KFC SuperCoach 2020: Who’s up, who’s down and what to watch for in Week Two of the Marsh Community Series
In the first week of the Marsh Series, a number of players improved their standing in KFC SuperCoach. But a few went the other way. The Phantom looks at who’s up, who’s down and what to watch for in Week 2.
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Marsh Series Standouts: Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards
- The Phantom’s Top 10 cash cows for 2020
In the first edition of the Marsh Series KFC SuperCoach stock take, The Phantom looks at who’s up, who’s down and what to watch for in Week 2.
GOING UP
AARON VANDENBERG (Melb)
$248,000, Fwd-Mid
Score: 100 points
The 27-year-old’s 100-point performance, on the back of 19 disposals, eight contested possessions and five tackles, not only confirmed his place in Melbourne’s side, it also confirmed his status as a genuine SuperCoach option at the price, despite past injury issues.
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA (Melb)
$441,300, Fwd
Score: 188 points
The benefits of a big pre-season showed as Petracca dominated through the middle against the Crows.
With coach Simon Goodwin declaring the 24-year-old’s fitness is at “a point where he can do what he’s doing now”, the permanent midfield role might finally become a reality in 2020.
On the up, sure, but his SuperCoach stocks are still shaky.
QUINTON NARKLE (Geel)
$396,600, Mid
Score: 113 points
Narkle’s impressive 26-disposal, 10-clearance display keeps him right in the mix to help fill the void left by Tim Kelly and, if the 22-year-old is given more opportunity this year, SuperCoaches – especially in the draft format – must take him seriously.
The skilful midfielder posted scores of 123, 56 and 143 in his three home-and-away matches last year, highlighting his scoring potential.
DAMON GREAVES (Haw)
$123,900, Def
Score: 77 points
The rookie-listed Hawk, who went at 74 per cent by foot in 18 VFL games last year, has shot up the SuperCoach cash cow watch-list after tallying 19 disposals, a team-high eight rebound 50s and 77 points against the Saints.
Keep in mind James Sicily wasn’t playing but, in another positive, Greaves also took a number of Hawthorn’s kick-ins.
LACHIE WELLER (GC)
$481,100, Def
Score: 75 points
Weller added 14 points to his SuperCoach average as a running defender last year, so he should’ve already been on your radar prior to the clash with the Cats.
But, now, after attending the second-most centre bounces for the Suns – in 48 per cent game-time – confirming his permanent midfield role in 2020, he should be firmly in your sights.
GOING DOWN
Callum Ah Chee (Bris)
$311,700, Mid
Score: 42
Despite his talent, the former Sun needed a big performance in his first appearance as a Lion to convince SuperCoaches he’s worth the $300k price-tag as a midfielder-only.
But just 10 disposals in 84 per cent game-time suggests he isn’t.
Cooper Stephens (Geel)
$139,800, Mid
Score: 21
The strongly-built teenager who has impressed on the track over summer struggled to have an impact against the Suns, despite attending eight centre bounces.
Stephens finished with 10 disposals and five contested possessions, but seven clangers severely hurt his score.
The return of skipper Joel Selwood for the final Marsh Series match against the Bombers puts Stephens’ place in jeopardy.
Jeremy Sharp (GC)
$117,300, Mid
Score: 16
After an impressive performance in the practice match against the Lions a week earlier, the WA running machine started on the bench against the Cats.
And while he tallied nine disposals, one goal and 311 metres gained in the second-half, there looks to be a few ahead of him for a Round 1 spot on the wing.
Cam Rayner (Bris)
$251,800, Fwd
Score: 60
The No. 1 pick from the 2017 draft, who has played every possible game in his time at Brisbane, is leaner after a standout summer but, with the strength of the Lions midfield, is still likely to spend most of his time forward in 2020.
And while his scoring – and ability to impact the game consistently – should improve, his performance against the Power, which saw the powerful 20-year-old attend three centre bounces, wasn’t convincing enough for SuperCoaches.
Tobin Cox (Port)
$123,900, Fwd
Score: 24
After improving his endurance and high-speed running considerably this pre-season, the 20-year-old forward is in the mix to help fill the void left by Sam Gray this year.
But Cox, who booted 30 goals in 15 SANFL games in 2019, struggled against the Lions, finishing with just two handballs in 62 per cent game-time.
WEEK 2 WATCHLIST
West Coast v Essendon (Lathlain), Thursday 7.40pm
GWS v Sydney (Blacktown), Saturday 4.10pm
Fremantle v Carlton (Mandurah), Saturday 7.10pm
Richmond v Collingwood (Wangaratta), Sunday 4.10pm
* All times AEDT
* All games live on Fox Footy
West Coast v Essendon
West Coast
Tim Kelly (Mid, $561,800)
The star recruit posted 12 SuperCoach tons and booted 24 goals from the midfield last season and he now has a star ruckman to work with.
