KFC SuperCoach Round 8 late mail: All the team news, rookie verdicts and last-minute trade advice
Monday’s squads are in and it’s a mixed bag for KFC SuperCoaches with a popular Docker ruled out with injury and a mature-age Cat named to make his debut. See all the latest team news plus last-minute trade advice and captain tips
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The moment 49,000 KFC SuperCoaches were dreading has come.
After four consecutive games, Docker Stephen Hill ($266,400 Def-Fwd) has succumbed to injury yet again and will miss Monday’s clash with the Cats.
“Stephen pulled up sore following our game against West Coast on Sunday,” Fremantle’s GM of Football Peter Bell told the club’s website.
“He demonstrated some tightness during testing at our injury clinic on Monday and he was sent for a scan, which showed a small strain in the adductor muscle.
“We have ruled Stephen out of this Monday’s game but we are hopeful of a quick recovery.”
There’s hope but with Hill’s injury history, there’s also plenty of concern given the short turnarounds ahead.
If Hill’s absence leaves you with a zero, consider Crow Andrew McPherson ($158,200, Def) and Hawk Will Day ($193,700).
They both look solid scorers, Day, who has taken the most kick-ins for the Hawks over the past two weeks, in particular. And, more importantly, they have great short-term job security and will make some quick cash.
Just be aware of Day’s Round 10 bye.
There’s also Tiger Derek Eggmolesse-Smith ($246,900 Def), who starred in his fourth-career game, tallying 23 disposals and 119 KFC SuperCoach points against North Melbourne in Round 7.
The trade may only make you $20k but, given the continued absence of Bachar Houli, it gives you a solid on-field option.
But if you can cover Hill, wait and re-assess next week, especially given his dual-position status.
MIXED BAG FOR ROOKIES AS CAT DEBUTS
The Cats are the mature-age kings and they are set to unleash another on Monday with 21-year-old Brad Close to make his debut against the Dockers.
The tough, skilful 21-year-old starred for SANFL premier Glenelg last year in a midfield-forward role, booting 13 goals and averaging 16 disposals and 77 KFC SuperCoach points from 21 games.
His debut comes at the perfect time for KFC SuperCoaches, with the $108k price-tag sure to attract plenty of interest next week with Geelong playing in each of the next four rounds.
Close joins Sydney defender Matt Ling on the watchlist with the luckless Swan to play his first senior game after being drafted in 2017.
With many sides short on rookie defenders, Ling shapes as another potential option to keep tabs on.
And in another boost for KFC SuperCoaches, Collingwood ruck-forward Darcy Cameron will play his third game for the season after making Friday’s final cut.
The strong-marking Cameron enjoyed a $24k price rise earlier in the year on the back of his impressive 73-point score against the Tigers.
But given he followed it up with 28 points in Round 3, Cameron’s breakeven is only -13, meaning, while there will be another considerable price rise, he’s still likely to be available for less than $200k next week.
The news isn’t so positive out of Adelaide, though, with rookie-price option Ned McHenry to miss Sunday’s clash with the Bombers.
“He’s a bit bruised and battered, nothing medical,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks said on Friday.
“We’ve got a challenge coming up over the next six rounds where they pile on top of each other, so we wanted to make sure he was right to go and not trying to push through too much soreness.
“We felt like it was about the right time for Ned, so we’ll freshen him up a bit.”
It’s been a slow burn for the second-year Crow in KFC SuperCoach with the 20-year-old averaging just 38 points per game, resulting in a price increase of $68k.
SIMPKIN RIGHT TO GO
North Melbourne star Jy Simpkin will take his place in the Kangaroos side on Saturday, in a big relief for KFC SuperCoaches.
The 22-year-old failed to train earlier in the week but was named on Thursday and the club has confirmed Simpkin will play against the Blues.
“We’ve given Jy a light week, he’s done a huge amount of work, especially with a number of other players unavailable,” Kangaroos footy boss Brady Rawlings said on Friday.
“But he got through the Captain’s Run this morning and has been ticked off so he will be right to play.”
It’s a big boost for the injury-hit Kangaroos and KFC SuperCoaches alike.
The popular KFC SuperCoach selection, who is in more than 40,000 teams, hurt his ankle in the early stages of their horror loss to Richmond last Saturday but managed to play out the game despite missing most of the first half.
Simpkin managed to collect 14 touches and 57 KFC SuperCoach points from just 61 per cent gametime and is still the third-ranked forward in the competition.
ANOTHER MAXIMUM SCORE FOR GAWN?
As if there wasn’t enough reason to get Max Gawn this week.
Brisbane ruckman Stefan Martin is out of their clash on Sunday against Melbourne, meaning inexperienced duo Oscar McInerney and Archie Smith will face the ominous task of quelling Gawn’s influence.
