KFC SuperCoach winner Dwayne Delminco reveals his secrets for run home
Reigning KFC SuperCoach champion Dwayne Delmenico made his winning run during this period last season. He reveals how coaches can shoot up the rankings — including one very risky tactic. See how he has fared this season.
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KFC SuperCoach champion Dwayne Delmenico began his charge towards the grand prize at this stage of the season in 2019.
Ranked 470th after Round 11, Dwayne’s Rexwell Crumbers rocketed up the rankings during the byes (Round 12-14) to be placed just outside the top-10 in 11th spot.
A fortnight later, he had moved up to second place just behind the leader, showing just how quickly the tide can turn – which is music to the ears of the SuperCoach Investor Dan Begala, who is currently ranked 515th.
While this season is five rounds shorter than 2019, there are definite parallels considering three of the next six rounds in the run home are byes.
Delmenico traded players on a whim during his winning run and was left with no trades over the last four rounds, hanging on by the skin of his teeth in a tense final weekend.
With three trades able to be used by SuperCoaches over each of the bye rounds, Delmenico advocates “saying a prayer” to the last three weeks.
He says those with an eye on the prize or vying for overall ranking should adopt his winning strategy.
An aggressive plan would see some trade-frenzied coaches run out of trades with three rounds to go – provided you have used every trade this season, like Delmenico and countless other coaches have.
“If I had trades and I was high up the rankings, I would just blow them,” Delmenico said.
“You’ve got two weeks to hold on essentially … you’ve got bye coverage (in Round 16)
Another risky tactic Delmenico recommends is trading premiums with the Round 15 bye, say Marcus Bontempelli, for players who have already had their bye, like Lachie Neale.
“Sideways trade from a premium who has the bye in (Round 15) for a premium (who has had their bye). I would do it.”
FOOTY FRENZY II CARNAGE
Delmenico thinks we got off lightly during the first footy frenzy and expects more carnage to come later in the season.
But that doesn’t mean you should play it safe.
Instead, he advises to try and bring in as many premiums into your side as quickly as possible before the season finishes.
Keep a close eye on teams who are primed to rest players towards the end of the season – like Brisbane if they have sewn up a home final.
Instead, opt for players from teams like Collingwood or GWS, who will field their best sides in the run home to secure a top-eight spot.
WHO TO TRADE IN?
The 2019 winner is keeping it simple in the run home.
After regretfully bringing in Jeremy Cameron last round, who he says was “lucky to get to 23 points” against Sydney, he is only buying uber premiums who have already had their bye.
With only best-18 scores counting during the bye rounds, you want to have the cream of the crop in your side.
If you are looking for a unique pick, he likes the look of Essendon ball magnet Zach Merrett, Sydney inside midfielder Luke Parker and in-form Docker Luke Ryan.
HOW’S THE REIGNING CHAMP GONE THIS YEAR?
He concedes he is “no chance” to replicate his 2019 heroics but has still carved out an impressive SuperCoach season.
Delmenico is currently ranked 3086th after a formidable score of 2429 in Round 12 – a handy score with Jeremy Cameron on the field!
Taking out top honours has been both a blessing and a curse, with plenty of keen SuperCoaches interested in how he is going and asking for advice, but it’s meant he has “gone with the pack” more this season.
“My team was so cookie cutter at the start,” he said with a laugh.
His sliding doors moment came a month or so ago when he traded in Shannon Hurn over Luke Ryan when they were at the same price.
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WHAT IT’S LIKE BEING NUMBER ONE IN SUPERCOACH
Tim Michell
There’s a certain level of notoriety which comes with being No. 1 in KFC SuperCoach.
Current leader Isaac, whose team has been top of the rankings since Round 8, has attracted more than 100 new Twitter followers since jumping from 32nd overall to first when he scored a round-high 2629.
“It’s funny, I’ve had about another 100 or so Twitter followers since I’ve become number one, so I’m enjoying becoming the hunted,” the 34-year-old said.
“People have been messaging me about my trade plans and asking for suggestions for their side.
“I just can’t get to cocky because it can change in one round.”
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Isaac had a 100-point lead after Round 10 ahead of Shane’s General Soreness and was one of only 12 coaches with more than 22,000 points for the campaign.
“I started really well and then thought that the round the Bombers-Dees game got postponed it would ruin my season, as I dropped about 5000 spots,” he said.
“I’ve only ever played to just have fun and compete in the leagues so this is extremely unexpected.”
A Demons fan from Bentleigh East in Melbourne’s south, Isaac attributes much of his success to picking Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney and Clayton Oliver.
But his favourite pick of the season has been jumping on Richmond defender Jayden Short when he was available for about $350k.
3 consecutive rounds....2020 hey! pic.twitter.com/EafY2A7LoP
— Isaac (@wanga27) August 7, 2020
Short has been one of the top mid-pricers of the year, averaging 96 and not scoring less than 75 points.
Isaac also made the call to hold Andrew Brayshaw after he struggled early, a decision which has been vindicated by the young Docker’s stunning form in the past six rounds.
“It’s a pretty surreal feeling to be honest, being number one,” he said.
“There’s a lot of added pressure, especially with making the right downgrades to rookies. “There’s plenty of stress clicking that trade button and also deciding when to pull the trigger.”
While he’s tried not to think about claiming the $50k grand prize, the prospect of putting down a house deposit or funding a dream overseas trip is too much to ignore.
Isaac plans to keep it simple for the rest of the season in an effort to maintain his lead.
“I just plan on using my trades wisely and being ready to go through the future bye rounds, with at least 18 each week and minimal rookies scores being counted,” he said.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach winner Dwayne Delminco reveals his secrets for run home