SuperCoach AFL expert’s trades for Round 5: See the moves the experts are making

Some coaches are firing away with a third boost in four weeks, while some are being a bit more conservative. See what the experts are doing with their trades this week.

Who are the experts targeting? Who are they jumping off? Heading into Best 22 scoring again for the first time in three weeks, here’s what SuperCoach HQ boffins are planning with their trades.

THE PHANTOM

IN: Caleb Serong, Sandy Brock

OUT: Sam De Koning, Nathan O’Driscoll

I’m not a huge fan of going early on a one-game rookie, especially when they’ve had nine goals kicked on them on debut, so young Eagle Brock isn’t a lock by any means. But going down from De Koning - with Rhys Stanley still in the Geelong side - to Brock allows me to boost the midfield with Serong, ahead of Freo’s dream run. And, at the same time, take advantage of the rookie defender stocks - even after this move, I’ll have to bench Jaxon Prior or Zach Reid.

PATCH

IN: Elijah Tsatas

OUT: Nathan O’Driscoll

After using eight trades in the opening four rounds it’s time to slow down. There may be a second trade done depending on teams – Joel Freijah is in the gun and Clay Hall could also come in – but definitely no boost for me this week. I want to build a war chest ahead of DPP changes.

HAYDN DOS KENNY

IN: Tim English, Ryan Maric, Elijah Tsatas

OUT: Luke Jackson, Nathan O’Driscoll, Conor Stone

Another week, another boost! I haven’t learned my lesson from last year with trades flying out the door willy-nilly. I dodged Will Day but copped the LJ and NOD injuries, so in comes ‘Luke Ryan Maric’ as Phantom calls him, and Tim English – whose bizarre slide from SuperCoach stardom to afterthought will have to be studied … probably by me now that I’m a proud owner! After already trading out Tsatas, I think he’s a borderline must-have with Caldwell out. Up against Melbourne and West Coast in the next two weeks, he’s the perfect final rookie fix-up to hit upgrade season full throttle.

Clay Hall is a popular trade-in option from our experts. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON

IN Lachie Whitfield and Isaiah Dudley

OUT: Joel Freijah and Nathan O’Driscoll

or

IN: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Clay Hall

OUT: Joel Freijah and Nathan O’Driscoll

I declared upgrade season open for business on the Lair and I’m going after a big dog in defence. Whit is my No. 1 target but is it worth the risk of Dudley over Hall?

CHLOE WILLIAMS

IN: Andrew Brayshaw, Tobie Travaglia, Elijah Tsatas

OUT: Nathan O’Driscoll, Will Day, Conor Stone

I really didn’t want to use another boost - in fact I was set to make only one trade on Tuesday - but injury has forced my hand. I’d only jumped on NOD recently, so it’s sad to trade him, but bringing Tsatas back will hopefully keep the cash, and scoring trains rolling. I can afford one premo, and I like Andy ... but I still may switch him to Neale. This all changes if Flynn isn’t picked.

TIM MICHELL

IN: Lachie Whitfield, Jordan Dawson and Clay Hall

OUT: Will Day, Joel Freijah and Nathan O’Driscoll

Or

IN: Zach Merett, Jordan Clark and Clay Hall

OUT: Will Day, Joel Freijah and Nathan O’Driscoll

Reluctantly burning another boost with Day and O’Driscoll out for a month or longer and Freijah losing value. Still weighing up whether to pay top dollar for a midfielder with a good draw like Zach Merrett or get on Lachie Whitfield before he’s $650k.

MATT FORREST

IN: Kieren Briggs and Tobie Travaglia

OUT: Nathan O’Driscoll and James Leake

Luke Jackson out this week hurts my ruck stocks, but I’ll swing some levers and move him to my forward bench. Briggs’ price drop is juicy and he’s looked good the last couple of weeks, but I don’t think he’s going to be held all season. O’Driscoll’s injury hurts, but his price rise is enough for me to shift and be okay with it, while Leake is nowhere near the Giants’ best side and Travaglia looks like he has decent job security.

Kieren Briggs is coming in to one expert’s team. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

DAN BATTEN

IN: Will Ashcroft and Clay Hall

OUT: Nathan O’Driscoll and Conor Stone

When you have $1k left in the bank post trades, it is fate. That’s how much I have left after pulling the trigger on Ashcroft. I watched Ashcroft live last week and while it was Richmond, his ball-use was very impressive. It was the same against Geelong the week before in the wet. Hall will surely hold his spot with the Eagles battling, and he should continue scoring well with his contested game.

TARQUIN OAKLEY

IN: Caleb Serong, Clay Hall

OUT: Will Day, Nathan O’Driscoll

I could boost Joel Freijah out of my side but I would be left with an awkward amount to find a replacement with not many candidates. Serong is coming off a 142 and plays the Tigers this week while Hall is set to make a stack of cash. Day and O’Driscoll depart with their respective injuries.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL expert’s trades for Round 5: See the moves the experts are making