmed the dislocation on Sunday, coach Stuart Dew hinted the Suns will take the cautious approach and book him in for surgery.
“That’s the conservative and probably most sensible (option), given his age and position that he plays,” Dew told AFL360 on Monday night.
“He’s going to get in these positions a lot in terms of getting tackled and put to the ground.
“It’s really important we take a breath and do what’s best. Whatever’s best for Matt is going to be best for our football club because we clearly see him as a long-term player for our football club.
“We want to make sure we look after him and make sure he has a long career, and not get blinded by the previous four weeks, as hard as that is.”
Dew’s comments came after Gold Coast football boss Jon Haines said the club will take its time with the decision.
“We don’t feel like we have to rush the decision, we understand there is a high level of interest in it, but we also want to make sure we make the right decision for Matt and that will be done in consultation with Matt and his family,” he said in a statement.
The moment 75% of #SuperCoach owners hearts broke... https://t.co/K5wtTX3ZiP pic.twitter.com/aB8NUD15zs
— SuperCoach AFL (@Supercoach) July 4, 2020
There’s still a chance, the Suns strap up shoulder and he continues to play. But would it be worth the risk?
And, from a KFC SuperCoach point-of-view would his scoring still be the same?
It would need to be even better to stop a huge price fall.
The No. 1 draft pick put together the best start by a rookie-price player in the history of the game, ranking as the fifth-highest scorer in the competition before Round 5.
But he added more than $270k to his price tag in the opening rounds and, given his low breakeven of 21, Rowell is still priced at more than $470k, despite the single-figure score.
That means, because of his premium-like scoring, there are plenty of premium replacement options in reach. And, of course, some value, too.
It’s time to start planning the trade.
Round 5 #supercoach Price Projection*-Matt Rowell
— Brice Mitchell (@bricemitchell) July 4, 2020
R5Price $478k
2020 Scores: 80/171/141/114
R5BE 21
R5Score 6**
R5:$478k->$472k ($-7k) NewBE 153
ProjScore 100
R6:$472k->$448k ($-24k) NewBE 154
R7:$448k->$423k ($-24k) NewBE 47
R8:$423k->$447k ($24k) NewBE 62
*approx
**inj in Q1 https://t.co/zarerURb6m
THE STRAIGHT SWAP
Elliot Yeo (West Coast)
$478,900
Round 5 score: 121
After a quiet start to the year, which featured three scores of 71 or less in the opening four rounds, the strong-bodied midfielder stepped up against the Swans, leading his side to victory after Luke Shuey went down with injury. Yeo, who averaged 108 points per game last year, finished with 12 contested possessions, nine clearances and a team-high 121 points. And the timing couldn’t be better. The Eagles will play a number of consecutive games at Optus Stadium from Round 7 and Yeo boasts a career average of 106 at the venue. But just keep in mind, he does lead the competition for clangers.
LESS THAN $600K
Jack Steele (StK)
$558,400
Round 5 score: 136
The 24-year-old had a quiet afternoon against the Magpies in Round 3 but Steele has posted scores of 128, 137, 114 and 136 in his other four matches for the season. He paid close attention to Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps on Thursday night but the increase in output is directly related to coach Brett Ratten freeing up Steele in the midfield. The all-round nature of Steele’s game was on show in Round 5, with the 187cm midfielder tallying 23 disposals – 18 of them effective – nine tackles, eight contested possessions, six marks, five score involvements and four clearances. And he’s in less than 2000 teams with Fremantle and Adelaide in the next two rounds.
Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
$568,400
Round 5 score: 55
Bontempelli had a break-even of just 69 this weekend but failed to surpass it due to a hard tag from Roo Luke McDonald. Buying into The Bont is fraught with risk with the attention he garners from the opposition but his ceiling is among the best in the competition, showcasing this in his monster 166-point display against Sydney.
Hugh McCluggage (Bris)
$580,100
Round 5 score: 116
It may have taken him a while to get going but the smooth-moving Lion has taken his game to another level in 2020. In the past three matches, only Max Gawn and teammate Lachie Neale have score more points than McCluggage, who ranks fifth in the competition for score involvements and eighth for inside 50s. The 22-year-old has tallied a combined 69 disposals since Round 2 but recorded just six clangers.
