SuperCoach AFL 2025: Expert verdict on most popular trades for round 4
Xavier Lindsay is the most traded out player in SuperCoach this week, but an expert jury says that’s a big mistake. See who to axe instead and the best buys for round 4.
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It’s another big week of trades in SuperCoach.
With two tempting mid-priced forwards and a pair of exciting rookies, coaches have a massive call to make, while premiums are in the gun with SuperCoaches across all four lines.
See our experts’ verdicts are on all the popular trades this week.
MOST TRADED OUT
Xavier Lindsay ($193,400 MID)
Al Paton: HOLD – if you can. Has a great role and will make more money than Finn O’Sullivan and most of our other rookies. But it will take a while.
Haydn ‘Dos’ Kenny: HOLD. Keep him around if you can. Will be one of the best cash cows this season.
Patch: HOLD. We’ve had word his injury isn’t as bad as first expected – he might miss this week but the Dees are hopeful he’ll return for Gather Round. A hold for me.
Tim Michell: HOLD. Break Even of 28 and likely to only miss 1-2 weeks. A rookie you would be OK with at M7-8 once best 22 starts next week.
Tarquin Oakley: HOLD. A most unfortunate injury to this popular rookie just minutes into the game. But he has avoided anything too serious and if he’s only out for one game you can hold.
Matt Forrest: HOLD. If you can. Melbourne has ruled him out for one week, but could be two. Cash generation is important but he’s a classy enough rookie he’ll overcome his bad score if you’re patient.
Chloe Williams: HOLD. He seems to have avoided a long-term layoff and will keep generating cash, and points.
Simeon Thomas-Wilson: SELL. It won’t be long term but he will surely miss some time and that’s cash just sitting there with no generation.
VERDICT: Hold 7, Sell 1
Jason Horne-Francis ($496,100 MID/FWD)
AP: SELL. I’ve got a version of this week’s trades which is sensible and gets all the good cash cows, and a much more fun version that gives JHF the boot. Will improve no doubt but don’t think he’ll burn you with a run of huge scores if you pull the pin – he has three tons in his past 17 games.
Dos: HOLD. It’s been grim but I think we have to keep the faith. Butters back soon should help.
Patch: SELL. Al Paton was right. I’m firmly on the fence here and the conventional wisdom says don’t trade your top dogs, but at the moment I’m leading trade. Doesn’t have the role we want (even with Butters out) and is bleeding free kicks like no one else.
TM: HOLD. He’s a top-six forward and you’re going to end up bringing him back in anyway. Could be a disaster though if he cops Windhager this week.
TO: HOLD. His last quarter against the Dons showed promise that he can turn his slow start around.
MF: HOLD. Trading underperforming premiums should only happen if you’ve nailed all your rookies. Horne-Francis will turn it around eventually, I’m keen to see him with Butters in the side, which could happen this week.
CW: HOLD. Fading to begin with would’ve been ideal, if only someone warned us ... but hold for now, his role is there.
STW: HOLD. Keep the faith. Butters back will help.
VERDICT: Hold 6, Sell 2
James Leake ($119,900 DEF)
AP: SELL. Well out of the Giants’ best 22 now, and didn’t score much when he was playing.
Dos: SELL. I generally hold basement rookies, but if you don’t have Bice or O’Sullivan – this is your chance.
Patch: SELL. If you need a ticket to Riley Bice, he’s your man.
TM: SELL. He’s not getting back in any time soon. Get on the Riley Bice train before it leaves the station at speed.
TO: SELL. The gun Giants are back and Leake isn’t in their best side.
MF: SELL. He’s not in the best 23, so he’ll be a zero on the bench. The longer you wait, the harder it is to get rid of him once you reach the cut and thrust of the upgrade season.
CW: SELL. Either this week or next. El-Hawli and Travaglia will be on the bubble next week, if they remain in the 23, so you could always wait until next week if you had to. At least plan to sell.
STW: SELL. With the recent emergence of rookie defenders, jump off and get someone who will score points and generate cash.
