SuperCoach Round 2 trade guide: Melbourne solves defensive rookie crisis
SuperCoach is back — and you can still get involved! There is still a long list of great trade options and you might have dodged a Tiger or Magpie flop. So, who do you need in your team?
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KFC SuperCoach is back! And it’s not too late to get involved.
Richmond and Collingwood players are locked but players from every other team can still be traded and substituted until the lockout at the start of the matches they play in (Geelong and Hawthorn players will be locked on Friday night, and so on across the weekend).
That means there is still a long list of targets in the first ever Super Trade Round in KFC SuperCoach.
Read on to see who you need in your team, the top rookies and the stars on the chopping block.
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TOP TARGETS
Jack Viney (Melbourne) $439,300 MID Break even: -19 R1 score: 186
One of the most-popular trade targets after amassing a game-high 34 disposals and 186 KFC SuperCoach points against West Coast in Round 1. His ownership is set to more than double as coaches target a swift injection of cash. Viney has never averaged more than 97 (2016) but will be about $550,000 after Round 3 should he score hundreds against Carlton and Essendon. That would give coaches the option to jump off and target a proven premium.
Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) $625,500 MID BE: 155 R1 score: 83
Dangerfield is one of the big winners from the revamped AFL fixture. The Cats playing home games at GMHBA Stadium is a huge boost for Dangerfield’s KFC SuperCoach prospects. The Brownlow winner averaged 122 points at Geelong’s home ground last season, 14 more than the next best Cat — defender Tom Stewart. He’s averaged 131 from his past four games against Hawthorn and Carlton, 143 against Melbourne and 133 against Gold Coast — the Cats’ next four opponents.
Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions) $658,500 MID BE: 94 R1 score: 157
While many of the $600,000+ midfielders disappointed in Round 1, Neale dominated with 157 points despite Brisbane going down to Hawthorn. The ball magnet had 26 disposals, 10 tackles and eight clearances against the Hawks, proving shorter quarters wouldn’t diminish his influence. The Lions play their next four matches at the Gabba, where Neale averaged 117.3 last year. Don’t expect to get him much cheaper than this.
Max Gawn (Melbourne) $697,100 RUC BE: 172 R1 score: 93
Just when it seemed safe to jump off Gawn, the announcement of the new AFL fixture caused many coaches to abandon plans to punt the Demons skipper. Gawn might have only managed 93 points against Nic Naitanui, but will likely take on seven-gamer Marc Pittonet in Round 2 due to a long-term injury to Matthew Kreuzer. Considering the lofty heights many of Gawn’s ruck cohort reached in the opening round, his break even of 172 seems achievable. He’ll then tackle Tom Bellchambers, Darcy Fort and Sam Naismith.
Curtis Taylor (North Melbourne) $123,900 FWD BE: -32 R1 score: 79
The 55,000 coaches who started with Taylor would have been ruing their decision when he was on four points at halftime against St Kilda. But the young forward played an important role in the Roos’ resurgence, finishing with 79 points. He’s projected to jump in value by about $30,000 after Round 2 and should be close to $200,000 after three games.
Justin McInerney (Sydney) $123,900 MID BE: -34 R1 score: 81
Young Swan McInerney features in more than 28 per cent of teams after he tallied 15 possessions at 87 per cent efficiency against Adelaide. Outside Marlion Pickett and Matthew Rowell, it’s tough to have much confidence in many of this year’s midfield rookies. While Tyler Brown impressed in Round 1, his job security could be an issue. That nudges McInerney ahead of the Magpies father-son if you need a midfield downgrade.
Harley Bennell (Melb) $123,900 MID
This would be a huge gamble on a player who has played just two AFL games since 2015. But when he was flying at the Gold Coast, Bennell was a legitimate star, averaging over 100 in his last full season. Bennell’s price won’t change until Round 3 so you don't need to jump on just yet, but it could be worth a punt if he hits the ground running against Carlton.
Isaac Heeney (Sydney) $510,700 FWD-MID BE: 42 R1 score: 152
Is this the year Heeney finally takes the next step in KFC SuperCoach? The star Swan has threatened to join the game's elite in the past three seasons, averaging 97.6, 97.5 and 94. His performance against Adelaide suggested a breakout season could be in the offing and he only needed 16 disposals to score 152 points. Heeney also bagged four goals against the Crows and has been slated to spend more time forward in the absence of Lance Franklin. Don’t let that scare you off as impact players should be favoured by scaling in shorter quarters.
Tom Stewart (Geelong) $533,200 DEF BE: 103 R1 score: 100
The ever-consistent Stewart was the second-ranked defender worth more than $500,000 in Round 1, behind only Shannon Hurn (152). He’s available for $29,000 less than the Eagle and has a formidable record at GMHBA Stadium, where Geelong will play all of its home games this season due to the absence of crowds. Only Patrick Dangerfield (122) averaged more points than Stewart (108) at Geelong’s home ground last season. He’s also in less than 10 per cent of teams.
MORE SUPERCOACH:
KFC SuperCoach trade grades: Expert verdict on most popular Round 2 moves
How you could sign up for KFC SuperCoach now and still win $50,000 grand prize
KFC SuperCoach rookie bible: Every cheapie rated ahead of Round 2 price changes
KFC SuperCoach expert Al Paton reveals how he will use his five trades for Round 2
Jon Ceglar (Hawthorn) $417,000 RUC-FWD BE: 57 R1 score: 101
Hard to ignore the dominance of ruckmen in Round 1 after 10 big men posted triple figures (and Max Gawn wasn’t one!) Ceglar was slated for the No. 1 ruck role by Alastair Clarkson in pre-season and totalled 101 points against Brisbane Lions. It should be noted Stefan Martin was injured in that game, although scoring 101 from only eight disposals was a positive sign. Ceglar averaged 13.3 disposals a game last year and looks capable of maintaining his Round 1 scoring if he can edge closer to that figure.
