KFC SuperCoach 2020: Tom Doedee replacements and what the injury means for two young Crows
Popular defender Tom Doedee is now an unlikely Round 1 starter. If you’re set on your structure, who are the best replacements? Here are all the options and what the injury means for two young Crows
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Marsh Series Standouts: Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards
- Dan Houston – The case for and against
It’s time to put a line through Adelaide defender Tom Doedee, SuperCoaches.
For now, anyway.
The 21-game Crow, who hasn’t played since rupturing his ACL in last year’s season-opener, hyper-extended the same knee at training last week.
It’s a minor setback, with scans clearing Doedee over any structural damage, but he has been ruled out of the Marsh Community Series.
And that means the hope of a Round 1 return against the Swans is all-but gone.
Minor setback but nothing concerning long term!
— Tom Doedee (@TDoedee31) February 24, 2020
Already back running around today 🙌🼠https://t.co/C4ZdyzD2mF
At the price, Doedee, who is in 26 per cent of teams, is terrific value given his debut season of 2018.
But he’s not quite good enough that SuperCoaches should carry him through the opening few rounds.
So, if you’re set on your structure, who is the best replacement?
THE OBVIOUS
Dylan Roberton (StK)
$260,400
The head-to-head battle of the returning defenders has now well-and-truly swung in Roberton’s favour.
After battling serious heart issues over the past two years, the 28-year-old Saint is on track for a Round 1 return.
Although he sat out St Kilda’s first Marsh Series match against the Hawks, Roberton is set to feature in Friday’s follow-up clash – a bushfire fundraiser – in Morwell,
In his last full season in 2017, Roberton starred across halfback, finishing runner-up to Seb Ross in the Saints’ best-and-fairest after posting eight SuperCoach tons and scoring more than 80 in all-but five matches for the year.
The value of a fit Roberton is unquestionable.
But, although the 28-year-old is the best like-for-like replacement, before you commit, monitor his role in a St Kilda defence, which now features Dougal Howard, Josh Battle, Jimmy Webster and Callum Wilkie.
Grant Birchall (Bris)
$292,700
After getting through the practice match against the Suns, the 31-year-old featured in 67 per cent of the Lions’ Marsh Series opener, tallying 13 disposals and 46 points across halfback.
And that’s a win in itself, given Birchall has played just eight senior games since 2016.
It’s only early but it’s a good start.
The damaging left-footer averaged 84 points in his last full season in 2016 and 86 the year before that.
He’ll start 2020 priced at an average of 54 points per game.
Last year, forward Lincoln McCarthy headed north after playing five games in his last two years at the Cats. In his first season at Brisbane, he played 24 of a possible 24 matches.
There’s hope.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Jack Lukosius (GC)
$274,600, Fwd
The No. 2 pick from the 2018 draft played 21 games in an impressive debut season last year. As a junior, Lukosius made his name as forward and that’s where he spent the first half of 2019.
The skilful 195cm tall switched ends following the bye, however, and it’s that role, an intercept-defender, which Lukosius will play this year.
And it might be a SuperCoach friendly one, too, given his terrific hands, ability to cover the ground and outstanding footy IQ.
Against the Cats in the first Marsh Series game, the 19-year-old finished with 18 disposals, a team-high eight intercepts and 70 points in just 56 per cent game-time.
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Zac Bailey (Bris)
$263,200, Mid
The 20-year-old, who split his time between a wing and defence last season, spent plenty of time forward-of-centre in the club’s opening Marsh Series clash, finishing with 15 disposals, eight contested possessions, seven intercepts and five tackles.
Bailey’s versatility is one of his strengths but, to this point of his career, it’s one of the reasons he’s yet to lock down a primary role at senior level.
But he was drafted as a tough, ball-winning midfielder who averaged 27 disposals and 127 SuperCoach points at SANFL under-18 level.
PLAY THE ROOKIE
With Chayce Jones (Adel $271,500), Aaron vandenBerg (Melb $248,000) and Aiden Bonar (NM $202,800) all impressing in the first week of the Marsh Series, consider flipping your structure and starting an extra player from the $200k bracket in the forward-line and going cheaper in defence.
You should already have Stephen Hill ($190,800) so keep a close eye on Tom Williamson (Carl $146,300) and Jarrod Brander (WC $133,000), who have both impressed over summer at their respective clubs, in the second week of Marsh Series action.
After playing 15 games in his debut season of 2017, Williamson, 21, has battled injury, adding just two senior games to his tally since. But he’s fit and impressed in the practice match against the Magpies.
There’s also dashing Giant Lachie Ash ($193,800), who also might get his chance to make his case this week.
Third-year Lion Brandon Starcevich ($146,700) sat the first half on the bench in week one but finished with 8 disposals – seven of them effective – and 40 points after a solid second-half performance.
It won’t be top Fremantle draftee Hayden Young ($180,300), however, with the damaging left-footer joining the Dockers’ rehab group on Monday.
Defensive reshuffle needed after Tom Doedee injured his knee slightly at training last week. Also, Hayden Young is training in the rehab group. #SuperCoach #AFLFantasy #2020AFLProspectus
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) February 24, 2020
The Doedee setback also brings two other young Crows right into the SuperCoach picture.
Fischer McAsey ($184,800)
Adelaide’s top pick from last year’s draft, who was the No. 1 key-defender at the 2018 national under-18 carnival with a SuperCoach average of 97, was already closing in on a Round 1 debut but it’s now all-but sealed.
Expect the skilful, 195cm McAsey, who has also shown his ability as a strong-marking forward, to feature in the Under-23 Showdown on Saturday and play a SuperCoach-friendly intercept role in his first year.
Jordon Butts ($123,000)
It also brings the rookie-listed Butts closer to Adelaide’s 22 for the season-opener against the Swans.
The 198cm defender was a standout in the SANFL last year, ranking 10th in the competition for intercept marks and intercept possessions, and is rated highly at West Lakes.
And in his first opportunity with the senior side, Butts finished with 12 disposals, four intercepts and 55 points against the Demons in the Crows’ opening Marsh Series hitout.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2020: Tom Doedee replacements and what the injury means for two young Crows