KFC SuperCoach 2023: Predicted top scorers at every AFL club
Who will rise and fall in KFC SuperCoach this year? Nailing the answer to this question is key to making a fast start. Our experts name their top three plus smoky from every team.
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If you predicted the rise of St Kilda’s Jack Sinclair in defence or Docker Will Brodie’s scoring spike in the forward line last year, you would’ve enjoyed a headstart in KFC SuperCoach.
The pre-season focus centers on the mid-price options and rookies, but nailing your top-price selections is just as important.
So, who will rise and fall in 2023?
With the game officially opening very soon, our KFC SuperCoach experts have dusted off their crystal balls to predict the top three scorers at every club this year.
Note: Predictions are for total points for the season, and the consensus totals are a tally of three votes for the predicted No.1 scorer, two votes for No.2 and one vote for the No.3 slot.
The Phantom
Smoky: Izak Rankine
Given no one could stop the runaway KFC SuperCoach leader last season, Laird has to be No. 1 – no one is going to tag him either. They might put some work into Dawson, but the boom recruit should still do enough. Is there upside in his $603k price tag, though? I’m not sure. After that it gets interesting. Berry led the AFL for tackles in his second year and added 41 points to his KFC SuperCoach average and could his push his way to three figures in 2023. Rankine could be Adelaide’s best player by the year’s end, too.
Al Paton
Smoky: Reilly O’Brien
Laird’s consistent elite output is undeniable and Dawson’s role should make him worth the $600,000+ price tag – areas usually reserved for top-line midfielders. Berry improved his average from 46 to 87 last year with regular double-figure tackle counts including an insane 17 in a game against Collingwood. It wouldn’t shock me if ROB is a top-two ruck this year or ends the season in the SANFL.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Sam Berry
Hard to see much change in the big three at the Crows. Dawson finished more than 200 KFC SuperCoach points ahead of Keays, the third-ranked Adelaide player, in 2022. Reilly O’Brien was a further 156 points back in fourth. Why would you possibly bet against Laird when 14 of his 22 scores last year were 120 or more?
Dan Batten
Smoky: Izak Rankine
The Phantom
Smoky: Keidean Coleman
With Dunkley arriving in the off-season, it will be a full-blown KFC SuperCoach-off in the Brisbane midfield this year. McCluggage and Jarryd Lyons have long pushed Neale, but Dunkley could be the one to get him. Pick them both. Coleman showed off his KFC SuperCoach scoring power with some rapid-fire scoring at times last year – if it all comes together, and he takes some more ball of Daniel Rich, look out.
Al Paton
Smoky: Jarryd Lyons
The head-to-head battle between Neale and Dunkley for KFC SuperCoach supremacy will be a great watch this season (and a nightmare for opposition coaches). I’m giving Neale the honours – just – due to runs on the board, but they both could average 115+. Lyons dropped off the radar last year but battled groin injuries all season and still averaged 91.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Keidean Coleman
Neale averaged more than 14 KFC SuperCoach points a game than Dunkley last year and I can’t see him relinquishing his mantle as the No.1 Lion. Dunkley will no doubt benefit from more midfield time after being thrown around at the Bulldogs. McCluggage was averaging 109 after eight rounds last year and a jump into the uber elite is a real possibility.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Oscar McInerney
The Phantom
Smoky: Charlie Curnow
Docherty, Cripps and Hewett all have the scoring power to finish the year as No. 1 Blue – it might all just come down to who stays fit. Sam Walsh is in the same conversation, too, but can’t put him in the top three after the delayed start. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him power home, though.
Al Paton
Smoky: Adam Cerra
With no Sam Walsh early in the season expect Cripps to fly out of the blocks again – remember he averaged 125 over the first eight rounds last year. Docherty was given a shot in the midfield on a couple of occasions last year and produced huge KFC SuperCoach numbers, could we see more of that in 2023?
Tim Michell
Smoky: Matthew Kennedy
Sam Walsh would have been No.1 if not for the back surgery which could keep him out for much of the first half of 2023. That should give the Brownlow medallist a clear run as the Blues’ top scorer. Nothing suggests Docherty or George Hewett will regress, as long as Hewett’s troublesome back is under control. Why Kennedy? He averaged 97 and will get greater opportunity without Cripps.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Adam Cerra
The Phantom
Smoky: Pat Lipinski
In his final year at Hawthorn, Mitchell averaged less than three figures for the first time since 2014. In fact, it was the first time he had averaged less than 110 since 2016. But he’ll be back in the guts, playing the role he’s built to play, at the Pies. Daicos will hold the KFC SuperCoach crown at Collingwood for a long time, but will his reign start this year? There’s a chance. Cameron showed what he can do as the No.1 ruckman last season and KFC SuperCoaches need him to build on that, given the unanswered questions in the rucks.
