KFC SuperCoach 2022: The rookies to buy, hold, sell and play on field in Round 4

Those who fielded Josh Rachele in KFC SuperCoach were burnt. But he could be worth backing in this week. Here’s how to navigate the rookie roulette.

It’s time for KFC SuperCoaches to pick Nic.

Not the regular lockdown pastime, nor the electronic music festival, nor the nutty chocolate bar.

It is the ‘Nic’ of the Martin variety who should be front of mind for the 49 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches that don’t own the mature-age Bomber.

Martin has started his career in fine nick (alright, I’ll stop now) and boasts a jaw-dropping Break Even of -124 ahead of Essendon’s clash against Adelaide this weekend.

Rookies took a back-seat last week as coaches clambered to get Patrick Cripps, George Hewett and Isaac Heeney, but cash generation is critical for KFC SuperCoach success and should be the main priority with our corrective trades out of the way.

There’s a giant option – in more ways than one - on the way, and it is worth factoring him into our rookie trade plans as well.

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Nic Martin’s 124-point breakeven is the lowest in the competition. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

FIELD OR BENCH

Been struggling to navigate the rookie roulette? Find out which cheapies to field and bench in round 4 to ensure you aren’t leaving points on the bench.

DEFENCE

FIELD

Mitch Hinge

Paddy McCartin

BENCH

Sam De Koning

Josh Gibcus

Fairly straightforward in defence, where Hinge and McCartin have become onfield locks. De Koning was struggling until he was swung forward late against the Magpies, and probably isn’t a player we can trust to field at this stage. Same goes for fellow key position player Gibcus.

Swan Dylan Stephens struggled against the Bulldogs in Round 3. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

But play Tristan Xerri on the field with confidence. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

MIDFIELD

FIELD

Jason Horne-Francis

Nick Daicos

Jackson Mead

BENCH

Josh Ward

Connor MacDonald

Dylan Stephens

Brady Hough

I was one of those who was stung by a paltry score of 23 from Stephens, so it is crucial to field the right rookies in the midfield. Mead looks to be a more reliable on-field pick than Stephens if you have him after a promising performance in the Showdown, while it is probably best to keep the two Hawks boys on the bench for now.

FORWARD

FIELD

Tristan Xerri

Will Brodie

Charlie Curnow

Nic Martin

Josh Rachele

BENCH

Jack Hayes

Corey Durdin

The major predicament for KFC SuperCoaches this weekend will be choosing between the likes of Martin, Rachele, and Hayes, and Martin looks the safest bet of the trio. Not only will Martin provide us with a truckload of cash, he also looks to be an above average on-field scorer in the forward line. If you have to field a couple, I think Rachele could prove the doubters wrong against a Bombers defence that often struggles to restrict the influence of small forwards. Durdin will miss out due to HS protocols. We are unlikely to see the lofty heights of Hayes again with Paddy Ryder’s return resulting in a permanent move to the forward line for the Saints cheapie last week. Curnow’s high ceiling makes him a juicy on-field option for owners against the Suns.

HOLD

Josh Rachele (Adelaide) $230,500 FWD-MID

BE: 42 Ave: 70.7

I nearly fell off my chair seeing Rachele was the most traded out player of the week. That’s right, a rookie who scored 118 KFC SuperCoach points on debut just two weeks ago. He managed the 36 points in the Showdown but it wasn’t a true reflection of his output, losing 11 points by giving away a 50m penalty in the dying minutes of the match. Including the pre-season, Rachele has averaged 76.4 points across five matches as a Crow and moving him on after one price rise – with a manageable breakeven of 42 - could turn out to be a major regret.

BURNING QUESTIONS: THE PHANTOM SOLVES THE BIG DILEMMAS

The KFC SuperCoach potential is there for Josh Ward. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Josh Ward (Hawthorn) $196,400 MID

BE: 9 Ave: 47.7

I can understand the reasoning for trading out Ward, whose possession tallies haven’t amounted to strong KFC SuperCoach scores. Hawthorn’s top pick has tallied 20 disposals the past two weeks for solid returns of 53 and 54, but the potential is there. Remember, it only takes one big game – like his 120-plus outing in the pre-season – for the cash to roll in.

BUBBLE BOYS

Nic Martin (Essendon) $102,400 FWD

BE: -124 Average: 92.5

After missing round 2 due to the AFL’s health and safety protocols, Martin collected 20 possessions and eight marks on his way to 71 points against the Demons. Martin, who was a late addition to Essendon’s list, has fitted in well playing on a wing and up forward, and looks to have great long-term job security.

VERDICT: MUST-HAVE. His round 3 score is probably closer to what we can expect from him rather than his round 1 monster, and if he keeps scoring 70s he will skyrocket past $250k and beyond. Lock.

Hugh Dixon (West Coast) $102,400 RUC-FWD

BE: -42 average: 51.5

Dixon has managed two games for the Eagles while best-22 members have been sidelined through Covid and injury, and his 10 disposals, seven hitouts and 61 points against his former side in the derby could see him remain in the line-up. The SSP pick-up is dirt cheap and has valuable ruck-forward status, but forward/ruck Bailey Williams should be back from HS protocols this week.

