Trade grades: Expert verdict on most popular Round 12 KFC SuperCoach moves
Hold or trade? And if you pull the trigger on Brodie Grundy, who should you swap him to? Our KFC SuperCoach experts reveal their Round 12 trades.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Getting a full scoring team on the field for Round 12 is the No.1 priority for KFC SuperCoaches this week.
But smart coaches are also looking ahead to the next two bye rounds and making moves now to guarantee the best possible scores over those weeks.
With three trades available during each week of the byes, there are a number of potential moves — plus one huge issue in the form of injured Magpie Brodie Grundy.
Our experts reveal their trades below plus their verdict on the most popular Round 12 moves.
AL PATON
MY TRADES: Miles Bergman and Matt Flynn to Trent Bianco and Ned Reeves
My trades are all geared towards getting 18 scoring players on field in Round 13 — something I’m considerably short on right now. With just 14 players in my team currently available in Round 13 I’ll need to use all three trades next week to get to 18, plus one this week — hence the decision to go early on Reeves, even though he’s not playing this week due to Hawthorn’s bye. Getting Bianco early looks the smart play after his stellar debut. I have a few players I could swap to him but Bergman definitely won’t play this week due to Port’s bye, and is a long shot to feature in Round 13 as well. These moves will give me plenty of cash to try to salvage my Round 13 situation but that will probably require trading out Joe Daniher — a move I’ve considered this week before he faces Melbourne’s stingy defence with a break even of 110. But I might need his score to get 18 on field and his replacement, Aaron Hall, has a history of hamstring problems so trading him in now could lead to a week of sleepless nights.
TIM MICHELL
MY TRADES: Brodie Grundy, Sam Berry and Anthony Scott to Sam Walsh, Zach Merrett and Ned Reeves
OK, I’d be lying if I said I’d completely settled on this. But the flexibility three trades gives every KFC SuperCoach has me thinking very seriously about it. This move would give me 18, possibly 19 players for Round 12, of which 15 are premiums. Only Caleb Poulter, Alec Waterman and Tom Highmore would be on-field rookies. The only issue is I’d currently have 17 players come Round 13, but I would have a finished midfield. I’d then be looking to trade Matthew Flynn to Callum Coleman-Jones in Round 13 to free up cash with an extra premium — likely Lachie Whitfield. Could you really get away with Ned Reeves at R2 if the rest of your side was premium? It’s a move I am genuinely considering, especially when it gives me Merrett and Walsh at crazy prices.
DAN BATTEN
MY TRADES: None – or Sam Berry to Trent Bianco pending Hunter Clark’s selection
Upgrading each week to ease the pain of injured premiums has left me with just remaining 11 trades (yes, you read that right!) for the run home, so at this stage I am opting for a no-trade week. I will have 18 playing this bye round if Clark is passed fit, which I will have to settle for with worse numbers for Round 13 and 14. If Clark does not play, I may break my trade ban and move on Berry – who will miss with concussion – for Pies cheapie Bianco.
THE PHANTOM
MY TRADES: Matt Flynn to Ned Reeves, James Jordon to Zach Merrett, Brodie Grundy to Reilly O’Brien (cash in bank: $264k)
I’m torn. On Monday, I was happy with my three-week bye plan. But, here we are, not far from the first bye-round lockout and I’ve half-committed to trading Brodie Grundy. I considered Nic Naitanui but the move actually threw my premium balance out of whack. And it didn’t make me any money, which is the half the reason I looked at it in the first place. Using it as a cash grab offsets the use of the trade – seeing as I’d need to make another downgrade to execute the full plan, anyway. It’s a punt, because trading Grundy means I might not get him back, but I’m treading water in terms of overall ranking so this could be the hit I need. O’Brien was back in a big way against the Tigers and we now know his ordinary previous four matches can be attributed – at least partially – to a back injury. The move would definitely mean settling for value midfielder Zach Merrett over Marcus Bontempelli, while Flynn to Reeves is a lock, regardless. Anthony Scott to Trent Bianco (via Caleb Poulter) is the other move I’ve been playing with.
Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
TRADE GRADES: MOST TRADED IN
TRENT BIANCO $123,900 DEF/MID
Al Paton: BUY — Looks like an exception to the ‘don’t pick rookies after one game’ rule. Will provide an extra good score this week and if you don’t get him now you’ll have to use one of your three trades next week on him.
Tim Mitchell: BUY — Always risky buying a rookie after one game but the debut evidence was compelling. He has a Round 14 buy and should provide coverage in both rounds 12 and 13 if you’re struggling to field 18.
The Phantom: BUY — Forget the one-game rule, it’s the bye rounds. He was fantastic on debut and will be great cover over the next two weeks. We all need cash to execute our plans, anyway.