Al Paton
Smoky: Jack Crisp
Fun fact – Brodie Grundy was Collingwood’s No.1 averaging KFC SuperCoach player in 2022, and by a big margin. Discarding Nathan Buckley’s high-possession game plan in favour of Fly McRae’s Richmond-style surge resulted in lower scores across the board – an interesting factor to consider when selecting our 2023 teams. I think Daicos is such a big talent he can defy that trend but it might cap the average of someone like Tom Mitchell around the 105 mark. Cameron averaged over 100 when he was the No.1 ruckman, while Crisp could benefit from being moved back to defence to make room for the Brownlow medallist.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Jordan de Goey
Wunderkid Daicos was only 69 points from being Collingwood’s top scorer last season and his pre-season suggests he will go to another level in his second campaign. Cameron relished the opportunity to be Collingwood’s first-choice ruckman after Brodie Grundy was injured. Jack Crisp faded in the second half of 2022 but is usually a consistent scorer. De Goey? Who knows? He could average 80 or 110.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Jordan De Goey
The Phantom
Smoky: Nic Martin
They’ve been neck-and-neck for the past two years, but I think an injury-free Parish gets Merrett in 2023. Redman is flying on the track and averaged 118 points per game between Rounds 10 and 20 last season. Speaking of flying, Martin looks primed to build on his brilliant debut season, too.
Al Paton
Smoky: Andrew McGrath
The Bombers’ top two mids will duke it out again and Parish should make the jump to uber premium status we expected last year – he had a stop-start season in 2022 and still averaged 111. Redman averaged 70 points a game for the first five rounds last year then 115 for the next 11 (taking out one injury-affected game) before finishing the year with scores of 68, 63 and 55 – so who knows what 2023 will bring, but there are a lot of mouths to feed in the backline including former No.1 draft pick McGrath, who has been earmarked for a new role in defence.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Nic Martin
I’m expecting Parish to take over as the top Bombers midfielder this year, although him and Merrett should both average 110+ again. Merrett always finishes the season strongly and traditionally is a KFC SuperCoach bargain mid-year. Essendon is set to play a more zonal defence under Brad Scott which can help Ridley return to premium numbers. Martin has the qualities to be a future KFC SuperCoach premium.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Andrew McGrath
The Phantom
Smoky: Luke Jackson
I can’t see anyone going past Brayshaw at the Dockers, but the question of who sits in behind after that is a little more difficult to answer. Not because they don’t have any other top-line scorers, but because they have a whole group of them – or those with the potential to get there. I’m tipping Young to take the next step in 2023, and Brodie might have a few extra points in him, too, after finally settling – and thriving – at the top level. Jackson, Caleb Serong, Sean Darcy, Luke Ryan, even Heath Chapman, could be right around the same mark.
Al Paton
Smoky: Caleb Serong
One of the hardest teams to predict. What impact will Luke Jackson have on Sean Darcy’s scoring? Where will Nat Fyfe play (if he stays fit)? Is this the year of the #serongbreakout? Why did they trade in Jaeger O’Meara? Brayshaw has established himself as a 110+ averaging mid while Phantom favourite Young is ready to make the leap into the premium defender category after averaging 52, 77 and 92 in his first three seasons.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Caleb Serong
Brayshaw will be a Brownlow Medal contender and lead a Fremantle midfield on the rise. An average of 115+ is well within his reach. I don’t think Luke Jackson will have a big impact on Sean Darcy’s scoring. Hayden Young is an elite ball user and destined for KFC SuperCoach stardom. I’m probably being harsh on Will Brodie who was outstanding last year.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Hayden Young
The Phantom
Smoky: Tom Atkins
A look back through Geelong’s scoring in 2022, proves just how balanced they are as a team across every line. Stewart is the obvious KFC SuperCoach king but he’s found different way to miss games over the past three seasons. Blicavs does everything well enough to be in this conversation, regardless of where he plays. His 2023 dual-position status as mid-ruck is interesting – and a first – but he’s still hard to pick in classic. Holmes – priced at 65 this year – averaged 94 points in the final six games, including finals, of 2022.
Al Paton
Smoky: Patrick Dangerfield
Stewart was the Cats’ no.1 averaging player by 10 points a game last year and he’s a clear top pick again this year. You can throw a blanket over about 10 players after that in a very even premiership outfit. Can Dangerfield produce one last big KFC SuperCoach season?
