KFC SuperCoach cheapie guide: The rookies to watch in Rounds 9-12
After scores of 56 and 34 in the past two weeks, is it time to trade Izak Rankine in KFC SuperCoach? Rookie guru Dan Batten has his say. Plus the top Round 10 downgrade targets, including a Port cheapie who recorded huge numbers as a junior
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KFC SuperCoaches were watching Friday night’s Brisbane-Essendon clash – which feels like an eternity ago - with keen interest.
Not just to see Lachie Neale pump out another monster score or Devon Smith failing to deliver yet again.
Instead, it was debutants Sam Draper (RUCK, 123,900) and Connor Ballenden ($123,900, FWD) and luckless Lion Sam Skinner ($111,400) who were front of mind as coaches assessed their rookie options ahead of Round 10.
A 34-point second quarter put Draper squarely on the radar, while Skinner chimed in for a goal and Ballenden had his moments as a supporting ruckman.
Who should we trust with our downgrades before Round 10 hits us in a blink of an eye?
Dan Batten rates the top options.
ROOKIE RATINGS
1. Sam Draper – Essendon ($123,900, RUCK) Ave: 73 BE: -22
Any 203cm, 107kg ruckman who is flying for hangers in his first game will make you stand up and take notice. Aside from his miraculous specky on the wing, it was in the middle where Draper shone, winning 21 hit-outs and three clearances – compared to 13 hit-outs and just three disposals from No.1 ruckman Tom Bellchambers. Draper may have leapt ahead of Bellchambers in the pecking order and it is difficult to the 21-year-old being ousted unless they opt to rest him through this difficult stretch. Those with Charlie Comben as their R3 are able to downgrade a rookie like Curtis Taylor to Draper with ease. More importantly, he may provide essential cover if Max Gawn misses this weekend.
2. James Bell – Sydney ($159,900, FWD/MID) Ave: 61 BE: -27
Sydney youngster James Bell played two games last year for a grand total of 52 points. He has eclipsed that margin in both of his matches in 2020, providing spark and creativity to the Swans’ front half. Scores of 59 and 68 are solid and he is the only playing midfield cheapie at this point in time. He does have the Round 11 bye but his MID/FWD status will be valuable during this difficult time for KFC SuperCoaches.
3. Tobe Watson – Fremantle ($155,400, DEF) Ave: 61 BE: -29
Tobe Watson has his bye this round but with rookie defenders few and far between, trading in the Docker may be a shrewd move if you’re looking to downgrade in defence. Conditions weren’t ideal for the mature-age interceptor in his first game against the Cats in Round 8 but he looked much more assured in Fremantle’s nail-biting win over Collingwood. Watson collected 12 disposals, laid five tackles and scored 73 points, appreciating $31,500 from his starting price.
TRADE GUIDE: ALL THE TOP ROUND 10 TARGETS
4. Sam Skinner - Brisbane ($111,400, FWD) Ave: 63 BE: -17
It was almost like a debut for Sam Skinner, who hadn’t played since Round 17, 2017 having endured three knee reconstructions. He won’t be facing Essendon every week but Skinner performed strongly against a solid Bombers defence, slotting a goal and tallying 10 touches, seven marks and 63 points. He appears set to spend at least another week in the side as cover for Dan McStay (suspended), but it could be a short stint if he fails to set the world on fire against the Tigers.
5. Boyd Woodcock – Port Adelaide ($102,400, FWD) Ave: N/A
A prolific junior ball-winner, rookie-listed forward Boyd Woodcock will get his first taste of senior footy on Monday night. Woodcock averaged a whopping 155 SuperCoach points in the SANFL under 18s and 133 in the SANFL reserves during his draft year of 2018 but is more likely to play as a small forward at AFL level. He produced promising numbers for the Power’s SANFL side last year, averaging 17 touches, a goal and 77 points from his 21 matches. At $102,400 he will be a bargain if he remains in their side but his job security is questionable, so it is best to wait a week on him.
6. Mark Keane – Collingwood ($123,900, DEF) Ave: 42 BE: 9
Mark Keane couldn’t replicate his posted 86-effort during the pre-season in his AFL debut, failing to register a disposal to halftime. He lifted significantly in the second half but a crucial late free kick saw him manage just 42 points. Keane had three goals kicked on him by Dockers forward Matt Taberner and will come under the microscope with Jordan Roughead (omitted) waiting in the wings.
7. Connor Ballenden - Brisbane ($123,900, FWD) Ave: 48 BE: 3
Ballenden spent time up forward and in the ruck in his debut, posting a team-low 48 points. When McStay returns he could be first out and may be an inconsistent scorer, as most key position rookies are.
WHAT TO DO WITH RANKINE?
After two tons in his first two games, opposition sides have put the clamps on sparkplug Izak Rankine, posting scores of 56 and 34 since.
The prized youngster has already made owners $154,000 in just four games but a 76-point break even beckons ahead of Round 10.
Should we trade?
My advice is to hold Rankine unless he can net you a premium. If you could potentially nab that same star with fellow Sun Connor Budarick, who is $40,000 cheaper, definitely look to move him on over Rankine.