VERDICT: Sell 8
Finn O’Sullivan ($207,400 MID)
AP: SELL. Will he be a gun? Most likely. Is he making us money in SuperCoach? Nope. Might max out at $210k unless he produces a spike game this week.
Dos: SELL. One for the future. Has shown flashes, but we need to see more of it for him to make some cash.
Patch: SELL. I’ll be holding, but if you need a way to hop to Christian Moraes and you don’t have any dead wood on the bench not playing then he’s perfectly OK to trade out. Am convinced he has a good score in him soon.
TM: SELL. Don’t think anyone doubts he’s going to be a special talent but he isn’t getting enough footy to score well. Will no doubt have a spike game, but who knows when that will be? Only reason to hold is he’ll have DEF status soon.
TO: HOLD: I am neutral on this one but given I am holding this week to deal with other issues that’ll be my verdict. Feel like a breakout game is coming soon.
MF: SELL. He’s going to get defensive eligibility, but he’s not scoring well enough to worry about it. Worth holding if you can, but if you need to trade someone for a Christian Moraes or Riley Bice, send him off.
CW: SELL. He looks great, but isn’t scoring well ... try to get some more value for that cash!
STW: SELL. Just not scoring the points we expected.
VERDICT: Sell 7, Hold 1
Ben Paton ($113,400 DEF/FWD)
AP: SELL: Not in the team but having a non-playing bench defender isn’t the end of the world – I had two of them for most of last year.
Dos: SELL. So many forward and defender options available that are actually making money.
Patch: SELL: Bye bye Ben.
TM: HOLD. His DEF-FWD status is so handy when trading, especially with DPP coming. You could swing Paton from defence to forward to help get Finn O’Sullivan into your backline.
TO: SELL. Like Leake, has fallen out of favour. Straight swap for Bice if you haven’t got him yet.
MF: SELL. Had a good couple of weeks in the VFL so if he comes back you can hold, but Bice should be in everyone’s team and I can’t see both playing for the Swans.
CW: SELL. An easy swap to Bice, who has essentially taken his role ... but his DPP is handy.
STW: SELL: Better options in defence are now available.
Sam De Koning ($369,900 DEF)
AP: SELL: Could lose money this week which is the opposite of why you got him.
Dos: SELL. Not showing the ceiling we signed up for and even copped a sub on the weekend after guzzling down some pickle juice. Get out of my team.
Patch: SELL. Probably not the biggest priority by SDK down to Bice gives you a lot of wriggle room elsewhere. He’s not working out for SuperCoaches and Rhys Stanley is looming.
TM: SELL. Sounds harsh but he’s not a ruckman. The Cats have persisted for three games but in the past two Mark Blicavs has had 77 ruck contests to De Koning’s 102. A chance to lose value this week.
TO: SELL. Geelong say he was subbed out tactically against Brisbane with the game on the line. Not a good sign.
MF: SELL. What a brief shining light SDK was. There are better mid-pricers (Humphrey, Maric) if you can swing it.
CW: SELL. The horizon doesn’t look great with a Stanley return seemingly imminent ... cut your losses.
STW: SELL. Subbed out last time and hasn’t shown the ceiling, oh and takes on Max this week. Make some cash.
VERDICT: Sell 8
Sam Lalor ($220,000 MID)
AP: SELL. Hard for anyone to score points playing for Richmond this year.
Dos: SELL. Love him as a player and has a great role. Tigers are just too bad this year for him to thrive.
Patch: SELL. Same as O’Sullivan – I think he’s fine to hold but if you’re trading him to Moraes or Maric then I get it.
TM: SELL. Scoring in a Richmond team that will lose most games by 60-plus is going to be tough. Sadly for Lalor he doesn’t get to play Carlton every week.
TO: SELL. His starting price of over $200k turned me away and his Break Even has crept up to 47 – a score he hasn’t reached over the past two weeks. There are better money makers out there.
MF: SELL. He’s a good enough player to score well on occasion, but Brisbane, Fremantle and Gold Coast in the next three will likely all be heavy losses. More money out there.
