Six SuperCoach takeaways from super Sunday of AFL Round 9

Mother’s Day mayhem delivered three thrillers, some huge SuperCoach scores – and some other players that are ringing alarm bells. Here’s what we learned.

Three games were decided by a total of six points on a crazy Sunday of Mother’s Day mayhem to close out round 9.

And the close finishes saw some wild sings in SuperCoach scoring – and some big lessons to take into a big week of trades.

Here are our six big takeaways.

KING XERRI

Brisbane’s Oscar McInerney is the No.1 ruck stopper in the game – or at least he was until Sunday night. The Lions conceded the fewest points to opposition ruckmen in the competition over the first eight rounds, and that trend looked set to continue when Tristan Xerri had under 50 SuperCoach points at halftime. But he exploded in the second half to almost match Max Gawn’s insane 198 from last week, and almost get North Melbourne over the line in what would have been the upset of the season. Gawn and Xerri are R1 and R2 this year - and it’s not even close.

Darcy Fort battles with Tristan Xerri. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

CALEB COOKED?

There have been danger signs for Caleb Daniel in recent weeks, and now the warning sign is flashing red for the third-most owned player in SuperCoach. Daniel managed only 18 disposals – and just eight after quarter-time – and 51 SuperCoach points. He has made almost $200,000 for his almost 140,000 owners, but is it time to cut the cord as North Melbourne’s round 12 bye approaches?

DEFENDER FIRE SALE

Defensive upgrades will be on the agenda this week with some premium scorers available at very gettable prices. And after Sunday’s games, there will be plenty of names to choose from. Dayne Zorko has dropped almost $100k from his starting value but his price will be on the way back up after a season-high 166 against North Melbourne. Max Holmes fell under $500k and just made his Break Even with a 134 against the Giants. And Lachie Whitfield will be available for under $600k for the first time since round 3 after the No.1 defender of 2025 posted 116 at the Cattery, 23 short of his Break Even for the round. He’s one we will want before the Giants face Richmond in round 12.

Tom Gross is run down by Tiger Tom Brown in the dying moments. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATED

Owners of young Eagles midfielder Tom Gross have been through a lot in his short AFL caireer, from being named the sub in his bubble game to being dropped to the WAFL to being recalled then being named sub again. Gross again had to wait until the final term to get a run against the Tigers, but he made a huge impact when he came on, picking up six disposals and three tackles in roughly 15 per cent game time. That translated to 46 SuperCoach points – well above his -6 Break Even – and it could have been a lot more. Gross looked about to kick the winning goal when he stormed inside 50 in the final minute, only to be run down by Tom Brown. Coach Andrew McQualter said post-match the club will wrap its arms around the 18-year-old. Hopefully that means picking him in the starting 22 next week.

ROUGH WEEK FOR ROOKIES

It’s not a great sign that in 18 minutes Gross outscored teammate Elijah Hewett (33 from 13 disposals). And he wasn’t the only cheapie who battled on Sunday. Finn O’Sullivan scored just 24 in Hobart (a late hail Mary shot at goal sailed out on the full), and GWS defensive rookie hope Joe Fonti managed just seven touches and 29 points against Geelong. He’ll be on the bubble this week and might still be worth a look after scoring 77 in game one – if he gets picked for a third game.

FLYNN IN OUR OUT?

Matt Flynn retained his spot in the Eagles’ line-up after being monstered by Max Gawn, but was part of a dual ruck setup alongside Bailey J Williams. That normally means death for SuperCoach scoring, and it looked that way when both big men had under 40 points going into the final quarter. But the SuperCoach formula rewards acts in tight finishes and both had crucial late touches, with Flynn pushing his way to 80 SuperCoach points – 12 above his Break Even – and Williams to 66. That will deliver another small price rise for Flynn’s 65,000 owners, but it is also likely to encourage Andrew McQualter to persist with the two ruck strategy. Flynn has made almost $150k in three weeks which is a great return, and that might be all we get.

Recap all Sunday’s action in the blog below.

Originally published as Six SuperCoach takeaways from super Sunday of AFL Round 9