KFC SuperCoach 2021: The rookies to buy, hold and sell ahead of Round 6

A surprise injury has blown up KFC SuperCoach trade plans. See how long Lachie Jones will miss and what we do now.

Dan Batten

@danbatten_

5 min read

April 22, 2021 - 10:35AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

SuperCoach

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Time to hit the reverse button – and/or the panic button.

Leading KFC SuperCoach rookie option Lachie Jones has been sidelined for at least a month with the ankle injury sustained in Port Adelaide’s win over Carlton.

Jones appeared to recover from the injury and was a noted absentee from the Power’s injury list, but the setback is worse than first feared.

It is a blow to more than 55,000 coaches: 43,000 who brought the big-bodied defender in early, and another 13,000 who had already traded him in ahead of price rise in Round 6.

The first-round draftee had averaged 65 points in his first two matches, spruiking a break even score of -48.

Recruiting Jones was killing two birds with one stone for some: providing necessary cash generation and on-field coverage for concussed Bomber Jordan Ridley, with popular mid-pricer Jordan Clark no certainty to play this weekend.

For those searching for alternatives, a young Tiger might just be your saviour.

See the rookies to buy, sell and hold ahead of Round 6.

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Rhyan Mansell has a Round 6 breakeven of -33. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Lachie Jones is has suffered an untimely injury. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

BUY

1. Rhyan Mansell (Rich) $102,400, DEF

Average: 46.5 BE: -33

2. Beau McCreery (Coll) $117,300, FWD

Average: 57 BE: -45

4. Mitch Lewis (Haw) $199,500, FWD

Average: 79 BE: -41

Trading in pre-season favourite Jones was the No.1 priority for many SuperCoaches this week – so much for those plans.

Coaches may be best served turning to another player off the SANFL production line, Tiger Mansell.

This may seem like a short-term and even a short-sighted play, but the mature-ager is a solid alternative – especially for those who face the prospect of a defensive doughnut in Round 6.

The last-minute recruit, who joined Riccmond in February via the supplementary selection period, scored 43 points on debut and showed more promise in his second game, scoring 50 points from 13 disposals despite Richmond’s forward-half domination.

Mansell looked to grow in confidence in his second outing and averaged 14 touches and 75 SuperCoach points at SANFL level last yer.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign is that the 20-year-old’s debut coincided with Bachar Houli’s return to the Tiger line-up.

With Nick Vlastuin listed as 3-5 weeks away, Mansell should hold his spot until at least then and comes at a bargain basement price of $102,400.

However, be sure to watch out for team announcements on Friday night to be sure that Mansell is named for the Tigers’ Anzac Day eve blockbuster with Melbourne.

McCreery, who impressed in the SANFL last year, has applied stacks of pressure in the forward half, laying 11 tackles to go with three goals in his two matches for Collingwood.

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Beau McCreery has laid 11 tackles in his first two AFL games. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Having turned 20 on Monday, McCreery looks to be more reliable than your average small forward and has an enticing fixture, facing Essendon, Gold Coast and North Melbourne in his next three matches.

Lewis is an intriguing point-of-difference rookie buy.

Back in 2019, Lewis appreciated $218,000 after starting the season at around $150,000, and has a -41 break even after averaging 79 across his first two matches.

The key-forward has another two pre-seasons under his belt since then and should regain his spot after missing Round 5 with suspension.

WATCH

These rookies have played one game and are worth keeping an eye on this weekend

Finlay Macrae (Coll) $126,300, FWD/MID

R5 score: 41

Jy Farrar (GC) $184,300 FWD

R5 score: 83

Atu Bosenavulagi (NM) $175,500 FWD

R5 score: 72

Zach Reid (ESS) $166,800 DEF

R5 score: 55

Finlay Macrae is one to watch very closely after his impressive final term against the Eagles. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Those who caught Friday night’s clash would have noticed the uncanny similarity between Finlay Macrae and his half-brother, KFC SuperCoach stud Jack.

The first-round draftee has clean hands, precise disposal and even moves the same as the Bulldog star.

While he only scored 41 points, he won 10 disposals in the final quarter when the sting was out of the contest, finishing with 18 touches and three clearances.

