KFC SuperCoach 2022: The must-have cheapies before round 3 price changes

Expensive cheapies are the path to success in KFC SuperCoach in 2022 and a Kangaroos big man could be the best of the lot. See who you need in your team this week.

Last week it looked to be the year of the forward rookie in KFC SuperCoach, but after two rounds it is clear the expensive cash cow is in vogue.

There’s a common theme among the lowest Break Evens for rookie priced players, with only three of the top 15 cheapies priced at $123,900 or under.

That trio is concreter turned cash cow Jack Hayes, Covid-hit Bomber Nic Martin and first-year Hawk Connor MacDonald.

Meanwhile, the plethora of bargain options has seen rookies take a back seat ahead of round 3, when they are generally the talk of the town.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have rookies on your radar this week.

Connor MacDonald is one of a few cheap rookies on the bubble Picture: Getty Images

While jumping on that red-hot mid-pricer may seem like the best move, it is important to remember that cash is king in this game.

This week is the perfect time to jump on any cash cows you may have missed and to dump the dead wood who won’t make us cash before round 3 price changes.

For those new to the game, a Break Even is the score a player needs to maintain their value So, the lower the Break Even, the more cash the rookie is expected to make your side.

Here’s who you need to buy, sell and hold.

MUST-HAVES

Jack Hayes (StK) $102,400 FWD/RUC | Ave: 97.5 | BE: -135

Tristan Xerri (NM) $208,200 FWD | Ave: 99.5 | BE: -77

Josh Rachele (Adel) $184,800 FWD/MID | Ave: 88 | BE: -68

Dylan Stephens (Syd) $167,800 MID (Syd) | Ave: 77 | BE: -56

Paddy McCartin (Syd) $157,800 DEF/FWD | Ave: 75 BE:-58

Jason Horne-Francis (NM) $207,300 MID | Ave: 86.5 | -52

Nick Daicos (Coll) $193,800 MID | Ave: 75.5 BE: -38

Mitch Hinge (Adel) $180,900 | Ave: 67 | BE: -28

If you don’t own any of these players, they should be top of your shopping list. All have rock-solid job security and look to be reliable on-field scorers.

The returning Paddy Ryder looms large for Hayes, but he is your first point of call if you overlooked him in your starting side. He is projected to rise more than $100k this week and standing at 193cm, the ruck-forward should be able to play in the same team as Ryder – he certainly couldn’t be dropped on form.

The dearth of defensive rookies around makes McCartin and Hinge a high priority ahead of round 3. McCartin has flourished in defence at the Swans, averaging 7.5 intercepts and 5.5 intercept marks, while Hinge’s job security appears as rock-solid as his on-field scoring after 16 touches and a goal against Collingwood.

Jack Hayes has the lowest Break Even in KFC SuperCoach. Picture: Getty Images

Tristan Xerri is being groomed as the Kangaroos’ No1 ruckman. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Similarly, the lack of midfield options besides Horne-Francis and Daicos enhances Stephens’ worth after a 95-point outing on the weekend. I underestimated his scoring potential in the pre-season, with his efficient ball-use giving him the capacity to score well without big possession tallies.

I also consider Xerri a must-have. While his 2022 scores – the two strongest totals in his 14 game-career to date – haven’t been against strong opposition, the out-of-contract Roo has played both matches as the No.1 ruck as North Melbourne prepares for life without Todd Goldstein. And with Brisbane (Oscar McInerney), Sydney (Tom Hickey), Geelong (Rhys Stanley) and Carlton (Marc Pittonet) to come in favourable upcoming month, he is an attractive forward rookie option who will have FWD/RUC dual position status soon.

Veteran KFC SuperCoaches will remember the likes of Stefan Martin and Max Gawn bursting onto the scene as KFC SuperCoach forwards and Xerri has similar potential, having averaged 126 points per game last year in the VFL.

Tristan Xerri has taken the ruck reins from Todd Goldstein. Picture: Getty Images

BUY

Connor MacDonald (Haw) $117,300 MID | Ave: 51.5 | BE: -34

Will Brodie (Frem) $224,300 FWD-MID | Ave: 88.5 | BE: -46

The next priority is probably MacDonald. His scoring potential isn’t as high as other options, but he is the only cheap bench rookie in the midfield with a negative Break Even – and he has shown enough to suggest the Hawks will persist with him.

