KFC SuperCoach 2020: The biggest questions of the Marsh Series
Week one of the Marsh Series has been played and some of the key questions of SuperCoach have been answered, at least partly. Here’s the issues four of our experts kept a close eye on.
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Keen SuperCoach players have been picking teams for almost a month, but everything could be about to change.
We finally got to see players in action when the Marsh Community Series kicked off on Thursday night, with St Kilda and Hawthorn facing off at Moorabbin.
We’ve heard how well Tom Mitchell is tracking in his return from a broken leg and this was our chance to see him in the flesh as the Brownlow medallist amassed an impressive 89 points.
But he wasn’t the only big question mark in week one of the pre-season games.
All this is vital info when selecting our KFC SuperCoach teams.
Which kids will play? How will the recruits fit in? Who will be trialled in a new role? Scroll down to see what our experts will be watching for over this weekend.
AL PATON’S WATCH LIST
What is Clarko doing with the Hawks’ backline?
Hopefully Tom Mitchell plays — and gets through OK — but my attention will be down back, where the Hawks are experimenting with a new fullback: Ben McEvoy. If Clarko sticks to his guns on this one it should increase confidence in James Sicily playing an intercepting role (ie SuperCoach gold) and even raises the possibility of considering ruck/forwards Jon Ceglar or Jon Patton.
Game one notes: Hawthorn’s back six lined up largely as expected, although James Sicily didn’t feature. Ben McEvoy went off early but the Hawks have allayed any concerns about a serious injury. Rookie Damon Greaves ($123,900) was a standout with 77 points and is on the watch list for game two. We still need to see his role when Sicily is back.
Josh Dunkley
We know Bevo loves to move his magnets but surely he won’t be thinking about moving Josh Dunkley out of the midfield this year? Dunkley dominated as a midfielder at the back end of 2018 but started last year in the forward line, before a belated move to the guts in Round 7 produced a huge scoring spike. If I’m forking out $632k on a player I want to be 100 per cent sure he’s playing 100 per cent on the ball. I’m also curious to see how some of the fringe Doggies mids like Pat Lipinksi and Bailey Smith fit into the picture and if top draftee Cory Weightman ($144,300 forward) goes against men.
Game one notes: There shouldn’t be much concern here. Beveridge might juggle the magnets but the early signs are Dunkley will remain in the engine room.
How do the Crows play under Matthew Nicks?
I barely remember Matthew Nicks as a player and I know next to nothing about him as a coach. But Adelaide presents a range of potentially bargain-priced SuperCoach stars this year, led by Rory Laird and Rory Sloane. Hopefully Nicks lets them shine. But nothing will convince me to pick a Crouch brother.
Game one notes: A few rookies bobbed their heads up but Adelaide took Laird (41 time on ground) and Sloane (35 per cent TOG) off at halftime in its loss to Melbourne. Ned McHenry, a popular midfield rookie, managed 37 points from 42 per cent game time.
TIM MICHELL’S WATCH LIST
Does Bryce Gibbs relish a switch to halfback?
Hear me out. I know the veteran Crow isn’t going to average 105-plus to put himself in the top echelon of midfielders. But at $375,100, you’d be foolish not to consider him if he embraces a new role. New coach Matthew Nicks thinks it’s the position to reinvigorate the former Blue, and Gibbs has nine seasons where he’s averaged 95-plus in his career. Could he be this season’s mid-pricer to turn into a fallen premium in one move?
Game one notes: Gibbs featured at halfback but hardly set the world on fire with 66 points. Hard to justify picking him at his price after that return.
Which of Port’s draftees states the strongest case for Round 1?
Forward Mitch Georgiades ($130,800) has frontrunning after an impressive showing in Port’s intra-club match, but will Miles Bergman ($148,800) or Dylan Williams ($117,300) put themselves in the Round 1 reckoning? I’m particularly keen on Williams due to his dual-position status and lower price.
Game one notes: Georgiades did enough to put himself in the frame for Round 1, returning a score of 38 from 49 per cent TOG. He’s played such little footy in the past 12 months though and you sense he’ll be rotated. Williams, Mead and Bergman didn’t play and small forward Tobin Cox, another rookie on the radar, only scored 24.