CW: SELL. He’s a star, but not quite yet for SC. Plenty of cheaper options who can score more points.
STW: SELL. It’s going to be hard for him to score in this Tigers side.
VERDICT: Sell 8
Harry Sheezel ($590,900 DEF)
AP: HOLD. Surely he turns it around, although James Jordan won’t help this week. But it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Dos: HOLD. The role has been far from ideal, but we can’t be trading Harry Sheezel.
Patch: HOLD. I’m selling JHF and holding Sheezel and I can’t tell you exactly why. When you’ve been in this caper as long as I have sometimes you make calls on instinct and this is one of them. That instinct has never let me down before, except for all those times it has.
TM: HOLD. Unless you’re trading him to Jack Sinclair, Lachie Whitfield or Dayne Zorko. Zorko (vs Richmond) and Whitfield (vs West Coast) could have 50 disposals this week. Alastair Clarkson surely knows North needs Sheezel touching the footy more to win games.
TO: HOLD. Trust the process with Sheez. Role is good and a big score shouldn’t be far away to made traders look silly.
MF: HOLD. Don’t trade your premiums, especially quality players like Sheezel. He’ll be fine.
CW: HOLD. He’ll come good – the price drop is disappointing, but class is permanent, as they say.
STW: HOLD: He will figure it out and bounce back.
VERDICT: Hold 8
Matt Flynn ($261,900 RUC)
AP: SELL. Andrew McQualter will continue to tease by naming him on the extended bench but don’t be fooled.
Dos: HOLD. If you held this long, you may be rewarded this week. McGovern is out and a shake-up is needed.
Patch: WAIT. See what team lists say this week – Bailey Williams could be dropped, or moved to defence, or a whole host of stuff. If Flynn is playing WAFL, though, I’d move him along.
TM: HOLD. I said this a few weeks ago but I’m even more confident this week he’s going to be recalled. Luke Jackson made Bailey Williams look silly in the derby.
TO: SELL. West Coast has decided the Bailey Williams and Archer Reid combination is the way to go for the moment.
MF: SELL. Flynn is still in your side? Why, he’s not in West Coast’s. Get rid of him and bring in Archer Reid, the true Weagles GOAT.
CW: HOLD. I will say, I’m holding until the end of Best 18 ... fingers crossed he comes back in, and if not, we can deal with that later ...
STW: HOLD. You shouldn’t have him but if you do he may reward you this week.
VERDICT: Sell 3, Hold 4, Wait 1
Will Day ($483,900 MID)
AP: HOLD. On the bye this week but the Hawks have Port Adelaide, West Coast and Richmond in three of their next four games.
Dos: HOLD. You have to hold now. Some unbelievable match-ups post-bye will make up for the early tag-affected scores. Holders will be rewarded.
Patch: HOLD. If anything I think he’s a trade-in target.
TM: HOLD. You’ve made it through the tough fixtures and tags, why would you trade him when he has Richmond and West Coast in the next month? One to consider moving sideways but not until the mid-year byes. Loved the resolve he showed to have 24 disposals and four shots on goal with Toby Bedford for company.
TO: HOLD. Why are we trading now? Those who held Day last week despite Toby Bedford looming were rewarded with a ton. No reason to jump off with a softer draw coming up after the bye.
MF: HOLD. Port Adelaide, West Coast, Richmond and Melbourne on the horizon – Day should be scoring well in Hawthorn’s 8-0 start to the season. The bye hurts, though.
CW: HOLD. Has a favourable run coming up, stick fat with him unless you have no other major issues.
STW: HOLD. His run after this bye is going to reward those who hold.
VERDICT: Hold 8
MOST TRADED IN
Riley Bice ($113,500 DEF)
AP: BUY. Maybe not the must-have I thought he was after the other rookie defenders rose from the dead at the weekend, but should make plenty of cash.
Dos: BUY: Bice, Bice, Baby. Must-have rookie!
