KFC SuperCoach 2021: Expert consensus team revealed

Short on time but still want to claim KFC SuperCoach bragging rights over your mates? We’ve run the numbers on 9 expert sides to deliver the 2021 consensus team.

KFC SuperCoach: Ultimate consensus team

Don’t have time to dive into last-minute KFC SuperCoach research but still want to claim bragging rights against your mates?

You’ve come to the right place.

To help you pick a competitive starting side, eight expert KFC SuperCoach teams have been collated and combined into the ultimate consensus team for 2021.

THE COACHES

The Phantom, Al Paton, Tim Michell, Dan Batten, Fantasy Freako, Dan Begala, Matt Turner (The Hipster), Antimo Iannella (Mr. SC), The Eradicator

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Tom Stewart is at D2 in the KFC SuperCoach expert consensus team. Picture: Alison Wynd

THE TEAM

DEFENCE

Jake Lloyd and Rory Laird were the overwhelming picks for the first two spots in defence. Six of the nine coaches are going with Lloyd at D1 with the other three are leaving him out altogether - for now, at least - given the pre-season injury setback. Geelong star Tom Stewart features in five of the nine sides, sitting at D2 in two of them, while all-but one is going with second-year Docker Hayden Young. Jayden Short is in four teams, but Stewart’s popularity - along with the salary cap - have squeezed him out. We’re still waiting on Round 1 teamsheets but the extra mid-pricer in Jordan Clark, and fielding just one rookie, is a popular strategy down back.

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Tim Taranto is underpriced in 2021. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

MIDFIELD

In order to get some separation from the field, Jack Steele and Clayton Oliver are M1 choices in two teams but Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale is the man to lead the midfield, featuring in every other side. Jack Macrae is a popular choice at M2, following his 39 disposals and 158 points in the AAMI Series, but, surprisingly, Bulldogs teammate Marcus Bontempelli only features in one. The underpriced trio of Patrick Cripps, Matt Rowell and Tim Taranto rounds out a strong group of keeper selections. Every KFC SuperCoach is picking Swans Academy gun Braeden Campbell - as they should - after seeing his elite foot skills and 85-point performance in the AAMI Series. At the elevated rookie-price, and with dual-position status, the M6 spot appears the best one. Kangaroos draftee Tom Powell, who averaged 156 KFC SuperCoach points at junior level last year, led his club for disposals in the first half of the AAMI Series clash with the Hawks, while the next four rookie spots were unanimous - for now anyway.

KFC SuperCoach 2021: Expert consensus team

RUCK

Speaking of unanimous, most of our experts are backing in the ruck trio of Max Gawn, Brodie Grundy and Giants rookie big man Matt Flynn, with only three opting for St Kilda’s mature-age signing Paul Hunter at R3.

FORWARD

There are a few points-of-difference floating around - West Coast high-flyer Liam Ryan the big one - but, with so much value on offer, two premium forward options could be the way to go in 2021. And after showing no sign of the limited pre-season, Patrick Dangerfield is a must, while Josh Dunkley, who had more contested possessions and tackles than any other player in the AAMI Series, isn’t far behind. Every coach is picking Jack Ziebell in his new role in the Kangaroos defence, which includes taking the kick-ins, and mature-age Crow James Rowe. Joe Daniher and Chad Warner weren’t quite as popular but the pair feature in more sides than Paddy Dow and a number of other on-field rookie options, including Miles Bergman and Tom Fullarton.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2021: Expert consensus team revealed