Monitor how he fits into the Eagles’ structure.
Jarrod Brander (Fwd-Def, $133,000)
The versatile 20-year-old, who is still rookie-price – and dual-position – heading into his third year has been named at centre half-forward in the absence of Jack Darling and Oscar Allen.
But he impressed on a wing in the recent intra-club and that’s where SuperCoaches want to see him.
Nic Naitanui (Ruck $457,800)
It’s great to see the star big man named in the Eagles’ first official hitout of the pre-season but, in what now might be the norm, watch to see how his game-time is managed.
Anthony Treacy (Fwd $112,900)
With no Jarrod Cameron, who is tipped to step up in the absence of Willie Rioli, Treacy, an exciting mature-age forward from the WAFL, get his chance.
ESSENDON
Devon Smith (Fwd-Mid, $335,800)
The 12th-most popular player in SuperCoach, who averaged 98 points per game in his first year at the Bombers in 2018, gets his chance to show what an interrupted pre-season can do. Keep an eye on his centre bounce numbers.
Jacob Townsend (Fwd, $222,900)
Will the premiership Tiger, who played 20 games in four years at Punt Road, become more than just a role player at the Bombers?
The pre-season talk suggests he might.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Def $189,000)
The 21-year-old, who scored 58 SuperCoach points in his one – and only – AFL game last year, was the No. 1 player for intercept possessions in the VFL over the past two seasons. And the 195cm defender is set to benefit from the Bombers’ injury crisis.
Will his scoring justify the elevated price tag?
Darcy Parish (Fwd-Mid $465,400)
Added six points to his SuperCoach average last year and, as a three-game stretch mid-year – which featured scores of 137, 129 and 110 – proves, Parish has terrific scoring potential.
Will he see even more midfield time in 2020?
The same can be asked of 2016’s No. 1 draft pick Andrew McGrath ($399,400 Mid).
Andrew Phillips (Ruck $403,100)
With Tom Bellchambers sidelined after recent knee surgery, the former Blue has emerged as the man to lead Essendon in the ruck.
And the 28-year-old has proven he can score as a No. 1 ruckman, averaging 93 points in the five games he played last season.
Phillps gets a great challenge first-up.
Cian McBride (Def $102,400)
The development of the 195cm Irish speedster has surprised many at the Bombers over summer and the 18-year-old gets an early chance in the absence of a number of experience teammates.
GWS v Sydney
GWS
Lachie Ash ($193,800 Def-Mid)
The Giants’ top pick from last year’s draft averaged 22 disposals and 102 for Vic Country at the national carnival and 129 points per game in the NAB League. Ash’s standout ability to break the game open from halfback has the 18-year-old, who has been named on a wing, in line for a Round 1 debut.
Jackson Hately ($301,600 Mid)
The first-round pick impressed, despite limited opportunity in a stacked Giants midfield, in his debut season. Can he force Leon Cameron to pick him in 2020?
Jye Caldwell ($190,100 Mid)
After overcoming injury last year, the classy midfielder finished with 73 SuperCoach points on debut in Round 21. Like Hately, he gets an early opportunity in the absence of a number of star teammates.
Sam Jacobs ($348,400 Ruck)
The former Crow, who tallied 25 hit-outs-to-advantage and 125 points in his last game, will lead the Giants’ ruck brigade against the Swans with Shane Mumford sitting out.
Tom Green ($166,800 Mid)
Don’t be surprised to see the Academy gun, who is built for SuperCoach and could develop into a Patrick Cripps-like midfielder, score well on Saturday. But can he hold his place?
SYDNEY
Dylan Stephens ($189,300 Mid)
Stephens’ running ability and damaging left-foot has turned heads over summer and he’s doing all the right things to be there in Round 1. Look for his dash through the middle on Saturday.
Jordan Dawson ($467,800, Def-Fwd)
The 22-year-old, who scored 93 points or more in six of the final nine matches of last year playing across halfback, has been one of the standouts on track in Sydney, spending most of his time with the defenders. Dawson has been named on wing but expect him to drift back and help the Swans launch from their own half.
James Rowbottom ($337,600 Fwd-Mid)
Keep an eye on the 19-year-old, who played 12 impressive matches in his debut season – which included a 99-point performance in his fifth game – as he takes on more midfield responsibility this year.
