KFC SuperCoach Plus Article: Our experts reveal their BBL finals line-ups

Despite the greater flexibility unlimited trades brings, different strategies remain. Our KFC SuperCoach BBL experts reveal their plans for the first round of the finals.

The BBL finals are here and with them come unlimited trades in KFC SuperCoach BBL.

Picking a side from the four teams in action of the first round should be easy, right?

Nothing is ever easy in KFC SuperCoach.

Do you sacrifice the bench to pick the best possible on-field side you can?

TRADE GUIDE: ALL THE BEST FINALS PICKS

KFC SuperCoach BBL Round 14

KFC SuperCoach BBL Round 14

It seems the logical option but with rolling lockout, picking a mid-price player from the Strikers or Heat, and putting an emergency on them, might give you two shots at a good score.

But, in doing so, you may sacrifice a great score from one of the big guns you couldn’t afford.

Despite the greater flexibility and less options to choose from, different strategies remain.

This is what our experts are playing Round 14 in KFC SuperCoach BBL.

KFC SUPERCOACH BBL ROUND 14

The Eliminator: Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers, Gabba, Friday 7.15pm

The Qualifier: Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers, Manuka Oval, Saturday 7.15pm

THE PHANTOM

The Phantom’s Round 14 team

I played around with having two playing emergencies for the first game of the round between the Strikers and Heat, but, despite trying a number of different things, I was never happy with my on-field team. So, I’ve loaded up. There’s no weighting towards any of the four sides, the good players still score when their team loses. But in Dan Christian, Marnus Labuschagne, Liam Livingstone and Michael Neser, I’ve got stars who can bat and bowl. Even Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott are great lower-order hitters. Given I’m not doing it on the bench, giving my on-field 11 more chances to score is the key. In saying all that, I may consider putting the E on Weatherald and downgrading Abbott slightly if he fails, allowing me to bring in another mid-range player.

TIM MICHELL

Tim’s Round 14 team

I don’t have the budget to play with many other coaches do - no Zak Evans here! I’ve focused on getting as many all-rounders in as possible to hopefully maximise my points. I can’t afford Jhye Richardson or Chris Lynn without sacrificing in other areas and think bench loops are too important not to try with Salt and Swepson. If Carey fails, we’re in trouble.

AL PATON

Al Paton’s Round 14 team

Benches are for weaklings ... or players with more money than me. My team nosedived in the second half of the season making cash very limited, thank goodness for Zak Evans. I’ve spent up big to get Jhye Richardson as a defensive move as much as anything - if he scores another 150 and you don’t have him, you’re cooked. Thankfully I had Philippe all summer, other than that it’s a search for value - Vince, Tye and Swepson are all reasonably priced. Somehow I’ve ended up with zero Strikers so ... go Heat!