Patch: CONSIDER. Was bracing for a difficult decision between Zach Reid and Luke Trainor as to who to flick for Bice, but the answer could be neither. I think if you’ve only got three defensive rookies you can pass, but otherwise bring him in.
TM: BUY. Ranked 12th for points per minute in round 1 and then averaged a point per minute in round 2. Another SuperCoach gem out of the Werribee footy factory. Just don’t trade Zach Reid like I did to squeeze him in.
TO: BUY. A huge price rise is coming. Jump on!
MF: BUY. Has shown quality in a game and a quarter for the Swans, has a great price and should be in Sydney’s best side.
CW: BUY. Looks to be a scoring machine – if only he played in OR, we would have all locked him in. Worth a trade to get him in!
STW: BUY. Just do it.
VERDICT: Buy 7, Consider 1
Christian Moraes ($113,500 MID)
AP: BUY. He’s the one cheapie I don’t want to miss out on this week.
Dos: BUY. Looking like a draft steal at pick 38. Job security seems to be rock solid and should make us plenty of cash.
Patch: BUY. Must-have this week. Lock in Lucas Camporeale to Moraes first thing.
TM: CONSIDER. I’m not as bullish as others but that -79 Break Even is hard to look past. He didn’t attend a centre bounce against Essendon so I’m not sure the worries about Zak Butters impacting him have much merit.
TO: BUY. Looked great against Essendon. Only question is how much midfield time he will get when Butters returns. But a 94 in his cycle will make money.
MF: BUY. A natural accumulator playing on the outside of the contest and uses it well. Port Adelaide also loves his running capacity.
CW: CONSIDER. Great BE, impactful player ... but I would love to make sure he’s a lock in the team once Butters returns.
STW: BUY. A rare positive for the Power from last week. Role on the wing looks good and he should be able to keep this going.
VERDICT: Buy 6, Consider 2
Bailey Humphrey ($270,400 FWD)
AP: BUY. But I’ve got Ryan Maric just ahead.
Dos: CONSIDER. The third-year breakout is on. Not convinced he’ll be a keeper but should be a great stepping stone if your structure allows it.
Patch: CONSIDER. Humphrey’s got a great role and is a great footballer, but my spider sense is tingling. He’s had two extremely easy sides for mid-forwards in Essendon and Melbourne and that run is about to get... oh wait, he’s got North and Richmond in two of his next three. Hell yeah, climb aboard for a quick cash grab. Just brace for a 60-odd against the rampaging Crows this week and have a get-out plan.
TM: CONSIDER. When Humphrey plays midfield there’s no silencing him. While my advice would be to buy, do it with the knowledge he’s played two pretty average teams in the first two rounds and could lose his role to Sam Flanders when he’s fully fit.
TO: CONSIDER. Two tons in two huge Gold Coast wins. His consistency has been an issue in the past, so will be keen to see how he performs when the Suns are challenged.
MF: BUY. He’s got the role and has North Melbourne and Richmond in the next three games. He’s beaten up on bad teams, but the role is there – just don’t expect tons each week.
CW: CONSIDER. I watched him live and am very tempted ...but am wary of too many risky moves after my SDK flop. He’s looked great against some dire opposition, but has a largely favourable run coming up.
STW: CONSIDER. Close to a buy but maybe I just need to see one more week and what his role looks like.
VERDICT: Buy 2, Consider 6
Matt Rowell ($550,300 MID)
AP: BUY: I’m ready to get hurt again. No.1 averaging MID in 2025 and has games against Richmond and North Melbourne in his next three. I think he can maintain the rage this year.
Dos: BUY. It’s easy to forget this guy averaged 130 for the first seven rounds last year and 114 until the bye. A bizarre drop-off provides us with a juicy discount priced at just $550K. He’s leaner, meaner, and finally getting uncontested possessions. I’m all-in.
Patch: BUY: He’s good. He’s always been good. And I reckon he’ll keep being good. I’ve always been a Matt Rowell fan and he’ll be one of my upgrade targets.