VERDICT: PASS/HOLD. Can’t see him holding his spot in the Eagles side long-term. And even if he does, the scoring probably won’t be worth burning a trade – especially with the forward rookie riches at our disposal.

Thomson Dow (Richmond) $198,900 FWD-MID

BE: -31 Ave: 74.5

Dow is the wildcard option this week after raising the bat for a KFC SuperCoach ton against the Saints. The former first-round selection led the Tigers for contested possessions and clearances, winning 23 disposals and scoring 100 points while attending 29 centre bounces. His score of 49 in round 2 was injury affected, with the midfielder subbed out of the match with injury. Richmond is crying out from a lift from their next wave of midfielders and Dow is leading the charge, with his burst from stoppage and contested ball-winning giving him scope to remain in this lucrative midfield role.

VERDICT: CONSIDER. A point-of-difference rookie who can set you apart. However, some SuperCoaches have been burnt picking Dows in the past.

Young Crow Lachlan Gollant booted four goals in the Round 3 Showdown.

Lachie Gollant (Adelaide) $123,900 FWD

BE: -48 Ave: 60.5

Gollant was one of the rookie surprises of round 3, booting four goals from five kicks to score 79 points in just his third game. The 20-year-old showed great signs in the Showdown, but there’s a question mark over his long-term job security with Taylor Walker back this week and Riley Thilthorpe currently in the SANFL.

VERDICT: PASS. Not going to kick four every week, and there’s no shortage of forward options around.

Sam Skinner (Port Adelaide) $123,900 DEF/FWD

BE: -20 Ave: 46.5

Skinner was locked in most KFC SuperCoach sides throughout the pre-season but was stuck behind the queue of Power key defenders before an injury to Aliir Aliir in round 1. This coupled with off-season knee surgery for Tom Clurey paved the way for Skinner to make his Power debut, posting scores of 45 and 48. Aliir will remain on the sidelines for another 2-3 weeks but Clurey has made a speedy recovery and could return this week.

VERDICT: PASS. The timeline isn’t long enough to justify a trade, especially considering his scoring has been so-so.

Sam De Koning (Geelong) $123,900 DEF/FWD

BE: -15 Ave: 44

De Koning missed round 2 with a concussion sustained in Geelong’s season opener and remains on the bubble for the 37 per cent of coaches who don’t own the Cats tall. The 21-year-old was used at both ends of the ground against Collingwood and had more success up forward, where some late possessions saw him reach 50 points.

VERDICT: WAIT. Wouldn’t say he is a certain starter this week but if he is picked, it may be worth jumping on considering his DEF-FWD status and the lack of rookie defenders about.

FULL TRADE GUIDE: ALL THE ROUND 4 OPTIONS TO CONSIDER

Nicky Winmar presents the No. 7 jumper to debutant Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera in Round 1. Picture: Michael Klein

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda) $162,300 DEF

BE: 2 Ave: 47

The silky Saint has played two games and looked solid, but he is only projected to rise $20k from his elevated starting price. While he is renowned for his Wanganeen-Milera ball-use, he is averaging the 12.5 disposals so far.

VERDICT: PASS. Too expensive for his current output

Jackson Mead (Port Adelaide) $157,200 MID

BE: -3 Ave: 49.3

He isn’t technically a bubble boy, but Mead was the sub in round 2 which meant his price rise was small. Holders were rewarded with a score of 78 in the Showdown, where the third-year midfielder proved he can be a solid on-field option.

VERDICT: CONSIDER. Once his sub score falls out of his price cycle, his rise should be steep. But is his job security high enough?

Nathan O’Driscoll (Fremantle) $123,900 DEF/MID

BE: 6 Ave: 33.5

O’Driscoll was elevated to the senior line-up for the Dockers after a late cameo as the sub in round 2. While NOD hit the scoreboard against the Eagles, he managed 49 points from 12 touches which will see him come under pressure at selection.

VERDICT: PASS... for now. If he keeps his place and scores well in round 4, you should be able to grab him next week.

WATCHLIST/WAIT

Braydon Preuss (GWS) $204,700 RUC

Ave: 109

Some will be tempted to jump on big Preuss this week, but putting your trust in Leon Cameron doesn’t generally work out well. Preuss was impressive in his first match as a Giant rucking solo, racking up 34 hitouts, 16 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven clearances and 109 KFC SuperCoach points. He looks to be a no-brainer as a third ruck option who can generate us cash and provide cover if one of our ruckman go down. His price won’t rise until his third game in round 5 – that’s if he isn’t rested - so it is not worth taking the risk, unless it is to avoid a zero (I’m looking at you, Hayes R2 owners).

Reef McInnes (Coll) $123,900 MID

Ave: 61

The second-year Magpie is another to keep tabs on this weekend after he collected 14 touches on debut. McInnes averaged 61 points at VFL level last year and looms as a solid rookie scorer.

LOWEST BREAK EVENS

Nic Martin -124

Stephen Coniglio -48

Beau McCreery -48

Lachie Gollant -48

Jake Bowey -46

Hugh Dixon -42

Mitch Hinge -37

Tristan Xerri -36

Thomson Dow -31

Will Brodie -23

Charlie Curnow -23

Patrick Naish -21

Sam Skinner -18

Brady Hough -18

Paddy McCartin -17