KFC SuperCoach expert Q&A: Your Round 8 trade questions answered
Bailey Smith, Max Gawn or load up with more rookies? Our experts rate the most-popular KFC SuperCoach trades ahead of Round 8.
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This was supposed to be an easy week in KFC SuperCoach.
Trade in Bailey Smith and another premium after banking cash in Round 7, boosting your team for a mid-season surge.
But with byes to come in rounds 10 and 11 and changes to KFC SuperCoach scoring, is it worth reconsidering those plans?
KFC SuperCoach experts Tim Michell, Dan Batten, Al Paton and The Phantom rate the most-popular trades of Round 8.
TRADE GUIDE: ALL THE KEY ROUND 8 INTEL YOU NEED
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TRADED OUT
Marc Pittonet $403,900 RUC
Al Paton: TRADE, TRADE, TRADE! Losing money fast and you can’t cop 32 from a ruckman when Max Gawn is scoring 185 and Tim English is going 200-plus.
Tim Michell: TRADE — Pittonet is only losing value now and whether you downgrade him at R3 or try to upgrade will depend on your structure. Max Gawn is a greater priority than Bailey Smith if you have the cash.
The Phantom: TRADE. That’s the only answer, even if he’s not on your field. But the difficult question is who do you trade him to? Max Gawn is the obvious one but for most, it would mean exhausting all funds. Tim English, on the other hand, is a different story.
Dan Batten: TRADE. If he managed just 32 against Peter Ladhams, it could be worse this week facing Todd Goldstein. His 133 break even makes him a must-trade.
Max King $284,200 FWD
AP: HOLD. Has probably Maxed out in price (get it?) but I’m not in a rush to get rid of him. Getting games every week.
TM: HOLD. Playing rookies are good rookies this year and you’ll thank yourself for keeping King when you’re scrambling to field a full team in coming weeks. His 40-50 points are better than copping a donut.
The Phantom: TRADE. There might be another small price rise in him but if King is your way to get to Bailey Smith, I’d pull the trigger. Will the Saints give the young forward a rest over the next month? I’d say it’s a fair chance. Consider trading Curtis Taylor first, though.
DB: HOLD. Perhaps lucky to pass 50 after struggling to get his hands on the footy but there’s rookies you should be trading before King.
Brandon Starcevich $257,700 DEF-MID
AP: HOLD. Tricky one. If he can help you get an A-grader then trade but he was a bit better at the weekend, his price has stabilised and he’s DPP.
TM: HOLD — with the same theory as above. If holding Starcevich means avoiding a zero in defence or midfield in coming rounds, then it’s worthwhile. He’s not scoring well but his DPP status is a bonus when trading.
The Phantom: TRADE/HOLD. The Lion has lost $37k off his price tag over the past two weeks so if you want to capitalise on the money he made, cash Starcevich in this week. Otherwise, keep him on the bench — his dual-position status will come in handy over the next month.
DB: TRADE. Has leaked plenty of cash and will drop further in price barring a 70-plus score.
Jarrod Brander $235,200 DEF-FWD
AP: TRADE. Hasn’t played for three weeks and the cash is far too valuable to have sitting on your bench.
TM: TRADE. The Eagles said he was available last week but just didn’t get picked. Other fringe players have gone past him. His DPP status is handy but he doesn’t seem likely to return soon.
The Phantom: HOLD. Is off the injury list and could be in line for a recall over the next five rounds. Like Starcevich, DPP status could prove vital.
DB: TRADE. Wait until teams are named as he is ready to go after recovering from injury but he isn’t a lock for their best 22. If he can give your side emergency loophole and DPP flexibility in partnership with Stephen Hill, he could be worth holding onto, though.
ROUND 8 TRADE Q&A: SCROLL DOWN AND LEAVE A COMMENT
Connor Budarick $223,000 FWD-MID
AP: HOLD. Similar situation to Starcevich. Won’t make more money but shouldn’t lose much either and I like having that FWD/MID flexibility. Not at the top of my list.
TM: HOLD. He’s not going to lose much more value and has great job security at the Suns. A Budarick 45-50 is better than a score of zero. I know, I sound repetitive. But you will thank yourself when the inevitable byes start coming and fielding a team gets tougher.
The Phantom: TRADE/HOLD. Unlikely to lose his spot anytime soon but Budarick to Bailey Smith is a no-brainer, if you don’t have a Tyler Brown or Justin McInerney on your bench.
