KFC SuperCoach 2022: Predicted top scorers at every AFL club
Patrick Dangerfield has been one of the top scorers in KFC SuperCoach for a decade. Is the era over or will we regret overlooking the Cats champ? See our expert predictions.
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Trying to predict anything after what we have all lived through over the past couple of years is fraught with danger.
But all our decisions in KFC SuperCoach involve trying to guess which players will score well or poorly this season.
The few astute coaches who predicted a big season for Touk Miller last year were handsomely rewarded, and so were those who had a feeling Lachie Neale might not live up to his mammoth starting price and left the Brownlow medallist out of their starting teams.
So, who will rise and fall in 2022?
Our KFC SuperCoach experts have dusted off their crystal balls to predict the top three scorers at every club this year.
Note: Predictions are for total points for the season, and the consensus totals are a tally of three votes for the predicted No.1 scorer, two votes for No.2 and one vote for the No.3 slot (ie, if all three experts have Sam Walsh in the No.1 spot he has nine votes).
ADELAIDE
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Rory Laird
2. Jordan Dawson
3. Riley O’Brien
Smoky: Matt Crouch
Laird is now the Crows’ No.1 ball-winner and his average last year would clearly have him in the top 10 midfielders. Dawson will be his sidekick on a wing and ROB should bounce back after dropping 10 points off his average last year – to be honest, I’m not really sure what happened there. If Matt Crouch can get back on the park it might help him log a few more hitouts to advantage, but the Crows are being very cautious with his groin injury.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Rory Laird
2. Jordan Dawson
3. Ben Keays
Smoky: Harry Schoenberg
It’s hard to see Laird being knocked off his perch at the Crows in 2022 – and it’s why you should still consider him as midfield-only point-of-difference. New recruit Dawson could be the one to go close after averaging 114 KFC SuperCoach points in the final nine rounds of last year. I’m backing Schoenberg to take a big step in his third season but a three-figure average might be a stretch. Tom Doedee is another who could challenge.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Rory Laird
2. Ben Keays
3. Jordan Dawson
Smoky: Harry Schoenberg
Rory Laird was the ninth-ranked midfielder last season, finishing only 18 points behind Sam Walsh. With an average of 32 disposals and six tackles last year, there’s no reason to suggest he can’t go better than his 116.2 average, especially with the new tackle rules. Ben Keays has been a great find for the Crows but I feel a 105 average in 2021 is about his ceiling. If Jordan Dawson was guaranteed to spend the season at half-back I think he could average almost 110, but there’s talk of a wing role which was never been KFC SuperCoach friendly. I’m still confident he hits triple figures, though. Hopefully he’s DEF-MID in 2023.
CONSENSUS: Laird (nine vote), Dawson (five), Keays (three).
BRISBANE LIONS
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Jarryd Lyons
2. Lachie Neale
3. Daniel Rich
Smoky: Oscar McInerney
I expect Neale will bounce back after a horror 2021 – and he’s in my team – but I’m not sure he’ll get back to his Brownlow levels or beat the 117 average Lyons posted last year. Take him to the bank, while the Big O could be one of the surprise packets of 2022 after averaging 113 over his final 11 matches last season.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Lachie Neale
2. Hugh McCluggage
3. Jarryd Lyons
Smoky: Jarrod Berry
Forget last year. If Lachie Neale is injury-free – and he’s reportedly flying on the track – he’ll reclaim his thrown as Lion king. It was only 18 months ago he finished with an average of 134. As good as Lyons was in 2021, I think McCluggage could get him, too – 2022 could be the year it really all comes together. Speaking of great recent averages, Berry looks to have a put an injury-ravaged season behind him, and he averaged 101 in the first 14 games of 2020, before being hurt.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Jarryd Lyons
2. Lachie Neale
3. Daniel Rich
Smoky: Oscar McInerney
Maybe I’m being a bit controversial here, but Lyons averaged almost 18 points more a game than Neale in 2021. That’s a pretty significant gap to make up, even though Neale was affected by injury much of last season. I would still pick Neale over Lyons based on their price differential. Daniel Rich showed he’s the real deal last season and the Big O, Oscar McInerney, was one of the best scoring ruckmen during the run home.