Rankine’s high impact per possession is likely to see him produce more stellar performances until season’s end and he may even become a handy seventh forward loophole.
See how he fares this weekend and reassess if he posts another disappointing score.
OTHER ROOKIES WHO COULD PLAY FROM R9-12
DEFENDERS
Oscar Clavarino – St Kilda ($123,900, DEF)
Oscar Clavarino has been out of for most of the year battling hamstring issues but shone in his second game back over the weekend. The key defender pressed his claim for a call-up with a strong marking display in their scratch match in wet conditions. Clavarino averaged 5.7 intercept possessions, two intercept marks and 63 points across 14 VFL games last season.
Will Gould – Sydney ($117,300, DEF)
Will Gould can’t be far off … can he? The Swans have trialled a host of youngsters this season but Gould has failed to break in, fellow defender Matt Ling the latest to be selected ahead of him. His 89-point average at SANFL level last year makes him worth jumping on once he is selected – a moment to savour for the 27 per cent of teams who already have him.
OTHER POTENTIAL DEFENDER OPTIONS
Damon Greaves – Hawthorn ($123,900, MID)
Ben Jarvis – Geelong ($123,900, DEF)
Damon Greaves popped up on the SuperCoach radar after a promising Marsh Series outing and could be considered. Geelong’s Ben Jarvis was named in his side’s Round 8 squad and looks close to a breakthrough.
MIDFIELD
Harrison Jones – Hawthorn ($123,900, MID)
Average: 52 (1 game)
Harrison Jones has already debuted this season, scoring 52 points in a solid outing against GWS, where he got an encouraging amount of on-ball action. He spent more time up forward in their recent scratch match and performed strongly, with a return looming large considering Hawthorn’s poor form.
Harry Schoenberg ($117,300, MID)
Harry Schoenberg has been promising in reserves practice games, most recently tasked with Tom Rockliff and holding his own against the perennial SuperCoach pig. The midfielder averaged a mammoth 122 points at last year’s under-18 championships and is in the mix considering Adelaide’s intent to play youngsters.
Riley Collier-Dawkins ($123,900, MID)
Richmond’s stars are beginning to filter back after their injury lay-offs, but former first round draftee Riley Collier-Dawkins may be given his first taste during the next four rounds. The tall midfielder thrives in the coalface, winning 57 per cent of his VFL possessions in a contest last season, which bodes well for his SuperCoach prospects. He still has work to do on his accumulation but is one to watch if he debuts.
OTHER POTENTIAL MIDFIELD OPTIONS.
Jay Rantall ($117,300, MID)
Deven Robertson ($117,300, MID)
Jeremy Sharp ($117,300, MID)
Deven Robertson earned a debut in Round 1 as a late-in but hasn’t featured since, the elite junior ball-winner a possible inclusion over the next four rounds.
RUCK
Tom De Koning ($123,900, RUCK)
The Carlton tall is eyeing his first game since Round 23, 2018 after a best on ground effort in their recent scratch match against Essendon, Richmond and Melbourne (yep, you read that right). De Koning is likely to play mostly as a key position forward if he is named but should spend some time in the ruck to support Marc Pittonet.
Bailey Williams – West Coast ($123,900, RUCK/DEF)
Nic Naitanui being managed through this tumultuous four-round streak is close to a certainty, which gives Bailey Williams the opportunity to shine. Williams was named as an emergency for their clash against Collingwood, meaning he looks to have overtaken Nathan Vardy and Tom Hickey in the pecking order. Whether the high-leaping ruckman can remain in the side is another story. Can be bought as a ruck or a defender – ruck/def swing with Richmond’s Bigoa Nyuon, anyone?
OTHERS POTENTIAL RUCK OPTIONS
Michael Knoll ($123,900, RUCK)
Lloyd Meek ($123,900, RUCK)
Kieran Strachan ($123,900, RUCK/FWD)
Like Bailey Williams above, these three names are only likely to get opportunity as short-term replacements, so tread with caution if they are named.
FORWARD
Nakia Cockatoo – Geelong ($148,200, FWD/MID)
Fool me three times … how does the saying go? Whether you like it or not, Nakia Cockatoo is back in the frame, getting through another scratch match unscathed playing mostly through the midfield. It’s difficult to put a line through a player with that much potential, even with such a significant injury history.
Nathan Kreuger – Geelong ($123,900, FWD)
Tall forward Nathan Kreuger was named as an emergency for their last match and looms as the likely replacement if Tom Hawkins is suspended. He may end up earning a recall
OTHER POTENTIAL FORWARD OPTIONS
Sam Flanders – Gold Coast ($162,300, FWD/MID)
Connor Ballenden – Brisbane ($123,900, FWD)
Nicholas Davies – West Coast ($102,400, FWD)
Both Connor Ballenden and Nicholas Davies were named as emergencies in Round 8, with Davies being a 25-year-old small forward who joined the Eagles through the supplemental selection period. A Lions academy graduate, Ballenden is a chance to debut from Round 9-12, while first round draftee Sam Flanders may also be unleashed.
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KFC SuperCoach: Trade targets, rookie options and everything you need to know for rounds 10-12