DB: HOLD. Yes he has lost cash the past fortnight but his falls haven’t been significant. We will be desperate for playing rookies over the next month and his DPP means he can provide cover up forward and in the midfield.
Tom Green $268,700 MID
AP: TRADE. Jackson Hately was preferred to him as a late inclusion last weekend which is a huge red flag given his job security issues last year.
TM: TRADE — if you have midfield cover. We did the same dance with Jackson Hately last year and Green is going to be in and out. He’ll get opportunities but you can make $55k by downgrading him to Sam Mayes or about $80k by turning him into Sam Simpson.
The Phantom: TRADE. We may see him again soon but if you can turn Green into a premium, you’re not going to lose.
DB: HOLD. Look to trade others before Green who should get a decent run of it when players are rested.
Curtis Taylor $287,900 FWD
AP: HOLD. Was one of North’s better players last week and if he can manage a similar score against the Blues he could still make a bit more money.
TM: HOLD. I don’t have the young Roo but he was one of North Melbourne’s only shining lights against Richmond. He’ll play every week and is a better F6 option than Budarick or King.
The Phantom: TRADE/HOLD. Again, he’s unlikely to lose his spot in North Melbourne’s side anytime soon but with a Round 8 breakeven of 80, he should be at the top of your upgrade list. But consider trading your non-scoring players first.
DB: TRADE. Has reached his price peak and is unlikely to hit his 80 point break even.
Devon Smith $382,700 FWD-MID
AP: HOLD. Was ready to trade him out at halftime on Friday night but he managed to get another 70. Would prefer if he stops giving away dumb free kicks and 50m penalties.
TM: TRADE — if it puts you ahead. Devon Smith to Bailey Smith is a +30-point move and you would have no hesitation punting a rookie for the same reason. Smith isn’t scoring like a top-six forward and the best chance coaches have of finishing their teams is if they get ruthless on underperformers.
The Phantom: HOLD. It’s been an underwhelming month for Smith but surely you have bigger issues.
DB: HOLD. Prioritise getting rookies off the field before trading Smith, who could turn his fortunes around. Plus, he has already had him bye.
Tyler Brown $232,300 MID
AP: TRADE: Make getting rid of rookies who aren’t getting games your top priority. Find $180k and turn him into Bailey Smith.
TM: TRADE: Can’t see him getting a game again soon and he wasn’t scoring enough when he did.
The Phantom: TRADE. The condensed fixture will mean we see more players get an opportunity but he looks to be well down the midfield pecking order so a string of games seems unlikely.
DB: TRADE. It’s that simple.
Justin McInerney $232,900 MID
AP: TRADE: I traded Tyler Brown last week, so this week McInerney will become Bazlenka.
TM: TRADE: Didn’t come into the team with Isaac Heeney and Josh Kennedy injured which was a bad sign.
The Phantom: TRADE. It’s a similar story to Tyler Brown. Although I believe McInerney is more of a chance to win his spot back, trading your non-playing bench options first is the way to go given what might be ahead.
DB: HOLD. Sydney’s injury crisis compounded by their short turnarounds should see McInerney return in the next fortnight.
TRADED IN
Izak Rankine $195,900 FWD
AP: BUY: You’ve missed a $72 price jump but he looks like a safe on-field scorer for the foreseeable future. And he’s super fun to watch.
TM: BUY: Missing out on the $70k jump would sting, but not having Rankine at all is only going to rub salt into the wounds. This kid is incredible.
The Phantom: BUY. (!!)
DB: BUY. Absolute must-have and could be a keeper by season’s end.
Bailey Smith $409,100 FWD-MID
AP: BUY. Would be averaging 105 if not for one concussion-impacted score. One of the bargains of the year.
TM: BUY — this week or next. I don’t mind paying an extra $15k-20k if you have other priorities this round as Smith is still a bargain at anything less than $450k.
The Phantom: BUY. If you take out the concussion-affected score, Smith is averaging 104 KFC SuperCoach points per game. $409k is unbelievable value.
DB: BUY. A bargain like this should not be passed up, given he averages 104 points when you disregard his injury-affected score.
Max Gawn $776,700 RUC
AP: BUY. If you haven’t got him, find a way to get him, especially if you’ve got Pittonet at R2. More important than Bailey Smith.