MORE: AL PATON’S TOP BYE TRADE TARGETS
CALLUM COLEMAN-JONES $161,200 RUC/FWD
AP: WAIT — Looked fantastic and should get an extended run in Richmond’s team with Tom Lynch out for at least 5-6 weeks. The issue for me is his Round 13 bye when I’m already struggling for players so I’ll wait until he’s on the bubble in Round 14.
TM: BUY — Going to jump in price come Round 14 and provides valuable cover this round. Toby Nankervis’ injury also increases his job security. Trade Matt Flynn this week then move Coleman-Jones forward when Ned Reeves is back in Round 13
TP: BUY — Similar to Bianco, go early if you need the cash. And the cover, because Tom Lynch won’t be back for a while and ruckman Toby Nankervis is out, too. For Grundy, Phantom? Hmm.
ISAAC HEENEY $398000 FWD
AP: PASS — If you got him last week, well done. But this was John Longmire post-match: “If he gets a bit sore, like a few weeks ago, he doesn’t play... We’ll manage him from week to week.” Too risky for me.
TM: BUY — His ankle and injury history is always going to be a worry but Heeney is still great value at under $400k. If he kicked straight he would have scored 150 against Carlton.
TP: PASS/BUY — At $398k, there’s still so much value here. But I’m still concerned about his body, especially after coach John Longmire again mentioned Heeney and “week-to-week” in the same sentence.
NED REEVES $123,900 RUC
AP: BUY — A must-have as a money-making bench ruckman, the only question is whether you get him after his Round 12 bye or go early this week to free up money and a trade you might need for another move next week.
TM: BUY — But only if you really need the cash or are forward planning as he doesn’t play this week.
TP: BUY/ WAIT — If you’re looking OK for numbers on-field in Round 12, Matt Flynn to Reeves this week will give you cash and more room to move ahead of Round 13.
MAX GAWN $614,700 RUC
AP: BUY — Assume this is players who started Grundy and not Max. That’s a big yes from me considering you can make $13k on the deal.
TM: BUY — Can only assume these are people replacing Brodie Grundy and if you don’t have Gawn this is the move to make.
TP: WAIT/BUY — His break even is still 124, so you could wait until after his Round 14 bye. But if you didn’t start him and you need him over the next two rounds, $614k is a pretty good buy.
NIC NAITANUI $585,200 RUC
AP: PASS — Tempting but I can’t afford to use a trade or bring in another Round 13 bye player. Having said that, he could score 300 against the Tigers in Round 14.
TM: PASS — Can see a scenario where West Coast ‘manages’ Naitanui in the second half of the season. Do you really want to burn two trades just to end up with Grundy again?
TP: BUY — If you’ve decided to trade Grundy, Nic Nat is the best in-form premium replacement. But I’d rather make cash if I was trading the star Pie.
JACK STEELE $576,900 MID
AP: BUY — Didn’t you all get him last week like me? (sorry, have to enjoy one of my few successful trades this year) Still a great price for the seventh-top scorer overall this season.
TM: BUY — I jumped on last week and was glad I did. Has the Round 14 bye so he provides premium points for the next two rounds.
TP: BUY — If you’re OK in Round 14, get on.
DAYNE ZORKO $579,300 FWD/MID
AP: BUY — Destined to be the No.1 forward and his price is still going up (break even 68).
TM: PASS — I still don’t have the Lions skipper which was a huge oversight but there’s no way I’m paying close to $600k when I can get Sam Walsh or Zach Merrett cheaper.
TP: BUY — He’s coming hard for Jack Ziebell’s No.1 forward tag in KFC SuperCoach and, with a break even of 68, he’s only getting more expensive.
JAKE LLOYD $548,000 DEF
AP: BUY — Turns out the smart play was to not start with the top-scoring defender of the past two seasons. Has been a little underwhelming, losing $108k, but fired big time in Round 11 (142 points) and his worst score is 95.
TM: BUY — Lloyd had been solid without being spectacular before the weekend when he scored posted 142 against Carlton. His break even is back to 88 and his bye isn’t until Round 14.
TP: BUY/PASS — The star Swan looks to have bottomed out in price after a season-high 142 against the Blues. But you can still wait until after his Round 14 bye.
CLAYTON OLIVER $693,200 MID
AP: PASS — His scoring annoys me every week after passing on him a month ago but history tells us it is very hard for any player to stay at this level. I’d take Steele for $120k less.
TM: BUY — It’s never a bad time to get Oliver. He’s overtaken Max Gawn as the top captaincy option from the Demons.
TP: BUY/PASS — He’s so expensive now, so, from a pure money sense, you are probably better off waiting — or praying — for one quiet game. Consider Bomber Zach Merrett to save $150k.
TRADED OUT
BRODIE GRUNDY $627,700 RUC
AP: HOLD — It really depends on your team’s situation during the byes but remember you only need 18 scoring players the next two weeks and we all knew he was missing Round 14 anyway.