Collingwood’s injuries should only improve his job security and scoring, and his dual position status is a plus.

Mature-age Sun Farrar, drafted as a forward, is another to keep tabs on this weekend after he finished with 21 disposals and 83 points in defence.

He comes at a higher asking price due to playing one game last year, but the 24-year-old could become a factor next week if he produces another good score.

Former Pie Bosenavulagi (72 points) and Essendon defender Zach Reid (55) could also come into consideration, with Reid’s score coming in difficult conditions for a tall.

PASS

Josh Treacy (FREM) $102,400 RUCK/FWD

Average: 25.5 BE: 9

Jaxon Prior (Bris) $123,900 DEF

Average: 44 BE: -15

Conor Stone (FWD) $144,200, FWD

Average: 45.5 BE: -7

Young Swan Errol Gulden has posted scores of 74, 68 and 66 in the past three rounds. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

HOLD

Matt Flynn (GWS) $227,500 RUC

Average: 102.3 BE: -34

Tom Highmore (St K) $117,300 DEF

Average: 68.5 BE: -68

Errol Gulden (Syd) $315,600 MID

Average: 96.6 BE: 51

Chad Warner (Syd) $331,100 FWD

Average: 82.4 BE: 58

James Jordon (Melb) $217,900 MID

Average: 61.8 BE: 28

Nik Cox (Ess) $289,700 DEF/FWD

Average: 60.8 BE: 34

After being managed in Round 3, Flynn has been kept out the past two weeks by veteran Shane Mumford – who is averaging a whopping 130 points if you don’t mind – and may be left on the fringes again.

Flynn scored just the 71 points in the battle with Swans reserves ruckman Callum Sinclair, with the Giants coming up against the daunting task of ruck duo Tim English and Stefan Martin.

But you should still hold the Giants ruckman, as it is only a matter of time until the 34-year-old will need a rest himself, as coach Leon Cameron hinted again post-match on Saturday.

The conditions in Round 5 didn’t suit 200cm Bombers young gun Nik Cox. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

Meanwhile, Highmore tallied 16 disposals, nine intercept possessions, four intercept marks and 95 points in the VFL and could be called on with Jimmy Webster’s injury and St Kilda’s heavy loss.

As for Gulden and Warner, both have proved to be immense scorers at stages. Warner is averaging 10 points less than the top-eight forwards and should be held for the time being.

Both he and Gulden could have a field day against the Suns.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin backed in Jordon and he delivered with a career-high 20 disposals, four tackles and 76 points.

His score in the 20s will drop out of his three-round rolling average after Round 6 and this will see his price surge towards $300,000 if he performs as he did against Hawthorn.

Cox had a quiet game against Brisbane in the worst possible weather for a 200cm wingman, so stick with him for now.

SELL

1. Sam Berry (Adel) $213,200 MID

Average: 53.6 BE: 43

2. Braeden Campbell (Syd) $244,000 FWD/MID

Average: 58.6 BE: 53

3. Tyler Brockman (Haw) $172,700 FWD/MID

Average: 43 BE: 28

4. Harry Sharp (Bris) $117,300 DEF/MID

Average: 35.5 BE: -2

5. Lloyd Meek (NM) $213,300 RUCK

Average: 56.8 BE: 23

Is it time to trade Braeden Campbell in KFC SuperCoach? Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Campbell and tough Crow Berry, who scored 31 points against Fremantle, shape as the prime rookies to sell this week, with Adelaide captain Daniel Talia flagging a rest for him in the coming weeks.

Holding Campbell looked to be a shrewd move at quarter-time with the young Swan up to 20 points, but he only managed a further 19 for the rest of the game.

At one stage in the second term, Campbell had just 34 per cent gametime and finished with an equal team-low 62 per cent (besides the sub).

He lost $12,000 on his price last week and could dip further in Round 6 – or even be dropped.

Brockman was managed by the Hawks last week but may not be worth holding onto anyway, and can be traded to Jones via Laird.

Sharp appears to be a fair way off breaking into the Lions’ senior side but does have handy dual position status, while Meek was axed last week after Rory Lobb returned.