CONSENSUS: Lyons (7), Neale (7), Rich (2), McCluggage (2)
CARLTON
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Sam Walsh
2. Adam Cerra
3. Patrick Cripps
Smoky: George Hewett
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one tempted to make my top three Walsh, Walsh and Walsh. Last year he was the only Blue to average over 100, with only Sam Docherty and Jacob Weitering in the 90s. Recruit Adam Cerra averaged an even 90 as a Docker and will get plenty of time in the Blues midfield. Patrick Cripps just can’t go any worse.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Sam Walsh
2. Adam Cerra
3. Nic Newman
Smoky: Charlie Curnow
Sam Walsh and then … daylight? It’s pretty close. But if recruit Cerra can settle in Carlton’s midfield, he looks to have a three-figure average in him. Yes, I have a soft spot for Newman, but he returned from injury in Round 9 last year and averaged 88 for the rest of the season – 110 in the final three matches. A fully fit Charlie Curnow – in a possible finals side – could be anything.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Sam Walsh
2. Adam Cerra
3. Patrick Cripps
Smoky: Zac Williams
Outside Walsh, there’s no obvious Blue you can predict will average 100. In previous years Cripps would have been a lock, but how could you confidently tip he will hit triple figures based on last year? I’ve got Cripps averaging somewhere between 95-100, Cerra similar and Walsh finishing as a top-six midfielder in the comp and averaging above 120. Zac Williams is a 100-point average at his best but his body lets him down too regularly. If he gets a clean run, he can be No.2 at the Blues in KFC SuperCoach.
CONSENSUS: Walsh (9), Cerra (6), Cripps (2)
COLLINGWOOD
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Brodie Grundy
2. Jack Crisp
3. Jordan De Goey
Smoky: Patrick Lipinski
The top two were pretty easy at the Pies, after that it’s a bit of a lottery. Jordan De Goey’s pre-season has been far from ideal but if Craig McRae plays him as a full-time midfielder we know how we can score.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Brodie Grundy
2. Jack Crisp
3. Jordan De Goey
Smoky: Pat Lipinski
The Collingwood ruckman has trimmed down over summer in a bid to recapture his best form. He’ll not only lead the Pies, he’ll push Max Gawn - and Sean Darcy - once again. Crips was huge in the back half of 2021, while a fit De Goey playing in the midfield is a top-three lock, as much as you might want to think otherwise.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Brodie Grundy
2. Brayden Maynard
3. Jeremy Howe
Smoky: Pat Lipinski
Grundy was a frustrating player to own last season and efficiency and free kicks against often hurt his scoring. While I suspect he will be a top-four ruckman again, I’ m not as confident as in previous seasons. Regardless, he will still average at least 10 more points than any other Pie. Maynard has been mooted for a midfield role which will help his scoring, while I’ve always bee a Jeremy Howe fan in KFC SuperCoach. Intercept marks are gold.
CONSENSUS: Grundy (9), Crisp (4), De Goey (2) Maynard (2)
ESSENDON
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Zach Merrett
2. Darcy Parish
3. Jordan Ridley
Smoky: Dylan Shiel
It’s was a virtual dead heat at Tullamarine last season and I have slightly more confidence in Merrett in 2022 based purely on years more runs on the board. Jordan Ridley should benefit from Jake Kelly arriving and taking on some more of the defensive stopper roles. Shiel has been a reliable 95-plus scorer in his injury-free years.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Darcy Parish
2. Zach Merrett
3. Jordan Ridley
Smoky: Jye Caldwell
Hard to split the top two at the Bombers, but if 114 points per game - 122 through 18 rounds - is what Darcy Parish can produce in his first full season in the midfield, I’m tipping he’ll go past star teammate Zach Merrett in 2022 - but only just. With Jake Kelly joining Essendon’s back-six, Jordan Ridley could be allowed to resume an attacking role - the same one he posted scores of 125, 136, 147 and 124 in to start last year.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Darcy Parish
2. Zach Merrett
3. Jake Stringer
Smoky: Andrew McGrath
Parish’s ceiling is enormous. Last season he had eight scores of 120 or better and a season-high of 190. A full season in the Essendon midfield will ensure he establishes himself as Essendon’s No.1 onballer. Merrett is always a solid choice but I’m not sure he was the monster games in him Parish does. Jake Stringer will always have his KFC SuperCoach knockers, but his form in the second half of last year was undeniable.
