KFC SuperCoach 2022: Gilbert Gardiner reveals his early team, seven must-have starters

Gilbert Gardiner predicted the rise of Changkuoth Jiath in KFC SuperCoach last year. And he’s tipping another big surprise in 2022. See his seven must-have starters.

Gilbert Gardiner

@gilbertgardiner

4 min read

January 29, 2022 - 1:51PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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Every KFC SuperCoach team needs rock-solid foundations, and a touch of flair.

You won’t get far if the foundations are rotten, but selecting the same players as last year – or the same players as everyone else – won’t get you close to the $50,000 grand prize either.

You need to be prepared to take a risk, like I did last year when I named little-known Hawk Changkuoth Jiath in my KFC SuperCoach must-haves in early January. I don’t need to remind you Jiath was one of the finds of 2021, posting 100-plus scores in three of his first four games and spiking in value by more than $170,000.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE GILBERT’S FIRST 2022 TEAM

Those are the kinds of finds that can set up your entire SuperCoach season. Who will be the Jiath of 2022? Here are my seven must-haves for this season.

Max Gawn $657,400 RUC

Not Robinson Crusoe here but Gawn should really be the No.1 ruckman in every single KFC SuperCoach team. The premiership captain scores like no other big man in the competition, while his knack of rolling forward or back in the big moments makes for boosted totals (and eases any worries about Luke Jackson taking a few more centre bounces). Gawn, who has averaged 120-plus the past four seasons, raised the bat in 11 of the first 13 games last year, including mammoth 172 and 163 totals, and scored 159 in two of his last four games alongside an in-form Jackson.

Caleb Daniel $510,900 DEF

If only cryptocurrencies were this reliable. While unlikely to whip SuperCoach bean counters into a frenzy with massive scores, the diminutive Bulldog will punch out 90s on a regular basis, making for stress-free weekends. Averaged 99, 103 and 94 the past three seasons and short of injury the polished Bulldog should continue the streak in 2022.

Bulldog Caleb Daniel is set for another big KFC SuperCoach season. Picture: Michael Klein

Greg Clark $117,300 MID

Greg Clark sounds more like your parent’s accountant but good luck finding a hungrier AFL player in 2022. The 24-year-old, taken with pick 62 in the draft by West Coast, was overlooked for six years. He starred with Subiaco last year, culminating in best-afield honours in the WAFL grand final. Mature-aged midfielders are worth their weight in gold in fantasy land.

Luke Davies-Uniacke $462,100 MID

Get on now because LDU will never be this cheap again. The fifth-year Roo showed mixed form early last season but finished with a wet sail, posting six 90-plus scores in the last 11 games. The inside/outside midfielder, taken with pick No.4 in the 2017 draft, will not only be one of the most improved players in 2022 but one of the best. Dare I say it but ... All-Australian top 40 selection?

Luke Davies-Uniacke is a prime KFC SuperCoach breakout candidate. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Keidean Coleman could be a surprise packet. Picture: Tara Croser

Keidean Coleman $263,200 DEF/FWD

Brisbane has been a tough team to crack into the past few seasons but Coleman did so with aplomb last year after switching into the backline. Coleman scored 87 in the last home-and-away game of the season from only 14 disposals and five marks, then 90 the next week against the Dees in the qualifying final from 18 touches. Would like to see him get a bit more of the ball in 2022 but having earned the trust of the team and coaches, the sky is the limit for KC.

Elijah Hollands $123,900 MID/FWD

Despite not playing at any level last year – a combination of coming back from a knee reconstruction and Covid’s impact on state league play – the highly-rated youngster has the benefit of a full year in the gym and AFL environment. The son of form Tiger Ben Hollands should get every opportunity to blossom in Stuart Dew’s team this season.

Elijah Hollands (left) was taken at pick 7 in the 2020 draft. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Tom Powell $368,500 MID/FWD

Sam Walsh clone? Setting a decent bar for the slight but silky Kangaroo, who entered the Rising Star conversation last year. Will be better for the experience and primed to make the most of North Melbourne’s regeneration. Played the first 13 games last year – including scores of 101, 97 and 96 – before soreness led to the ball-winning Roo being wrapped in cotton wool with an eye on 2022 and beyond. Don’t forget the Champion Data favourite scored over 200 SuperCoach points in a game twice in the SA juniors before he was drafted.

Gilbert’s Guidance: First 2022 team reveal

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a (silver) sixpence in her shoe.

Whoever came up with the traditional wedding saying was the inspiration for Gilbert’s Guidance this year.

Jack Ziebell and Max Gawn are the only 30-year-olds in my 2022 SuperCoach team (first draft and subject to change).

Midfielders Jackson Hately (Giants to Crows) and Will Brodie (Suns to Dockers) lead the “borrowed” crew.

Former Fremantle ace Adam Cerra could relate to the aforementioned but as the sole Carlton entry, he gets the “something blue” tag instead.

A distinct lack of silver foxes within Gilbert’s Guidance ranks – owing to game plan shift in 2022 to give the kids a go after disappointing 2020-21 seasons – leaves the lucky sixpence for James Sicily after the Hawthorn star and firebrand missed last year with injury.

Luke Jackson has enormous potential. Picture: Michael Klein

All jokes aside, Caleb Daniel, Jack Macrae, Jack Steele, Max Gawn and Mitch Duncan are blue chip selections.

Josh Dunkley’s price and DPP status appealed to the selectors, while I’m very bullish about Luke Davies-Uniacke in 2022.

Thought long and hard about spending up big in the ruck department but short of Max Gawn wasn’t able to trust anyone but the skipper’s teammate Luke Jackson. See if we can’t make some money early and then pick the form ruckman in the second half of the season.

Keidean Coleman finished last season strongly for the Lions and looks to be on an upward trajectory.

Look forward to the running commentary on Jason Horne-Francis and Nick Daicos this season, but will also keep an eye on mature-aged recruits Garrett McDonagh and Greg Clark in the pre-season competition.

DEFENDERS

Jack Ziebell $585,800

Caleb Daniel $510,900

James Sicily $448,100

Will Day $345,700

Keidean Coleman $263,200 DEF/FWD

Leek Aleer $144,300

Tom Brown $135,300

Garrett McDonagh $117,300

MIDFIELDERS

Jack Macrae $699,900

Jack Steele $685,800