Will Gould ($117,300 Def)
Gould, who delivered with precision from the back-half in the SANFL last season, will have no trouble with the step-up as he slots into a Sydney defence which will be without Callum Mills and Jake Lloyd on Saturday. You might soon be asking yourself how old this kid is.
Chad Warner ($117,300 Mid)
The midfielder with a huge appetite for the contest, who averaged 156 SuperCoach points per game at WAFL Colts level in 2019, gets his chance to make an early case.
Fremantle v Carlton
FREMANTLE
Andrew Brayshaw ($382,800, Fwd-Mid)
Brayshaw added 10 points to his SuperCoach average last season and he might do similar in 2020 as a significant midfield role awaits. The 20-year-old dominated the centre square in the intra-club, can he do it against the Blues in the absence of skipper Nat Fyfe?
Blake Acres ($384,000, Fwd-Mid)
The former Saint looks set to cement a role at the Docker this year – something he couldn’t do in his six years at the Saints – and it’s likely to be a SuperCoach-friendly one.
Caleb Serong ($175,800, Mid)
After a standout performance in the intra-club match, the 18-year-old, who has drawn comparison to Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray, is in the mix for a Round 1 debut.
Sam Sturt ($123,900 Fwd)
The development of the athletic forward, who booted three goals in his final WAFL match last season, has been rapid over summer and it looks as if he’ll be given every opportunity in the pre-season competition.
Michael Frederick ($117,300 Fwd)
Frederick, a skilful wingman, was a late draft bolter after winning the Alan Stewart Medal as best afield in the SANFL under-18 grand final last year. And his rise at the Dockers over summer has been just as swift with the 18-year-old now a strong chance to see early-season action.
Brett Bewley ($252,700 Fwd)
The mature-age wingman struggled to have an impact in his first season at the Dockers but there appears to be more opportunity for him under Justin Longmuir. And he’s been a standout on the track.
CARLTON
S am Docherty ($436,100 Def)
The co-captain will play his first official game in 917 days on Saturday so if the standout mid-price option in defence gets through – and gets a few kicks – SuperCoaches should be happy.
J ack Martin ($420,800 Fwd-Mid)
Is this the year it all comes together for the talented 24-year-old? We’ll know more about his role in his new side after the clash with the Dockers.
Tom Williamson ($146,300 Def)
The injury-plagued defender, who has made just two senior appearances since his impressive debut season of 2017, was one of Carlton’s best in the practice match against the Magpies earlier this month. Can he do it again in week two of the Marsh Series?
Sam Walsh ($471,900 Mid)
Just how good can the teenage sensation be in his second-year?
Richmond v Collingwood
RICHMOND
Patrick Naish ($236,200 Mid)
The 21-year-old broke through for his first senior game last year, tallying 20 disposals and 78 SuperCoach points on debut against the Cats. Richmond’s best-22 won’t be any easier to break into this season but Naish’s run-and-carry will appeal to Damian Hardwick after Brandon Ellis’ departure.
Rile y Collier-Dawkins ($123,900 Mid)
The 190cm midfielder, who boasts terrific speed away from the contested, was one of Richmond’s best in last year’s VFL grand final, finishing with 15 disposals, nine contested possessions, six tackles and two goals. And he’s added 7kg to his frame over summer as he marches towards a senior debut.
Marlion Pickett ($123,900 Mid)
I’m just excited to see him in action again.
Dion Prestia ($550,200 Mid)
Can the midfield star carry his late-season form into 2020 and become a true SuperCoach premium?
COLLINGWOOD
Jordan De Goey ($473,800 Fwd)
After another interrupted pre-season, with Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom playing in the Bushfire Relief match, how much midfield time will the Magpies gun see against the Tigers?
Darcy Cameron ($123,900 Ruck-Fwd)
With no Brodie Grundy, what can the 24-year-old, who made just one senior appearances in his time at the Swans, produce as the Magpies’ No. 1 ruckman? Watch how the 205cm big man goes inside-50, too, as it’s there where he will need to have an impact to earn a Round 1 spot.
Tyler Brown ($123,900 Mid)
The 20-year-old won 57 per cent of his possession in a contest in the VFL last year and is pushing hard for a senior debut in his third season.
Nathan Murphy ($123,900 Def)
Injury restricted the classy 20-year-old defender to just three VFL appearances last season but in his final game, Murphy tallied 20 disposals, seven intercepts – four of them marks. He’s a Round 1 smoky.
Trent Bianco ($117,300, Def-Mid)
Bianco, who captain Oakleigh Chargers in 2019, is smart with ball in hand and uses it well on both sides of his body, averaging 119 points per game at Under-18 level.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2020: Who’s up, who’s down and what to watch for in Week Two of the Marsh Community Series
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