CONSENSUS: Parish (8), Merrett (7), Ridley (2)
FREMANTLE
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Sean Darcy
2. Andrew Brayshaw
3. Nat Fyfe
Smoky: Caleb Serong
Not brave enough to put Serong in my top three but there’s definitely a world in which he surges to a 100-plus average. Darcy scored 193, 183, 156 in an insane three-game purple patch last year and could challenge Max Gawn as the No.1 big man in KFC SuperCoach.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Sean Darcy
2. Andrew Brayshaw
3. Caleb Serong
Smoky: Hayden Young
Sean Darcy proved in 2021 that not only can he be Fremantle’s top KFC SuperCoach scorer, he can match it with the best in the competition. With even more responsibility in the midfield now, Andrew Brayshaw should go up another level, while I’m tipping young gun Caleb Serong to take an even bigger step in his third year. Scroll back through some highlights of Hayden Young’s return to the side late last season, too.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Sean Darcy
2. Andrew Brayshaw
3. Luke Ryan
Smoky: Caleb Serong/Hayden Young
Sean Darcy is about to announce himself as the best big man in KFC SuperCoach. I’m going for value in the rucks with Rowan Marshall, but I would pick Darcy ahead of Grundy and Gawn this year if I was paying for a premium. I will never get over trading in Jy Farrar instead of Andy Brayshaw last year and he’s going to love the new tackle rules. Luke Ryan is always underrated but rarely lets KFC SuperCoach teams down. He loves to play on from kick-outs and won’t have to play tall as often this year with reinforcements returning for the Dockers.
CONSENSUS: Darcy (9), Brayshaw (6)
GOLD COAST
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Touk Miller
2. Matt Rowell
3. Jarrod Witts
Smoky: Noah Anderson
It was Miller than daylight at the Suns last year so you need to throw some Hail Marys here. I would love Rowell to get back to somewhere close to what he showed in his first four AFL games and Anderson averaged over 100 in his final month of 2021 ... but he also had four scores in the 50s last year.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Touk Miller
2. Jarrod Witts
3. Matt Rowell
Smoky: Noah Anderson
The big question is Matt Rowell. From what we saw in the first month of his AFL career, following on from some incredible junior numbers, he has the potential to challenge KFC SuperCoach’s most-improved, Touk Miller. But after a disappointing return, following multiple injuries last year, we need to see more. Jarrod Witts, however, has enough runs on the board to suggest he’ll push three figures again after missing 2021 with an ACL injury.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Touk Miller
2. Noah Anderson
3. Jarrod Witts
Smoky: Brayden Fiorini
Touk Miller and then who? The obvious answer is Matt Rowell, but honestly who knows? I’m going for the man drafted the pick after Rowell in Noah Anderson, who seems ready to take the next step to becoming a bona fide star. Anderson finished last year with scores of 90, 137, 98 and 94. That’s a springboard if I’ve ever seen one. Witts is always good for an 85-95 average and is underpriced returning from injury.
CONSENSUS: Miller (9), Witts (4), Rowell (3)
GEELONG
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Patrick Dangerfield
2. Tom Stewart
3. Mitch Duncan
Smoky: Jon Ceglar
Throw a blanket over those top three and Cam Guthrie, who are all likely to average in the 105-110 range. Danger isn’t the player he was but a couple of 140-plus games should get him top spot. Ceglar is a bit out there but he scored 131 in a game last year and could be the No.1 ruckman in a top-four team.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Patrick Dangerfield
2. Cam Guthrie
3. Mitch Duncan
Smoky: Jeremy Cameron
Patrick Dangerfield may not be the player he once was but he still averaged 111 KFC SuperCoach points, if you take out the injury-affected Round 21 score, in a season where he missed nine of Geelong’s first 11 matches through injury and suspension. Tom Stewart will go close to the top-three, but it’s hard to put him ahead of Mitch Duncan, whose 2021 average was also affected by an injury-affected score of 10.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Cameron Guthrie
2. Patrick Dangerfield
3. Mitch Duncan
Smoky: Sam Menegola
I can’t see the established pecking order changing at Geelong this year. Guthrie is clearly the Cats’ best scorer and has been uber consistent in the past two years. Dangerfield has a big ceiling but is still prone to 80s and 90s, while Duncan has long been a 100-105 average player.