Tim Michell
Smoky: Max Holmes
If Stewart played a full season last year (he was suspended for his hit on Dion Prestia), then he would have been Geelong’s top scorer. Guthrie will be the leader of Geelong’s midfield minus Joel Selwood and everywhere man Blicavs gets better every year. The Cats are bullish about Holmes’ potential and some teammates think the wingman could one day be the AFL’s best player.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Mitch Duncan
The Phantom
Smoky: Matt Rowell
Miller’s position at the top is clear, but just where Rowell goes from here isn’t. On what we saw early in his career, and at junior level, he could push Miller for the KFC SuperCoach crown or, like last year, play a role in the midfield and watch as the speed of the game goes past him on the outside. I’m on the former side of that argument.
Al Paton
Smoky: Matt Rowell
How good is the Suns midfield looking? Miller had more scores over 150 than any player last season and I love Anderson’s progress (apart from his post-siren matchwinner against Richmond). Witts doesn’t present the same value as 2022 but is still the No.1 man in the ruck at the Suns. As for Rowell, a player who scored 157 in round 1 last year deserves a mention somewhere.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Elijah Hollands
I know I’m going out on a limb with the Hollands smoky tip, but hear me out. The top-10 draftee had at least 18 disposals in his last three games of 2022, averaged six marks, five inside-50s and two clearances during that late-season stretch. If he gets his body right, he could be anything. Miller will be a clear No.1 at Gold Coast but I think Witts’ scoring will regress slightly and Anderson can average 105+.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Matt Rowell
The Phantom
Smoky: Harry Perryman
The departures of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper have cleared the path for Green, if he can find consistency this year. But roles will still determine the fate of two potential KFC SuperCoach top-liners at the Giants. If Coniglio starts and finishes in the midfield, he’s great buying as a $557k forward. But Himmelberg could be an even bigger bargain, if we can be sure he plays in defence, where he averaged 112 points in his final 12 games of 2022.
Al Paton
Smoky: Isaac Cumming
The exit of Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto should open up more midfield time for Green and Coniglio, who isn’t a bargain this year but should again be one of the top-scoring forwards. Cumming produced some big scores last year when he was taking behind kick-ins – his results will depend on where Harry Himmelberg lines up, and the word is he’s training with the forwards in the pre-season.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Isaac Cumming
Green could well have taken over from Kelly as the Giants’ top KFC SuperCoach on-baller by the end of the season. He averaged 97 last year and will become the contested beast of the engine room without Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto. Kelly is still a Rolls Royce though and demands respect. His elite ball use and finishing prowess are KFC SuperCoach gold. Coniglio’s return to midfield last year was a master stroke by Mark McVeigh. Cumming could be a top-six defender if Harry Himmelberg returns to attack.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Harry Perryman
The Phantom
Smoky: Will Day
Sicily is the $600k defender I trust most to maintain his price from the get-to and he’s the clear No. 1 at the Hawks. There’s a pretty significant drop after that, though. Moore and Newcombe – both with extra responsibility in the midfield this year – should close the gap a little, and Moore is still available as a forward in classic. We’re yet to see the best of Day, and a potential move further up the ground this year could bring it out.
Al Paton
Smoky: Josh Ward
Expect Sicily to lead the Hawks again by the length of the Flemington straight; he could even improve on his 113.5 average from 2022 with the ball set to spend more time in the Hawthorn defence under Sam Mitchell’s savage rebuild. With Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara gone there are points up for grabs in the midfield.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Lloyd Meek
Sicily was so far ahead of the next best Hawk (Moore) in 2022 and could get more opportunity to flourish in defence in a rebuilding team. His intercept prowess and precise ball use is exactly what the KFC SuperCoach scorers want. Jai Newcombe will have to step up again after Tom Mitchell’s trade to Collingwood and Moore will benefit from greater midfield time. Meek could be a great point of difference pick if he locks in the No.1 ruck role.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Lloyd Meek
The Phantom
Smoky: Angus Brayshaw
How will Grundy and Gawn work at Melbourne? It’s one of the big questions of the KFC SuperCoach pre-season. While Grundy is more limited in what he can do at either end of the ground compared to Gawn, pointing to a greater ruck role, we’re going to have to wait to get a more definitive answer. As a result, I’ll tip Petracca to sit next to Oliver in the top two at the Demons.
Al Paton
Smoky: Lachie Hunter
The Demons’ list is in a very different place but making KFC SuperCoach predictions – at least after assuming another 120+ season from Oliver – is just as tricky. Grundy hasn’t averaged under 103.5 for six seasons and could play as an extra midfielder alongside Gawn, who can still rack up points floating into defence to gobble up intercept marks. Hunter should enjoy lots of space on an MCG wing ... and how did I not fit Christian Petracca in here somewhere?
