AFL SuperCoach 2024: The Phantom’s burning questions and round 8 trade advice

Is it Jordon Sweet at all costs? What about Jordan Dawson? Is Bailey Dale a trap? Who is the best fallen premium? The Phantom answers the big questions ahead of round 8.

It doesn’t get much sweeter.

Really, Phant?

Sorry, I’m a bit rusty after a couple of weeks off.

But, in SuperCoach, it really doesn’t get much sweeter than trading in a rookie-price ruckman who scores 136 on-field, allowing you to move Luke Jackson back into the forward line and stop your side from being exposed at the bottom-end.

And, after it was confirmed Ivan Soldo would miss at least a month with a knee issue, that’s exactly what I did with Port Adelaide big man Jordon Sweet.

I didn’t exactly expect 136, but he was ready.

Including the first two games of the SANFL season, Sweet has averaged 133 SuperCoach points in his previous 14 state leagues matches.

It’s all aboard the Jordon Sweet in SuperCoach. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

We get it, you had a win. Do we have to bring him in this week?

Yes.

After 15 hitouts-to-advantage, six score involvements and six tackles, the 26-year-old has a round 8 breakeven of -113 – the lowest in the competition.

So, not only are you getting a player at $158k with great scoring potential as a No. 1 ruckman, you are getting a serious money train.

Even with an 85-point average, Sweet will hit the $400k mark by the Power’s round 13 bye.

So I could just get him at R3 then?

If you’re on-field rucks are set, absolutely you still can – ride that train and cash him in when Soldo returns.

Is Grundy at R2 set?

Good question.

I traded him a few weeks ago because Tim English is where I want to get to there.

And, despite the 158-point performance against the Suns in round 6, I am still for trading him to Sweet and using the cash to make an upgrade – or two, if you can – elsewhere.

But look for alternative trades first.

Could you trade a Massimo D’Ambrosio or Zac Williams via DPP?

What about Tom Powell?

On the surface, after the young Roo’s season-low 49 points against the Crows, that trade makes sense, too.

But just consider who you will be playing on field in your forward line instead.

Overall, does it leave you more exposed?

If you’re turning Powell into a rolled-gold star like, say Tom Green at $579k, then you don’t have to be as worried.

But, as good as he was last week, and as good as the opportunity is over the next month, Sweet is not a rolled-gold star.

Tom Powell’s role changed in round 7.

Just on Powell, I’ll be having one more look.

Because, let’s face it, which other top forwards can we trust much more at the moment?

North Melbourne’s No. 2 centre-bounce midfielder behind Luke Davies-Uniacke, Powell attended a season-low 14 per cent in round 8 as George Wardlaw returned to the centre-bounce mix alongside Will Phillips and Jy Simpkin, both who have had an increase midfield role over the past two rounds.

Powell played forward and booted the first goal instead.

But Phillips was subbed out with eight touches to his name and Simpkin had just nine effective disposals.

C’mon, Clarko.

Is Xerri at R2 set?

Sorry, back to the Sweet spot of this article.

**Rolls eyes**

Although I’d look just as hard to find another option first, I’m not against trading the North Melbourne big man either.

As long as you’re setting your team up by doing so, and if you had plans to trade him up to English or Max Gawn at some point, anyway.

There is another safeguarding strategy if you are a Xerri or Grundy owner, though.

As my old friend @Rainman has suggested on X, trade in Sweet via DPP and put the E on him for Thursday night’s Showdown against the Crows.

If it’s another on-field worthy score – let’s say anything above 90 – trade Xerri/Grundy to another premium elsewhere. If Sweet struggles against Crow Reilly O’Brien, keep Xerri/Grundy at R2 and just enjoy Sweet’s cash injection on the bench.

Tom Green is finally coming into The Phantom’s team this week. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Back to Tom Green, is he the best fallen premium option this week?

He’s at the top of my list – $579k is great buying for a player who has scored 130 or more in four of his seven matches this year.

Of the top six SuperCoach midfielders through seven rounds, the top five are priced at $620k or more.

Green, despite scoring just five points less than the fifth-ranked Zak Butters, is available for a $51k discount on the Port star.

At $558k, Jordan Dawson is a very, very close second. The Crows skipper is back to his best after scores of 168 and 127.

He was in the 80s at half-time against North Melbourne, too, before fading and eventually being rested when the game was done late in the final quarter.

There will be no resting in the Showdown this week – and the former Swan has won the medal in two of his four meetings against the Power as a Crow.

After the prime time fixture, Dawson comes up against Brisbane, Hawthorn, West Coast and Richmond – all at home except for the Hawks – before the bye.

Wait at least a week on Christian Petracca ($594k, breakeven: 188) and returning Cat Tom Stewart ($538k, breakeven: 138) – but both should be in your trade plans.

No, Bailey Dale?

Oh, yes, Bailey Dale.

But after only averaging 91 points last season, is he technically a fallen premium?

I guess if you look back to his 13-ton, three-figure year in 2022, he is.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter.

What matters is he’s scored 175 and 132 in the past two rounds – a lot more than any other player in the competition.

I can’t find him anywhere near the top of the three-round average tab?

Yeah, if you haven’t been following his season, Dale scored 12 as the sub in the game before that.

Yes, the same player who has tallied a combined 69 disposals in his past two matches started as the sub in round 5.

Because, well, Bevo.

Bailey Dale is serious value in SuperCoach. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos

You’re trading in a player who scored 12 three weeks ago, Phant?

I think so, yes.

He seemed to have taken the demotion personally, even admitting that maybe he needed it.

He looks like that player who averaged 102 in 2022 – maybe even better.

Not only is the 27-year-old getting some easy ball in the back-half with Caleb Daniel outside the best-22 and Ed Richards in the midfield, but he’s getting in some great spots to win the ball back off the opposition – and then hit the scoreboard himself.

Dale has recorded nine intercept marks among 19 total intercept possessions and booted three goals in the past two weeks.

And this is a player priced at $457k – the 36th most expensive defender in SuperCoach.

The reward is huge. And, at worst, if something changes, you can – almost – sideways trade him to a premium you might want in your final team instead.

Because, as good as he’s been, Matt Roberts is unlikely to get you to $550k.

And I love Roberts more than most.

You’re trading Roberts?

I’m thinking about it. He still has money to make and is a rock solid on-field option. It’s not for everyone.

But with a breakeven of -45, this is it for Dale, and Roberts just doesn’t have the same ceiling.

For context, I’ve already moved on D’Ambrosio and Williams. If you haven’t, they are appear more suitable trade options.

If Dale keeps it up, even to some extent, and turns into a keeper in defence, it doesn’t really matter what Roberts does from here.

I’m worried about you. Please just tell me this – Riley Garcia or Jake Rogers?

If it leaves you with enough money to execute the other trade you want, go with Rogers.

He’s not coached by Luke Beveridge. And that same Luke Beveridge revealed that Rogers would’ve been sub if Tom Liberatore played.

As good as his nine contested possessions and second-half was against Fremantle, it’s Garcia you should be worried about – not me.

Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2024: The Phantom’s burning questions and round 8 trade advice