Mike Hussey has finished as high as 13th overall in KFC SuperCoach AFL. See the team he hopes can go even higher in 2022.
Not quite as terrifying than facing a fired-up Dale Steyn on a seaming Cape Town pitch, but it’s up there.
With only a day or two before the first game of the AFL season, my KFC SuperCoach team is set. I think.
I don’t like to tinker with my selections and I don’t like mid-pricers, but this year I’ve been dabbling in a fair share of both as I perfect my squad.
The player I’m most nervous about is Will Brodie.
He has produced two scores over 100 in the pre-season and could be great value at $224,300 in the forward line, but that was in a team without Nat Fyfe, who says he’s going to play as a full-time midfielder. Where does that leave Brodie? Even in those practice games he played only about 60 per cent time on ground and I can see that getting lower or even being used as a sub.
That’s the last decision I’m tossing up. The bench also makes me nervous, hopefully some more rookies are named this week. I’m pretty confident with my on-field selections.
Here’s how the team looks pending late changes.
DEFENCE
James Sicily was the last player to come into my side, I was really impressed by his performance in the practice match against Richmond. Even though he played as more of a lockdown defender he didn’t waste a disposal and he was even winning free kicks.
I want to get four premium defenders and he’s a guy who has the ability to get to a 105 average – I would be happy with anything over 100.
The downside to starting four premium defenders is there are only two spots left for upgrades during the year and I don’t have Jake Lloyd or Tom Stewart, and Jordan Ridley might become a must-have – then there are possible dual-position additions like Scott Pendlebury.
But I’m sure someone will go down with injury.
MIDFIELD
I love the way Touk Miller plays, his level of effort is unbelievable. The new rules that reward tackles should help him, he has Jarrod Witts back as a leading tap ruckman and he looks hungry – he could even go to another level again this year.
I toyed with swapping Jack Steele for Clayton Oliver to save a bit of money but then I thought, ‘Don’t be silly, just lock him in’. Oliver will be my first upgrade target.
I’m not certain on Jarrod Berry, I could see him getting pushed out of Brisbane’s midfield but he should be a solid cash cow.
I tried to find the money to get up to Matt Rowell, but where does that cash come from? He’s also an awkward price – is he a keeper or a stepping stone? When I’m picking premiums I don’t want to touch them all year.
Josh Ward is the one I would love to get, he could still come in before Round 1 and I’ve got a plan to get him after a couple of rounds if I need to.
RUCK
Set and forget on field. I was a bit worried about Hugh Dixon at the Eagles when I heard Jack Darling was coming back but now he’s injured, so hopefully we can get a few decent games out of Dixon.
FORWARDS
Mitch McGovern is another player who makes me nervous with his injury history.
I’ve looked at getting another premium forward but finding the cash to get to someone like Isaac Heeney is tough and I don’t trust those players anyway.
The final line-up will come down to which rookies are named for Round 1. If some more forward line rookies show up I could downgrade someone like Brodie and use the cash to turn one of my cheap midfield rookies into Josh Ward.
The next step is to check time differences between Australia and India to make sure I’m on top of teams and lockouts across the round – Thursday will be very tight between most of the teams being released and the bounce of Richmond v Carlton.
Good luck picking your team!
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2022: Mr Cricket Mike Hussey reveals his starting team