KFC SuperCoach late mail: All the latest whispers and news ahead of Round 2
Harley Bennell has been one of the most popular KFC SuperCoach trade-ins since his Melbourne debut was announced. But after so long out, how much game time will he play? Get the latest Round 2 whispers.
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We are one game down into the season restart but there are still plenty of tough calls to make on our KFC SuperCoach teams.
From teams whispers to rookie news and likely match-ups, here’s everything you need to know to get your team in top shape for Round 2.
TEAM ANALYSIS: HOW TO NAVIGATE ROOKIE CHAOS
HOW MANY MINUTES WILL NEW DEMON BENNELL PLAY?
— Jon Ralph
Melbourne expects to cap Harley Bennell’s game time at around 70 minutes on Sunday against Carlton.
The shorter 100-minute games were a key factor in the Demons handing Bennell his emotional debut for the club.
He will play his first game since Round 23, 2017, but the AFL has ruled no family members can be on hand to view any games this weekend.
The moment Harley had been waiting for. 🌟#GoDees pic.twitter.com/w8b6VXe6N3
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) June 10, 2020
The Demons believed there was no point in holding Bennell back after six full weeks of isolation training and three weeks back at the club, aware there will always be a risk given his injury history.
After slashing match simulation form in the midfield and half forward, the shortened quarters provide the perfect time for him to be used as an impact player.
Melbourne football boss Josh Mahoney said the club was thrilled he would debut along with last year’s No. 3 pick Luke Jackson and No. 32 pick Trent Rivers, a running half back.
“We will be managing Harley through the game. We are not expecting him to play high minutes first up and we are factoring that into the planning for the game that he would be playing limited minutes and he will be used when required for us,” he said.
The shorter game certainly makes it easier to play someone like Harley in the situation he is in.“
Bennell’s professionalism has at times been questioned but after 25 calf tears it was his dedication in isolation that helped his speedy Round 2 debut.
“It was really his time away from the club during the lockdown stage he was able to complete six weeks of full training and he’s done three weeks since he’s been back at the club,” he said.
“We knew there was going to be an element of risk with Harley whenever he played due to his history and the decision was made that he was ready.
“We know there is no way of replicating an AFL game and the best thing we can do is look at the intensity he has trained at and what he has been able to do.”
Bennell praised his “beautiful” single mother who never gave up on him, one of nine children.
“I think it was my love of the game. I have never given up that mentality.”
FRIDAY TEAMS: GREEN, CAVARRA GONE
This is an axing that concerns nearly 100,000 SuperCoach players.
As expected popular cash cow Tom Green is the casualty for returning midfielder Callan Ward.
The bullocking inside-midfielder failed to replicate his Marsh Series exploits in his Giants debut, collecting just six disposals and scoring 41 points.
He has been named as emergency, so it could be worth holding onto the contested animal who dominated SuperCoach as a junior.
But a move from Green to fellow midfield cheapies Harley Bennell or Ned McHenry looms as an attractive one, especially considering several rookies will be on the bubble next week.
Western Bulldogs mature-age rookie Ben Cavarra has also been omitted among a raft of changes, with debutant Laitham Vandermeer ($123,900, FWD/MID) called-up.
Vandermeer is a speedy half-back flanker despite his position in SuperCoach and averaged 63 points in the VFL last season.
In some better news, Swans rookie Justin McInerney — who holds the third lowest break-even ahead of Round 2 — has been named, as has GWS cheapie Isaac Cumming.
North Melbourne’s Kyron Hayden ($134k, MID) and Giants 2018 first round selection Jye Caldwell ($190k, MID) were other notable rookie ins from Sunday team announcements.
WILL GAWN HAVE IT ALL HIS OWN WAY?
Rebecca Williams
Carlton coach David Teague is backing incoming ruckman Marc Pittonet’s “ability to get physical” in his big first-up assignment for the Blues against Melbourne’s Max Gawn.
The former Hawk, who played seven senior games in four seasonsbe before being joining the Blues in last year’s trade period, was one of three inclusions for Carlton for Saturday’s clash against the Demons at Marvel Stadium alongside second-time Blue Eddie Betts and key forward Harry McKay.
Midfielder Paddy Dow was not included in the side with Teague revealing he had been left out with a sore knee rather than omitted.
Pittonet, who was traded to the Blues from the Hawks at the end of last year, comes into the side for the injured Matthew Kreuzer.
He faces a big test in his Blues’ debut against the dual All-Australian Gawn, but Teague said his training form and physicality had been impressive.
“I think any time you play in the ruck, you’ve got a big job, you’re the first guy that gets to compete,” Teague said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing him compete, that’s where he has been the strongest on the track, he has led from the front and some of his tackling and follow-up and ability to get physical is something we really valued.
“The way that he has been training he deserves a spot.”
Betts missed the opening round with a calf injury after returning to the Blues from the Crows, while McKay has overcome groin problems that impacted his pre-season.
Teague was excited to see Betts back.
“I hope he’s exciting, I hope he plays with that big smile, that’s what I’d like to see,” Teague said.
“He has been outstanding on the track, his form before he hurt his calf was really good and to have him back now is exciting for our group.”
Teague said McKay, who kicked 26 goals last season, would provide a “focal point” in attack.
“Harry has been great, he is excited, he has over this little break knowing that he hasn’t missed as many games as has Eddie, so it will be great to have them back out on the field,” Teague said.
