KFC SuperCoach Intel: All the intra-club standouts and whispers from the track
Which rookies were in action and who missed out? Plus role changes, injury scares and more — all the KFC SuperCoach intel from intra-club games.
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The countdown to Round 1 is on and it’s time for KFC SuperCoaches to ramp up their pre-season research.
And there is so much to learn from the latest round of intra-club matches as best-22s and definite role changes start to become more clear in the build-up to the AAMI Community Series.
The Phantom and Al Paton have taken all the notes for you.
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Adelaide
They went head-to-head with the first-choice midfield at West Lakes on Saturday, but draftees Sam Berry ($117,300 MID) and Luke Pedlar ($162,300) made a big statement, showing their toughness, attack on the ball – and body – and ability to break away from the contest.
Mature-ager James Rowe ($117,300 FWD) booted three goals in what looked to be the ‘best’ forward line, while No. 2 pick Riley Thilthorpe ($202, 800 RUCK-FWD) highlighted his running ability and skill, featuring on the wing in the second-half.
“That draft from last year … four out of the first five – the two mids (Pedlar and Berry) and Riley (Thilthorpe) and Rowey – they’re all built to play Round 1 if they’re fit enough and playing good enough football,” Crows assistant coach Scott Burns said after the hitout.
Second-year defender Josh Worell ($123,900 FWD-DEF) had some nice moments behind the ball and Wayne Milera ($312,200 DEF) spent time through the middle and at half-forward.
And Rory Laird ($564,800 MID-DEF) was everywhere the ball was in the midfield, confirming his place as Jake Lloyd’s challenger in defence.
Highlights from our internal trial on Saturday 🎥#weflyasonepic.twitter.com/qNBVHgu0ad
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) February 22, 2021
Brisbane
With Nakia Cockatoo ($123,900 FWD) missing with a minor hamstring issue and Lachie Neale ($721,800 MID) joining Dayne Zorko and Mitch Robinson in running laps for part of the day, all KFC SuperCoach eyes were on Ely Smith ($123,900 FWD-MID). And, by all reports, Smith, who was drafted as an inside-midfielder, only enhanced his Round 1 claims, after having an impact in an outside role he’s been training in all summer.
Devon Robertson ($176,800 FWD-MID) also featured through the middle in the stronger of the two sides as did former No. 1 draft pick Cam Rayner ($392,900 FWD) - is this finally his year?
Boom recruit Joe Daniher ($233,300 FWD) was impressive alongside Dan McStay, highlighting the potency of a new-look Lions forward line. KFC SuperCoaches are nervous, but it’s all going to plan for the former Bomber.
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Carlton
Sam Walsh ($543,300 MID) was the star of the Blues’ intra-club match at Ikon Park on February 12. Despite starring in his first two seasons in the competition, the 20-year-old looks set to take another step after an eye-catching midfield display, dominating at the contest and booting three goals, including a checkside kick from the boundary. Recruit Zac Williams ($458,600 DEF) was prominent through the midfield alongside Walsh, while intriguing dual-position prospect Paddy Dow ($202,400 FWD-MID) was the standout onballer for the less-experienced team.
Harry McKay ($319,900 FWD) was the best big man on the ground and is another breakout contender at the Blues.
Collingwood
Traditional rivals City and Country went head to head in a Collingwood intra-club match on Friday night – and assistant coach Brenton Sanderson said the intensity was “through the roof”.
Draftee Oliver Henry ($135,300 FWD) starred with two goals for Country to put himself in the frame for a Round 1 start, while breakout candidate Josh Daicos ($442,200 MID) booted three goals for the City team.
The departure of Adam Treloar and Jordan De Goey spending more time in the midfield could open a spot in the forward line for Henry, who was taken with pick 17 – the selection Collingwood received from the Western Bulldogs in the Treloar trade – on draft night.
Jeremy Howe ($517,900 DEF) resumed his customary intercepting role after a knee injury ruined what was shaping as a career-best season in 2020.
Brodie Grundy ($648,200 RUCK) was named City’s best and in even better news the Pies reported no fresh injuries.
Essendon
Skipper, and tempting mid-price option, Dyson Heppell ($319,900 MID) made a successful return from injury, starring in the club’s internal trial last week. As expected, Heppell spent most of the game in a new-look Essendon defence, alongside Nick Hind ($331,400 FWD), Ned Cahill ($161,200 FWD) and Tom Hird ($123,900 MID).
