KFC SuperCoach 2023: Top-ranked coach reveals his secrets plus top trade targets for round 19
How to you get to the top in KFC SuperCoach? The coach of the No.1 ranked team reveals his secrets, best trades and his ‘horrendous’ starting pick.
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Timing is everything for the No.1 ranked coach in KFC SuperCoach.
Harry Reed’s team Gazza4Eva jumped to the overall No.1 spot in the overall rankings by scoring 2519 points in round 18 for a season total of 41,846, 31 points ahead of second-ranked team Fifty Shades.
Exhibit A of Harry’s perfect sense of timing is his decision trade in Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston before round 16 – the week he kicked the matchwinning goal for the Power after the siren against Essendon on his way to 156 KFC SuperCoach points.
But his hot run started long before that.
Harry – incredibly in just his second year of playing KFC SuperCoach – says his starting team included some “absolute shockers”. But he didn’t hang around to fix them.
“Before the season I said, ‘Don’t panic trade’, but I did. I rage-traded Nat Fyfe in week one to Kade Chandler ... and the second round I used a boost and I flipped Jack Steele, Sean Darcy and Josh Goater into Nick Daicos, Tim English and Jack Ziebell,” he said on the Official KFC SuperCoach Podcast.
“My starting team was far from the best possible one, but I corrected that, identified the players that weren’t going to be good, and I was just lucky that all four of those trades – Chandler, English, Daicos and Ziebell – all ended up being really good picks for the season.”
Harry said his strategy has been to upgrade to high-scoring premiums as quickly as possible by identifying value picks at the right time and the right price – leaving enough cash to make the next move.
Zach Merrett, who dropped to $564k in round 9, Andrew Brayshaw ($531k) and Lachie Neale ($561k) have all become staples of Gazza4Eva’s midfield.
“My approach throughout the season was always don’t get sucked into the players who are going up in value because it’s easy to get burned by that ... and try to focus on the players that I think are good who have just had a bad start or a bad run and dropped in value.”
He has made some very smart picks that set his team apart, like Houston and Docker Luke Ryan, but he didn’t get everything right.
Trading in Jeremy Cameron quickly backfired when the Cats forward scored -3 when he was concussed by teammate Gary Rohan, leading Harry to make a late switch to his most unique selection.
“I think I’m the only coach in the top 1000 with Joe Daniher,” he said.
“That’s not an ideal pick, but I’m just hoping I can loop him and hopefully get a big score or two out of him on the run home.”
Harry has one trade left and is hoping he can ride his luck all the way to the $50,000 grand prize.
“I think from here ... it’s really going to come down to a lot of luck, who cops what carnage and how you can deal with it.”
Listen to his full interview on the Official KFC SuperCoach Podcast below:
Champion Data reveals SuperCoach bench kings
– Fantasy Freako
In what was one of the most brutal weeks at the selection table in recent memory KFC SuperCoaches were ravaged by a host of injuries to key players – with some even playing short amidst the carnage. Hopefully you came away from it unscathed.
After two weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury the fourth-most selected player in the game, Josh Dunkley, is set to return. He will be a welcome boost to 59 per cent of teams.
Speaking of midfielders, there is nothing more frustrating as a SuperCoach than seeing your gun midfielder stuck on the bench for an extensed period. Most players have set times when they do come off the ground for a breather, but getting back onto the field can prove to be difficult – especially if the play is on the opposite side of the ground.
So far this season there are a total of 72 midfielders that have played at least 40 quarters and if we sort these out by the longest stint on the bench, it’s the returning Lion, Dunkley that comes out on top. He spends an average of 6:08 on the bench per stint. James Rowbottom (6:02) is next highest, while Dylan Shiel (5:57) and Hugh McCluggage and Jai Newcombe (both 5:51) round out the top five.
In terms of the shortest stint on the bench, Jordan De Goey spends an average of 3:49 on the pine, followed by Connor Rozee (3:57). Tom Atkins has stepped up and taken on a greater role with just 4:01 on the bench per stint, with Luke Parker (4:03) and Hugh Greenwood (4:04) next lowest.
If we crunch the numbers and look at which players spend the longest time on the ground per stint, it’s a young Docker that leads the way. Matthew Johnson spends an average of 17:00 on the ground per stint, which is the highest of any midfielder – a surprise given his youth.
One of the favourites for the Rising Star award is next highest. Will Ashcroft has spent 15:41 on the ground per stint – once again an amazing effort considering he has only played 17 games. Ashcroft often starts quarters on the bench before being unleashed.
