KFC SuperCoach: The top rookies in every position for season 2020

Still unsure of which KFC SuperCoach rookies to pick on the eve of the season? We have ranked the top cash cows in every position and predicted their season average and how much cash they’ll make.

Uncertainty and doubt surrounds the AFL season and it is a similar story – albeit on a far less pressing level – for KFC SuperCoach rookies.

A dearth of bargain basement options means all SuperCoaches will be forced dig into their back pockets for high-priced cash cows.

There’s also questions marks over some very popular rookies, meaning it will be a mad scramble once Round 1 teams are named on Wednesday and Thursday night – that is if there’s any footy at all.

In our rookie ratings we have factored in the three big rookie indicators – scoring potential, cash generation and job security.

We have also forecasted the amount of cash each rookie will make if they are playing, along with their predicted average at the top-level, based off Marsh Series form and their SuperCoach output in state-league and under-18 competitions

Here are the rookies to stick in your sides for season 2020.

DEFENCE

1. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher ($189,000)

Marsh average: 82.5 (61, 104)

Scoring potential: 9/10 (75+ average)

Cash generation: 7/10 ($160k)

Job security: 9/10

Rookie rating: 25/30

Verdict: Get familiar with the acronym ‘BZT.’ The defender is Sam Collins (intercept) mark 2, only his scoring looks like it’ll be stronger Posted a SuperCoach ton in Marsh 2 and his place in the injury-hit Bombers side is locked in.

2. John Noble ($215,400)

Marsh average: 76 (79, 73)

Scoring potential: 8/10 (70+ average)

Cash generation: 6.5/10 ($150k)

Job security: 9/10

Rookie rating: 23/30

Verdict: Mature-age cash cows are SuperCoach gold, and John Noble’s role as a pinpoint distributor out of defence justifies his high asking price. Played in all of Collingwood’s finals after being drafted mid-year and should deliver consistent on-field scores with his first AFL pre-season under his belt.

John Noble should justify his expensive price.

3. Lachie Ash ($193,800, DEF/MID)

Marsh average: 75 (88, 62)

Scoring potential: 8/10

Cash generation: 6.5/10 ($150,000)

Job security: 5/10

Rookie rating: 19.5/30

Verdict: The No. 4 selection from last year’s draft has been playing senior footy since he was 15 in Shepparton. Ash’s selection in the GWS defence hinges on whether Zac Williams (achilles) is named in Round 1. Expect the dashing defender to score well enough to make us considerable cash despite his elevated price, but doubts on his job security in the stacked GWS line-up remain. However, if he performs as he did in the Marsh Series, he will be difficult to drop.

4. Jarrod Brander ($133,000, DEF/FWD)

Marsh average: 61.5 (46, 77)

Scoring potential: 5/10 (55+ average)

Cash generation: 6/10 ($130k)

Job security: 6/10

Rookie rating: 18/30

Verdict: His impressive 75-point total in the Eagles’ Marsh Series finale will be the exception, not the rule. A marking tall playing on the wing can’t be relied upon to score consistently, but with the current rookie situation and DPP status, what choice do we have? Not a certain starter for Round 1 but the Eagles have talked up his progress and are keen to get games into the former first-round draftee.

5. Bailey Williams ($123,900, DEF/RUCK)

Marsh average: 70 (70, DNP)

Scoring potential: 6/10 (60)

Cash generation: 6.5 (150k)

Job security: 5/10

Rookie rating: 17.5/30

Verdict: As versatile as SuperCoach players come with a rare ‘DEF/RUCK’ position status. Nathan Vardy and Williams are battling it out for the second ruck position, and poor pre-season form from Vardy could see the athletic youngster be the support act for Nic Naitanui in Round 1. If he gets the chance, Williams looms as a potential on-field option with plenty of time around the ball. With the concerning lack of defensive rookies, select him in defence if named.

Others to consider: If Will Gould is named, he shoots to No. 1 on this list. He still sits in 50 per cent of teams, but a Round 1 debut looks unlikely after being surprisingly dropped for Marsh 2. Lion Brandon Starcevich was unlucky to miss the top-five and looms as another rookie option, but the Lions’ clean bill of injury may squeeze him out. Hawk Damon Grieves played 12 per cent gametime in Marsh 2 but is an automatic bench selection if named following his 77-point outing in their first practice game. Dockers mature-ager Tobe Watson is another potential bench option, while young Sun Jez McLennan played both Marsh Series games but didn’t set the world on fire.

Time to trade out: Stephen Hill (28 per cent of teams) sustained yet another soft tissue injury in Marsh 2 and no doubt the Dockers will be extra cautious, ruling him out of the start of the season. Demon Trent Rivers (28 per cent) is no chance of a Round 1 debut after playing no pre-season games. In the likely event Will Gould isn’t named, half of SuperCoaches will be forced to trade him out, while Docker youngster Hayden Young (19 per cent) didn’t play a pre-season game as his training loads are managed due to an injury setback.