TM: PASS. I get the argument that Gold Coast has a great fixture coming up but that was also the case when many (sorry Al) jumped on before two Darwin games last year and his season went off the rails. Not convinced he’s top eight.
TO: BUY. Wins it on the inside and is damaging on the outside. Clearances, tackles, contested ball – does it all.
MF: CONSIDER. We saw this last year – flew out of the blocks and then was dead after the bye. He does look more explosive, but once again he’s played bad teams.
CW: CONSIDER. If you haven’t burned through your trades so far, and want to secure a premo. This could be the year he puts it all together ... but also, he may not. This isn’t very helpful, I know.
STW: BUY. Is getting uncontested possessions, this is big for him.
VERDICT: Buy 5, Consider 2, Pass 1
Jack Sinclair ($614,400 DEF/FWD)
AP: BUY. Can’t find a MID premo you want to buy? How about a DEF-MID in your midfield.
Dos: PASS. Congratulations if you started him or jumped on last week. Top-six defender and genuine gun. I’ll wait until he cops a tag-affected score (Bedford in round 5?), and grab him when he dips below $600k.
Patch: BUY. You’ve missed his biggest score of the year but there’s plenty more tons where that came from. Get on board unless you’re Tim Michell, in which case there ain’t no Jack Sinclair and there never was.
TM: BUY. Possible he cops Toby Bedford in round 5. Shouldn’t be tagged a lot, though, with St Kilda unlikely to play finals. He averages about 120 at Marvel in recent years when not playing midfield and is running amok in the back half.
TO: BUY. Might feel as though we are chasing points but Sinclair looks like a candidate for D1 this year.
MF: PASS. $600k-plus for a defender? No thanks, especially when trading them in mid-season. It’s one of my rules.
CW: BUY. He just keeps on keeping on, and has a huge ceiling. A great upgrade target if you’re in the market.
STW: PASS. Just not yet. You will want him in upgrade season, though.
VERDICT: Buy 5, Pass 3
Bailey Smith ($389,200 MID/FWD)
AP: BUY. Loves a clanger (disposal efficiency 28 per cent v Brisbane) but looking like a top-six forward and still very cheap.
Dos: BUY. Bubble is about to burst, now is your last chance at the ultra discounted price.
Patch: BUY. If he’s scoring nearly 90 with disposal efficiency that bad then lock him in.
TM: BUY. When Smith raced out to 30 points in the first quarter against Brisbane I thought those of us who were silly enough to fade him were in for another long night. Thankfully he lost about 15 points through late errors. Still, it’s clear he should be top-six and despite injury concerns he’s playing huge minutes. Just lock him in and avoid the stress. Straight swap with SDK is on for me.
TO: BUY. Quieter than his stunning debut but still presents terrific value.
MF: BUY. He’s going to be a constant injury/sub risk, considering Geelong has always been cautious in favour of the long term.
CW: BUY. I feel like if you don’t have him, you’ll be perpetually nervous - he would’ve had a consecutive ton if it wasn’t for some late errors.
STW: BUY. He is still very cheap for what he will do.
VERDICT: Buy 8
Dayne Zorko ($620,200 DEF)
AP: BUY. I brought in Zorko last week with this week’s Richmond game front of mind. If you don’t get him now though I would let him go.
Dos: PASS. Strongly believe in searching for value this time of year, even if it means missing a potential 200 against the Tigers this weekend.
Patch: PASS: “Man who chase car get exhausted” – ancient SuperCoach proverb. Those of us who didn’t start him already been run over, I refuse to add insult to injury by chasing after him.
TM: BUY. The chances of a 36-year-old getting through a full season are about 1/100 but he has Richmond this week and has been about as close to an opponent in the first three rounds as my team has to a good score. I can’t do it but you should.
TO: BUY. A huge miss for those who didn’t start him. Plays Richmond this week so it might not be too late.
MF: PASS. Similar to Sinclair, I’m not spending $600k on a defender mid-season – way too much capital to invest when cash generation is king at the moment.
CW: BUY. All aboard the Zorko train! I don’t have him, can’t afford him, but wish I started him - if you can, do!