Connor Rozee has also proven himself as a centre bounce midfielder this year, spending 15:25 on the ground per stint, with Jaeger O’Meara (15:08) and Willem Drew (14:58) next most.
Below are the top 10 for longest stints on ground:
A couple of veterans are at the opposite end of the spectrum, with Patrick Dangerfield spending 9:16 on the ground per stint. Chris Scott likes to use his inside bull in short and sharp bursts on the ground, and the numbers more than justifies it.
Ben Cunnington has often been used in a similar way, averaging 10:22 on the ground, with Atkins (10:47), Sebastian Ross (11:27) and Brad Crouch (11:39) not too far behind.
Below are the top 10 for shortest stints on ground:
FREAKO’S ROOKIE WATCH
Widespread carnage last round meant that all rookies were played on field – no matter what they scored. Some performed better than others, but there were a few that exceeded all expectations – led by Marcus Windhager. He racked up a career-high 27 disposals and scored 90 points against the Suns – more than what Tom Green (73) scored in his previous match.
Ryan Angwin was another player to perform above expectation, scoring 75 points after managing -1 and 10 points in his previous two games. He did that on the back of strong defensive effort – laying seven effective tackles from 12 tackle attempts, ranked third at the Giants behind Stephen Coniglio and Harry Perryman.
Darcy Wilmot, a staple in every team to begin the season continued his strong form – scoring 87 on the back of 89 and 120 in his previous two games.
Elsewhere, Josh Fahey came on as the sub to score 26 points, while those that were relying on Oisin Mullan had to settle for a measly four points. Better than a zero, I guess.
Josh Weddle (51) and Copper Harvey (37) were also called upon as every line was hit by injury.
Ryan Maric, initially dropped from the team, was handed a reprieve after Jack Petruccelle was a late out and this saved quite a few teams from playing short. Maric had eight disposals, kicked one goal, and scored 67 points. A huge bonus as he wasn’t playing in the first place.
Hopefully, the rookies can return to the bench this week as we go in with full squads.
For those looking to generate some cash look to Harvey (BE -22), Taj Woewodin (BE-26) and Jack Peris (BE-18) as trade-down targets. The Dockers may also hand young ruck Liam Reidy a debut after Sean Darcy was ruled out with an ankle injury. A cash grab from Kieren Briggs to Reidy could be a handy play.
Best of luck for Round 19!
Trade guide: Best SuperCoach bargains, injury replacements
– Al Paton and Tim Michell
First, the good news.
Jake Lloyd and Caleb Serong will be back this week to bolster KFC SuperCoach teams after one-week absences due to concussion and suspension, respectively.
Josh Dunkley is another likely inclusion after missing two weeks with injury, a big relief for coaches who had their squads’ depth tested like never before in round 18.
Fortunately for owners of Max Gawn (215), Dan Houston (176) and Tim English (173), those mammoth scores would have gone a long way to compensating for having to field rookies or even a zero on field.
Unfortunately, not every player who missed last round will be back this week, presenting an opportunity for coaches with trades up their sleeves.
With two rounds until head-to-head finals begin, this is what you’ve been saving them for.
So, who you should you use them on? See the best replacement options and trade targets for round 19 below.
TOM GREEN $549,000 MID
Injury timeline: Possible round 21 return
Top replacement: Caleb Serong $567,100 MID
Other options: Andrew Brayshaw, Jordan De Goey, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Josh Daicos
The Giants threw KFC SuperCoaches a huge curve ball when they announced on Friday that Green would miss three weeks on Friday. The word was that he felt his hamstring at training and scans then confirmed the worst. Some coaches would have pulled the trigger and traded Green out at the weekend, but if you didn’t then Caleb Serong stands out as a straight swap this week. He has been one of the most consistent midfielders all season and you only need $18,000 to make the move in one trade. Luke Davies-Uniacke is the form player after a brilliant two weeks, but has already had three injuries this year. Can you take that risk with one of your last trades? Jordan De Goey lost $19k on Sunday night despite his second KFC SuperCoach ton in a row. Josh Daicos would be the ultimate POD and has four consecutive scores of 10-plus.
