KFC SuperCoach 2023: All the news and whispers from pre-season training
Who’s flying? Who’s training in a new position? Which rookies will play in round 1? Get all the KFC SuperCoach news and whispers from the training track.
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The team from jockreynolds.com.au is back again for a pre-season full of track watching and KFC SuperCoach whispers.
To kick things off, the team takes a look at each AFL club to bring you the latest KFC SuperCoach relevant observations from training, match sims and player signings.
ADELAIDE
Jordan Dawson($603,100 DEF) has been impressive in the Crows match simulations starting at half-back and using his silky smooth kicking to generate some run. Dawson has also been seen pushing up the ground at times, flagging a split between defence and the wing, a role which saw him average 109.5 in 2022.
Recruit Izak Rankine ($386,000 FWD) and breakout contender Sam Berry ($478,700 MID) have both been used almost exclusively in the midfield to date and should be watched closely in the pre-season practice matches.
Reilly O’Brien ($560,500 RUC) has been seen spending time forward of the ball in training so any coaches out there considering the ruckman should approach with caution.
The Crows have also added key defender Mark Keane and midfielder Tyler Brown to their list over the summer, but both are likely to serve as depth players.
BRISBANE LIONS
Will Ashcroft ($202,800 MID) has been the talk of the town after dominating the Lions’ pre-season match sims, and he should be locked into Brisbane’s midfield come round 1. The only question is if Ashcroft can outperform his price tag in the same way Sam Walsh or Nick Daicos did. His performances to date indicate that he can.
There should be no surprises that Josh Dunkley ($596,400 MID/FWD) has fit in seamlessly at the Lions. The experienced midfielder doesn’t look to have missed a beat and should be a very popular selection for 2023.
Surprisingly, Cam Rayner ($390,700 FWD) played one match-sim at half-back. This was likely just an experiment but could prove to be a lucrative scoring position for the injury-plagued forward.
Ex-Saint Darragh Joyce has been added to Brisbane’s list after key defender Marcus Adams was moved to the inactive list as he battles ongoing concussion issues.
CARLTON
In the absence of Sam Walsh ($610,900 MID), who had back surgery in December and will miss the first month of the season, Sam Docherty ($603,600 DEF) has been training as a midfielder throughout the pre-season. Docherty scored 121 and 138 points in the last two rounds of 2022 playing in the midfield so this is definitely a move to watch.
No.11 draft pick Oliver Hollands ($162,300 MID) looks like he’ll press a claim for Carlton’s best 23 while recruit Blake Acres ($456,100 MID) has been seen playing as both inside and outside midfielder.
COLLINGWOOD
Nick Daicos ($502,500 DEF) has continued training with Collingwood’s defenders but has been used in some midfield drills, flagging some potential scoring upside for 2023.
The big news out of Magpies training on Wednesday was Darcy Cameron ($465,900 RUC-FWD)hobbling off with a hamstring injury. Cameron will have scans and KFC SuperCoaches will watch the results with interest.
Darcy Moore ($455,100 DEF) has missed a lot of the pre-season with a bone infection but is confident on a return for Round 1.
Ex-Hawk Tom Mitchell ($528,600 MID) has been prominent in match simulation in a familiar midfield role.
ESSENDON
Jye Menzie ($154,200 FWD) is a player whose name keeps popping up around the Bombers. If the mid-season recruit can work his way into Essendon’s team then he could be a sneaky cash cow for our KFC SuperCoach benches.
Exciting draftee Elijah Tsatas ($189,300 MID) unfortunately suffered a meniscus tear in January, so it’s unlikely we see him playing at AFL level anytime soon.
The Bombers’ game plan under Brad Scott is also a watch with talk of a higher possession style in defence that could benefit players like Jordan Ridley ($504,300 DEF) and Mason Redman ($510,900 DEF).
FREMANTLE
Hayden Young ($508,200 DEF) is reportedly dominating out of the backline for the Dockers, generating attack through his kicking and pushing up the ground to impact the game forward of the ball. He’s a serious breakout watch for 2023.
Nat Fyfe ($313,600 MID/FWD) has been playing purely as a forward for Fremantle this pre-season. We know that he has a history of scoring but can he do it consistently as a forward? One to watch,
Matthew Johnson ($123,900 MID) and Neil Erasmus ($230,100 MID) have both been impressive on the track as they push for a spot in the Dockers best 23.
GEELONG
New Cat Jack Bowes ($277,500 DEF) has not done much wrong in his first pre-season with Geelong, training well and impressing the coaching staff at the Cattery. He has been used in defensive and midfield groups during training, and while the Cats are yet to do any match sim work in the public eye, it is expected that he will be right on the precipice of the 23.
Tanner Bruhn ($311,400 MID-FWD) and Ollie Henry ($270,200 FWD) are training well with the group, with the latter impressing with his aerial skills in the back half. But due to the Cats’ depth, both are expected to start their seasons in the VFL as they work their way into the year.
GWS GIANTS
Harry Himmelberg ($499,000 DEF/FWD), who averaged 112 points per game are being moved to defence from round 11 onwards in 2022, is currently training as a forward in case No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman ($207,300 FWD) can’t deliver straight away. At this stage it sounds like GWS’s preference is still for Himmelberg to play behind the ball.
Lachie Whitfield ($473,800) will cause some headaches for coaches out there as he has been seen training across half-back again, a role which has seen him previously average as much as 111.3 points per game.