Is Callum Ah Chee going to take kick-outs for Brisbane?
I know what you’re thinking. This Tim bloke needs to forget about mid-pricers. Ah Chee is more a SuperCoach draft smoky than a SuperCoach classic pick at $311,700. We clearly didn’t see the best of the No. 8 draft pick from five years ago at Gold Coast, but he’s been slated for the SuperCoach-friendly role in the Lions defence. Word was he took kick-outs against his old side in a trial match too. Daniel Rich might have other ideas though.
Game one notes: Whether he’s taking kick outs probably doesn’t matter after a score of 46. Pass.
DAN BATTEN’S WATCH LIST
Tom Mitchell watch
It is fantastic to see the perennial SuperCoach pig back in action. Mitchell tallied 21 disposals in three quarters of their internal trial last week, and a big performance against the Saints will see his ownership rise. We know what he can produce, but for $630.9k, we want to see him fit and firing as he edges towards a Round 1 return.
Game one notes: Mitchell got through 61 per cent of the Hawks’ clash with St Kilda and posted 89 points. He’s going to be hard to leave out if he backs that effort up.
Gold Coast midfield — who gets the minutes?
The SuperCoach community is expecting prized draftee Matt Rowell and Adelaide recruit Hugh Greenwood to spend plenty of time in the midfield. Will that be the case in their first hitout?
The Suns’ centre bounce set-up to begin the game and midfield minutes throughout will paint a picture of where they rate this pair compared to their original group.
Game one notes: Greenwood was one of the mainstays of the Suns midfield and scored 109. Will Brodie was another to impress with 99.
The Saints’ ruck split
They’ve said both Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder will split their time between the ruck and forward line, but can they afford to? Marshall’s dominance as the Saints’ primary ruckman was telling and it translated to a truckload of SuperCoach points. Sharing the duties could see his fantasy relevance slashed.
Game one notes: Marshall didn’t have many issues amassing points, overcoming a slow start to tally 117. He’s going to be the No. 1 ruckman with Ryder spending most of his time forward.
PAUL DUNN’S WATCH LIST
Dan Houston — Is the hype real?
We have all heard Dan say he is going to play through the midfield, and we have even heard Kenny say it too. But can we really trust him?
What I am interested to see is exactly how much time Houston does spend in the Port Adelaide midfield — a full-time move would make him a great buy in defence at $484,800. He played there in the intra-club game but there were two midfields on display that night, now there is only one. With Ollie Wines out of the side there is a spot available, but it remains to be seen whether or not Houston will be the go-to guy when things start to get real.
Game one notes: The hype seems justified, for now. Houston attended 24 centre bounces as Ken Hinkley stuck by his comments that the half-back flanker would be a midfield lock, scoring 97 points. Another strong showing in the pre-season and he’ll be in most teams.
Gold Coast rookies — How many can I pick?
The Suns have had the pick of the rookies for the past two seasons with Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Izak Rankine all yet to debut. We all know that they can play, but how will Stuart Dew use them?
For me Rankine is the most interesting. The No. 3 draft pick’s price has dropped to $123,900 after not playing a game last year. He looks to be a must-have rookie this year alongside teammate Rowell. Then we have Anderson, who not many coaches have been talking about, and some other potential cheapies like Jeremy Sharp and Jez McLennan.
Week one notes: Rankine didn’t play and the Suns say he’s only a possibility for game two. Red flags. Rowell is a must-have and his best mate Anderson did some nice things. It’s unlikely you can start both though and Rowell is ahead of the No. 2 draft pick in the SuperCoach pecking order. McLennan (36) seems unlikely to score big and Sharp could only manage 16 from 40 per cent TOG.
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Does Joel Selwood return to the centre square?
The Cats midfield took on a new look with Tim Kelly in the side in the last couple of seasons. Patrick Dangerfield spent a lot more time up forward and Joel Selwood was pushed out to a wing. But with Kelly gone, who steps up and takes those possessions?
I am very interested to see what role Selwood takes in the Cats side this year. His average dropped below 100 last season, something which he hadn’t done since 2008! This tells me that if he has that role again he is an absolute steal at $465k.
Notes: We’ll find out in week two!
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