KFC SuperCoach 2022: The Phantom’s early bargains, must have players
KFC SuperCoach AFL is back and there are stacks of value options on offer. The Phantom uncovers some hidden gems that can supercharge your side.
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I’m back. We’re back. KFC SuperCoach AFL is back.
The 2022 prices have been revealed and the team picker is open for KFC SuperCoach Plus subscribers.
It’s time to go digging for some value. Here’s my early look at some of the potential bargains on every line.
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DEFENDERS
Will Day (Haw) $345,700
After an impressive debut year saw the South Australian finish third in the Rising Star award, Day exploded out of the blocks with a 122-point performance in Round 1 last season. He hurt his ankle the following week, however, and managed just five matches for the year. But before he injured it again later in the season, Day tallied another 112 KFC SuperCoach points, on the back of 29 disposals and 10 intercepts, against the Giants. And the skilful Day, who reads the ball better than most, is priced at an average of 64 in 2022.
Phantom’s verdict: In my early team, pending how the Hawks backline looks over summer with James Sicily also returning.
Jake Bowey (Melb) $265,600
When you have 19 disposals, five intercepts and 80 KFC SuperCoach points in your first final, before backing it up with 17 disposals - at 88 per cent efficiency - and 66 points in a grand final, and you’re only just above top-end rookie pricing, you’re on the watchlist. And that’s exactly what Bowey did in his debut season, which also featured an 84-point performance in just his second game.
Phantom’s verdict: Good kicking is good KFC SuperCoach. High on the watchlist.
MIDFIELDERS
Matt Rowell (GC) $342,900
Rowell is flying on the track, and reportedly blitzed the Suns’ recent match-simulation session. Most importantly, he looks set to complete a full pre-season - something he couldn’t do last summer. After averaging an extraordinary 124 points in the opening four games of his career in 2020, we raved about Rowell at $495k ahead of Round 1 last year. So $342k could be a steal, if he can get back to his best.
Phantom’s verdict: Locked-ish. Looming as a player we just won’t be able to pass up.
Jarrod Berry (Bris) $268,500
He may have played 11 games, but Berry’s 2021 season was hampered by injury - first a hamstring, followed by a persistent groin issue and then a strained calf. And when he was out there, the 23-year-old spent plenty of time forward. But he posted six KFC SuperCoach scores of 120 or more in 15 games in 2020 - his fourth season in the competition - and will be priced at a 49-point average next year.
Phantom’s verdict: Numbers are there - it’s all about his body and role now.
Jye Caldwell (Ess) $266,700
The young midfielder showed plenty of promise in his first pre-season at the Bombers, and posted scores of 74 and 66 in his first two senior games for the club. But he played just 42 per cent of that second match, after being struck down by another hamstring injury, which wiped out the rest of the minor round.
Phantom’s verdict: If Caldwell is fit, he’s in the Bombers’ midfield rotation, meaning he has to be one to watch.
Dylan Stephens (Syd) $167,800
Stephens, a hard-running, skilful midfielder, was in and out of the Sydney side last year, robbing him of any sort of consistent opportunity. But with Jordan Dawson moving to the Crows, there’s a vacant spot on the wing and the left-footer, who is heading into his third season at the club, could be the one to benefit. Stephens, who won the club’s first 2km time trial of the pre-season, averaged 104 KFC SuperCoach points in eight VFL games in 2021 and 82 points at SANFL level as a 17-year-old before he was drafted.
Phantom’s verdict: LIKE.
RUCKS
Braydon Preuss (GWS) $204,700
Like Rowell, we – OK I may have had a bit to do with starting it – were raving about Preuss at an elevated price tag last year ($303k) after he joined the Giants, looking for more opportunity, during the trade period. For those who missed my rambling, in the three games he played without Max Gawn at the Demons, Preuss posted scores of 84, 85 and 140. In his two at North Melbourne without Todd Goldstein, he scored 111 and an injury-affected 39.
Phantom’s verdict: Injury ruined the cheap R2 dreams of KFC SuperCoaches last year, but it’s time to dream again, my friends.
FORWARDS
Jade Gresham (StK) $299,000, Mid
After gradually moving into the midfield, the Gresham breakout has been on for a while now. But, unfortunately, injury just keeps getting in the way. His body is still a question mark, but his potential in KFC SuperCoach as a full-time midfielder is undeniable. Gresham, who was an elite scorer as a junior, tallied a combined 47 disposals, 17 inside 50s and 14 clearances in the opening two rounds of last season before injury struck in Round 3. The talented Saint is priced at 55 for 2022. At his fully-fit best, he doubles that. Even if he’s not at his best, but out on the park, it’s hard to see him dropping below 80.
Phantom’s verdict: The value is undeniable and long-time listeners will know I like him.
Stephen Coniglio (GWS) $261,300, Fwd
He’s been dropped, played forward and just flat-out struggled to win the ball over the past two years. But the fact is Coniglio averaged 108, 101 and 98 in the three years before an injury-ravaged 2021. And his average last season isn’t even as bad as it looks, with scores of 26 and 14 coming in injury-affected games.
Phantom’s verdict: He’s available as a forward. Lock it up.
Elijah Hollands (GC) $123,900, Fwd
The pick 7 from last year’s draft hasn’t played a senior game but he’s on track to feature early in 2021, after an impressive finish to his debut season at VFL level. After working his way back from an ACL tear, Hollands, an explosive 188cm midfielder who can play forward, tallied 27 disposals, 11 contested possessions, five clearances and 112 KFC SuperCoach points in his third and final game for the year.
Phantom’s verdict: Looms as a popular rookie-price pick - and rightly so.
A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE
Lachie Neale (Bris) $543,200
Phantom’s verdict: The bloke who averaged 134 in 2020 priced at an average of 99.8 after an injury-plagued year? Yes, please.
Caleb Serong $451,000 Mid
Phantom’s verdict: Huge finish to the year and the tagging role could be behind him now. Big breakout looming, and that means there’s value.
James Sicily $448,100, Def
Phantom’s verdict: “He’d be available to play if we were playing now,” Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said recently. Probably enough for me at this point, considering the price.
Zak Butters $443,600 Fwd
Phantom’s verdict: Proved he has a KFC SuperCoach ceiling as high as any last year, and looks underpriced in 2022 after injury brought inconsistency in 2021.
Jed Anderson $401,700, Fwd/Mid
Phantom’s verdict: Another whose season was ruined by injury in 2021. But, on pure numbers, he’s underpriced - and available as a forward. I want to see the make-up of North Melbourne’s rapidly-developing midfield first, though.
Hunter Clark (StK) $401,100 Def/Mid
Phantom’s verdict: I’m always interested in Hunter Clark and his 2022 price will make me track his pre-season closely again.
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