TM: TRADE — If you’re in the mix for overall rankings glory or have enough trades to eventually get him back. If you have 14 trades or less and aren’t close to a full premium team, you need to hold.
TP: HOLD/TRADE — I’m torn. The sensible play is, of course, holding him, given, with the Pies’ Round 14 bye, it’s really only an extra two matches without him. Especially with best-18 scoring for the next three rounds. But we all need to make money, and trading Grundy could help you make up ground in the process. I don’t have enough words here to explain if it would be the right call for you. But stay tuned.
MATTHEW FLYNN $367,700 RUC
AP: TRADE — See comments for Reeves above. We should all trade him out and reap the $243k reward, it’s just a matter of whether you do it this week or next week.
TM: TRADE — Unless you plan on using him as Round 14 cover, it’s time to cash in.
TP: TRADE — Unless you need the extra on-field number this week, trading Flynn to Reeves, or Coleman-Jones, gives you cash and more room to move over the next two weeks.
JACOB KOSCHITZKE $270,600 DEF
TP: TRADE — Has done a much better job than many of us expected, rising $147k, but now is the perfect time to trade him to Bianco to free up cash for next week.
TM: TRADE — He’s done his job as a bench rookie with six scores of 50+.
TP: TRADE — With a Round 12 bye, it’s the perfect time to trade him for one-game Pie Trent Bianco.
ANTHONY SCOTT $281,700 MID/FWD
AP: TRADE — An obvious trade out before his Round 13 bye and he might not play this week anyway.
TM: HOLD — If you need him to field 18 this week like me. Otherwise, get him out quick smart due to his high break even.
TP: TRADE — With a 93-point break even, if he returns, this is the week to trade him to take full advantage of his price. Might all depend on your on-field numbers though.
TOM POWELL $322,000 MID
AP: TRADE — Easy call, has hit the wall and has a bye this week.
TM: TRADE — You should have traded a few weeks ago. He looked in need of a rest in the past few games.
TP: TRADE — If you haven’t already done so, he won’t be there this week, so upgrade him to a premium who is — even if that player will miss next week.
CHANGKUOTH JIATH $369,400 DEF
AP: TRADE — Will depend how many trades you have and how your team looks across the byes but I don’t think you want him in your team long-term.
TM: TRADE/HOLD — Three scores 55-66 in his past three are a concern but I can see him exploding again after the bye. No issue if you want to trade, but I’d be tempted to hold if I still had him. His 100 break even will be achievable in Round 13.
TP: TRADE/HOLD — Four scores of 66 or less in the past five weeks isn’t a great form line but he still has the potential to be great cover in Rounds 13 and 14. He’s at the top of the sideways trade list but it might all depend on your available players. I’ll be holding for now.
JAMES ROWE $307,200 FWD
AP: HOLD — Scoring OK and should get his 59 break even against Collingwood. Wait until Adelaide’s Round 14 bye then move him on.
TM: HOLD — Hasn’t scored less than 54 in the past four weeks and has three scores of 71 or better in that time. Should go close to his 59 break even and doesn’t have a bye until Round 14.
TP: HOLD — His break even is low again after some impressive form playing further up the ground. And he’ll be great cover over the next two rounds.
JAMES JORDON $369,900 MID
AP: HOLD — I need him over the next two weeks and will trade leading into Round 14. Price probably won’t change much either way in that time so you could pull the trigger now if you need to for some reason.
TM: HOLD — I traded him last week so this advice seems hypocritical in a way. Jordon has only scored less than 76 once since Round 5 and provides cover until Round 14. Cash him in then.
TP: TRADE — He was great against the Bulldogs and should make a little bit more cash. But it probably won’t be enough to stop you from upgrading if that was part of your three-week plan.
ERROL GULDEN $282,900 MID
AP: TRADE — Surprised he’s still in almost 40,000 teams considering he’s the most traded out player this season. Follow the crowd on this one.
TM: TRADE — Why do you still have him?
TP: TRADE. You can’t carry him over the byes.
LACHLAN MCNEIL $239,900 MID
AP: TRADE — Don’t have to trade him until next week but can’t see him getting his 69 break even so turning him into Bianco a week early makes sense.
TM: TRADE — Three scores in a row below 50 and losing value fast.
TP: HOLD/TRADE — He’s losing money but he looks like he’ll be there. And, at $236k, you’re not making a lot of cash anyway.
More Coverage
Originally published as Trade grades: Expert verdict on most popular Round 12 KFC SuperCoach moves
Five moves that won me $50,000 in SuperCoach
The 20-year-old winner of SuperCoach AFL 2024 reveals the tactics that led him to the game’s top prize, beating out more than 180,000 players across the country.
SuperCoach wrap: Norm-worthy stars and grand final flops
Who stood up on the biggest SuperCoach stage and who disappointed when it counted most? Check out round 24’s heroes and villains – and some hot tips for 2025.