CONSENSUS: Dangerfield (8), Guthrie (5), Duncan (3), Stewart (2)
GWS GIANTS
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Lachie Whitfield
2. Josh Kelly
3. Jacob Hopper
Smoky: Braydon Preuss
It’s January so I’m boldly predicting Lachie Whitfield will make it through 22 games and average 110-plus ... no chance of that coming back to bite me. If we’re ranking on total points that counts out Toby Greene, who will miss the first five rounds.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Josh Kelly
2. Lachie Whitfield
3. Stephen Coniglio
Smoky: Tom Green
If Leon Cameron puts the Josh Kelly forward experiment in the bin where it belongs, the classy midfielder will push back into top-eight midfielder calculations. If not, Kelly will still lead the Giants, given he averaged 10 more points per game than any other player despite the slow start. Expect Lachie Whitfield to bounce back, too, after the first half of his 2021 was derailed by a liver laceration.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Josh Kelly
2. Lachie Whitfield
3. Isaac Cumming
Smoky: Tom Green
As soon as Leon Cameron through Kelly back in the middle last season, he reminded KFC SuperCoaches why he’s one of the best scorers in the game. A smooth mover, brilliant ball user and great finisher. That ticks a lot of boxes. Whitfield can rack up points at will and does damage in the second half when other players tire. Isaac Cumming is the type of player Champion Data’s number crunchers love because he rarely misses a target. Tom Green’s name had to be there to keep Phantom happy.
CONSENSUS: Kelly (8), Whitfield (7)
HAWTHORN
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Tom Mitchell
2. James Sicily
3. Jaeger O’Meara
Smoky: Max Lynch
There will be plenty of competition for points in the Hawks backline but I think Sicily will resume his role as the No.1 interceptor that delivered averages of 105, 94 and 103 from 2018-20. I haven’t considered O’Meara for my team since 2014 but he did average 97 last year. If ex-Pie Lynch wins the No.1 ruck role he could push a 90 average.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Tom Mitchell
2. James Sicily
3. Chad Wingard
Smoky: Will Day
Tom Mitchell by a country mile here. He was still building back to his best from 2019’s broken leg last year and, while it won’t be remembered as his most-influential season, he still averaged 117 KFC SuperCoach points. If Chad Wingard can get it all together, and spend more time in the midfield, he’s a chance. But if James Sicily slots straight back into the intercept defender role - and that’s still somewhat of an if - he’ll be hard to beat.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Tom Mitchell
2. James Sicily
3. Changkuoth Jiath
Smoky: James Worpel
It would be bold to predict any player from the developing Hawks will get near Mitchell, who is as close to a certainty to average 110 as anyone. The question mark about James Sicily will be how he returns from injury and where he fits in the side after Jarman Impey and Changkuoth Jiath took his role last year. I’ve never seen anyone score points as quickly as Jiath. He can be unsighted for 25 minutes, touch the ball three times and score 30 points for a quarter. He’s that influential.
CONSENSUS: Mitchell (9), Sicily (6)
MELBOURNE
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Clayton Oliver
2. Max Gawn
3. Christian Petracca
Smoky: Luke Jackson
The big three at the Dees are as big as they get. I’m expecting Gawn to come back to the realm of mere mortals after averaging at least 120 or more for the past four seasons, due mainly to Jackson coming on in leaps and bounds.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Clayton Oliver
2. Max Gawn
3. Christian Petracca
Smoky: Luke Dunstan
I agree Luke Jackson’s rise to could stifle Max Gawn slightly from a KFC SuperCoach point-of-view but it won’t be enough to knock him down any further than second here. The other two also speak for themselves, while if a spot opens up for Dunstan, the former Saint has proven he can score.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Clayton Oliver
2. Christian Petracca
3. Max Gawn
Smoky: Christian Salem
Toss a coin between Oliver and Petracca, but Oliver gets the nod for me based on consistency. Oliver only had two scores below 93 last season, while Petracca had six scores below that mark. We saw danger signs in Max Gawn sharing the ruck with Luke Jackson last season which is why I’m confident the two midfielders will outscore their premiership skipper.
