KFC SuperCoach 2021: Best point of difference picks in the forward line and ruck

Premium scorers up forward in KFC SuperCoach are hard to find but some top prospects are being ignored by the masses. Here are the best.

Forward options are scarce in 2021, which means KFC SuperCoaches will have to get creative.

An injury to previous forward-line lock Rowan Marshall, who is expected to miss the early rounds of 2021, gives coaches even greater forward line selection headaches.

There is also a dearth of reliable ruckmen outside of SuperCoach behemoths Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy, after another injury blow to Giants ruckman Braydon Preuss.

But as SuperCoaches know, injury brings opportunity, and those who pivot to the right replacement can thrive. And picking a player no one else has can give you an edge o the pack.

Check out the top unique forward and ruck options.

Dayne Zorko (Bris) $525,800 MID

2020 average: 97.9 (15 matches)

Ownership: 8.2 per cent

Zorko is back in the forward line after gaining dual-position status, where he has brought KFC SuperCoaches plenty of joy over the years.

Discounting his injury-affected score of 47 against Adelaide in Round 4, the Lions skipper averaged 101.5 points per game in 2020 – we would take that from any forward premium this year.

Zorko posted eight tons across the season, showcasing the steep distance between his ceiling and floor with two 150-plus totals and three scores below 70.

The 32-year-old is getting on, but he has averaged above 95 points in eight of his nine seasons – topping a century average in five of them.

Moreover, his damaging impact forward of centre means he can score well even if spends greater time forward – he played as a forward 36 per cent of the time in 2020.

SC verdict: Should be getting more attention from coaches in a side likely to be premiership contender yet again.

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Dayne Zorko can produce big KFC SuperCoach numbers for the Brisbane Lions.

Shai Bolton (Rich) $462,400

2020 average: 86.1 (15 matches)

Ownership: 6.1 per cent

A beneficiary of early injuries, Bolton was entrusted with more centre-bounce action in 2020.

The dynamic small’s midfield time rose by a whopping 36 per cent in 2020, playing a 60/40 split as a midfield-forward.

His strong form meant he continued in the same role even after key players returned, adding 16.3 points to his average in 2020 and posting five tons plus a 135 in the Grand Final against Geelong.

Bolton could find himself with even greater midfield responsibility in 2021 with another pre-season under his belt.

SC verdict: Still more of a burst player at this stage, but one to keep in mind.

Shai Bolton is an exciting prospect.

Tom Phillips (Haw) $402,600, MID

2020 average: 74.9 (15 matches)

Ownership: 10.4 per cent

Technically not a POD by definition – just surpassing the 10 per cent mark – but hey, it’s close enough.

Shifted to the forward line by the magic of Josh Daicos, Phillips averaged a career-low 16.3 disposals in 2020.

The role change hurt his ball-winning and his KFC SuperCoach influence, averaging 74.9 points per game.

Interestingly, Phillips has been used as a centre-bounce midfielder by the Hawks, attending 11 centre bounces in their practice match against the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday.

There is no doubt he can find the footy, averaging more than 23 disposals per game in both 2018 and 2019, and his elite tank should serve him well around the ground.

SC verdict: Rate him as an option – especially if his inside midfield option continues - considering he averaged 90 points per game in 2018.

Liam Ryan (WC) $409,600

2020 average: 84.2 (17 matches)

Ownership: 0.9 per cent

Ryan flew completely under the radar in 2020 despite his glittering finish to the season.

After registering just one 100-plus score in his first 10 matches, Ryan pumped out five tons in his last seven – including four in a row – at an average of 94.6 points.

That run included a paltry score of 25, which is the risk associated with picking a forward like Ryan.

But his stats numbers were among the best of all general forwards, rating elite for contested marks, forward-50 marks, score involvements and goals, while rating above average for disposals.

SC verdict: WARNING — Not for the faint-hearted. If there was any year to take a risk like this in the forward line, though, it is this one.

Liam Ryan will take you on a KFC SuperCoach rollercoaster.

Cam Rayner (Bris) $392,900

2020 average: 73.1 (15 matches)

Ownership: 1.7 per cent

Rayner’s underwhelming endurance has been well documented since his draft year in 2017, and he appears to have turned a corner in this area.

The former No.1 pick looks set to spend more time through the middle in 2021 after increasing his midfield minutes last year.

Rayner played as a midfielder 35 per cent of the time in 2020, a sharp rise compared to his low 13 per cent in the guts in 2019.

The 21-year-old had an enhanced midfield role in the Lions’ recent intra-club match, with coach Chris Fagan saying “he’s played more midfield than forward”.