STW: PASS. Same as Sinclair, look for that value.
VERDICT: Buy 4, Pass 4
Ryan Maric ($265,800 MID/FWD)
AP: BUY. Taking bulk kick-ins and uncontested marks in the Eagles backline. And now Jeremy McGovern is out for a few weeks.
Dos: BUY. Prime SuperCoach role as the designated kicker for a terrible team. Do the Eagles shake things up, though? It’s so early to know if it’s the permanent game plan moving forward. Should be a short-term sugar hit regardless!
Patch: BUY. Philosophically I’d rather bring in Moraes and Bice but hooly dooly he’s hard to avoid bringing in.
TM: CONSIDER. Could be the buy of the week if Jeremy McGovern misses three or more weeks. As I said to Phantom earlier this week he’s not playing backline to defend. He’s there to be the kicker. He had six of his kick-ins against Fremantle after McGovern went off, so his injury time frame is crucial. West Coast has conceded 91 scoring shots in three games so the likelihood is he will be able to pig out on kick-ins until McGovern returns.
TO: BUY. One from left field but is a good option for those that can afford a more expensive money maker.
MF: CONSIDER. It’s between Humphrey and Maric this week, and I’m flip flopping on the duo. Maric’s role is great, but with Jeremy McGovern to miss I wonder how it affects him.
CW: CONSIDER. I love value, so I’m hoping once I listen to the Lair, I’ll be convinced ... wary not to chase points, though. Should make good money though and the role seems great.
STW: CONSIDER. Another close to the buy. Role looks good but what will McGovern’s injury do?
VERDICT: Buy 4, Consider 4
Tom De Koning ($573,800 RUC)
AP: BUY: I guess? No.1 ruck in the game but price is starting to climb and Marc Pittonet might not be far away.
Dos: CONSIDER. Every week missed is a week closer to a potential Pittonet inclusion. If you ignore that, he may be the best player in SuperCoach if he rucks solo all season.
Patch: PASS. You’ve missed the boat, folks, and the ride’s not far off coming to some sort of end with the return of Marc Pittonet. Having only one ruckman certainly isn’t working for them.
TM: PASS. Marc Pittonet is getting closer and with Carlton a fair chance to be 0-4 after this round it’s inevitable Michael Voss will try two ruckmen. TDK averaged 116 without Pittonet and 73 when he played last year.
TO: BUY. The most in-form ruckman in the comp.
MF: CONSIDER. He’s been the best ruck in SuperCoach this year, but with Carlton 0-3 and De Koning fatiguing by three-quarter time, there’s a real possibility Marc Pittonet gets parachuted in when available to try something different.
CW: CONSIDER. It might seem like a no-brainer, but with Pitto on the cusp of returning, if you don’t already have him, it could be worth waiting to see what the impact of the two-ruck set up will be.
STW: CONSIDER. Pittonet could be back soon and enough other rucks are popping off.
VERDICT: Buy 2, Consider 4, Pass 2
Tobie Travaglia ($172,000 DEF/MID)
AP: WAIT. Need to see how he goes against a team that isn’t Richmond before committing. Worth noting he would have been the sub if Jack Steele didn’t get hurt in the warm-up.
Dos: PASS. His cash won’t change yet and he was in line to be the sub before Steele’s late out. Have one more look and jump on next week at the same price.
Patch: WAIT. Slow down there, space cowboy. Give him another week in the oven.
TM: WAIT. Assuming you already own Bice, you’re better to hold off on Travaglia. Otherwise come best 22 there’s a fair chance you’ll be fielding two of him Reid, Trainor and Bice and they aren’t all going to score 80-plus every week.
TO: CONSIDER. Looks a good option but wait another week when he’s on the bubble.
MF: CONSIDER. You’ve got one more week before bringing him in. Wait until next week.
CW: CONSIDER. You have another week to look, take it!
STW: PASS. See how he goes this week, was going to be the sub before the late change.
VERDICT: Wait 3, Consider 3, Pass 2
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