KFC SuperCoach 2020: Tom Mitchell, Matt Rowell and Marcus Bontempelli headline the Marsh Series week 1 midfield standouts
Missed any of the Marsh Series? Don’t worry, The Phantom has you covered. Here are the standout midfielders and their SuperCoach scores from the first weekend of pre-season action.
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The Marsh Community Series kicked off on Thursday night – it’s time to get serious, SuperCoaches. The Phantom looks at the standout KFC SuperCoach midfielders from week one of the pre-season competition.
Tom Mitchell (Haw)
$630,900
89 points
It was another big tick for the ball-magnet as he builds towards a Round 1 return, finishing with 21 disposals, 13 contested possessions and 89 points in just 61 per cent of the game.
Mitchell moved well and played with his trademark intensity, laying two tackles in the opening 30 seconds of the match.
And, most-importantly, the Brownlow Medallist got through unscathed and is likely to increase his playing time next week.
Jack Steele (StK)
$515,900
97 points
The 24-year-old played a defensive-midfield role for most of 2019, but he’s set to be unleashed by coach Brett Ratten this season.
And, if his performance against the Hawks is anything to go by, he might score more than nine SuperCoach tons in 2020.
Steele tallied 26 disposals, a game-high 16 contested possessions, six clearances, five tackles and 97 points in 78 per cent game-time.
Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
$623,000
195 points
Jack Macrae (32 disposals and 124 points) and Josh Dunkley (23 and 103) were good, but Bontempelli was on another level against North Melbourne on Friday night.
The 23-year-old, who added 11 points to his SuperCoach average last season after spending less time forward, hit the target with 29 of his 37 disposals and finished with game-highs in contested possessions (17), score involvements (13), inside-50s (11) and clearances (10).
Bontempelli’s 195-point performance was another reminder of his enormous scoring power, but it was also a reminder he’s the one opposition coaches should focus on the most.
Clayton Oliver (Melb)
$593,900
136 points
If you weren’t convinced Oliver was a great buy at $593k, after a full pre-season, prior to the opening week of the Marsh Series, you have to be now.
The midfield bull tallied 31 disposals, 12 contested possessions and a game-high 11 tackles, on his way to 136 SuperCoach points.
Jack Viney (Melb)
$439,300
120 points
After a limited pre-season, Viney struggled for consistency last year, averaging 81 points per game – 15 less than in his career-best season of 2016.
But, in 2020, he’s had an uninterrupted summer and finished with 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions and nine tackles against the Crows to put his hand up in a shallow mid-price bracket in the midfield.
He won’t be Melbourne captain any more – Max Gawn has officially taken over – but he might become a SuperCoach option once again.
Matt Crouch (Adel)
$563,000
85 points
He might have only spent 64 per cent of the game on the ground against the Demons, but Crouch was at his ball-winning best, recording 27 disposals, 17 handball-receives and five clearances.
Older brother Brad ($534,100) had 30 in 70 per cent game-time but, like last year, didn’t make them all count, finishing with 99 points.
Matt is the better option in 2020.
Matt Rowell (GC)
$207,300
100 points
The hype has been big. And the hype is real.
The No. 1 pick has delivered on the track, in the practice match against the Lions and now in the Suns’ opening Marsh Series match.
The strong-bodied 18-year-old finished with 20 disposals, a game-high 15 contested possessions, seven tackles, five inside-50s and the first – of many – SuperCoach ton of his career.
Just. Pick. Him.
Will Brodie (GC)
$435,800
99 points
After a big finish to 2019, Brodie was everywhere in last week’s practice match against the Lions and it was a similar story against the Cats.
The 21-year-old – whose career numbers mirror those of Swan Josh P. Kennedy at the same age – showed off his developing all-round game, tallying 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, nine score involvements, five clearances, five tackles and four inside 50s.
Quinton Narkle (Geel)
$396,600
113 points
When given the opportunity, the 22-year-old can post some big numbers as scores of 123, 56 and 143 in his three home-and-away matches last year proves.
And he sent another reminder on Saturday night, with Narkle’s performance one of the few shining lights for the Cats.
The skilful right-footer finished with 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions, a game-high 10 clearances, six score involvements, six inside-50s, six tackles and a team-high 113 points, in a display which keeps him right in the mix to help fill the midfield void left by Tim Kelly.
Lachie Neale (Bris)
$658,500
168 points
It may have only been the Brisbane’s first game of the Marsh Series – and only five days out from the Bushfire Relief match – but Neale had his foot on the pedal from the outset and he didn’t relent.
The star midfielder tallied a huge 47 disposals, 27 contested possessions and 12 clearances in a dominant performance against the Power.
Hugh McCluggage (Bris)
$510,700
127 points
Neale sits at the top-level of SuperCoach premium and by the time the year’s out, his young teammate might join him.
McCluggage increased his average from 54 to 77 in 2018, before adding another 17 points last season.
And, if his performance on Sunday is anything to go by, the upward trend will continue.
The 21-year-old, who started at the first centre bounce, was clean, efficient and damaging in the midfield and forward-of-centre, finishing with 22 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six clearances and three goals.
And McCluggage, who also played a direct hand in another Brisbane major, was the only Lion who played more than 45 per cent game-time not to record a clanger.
M5 anyone?
Travis Boak (Port)
$582,300
120 points
Lose dual-position status, lose SuperCoach-relevance. We’ve all seen it happen before.
And, with Boak, who averaged 107 points per game last year, in less than one per cent of teams, it’s happening again.
But after the 31-year-old’s 120-point reminder, on the back of 33 disposals, 18 contested possessions and 11 clearances – all team-highs – maybe it shouldn’t.
Other notables:
Lion Jarrod Berry ($461,300), who pushed forward from a wing, finished with 10 disposals, four tackles and 58 points in a quick-fire performance in 36 per cent game-time, while star teammate Dayne Zorko quietly compiled 21 disposals and 109 points of his own.
Wingman Brad Hill ($457,400) – 18 disposals in 62 per cent game-time – impressed in his St Kilda debut and young Crow Ned McHenry ($123,900) did enough in a half of footy (six disposals, six tackles and 37 points) to suggest he’s still right in the Round 1 mix.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2020: Tom Mitchell, Matt Rowell and Marcus Bontempelli headline the Marsh Series week 1 midfield standouts