Sam Sturt (Fremantle) $123,900 FWD BE: -53 R1 score: 100
Rising Star nominee Sturt has the lowest break even of any player ahead of Round 2 after booting three goals on debut against Essendon. But we can wait a week for him after he missed selection this week due to a back problem.
Sam Naismith (Sydney) $251,500 RUC BE: -25 R1 score: 121
Swans big man Naismith was the bolter of the 10 ruckmen who reached triple figures in the opening roun, posting 121 against Adelaide. But scratch him from your plans after he was left out of the Swans team with a hamstring injury.
CHOPPING BLOCK
Tom Green (GWS Giants) $166,800 MID BE: 22 R1 score: 41
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon) $189,000 DEF BE: 23 R1 score: 49
Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)$623,000 MID BE: 161 R1 score: 76
Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs) $632,400 MID BE: 174 R1 score: 67
Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle) $382,800 FWD-MID BE: 80 R1 score: 66
Fischer McAsey (Adelaide) $184,800 DEF BE: 54 R1 score: 16
Darcy MacPherson (Gold Coast) $443,800 FWD-MID BE: 112 R1 score: 56
Tim English (Western Bulldogs) $448,400 RUC BE: 107 R1 score: 63
GOING DOWN?
Josh Dunkley $632,400 MID BE 174 Projected to lose: -$23,600
Max Gawn $697,100 RUC 172 Projected to lose: -$22,500
Elliot Yeo $584,400 MID 165 Projected to lose: -$30,300
Marcus Bontempelli $623,000 MID 161 Projected to lose: -$29,700
Nic Newman $524,800 DEF 160 Projected to lose: -$29,100
Patrick Dangerfield $625,500 MID 155 Projected to lose: -$18,400
Jack Macrae $668,900 MID 152 Projected to lose: -$17,200
Jake Lloyd $591,400 DEF 148 Projected to lose: -$21,600
Matt Crouch $563,000 MID 146 Projected to lose: -$22,500
Luke Ryan $520,400 DEF 146 Projected to lose: -$25,200
Josh Kelly $637,700 MID 141 Projected to lose: -$11,000
Nat Fyfe $651,600 MID 138 Projected to lose: -$12,500
MORE SUPERCOACH:
Tim Michell reveals his five Round 2 trades for KFC SuperCoach
Jonathan Brown explains how he’s using his five SuperCoach trades
The 10 must-have players in KFC SuperCoach for Round 2
BEST BREAK EVENS
PREMIUMS
Ben Cunnington $554,100 MID BE 26
Dylan Shiel $529,100 MID 39
Isaac Heeney $510,700 FWD-MID 42
Shannon Hurn $562,200 DEF 61
Dom Sheed $516,100 MID 68
Jack Steele $515,900 MID 68
Steele Sidebottom $512,000 MID 70
Jack Billings $509,500 MID 74
Dustin Martin $543,000 FWD-MID 80
Jacob Hopper $520,200 MID 86
Toby Greene $510,100 FWD 86
Lachie Neale $658,500 MID 94
MID-PRICERS
Sam Naismith $251,500 RUC -25
Jack Viney $439,300 MID -19
Jacob Townsend $222,900 FWD -14
Ben Long $283,100 FWD -10
Sam Jacobs $348,400 RUC -1
Brett Bewley $252,700 FWD 1
Darcy Fort $264,800 FWD 6
Jeremy Howe $431,900 DEF 8
Brendon Ah Chee $266,100 MID 9
Jy Simpkin $383,000 FWD-MID 14
Tom Cutler $296,500 MID 20
ROOKIES
Sam Sturt $123,900 FWD -53
Marlion Pickett $123,900 MID -47
Justin McInerney $123,900 MID -34
Curtis Taylor $123,900 FWD -32
Mitch Georgiades $130,800 FWD -28
Tyler Brown $123,900 MID -17
Jarrod Brander $133,000 DEF-FWD -8
Ben Davis $123,900 FWD -4
Connor Budarick $106,900 FWD-MID -4
Deven Robertson $117,300 MID -3
Matthew Rowell $207,300 MID -1
Biggest ownership changes*
Sam Sturt +8.6%
Jeremy Howe +7.0%
Jack Viney +6.4%
Sam Naismith +3.8%
John Noble +3.4%
Justin McInerney +3.0%
Isaac Heeney +2.8%
Sam Jacobs +2.3%
Sam Docherty +1.9%
Chad Wingard +1.8%
Shannon Hurn +1.7%
Dylan Roberton -4.5%
Ben Cavarra -3.5%
Andrew Brayshaw -2.9%
Marcus Bontempelli -2.7%
Tom Green -2.4%
Darcy MacPherson -2.1%
Fischer Mcasey -1.8%
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher -1.7%
Tim English -1.5%
Jack Steven -1.2%
Josh Dunkley -1.2%
Max Gawn -1.1%
*Ownership changes current as of 11am Tuesday.
Originally published as SuperCoach Round 2 trade guide: Melbourne solves defensive rookie crisis