Former Giant Jye Caldwell ($348,600 FWD-MID) showed his clean hands and class at the contest, producing some dazzling moments through the midfield which should excite Bombers fans and KFC SuperCoaches alike.
Draftee Nik Cox ($175,800 DEF-FWD), impressed with his outstanding running ability, winning plenty of the ball, as well as booting a goal and taking a hanger, on a wing, while young forward Harry Jones ($123,900 FWD), who coach Ben Rutten recently said “had really filled out and was looking like a man” was another to catch the eye.
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Fremantle
Every KFC SuperCoach’s favourite R3 option, Josh Treacy ($102,400 RUCK-FWD) took another big step towards a surprise early-season debut, booting three goals for the less-experienced of the two sides in the Dockers’ pre-season hitout.
Talented second-year forward Liam Henry ($184,500 FWD) showed off his uncanny goal sense and x-factor, kicking three of his own in a sign the No. 9 pick from the 2019 draft is about to make a serious statement at the top-level.
But the story of the Dockers’ intra-club match – apart from Hayden Young ($279,400 DEF) taking the kick-ins – was the performance of last year’s top pick Heath Chapman ($148,800 DEF).
Fremantle has plenty of tall stocks in defence butthe 18-year-old was a standout in the air across half-back, while also showing his agility and clean hands at ground level. “Heath looks like he’s been there for three years. He marks, he wins his own ball, he’s really confident and he’ll go a long way into our future,” teammate Mitch Crowden, who also impressed, told the club’s website post-match.
Adam Cerra ($484,400 MID) attended every centre bounce, confirming his move into a permanent on-ball role in 2021.
Q2 | Chappy with the rundown, evade and release âï¸ #foreverfreopic.twitter.com/3r6wCwAqbO
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) February 19, 2021
Hawthorn
James Worpel ($474,200 MID) and Dylan Moore ($302,300 FWD) were the standouts for the ‘probables’ in their win against the ‘possibles’ at Waverley on Friday.
Jarman Impey ($212,800 FWD) won the first clearance of the game and shone in a new role in defence.
“He continued to impress with his bounce off half-back today, I thought,” assistant coach Brendon Bolton said.
“Pre-season form suggests he’s starting to get his mojo back and we know at his best how talented he can be. Just of late he’s shown some real bounce and rebound, which is pleasing.”
Impey is a potential bargain after playing just five games last year following a knee reconstruction in 2019.
No. 35 draft pick Connor Downie ($117,300 MID) impressed on a wing for the probables to push his claims for a Round 1 start, but the news wasn’t as positive for Denver Grainger-Barras ($184,800 DEF), who played for the Possibles opposed to Tim O’Brien, who finished with six goals. Grainger-Barras was still named in the Possibles’ best on the Hawks website, so don’t give up on him yet.
Ex-Magpie Tom Phillips ($402,600 FWD/MID) won plenty of the footy in the midfield, but Tom Mitchell ($610,000 MID) sat out the hitout as he continues his slow recovery from post-season shoulder surgery.
Add Probables standout Tyler Brockman ($117,300 MID/FWD) to your rookie watch list.
North Melbourne
Do we need to add another Kangaroo to the 2021 KFC SuperCoach watch list?
Jaidyn Stephenson ($354,100 FWD) played as an explosive forward in the first three years of his career at Collingwood but he made his mark as a junior as a midfielder, and he could reprise that role after moving to Arden St.
He starred as an inside midfielder in the Roos’ intra-club game on Friday, lining up in the centre square alongside Luke Davies-Uniacke ($432,800 MID), Jy Simpkin ($499,700 MID) and Tarryn Thomas ($290,100 FWD).
Jack Ziebell ($257,900 FWD) found plenty of the ball in his new role across half-back and rookie watchers will have noted draftee Tom Powell ($153,300 MID) lining up with the stronger ‘white’ team while No. 3 draft pick Will Phillips ($198,300 MID) played in the weaker ‘blue’ line-up.
Phoenix Spicer ($117,300 FWD/MID) showed flashes of brilliance playing as a pressure forward.
Ruckman Todd Goldstein ($601,700 RUCK) sent a scare through the Kangas camp when he left the field following a heavy knock but the Roos say he isn’t seriously hurt.