Tim Michell
Smoky: Max Gawn
If these aren’t the top four KFC SuperCoach scorers from Melbourne in 2023, I’ll be shocked. The early word is Grundy will be the main ruckman so he gets the nod ahead of Gawn for the top three. It would be great to see him back to his best. Clayton Oliver is the uber premo I can’t start without and although he can frustrate at times, Petracca’s ceiling is enormous.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Angus Brayshaw
The Phantom
Smoky: Tarryn Thomas
Davies-Uniacke averaged 110 points in the run home last year and looks primed to go to another level in 2023. But picking the next-best KFC SuperCoach scorer at North Melbourne after that is difficult. Simpkin’s kicking still lets him down, Goldstein is 34, Jack Ziebell played forward last year, new coach Alastair Clarkson might not love the strength of Aaron Hall’s defensive game and Tarryn Thomas has issues off the field. So, at the top end, I’d only considered LDU in KFC SuperCoach classic.
Al Paton
Smoky: Tristan Xerri
Only six Kangaroos averaged over 80 points a game last season. One of them – Jed Anderson – was delisted, and another – Aaron Hall – was ranked 16th at the club on total points thanks to his ongoing injury curse. So, where does that leave us? LDU averaged over 110 in the run home and should continue that form into 2023 while Xerri could get a big bump if Todd Goldstein finally hands over the No.1 ruck baton.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Aaron Hall
If Hall plays a full season he could be No.1 – but who could honestly predict that will happen? Fingers crossed, but it will be a miracle based on his injury history. I expect LDU to average more than 110 after averaging 113 from round 12 onwards last year. He has all the tools to push into that elite bracket of scorers. Todd Goldstein’s scoring depends on whether Clarko sees him as the No.1 ruckman. Simpkin will be a perfect foil for LDU and can launch to a 100+ average.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Aaron Hall
The Phantom
Smoky: Jason Horne-Francis
Rozee averaged 110 in the final 10 games of last year and Butters posted five consecutive KFC SuperCoach tons to finish the season. Both young guns are set for a significant stay in the top three and may only be passed once Horne-Francis finds his feet.
Al Paton
Smoky: Scott Lycett
The changing of the midfield guard is on at the Power with Butters and Rozee the new vanguard. How do you split them? Rozee averaged 93 last year and Butters 96, and while both averaged 100+ in their last five games in Butters’ case that was five straight tons while Rozee threw up a 162 and two scores under 80. I think I like Butters’ consistency better.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Scott Lycett
I’m so bullish on Connor Rozee I might be about to start a fan club. Rozee averaged 110 KFC SuperCoach points per 100 minutes in midfield last year and surely will be a full-time on-baller after the arrival of Junior Rioli and Francis Evans at Alberton. I think he’ll be the No.1 FWD of 2023. That means Wines gets relegated to second while Butters should take another leap and average at least 100.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Zak Butters
The Phantom
Smoky: Jacob Hopper
Taranto is flying and, despite erratic kicking at times, is all but a lock as a top-six KFC SuperCoach forward as a permanent midfielder at the Tigers. Hopper will join him on-ball but will he do enough to oust ruckman Nankervis who averaged another 96 points per game last year? The arrival of the GWS pair could also lead to Short’s return to defence, where his KFC SuperCoach scoring is far more consistent.
Al Paton
Smoky: Tom Lynch
If this prediction pans out the Tigers’ recruiting staff deserve a bonus. No Tiger averaged over 100 last year but Taranto and Hopper will be at almost every centre bounce and should both push three figures while there’s a certain triple Norm Smith medallist who seems to be flying under the radar. Lynch went on a three-game run early last season where he averaged 159 and another four-game streak to end the year averaging 134. He also threw in scores of 33, 44 and 3 – so it’s all about jumping on at the right time.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Jacob Hopper
Taranto, Hopper in, Short back to defence? If that eventuates, look out. Short looked like he could maintain his premium scoring as a midfielder but his numbers suffered when he ended up at half-forward. Taranto will benefit from playing predominantly in the middle and Rioli is a serious weapon at halfback. Hopper likely averages 90-100 but will be one of the most popular players at $332k.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Shai Bolton
The Phantom
Smoky: Hunter Clark
At $604k, Steele is underpriced after a slightly underwhelming and injury-affected 2022 season. He could push back towards 120 this year, an area where big man Marshall might also get to if he plays as the sole No. 1 ruckman under Ross Lyon. But pre-season injuries to fellow talls Max King and Jack Hayes means we still can’t be sure that happens yet.
