Late mail: KFC SuperCoach teams news, whispers and analysis for Round 14

Two popular rookies are out but there are a host of new names who could save our KFC SuperCoach teams in Round 14, including another $102K Hawk.

Hawthorn is the new KFC SuperCoach saviour.

After delivering Jai Newcombe last week, the Hawks have named another bargain basement midfielder for Round 14. And he’s not the only rookie selected this week.

The appearance of Lachlan Bramble on the Hawthorn team list is a lifeline for KFC SuperCoaches searching for (a) players who will help get as many scoring players on field as possible in a nightmare bye round, and (b) free up cash to open up other trade moves.

Like Newcombe, Bramble is a $102,400 midfielder. That means you could trade a non-playing rookie like James Jordon to Bramble and free up $275,000 — enough to turn James Rowe or Riley Collier-Dawkins into a full-blown premium.

As for Bramble, he’s a 23-year-old who was added to the Hawks list during the pre-season after impressing on the training track with the Box Hill Hawks.

TRADE GUIDE: THE SUPERCOACH MOVES TO SAVE YOUR ROUND 14 SKIN

Lachlan Bramble is Hawthorn’s seventh debutant this season.

Bramble has been named on an extended bench for Sunday’s clash, but surely can’t miss out after the Hawks announced his debut on Thursday ... unless he’s the medical sub.

“It’s been a crazy couple of hours since Clarko gave me the news while I was having lunch,” Bramble told the Hawks website.

“I’m over the moon and can’t wait to get out there on Sunday.”

Asked to describe what kind of player he is, Bramble said: “I’m a hard-running outside mid that can go inside as well.”

If he can go close to Newcombe’s 14-tackle, 75 KFC SuperCoach point debut last week, a lot of fantasy players will be very happy.

MORE (MOSTLY) GOOD ROOKIE NEWS

Young Hawks big man Ned Reeves ($123,900 RUCK) has missed out on a recall after he was a late out in Round 13 — bad news for the more than 26,000 coaches who had already traded him in.

And Essendon has delivered a blow to more than 46,000 coaches with the news Alec Waterman ($202,700 FWD) is out with a calf injury.

But there is some unexpected good news on the Round 14 rookie front.

Jai Newcombe ($102,400 MID) is set to play his second game after scoring 75 KFC SuperCoach points on debut against Sydney. He has been named on the Hawks’ extended bench alongside some other interesting names.

Emerson Jeka ($123,900 FWD) will play his third game if he makes the final team for Sunday’s clash against Essendon. He scored 26 and 31 in his first two matches.

And Tyler Brockman ($172,700 MID/FWD), who remains in more than 50,000 teams despite not playing a senior match since Round 4, has also been named in the extended squad.

Zach Reid is in Essendon’s squad. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

Essendon, meanwhile, has named mid-season draft pick Sam Durham ($102,400 MID) in its extended squad.

The 19-year-old impressed with Richmond’s VFL side in the first half of the season.

Also on the extended bench are young tall Zach Reid ($166,800 DEF) who scored 53 in his only senior appearance in Round 5, and Ned Cahill ($161,200 FWD), who is on the bubble after playing the first two rounds of the season before being dropped.

Unfortunately he didn’t set the world on fire in those games and has a break even of 45 this week following scores of 37 and 15.

A better option might be GWS big man Kieren Briggs ($123,900 DEF/FWD), who has been included in the Giants’ starting 18 against Carlton.

Briggs replaces an injured Shane Mumford, as he did in his only other senior appearance this season against Richmond in Round 9. In that game Briggs had 15 hitouts, seven disposals, three marks, two tackles and 42 KFC SuperCoach points (in true Mummy style, he also gave away two free kicks).

Meanwhile, the Brisbane Lions have rewarded 34,000 coaches who held onto James Madden ($176,100 DEF/FWD), who is back to replace injured defender Ryan Lester.

Madden has already had one price rise but still has a break even of -40 and could be a cheaper option if the Hawks and Bombers don’t come through late on Friday.

WHAT ROO’S RETURN COULD MEAN FOR SUPERCOACH GUNS

A new-look North Melbourne defence has been a boon for KFC SuperCoaches this season.

But the return of some established defenders could shake things up in a big way.

Robbie Tarrant played his first game of the season in last week’s draw against GWS, but it didn’t seem to hurt popular premiums Jack Ziebell (91) and Aaron Hall (141) when it comes to KFC SuperCoach scoring.

But another name is back this week who could make a much bigger difference.

Luke McDonald has played in one match in 2021 for a total of three KFC SuperCoach points, thanks to a pectoral injury he suffered in his comeback game from a quad injury.

But the Roos’ reigning best-and-fairest winner will return against the Lions this weekend.

“Our plan is that if Luke gets through training this week he’ll be back in,” coach David Noble said on Thursday.

“Luke’s worked his backside off to get to a point where we could get clarity form the surgeons last week.

“His loads are really good … our expectation is he comes back into the team.”

On Thursday night McDonald was named in the back pocket for Saturday’s clash at Blundstone Arena.

Luke McDonald is poised to return from injury.

Jack Ziebell has starred as a defender in 2021.

If he does play, his role will be a watch for KFC SuperCoaches — particularly how that impacts Ziebell and Hall.

In the second half of last season McDonald was a revelation when he was used as the Kangaroos’ main distributor off half-back, averaging 118.4 KFC SuperCoach points over the final 10 rounds.

Taking kick-ins was a major part of that — in 2020 McDonald led the Roos in that statistic with 67 (playing on from 55 of them), ahead of Tarrant with 63 (47). Jasper Pittard, Jamie Macmillan and Marley Williams made up the top five.

In 2020 a remodelled Ziebell (88 kick-ins, playing on from 79) and Hall (35 kick-ins, playing on from 32) are the only Roos in double figures — so far.

If McDonald returns to his old role there could be a silver lining — his break even is 210, so he’s going to be very cheap in a few weeks.

Coming: Full KFCSuperCoach analysis of Round 14 teams