SuperCoach Formguide: Fantasy Freako’s trade, selection tips for Round 21
Does your SuperCoach semi-final opponent’s team look a lot like yours? Picking a left-field player could be a winning play, and Champion Data’s fantasy expert has the best options.
Opposition research is crucial in SuperCoach at this time of year.
With all finals now sudden-death, you need to know who you’re up against. There’s one problem — we all have the likes of Jake Lloyd, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Travis Boak, and the chances are our opponents do as well.
Picking a point of difference player is one way to get the upper hand on your opponent. Picking a player with a low ownership who has the potential to post a big score this round is a tactic that could get you over the line in a cut-throat final.
I have taken the liberty of highlighting the most promising options ahead of Round 21 – looking only at players that have an ownership less than 20,000 (10 per cent).
Top of the list is Josh Kelly — if he returns this week. He has missed the pour games with a calf injury and has a career average of 29 disposals against this round’s opponent Hawthorn – his most against any AFL side. Kelly was in career-best form before he was hurt, averaging 120 points and scoring at least 95 in every game. Picking Kelly does come with an element of risk given his injury history, but with just three rounds remaining it could be a risk worth taking.
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Luke Parker, owned by just 8925 SuperCoaches at the time of writing, is another worthy midfield option. He averages 107 points interstate including scores of 145, 135 and 105 points in three of his past four games on the road. Parker also has strong recent form against Port Adelaide, scoring at least 105 in each of his past three matches against the Power.
Parker’s teammate, Josh Kennedy is an even more unique option, currently in just 4997 teams. He has averaged 103.9 for the season, but his form in recent weeks is somewhat of a concern, dropping below 90 in three of his past four games. However, like Parker, he has a strong scoring history against Port Adelaide – returning 143, 134 and 101 in three of his past four games.
If you’re after the ultimate differential, then look no further than Tiger Dion Prestia. He has an ownership of just 1761. Like the Tigers, he has been in terrific recent form, scoring 128 and a season-high 131 in his past two games. He has also topped 100 points in six of his past eight games at the MCG and is set to play his 150th AFL game this Sunday against Carlton.
The list below highlights key players with an ownership of less than 20,000.
ROOKIE WATCH
SuperCoach players who jumped on Essendon’s Will Snelling were rewarded last round as he tallied a team-high 122 points in the loss to Port Adelaide. He has improved his output in each match since coming into the team in Round 18 – leading the Bombers for hardball-gets with 13 over this period. If you have to play Snelling on the field again this week, then you can do so with plenty of confidence.
If you still own one of Sydney Stack, James Rowbottom, Michael Gibbons or even Will Setterfield, then you can trade them down to Snelling and pocket the cash even though he has already changed in price.
If you still have Reilly O’Brien, this might be the week to cash him in. If you’re looking for a ruckman that is actually playing, then Port Adelaide’s Peter Ladhams is the one to target. He replaced Scott Lycett last round and was solid – finishing with 18 disposals, six hitouts-to-advantage and 95 points.
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Considering the Power had a strong win over Essendon, there is every chance that Ken Hinkley keeps the same ruck combination for the Sydney clash.
Elsewhere, the Swans have already named their fifth debutant for 2019 as James Bell is poised to play his first game this week against Port Adelaide. A dual-position player, he has averaged 21 disposals, three clearances, five tackles, five score involvements and 84 SuperCoach points in the NEAFL. He is coming off a 125-point haul last round and is a decent cash grab should you still have trades up your sleeve.
Originally published as SuperCoach Formguide: Fantasy Freako’s trade, selection tips for Round 21