Rookie ratings: KFC SuperCoach rookies you must buy ahead of Round 3

Don’t miss the boat! A host of KFC SuperCoach rookies will shoot up in price after their next game, but you can only get two. And the experts are split on who is the number one priority.

The rookies to target ahead of Round 3. Picture: Getty Images

End of financial year sales have come early for KFC SuperCoaches with a host of cheap rookie options on offer.

However, unless you took the punt on a couple of cheapies last week with your five trades, it’ll be impossible to nab them all.

Prices rise for rookies after just two games this year – prized youngster Matt Rowell topping the charts in Round 2, netting owners a mammoth $97,500 profit – meaning SuperCoaches have to make tough calls on players once they’ve played just one match.

Another thing to be aware of is that rookies will generally have a more significant rise in price after their third game than their second.

Despite prices fluctuating after a player’s second game, SuperCoach is continuing to use a three-round rolling average to calculate prices.

After a player’s second game, the third score used will be based on the previous season average score that each player was priced at.

For rookies at $123,900, that ‘previous season average score’ is 23.

It means a rookie like Curtis Taylor, who generated close to $50,000 after averaging 78.5 in his first two games in 2020, will enjoy a much more significant appreciation if he records another score in the 70s.

Matt Rowell recorded an insane 171-point total.

Before we get to the Round 3 bubble boys, those among the 27 per cent of teams who overlooked Rowell MUST buy him this week.

The second gamer’s brilliant 171-point total will be in his rolling average for the next three weeks, projected to rise to more than $460,000 by the end of Round 4. Not only will he give you significant cash, this Herculean effort indicates his scoring could match that of a premium.

These are the top 10 rookies on offer ahead of the third round, ranked in order of priority.

Scoring 171 KFC #SuperCoach points is an outrageous achievement.

Matt Rowell has done it in his second game ⭐️💪 pic.twitter.com/PuBtOhYUs8

— SuperCoach AFL (@Supercoach) June 13, 2020

DAN BATTEN’S TOP 10 R3 ROOKIES

1. Sam Sturt - Fremantle ($123,900, FWD)

Average: 100 (1 game), BE: -53

Fremantle sent SuperCoach plans into disarray when they ruled out Sam Sturt – who had been progressing well despite a back complaint – with injury. The Round 1 Rising Star nominee has been recalled and he shapes as a no-brainer given his break-even is the highest of those yet to rise in price. Don’t be expecting his Round 1 output every week though – he recorded two sub-50 scores in the Marsh Series.

2. Harley Bennell - Melbourne ($117,300, MID)

Average: 59 BE: -12

We know the talent Harley Bennell possesses and he showcased just that it in his short-and-sweet comeback, scoring 59 points from just 50 per cent gametime. Will his time-on-ground increase in Round 3 or will they continue to ease him into it? If you’re tossing up between one of Sturt or Bennell, go with Sturt, as Melbourne are set to be as cautious as possible with the injury-riddled speedster – you can always pick him up for $150,000 next week.

Harley Bennell was eased back in his comeback game. Picture: Getty Images

3. Marc Pittonet - Carlton ($236,200, RUCK)

Average: 134 (1 game) BE: -44

While Max Gawn dominated early, Blues debutant Marc Pittonet fought back admirably, posting a whopping 134 points off the back of 10 hit-outs to advantage. Pittonet has a permanent spot as Carlton’s number one ruckman with Matthew Kreuzer sidelined indefinitely and his next two opponents – inconsistent big man Rhys Stanley and Tom Bellchambers – are favourable. This score was no fluke either, averaging 119 points (2019) and 108 points (2018) over the past two seasons in the VFL. If you have cash to splash he looms as an third ruck candidate who could rival Reilly O’Brien’s 2019 exploits.

4. Trent Rivers - Melbourne ($117,300, DEF/MID)

Average: 62 (1 game) BE: -18

I has Trent Rivers ranked in the No.1 spot earlier in the week but the emergence of rookie defenders Stephen Hill and Lachie Ash reduces his value. Coaches who went a week early on the lone defensive rookie candidate were rewarded with a solid debut score from the running defender. Rivers should keep overlooked defender Michael Hibberd at bay for now and his dual-position flexibility is a plus.

Trent Rives is one of the top rookies to target ahead of Round 3. Picture: Getty Images

Marc Pittonet’s ($236k) 134 #SuperCoach points up against Gawn was no mean feat.

-Had 10 hitouts to advantage (43% of his 23)
-Averaged 114 (2019) and 108 (2018) in the VFL
-Faces Stanley and Bellchambers in his next two

With Kreuzer sidelined, he could be ROB 2.0.

— Dan Batten (@danbatten_) June 14, 2020

5. . Stephen Hil ($190,600, DEF/FWD)

Average: N/A

The moment we have all been waiting for! Stephen Hill, who has played just 21 games in the last two seasons due to persistent soft tissue injuries, will return to the Dockers side this weekend. The 30-year-old is likely to combine reliable scoring with promising cash generation, but it could be worth waiting a week given his injury woes.