Al Paton
Smoky: Marcus Windhager
Steele and Marshall both present value based on their potential output – Steele averaged 122 and 126 in 2020-21 before dropping to 110 last year while Marshall has shown how big he can go without Paddy Ryder, who is now in retirement. The only question mark is if he will be required to play forward with Max King out injured. I’m keeping a very close eye on his pre-season.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Brad Crouch
Can’t wait to see Steele return to his powerful best. At $604k he might be one of the best KFC SuperCoach premium midfield buys. Sinclair’s rise was something to behold last year and there’s nothing to suggest Ross Lyon won’t use him in the same role – why would he change what worked so well? Marshall could be the best ruckman of the year if they unleash him on his own. No more of this two ruck business please Saints.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Jade Gresham
The Phantom
Smoky: James Rowbottom
Mills has found his way to the top at the Swans and should remain for some time. And the full takeover by the next generation could be complete by the end of the year. I’m expecting big things for Gulden, who posted six KFC SuperCoach tons – three of them in excess of 125 – in his second season and Rowbottom is on the brink of matching Parker in the Sydney midfield – and maybe in KFC SuperCoach numbers. Then there’s Chad Warner, who was the Swans’ best player in the last year’s grand final. But can he handle the increased attention that is likely coming his way? That’s the only reason I don’t have him in.
Al Paton
Smoky: Errol Gulden
As if a team as good as Sydney needed two young guns on the verge of a big midfield breakout. Warner pushed his average from 69 to 97 last season, and that doesn’t include his virtuoso 126-point effort on grand final day. I’ll leave it to The Phantom to wax lyrical about Gulden’s potential.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Errol Gulden
I foresee Warner pushing past Parker to become Mills’ sidekick in the middle at the SCG. Mills never attracts much fanfare but has now averaged 112 and 116 in the last two seasons. The Swans could provide a bevy of KFC SuperCoach premiums this year with Warner, Parker, Gulden and Heeney headlining those in the mix to take the No.2 and No.3 spots behind Mills.
Dan Batten
Smoky: James Rowbottom
The Phantom
Smoky: Elliot Yeo
This was tough. Can we really expect a 35-year-old Hurn to play 19 games and average 109 points, like he did last year? Yeo might be the great KFC SuperCoach hope from the Eagles in 2023, if he can stay fit. And, as we know all too well, that’s still a big if.
Al Paton
Smoky: Jeremy McGovern
This is tough. Last year the Eagles’ top scorers on total points were Hurn (age 35), Jack Redden (retired), Tom Barrass and Liam Duggan, who averaged 79 for the year. If we judge on averages some more familiar names come into the mix, so I’m going to assume some of these guys get a decent run with injury in 2023. But I still would be hard-pressed to select any of them in my starting team.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Andrew Gaff
I would not go near any top-priced Eagles. Look for the value options in our rookie bible instead. All the big guns on the West Coast list have too many KFC SuperCoach question marks hanging over them and only Hurn and Alex Witherden averaged 100 or more last year.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Elliot Yeo
The Phantom
Smoky: Ed Richards
Macrae, Bontempelli, Smith and Tim English – the big four KFC SuperCoach scorers at the Bulldogs. I’m tipping Smith to get a bump this year in the wake of Josh Dunkley’s exit, if he can find consistency on – and off – the field. So, it could all be pretty even at the top at the kennel.
Al Paton
Smoky: Ed Richards
The Dogs are an intriguing team going into 2023. With Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter gone, what does their midfield mix look like? Bont played hurt for a lot of last year and still averaged 116 while Macrae’s 115 average was his lowest in five years. But I’m still not sure if Bevo wants him to spend more time on a wing, with Bailey Smith another midfield option who could easily push into the top three. Meanwhile, here’s a stat that caught me by surprise – Richards finished the 2022 home-and-away season with scores of 114, 126, 112, 97, 106 and 113 after being given kick-in duties.
Tim Michell
Smoky: Bailey Dale
So long the first midfielder chosen in KFC SuperCoach teams, Macrae seems to have been largely forgotten this pre-season. He averaged 115 last year, only one point less a game than Bontempelli. Crazy to think that was his lowest season average since 2017. Bontempelli does all the little things the KFC SuperCoach scorers love and English shouldn’t have the problem of a ruck partner after Rory Lobb’s arrival. If he stays fit, he’ll be one of the best big men of 2023.
Dan Batten
Smoky: Bailey Smith
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