TM: BUY: Thought I had butchered a trade when I overlooked Hugh Greenwood to upgrade Pittonet to Gawn in Round 7. How wrong was I? He’s looking certain to be the No. 1 SuperCoach player of 2020 and might nudge $800k. Only Jonathan Brown has reached that mark before.
The Phantom: BUY/PASS. He’s the safest KFC SuperCoach selection in the game and he’s averaging 166 points since Round 2. But $776k is a lot of money, especially if you have other issues. If going with Tim English instead allows you to get another rookie off the field, consider it. I am.
DB: BUY. Could hit the double ton this week against the Lions and you don’t want to be without Gawn for any longer.
Sam Simpson $185,700 MID
AP: PASS. A good buy if you got him last week but I wouldn’t be falling over myself to grab him after he’s already gone up $61k.
TM: PASS. Not keen to pay more than $180k for a player who battled to 20 points at halftime against Collingwood. The Cats won’t lose two players to injury every week.
The Phantom: BUY. After scores of 112 and 76 and with a Round 8 breakeven of -80, Simpson is still good buying at $185k.
DB: PASS. Was very fortunate to get to 78 on the weekend and while his job security is solid with Geelong’s injuries, it’s unclear whether he can maintain the rage.
Christian Petracca $543,700 FWD
AP: PASS. Absolutely on fire and looks a lock as a top-six forward but I’d have Smith ahead of him. Only getting more expensive, though.
TM: BUY. Smith is the value of the FWD-MIDs in Round 8 but if you already have him Petracca is a great buy. He’s got the best average of any premium FWD this year.
The Phantom: BUY. Getting close to a must-have forward, especially given he’s had his bye. But I do prefer Hugh Greenwood this week.
DB: BUY. Will soon be unattainable and he has a game in hand which makes him even more valuable.
Ben McKay $149,200 DEF
AP: PASS. Great game against Tom Lynch but he played three matches last year for a 34 average.
TM: PASS. Key defenders and KFC SuperCoach just don’t mix.
The Phantom: PASS. Even though he’s already had one price rise, go with Crow Andrew McPherson if you need a downgrade option in defence.
DB: PASS. Just five disposals with most of his points coming from his 15 spoils. You can’t be relying purely on one percenters to score points.
Hugh Greenwood $557,800 FWD-MID
AP: BUY. Can’t do it this week but definitely looking for a way to get this guy into my team. Contested footy animal with DPP.
TM: BUY. I looked at him last week as I was wary of his low break even. Of course, he smashed that and is now more than $550k.
The Phantom: BUY. And VC him on Thursday night.
DB: BUY. Tackling machine who has a more significant midfield role in the absence of Matt Rowell.
Sam Mayes $213,500 MID
AP: PASS. Great story to rekindle his AFL career but not on my radar even at that price.
TM: BUY. He was super against the Blues, took a few kick outs and has reasonable job security due to Ryan Burton’s injury. I’m keen.
The Phantom: WAIT. Mayes was terrific in his Power debut but I’d like to see one more from the former Lion. If he can back it up, he could provide terrific on-field coverage even at the elevated price of $240-50k.
DB: PASS. For now. Wait to see how he fares in his second game and assess his job security then.
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith $246,900 DEF
AP: BUY: If you need a cheap defender Egg is a prime target. A sweet left-foot kick and has a very fantasy friendly role at halfback for the Tigers.
TM: BUY. I got Egg into my team at $102k last year after he debuted and am likely to take the punt again as D7 cover. You can make almost $40k by turning John Noble into Eggmolesse-Smith.
The Phantom: BUY. Has a great role and short-term job security if you have the trade option. But it’s an awkward price in defence.
DB: BUY. The Egg shapes as a great short-term option who will provide promising scoring and cash generation while Bachar Houli is out of the Richmond side.
Will Day $193,700 DEF
AP: PASS. I was close to trading him in last week and he’s on the radar again but $193k is just too much. Last thing I need is to have another rookie defender dropped.
TM: CONSIDER. The kids are going to get opportunities at Hawthorn this year and while Day has looked accomplished, I’d rather invest in Sam Simpson around the same price if I was choosing between the two.
The Phantom: PASS. I like Day as a player but I prefer McPherson at the price in KFC SuperCoach.
DB: BUY. The confident youngster was taking kick-ins and brings excitement to a drab Hawthorn side. His scoring should be solid given he is a trusted ball user and provides drive from defence.
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Originally published as KFC SuperCoach expert Q&A: Your Round 8 trade questions answered