6. Darcy Cameron - Collingwood ($123,900, FWD/RUCK)

Average: 73 BE: -26

A familiar name in rookie circles, Darcy Cameron took his opportunity at his new club with both hands – literally. Cameron clunked three contested marks on his way to a promising 73 point score and has kept Mason Cox on the outer for at least another week. However, one bad game could see him ousted for the American giant, so be wary.

7.Thomas Berry - Brisbane ($123,900, FWD)

Average: 58 BE: -11

Regularly linking up with his older brother Jarrod through the middle, Thomas Berry showed glimpses in his debut. That was until his courageous mark up forward late in the match against Fremantle, unable to convert with the set shot. Berry did enough to earn another senior game but, like Cameron, his job security is shaky.

8. Jye Caldwell - GWS ($190,100, MID)

Average: 73 BE: -1

Injury and GWS’ midfield kept first round draftee Jye Caldwell to just two games in his debut season but his performance on Sunday showed he can add something different to their mix. Caldwell was on 56 points at half-time before fading late when North Melbourne controlled the game, finishing on 73 points –from just 46 per cent time-on-ground. His high price is somewhat off-putting but he shapes as a reliable on-field scorer.

9. Ned McHenry - Adelaide ($123,900, MID)

Average: 34 BE: 13

There’s no shortage of confidence in this feisty character, regularly getting in the face of the opposition in his debut – both verbally and physically. McHenry tallied 12 touches and kicked two behinds in a tough game for a small forward, his score hindered by three frees against. Expect him to hold onto his spot with Tyson Stengle suspended for another three matches, and he should get a better run at it against Gold Coast this week.

Ned McHenry made his debut against the Picture: Sarah Reed

10. Hayden Young - Fremantle ($180,300, DEF)

Average: 41 BE: 28

The No.7 selection in the 2019 draft was a late-inclusion for the Dockers and didn’t set the world on fire, finishing with 11 touches, three tackles and 41 points. Young has showed SuperCoach potential at junior level, averaged 22 disposals and 107 points at the under-18 national championships last year, and will be a SuperCoach star in time. But it’s difficult to mount a case to bring in the interceptor at an inflated price — especially with Nathan Wilson left out this week — with job security a concern.

TIM MICHELL’S TOP 10 R3 ROOKIES

1. Harley Bennell

2. Trent Rivers

3. Marc Pittonet

4. Stephen Hill

5. Darcy Cameron

6. Sam Sturt

7. Jye Caldwell

8. Jack Lukosius

9. Lin Jong

10. Lachie Ash

Tim’s view: Hard to ignore a player of Bennell’s ability after he scored 59 points in 50 per cent game time against Carlton. Rivers was very impressive on debut and I like the idea of being able to use his DPP to swing Brandon Starcevich into midfield if needed. Pittonet exceeded all expectations with 134 against Gawn but the obvious question mark is whether his scoring will be sustainable. I’d have ranked Caldwell ahead of Sturt based on scoring potential but he’s $70,000 more. I’m still wary of Sturt based on two Marsh Series scores below 40. Thomas Berry and Ned McHenry dropped out of my initial list for Stephen Hill and Lachie Ash. Hill’s durability is a huge worry but his DEF-FWD DPP could be very important if you pick him at the opposite end to Jarrod Brander. If he stays fit, Hill should average 80+ and be a valuable cash cow. Ash was the No.4 pick in last year’s draft but only sneaks in due to questionable job security and a high price tag.

Jye Caldwell fared well in Round 2. Picture: Getty Images

MORE EXPERT ADVICE:

KFC SuperCoach Round 3 trade guide: Todd Goldstein joins Brodie Grundy, Max Gawn in elite ruck bracket

KFC SuperCoach Round 2 rage trades: Big guns in firing line after slow starts to 2020

KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom’s Round 2 review and Round 3 trade tips

ROOKIES WHO HAVE PLAYED TWO GAMES

Besides the aforementioned Matt Rowell, there are a host of rookies who have already appreciated that you shouldn’t miss out on. In the case of Rowell, Taylor and perhaps Brandon Starcevich – who burst out of the blocks with a score of 99 on the weekend – you should look to prioritise them over those on the bubble before they are too far out of reach.

IF YOU MISSED OUT, JUMP ON…

Matt Rowell ($284,900, MID) BE: -91

Curtis Taylor ($173,400, FWD) BE: -59

Max King ($156,300, FWD) BE: -31

Connor Budarick ($136,400, FWD/MID) BE: -29

Brandon Starcevich ($179,700, DEF/MID) BE: -26

It wasn't just Hilly and Hogan. A number of young Dockers showed promising signs in a reserves clash with the Lions #foreverfreo

— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) June 13, 2020

Originally published as Rookie ratings: KFC SuperCoach rookies you must buy ahead of Round 3