Gawn has a poor record against the Lions in recent years but it’ll be difficult to see him failing to reach 130 against Smith and McInerney – who Nic Naitanui scored a whopping 137 points against earlier in the year.
The bearded giant is the best captain option this week and non-owners should be doing everything they can to trade him in.
But is this all enough to pass on Jack Macrae’s 169 points as VC?
THE PHANTOM HAS HIS SAY AND LOOKS AT ALL THE OTHER OPTIONS BELOW
IS STEWART EVEN BETTER VALUE THAN BAILEY SMITH?
The value in Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith is enormous but a star Geelong defender might soon have him covered.
Like Smith this week, Tom Stewart ($498,000, DEF) is a gift from the KFC SuperCoach Gods.
Stewart is set to make a surprise return against Fremantle less than a month since dislocating his shoulder against Melbourne in Round 4.
The reliable defender has made a speedy recovery and will be priced at a bargain in a fortnight due to his injury-affected total of 18, coming into Round 8 with a monster break even of 194.
EXPLAINER: HOW SUPERCOACH WILL CHANGE IN ROUNDS 9-12
It means KFC SuperCoaches could snap up Stewart $430,000 ahead of Round 10 – an absolute steal given he averaged 101 points in the opening three rounds and 98 points per game in 2019.
Stewart is known for his impressive intercept work but also takes the majority of Geelong’s kick-ins, giving him an additional points boost each game.
With the extended break, teammate Mitch Duncan is another likely inclusion for the Cats on Monday after missing just one match with a hamstring injury.
After finishing with 13 points to his name against the Swans in Round 6 and a breakeven of 200, like Stewart, Duncan will present plenty of KFC SuperCoach value over the next two weeks.
ROOKIES LEFT ON THE OUTER
Rookie trio Justin McInerney, Jarrod Brander and Tom Green have all been left on the outer, the most alarming of those being McInerney.
The young Swan failed to earn a reprieve despite three forced changes, including midfielder George Hewett, while stars Isaac Heeney and Josh P. Kennedy remain on the sidelines.
It may be time to trade out McInerney, who hasn’t been named as an emergency either.
Meanwhile, Brander isn’t among the Eagles’ extended squad for their match on Sunday which is a worrying sign for owners.
In better rookie news, Round 1 Power debutant Mitch Georgiades ($130,800) has been named for his second game and holds a low break even after his 78-point total in his first game.
FORGOTTEN RUCK CHEAPIE RETURNS
Forgotten big man Keegan Brooksby ($117,300, RUCK) will make his Hawks debut and play his first AFL game since Round 23, 2017 for the Gold Coast Suns.
Since then he was picked up by the Eagles, failing to play a game before being picked up by Hawthorn during the supplemental selection period.
He has been named at centre-half-forward but expect him to give Ben McEvoy a chop out in the ruck.
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ANOTHER DOG DEBUT
Midfielder Cal Porter ($123,900, MID) will become the fifth Bulldog debutant this season against Gold Coast on Thursday night and is worth keeping a close eye on.
As well as being the club’s resident jokester, Porter averaged some promising numbers in the VFL last season, racking up 17 touches, nine contested possessions and 83 SuperCoach points per game.
His role in the Dogs side tonight is unclear but he may fill the void of Lachie Hunter (personal reasons) or spend some time in the centre square
Porter has worked hard for his opportunity, made to wait until his third season to get his first crack, which could make him a more reliable rookie scorer than recent draftees.
If he gets midfield action he could prove to be a solid downgrade option next week for the likes of Justin McInerney, Connor Budarick or Tyler Brown.
ROUND 8 CAPTAINS WITH THE PHANTOM
With Brodie Grundy, Max Gawn and Lachie Neale all in action on Sunday afternoon, many KFC SuperCoaches went with Western Bulldogs star Jack Macrae as VC on Thursday night.
And what a move it turned out to be.
The ball-magnet tallied 27 disposals and 169 KFC SuperCoach points - both game-highs - in the five-point win over the Suns.
But is it enough to overlook Gawn against a Lions ruck brigade which will be without Stefan Martin?
Yes, it is.
Given his extraordinary form - and the opponent - it’s very likely Gawn equals, if not passes, Macrae’s 169-point mark. But even if he were to put in a monster performance and post a KFC SuperCoach double-ton, you’re only losing out on 31 points.
The gain is not worth the risk - anything can happen. Bank the 338 points and be happy.
If you’re still looking for a early-round VC option, given the Sunday squeeze, there are a few to consider.