Luke Parker (Syd)
$588,400
Round 5 score: 110
Approx price: $587k
Parker made it five consecutive SuperCoach tons to start the year with a 110-point performance against the Eagles. But, despite the terrific start, and the fact he’s averaged 103 points or more in four of the past six years, the 27-year-old is in just one per cent of teams.
Josh Kelly (GWS)
$588,500
Round 5 score: 122
The smooth-moving Giant has rocketed into form over the past fortnight - posting consecutive scores of 120 or more - despite spending less time in the guts. The quality of Kelly’s disposal and his impact forward of centre makes him an attractive option, especially given he was the fourth ranked midfielder for total average last season.
Jack Macrae (WB)
$589,800
Round 5 score: 90
The Bulldogs star has registered just one score over 105 which is a concern for owners but it means Macrae is very affordable for those without him. You could wait another week with another high break even, however, his fortunes could turn around with Carlton and Essendon in his next two — who often let opposition midfielders off the chain.
Patrick Cripps (Carl)
$593,600
Round 5 score: 116
The contested-ball star was beaten by Steele in the first half on Thursday night but finished strongly to post a respectable 116. Despite a 110-point average, Cripps is available for $40k less than his starting price and he could drop again with a Round 6 breakeven in excess of 140. But anything less than $600k is a great buying for a bonafide SuperCoach star.
Tom Mitchell (Haw)
$592,000
Round 5 score: 101
An equal-team-high 11 contested possessions and six clearances for Mitchell against the Giants as his return to form continues to build momentum following a sore shoulder. There was no 140-point score like the previous week but it would’ve been much higher than 101 if it wasn’t for five clangers - four of them free kicks against. The Hawks take on Collingwood in Round 6 and the 2018 Brownlow Medallist boasts a career average of 126 against the Magpies. Like Cripps, Mitchell is a baragain at less than $600k given his scoring potential.
Andrew Gaff (WC)
$597,200
Round 5 score: 83
The star wingman struggled with close attention from Swan Ryan Clarke on Saturday, finishing with just 83 points to his name. The score broke a seven-game streak of SuperCoach home-and-away tons. But it means his price has dropped for the first time in 2020, just in time for a run of matches at Optus Stadium, a venue he averages 110 points at acrosss his career, from Round 7.
TOP-PRICE STARS
Adam Treloar (Coll)
Round 5 score: 119
Price: $615,800
Treloar was back to his ball-winning best in his return, amassing 30 disposals, 18 contested possessions and 119 SuperCoach points against the Bombers. His ability to rack of possessions at will could help him in shortened quarters, as he should have no trouble getting to the 20 disposal mark each week — something some of the top midfielders have struggled to do at times.
Mitch Duncan (Geel)
$601,000
Round 5 score: 117
Another round, another SuperCoach score of 110 or more for Duncan. The skilful Cat, who leads the club for effective disposals, has gone 120, 114, 123, 120 and 117 to start the year after a very limited pre-season. Another unique replacement option, given he’s only in 1000 teams.
DUAL-POSITION SWING
Jordan Ridley (Ess)
$460,000, DEF
Round 5 score: 122
In the past two weeks, the 22-year-old has hit the target with 32 of 36 disposals, posting SuperCoach scores of 134 and 122. In fact, of the top-100 players in the competition for disposals, only Shannon Hurn’s efficiency is better than Riddley’s 88.4 per cent. If you missed out last week, $460k looks to still be great buying for a defender who also rates elite for intercept marks and spoils and is now firming for the top six. A dual-position trade from Rowell will even make you money.
Christian Petracca (Melb)
$509,700, FWD
Round 5 score: 111
Petracca posted his third ton in three games against Richmond in his newfound midfield role, amassing a whopping 14 disposals and 52 SuperCoach points in the first term alone. He has faded out of games a touch and spent more time up forward as the game’s wore on, but his ability to win contested possessions and hit the scoreboard should ensure he is a top-six forward at season’s end.
At $441k, Giant Lachie Whitfield looks close to bottoming out in price, too, but after another score of less than 100 - despite 28 disposals - maybe there shouldn’t be a rush to get on.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2020: How to replace injured Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell