SuperCoach Investor: The most reliable captaincy picks of 2019 revealed
Tom Bellchambers’ injury has opened the door for Zac Clarke to have an extended run in Essendon’s team as No.1 ruckman. Is he worth a SuperCoach trade at $182,200?
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The market was brimming with confidence following the byes — but for some — the enjoyment was only unfortunately short-lived.
It was a rollercoaster of a round, with some industry experts comparing last week’s volatility to the tumultuous trading period that engulfed the world stock markets in December, 2018.
Heads were spinning. Coaches were reeling. This is why we love SuperCoach.
The SuperCoach Investor, Daniel Begala, reviews the key decisions and coaching conundrums which will impact teams heading into Round 16.
Absolutely made a meal of my #SupeCoach captaincy this week, but that’s life.
— Daniel Begala (@danbegala) June 30, 2019
... bring on Round 16!
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CAPTAINCY CARNAGE
The art of captaincy has seemingly been a walk in the park this season.
There’s Brodie Grundy. There’s Max Gawn. There’s even been little Lachie Neale.
They’ve been set-and-forget stalwarts and helped eliminate a key decision from our portfolio each week
For the first time this season, however, I deviated from the tango of “Gawndy” in favour of the red-hot Patrick Dangerfield and his historic record against Adelaide.
The result?
A coaching calamity that saw my side resigned to a captaincy score of 46 points (times two) at the helm of a wounded Max Gawn.
The moral of the story?
Get your VC locked in and don’t forget to throw away the key!
With that in mind, we’ve provided the most reliable captaincy options of the year to help your selections for the rest of 2019.
If you can put a score of 125 in the bank, it should be a non-negotiable for any astute SuperCoach.
That is generally the line most coaches play with, although sometimes it pays to accept a score of about 120 depending on fixtures.
The investment committee at The Begala Brigade won’t be flirting with danger this week, but will instead entrust the vice-captaincy on Brodie Grundy (against Hawthorn), with Jack Macrae (against Geelong) and Nat Fyfe (against WCE) waiting in the wings should he fail to deliver.
#supercoach 125 scores this year. Don't say I don't go the extra mile for you all! 😉 check out @danbegala SC investor for the best captaincy picks... pic.twitter.com/CbHpTuReL8
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) July 3, 2019
GAWN IN 60 SECONDS
The ankle injury to star ruckman Max Gawn has given most coaches — including yours truly — the perfect wake-up call as we approach SuperCoach finals and the last rankings hurrah.
Most would have parted ways with mid-season revelation Reilly O’Brien on the eve of the byes and likely have minimal reinforcement available at R3.
Enter Patrick Bines and Jordon Sweet. (Uh oh).
We’re faced with rucking mortality this weekend, with every chance Gawn could miss Round 16 with an ankle injury.
If you’re in the rankings hot pursuit, it’s essential that you scale the market place for an alternative stock solution that ensures you avoid the dreaded jam donut phenomenon.
The SuperCoach Investor advises the following investment options:
RELY ON REILLY
If you’re one of the lucky few, or more appropriately, the astute few who still boast the services of new Crows No. 1 O’Brien — kudos to you!
It’s this patience and long-term play that is sure to hold you in good stead for what is a long and arduous SuperCoach season.
It’s only early days, but should Gawn be unavailable for selection, you’ll likely receive a timely injection of 80-100 points against the remaining 89 per cent of coaches who do not have ROB.
Patience is a virtue and your patience has paid off.
THE SWINGMEN
Scott Lycett and Justin Westhoff might hail from the same club, but they exhibit vastly different price tags.
One is among the most in-form scorers in the competition, while the other — Justin Westhoff — was recently dropped to the SANFL and responded with three goals and 37 disposals.
If you’re in the market for a final piece of your forward line puzzle, such as your F6, this is the week to land the services of Lycett ($569K, ruc-fwd) or Westhoff ($374K, ruc-fwd) if he’s selected.
It’s the safest bet and enables you to keep Gawn at R2.
TODD GOLDSTEIN
It’s been Grundy, Gawn, daylight … and then Todd Goldstein this season.
This could be Goldstein’s moment, however, with the discounted ruckman the perfect foil at R2 should Gawn miss against the Blues.
There are only eight weeks of SuperCoach action left, so if you’re staring down the barrel of a donut, it’s important you consider Goldstein.
If Gawn is sore, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was slow to regain his scoring momentum for two or three weeks after returning.
If that is the case (and Goldstein stays fit), I don’t suspect Gawn holders will be able to close the scoring gap should you be left with a donut at R2.
The trade (Gawn to Goldstein) nets coaches about $161,000 and may enable you to upgrade the Marty Hore to Shanon Hurn to close out your side.
ZAC CLARKE
With a season-ending injury to Tom Bellchambers, could we see a late season flutter from forgotten big man, Zac Clarke ($182K, ruc)?
He’s logically the next in line for a recall at Essendon and if so, will enable you to retain Gawn’s services at R2.
Clarke would enter your side as a R3 at the expense of Bines, Sweet or a forward rookie (via dual-position eligibility).
Clarke looms as the perfect stop gap and late-season cash surge given he’ll likely be given the keys to the Bombers’ engine room until Round 23.
Consider him, but only if Gawn is officially confirmed out.
Originally published as SuperCoach Investor: The most reliable captaincy picks of 2019 revealed
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