Champion Data SuperCoach formguide: Trade and rookie tips for Round 14

THIS year’s No.1 SuperCoach player has been ruled out for up to a month with a hamstring injury, so he must be traded out. Who are the best options to replace him? And which rookies should we bring in this week? ROUND 14 FORMGUIDE

OVER 38,000 SuperCoaches will need to replace the hamstrung Jack Macrae this week after injury ruled him out for up to four weeks.

In terms of replacements, you’ll have a pick of every midfielder in the competition, but in saying that, if you don’t own Tom Mitchell then he should be your No.1 target.

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Mitchell faces the hapless Gold Coast in Tasmania, which is a venue he has already scored 126 and 135 points at this season.

The Suns also concede the most points to midfielders of any side, giving up seven scores of 120-plus in their past four games.

Mitchell will also bring up his 100-game milestone, previously scoring 131 points in his 50th career match.

Jack Macrae will miss up to a month with a hamstring injury. Picture: Michael Klein

If you don’t have him, Tom Mitchell is a must to replace Macrae. Picture: Chris Kidd

If you already own Mitchell, then Josh Kelly has to be in the mix. He scored 146 points against Gold Coast before GWS’s bye and has had at least 90 points in every game this season.

He averages 117 points in wins, which is almost identical to last year’s return of 118. Kelly faces Brisbane this week, a team also coming off the bye.

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If you’re looking for a point of difference, then Ed Curnow ticks that box as he’s owned by just a touch over 6,000 SuperCoaches.

Despite Carlton’s on-field woes, Curnow has scored 90-plus points in all but two games and is averaging a career-high 27 disposals, five clearances, eight tackles and 112 points.

Josh Kelly is fit, firing and should be on your SuperCoach radar. Picture: Phil Hillyard

THE ROOKIES

This is the week to jump on Paul Ahern after North Melbourne’s bye. He’s one of three “bubble boys” worth considering this round alongside defenders Brody Mihocek and Sam Taylor.

Mihocek should keep his place in Collingwood’s side after both Darcy Moore and Ben Reid were ruled out for another week.

Coach Nathan Buckley is unlikely to change a winning team, but Mihocek’s prospects remain clouded thereafter, especially if Moore and Reid are both declared fit.

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Taylor on the other hand has found himself a niche in the Giants’ backline, conceding just one goal to his direct opponent from two games. He’s likely to keep his place in the side as well.

Mason Redman and Joel Smith, both coming of the bye, are the one-gamers to target.

Smith was one of Melbourne’s better players in the loss to Collingwood in Round 12, winning nine intercept possessions, while hitting the target with 12 of 16 disposals on his way to a respectable 91 points.

Paul Ahern is a must trade-in this week to make some cash. Picture: Jay Town

But be careful trading in Pie Brody Mihocek as there are question marks over his job security. Picture: Michael Klein

Redman was one if six Essendon players to exceed 20 disposals in its win over Brisbane in Round 12, also winning 17 uncontested possessions and seven contested possessions.

In terms of potential debutants, GWS’s Brent Daniels has been mentioned by Leon Cameron as being close to playing his first game. In the mould of former Giant Devon Smith, he has scored 104 and 120 points in his past two NEAFL matches to put his hand up for selection. An emergency in each of the past three rounds, Daniels would be the perfect replacement for Wille Rioli or Billy Gowers.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

WEST COAST v ESSENDON

Elliot Yeo has struggled against Essendon across his career, averaging just 17 disposals and 67 points, his fewest against any AFL side. Jake Stringer had nine disposals, one goal and 58 points when he last played the Eagles in 2017.

PORT ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE

Ollie Wines is in career-best form with scores of 142 and 157 points from his past two games. Tom McDonald is also firing on all cylinders, scoring 164 and 123 points from his last two games before the bye.

Demon Tom McDonald is available as a defender/forward this year. Picture: Michael Klein

HAWTHORN v GOLD COAST SUNS

Jack Gunston has scored 89 and 99 points respectively from his two matches at University of Tasmania Stadium this season. Suns co-captain Tom Lynch has struggled in his past four interstate trips, averaging just 55 points.

BRISBANE LIONS v GWS

Harris Andrews is averaging a career-high 17 disposals, eight intercept possessions and 97 points this season. Lachie Whitfield is also averaging a career-high 26 disposals, 19 uncontested possessions and 98 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v NORTH MELBOURNE

Caleb Daniel had a stinker last round against Port Adelaide, finishing with a season-low 21 SuperCoach points, plummeting in price by $45,000 in the process. Jack Ziebell could only manage 65 SuperCoach points when he last played in Round 12.

COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON

Brodie Grundy has dominated at the MCG this season, averaging 124 from eight games — ranked No.1 at Collingwood. Patrick Cripps has been just as dominant for the Blues, averaging a team-high 127 points from five games at the MCG.

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Originally published as Champion Data SuperCoach formguide: Trade and rookie tips for Round 14