Rayner averaged 120 KFC SuperCoach points per game in his draft year at the national carnival, playing predominantly as a high-impact midfielder.

SC verdict: Will 2021 be this year that Rayner breaks out? Suspect it may be a year too early with the array of midfield weapons at Brisbane’s disposal.

Jeremy Cameron (Geel) $388,100

2020 average: 72.2 (17 matches)

Ownership: 9 per cent

Cameron had a season to forget in hub life – one we should classify as an outlier - and a new club might just bring new tidings.

This and an interrupted preparation due to a hamstring injury is seeing most KFC SuperCoaches ignore the boom recruit, but he is back in full training earlier than first thought.

While he will be sharing the forward 50 with 2020 Coleman medallist Tom Hawkins this year, there should be no shortage of delivery from Geelong’s productive midfield group.

And the Cats’ draw to start 2021 is tantalising, facing likely cellar-dwellers Adelaide, Hawthorn and North Melbourne in their first five matches.

Cameron averaged 92.8 and 89.1 points across full seasons in 2019 and 2017 respectively.

SC average: What’s that rule again about key forwards in KFC SuperCoach? Can’t remember. His price tag and previous evidence of premium scoring makes it a calculated risk that could pay off.

Geelong recruit Jeremy Cameron. Picture: Michael Klein

Jaidyn Stephenson (NM) $354,100

2020 average: 65.9 (12 matches)

Ownership: 4.9 per cent

An inside midfield role for the discarded playmaker beckons at his new club.

Stephenson turned heads in the coalface at a recent intra-club clash attended by Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, rising from 1 to nearly 5 per cent ownership in KFC SuperCoach in the process.

At the Magpies, Stephenson played the vast majority of his time as a forward, with 15 per cent of his minutes spent on the wing in 2020 and no time spent on ball.

In his under-18 years, the speedster was a goalkicking midfielder, averaging 117 KFC SuperCoach points in his top-age NAB League season.

SC verdict: Watch with interest. Could be the top mid-price forward in terms of bang for your buck.

RUCKS

Reilly O’Brien (Adel) $570,800

2020 average: 106.2 (17 matches)

Ownership: 6.4 per cent

After usurping Sam Jacobs as Adelaide’s primary ruckman in 2019, O’Brien took his game to another level last year.

The 202cm Crow averaged 106.2 KFC SuperCoach points per game in 2020 – ranked fifth of all ruckman – and rated above average for disposals, marks, and hitouts-to-advantage.

Having played just 37 career games and in his prime at 25, O’Brien has scope to push the 110-mark in 2021

SC verdict: Probably the next best ruck premium outside of the big two.

Oscar McInerney (Bris) $443,400

2020 average: 82.5 (17 matches)

Ownership: 2.8 per cent

McInerney became a value point-of-difference play as RUCK/FWD in the back-half of last season with veteran Stefan Martin out with injury at Brisbane.

The 205cm beanpole, who had previously split his time between the forward 50 and the centre square, was thrust into the No.1 ruck role and didn’t look out of place, averaging 90.9 KFC SuperCoach points in nine matches without Martin.

The numbers tell the full story, with McInerney spending 78 per cent of time in the ruck in 2020 – up from 48 per cent in 2019.

While his possession tallies were lower than most ruckmen, he won an impressive 67 per cent of his possessions in a contest, which enabled him to score well.

Fresh off signing a three-year-deal and with Martin partnering Tim English at the Bulldogs, McInerney is set to spend even more time in the ruck in 2021.

SC verdict: His average will increase but will he make a big enough jump to justify the price?

Tom Hickey is in line to be the No.1 ruckman at Sydney.

Tom Hickey (Syd) $261,600

2020 average: 54 (3 matches)

Ownership: 1.9 per cent

Eagles star Nic Naitanui was largely injury-free in 2020 which saw back-up ruckman Hickey on the outer, managing just the three games compared to 18 in 2019.

Hickey is priced favourably at $261,600 as a result of his sub-par performances in those senior appearances.

The thin ruck stocks at the Swans saw the journeyman join them in the off-season and the early signs at his fourth club are encouraging.

Hickey was praised for his performance as Sydney’s first-choice ruckman in its intra-club clash, giving KFC SuperCoaches something to think about.

SC verdict: Has never averaged above 90 across a season and not even mid-priced aficionado Tim Michell is on board. A good shout if you can snag him late in KFC SuperCoach Draft, though.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2021: Best point of difference picks in the forward line and ruck