CONSENSUS: Oliver (9), Gawn (5), Petracca (4)
NORTH MELBOURNE
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Aaron Hall
2. Jy Simpkin
3. Todd Goldstein
Smoky: Hugh Greenwood
Hall averaged 115 from Round 7 last season and I can’t see anything changing that lucrative role in 2022. Simpkin averaged 123 over a month mid-season and just needs to put it together over 23 rounds. Greenwood’s recruitment was bizarre but he feels like an old-fashioned shinboner – I can see him averaging 10 tackles a game. I loved what Jack Ziebell did in 2021 but he averaged 86 over the final five rounds which might be closer to his output this year.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Jack Ziebell
2. Aaron Hall
3. Luke Davies-Uniacke
Smoky: Tarryn Thomas
If both continue in the same role in 2022, it’s hard to see the KFC SuperCoach output of Jack Ziebell and Aaron Hall dropping. And to keep their spot at the top of the Kangaroos’ scoring list, they will have to maintain the lofty heights of last season., with the next pack, lead by Luke Davies-Uniacke and Tarryn Thomas, on the rise.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Aaron Hall
2. Jack Ziebell
3. Jy Simpkin
Smoky: Tarryn Thomas
Expect a lot of ball in North Melbourne’s defensive half again and that means bulk points for Hall and Ziebell – again. I love watching Jy Simpkin play and feel it’s only a matter of time until he pushes into the elite category. Ditto Tarryn Thomas, who might just become a must-have in 2022.
CONSENSUS: Hall (8), Ziebell (5), Simpkin (3)
PORT ADELAIDE
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Ollie Wines
2. Travis Boak
3. Zak Butters
Smoky: Willem Drew
Butters and Connor Rozee are the huge X-factors at Port – either could be anything depending on role, injuries and development. Butters’ ceiling is ridiculous but I’m not gutsy enough yet to rank him above reliable guns Wines and Boak.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Ollie Wines
2. Zak Butters
3. Travis Boak
Smoky: Connor Rozee
Zak Butters, the full-time midfielder, would give Ollie Wines a run for his money, but you can’t go past the Brownlow Medallist just yet. I am tipping Butters, however, to become a more consistent KFC SuperCoach scorer in 2022, with his ceiling putting him just ahead of the ever-reliable Travis Boak.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Ollie Wines
2. Travis Boak
3. Zak Butters
Smoky: Karl Amon
I don’t think you would find many people who would argue with the top two here. Wines and Boak are the two main men for Port Adelaide, both at Adelaide Oval and in KFC SuperCoach. Butters threatened to establish himself as a premium last year before being injured. He was one of my first-picked.
CONSENSUS: Wines (9), Boak (5), Butters (4)
RICHMOND
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Jayden Short
2. Dustin Martin
3. Jack Graham
Smoky: Sydney Stack
Last year only three Richmond players averaged over 90 – Short, Dusty and Toby Nankervis, but he’ll be sharing the ruck with Ivan Soldo this year. Shai Bolton is the other obvious contender for a top-three finish but I trust Graham to at least play in the midfield every week.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Dustin Martin
2. Jayden Short
3. Dion Prestia
Smoky: Sydney Stack
Richmond is a hard one to get a KFC SuperCoach read on. Short might finally crack three figures this season, but if a trimmed down Dustin Martin is ready to go, he’s still my bet. I wouldn’t put my money on a Sydney Stack breakout, but he’s one Tiger who has the potential for a scoring spike.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Jayden Short
2. Dustin Martin
3. Shai Bolton
Smoky: Daniel Rioli
Most of us expect Richmond to bounce back into finals contention this year, but that still doesn’t make the Tigers very KFC SuperCoach relevant. I’ll go as far as to say no Richmond player will average 100 in 2022.
CONSENSUS: Short (8), Martin (7)
ST KILDA
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Jack Steele
2. Rowan Marshall
3. Hunter Clark
Smoky: Jade Gresham
Another team with a clear top two then a wide open field. I love Steele – and Marshall, who I wish I could pick in my forward line this year. Is this the year Hunter Clark breaks out? The Saints need him to – throw him in the guts, Ratts.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Jack Steele
2. Rowan Marshall
3. Jade Gresham
Smoky: Jack Sinclair
The top-two picks itself - but then who? Jade Gresham has the scoring power but is he a sure thing to get back out on the park and into the midfield? You can’t be any more sure about Hunter Clark’s role, either. But Jack Sinclar the defender is one who is flying under the radar, after a strong finish to 2021.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Jack Steele
2. Rowan Marshall
3. Jade Gresham
Smoky: Jimmy Webster
I’ve been considering who I think will finish 2022 as the season’s top-scorer and I’m struggling to split Clayton Oliver and Steele. I think both are capable of averaging 125-plus but have Steele as the best pick of the year, just. Marshall just needs a run without injury to put himself in the Gawn, Grundy, Darcy category and Jade Gresham is the best value pick on offer. Think Toby Greene role.
