KFC SuperCoach 2020: The players and trades to consider ahead of Round 2

KFC SuperCoach is back and there’s extra trades to work with. Here are the players and moves to consider in what will be a SuperCoach trade period like no other ahead of Round 2

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Round 2, 2020, there never has – and likely never will be – a SuperCoach trade period like it.

Teams selected in March remain but, after a two-month shutdown, form is out the window. And price changes are imminent.

To help, SuperCoaches will be able to make five trades - three more than usually allocated in between rounds – to get their side in order before the first Round 2 lockout on Thursday, June 11.

But the total of 30 for the season will remain.

My first thought is the next four weeks is more about who you trade in than who goes out.

Yes, it’s a short season but don’t rush to trade out a player you picked, following three months of research, after one poor game. Especially when that game was three months ago.

Taking into account the first block of the fixture, which the AFL announced on Monday, here are the players – and moves – to take your team forward.

Sam Sturt (Freo)

$123,900, Fwd

Breakeven: -53

In a shortened season, cash generation – and building a team full of premium players – is going to be harder. It means you just cannot miss out on the athletic forward’s Round 2 price rise, even if the jump won’t be as big as after two games in previous years. After recording 100 SuperCoach points, on the back of three goals and seven score involvements in an impressive debut, Sturt will add $40k to his price tag even with a 50-point score. There won’t be SuperCoach tons every week but the 19-year-old has shown he can have an impact on the game in a short space of time – a key to SuperCoach scoring in reduced matches. And, until he tires, he’ll be in Justin Longmuir’s side.

Despite a quiet first half, second-year North Melbourne small-forward C urtis Taylor ($123,900 Fwd) finished with 79 SuperCoach points in Round 1 and is another cash cow with a very low breakeven and great job security.

Gold Coast’s Izak Rankine ($123,900 Fwd) should make his long-awaited debut in Round 2 but let’s give him a week.

Jack Viney back in action at Demons training at Casey Fields on May 19. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Jack Viney (Melb)

$439,300, Mid

Round 1 score: 186, Breakeven: -19

The former Melbourne skipper was the SuperCoach star of Round 1, tallying 34 disposals, 20 contested possessions, seven clearances and a huge 186 points in a dominant display against the Eagles. Sure, that was two months ago but Viney is on record saying his goal during the AFL shutdown was to “maintain the rage”. Even if it’s not to the same extent, the tough midfielder will be shooting past the $500k mark very soon. And in a 17-game season, picking the right mid-pricers will ensure your team is full of the competition’s top scorers, quicker. In Viney’s case, at worst, he becomes a Marcus Bontempelli or Josh Dunkley, who both have a Round 2 breakeven of 160 or more, in a few weeks’ time. But if he can maintain his scoring, Viney becomes a keeper. Trading down from a premium to Viney may seem counterproductive to the end goal but if the money allows you to upgrade in another spot, where mid-price options and rookies are more speculative, it’s not.

Jonathon Ceglar (Haw)

$417,000, Ruck-Fwd

Round 1 score: 101, Breakeven: 58

In the past few seasons, SuperCoaches have been lucky to have the durability – and reliability – of Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn. But in a year like no other, it’s likely you will need ruck back-up in 2020. Sure, you will have more trades at your disposal over the 17 rounds but I know I’d rather be using them elsewhere. Thankfully, 10 ruckmen posted tons in Round 1 and the early assessment says their influence – and the fact they are always around the ball - in a shortened match will be reflected in SuperCoach scoring this season. Picking another big man in the forward line will help take advantage of this – hopeful – trend, as well as giving you the much-needed cover. And, after finishing with 10 hitouts-to-advantage and 101 points as Hawthorn’s No. 1 ruckman against the Lions, Ceglar could be the man.

Can Sam Naismith follow up is 121-point performance in Round 2? Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Sam Naismith (Syd)

$251,500, Ruck

Round 1 score: 121, Breakeven: -25

The 17,000 SuperCoaches who started the year with the returning Sydney big man might still be gloating, two months after his 121 points in Round 1. And rightly so, too. In his first senior game since the 2017 semi-final loss to Geelong, the 27-year-old had the better of Crow Reilly O’Brien, finishing with 11 disposals, 10 hitouts-to-advantage, eight contested possessions and 121 SuperCoach points. The potential value here is enormous, as is the Round 2 cash injection. But who makes way?

If your answer is Max Gawn, be careful. The Melbourne star may have scored 93 in the opening round, bringing about a breakeven of 173, but he’s likely to be up against Carlton’s back-up Marc Pittonet in Round 2 and Bomber Andrew Phillips a week later.

