KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom’s Round 2 review and Round 3 trade tips
After 81 days, the return of KFC SuperCoach delivered more questions than answers. Who is Marc Pittonet? Which rookies do I prioritise? Do I need Max Gawn? The Phantom looks at all the new dilemmas in his Round 2 review
Supercoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from Supercoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
KFC SuperCoaches asked plenty of questions in the 81 days between Rounds 1 and 2.
But rather than deliver the answers we were hoping for, the past four days of footy has raised more even more questions.
Do I need Max Gawn?
It seems a strange one but after many SuperCoaches opted for a value approach ahead of Round 1, it’s a question many have been asking themselves since Saturday afternoon.
For the 2700 teams – and there would have been more if it wasn’t Sam Naismith’s hamstring - which traded out the star Demon before Round 2, something along the lines of “What have I done?”, in a less subtle manner, however, would be more like it.
Gawn eclipsed his 174-point breakeven with a huge performance against Marc Pittonet and the Blues. The 28-year-old tallied 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 10 hitouts-to-advantage and 184 SuperCoach points on Saturday and is likely to face Tom Bellchambers, Rhys Stanley and Naismith over the next three weeks.
For non-owners – and, in a season when extra trades are available, those who just traded him out - it’s time to start planning how you will get him in.
Unless you’ve got Crow Reilly O’Brien, who flourished as Adelaide’s only ruckman – in a 75-point drubbing, too – finishing with 161 points or North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein (164).
The gap between the top few and the likes of Nic Naitauni (85), Sam Jacobs (56), Rowan Marshall (65) still exists.
We still need to pay for the best - and this isn’t only true in the ruck.
Will Marc Pittonet ($232k RUCK) help me get there?
Maybe.
Who is Marc Pittonet?
It’s a fair question.
The 24-year-old was traded to the Blues at the end of last season, after just seven senior appearances in four years at Hawthorn, as back-up.
But with Matthew Krezuer’s foot injury, which is set to keep him on the sidelines for most of 2020, and Tom De Koning’s ankle issue, the 202cm Pittonet got his chance as the No. 1 big man against the Demons.
And he delivered in a physical contest with Gawn, finishing with 14 disposals, 10 hitouts-to-advantage and a team-high 134 points of his own.
With another 100-point score this week against Rhys Stanley and the Cats, his price will hit $300k after Round 3.
And Pittonet, who averaged 114 points in the VFL last year, will boast a $400k price tag a few weeks later if he can maintain a similar level or scoring.
Bringing in Pittonet to eventually get to Gawn will take you longer than if you were to immediately take the cash from elsewhere on the field but given what else the move opens up, it’s the value play.
#supercoach Price Projection* - Marc Pittonet
— Brice Mitchell (@bricemitchell) June 13, 2020
2019Av 73 (2g)
R2Price $236.2k
R2BE 45
R2Score 134
ProjScore 100
Projected Prices
R3:$236k->$301k (+$65k)
R4:$301k->$373k (+$73k)
R5:$373k->$412k (+$38k)
R6:$412k->$440k (+$28k)
R7:$440k->$460k (+$20k)
R8:$460k->$474k (+$15k) https://t.co/IioY7TvoGm
What about Sam Naismith?
For this purpose, after the hamstring setback, he’s behind Pittonet now.
But, in terms of priority, where does Pittonet fit in the long list of rookies on the bubble in Round 3?
The question of the week.
Dual-position ruck-forward Darcy Cameron ($123k RUCK-FWD) impressed in his Magpie debut on Friday night, finishing with 73 points, while Harley Bennell ($123k MID) tallied 14 disposals and 59 points in half a game against the Blues.
In the same game, debutant Trent Rivers ($117k MID) had a big influence with his speed and ball-use off half-back in Melbourne’s dominant start, tallying 12 disposals and 62 points in his first senior appearance.
Then there’s the likely return of Docker Sam Sturt ($123k FWD), who still has that breakeven of -53.
Those four should be at the top of your list, along with Pittonet.
Crow Ned McHenry ($123k MID) had some moments in his first taste of AFL action but could only manage 34 points as his side was convincingly beaten by the Power. He should only improve from here, though.