Tim Michell’s top 5

1. Will Gould

2. John Noble

3. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

4. Jarrod Brander

5. Lachie Ash

Al Paton’s top 5

1. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

2. Jarrod Brander

3. Izak Cumming

4. Will Gould

5. Jez McLennan

Will Gould is unlikely to play in Round 1. Picture. Phil Hillyard

MIDFIELD

1. Marlion Pickett ($123,900)

Marsh average: 61 (61, 61)

Scoring potential: 9/10 (75+ average)

Cash generation: 10/10 ($250k)

Job security: 10/10

Rookie rating: 29/30

Verdict: Don’t be alarmed by his successive scores of 61 in the pre-season. A 28-year-old cash cow playing a stack of midfield minutes has him atop the rookie mantle. Apparently he played alright in his first game last year, too.

2. Matt Rowell ($207,300)

Marsh average: 78 (100, 36)

Scoring potential: 10/10 (85+ average)

Cash generation: 9/10 (220k)

Job security: 10/10

Rookie rating: 28/30

Verdict: Don’t be surprised if Matt Rowell scores more points in his debut season than Sam Walsh. The No. 1 pick will thrive from the outset and his work in the coalface will ensure he is a reliable on-field scorer.

Lock Marlion Pickett in. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

3. Tom Green ($166,800)

Marsh average: 89 (106, 72)

Cash generation: 9/10 ($230k)

Job security: 7/10

Rookie rating: 27/30

Verdict: He’s done enough, surely! The injury to Tim Taranto came at the best possible time for the Patrick Cripps-clone. Green’s game is built for SuperCoach – let’s hope he isn’t another Jackson Hately.

4. Deven Robertson ($123.9k)

Marsh average: 61 (DNP, 61)

Scoring potential: 7/10 (65+ average)

Cash generation: 8/10 ($190k)

Job security: 4/10

Rookie rating: 19/30

Verdict: If he plays, Robertson – who broke Sam Walsh’s disposal record at the under-18 carnival last year – will score well. Brisbane’s blank injury list will likely squeeze the youngster out. Let’s pray he is named.

5. Jack Mahony ($117,300, FWD/MID)

Marsh average: 41 (30, 52)

Scoring potential: 5/10 (55 average)

Cash generation: 6/10 ($130k)

Job security: 7/10

Rookie rating: 18/30

Verdict: Should fill the void left by small forward Kane Turner who will miss the first half of the season with injury. Mahony scored well as a junior but this is unlikely to translate to the top level while playing as a pressure small forward. May be best to pick Mahony in the midfield as Connor Budarick – who also has FWD/MID status – is a potential on-field option up forward.

6. Jeremy Sharp ($117.3k)

Marsh average: 31 (16, 46)

Scoring potential: 6/10 (55 average)

Cash generation: 6/10 (130k)

Job security: 5/10

Rookie rating: 17/30

Verdict: Appears to be on the fringe after playing a half in both their practice game. As an outside midfielder for the struggling Suns, Sharp will be best placed on the bench. Fingers crossed he gets a run – we need all the rookie midfielders we can get …

Others to consider: Options are few are far between here. Young Crow pressure forward Ned McHenry was ousted for Marsh 2 but if he is playing, he is a lock for a midfield bench spot. There may be a few more forward rookies popping up, which could mean that Connor Budarick might have to be picked as a forward.

Time to trade out:

Time to trade out: Barring a selection miracle, Ned McHenry (22 per cent) appears destined to miss out on a Round 1 spot. No. 2 pick Noah Anderson (15 per cent) should debut in their season-opener but won’t score well enough to make good coin.

Tim Michell’s top 5

1. Marlion Pickett

2. Matt Rowell

3. Tom Green

4. Aiden Bonar

5. Connor Budarick

Al Paton’s top 5

1. Marlion Pickett

2. Matt Rowell

3. Connor Budarick

4. Tom Green

5. Jeremy Sharp

Deven Robertson may just miss a Round 1 spot. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Ruck

1. Tristan Xerri ($123,900, FWD/RUCK)

Marsh average: 77.5 (98, 37)

Scoring potential: 6/10 (60)

Cash generation: 6.5 ($150k)

Job security: 4/10

Rookie rating: 16.5/30

Verdict: Tristan Xerri (pronounced ‘Sherri’ as Gilbert Gardiner revealed on last week’s AFL SuperCoach podcast, could be the man to fill the void of prime goalkicker Ben Brown if he fails to get up for Round 1. In the event that he gets named, he will be out the door as soon Brown returns. From there he shapes as a solid loophole alternative to teammate Charlie Comben.