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VC OPTIONS
Nick Haynes (GWS)
V Richmond, Friday night
This could be the one. Richmond have been conceding plenty of KFC SuperCoach points to defenders this year. In Round 6, Swan Callum Mills tallied 173 points on the back of 15 intercept possessions – the most of any player in any match this season. And only eight achieved the feat in standard quarters last year. Haynes ranks first in the competition for intercept marks and third for total intercept possessions. And he averages 121 points in GWS wins this year. Don’t worry about last week’s season-low 75 points, the Charlie Cameron match-up wasn’t good for anyone.
Round 7 v North Melbourne
Marley Williams 105
Robbie Tarrant 107
Round 6 v Sydney
Callum Mills 173
Jake Lloyd 102
Round 5 v Melbourne
Michael Hibberd 103
Steven May 118
Round 4 v St Kilda
Hunter Clark 90
Ben Long 91
Round 3 v Hawthorn
James Sicily 128
Blake Hardwick 101
Round 2 v Collingwood
Jeremy Howe 126
Jack Crisp 108
Brayden Maynard 105
Round 1 v Carlton
Sam Docherty 117
Sam Petrevski-Seton 113
Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
V Richmond, Friday night
With the Giants looking to improve their stagnant ball-movement and transition from defence, coach Leon Cameron hinted this week Whitfield will again be used back there at times against the Tigers. And given the numbers above, the 26-year-old, who is coming off back-to-back KFC SuperCoach tons, could have a field day at home.
Todd Goldstein (NM)
V Carlton, Saturday
Peter Ladhams, the six-game Port Adelaide ruckman, had 21 disposals and 80 KFC SuperCoach points on Carlton’s Marc Pittonet last week. Todd Goldstein could go huge on Saturday.
Jake Lloyd (Syd)
V Hawthorn, Saturday
After that 77-point performance in Round 1, the Sydney playmaker has recorded six consecutive KFC SuperCoach tons. And he’s posted scores of 105, 130 and 149 in his past three against the Hawks.
James Sicily (Haw)
V Sydney, Saturday
Should we talk about Sicily’s last performance against the Swans at the SCG? Absolutely not. It was the night the KFC SuperCoach world went into meltdown after Sicily spent the game forward and finished with 40 points. Anyway. Forget that. Following scores of 132 and 149 at his intercepting-best in the past two weeks, that’s unlikely to happen in Round 8. Sam Reid looks set to return for the Sydney but, otherwise, Sicily should control the air on Saturday afternoon.
Jack Steele (StK)
V Port Adelaide, Saturday night
The breakout Saint was huge against the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Monday night, tallying 26 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 13 clearances and a career-high 162 KFC SuperCoach points. And he’s back at the same venue against the Power in Round 8.
THE C
Brodie Grundy (Coll)
V West Coast, Sunday
In his last head-to-head battle with Nic Naitanui, who had support from Tom Hickey, Grundy finished with 22 disposals, 31 hit-outs, 12 contested possessions and a game-high 137 points. And, including that game in Round 19 last year, the Collingwood big man has posted scores of 141, 137 and 150 in his past three at Optus Stadium. The question isn’t will he score well but more so will he outscore Gawn and Neale? But if you’ve got young Demon Trent Rivers on your bench, and he doesn’t play, you could squeeze Grundy in as VC, if you’re on top of things on Sunday.
Max Gawn (Melb)
V Brisbane, Sunday
The star ruckman has struggled in his past three against the Lions, finishing with scores of 46, 87 and 78. But the 46-point score in Round 15 last year was a result of an early injury. And there will be no Stefan Martin this time. Instead, Gawn is likely to be up against the duo of Archie Smith and Oscar McInerney. But it really doesn’t matter who it is, with a 166-point five-game average, no one is on the same level as Gawn. If you’ve got him, he’s your captain. Unless, of course, you’ve went with Macrae as VC.
Lachie Neale (Bris)
V Melbourne, Sunday
If you don’t have Gawn, Neale is your man. Dating back to 2013, his second year in the competition, the Brownlow Medal favourite has gone 137, 78, 140, 123, 118, 145, 124 and 113 in his past eight encounters with the Demons. And, unlike Matt de Boer last week, there shouldn’t be a tag coming his way on Sunday.
THE PHANTOM’S CALL
I went with my boy Hugh Greenwood as VC on Thursday night but that didn’t work out. So, at this stage, I’m leaning towards Lachie Neale.
BY THE NUMBERS
Jack Macrae (WB) 145
Brodie Grundy (Coll) 137
Jake Lloyd (Syd) 128
Dayne Zorko (Bris) 125
Tim Taranto (GWS) 121
Lachie Neale (Bris) 118
Luke Parker (Syd) 117
Taylor Adams (Coll) 117
Clayton Oliver (Melb) 116
Brodie Smith (Adel) 115
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Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Round 8 late mail: All the team news, rookie verdicts and last-minute trade advice
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