And then there’s the form of highly-rated Giant Jye Caldwell ($190k MID) who finished with 15 disposals and 73 points against the Kangaroos
Hopefully you traded last week with Round 3 in mind because there’s plenty to think about over the next few days.
#supercoach rookie watch...
— SuperCoach AFL (@Supercoach) June 14, 2020
Jye Caldwell (190k, MID) has 61 points in the second quarter for GWS Giants.
Another player to add to your list of Round 3 targets! #AFLGiantsNorth
Is Lachie Neale the No. 1 SuperCoach midfielder in 2020?
He’s certaintly the early favouritre after following up his 156-point performance in Round 1 with another 171 points, on the back of 29 disposals – at 96 per cent efficiency - and 17 contested possessions against the Dockers. I watched every minute and, as a non-owner, it was hard. He was always on the damn screen.
Is Matt Rowell No. 2?
But, seriously, how good was the 18-year-old on Saturday night?
If he can score 171 points in his second career game, on the back of 26 disposals, 14 contested possessions, five clearances and two goals, who knows what he’s capable of. It goes without saying but don’t plan to upgrade him anytime soon.
Matthew Rowell by the numbers vs Eagles:
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) June 13, 2020
26 Disposals (21 effective)
14 Contested Possessions
7 Tackles
5 Clearances
1 Score Assist
2 Goals
171 #SuperCoach points
108 #AFLFantasy points
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Why did no one talk about Cat Tom Stewart last week?
With so much else to address – and Jeremy Howe available at $439k – a premium defender trade wasn’t high on the priority list for many. But that’s back-to-back SuperCoach tons to start the year for Stewart, who averaged 98 points per game in 2019. And a closer look reveals that number increases to 108 at GMHBA Stadium, the venue Geelong play Gold Coast and Carlton at in the next three weeks. He’ll be talked about this week that’s for sure.
Is it too late to jump on Jeremy Howe?
No. Anything less than $500k is great buying for the man, on a two-week sample size anyway, who looks a very likely top-six defender after finising with 126 points against the Tigers.
Do we need to start treating Bomber Jordan Ridley as a serious option?
I think so, despite the awkward $322k price tag. In shortened quarters, what you do with the ball has become even more important for SuperCoach scoring and the Bomber defender has hit the target with 30 of his 34 disposals in the opening two rounds. As a result, the 21-year-old has posted scores of 100 and 94.
There’s options but is it time to jump of Brodie Smith and Dan Houston?
Their performances in Showdown 48 were concerning. Houston – 14 disposals and 60 points – for failing to have an impact when his side dominated. And Smith, who was pushed out to the wing in the second-half, for his second unconvincing display as a full-time midfielder. If you’re on top of the rookie situation, in a short season with extra trades, consider moving one on. But which one? I’m still deciding.
Is Josh Kelly’s role a concern?
Speaking of being pushed out to a wing, the Giants star spent most of Sunday afternoon outside of the contest, following the return of Callan Ward and inclusion of Caldwell. The classy left-footer still managed 89 points, on the back of 11 contested possessions, six clearances, five tackles and 367 metres gained, but it’s one to watch.
And what about Jack Macrae on a wing for the entire first half?
Let’s not even go there.
Jack Macrae is yet to attend a centre bounce. Played the entire first half on a wing.😳#SuperCoach #AFLFantasy
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) June 14, 2020
Is Christian Petracca the real deal?
After a dominant summer, a fitter, leaner Petracca has now posed scores of 105 and 126 in the season proper and was the most-influential midfielder on the ground in Saturday’s win over the Blues. So, in short, yes, I think he is.
And what about Connor Rozee?
YES. And I’d just go with Rozee over Petracca, after his 17 disposals, 12 contested possessions, eight clearances, eight score involvements, two goal assists and 145 points in Showdown 48.
How did The Phantom go this week?
Not well. At all.
Round 2 score: 2000
Studs: Matt Rowell (171), Nat Fyfe (143), Jeremy Howe (126), Brandon Starcevich (99)
Duds: Hugh McCluggage (66), Dan Houston (60), Brodie Smith (56), Jordan Dawson (45)
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom’s Round 2 review and Round 3 trade tips