KFC SuperCoach 2021: Dan Batten answers the burning questions ahead of Round 15

How many trades do I need to save? Can we wait on Dangerfield, Neale and Grundy? Who is this week’s top rookie? All the big KFC SuperCoach questions answered.

The byes are done and now the next KFC SuperCoach terror is upon us – the run home.

Making matters worse, many of us will have to navigate it with minimal trades at our disposal.

And in one of the most peculiar mid-season downgrades ever seen in KFC SuperCoach, I, Dan Batten, will be replacing The Phantom in the Burning Questions hot seat.

Go easy on me, coaches.

Now that the byes are over, how many trades should I have?

The question that nobody really knows the answer to, given injuries or our old friend General Soreness (not to be confused with the fourth-placed KFC SuperCoach of 2020) could rear their heads in the back half of the season.

The answer will also depend on how many upgrades you need to make to reach full premium, along with the pseudo-premiums – like Patrick Cripps – that you are hoping to turn into rolled-gold options.

Another factor will be dual-position players and rookie cover, which can help ease the pain of premium injuries late in the year.

Based on the amount of trades that many have burnt to navigate the byes, those with seven or more trades going into Round 15 are sitting pretty.

Teams with fewer than five trades with nine rounds still to go run the risk of being stuck with zeros down the track – especially if you still have an upgrade to go.

Considering the number of injuries we have had this year, it is worth keeping at least a few trades in the bank to ensure you aren’t caught out.

Isaac Cumming isn’t a premium, but he is averaging 99 over his past three games.

Is it OK if I’m running with mid-pricers in my team that aren’t technically premiums?

G’day SuperCoach King Al Paton, if you’re reading.

The simple fact is those that tell you their team is ‘full premium’ are probably not telling the full truth.

They might be running, say, Joe Daniher at F6 or Isaac Cumming at D6 or Patrick Cripps at M8, or their full premium side may not include the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Dayne Zorko or Callum Mills.

It is the overall production of your side that matters, rather than the subjective classification of players as ‘premiums’, and you shouldn’t recklessly burn through trades just to have a complete 22.

Some might play a Callum Coleman-Jones at F6/7 or even Tom Highmore at D6/7, which could be just as effective when implementing emergency loopholes.

As the season progresses, we can look to mini-upgrade these pseudo-premiums, but view these as luxury trades.

Will Brodie Grundy play/make me pay?

As announced by Collingwood on Tuesday afternoon, Brodie Grundy will return against Fremantle this weekend.

However, it is unlikely he will come out and post a 150 on Saturday – his exact Round 15 break even – against his heir apparent, Sean Darcy.

The fourth-ranked ruckman for total points, Darcy has lifted significantly this season and is in fantastic form, boasting a five-round average of 118.6.

While Grundy has scores of 134, 123 and 118 in his past three matches against the Dockers, you would expect him to leak some cash this week.

Averages after 53 career games (Darcy's games tally):

Grundy 80
Darcy 84

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) June 22, 2021

In that case, when should I bring him back in?

Short answer – ASAP after the Dockers game.

Following Darcy, Grundy faces St Kilda (Paddy Ryder and perhaps Rowan Marshall), Richmond (Toby Nankervis or Mabior Chol) and Carlton (Marc Pittonet).

All three loom as favourable match-ups for the KFC SuperCoach stud, but it is worth assessing him during the Dockers clash – even a ton will see him drop to around $600k before Round 16, which is great buying.

You could afford to wait another week or two if you are strapped for cash. However, be wary he can the can make you pay like few in this game can.

Brodie Grundy returns this week after missing two games with a neck injury.

Is it time to jump on Danger and Neale (again)?

Let’s start with Patrick Dangerfield.

The Cats superstar has returned from injury with scores of 66 and 95, but his second score was a touch misleading.

Dangerfield was on track for another average total by his lofty standards, languishing in the 60s halfway through the final term, before he stormed home when the game was on the line in a famous win over the Bulldogs.

He also attended just eight centre bounces for the match.

While there is little doubt Danger will be one of the leading forwards for the remainder of the season, he has a break even of 138 to overcome against quality opposition in Brisbane on Thursday night.

He has registered back-to-back 146s in his last two matches against the Lions, but we can afford to wait another week and snap him up cheaper after he’s had three games in the legs.