ANGUS SHELDRICK $346,800 MID-FWD
Injury timeline: TBC
Top replacement: Sam Flanders $427,300 MID-FWD
Other options: George Hewett, Rory Atkins, Marcus Windhager, Corey Wagner, Sam Banks, Ivan Soldo
Sheldrick delivered for KFC SuperCoaches when he was badly needed during the middle of the season. But the nugget who was unearthed during the byes lost his sparkle when he scored 53 in round 17 and suffered an ankle injury. Sydney hasn’t given a definitive timeline for his return yet but the fact he was non-weight bearing last week doesn’t bode well. So much for that plan of using him for M9/F7 cover. Corey Wagner has a great role if he can keep his place in Fremantle’s defence and did his chances of an extended run in the seniors no harm with eight marks and 15 disposals against Collingwood. That was his third game, so you’ll have to pay up after his first price rise, but if you have two trades the profit you make could get you another gun premium on the eve of league finals. Sam Flanders is one of the hottest players in KFC SuperCoach with scores of 100, 119, 96 and 125 in the past month. The return of Touk Miller hasn't hurt his role or output, and it appears caretaker coach Steven King is a fan. If you have got the bank spare to go Sheldrick to him, it’ll maintain your MID-FWD cover, too. If money is an issue you can make a small profit by grabbing Marcus Windhager, another DPP got a pump-up from Ross Lyon after picking up 27 disposals against the Suns.
NAT FYFE $313,100 MID-FWD
Injury timeline: Indefinite
Top replacement: George Hewett $259,800 MID
Other options: Sam Flanders, Rory Atkins, Marcus Windhager, Corey Wagner, Sam Banks, Ivan Soldo
How many of us swore we would never pick Fyfe again, only to be sucked in when he was back in the midfield and only $250k. After a recurrence of his foot problem, it’s likely he will miss the rest of the year – especially with a finals charge looking unlikely from the Dockers. You could hold him as a loophole, but most teams will have enough doughnuts anyway in the last six rounds. One of last year’s heroes George Hewett is an option if you’re looking to trade Fyfe this week. After being reinstalled in the Carlton midfield following Matt Kennedy’s injury, Hewett had 19 disposals for 78 KFC SuperCoach points against Port Adelaide. That caused his price to drop again after a run of low scores when Michael Voss deployed him as sub. Carlton plays West Coast this week and Hewett and the Blues will be out to cash in. Just plan to use him as your M9 and loop him in case he ends up being sub again.
DARCY CAMERON $463,900 MID-FWD
Injury timeline: Possible test
Top replacement: Harry Sheezel $452,400 DEF-FWD
Other options: Wil Powell, Jack Steele, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Sam Flanders, Harry Himmelberg
How deflating was that vision of Cameron being taken away from Magpies training on a golf cart? The suggestion was he had a hip issue as a result of a knock in round 17 but the Magpies haven’t provided a definitive update as yet, or many other details (in their team announcement he was listed as being out with “injury”). If you’ve got cash in the bank you could consider any of the options listed as Tom Green trades should Cameron be ruled out again. If you don’t, Sheezel is $11k cheaper than Cameron after a small price drop despite scoring 103 against the Hawks playing the full game in defence. If you can use DPP to trade in a midfielder, then a resurgent Jack Steele jumps off the page. The Saints skipper has scored 140 and 105 in his past two. His smooth-moving teammate Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera should be in consideration as well. He has six scores of 92-plus in his past eight games and comes with the added bonus of DEF-MID status. The Saints aren’t exactly in top form but their next five games are under the roof at Marvel Stadium which suits Wanganeen-Milera’s game. If you’re burning your last trade, DPP should be a factor in who you choose. You’re likely to need the cover.
GEORGE WARDLAW $296,500 MID
Injury timeline: TBC
Top replacement: Rory Atkins $319,000 MID-DEF
Other options: Marcus Windhager, Cooper Harvey, Sam Banks, Corey Wagner, George Hewett, Ivan Soldo
It’s not going to be easy to get a replacement in one trade for about $300k. But, how about Rory Atkins? After weeks as the sub, he was back in the Suns team and had 32 disposals and kicked two goals against St Kilda – and that was with zero kick-ins. He’s DEF-MID and has only scored below 62 once in full games this year (that was when he struggled in Darwin). Windhager impressed in the same game as Atkins – jump on if you need to replace Wardlaw with a FWD-MID. If you’re trading in Soldo, it would essentially be for a two-week sugar hit. He was great against West Coast but probably won’t be in the team come round 21 when Toby Nankervis returns.
JOSH DUNKLEY $685,900 MID-FWD
Injury timeline: Due to return this week
Top replacement: Any $600k-plus premium you don’t own
The Lions have given Dunkley the green light to return this week barring any last-minute problems. If you are desperate to trade if he misses, just take the pick of the premium scorers you don’t have. James Sicily has great match-ups the next two weeks – but was also shut down by Eddie Ford on Sunday.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2023: Top-ranked coach reveals his secrets plus top trade targets for round 19
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