While Brodie’s time-on-ground has been low, his scoring potential and job security has been helped by an injury setback for superstar Nat Fyfe – who will miss the next six weeks – and David Mundy entering health and safety protocols (he will also miss round 3). Brodie has played as a pure midfielder where winning clearances (ranked ninth in competiton) and laying tackles (11th) are his modus operandi.

CONSIDER

Charlie Curnow (Carl) $224,300 | Ave: 74.5 BE: -18

Patrick Naish (WCE) $189,600 FWD-MID | Ave: 76.5 | BE:-42

Alex Davies (GC) $202,500 MID | Ave: 78 | BE: -38

Curnow is the dark horse here on the back of 113 points and five goals, with his round 1 score of 36 falling out of his rolling average after this week. It means an even bigger spike looms in round 4 if he can produce even a solid score this week against Hawthorn. Carlton’s enticing upcoming run makes him a point-of-difference rookie worth considering.

Naish has been a beneficiary from the depleted state of the Eagles over the opening two rounds, but his speed and ball-use on the outside should ensure he holds his spot. Davies, on the other hand, has been doing his best work on the inside and his high contested possession rate should mean his floor is fairly low. But is he worth it at that price after winning just 22 disposals in two matches?

Charlie Curnow is worth considering. Picture: Getty Images

SELL/PASS

Mitch McGovern $256,000 FWD | Ave: 55 BE: 40

Mitch Owens $117,300 MID | Ave: 2

Jake Soligo $117,300 MID | Ave: 18 | BE: 33

Jackson Mead $123,900 MID | Ave: 35 | BE:2

Kaine Baldwin $123,900 FWD | Ave: 29

I had a tinge of regret watching the first half of the Blues v Tigers clash in round 1 when McGovern was racking up intercept marks and taking kick-ins. But in the last six quarters he has struggled to find the footy and the promising forward options around his price range makes him the perfect candidate for a sideways trade.

After a quiet debut, Owens looks a fair way from returning to the Saints line-up after not being named in their squad of 26 for round 2, while Baldwin was also dropped with the return of Aaron Francis.

Both Mead and Soligo played as the medical sub in round 2, scoring just 7 and 18 points respectively, which will stall their cash generation. Assess whether they are selected in the 22 before trading, but it may be best to jump to someone like Stephens if you didn’t start him.

WAIT A WEEK/WATCHLIST

Nic Martin (Ess) $102,400 FWD | R1 score: 114

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St K) $162,300 DEF | R2 score: 53

Sam Skinner (PA) $123,900 DEF-FWD | R2 score: 45

Braydon Preuss (GWS) $204,700 RUC

Josh Sinn (PA) $157,800 DEF-MID | R2 score: 24

Luke Pedlar (Adel) $123,900 | R2 score: 45

If you didn’t start with Martin, he looms as an absolute must ahead of round 4 after missing last week after entering health and safety protocols, but it worth waiting that extra week just to be safe. Elite kicking draftee Wanganeen-Milera and mature-age Power recruit Skinner shape as players to watch this week considering the slim rookie stocks in defence, with both putting out solid performances over the weekend. Expect Braydon Preuss to feature this week after registering 140 points in the VFL, with Matt Flynn struggling to have an impact against Richmond’s two-pronged ruck outfit.

Nic Martin should return for the Bombers this week. Picture: Getty Images

HOLD

Josh Ward $180,300 MID | Ave: 44.5 | BE: 16

Corey Durdin $143,700 FWD | Ave: 47.5 | BE: -11

Josh Gibcus $171,300 DEF | Ave: 51 | BE: -4

Don’t go trading these guys in, but I wouldn’t be selling them on a whim, either.

Ward had a much more promising outing in his second match, recording 20 disposals and booting a goal, with his efficiency the only thing letting him down. We saw what he was capable of in the pre-season, when he posted a whopping 120-point total, so it is worth persisting with him.

Durdin didn’t have a touch in the second half against the Bulldogs but the win could see him hold his spot against the Hawks, where he may be able to get on the end of a few.

Tigers key defender Gibcus isn’t going to be a big ball-winner, but should be a slow burn rookie who should continue getting opportunities.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2022: The must-have cheapies before round 3 price changes