KFC SuperCoach 2021: Top 30 most popular selections
Footy’s biggest stars can’t match the popularity of an unlikely Lions recruit, at least when it comes to KFC SuperCoach. See the top 30 most popular picks.
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KFC SuperCoach players are putting their faith in Brisbane’s medical department to work their magic on former Cat Nakia Cockatoo.
A former No.10 draft pick, Cockatoo hasn’t played a senior game since Round 3, 2018 as he battled a seemingly never-ending series of injuries at Geelong.
But after being traded to Brisbane in the off-season, Cockatoo hasn’t missed a beat in the pre-season and could be a KFC SuperCoach steal at just $123,900. As a bonus, you can select him on the bench in either the midfield or forward line.
Cockatoo edges out another Lion for the No. 1 spot on the pre-season top 30 after thousands of players signed on to pick their 2021 teams.
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Lachie Neale is at the other end of the price scale at $721,800 but his popularity is easy to understand after the Brownlow Medallist averaged 134.4 KFC SuperCoach points a game in 2020, making him the No. 1 midfielder in the game.
But it seems the No. 1 overall scorer, Max Gawn, might be scaring players off with his huge price tag — he’s the first player to ever start a season priced at over $750,000. Gawn, who averaged almost 140 points a game last year — is No. 14 on the list, with almost two thirds of coaches prepared to start without the bearded superstar.
Brodie Grundy (No. 7) is the most popular ruckman, while the second ruck spot appears up for grabs with Rowan Marshall, Gawn and GWS recruit Braydon Preuss all featuring in at least 30 per cent of teams.
Many of the top spots are taken by rookies, who play a key role in KFC SuperCoach. Cockatoo, Dockers youngster Josh Treacy and Swan Will Gould are in more than half of all KFC SuperCoach teams at the start of February. The rookie picture will become clearer over the coming weeks.
Matt Rowell is the only other player at over 50 per cent ownership, highlighting the wide range of options available for coaches this season.
Another injury-prone Brisbane recruit grabs the last spot in the top 30, with almost 25 per cent of coaches willing to take a punt on former Bomber Joe Daniher.
High-priced players currently on the outer include Jack Steele (43rd most popular), Jack Macrae (55), Christian Petracca (61) and Giant Josh Kelly, who currently features in just 7 per cent of KFC SuperCoach teams.
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TOP 30 MOST POPULAR KFC SUPERCOACH PICKS
* at February 1, 2021
1. Nakia Cockatoo (Bris) $123,900 MID/FWD — 61.1 per cent
Not a noted KFC SuperCoach scorer — his best season average is 63 in 2016 — but at that price and with dual-position eligibility you can’t go wrong ... if he can stay on the park.
2. Lachie Neale (Bris) $721,800 MID — 53.9 per cent
If you want him, start with him — last year he burst out of the blocks with a 151 average over the first six rounds. Reliable captaincy option.
3. Josh Treacy (Frem) $102,400 RUCK/FWD — 53.2 per cent
Little-known draftee is the cheapest ruckman with dual-position status. Perfect for your ruck bench.
4. Will Gould (Syd) $123,900 DEF — 52.1 per cent
Strong-bodied defender couldn’t break into the Swans’ team in his first season but surely he gets a crack this year.
5. Matt Rowell (GC) $495,100 MID — 51.9 per cent
Has played just five AFL games but the sky’s the limit after scoring 171, 141 and 114 before copping a shoulder injury.
6. Jake Lloyd (Syd) $656,400 DEF — 49.7 per cent
Swans best-and-fairest winner costs $80k more than the second-most expensive defender but you get what you pay for — 45 100-plus scores in his past 54 games.
7. Brodie Grundy (Coll) $648,200 RUCK — 48 per cent
Averaged 120 points a game in the hub after hitting 130 the previous two seasons. We’re backing a rebound year.
8. Rowan Marshall (StK) $557,200 RUCK/FWD — 47.4 per cent
Offers great flexibility between the ruck and forward lines if one of Grundy or Max Gawn miss a week. But beware — all three share the same bye.
9. Will Phillips (NM) $199,300 MID — 47.1 per cent
The Kangaroos see enough in the No. 3 draft pick to hand him Brent Harvey’s No. 29 — and have the legend deliver it personally. Tipped to be in the centre square for Round 1.
10. Zac Williams (Carl) $458,600 DEF — 41.8 per cent
Ex-Giant is terrific value if he plays through the midfield as predicted. Soft-tissue injuries are a slight cause for concern.