CONSENSUS: Steele (9), Marshall (6), Gresham (2)
SYDNEY
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Jake Lloyd
2. Callum Mills
3. Luke Parker
Smoky: Peter Ladhams
The departure of Jordan Dawson will mean more chips for seagull Lloyd, pushing his average back over 110. It will be a tight tussle with Mills, who should improve again on his career-best 2021, while Parker just keeps putting up good scores (averaging 104, 105, 106, 109 in the past four years). Ladhams is another ‘if he gets the No.1 ruck role...’ punt.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Callum Mills
2. Jake Lloyd
3. Luke Parker
Smoky: Errol Gulden
Throw a blanket over the top-three here, it’s hard to see any other player making their way in. Last year was Callum Mills’ first full season in the midfield, and he battled an Achilles injury for a large part of it, so I’m backing him to go to another level in 2021. And, after scoring consecutive 130s to start his career, a rare second-year breakout is on the cards for Errol Gulden.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Callum Mills
2. Luke Parker
3. Jake Lloyd
Smoky: Dane Rampe
We keep thinking the season will come when Isaac Heeney announces himself as a top-scorer from the Swans but it just hasn’t happened. Mills, Parker and Lloyd seem obvious picks, but for good reason. Not wanting to be boring, I’ll predict Mills is a top-six midfielder.
CONSENSUS: Mills (8), Lloyd (6), Parker (4)
WEST COAST
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Nic Naitanui
2. Elliot Yeo
3. Luke Shuey
Smoky: Greg Clark
Picking the Eagles’ smoky was much easier than filling the other slots but you have to have Nic Nat No.1 after he averaged 115 last year – and played every game for the first time since 2010. Elliot Yeo, Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Tim Kelly and Shannon Hurn all averaged between 85-91 last year and any of them could bob up (34-year-old Hurn is probably unlikely). I have to pick two and Yeo and Shuey have the most room for improvement coming off injury-interrupted years.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Nic Naitanui
2. Elliot Yeo
3. Andrew Gaff
Smoky: Liam Duggan
Another difficult team to assess. Nic Naitanui aside, do they have any great KFC SuperCoach scorers left? A fit Elliot Yeo probably fits into that category. At one point, Tim Kelly and Andrew Gaff did, too, but last year’s slide was concerning. Liam Duggan? Don’t worry I am not going there again.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Nic Naitanui
2. Andrew Gaff
3. Elliot Yeo
Smoky: Jeremy McGovern
Might sound harsh but I can’t see much KFC SuperCoach relevancy at the Eagles apart from mature-age draftee Greg Clark. Naitanui’s impact always guarantees he averages triple figures, while I love Yeo as a player. The new tackle rule should help him, but who knows how he returns after only managing 22 games in the past two campaigns.
CONSENSUS: Naitanui (9), Yeo (5), Gaff (3)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Al Paton’s predicted top three:
1. Jack Macrae
2. Marcus Bontempelli
3. Josh Dunkley
Smoky: Adam Treloar
Handy top three – you could justify picking all of them in your starting team. Dunkley is the wildcard. He averaged 129 in the first six rounds last year then closer to 90 after returning from injury, but with his proven scoring power I’m too scared to leave him out. Treloar is one to watch – his 88.8 average last year was his first time under 100 in eight seasons, and he scored 123 and 122 in the prelim and grand final.
The Phantom’s predicted top three:
1. Jack Macrae
2. Marcus Bontempelli
3. Josh Dunkley
Smoky: Bailey Smith
Josh Dunkley’s return to the top-three rests on Luke Beveridge and his magnetboard. If he’s back to playing predominantly as a midfielder, you can’t leave him out. It will be interesting to see what the Bulldogs coach does with new DPP Adam Treloar, too. We don’t have to talk about the other two.
Tim Michell’s predicted top three:
1. Jack Macrae
2. Marcus Bontempelli
3. Josh Dunkley
Smoky: Adam Treloar
Death, taxes and Jack Macrae averaging 120 in KFC SuperCoach. You just know it’s coming again. That should put him just ahead of the Bont, who was let down by kicking efficiency at times last season. Please throw Josh Dunkley back on the ball, Bevo.
CONSENSUS: Macrae (9), Bontempelli (6), Dunkley (3)
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