Jeremy Howe (Coll)

$431,900, Def

Round 1 score: 156, Breakeven: 8

After averaging 92 points or more for three consecutive seasons, the high-marking Collingwood defender dropped 13 points off his average in an inconsistent 2019. But he proved just how undervalued he is in 2020 with a 156-point performance in Round 1, the highest of any defender. Howe was dominant across half-back, tallying 25 disposals, 12 intercepts – four of them marks – and 433 metres gained. The rookie-price shortage in defence was real, even before the suspension of the season and the return of first-choice Essendon defenders Patrick Ambrose and Cale Hooker. Don’t worry, we’ve all got Brandon Zerk-Thatcher. A mid-price option in Howe might be a way to address the issue ahead of Round 2.

Jeremy Howe marks the ball during Collingwood’s first session back. Picture: Michael Dodge

Sam Docherty (Carl)

$436,100, Def

Round 1 score: 117, Breakeven: 50

Or if you didn’t start with Docherty, admit your mistake and bring in the Carlton defender, who made a seamless return to AFL footy in Round 1, before his price surges pass $450k.

Tom Doedee (Adel)

$273,700, Def

Round 1 score: DNP

Some SuperCoaches may have bigger issues elsewhere, leaving little cash to address the rookie crisis in defence. But the return of the young Crow, who declared he is “ready to go” after a February setback in his recovery from a knee reconstruction, could help. If you take out the injury-affected 24 against Brisbane in Round 18, Doedee averaged 85 points per game in his debut season of 2018. The Crows will be eager to slot him straight back in- and it’s likely they will given the lack of a reserves side - so keep the 22-year-old in mind.

Lachie Neale training in isolation in early May. Picture: Darren England/AAP

Lachie Neale (Bris)

$658,500, Mid

Round 1 score: 157, Breakeven: 94

Almost 60 per cent of SuperCoaches started without the star Lion. Some because of the thought he might be easier to stop than a few at the same price, others based on personal preference. But maybe it’s time to reconsider. And not just because of Neale’s 26 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 157 points in Round 1. The 26-year-old has missed only two matches since 2013 and durability will be key in a season which Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says will be a “survival of the fittest”. And, if the current Queensland Hub plans remain in place, the Lions are likely to play a number early home games, starting with the Dockers on June 13.

Rory Sloane (Adel)

$559,300, Mid

Round 1 score: 123, Breakeven: 90

While we’re on midfield premiums, it won’t matter where, when or who for the Adelaide skipper, he’ll be in the trenches, leading from the front. If you’re taking a calculated gamble and jumping off a top-price gun who failed in Round 1, Sloane, who won 16 of his 18 possessions in a contest against the Swans, is in just two per cent of teams. And he’s averaged 130 points in the past five Showdowns. I’m not saying writing off a star because of a disappointing score three months ago is the right move, by the way.

Patrick Dangerfield (Geel)

$625,500, Mid

Round 1 score: 83, Breakeven: 156

The venue doesn’t usually matter for Dangerfield, either, but the confirmation the Cats will play all of their home games at GMHBA Stadium in 2020 is music to the ears of SuperCoaches who started with the star midfielder. And it’s also news which should get those who didn’t, thinking, too, given Dangerfield averages 132 SuperCoach points in his 32 games at the Cattery since 2016.

Brett Bewley was impressive in the Dockers’ Round 1 loss to the Bombers. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Brett Bewley (Freo)

$252,700, Fwd

Round 1 score: 95, Breakeven: 1

Speaking of, players don’t come fitter than the hard-running Docker who looks set to cement his spot in the senior side this year. At Marvel Stadium in Round 1, Bewley was everywhere, working up-and-down the wing from half-back tallying 20 disposals at 85 per cent efficiency, a game-high 498 metres gained and 95 points in his eighth career game. New Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir put an emphasis on skill over summer and it showed in Bewley’s role against the Bombers. If you can’t get past teammate Andrew Brayshaw’s Round 1 performance, this could be the move.

Chad Wingard (Haw)

$412,300, Fwd-Mid

Round 1 score: 131, Breakeven: 26

After a tough, injury-plagued first year at the Hawks in 2019, Wingard could be about to explode. He has the ability to impact that game like few others, a key SuperCoach trait in shortened games, and the 26-year-old was dominant in Round 1 with 20 disposals, three goals and 131 points in a midfield-forward role. And it was a role he impressed in late last year, with the former Power star averaging 26 disposals and 91 points from Round 20 onwards.

Harley Bennell (Melb)

$123,900, Mid

Round 1 score: DNP

Can we? You’d be lying if you haven’t already thought about it, even with an increased need for durability this season. And, with the former Sun and Docker working his way into the selection frame at Melbourne, it’s something you should continue to, at least, think about.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2020: The players and trades to consider ahead of Round 2