11. Finlay Macrae (Coll) $126,300 MID/FWD — 41.4 per cent
Is he being picked on the name alone? If so, fair enough. Pies draftee looks and plays like his half-brother, Bulldogs KFC SuperCoach gun Jack. Just hope he gets a game.
12. James Rowe (Adel) $117,300 FWD — 41.2 per cent
Mature-ager gets a crack at the top level after kicking 35 goals in the SANFL last season. Playing as a small forward in the wooden spooners isn’t an easy gig but whack him on your bench with confidence.
13. Rory Laird (Adel) $564,900 DEF/MID — 40.7 per cent
These were Laird’s scores after he moved into the midfield last season: 120, 185, 77, 120, 102, 122, 136, 108. Enough said.
14. Max Gawn (Melb) $751,400 RUCK — 38.7 per cent
Want massive scores? Max is your man. It’s a huge chunk of your salary cap but if you don’t start him you need to find a way to get him at some stage. His early draw looks favourable, too.
15. Lachie Jones (Port) $139,800 DEF — 38.1 per cent
The Power’s top draft pick is ready to play straight away after starring in the senior SANFL finals last year. The only issue is who does he replace?
16. Jacob Wehr (GWS) $117,300 DEF — 35.6 per cent
Another mature-age draft pick, the 22-year-old is noted for his precise kicking out of defence, which will equal good KFC SuperCoach scores if he breaks into the Giants’ best 22.
17. Tom Powell (NM) $153,300 MID — 35.5 per cent
His numbers at under-18 level were off the charts, scoring more than 200 KFC SuperCoach points in a game twice. Throw him straight in the guts, Nobes.
18. Lachie Whitfield (GWS) $561,600 DEF — 35.5 per cent
Averaged 104.5 last season but that figure is more like 111 if you take out the game he was knocked out in the opening minutes.
19. Dustin Martin (Rich) $541,600 FWD/MID — 34.4 per cent
Saves his best work for AFL finals — when we don’t get KFC SuperCoach points — but still one of the top forward options.
20. Braydon Preuss (GWS) $303.000 RUCK —34.2 per cent
Finally gets a crack at the No. 1 ruck role after moving to the Giants. He’s $300k cheaper than Gawn — will you take the punt? Plenty are.
21. Patrick Cripps $523,700 MID — 33.8 per cent
His average dipped 20 points last year but is fit and refreshed and the Blues are expected to win more games. Bargain alert.
22. Patrick Dangerfield $611,900 FWD/MID — 32.4 per cent
Has been an elite KFC SuperCoach player for almost a decade — averaging 105 or more every year since 2012 — and can be picked in the forward line this year. But pre-season groin issues have alarm bells ringing.
23. Luke Valente $123,900 MID —30.8 per cent
Midfielder taken with pick 32 in the 2018 draft is tipped to finally get senior opportunities this year.
24. Corey Durdin (Carl) $117,300 MID/FWD — 29 per cent
Eddie Betts’ heir to Carlton’s forward pocket, the goalkicker has caught the eye in his fist AFL pre-season. If he’s named for Round 1, grab him.
25. Jack Ziebell (NM) $257,900 FWD — 27.9 per cent
Outrageous value after a year to forget in 2020 for the Kangaroos skipper. Should spike in value over the first eight rounds.
26. Denver Grainger-Barras $184,800 DEF — 26.7 per cent
Hawthorn needs tall defenders after James Frawley’s departure and James Sicily’s knee injury. Enter the No.6 draft pick, who stood out for his intercepting marking in the WAFL last year.
27. Josh Dunkley (WB) $560,200 FWD/MID — 26.7 per cent
Hard to know where all the Dogs midfielders will play but Dunkley is underpriced compared to his 2019 season, when he posted seven scores above 130, including a monster 202 against Melbourne.
28. Clayton Oliver (Melb) $656,700 MID — 25.5 per cent
Last season's 122 average was a career-high but he has averaged at least 109 for the past four seasons, making him one of the safest picks in the top price bracket.
29. Isaac Heeney (Syd) $454,500 FWD — 24.8 per cent
Is this the year Heeney becomes a full-blow premium? Will it ever happen? Even if it doesn't he has averaged 97, 97, 94 and 94 in the past four seasons and is priced in the mid-80s.
30. Joe Daniher (Bris) $233,300 FWD — 24.1 per cent
Smokin’ Joe is just $26k more than No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. He will definitely make things interesting.
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