Port Adelaide
Connor Rozee ($377,200, Fwd) was the star of Port Adelaide’s official intra-club hitout at Alberton Oval. The talented young gun, who battled through a torn plantar fascia last year, enhanced his standing as one of the top mid-price options in KFC SuperCoach this year, booting six goals in a scintillating display which saw him spend plenty of time through the midfield – especially in the first half.
Popular rookie-price defender Lachie Jones ($139,800, Def) featured in the ‘best 22’ side when the teams which switched at half-time and earnt praise from SANFL coach Matthew Lokan post-match: “We saw today some of his power and ability to get out of traffic is AFL standard.”
Orazio Fantasia ($271,800 Def-Fwd) was impressive with a skilful, two-goal performance, while a bulked-up Miles Bergman ($123,900 Fwd), after an interrupted debut season, stood out with his run-and-carry from defence a highlight for the ‘non best-22’ side.
Second-year midfielder Jackson Mead ($123k MID) didn’t play but looks set to make his case in the practice match against the Crows.
Young guns Lachie Jones and Connor Rozee recap our first competitive hit-out of 2021 🌟#weareportadelaidepic.twitter.com/dFf5wA7amQ
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) February 16, 2021
St Kilda
Sadly the biggest story out of the Saints’ intra-club game was a season-ending injury to defender Ben Paton ($344,300 DEF).
Paton fractured his fibula and tibia bones in a crunching tackle from staffer Jarryd Roughead on Thursday.
It continued a horror run of injuries for the club this pre-season, with Rowan Marshall, Zak Jones, Jarryn Geary and Dean Kent all sidelined. Max King, Jade Gresham and Dougal Howard also sat out Thursday’s match simulation.
Mature-age draft pick Tom Highmore ($117,300 DEF) played for the ‘A’ team and shapes as a ready-made replacement in defence, while ex-Tiger Jack Higgins ($419,400 FWD) was one of the best afield.
Coach Brett Ratten told the AFL website Highmore was “nearly a Wilkie clone in the way he goes about it, but he’s a right-footer. He played exceptionally well, mopping up” – but was very cagey when asked if Highmore will line up in Round 1.
Ex-Crow Paul Hunter ($102,400 RUCK) rucked for the ‘A’ side and was later added to the Saints list under the AFL’s Supplementary Selection Period. He is likely to see some early senior action.
Sydney
“Through the midfield, Tom Hickey was a real shining light, he’s going from strength to strength so that’s a positive. He’s working with his midfield group of (Josh) Kennedy, (Luke) Parker and (Callum) Mills well.”
That’s what assistant coach Ben Matthews told Swans media after last week’s intra-club hitout – and there are two key points to take out of it. To start, Hickey ($261,100 RUCK) led Sydney’s first-choice midfield and, secondly, as forecast again over summer, Mills ($544,800 DEF) was part of that on-ball group.
Mills’ clean hands at ground level were on show, as were those of Ollie Florent ($408,300 MID), who caught the eye with a number of dazzling breakaways.
Isaac Heeney ($454,500 FWD) showed little sign of a limited pre-season, booting four goals in an encouraging display.
Popular KFC SuperCoach rookie Will Gould ($123,900 DEF) played in defence for what looked to be the weaker of the two sides, in terms of experience.
West Coast
Elliot Yeo (osteitis pubis) and Tim Kelly (thumb) missed through injury but skipper Luke Shuey ($508,600 MID) proved he’s ready to go after an interrupted pre-season, with a strong performance in the Eagles’ intra-club.
Take a look at the highlights from Friday's match simulation drills!
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) February 20, 2021
Read the training report: https://t.co/HLmE6UYAGMpic.twitter.com/C9NIeNHrjm
Popular KFC SuperCoach mid-price talking point Liam Duggan ($448,600 DEF) was a standout through the midfield, as his move up the ground gains momentum, while Andrew Gaff ($570,800 MID) was his prolific self.
High-flying forward Liam Ryan ($409,600 FWD) is another who is likely to spend time higher up the field in 2021, again impressing with his ability to cover the ground.
Former Lion Alex Witherden ($456,100 DEF) lined up for the ‘best’ team in the first-half and had some nice moment across-half back. As did Jamaine Jones ($182,400 FWD), who is putting his hand up for a small-forward role.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Intel: All the intra-club standouts and whispers from the track
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