SuperCoach AFL 2025: Experts reveal their trades for round 3

Who are the must-have players in SuperCoach this week – and who makes way for them? See who our experts are trading in and out.

This is the week to go hard in SuperCoach.

Prices for most players will change on Sunday night, so the best rookies will cost a lot more next week and some premiums and mid-pricers who have made hot starts will also jump in value.

Meanwhile, some popular picks are going the wrong way.

So, who are our experts moving on before round 3?

AL PATON

IN: Xavier Lindsay, Jack Henderson, Dayne Zorko

OUT: Harry Perryman, Elijah Tsatas, Angus Hastie

There are five must-have rookies in the midfield this year and this completes the set for me. I was ready to cull Finn O’Sullivan but a hand injury to Elijah Tsatas gives him a lifeline. I prefer Tsatas’ role in Essendon’s midfield, but will he walk straight back in when he returns? There are enough question marks to make me feel comfortable cutting him loose. Those moves, plus booting Hugo Garcia and Matt Flynn last week, leaves enough cash in the bank to turn Perryman into a proper premium. There is no shortage of good options here. Watching Zorko pig out in the first two rounds has been tough after I cut him just before round 1, and Jack Sinclair is another live option – he was one of the first players I picked when team picker opened back in December.

We won’t see Elijah Tsatas until at least round 5. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

THE PHANTOM

IN: Xavier Lindsay, Levi Ashcroft

OUT: Finn O’Sullivan, Elijah Tsatas

Probably two of the most sensible trades I’ve ever considered ahead of the round 3 price rises. Cash is king in SuperCoach and it will hurt not jumping on Lindsay and Ashcroft now - not to mention their scoring potential when best 22 returns. But I’ve agonised over these moves more than usual. Can I improve my team as a whole if I trade out a premium in, say, Max Gawn or Nick Daicos, and add another gun defender? Do I need Finn Callaghan before he shoots past $500k? Questions I still haven’t definitively answered. I’ll see how the Bombers rookies score Thursday night first…

PATCH

IN: Jack Sinclair, Joel Freijah, Jack Henderson

OUT: Harry Perryman, Ben Paton, Elijah Tsatas

A lazy $343k in the bank after starting with a spare $200k and downgrading Flynn to Lindsay last week gives me a massive war chest, which goes towards upgrading Perryman to Sinclair and bringing in Freijah. Sinclair has allayed any fears I had over his limited pre-season and plays Richmond this week – but he could become Whitfield, Zorko or Dale depending on how I feel. Freijah will make a heap of cash and is playing well – even though I don’t expect the 105 average to continue. Tsatas is out for two weeks and with Parish back after the bye as well I’m happy to trade the young Don back in if required, meaning Finn O’Sullivan survives. I’m passing on Finn Callaghan – my backline needs the support more than the mids.

A pre-season injury hasn’t slowed down Jack Sinclair. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

TIM MICHELL

IN: Connor O’Sullivan, Xavier Lindsay

OUT: Zach Reid, Elijah Tsatas

I spent the week agonising over whether to trade Tsatas and have ended up settling on these trades for two reasons. O’Sullivan could make $80k in the next two weeks while Tsatas doesn’t play, and I don’t want another situation like Ollie Dempsey last year where I miss out on a Cats rookie who ends up being a top cash cow. As I’ve got six DEF only players, that means Zach Reid has to go. I like this option best as it means I can trade Ben Paton (F7) to Clay Hall next week and swing Elijah Hewett FWD if needed.

DOS

IN: Xavier Lindsay, Levi Ashcroft, Joel Freijah

OUT: Elijah Tsatas, Harry Perryman, Connor Stone/Lucas Camporeale

Was my starting squad flawless, as I claimed last week? Perhaps it had a few holes. But following this week I’ll be bound for a monumental rise back towards my $50K. Matt Flynn’s selection status could completely change these trades, but the Lindsay/Levi trade in combo is locked in regardless.

Levi Ashcroft is one of this year’s must-have rookies. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

CHLOE WILLIAMS

IN: Nathan O’Driscoll, Xavier Lindsay, Lachie Whitfield

OUT: Elijah Tsatas, Finn O’Sullivan, Jayden Short

I’m worried I’ll regret trading FOS, as I’m sure he’ll come good, but want to continue the cash gen while I can. I don’t have too many qualms trading Tsatas as his time on ground was getting worrying, even without the finger concern. Lindsay and O’Driscoll are sure things – I just wish I could get Henderson, too.

I almost held Jayden Short, but I’m fed up, and will bring in Whitfield – another sure thing – over Dale or Zorko. I hope it works out, but I feel like he’s the most reliable of the three.

MATT FORREST

IN: Nathan O’Driscoll, Jack Henderson

OUT: Elijah Tsatas, Finn O’Sullivan

I don’t hate Finn or Elijah as rookies for cash generation, but Tsatas is out for the next two weeks with a broken finger and the bye, and O’Sullivan will be a slow burn. On the other hand, O’Driscoll has had two massive scores and while I don’t expect it every week, I’m chasing the price jumps. Henderson has avoided the subs vest and looked impressive, and will have a great price rise or two.

Nathan O’Driscoll is scoring better than some premiums. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

TARQUIN OAKLEY

IN: Joel Freijah, Xavier Lindsay, Jack Henderson

OUT: Harry Perryman, Elijah Tsatas, Conor Stone

These trades are pending team selection, but the thing I’m sure of is getting in the two Melbourne cash cows. That means I have to depart with at least one of Tstatas and O’Sullivan, and at this stage I’m keeping the warm body over the next two weeks. I would have preferred an uber premium over Freijah but I don’t quite have the funds. Stone is gone if he isn’t picked by the Giants.

SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON

OUT: James Peatling, Elijah Tsatas, Finn O’Sullivan

IN: Nathan O’Driscoll, Jack Henderson, Finn Callaghan/Tom Powell

I’m admitting Peatling was a failed pick and it might be rough on O’Sullivan but I need to get NOD in and Henderson can get me some cash from Tsatas, who can’t kick. I’m going back and forward between my head (Callaghan) or my heart (Powell) as who to bring in for Peatling.

DAN BATTEN

IN: Connor O’Sullivan

OUT: James Leake

Having already offloaded Matt Flynn and Ryley Sanders last week for Sam De Koning and Xavier Lindsay, it will likely be just the one rookie trade this week. I have watched Connor O’Sullivan closely down the highway and feel he has done enough to stay in the Geelong side – even when Jake Kolodjashnij returns in 1-3 weeks. I have flirted with trading Jason Horne-Francis to Izak Rankine or Max Gawn to Tristan Xerri, but JHF will surely turn it around and Gawn’s upcoming run is favourable.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2025: Experts reveal their trades for round 3