KFC SuperCoach: Rookies to trade out to make way for Round 7 bubble boys
With more KFC SuperCoach rookie options than you can poke a stick at, some of the cash cows we started the season with must be sacrificed. But who should we sell and which cheapies are worth holding onto?
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KFC SuperCoaches have hit the rookie jackpot this week and a host of popular cash cows are screaming ‘trade me’.
Coaches watched Cats wingman Sam Simpson, excitement machine Izak Rankine and smooth moving Hawk Will Day over the weekend with an eye to Round 7 where their prices are set to explode.
Unfortunately, many of those rookies who must be culled have failed to live up to their money-making potential or are stuck on the outer.
Luckily the magic of dual-position players – like Fremantle’s Stephen Hill as a DEF/FWD -should allow most sides to nab two of Rankine, Simpson, Day or even Adelaide’s Andrew McPherson for two rookies unlikely to make more cash.
With a series of four-day breaks looming, warm bodies on the park and DPP must be a priority along with the tried and true method of monitoring break-evens.
Expect more rookie carnage over the next month with youngsters to be rested as coaches swing the changes.
DAN BATTEN’S TOP 5 ROOKIES TO TRADE OUT (over 20 per cent ownership)
1. Brandon Starcevich
2. Tyler Brown
3. John Noble
4. Jarrod Brander
5. Connor Budarick
*This is assuming you traded out Matt Rowell last week!*
DEFENCE
Brandon Starcevich ($277,700, DEF/MID) Ave: 58.2 BE: 93
Coaches who gave Brandon Starcevich the flick last week had the right idea. Starcevich peaked at $295,400 in Round 6 but scores of 38 and 31 in his past two matches have sent his hurtling backwards. With a break-even of 93 he is set for an even greater drop this week, having failed to gather more than eight disposals in his last three matches.
DAN BATTEN’S VERDICT: TRADE. Very unlikely to replicate his early 80-plus totals so it’s time to cash in before we lose more money.
Tim Michell: HOLD – if he keeps his spot
The Phantom: TRADE.
Al Paton: TRADE.
Hayden Young ($273,700, DEF) Ave: 52 BE: 91
An injury affected score of 1 undid his KFC SuperCoach ton a fortnight ago, seeing his break even soar to 91 ahead of Round 7. He’s shown he is capable of hitting that mark but has also punched out some low scores
DB’S VERDICT: TRADE. Like Starcevich, Young is set to lose value fast.
TM: TRADE.
TP: TRADE.
AP: TRADE.
John Noble ($266,000, DEF) Ave: 62.8 BE: 19
Pies defender John Noble has spent the past two weeks playing scratch matches after being dropped before their Round 5 clash. Noble had been tracking well with his scoring and is some chance to return after being among the best players in his most recent practice game, but a thumping Collingwood win doesn’t help his chances.
DB’S VERDICT: TRADE. We can only wait so long for Noble to be named so if he misses again, hit the trade button.
TM: TRADE — unless named.
TP: TRADE.
AP: TRADE.
Tom Williamson ($239,400, DEF) BE: 36 Ave: 58.3
Tom Williamson has been trusted taking some kick-ins with Nic Newman sidelined and his spot appears safe in the Carlton side. His break-even is still manageable at 36 despite his season-low score of 47 against the Bulldogs.
DB’S VERDICT: HOLD. Still has some cash to make yet.
AP: HOLD (if he plays).
Jarrod Brander ($235,200, DEF/FWD) BE: 13 Ave: 60.3
Like Noble, Jarrod Brander has been out of the Eagles line-up for the past fortnight but for him it’s due to injury. West Coast are coming of two straight wins so coach Adam Simpson is unlikely to change things up too much, which could be to Brander’s detriment.
DB’S VERDICT: TRADE. Even if fit it appears unlikely Brander will walk straight into their best-22, but his DPP makes him more valuable to hold than Noble, though.
TM: HOLD.
TP: HOLD.
AP: TRADE.
Fischer McAsey ($212,100, DEF) BE: 41 Ave: 40.8
It is always difficult for key position youngsters to score well and the inflated price hasn’t helped Fischer McAsey’s cash generation. The No. 6 pick from the 2019 draft has a break-even of 41 – which just eclipses his paltry average of 40.8
DB’S VERDICT: HOLD. We will need warm bodies in the next few weeks and McAsey provides us at least that, given the Crows will look to get games into the prized draftee.
TM: HOLD.
TP: HOLD.
AP: HOLD (if he plays).
Trent Rivers ($166,000, DEF/MID Ave: 47 BE: 18
Trent Rivers wasn’t able to replicate his promising debut in his next two matches, tallying a cumulative 77 points. The running defender was dropped last week but a return could beckon from Round 9-12 with teams playing off four-day breaks.
DB’S VERDICT: HOLD. Hasn’t made enough money to justify a trade and can at the very least be a handy emergency loophole with Melbourne’s next two games falling on Sunday.
TM: HOLD.
TP: TRADE.
AP: TRADE.
Best options: If you are looking to get a defender, Will Day ($153,300, DEF) is the standout after his impressive 93-point debut. Day is an interceptor who uses the ball-well – two facets that will bode well for his scoring. Crows tall defender Andrew McPherson ($123,900, DEF) posted 76-points on the weekend and is cheaper but could be prone to a stinker in his role.
Alternatively, a swing with Stephen Hill/Jarrod Brander or Brandon Starcevich/Trent Rivers will allow you to get Izak Rankine or Sam Simpson.