Now Lachie Ne-

Hang on, didn’t you tell us to jump on Danger last week?!

That was The Phantom.

Mind you, this supposed ‘expert’ brought in Kyle Langford instead … anyway, back to Lachie Neale.

It’s a slightly different story for Neale, who is coming off a stellar 156-point display, logging 30 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal against North Melbourne.

But former Neale owners will recall him being blanketed by defender-turned tagger Mark O’Connor last time he faced the Cats, winning just eight disposals in 91 minutes while matched up against the stopper.

Neale finished with 75 points and 16 touches in that match, which is enough to turn coaches off – for this week at least – especially after Chris Scott flagged in his press conference that he will receive attention.

From there, the Lions play just two top-eight sides in their last eight matches, making Neale the perfect upgrade target for the run home.

Sam Walsh hasn’t seen the last of Matt de Boer.

On taggers, does Sam Walsh have a target on his head?

Not necessarily. Most teams don’t have a super-tagger like Matt de Boer.

Walsh was held to season lows in disposals and KFC SuperCoach points, managing 71 points from 20 touches.

While he appears to be Carlton’s most influential player, do opposition sides need to stop Walsh to overcome the leaky Blues?

For most teams, the answer is no.

However, Walsh has another date with de Boer in SuperCoach Grand Final week, which is worth keeping in mind if you are considering bringing him in.

Is Jake Stringer worth considering?

Stringer produces these out-of-the-box displays every so often, but between them come middling and injury-affected scores.

He had more than 20 centre-bounce-attendances against Hawthorn and is at just $375k, so it is worth assessing him for another week to see if there is a genuine role change.

It’s a no for now, though.

Jake Stringer scored 180 KFC SuperCoach points against Hawthorn — huge for his 2242 owners. Picture: Michael Klein

Which rookie should I buy?

There is no hard-and-fast rule here, and with all nine teams to choose from there are plenty of options depending on who you need to trade out.

If you need a midfielder, Luke Edwards ($117k MID, -91 BE) is your man. The son of Adelaide champion Tyson has exceeded all expectations in his first two games, averaging 79.5 points, tallying 27 disposals and 96 points against the reigning premiers.

The Eagles have players to come back, but he played a variety of roles as a junior and he won’t be dropped on form.

Keep your eyes peeled for Hawthorn’s team announcement on Thursday night, after Ned Reeves’ ($124k RUCK, -100 BE) Round 13 replacement Jon Ceglar had just 11 touches and 11 hitouts against Essendon.

In the reserves, Reeves tallied 25 hitouts and 12 disposals against Bombers reserves ruckman Andrew Phillips.

Alternatively, mature-age Eagle Luke Foley ($161k, DEF, -56) is an option for those in need of a defender.

He comes at a higher asking price but still has cash to make after being the sub in his first game this year. After coming back into the side in Round 12, he’s posted scores of 67 and 82.

Oh, and there’s Hawks cheapies Jai Newcombe and Lachie Bramble for $102k if you didn’t jump early, while Kieren Briggs ($123k, DEF/FWD) remains on the bubble.

Luke Foley is one of several young Eagles fighting for a spot in the best 22.

Who is the best option?

If he gets the call-up grab Reeves, as his bench coverage and cash will be valuable in the run home. If not, then Edwards is the best option.

However, if you have serviceable cover and need as much cash as possible, then the $102k players are your best bet.

Another move I’ve considered is bringing in mid-season draft No.1 pick Jacob Edwards ($102k RUCK/FWD), to allow a swing with Coleman-Jones between my rucks and forwards.

Who should I downgrade?

Flynn has some cash to make but is one to consider moving on if Reeves returns this week.

Otherwise, Lachie Jones is set to spend several weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. None of this week’s rookie options are defenders but you could use a dual-position player like Trent Bianco or Harry Sharp to swap him for a midfielder.

The likes of James Jordon, Caleb Poulter, Cody Weightman, Alec Waterman (who could return this week) all have lower break evens but if it helps you grab the premium you are after this week, then trade away.

Why did you trade in Chris Burgess over Isaac Cumming in Round 4?

Hey, who put this in here? A low blow...

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2021: Dan Batten answers the burning questions ahead of Round 15