SuperCoach AFL 2025: Experts reveal their trades for round 8

One SuperCoach expert is making a huge play by not trading this week. But others are swinging for the fences. See all their ins and outs here.

A rookie crisis is forcing SuperCoaches into some difficult decisions this week.

Are they prepared to trade in a risky bubble boy or go early on another rookie – and to cut loose a high-scoring cash cow before they have maxed out in price?

Is it worth it to get an extra top-liner in now for an instant hit – or will playing it safe pay off in the long run?

Here’s how our experts are answering those questions before round 8.

AL PATON

OUT: Sam Davidson, Levi Ashcroft

IN: Henry Hustwaite, Lachie Neale

The first trade is easy – Davidson has done his job while Hustwaite is in the Hawks midfield, faces Richmond on Sunday and has three more weeks until Conor Nash returns to show he deserves to stay in the team. And I don’t like this week’s bubble boys one bit. Go Henry.

Part two is much more difficult. I would really like to keep Levi for a bit longer but at the end of the day we pick rookies to make enough money grab top-liners around this time of year, and he would likely be out in the next week or two anyway. Also, none of the bench rookies who I would be happy to wave goodbye are worth enough to even get to a bargain premo like Chad Warner.

Neale for $562k is a gift I don’t want to miss, especially ahead of games against the Suns, Roos and Demons.

Al Paton is cutting Levi Ashcroft early. Picture Lachie Millard

PATCH

NO TRADES

I don’t really like the downgrades this week and I’m happy to wait a week on upgrade targets – to see if Chad Warner’s role change is real and if Josh Dunkley’s CBA numbers will stabilise. I’ve also used 15 trades already and really should rein it in a bit, hey?

TIM MICHELL

NO TRADES

or

IN: Chad Warner and Henry Hurstwaite

OUT: Sam Davidson and Finn O’Sullivan

I’m torn this week. Part of me thinks it’s better to wait until after Chad Warner is tagged by Toby Bedford this week to bring him in. But another part of me knows I have been giving away 50-60 points a week in my forward line since regrettably trading Jason Horne-Francis. I’d probably field Hustwaite at M8 this week against Richmond, too. So I’m leaning towards trading, but ask me tomorrow and I might feel differently. Maybe holding two trades is the right play?

Christian Petracca is good buying this week. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

TARQUIN OAKLEY

IN: Christian Petracca, Henry Hustwaite

OUT: Sam Davidson, Finn O’Sullivan

One ton was enough to convince me Christian Petracca is back in town. Hustwaite should make at least $100k until Conor Nash returns – and even then there’s still a fair chance he stays in the side if he’s playing well enough. Davidson has done his job, and O’Sullivan has been disappointing but it’s time I moved on.

MATT FORREST

IN: Tristan Xerri, Riley Hardeman, James Tunstill

OUT: Murphy Reid, Sam Davidson, Archer Reid

I heavily considered Chad Warner this week to finish off my forward line, but Xerri against Goldstein this week might equal 400 points as my vice-captain. Tunstill I’m nervous about, the same with Hardeman, but I liked both when they played full games and I’m hoping they get the chance to do that a few more times. The Reids and Davidson are just about tapped out of value, so I’m fine missing out on $10-15k over the next few weeks from them.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2025: Experts reveal their trades for round 8