KFC SuperCoach 2023: Five star forwards to consider for your team

Often they are young players who start their careers in the forward pocket where opportunities are limited and scores can be very hard to predict.

Carlton’s Corey Durdin was a classic case study in 2022, when he posted scores of 82, 76, 74 and 72 – very respectable for a bottom-priced rookie – but also returned 23, 14 (twice) and a one-point game. You definitely didn’t want to have him on the field that week.

But 2023 has thrown up some much more attractive value options up forward who have the capacity to score well on a regular basis.

Here are five to consider for your team.

Matteas Phillipou $166,800 MID/FWD

St Kilda pounced with pick 10 in last year’s draft for the wildly talented teenager who has shown flashes of brilliance in both of the Saints practice matches. He can turn a game with a big mark or goal and Ross Lyon has already declared he’s a huge fan, so expect him to get plenty of chances early.

Al’s verdict: Might flash in and out of games early in his career but the potential is obvious.

Nat Fyfe $313,600 MID/FWD

A modern champion of the game available for just over $300,000 and in the forward line? No, that’s not a misprint. Fyfe has been spending more time in attack and some low scores in an injury-impacted 2022 season resulted in a huge price discount. Probably won’t get 35 disposals in a game any more but has the ability to post big scores wherever he plays.

Al’s verdict: Fyfe’s fragile body is a big worry but should score well enough to make plenty of cash. Not sure he’ll be a season-long keeper, though.

Toby McLean $178,900 MID/FWD

McLean was a great KFC SuperCoach pick back in 2018 when he averaged 95 points a game, but since then he has had no luck, with a series of injuries derailing his career. He played just four games across 2021-22 – which explains the bargain basement price – but returned for the elimination final last year and showed what he’s capable of. McLean was one of the Dogs’ best against Fremantle with 21 disposals, nine tackles and 100 KFC SuperCoach points.

Al’s verdict: A mature body who looks locked into the Dogs’ best 22 and has proven KFC SuperCoach potential. Sign me up!

Fergus Greene $123,900 FWD

KFC SuperCoach players love a mature-age recruit and Greene ticks all the boxes. These players are usually recruited with a specific role in mind and have a hardened body that can stand up to the physical demands of AFL footy every week. Greene, 25, played five games for the Bulldogs in 2018 before being delisted. He spent the past two years playing for the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL, where he caught the eye of Sam Mitchell.

Al’s verdict: Set to replace Jack Gunston in Hawthorn’s forward line, he’s a great option on field or on the bench.

Harry Sheezel $198,300 FWD

Taken with pick 3 in last year’s draft by the Kangaroos, Sheezel has tricks that are already turning heads at Arden St. He has played mostly as a forward in the pre-season but was switched to defence in the final quarter of the Roos’ official practice match and collected 10 disposals.

Al’s verdict: High price tag for a rookie is the only thing putting me off, but I might still have to find a way to squeeze him in.

Five gun midfielders to pick in KFC SuperCoach

The forward line is usually the part of the ground for saving money and taking risks – but not this year.

There are several players we can pick up forward this year who could challenge the top scorers in the game, and all of them represent potential value based on their starting price.

The challenge is how to fit them all in.

When looking for forwards in KFC SuperCoach, players who kick goals are great but versatile stars who can mix it up in the midfield as well are even better, giving them more ways to stay involved in the game and push up their scores.

Here are five great forward options to consider in 2023.

JOSH DUNKLEY $596,400 MID/FWD

You can make a strong case that the Lions’ boom recruit should be the first picked player in every KFC SuperCoach team this season. As a Bulldog he was a consistent high scorer with averages over 100 in each of the past four seasons, including a high of 116.9 in 2019 thanks to Dunkley’s ability to win the footy, tackle, and impact the scoreboard. And that was while he was being used all over the ground by Luke Beveridge. At Brisbane he’ll start at just about every centre bounce next to Lachie Neale.

Al’s verdict: Don’t think twice, just lock him in.

TIM TARANTO $503,100 MID/FWD

Another high-profile trade last year landed Taranto at Richmond, where he has a sparkling pre-season. At the Giants he had to take his turn as one of a long list of midfielders, spending considerable portions of games in attack. But Richmond recruited him to fill a need, and it’s not resting in the forward pocket. He’ll be able to use his elite two-way running to get up and down the MCG, racking up disposals and KFC SuperCoach points.

Al’s verdict: Underpriced considering his likely role in the guts for the Tigers. Very solid selection.

STEPHEN CONIGLIO $557,700 MID/FWD

Coniglio was a steal in KFC SuperCoach last year and this year we’ll have to pay up, but he could still be a bargain selection. He played as a small forward at times early last season, limiting his scoring, but really hit his straps when he was used as a centre bounce midfielder in the second half of the season. If he has that role full-time under Adam Kingsley this year – and it’s hard to see how he doesn’t with Taranto and Jacob Hopper gone – he’s a hot favourite to be in the top three scoring forward for 2023.

Al’s verdict: Might not hit the huge heights of some others but an ultra-reliable gun. I’m starting him, too.

CONNOR ROZEE $513,800 MID/FWD

You have probably gathered by now a midfield role is crucial to hitting the KFC SuperCoach scoring heights we love, and it’s a similar story again with Rozee. He was moved into the middle at halftime in round 5 last year and flew home, with an average of 112 in the 12 matches he attended at least 55 per cent of centre bounces. With Ken Hinkley’s job on the line, expect him to start Rozee on the ball from round 1. Al’s verdict: Scoring can be a bit of a rollercoast – in the last four rounds last year he scored 119, 67, 76, 162 – but you want to be on for those highs.

Al’s verdict: Talent is untapped and could be a top 10 player in the AFL by the end of the year. There is serious merit in picking all of the “big four”.

DYLAN MOORE $521,000 FWD

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Small forwards can be risky propositions in KFC SuperCoach but Moore has evolved to become much more than that for the Hawks. Last season he moved into the midfield rotation and his combination of accurate ball use, scoreboard impact and high tackle numbers produced a big bump in his output, lifting his average from 76.5 to 94.6 points a game. He has shown he can score well even playing mostly forward but there are vacancies in the midfield after the departure of Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara. If he secures a more prominent onball role, the sky’s the limit.

Al’s verdict: Currently selected in just 2.9 per cent of teams, Moore is definitely flying under the radar and could set your team apart from the pack.

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Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2023: Five star forwards to consider for your team