GOLD COAST SUNS
Sam Flanders ($256,300 MID/FWD) is reportedly tearing up the track as a midfielder this pre-season. After proven players Matt Rowell and recently-extendedNoah Anderson, Flanders looks to be the next breakout contender from the Suns.
Ben Long ($353,900 DEF-FWD) is firming up a position in the Suns’ best 23, looking at home in a damaging role off half-back.
This week the Suns signed forward Brodie McLaughlin via the supplementary selection period, who will be listed at $102,400 in KFC SuperCoach. The 25-year-old kicked 24 goals in 12 games for Frankston in the VFL last year.
HAWTHORN
Young defender Will Day ($362,100 DEF) has put on some size and has been training with the midfield group at Hawthorn. Day was pegged to play in the midfield in 2022 before a pre-season injury left him without the kilometres in the legs to really challenge for a spot. With Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara out of the rotations, Day will get a chance to increase minutes in the centre square and use his delightful kicking ability to set up forwards.
New draftee Josh Weddle ($130,800 DEF) has impressed his new coaches at the Hawks throughout the pre-season. He’s already equipped with one of the best tanks at the club, winning the time-trial in the pre-season. Pair that with his explosive tendencies, his cleanliness below his knees and his aerial prowess, Weddle is a chance to debut early down back or even through the midfield as a bigger bodied option.
MELBOURNE
Max Gawn ($622,100 RUC) suffered a hamstring injury at training last Friday but the club is confident that it won’t impact his preparation for the season.
Jacob van Rooyen ($123,900 FWD) appears to be Melbourne’s best available key forward at this stage of the pre-season and will be pushing for early selection.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Tarryn Thomas ($295,700 MID/FWD) had a frustrating 2022, playing just 10 games and battling poor fitness, form and attitude. But with Alastair Clarkson’s arrival at the club, Thomas has been moved onto a back flank and has been one of the club’s best trainees. He was initially moved there as he recovered from an injury, wearing a no-contact bib, but we’ve seen North Melbourne convert Jack Zieball and Aaron Hall into rebounding defenders, so Thomas may be the third to come. Note: Thomas is in the midst of legal issues, so bear that in mind when it comes to his availability this season.
Draftee Blake Drury ($102,400 0 MID/FWD) has been moved to the backline for the Kangaroos, and the No.1 pick in the rookie draft has pace and decision-making skills that could give him some opportunities early.
PORT ADELAIDE
Connor Rozee ($513,800 MID/FWD) will be the most tantalising Power player this season after his breakout in the midfield last year. All reports suggest the young gun will be in the rotation to start the year, while Travis Boak is expected to take a step back from midfield duties.
Orazio Fantasia ($203,300 FWD)has experienced some calf tightness which isn’t set to sideline him for long but is a big red flat for a player with a poor injury history.
RICHMOND
Tim Taranto ($503,100 MID/FWD) could enter the season as the most popular premium forward option, and for good reason. The former Giant has been tearing up the track at Punt Rd, winning the Tigers’ time-trials and training as a midfielder. Richmond mids typically don’t offer us great returns, but as a forward an average of 90-plus is going to be in the upper echelons of scoring.
Jacob Hopper ($332,000 MID)hasn’t missed a beat in his first pre-season at Richmond after playing just seven games last year due to a persistent knee injury.
Rowan Marshall
ST KILDA
($506,500 RUC) is firming as a popular selection and is currently in 40 per cent of KFC SuperCoach teams. Despite mounting injuries to the Saints forward stocks, he is still primed to play as the No.1 ruckman in 2023.
Injuries to Max King, Jack Hayes and Matt Allison may force the Saints to become a little creative forward of the ball, which could see Mitch Owens ($249,900 FWD) become a focal point for their attack.
The Saints have added list boss Stephen Silvagni and, one of his more infamous draft selections, Liam Stocker ($216,400 DEF), to their club in recent weeks. Stocker is reportedly training in the midfield.
SYDNEY
Former Bomber Aaron Francis ($189,400 DEF/FWD) has reportedly settled into the backline like a duck to water, playing as an intercepting tall. Keep watching to see if he takes Paddy McCartin’s role from last year, or if it’s a flash in the pan.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Josh Bruce ($161,200 FWD) has spent plenty of time in the backline this pre-season as the Dogs juggle the inclusion of Rory Lobb. It is likely Bruce is on the outer of the 22, with Sam Darcy ($243,700 DEF/FWD), Liam Jones ($228,100 DEF) and Alex Keath preferred as key backs, while Lobb, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton should hold down the forward line.
Toby McLean ($178,900 MID-FWD) is currently the third-most owned player in KFC SuperCoach so it’s worth noting he was in the ‘B’ team at match-sim, but he found plenty of the ball. Adam Treloar ($530,600 MID) is being managed very carefully after post-season ankle injury and is yet to join full training.
Cody Weightman ($297,000 FWD) and Caleb Daniel ($495,200 DEF) have been used through the midfield as the Dogs throw the magnets around in true Luke Beveridge style.
WEST COAST
All reports out of the Eagles camp are that No.9 draft pick Reuben Ginbey ($171,300 DEF/MID) has been super impressive and will push for a round 1 debut.
Campbell Chesser ($123,900 DEF-MID) is working back into full training after missing all of last year with a foot injury and the Eagles say he will join match-sims in late February so he’s no certainty for round 1.
Elliot Yeo ($377,000 DEF) has survived pre-season so far and is a popular mid-pricer if he can keep his body in shape.
Get more KFC SuperCoach news at jockreynolds.com.au and by following @lekdog and @mattforrest29 on Twitter.
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