SuperCoach rage trades: Who is in the trade gun after Round 3?

WE can forgive one bad score due to concussion. Even two as you recover. But Zach Merrett is really pushing his luck. And he’s not the only player waiting to be traded. Who is in the firing line for your team?

Billy Gowers of the Bulldogs tackles Zach Merrett of the Bombers.

A MANIC final quarter in Perth — Dangerfield huge, Ablett injured, Nic Nat huge, Ryan goal, Ryan injured — rounded out an enthralling and frustrating first “live” round of SuperCoach for 2018.

THE TACKLE: BOMBERS ARE GREAT PRETENDERS

HIGGINS DEBUT: TIGER CULT HERO CHANNELS KB

As we check the scoreboard on our head-to-head league matches and assess who stood up and who let us down, here are a few of the moves many of us might be making prematurely thanks to that good old “Reverse Trades” button.

BOOT HIM

It’s a harsh reality, but premium rookies including Luke Davies-Uniacke (23) and Andrew Brayshaw (32) have not lived up to the expectations many had placed on them given their potential and heightened price tags.

On the plus side, you’ll likely be able to either downgrade to a cheaper rookie (Ed Richards, Jack Higgins and Nick Coffield all showed promising signs this weekend), or — if you have the cash — upgrade to a mid-price pick such as Riley Bonner.

Aaron Sandilands looks set to miss a week following a high hit on Gold Coast’s Jarryd Lyons, so unless you have ruck cover, you probably can’t afford to have the big man miss.

Likewise, Matthew Kreuzer owners will be slightly frustrated at their decision to hold, and should consider a trade to bank some extra cash. He scored 86 on Friday night and didn’t look 100 per cent.

Thankfully, strong performances from Stefan Martin (154), Brodie Grundy (154), and Nic Naitanui (110) all provide good replacement options.

Billy Gowers collars Zach Merrett at Etihad Stadium.

Like Kruezer, for any who stuck fat with Zach Merrett (53) would be incredibly frustrated. Don’t be afraid to trade out your underperforming premiums. There are a multitude of better options at his price (amazingly, eight Bulldogs scored 100 or more at Etihad Stadium while no Bombers cracked the ton — Devon Smith was his team’s highest scorer with 86).

Likewise David Armitage’s low scoring — this time 47 against the Crows — may be mistake easily corrected with a sideways trade to the similarly priced Jaeger O’Meara (104), who is finally looking the goods. Touch wood.

While the Ablett/Dangerfield/Selwood experiment paid dividends for Geelong last week against Hawthorn, the trio will be torn apart once more following a hamstring injury to Gary Ablett in the final quarter of the clash between the Eagles and Cats.

How will that impact Dangerfield’s scoring? He was on just 32 at halftime before surging home to finish with an even 100, which leaves him with a break-even of 216 next week.

Other SuperCoach stars to let their owners down at the weekend included Todd Goldstein (57), Jack Billings (54) and an all-time stinker from Elliot Yeo (27).

David Armitage battled against the Crows — like most of his Saints teammates.

BUY HIM

Lance Franklin looks to be in career-best form, willing his team to victory in an arm-wrestle over the Giants.

With 14 goals to his name already this season, Franklin looks almost unstoppable, spending a staggering 97 per cent of the match on the field in Round 3.

After facing the Western Bulldogs next week, the Swans have a couple of tough games ahead, but if there’s anyone we know who loves to tear it up on the big stage, it’s Buddy.

Those who have missed the boat with Stephen Coniglio will be rueing the missed opportunity, and depending on his price change at lockouts end, he may be a ship that has already sailed.

Either Patrick Dangerfield or Joel Selwood should feature in your midfield group as they look to pick up the bulk of the midfield workload thanks to the losses of Ablett, Cameron Gurthrie and Nakia Cockatoo following their game against West Coast.

Despite his low score this week, Selwood is the real value pick here, though be wary of stacking your side with players who will have the bye in the already dreaded Round 14.

Lance Franklin is the top-scoring forward of 2018 so far. Picture. Phil Hillyard

CAPTAINS REPORT CARD

A+: Nat Fyfe, Tom Mitchell (140+)

B+: Scott Pendlebury, Max Gawn (110-119)

B: Robbie Gray, Rory Laird (100-109)

C: Patrick Cripps, Dustin Martin, Patrick Dangerfield (80-99)

D: Clayton Oliver (70-79)

F: Todd Goldstein (

BENCH CALLS

Should have had on field: Sam Murray, Nick Holman, Jeremy Finlayson, Tom Doedee, Tim Kelly, Lachlan Fogarty, Jake Waterman, Liam Ryan (70+)

Should have left on the bench: Dom Barry, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Andrew Brawshaw, Jaidyn Stephenson, Paddy Dow, Billy Gowers, Daniel Venables (

NAILED IT?

Reviewing Thursday night’s predictions on the SuperCoaches Box podcast (watch live from 6:15pm every Thursday or catch up on iTunes):

Dan Begala: Nick Holman will keep Nat Fyfe to

Verdict: Failed It. Fyfe’s score of 160 was a long way off Dan’s prediction. His 38-disposal game included 24 contested possessions and 14 clearances. Adding insult to injury, Dan also tipped Gold Coast to win the game. Ouch.

Dan and Al both missed the mark this week.

Al Paton: Dustin Martin will outscore Tom Mitchell in Sunday’s clash at the MCG

Verdict: Failed It. Despite some attention from Jack Graham early, Mitchell surpassed 40 disposals easily once again this week, racking up 149 SuperCoach points including 15 contested possessions, 12 clearances and a goal.

Martin, on the other hand, had half the number of touches as Mitchell, and was rotating between midfield and forward roles, failing to kick a major which would have helped his sub-par score.

BIGGEST PRICE RISES

Tim Kelly +$114,400

Tom Doedee +$95,200

Nick Holman +$93,700

Jeremy Finlayson +$88,000

Liam Ryan +$76,800

BIGGEST PRICE DROPS

Zach Merrett -$514,500

Tom Rockliff -$75,600

Ryan Burton -$66,100

Dayne Zorko -$59,600

Merrett. Billings.... 🤬🤬🤬🤬

— kRiStY ❤️🖤 (@x_Kristyy) April 8, 2018

Zac is like yesterday’s lunch gone!

— BigAzz (@BigAzz4) April 8, 2018

I wasn't happy that I brought in Taranto (over Acres) for Lambert. I'll give Timmy another chance to redeem himself.

I'm still very happy though with another 2300+ score this weekend.

— GangstaGuru @HomeCon 🇦🇺 (@gangstaguru123) April 8, 2018

Originally published as SuperCoach rage trades: Who is in the trade gun after Round 3?