AFL SuperCoach 2023: Best rookies flying under the radar, unique picks, Jye Menzie Luke Pedlar

Here’s a look at nine cheap options flying under the radar ahead of Round 1.

Oliver Hollands

Carl – $162,300, mid

Ownership: 8%

Any serious KFC SuperCoach has Will Ashcroft, maybe Will Phillips and now, after what he did in the second practice game, young Hawk Cam Mackenzie – all priced at $148,000 or more. It makes it difficult to house another high-profile rookie midfielder, especially when you have Harry Sheezel on the attacking line. But if you’re looking for something different, Hollands could get as many opportunities in his debut season as Mackenzie and Sheezel, with the 11th pick in last year’s draft on the line for a Round 1 spot on the wing for the Blues. The elite runner, who has great hands, was the KFC SuperCoach’s third-place goalscorer (114) at the national championships and his work output should get him football soon enough.

Sam Sturt

Freo – $123,900, Fwd

Ownership: 5%

It might seem like it to some, but Sturt didn’t exactly come out of nowhere. The mid-level forward scored three goals on his debut in the opening round of 2020 and racked up 100 KFC SuperCoach points to earn the first rising star nomination of the season. But an injury ruined his year soon after and he has since struggled with various injuries, making just four senior games since his call-up in 2018. However, the classy mid-level forward played in 17 WAFL games last season and posted KFC SuperCoach scores of 127 and 138 to end the year before scoring twice in an impressive practice game against the Force. With Michael Frederick and Michael Walters expected to be available for Round 1, keep an eye on the Fremantle team as they fall.

Jye Menzie

Ess – $154,200 Fwd

Ownership: 3%

Price, again, is a major factor in Menzies’ lack of ownership, as is his place as a small-forward on Essendon’s team – a role that often creates inconsistencies at KFC SuperCoach. But the 20-year-old, who scored 33 goals in 16 games in two state leagues last year, has plenty of tricks and defense, as he showed with six equal tackles against the Saints, on purpose.

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Luke Pedler

Adel – $173,400, Fwd

Ownership: 3%

Like Menzie, Pedlar has the tools to score better than the average small-forward on KFC SuperCoach. He attacks, hits overhead, scores long goals and can work his way up the ground and win the ball in space. Adelaide’s top pick of the 2020 draft had 10 disposals and 56 points in just 55 percent of the season against the Eagles, and he’ll likely get every opportunity to make his mark in the SANFL this year after an impressive season. In last year’s State League qualifier win for the club against Norwood, Pedlar finished the tournament with three goals, eight tackles and 88 KFC SuperCoach points. A week earlier he had 16 disposals, 10 scores and 115 points against Port.

Liam Henry

Freo – $202,300 Mid Fwd

Ownership: 2%

With the departure of Blake Acres and the Dockers looking to give James Aish more time on the ball, there’s a wing spot up for grabs in 2023. And after a stellar summer, Henry is the leading contender alongside Ethan Hughes. The talented Henry, who averaged 41 KFC SuperCoach points in six senior games last year and played mostly as a forward, recorded 16 dismounts, eight points and 75 KFC SuperCoach points to give Justin Longmuir’s side a different look against the Force to lend. He recorded four KFC SuperCoach tons at the WAFL level last year, but also failed to score more than 55 points on four occasions. Can he make the team – and then iron out his inconsistencies?

Kade Chandler

Melb – $123,900, Fwd

Ownership: 2%

Forget Chandler’s KFC SuperCoach average of 6.3 last year – he was a substitute in all three of those games. But the Demons like him – having hit back at recent trade interest – and his numbers have been far more appealing in the VFL. Chandler scored 29 goals in 17 games and averaged 17 disposals and 107 points before going 1.3 78 percent of the season in the practice game against the Tigers. With Toby Bedford gone, this could finally be his year.

Matt Roberts

Syd – $123,900 funds

Ownership: 1.2%

“Matty Roberts – his fitness just hit a new level, his high speed running, his sprints, he’s just so underestimated how well he moves across the floor… that’s shone this preseason,” star teammate Isaac Heeney said in February . And with Roberts appearing in midfield – mainly on the outside – in both training games, Heeney may not have been the only one impressed. Roberts, who averaged 175, 188 and 240 points in his three SANFL U18 games in his draft year before averaging 96 in the VFL in 2022, finished the game with 15 dismounts and five points against the Blues. If he makes it to the final team, he could surprise in the KFC SuperCoach.

Tom Cole

WM – $182,300, Def

Ownership: 1%

After missing a full year through injury, the Eagles defenseman is priced at less than 40 on average in 2023. Sure, he’ll likely see a lot of use in a lockdown role, but the value is definitely there, with Cole averaging 68 and 55 in 2020 and 2021. And the 25-year-old, who finished with 16 disposals, seven marks and 68 points against the Crows, has rock-solid job security, something that can’t be said of some other budget options.

Arthur Jones

WB – $123,900 Fwd

Ownership: 1%

The skilled West Australian has entered the Round 1 calculations after an impressive two-goal performance against the Kangaroos. Cody Weightman was absent, but Jones showed Luke Beveridge the X-factor he could bring to the Bulldogs’ side. With many of the best rookie forward options at the higher end of the price range, keep an eye on Jones for your bench depending on what happens when teams are named.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2023: The Rookies Who Fly Under the Radar