“We have got some talls down there that are competing really well at the moment, they have been exciting on the track. I think the guys up the field when there is nothing on to see Mitch (McGovern), Levi (Casboult) and Harry down there to give us a contest and get it to ground and bring in the guys like Eddie and Jack Martin and David Cunningham, I think it really gives us a focal point.”
Teague said midfielder Zac Fisher was still a “week or two” away as he continued his recovery from an injured ankle. He hoped Dow’s knee injury “won’t be too long”.
The non-selected Blues will take part in a scratch match against the Demons at Ikon Park tomorrow morning.
BLUES MAKE LATE CHANGE
CARLTON’S Jack Silvagni has been ruled out of tomorrow’s clash against Melbourne at Marvel Stadium with gastro.
Silvagni was absent from the team’s captain’s run at Ikon Park this morning after he woke up feeling unwell and was told to stay away from the club.
It’s understood the Blues are not concerned his symptoms were anything related to COVID-19 and they expect he will be available for Round 3.
The Blues said their players were all due to be routinely tested today as part of their protocols.
SuperCoaches hoping for a Round 2 berth for rookies Tom Williamson (4146,300 DEF) and Sam Philp ($121,900 MID) will be disappointed, with. Darcy Lang has been called-up as Silvagni’s replacement.
LAST-MINUTE TEAM HELP:
KFC SuperCoach rookie bible: Every cheapie rated ahead of Round 2 price changes
The 10 must-have players in KFC SuperCoach for Round 2
SuperCoach Investor: How to win on the KFC SuperCoach stock market
SuperCoach Round 2 trade guide: Melbourne solves defensive rookie crisis
DEBUTS GALORE AT DEMONS
Three Demons will make their debuts against Carlton on Saturday, but all eyes will be on recruitHarley Bennell ($123,900, MID).
The speedster has been perennially injured, playing just two AFL games since 2015, and gets his chance perhaps sooner than expected.
SuperCoaches are advised to tread with caution. Nabbing Bennell at this price is an absolute steal considering he has averaged more than 95 points in a season four times, but his calf issues have been well documented in recent years.
The moment Harley had been waiting for. 🌟#GoDees pic.twitter.com/w8b6VXe6N3
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) June 10, 2020
In more welcome news for KFC SuperCoaches, young defender Trent Rivers ($117,300, DEF/MID) was a surprise call-up, already in 15 per cent of teams despite missing Round 1. The lack of cheap defenders makes him increasingly relevant, averaging 94 points at last year’s national championships.
No. 3 draft selection Luke Jackson ($198,300, RUCK) will also play his first game but is probably a touch expensive.
Less than 24 hours after trading him into my side, I've broken Sam Naismith for #Supercoach.
— Patch (@PatchToTheMax) June 9, 2020
I'd like to apologise to everyone involved, including his inevitable replacement Marc Pittonet.
#supercoach Price Projection - Sam Naismith $251.5k
— Brice Mitchell (@bricemitchell) May 28, 2020
R1 Score: 121
Projected Score: 100
R2 Price: $308k (+$56k)
R3 Price: $373k (+$65k)
R4 Price: $412k (+$39k)
R5 Price: $442k (+$29k)
R6 Price: $463k (+$22k)
R7 Price: $479k (+$16k)
R8 Price: $491k (+$12k)
*approximate
TOP TRADE TARGETS MISS CUT
uperCoaches who had Sam Naismith locked in their side got the fright of their life hearing the Swans big man has hamstring tightness days out from their restart clash against Essendon.
Plans to bank cash from a downgrade to Naismith – who posted a formidable 121-point total in Round 1 – are in the bin after he was ruled out on Thursday night.
Fremantle rookie Sam Sturt ($123,900, FWD) was set to be one of the most popular trade targets after his 100 points in Round 1 but he will miss the Dockers’ clash against Brisbane with a back complaint.
SuperCoaches and Suns fans will have to wait at least another week or two before seeing excitement machine Izak Rankine ($123,900 FWD).
Gold Coast’s footy boss Jon Haines ruled out a Round 2 for Rankine on Monday, saying he is getting close but hasn’t quite hit his speed markers yet.
When he does play, SuperCoaches will be ready to pounce.
Keep Darcy Cameron ($123,900 RUCK/FWD) in your trade plans for next week after he impressed with 73 points in his Collingwood debut.
BOMBER COPS COVID BAN
Essendon defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher ($189,000 DEF) has copped a one-match ban for breaking COVID-19 protocols.
Zerk-Thatcher twice tested negative for coronavirus while the AFL investigated.
He has returned to the club and resumed training but will miss Sunday’s match against Sydney at the SCG.
Bombers football manager Dan Richardson said Zerk-Thatcher knows he made an error of judgment.
“All AFL players and staff are aware of their social responsibility to adhere to the return to play protocols. The club will continue to educate Brandon,” football manager Dan Richardson said.
“Brandon will continue to train with the playing group and will be available for senior selection next week.”
CHANNEL 7 ADELAIDE REPORTING: McHenry
— Keeper League Kaes (@TKLKaes) June 10, 2020
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KFC SuperCoach rookie bible: Every cheapie rated ahead of Round 2 price changes
KFC SuperCoach: Dan Batten reveals his 5 trades for Round 2
KFC SuperCoach expert Al Paton reveals how he will use his five trades for Round 2
KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom’s free agent targets and top 50 player rankings
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach late mail: All the latest whispers and news ahead of Round 2
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