MIDFIELD
Matt Rowell ($470,700, MID) Ave: 102.4 BE: 155
Rowell was a KFC SuperCoach’s dream as a rookie but now is set to spend the rest of the season on the sidelines after going under the knife.
DB’S VERDICT: MUST TRADE. You can’t have $470,700 sitting on your bench.
TM: TRADE.
TP: TRADE.
AP: TRADE.
Tom Green ($268,700, MID) Ave: 62 BE: 44
Tom Green had a strong fortnight prior to his disappointing score of 42 against the Power. Although reports have suggested Stephen Coniglio’s selection could come under the microscope, Green is probably the most at risk of being axed with Tim Taranto set to return. However, Callan Ward’s most recent setback will help his cause.
DB’S VERDICT: HOLD. The Giants should persist with him but we know coach Leon Cameron’s disdain for this game we play.
TM: HOLD.
TP: HOLD.
AP: HOLD.
Justin McInerney ($232.900, MID) BE: 11 Ave: 63.5
Justin McInerney was ousted favour of debutants Chad Warner and Dylan Stephens. Injuries to Isaac Heeney and Josh Kennedy should help McInerney’s chances with a call-up in sight.
DB’s VERDICT: HOLD. Likely to be one of the beneficiaries of Sydney’s injury woes.
TM: HOLD.
TP: HOLD.
AP: HOLD.
Tyler Brown ($232,300, MID) Ave: 52.2 BE: 62
The crafty Pies midfielder felt the same fate as McInerney last week but it is unlikely we will see Brown recalled after Collingwood’s strong win. His break-even has passed his average, having to score 62 points to maintain his price once he returns. Brown wasn’t named in the Magpies’ emergencies which is a cause for concern.
DB’S VERDICT: TRADE. A trade from Brown to Simpson fits the bill perfectly.
TM: TRADE.
TP: TRADE.
AP: TRADE.
Best options: Granted it was just one game but Sam Simpson shapes as one of the best rookies we have had to date. Simpson eclipsed superstar Lachie Neale’s possession tally on Thursday night and looks a different player to the one who struggled to average 50 back in 2018. A swing with Whitfield/Smith or Budarick from your forward line will allow you to get
Ruck
Marc Pittonet ($434,200, RUCK) Ave: 104.6 BE: 96
Has Marc Pittonet’s purple patch come to an end? Pittonet was solid against the Bulldogs but those fielding the Blues ruckman are losing significant points to those with Max Gawn and Todd Goldstein. Another tough match-up in Scott Lycett awaits him with a break even of 96.
DB’S VERDICT: HOLD. His break even isn’t completely out of reach and there’s rookies in more trouble than him this week. However, if you are hellbent on bringing in Gawn or Goldstein before Round 7, there’s no time like the present.
TM: HOLD – unless you can get Max Gawn
TP: TRADE.
AP: TRADE — if he’s your R2 and you can somehow find $300k to get Max Gawn.
FORWARDS
Curtis Taylor ($276,000, FWD) Ave: 62.2 BE: 46
Curtis Taylor epitomised the inconsistency of rookie forwards in his last fortnight, backing up his unlikely Round 5 ton with a score of just 15. His break even remains low and he has been cleared of a facial fracture that saw him assessed during the match after Dylan Shiel’s bump.
DB’S VERDICT: HOLD. Taylor has shown the potential to turn it on and could easily outscore his break even this week.
TM: HOLD.
TP: TRADE.
AP: HOLD.
Max King ($264,300, FWD) Ave: 60 BE: 7
The promising young Saint has managed to score well with limited possessions, exemplified by his 86-point score from six touches in Round 5. It is perhaps a surprise to see him make so much cash this quickly and his break even remains low.
DB’S VERDICT: HOLD. Barring a Curtis Taylor mare, King could hit the $300k mark in a couple of weeks.
TM: HOLD.
TP: HOLD.
AP: HOLD.
Connor Budarick ($229,300, FWD/MID) BE: 54 Ave: 52.2
Connor Budarick hasn’t missed a game for the Suns despite some quiet outings so his job security appears rock solid. The issue has been that he has already fallen in price by $4,000 and will dip again on current form. His DPP status is a handy plus and could help avoid zeros during a tumultuous month ahead.
DB’S VERDICT: HOLD … Just. Yes, I realise I put him at No.5 in the trade ratings but I’d be inclined to trade those who aren’t playing before moving on Budarick.
TM: HOLD.
TP: HOLD.
AP: HOLD.
Sam Sturt ($195,300, FWD) BE: 29 Ave: 61.7
It has been an emotional rollercoaster as a Sam Sturt owner. A Round 1 ton, a back injury, an ankle injury in his return game where he scored just 11 points, a surprise return after just a week out and then ANOTHER ankle injury in the lead-up to Round 6. Now, Sturt will miss at least the next fortnight with that ankle setback.
DB’S VERDICT: HOLD. For now. Use him as a loophole and trade out other rookies who will net you more cash for a downgrade.
TM: HOLD.
TP: HOLD.
AP: HOLD.
MORE EXPERT ADVICE:
KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom’s Round 6 review, burning questions and trade advice
KFC SuperCoach Round 7 trade guide: Best rookies and bargain-priced stars
The most-reliable KFC SuperCoach performers of 2020 revealed
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach: Rookies to trade out to make way for Round 7 bubble boys