The Phantom’s Round 5 Review: It’s raining money in SuperCoach as the cash cows deliver

A number of big performances from the rookie-price players prove a week is a very long time in SuperCoach. The Phantom looks at the highs, lows and the money-making cash cows of Round 5.

• How to survive this week’s SuperCoach fixture
• The fallen premiums to watch
• Round 6 SuperCoach Trade Guide

A week is a long time in SuperCoach.

Especially for a cash cow just four weeks into the season.

Last week, SuperCoaches were cursing at — and ready to dump — Eagle forward Jack Petruccelle after his 36-point performance in the Western Derby.

They were still cursing this week but only because the 20-year-old’s 100 points, on the back of 18 disposals and 5.2, was stuck on their bench.

After a modest rise of $63k in the previous two weeks, Petruccelle’s price jumped by $38k after the weekend and will continue to climb as his breakeven crashes back into the negatives.

It’s the same story for Carlton’s Michael Gibbons, who also posted the first SuperCoach ton of his career in Round 5.

Michael Gibbons has just been playing with SuperCoaches. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Jack Petruccelle’s up and down form is causing headaches for SuperCoaches. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

After scores of 25, 56, 17 and 54 in the first month of the season, the mature-age recruit tallied 21 disposals, six marks, five inside 50s and 104 points, playing further up the ground against the Bulldogs.

For most SuperCoaches, especially those who played the emergency loophole with the returning Bailey Scott, Gibbons was also stuck on the bench.

Or, for some, not even in their side after trading him to Richmond bubble boy Sydney Stack, who, to be fair, was impressive again, recording 22 disposals and 80 points.

Like Petruccelle, Gibbons is set for a big price increase over the next few weeks with a new breakeven of -49 ahead of Round 6.

Well played tho those who had one - or even both - on the field.

Third-year Power midfielder, Willem Drew, who posted scores of 36 and 61 in the previous two weeks after the return of Ollie Wines, bounced back with 20 disposals, 12 contested possessions and 105 points against the Eagles.

His team-mate Zak Butters also improved on a disappointing Round 4 performance with 19 disposals and 74 points.

Reilly O’Brien and Marty Hore also experienced steep price rises after scoring 90 and 99 respectively.

And then there’s an 18-year-old by the name of Sam Walsh, who has now scored 112, 123 and 112 in the past three weeks to add an enormous $202k to his starting price tag in just five rounds.

It’s raining money in SuperCoach.

Reilly O'Brien discusses his rising SuperCoach price with Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke. Picture: AAP/MIKE BURTON

Round 5 Rookie Price Rises

Reilly O’Brien (Adel, Ruck) $217,800

+$81k, Round 6 Breakeven: -48

Marty Hore (Melb, Def) $194,800

+$77k, Round 6 Breakeven: -69

Sydney Stack (Rich, Mid) $178,500

+$76k, Round 6 Breakeven: -16

Sam Walsh (Carl, Mid) $409,400

+$67k, Round 6 Breakeven: 3

Michael Gibbons (Carl, Mid) $188,500

+$40k, Round 6 Breakeven: -49

Jack Petruccelle (WC, Fwd) $225,600

+$38k, Round 6 Breakeven: -5

Jack Scrimshaw (Haw, Def) $290,100

+$35k, Round 6 Breakeven: 7

Willem Drew (Port, Fwd/Mid) $258,800

+$32k, Round 6 Breakeven: -16

But, as I said, a week is a long time in SuperCoach so don’t go expecting SuperCoach tons from all of your on-field rookies in Round 6.

Does Petruccelle have seven scoring shots against Geelong down at the Cattery? Unlikely.

Eagle Josh Rotham aside, Richmond’s Jack Ross has the second-lowest breakeven of all the Round 6 bubble boys after 17 disposals and 57 points against the Swans.

But with the likely Round 7 return of skipper Trent Cotchin, Ross’ cash generation could be limited.

I’d wait a week for Giant Jackson Hately, who finished with 22 disposals, 10 contested possessions and 95 points on debut.

In the forward-line, Ross’ team-mate Liam Baker, who is a SuperCoach-eligible forward, has a breakeven of -84 after scores of 91 and 87 in his first two matches. But, like Ross, the question is will he hold his spot?

More on that in Tuesday’s Trade Talk.

Jackson Hately impressed in his first game for the Giants. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

Elsewhere, Bomber Zach Merrett continued his outstanding form with a game-high 137 points against the Kangaroos. After an initial price drop, following a 67-point performance in Round 1, Merrett has now added $58k to his starting price tag. With a breakeven of 58, you have one more week to jump on if you’re already in the market for an early upgrade.

While Merrett’s on the up, Eagle Elliot Yeo continues to fall.

The 25-year-old, who averaged 108 points last season, posted his fourth score of 86 or less in the opening five rounds against the Power. He’s now available for $74k less than his starting price.

But it’s not a Jack Darling-like fall. The Eagle forward finished with just nine points from 86 per cent game time. No, that’s not a typo - his owners which it was. I know it’s all you’ll want to do but, given his dramatic price fall, there’s no real value in trading him now. Upgrade around him and hope he comes good.

Team-mate Andrew Gaff has found plenty of the ball since returning from suspension but his price still took a tumble. Gaff has scored 103, 104 and 97 in his three games for the year but has lost $17k off his starting price tag. With a Round 6 breakeven of 130, keep an eye on the star Eagle over the next fortnight.

It’s a similar story for Giant Josh Kelly, whose price fell by $24k, despite scores of 95, 114 and 97 since returning in Round 3. With a breakeven of 134 in Round 6, it could fall again next week.

And, just quietly, Docker Michael Walters, a member of many SuperCoach never-again lists, has now posted scores of 109, 50, 120, 103 and 139 for the season.

I’ll leave you to think about that one.

THE PHANTOM ROUND 5

Score: 2196

Overall ranking: 2144

Studs: Max Gawn (126), Sam Walsh (112), Jake Lloyd (111), Brodie Smith (110), Willem Drew (105), Brad Crouch (110)

Duds: Tim Taranto (67), Matthew Parker (51)