KFC SuperCoach expert Al Paton reveals his final 2021 squad

KFC SuperCoach expert Al Paton has settled on a 30-man squad built on the back of rule changes from AFL House. SEE THE TEAM

Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale is a SuperCoach gun.

I need to shout Steve Hocking a drink at some stage of the season.

The AFL’s rules boss wanted to open up the game and in the process has delivered a gift (possibly unintentionally) to the KFC SuperCoach world.

Half-back flankers were already smart selections, now I can’t get enough of them in my starting team.

There is another reason for my list management decision to spend such a large portion of my salary cap in defence.

The rookies in this part of the ground are few and far between this year and I’m reluctant to rely on more than one on the field.

In contrast, we have some great cheapie options in the midfield and up forward, where my team is all about value.

CHEAPIE GUIDE: AL PATON'S TOP 20 CASH COWS

Tiger Jayden short is set for a big year.

Only two of my forwards are priced above $260,000 which is a big risk, but I’m hoping for some fast price rises that will allow me to start trading and targeting the best-performing forwards who often emerge well into the season.

My final team will be dictated by team selection, but that will be extra tricky this year with teams named only the night before a game — so we won’t know if some of the most popular rookies (especially down back) are named until the round has already started.

Luckily colleague Tim Michell has produced a comprehensive guide to navigating the Round 1 rookie roulette, and I’m hoping for lots of feel-good videos on AFL club social media accounts of Lachie Jones, Tom Highmore, Matt Flynn and Co calling their mums to tell them they about to debut.

It will all be part of the fun of the most exciting week of the year until next Thursday’s first KFC SuperCoach lockout. Scroll down to see my full team and enjoy the ride!

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach expert Al Paton reveals his final 2021 squad