2. Darcy Cameron ($123,900, RUCK/FWD)

Marsh average: 123 (123, DNP)

Scoring potential: 6/10 (65)

Cash generation: 6.5 ($150k)

Job security: 2/10

Rookie rating: 14.5/30

Verdict: SuperCoaches got their hopes up when he scored a formidable 123 points in their first Marsh Series clash, until he played VFL practice match in their next game. You would suspect that will be the case until either Brodie Grundy or Mason Cox break down. He should be

3. Charlie Comben ($117,300, FWD/RUCK)

Marsh average: DNP

Scoring potential: 0/10

Cash generation: 0/10

Job security: 0/10

Rookie rating: 0/30

Verdict: Zeros all round – just what we want from our loophole each week. North Melbourne’s draw is favourable and his ruck/forward swing is a handy bonus.

Others to consider: If more rookie defenders are named, Bailey Williams comes into the frame for rucks. If you’re strapped for cash, Gold Coast ruckman Matt Conroy ($102,300) is the sole base-price rookie for loopholing.

Tim Michell’s top 3

1. Darcy Cameron

2. Bailey Williams

3. Tristan Xerri

Al Paton’s top 3

1. Darcy Cameron

2. Bailey Williams

3. Tristan Xerri

Darcy Cameron tempted SuperCoaches with a monster pre-season score.

Forwards

1. Izak Rankine ($123,900)

Marsh average: DNP

Scoring potential: 8/10 (70+)

Cash generation: 8/10

Job security: 9/10

Rookie rating: 25/30

Verdict: Izak Rankine played no Marsh Series games yet is the No. 1 forward rookie – that says a lot about the quality of forward rookies at our disposal. The Suns have said he will make a full recovery from his shoulder setback by Round 1, but there is a slight chance that could be in the NEAFL. Regardless, the excitement machine will dazzle at the top level and shapes as the best rookie forward of 2020. He will be a delight to watch.

2. Connor Budarick ($106,900, FWD/MID)

Marsh average: 55.5 (74, 37)

Scoring potential: 6/10 (60)

Cash generation: 9/10 ($220k+)

Job security: 6/10

Rookie rating: 21/30

Verdict: A rookie below $110,000 – hezah! They are as rare as hens teeth this year, and Connor Budarick might just be the biggest cash generator of any rookie. Don’t be too concerned about his score of 37 – it was in a half of gametime. What is a concern is his job security, but Suns midfielder David Swallow suggested him as a SuperCoach pick. Reading between the lines, a Round 1 debut appears imminent.

3. Max King ($123,900)

Marsh average: 37.5 (46, 29)

Scoring potential: 5/10 (50 average)

Cash generation: 5/10 (110k)

Job security: 10/10

Rookie rating: 20/30

Verdict: Just like St Kilda fans, SuperCoaches should temper their expectations for Max King’s output. But his job security is the best of all the forward rookies with the Saints keen to get games into the talented tall forward. Should produce the odd spike game to ensure he makes us a bit of cash but do not field under any circumstance. The definition of a slow burn.

Max King scoring is likely to be inconsistent. Picture: Michael Klein

4. Curtis Taylor ($123,900)

Marsh average: 64 (33, 95)

Scoring potential: 6/10 (60 average)

Cash generation: 6.5/10 ($150k)

Job security: 7/10

Rookie rating: 19.5/30

Verdict: Filled us with some hope that there is life in the 2020 forward rookie crop after a 90-plus score in Marsh 2. The second year Roo won’t produce this kind of score every week but looks to have done enough to secure a Round 1 spot. Hopefully he posts better returns than his two AFL games to date – posting scores of 31 and 9 last season …

5. Aiden Bonar ($202,800, FWD/MID)

Scoring potential: 7/10 (65 average)

Cash generation: 5/10 (100k)

Job security: 6/10

Rookie rating: 18/30

Verdict: Played just a half due to a hamstring concern in their second Marsh Series encounter, but don’t count the former Giant out. Bonar should be a reliable scorer with some on-ball time. That is if he is named for Round 1.

Others to consider: Mitch Georgiades looks to have locked down a spot in the Power side but scoring is likely to be volatile. Similar story for Crow Ben Davis, who scored 23 in his debut game last season.

Time to trade out: Sam Flanders (12 per cent) didn’t play a pre-season game and is too pricey to be have in your side while he isn’t playing.

Tim Michell’s top 5

1. Izak Rankine

2. Max King

3. Curtis Taylor

4. Jack Mahony

5. Ben Davis

Al Paton’s top 5

1. Izak Rankine

2. Max King

3. Curtis Taylor

4. Jack Mahoney

5. Ben Davis