Champion Data form guide: The top SuperCoach defensive replacements for Marty Hore and Brodie Smith

Still have Marty Hore and Brodie Smith in your SuperCoach side? You’re facing the same dilemma as Fantasy Freako this week about which defender to punt first for a premium scorer.

Brodie Smith’s record against Geelong suggests a low score is likely this round. Picture: Sarah Reed.

It’s back to business for SuperCoaches this week as the bye rounds are finally over!

With a bit of smart planning and some luck, some may be in the enviable position of having a full team of 22 premium players on the field. In all likelihood though, most of us are still a couple of players away from reaching a full-strength team.

Depending on your overall structure, the defence may be one area that need needs addressing, with both Marty Hore and Brodie Smith maturing in price.

Currently the second-most and fifth-most selected defenders respectively, Hore was poor last round against Fremantle, posting season-lows of 13 disposals, six intercept possessions and 49 points.

It may also be the last of his price rises as he needs 108 against Brisbane to maintain his price.

Brodie Smith’s record against Geelong suggests a low score is likely this round. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Smith on the other hand has scored 48 and 74 in his past two games and this round needs 115 against Geelong just to keep his price.

History says that he’s no chance of reaching that tally, as he averages just 67 from five previous trips to the Cattery.

In fact, his overall average of 56 against the Cats is his lowest against any AFL team.

As a current owner of both Hore and Smith — I face a major dilemma.

In terms of replacements, there are options aplenty, with my No. 1 target being Tom Stewart. He has been a model of consistency, dropping below 90 points just twice.

He has also played on from 88.3 per cent of kick-ins which is the highest percentage of the top-25 kick-in players.

Are you willing to forgive first-year Demon Marty Hore for his low score against Fremantle? Picture: David Crosling

Stewart averages 112 at GMHBA Stadium — a venue he has four more matches at.

Rory Laird is another worthy option, with the nuggety defender scoring 121 in his last outing in Round 13.

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His SuperCoach credentials are well-documented, with a move from Smith costing $105,300. Laird scored just 59 points when he last played at GMHBA Stadium in 2017, but he was involved in a heavy collision early in the game which impacted his output.

ROOKIE WATCH

The No. 1 trade down target this round has to be Griffin Logue, as his price is set to boom after his third match!

As a replacement for the injured Alex Pearce, he has exceeded all expectations in his two games, scoring 93 and 103 points in that order.

The one aspect of his game that has shone is his intercept play, recording 25 intercept possessions since Round 13 — six more than any other player in the league.

He leads the Dockers for contested marks with four and ranks second only behind Nat Fyfe (25) for contested possessions with 20. With a projected price rise in the vicinity of $75,000 — this is the week to jump on!

Griffin Logue is a must-get this week ahead of his price rise. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images.

If you already snapped up Logue, then Patrick Naish (BE 72) is the next best target.

With the Tigers expected to welcome back up to six players from injury though, SuperCoaches will be hoping that he keeps his place in the side.

Naish ranks second at the club for handball-receives and third for effective kicks and uncontested possessions since Round 12.

Nick Hind looms as the midfielder of choice after kicking three goals against Brisbane last week on his way to 90 points. His goal conversion has stood out in his two matches — posting a 100 per cent shot at goal accuracy. Hind has relied heavily on winning the ball on the outside though, posting a contested possession rate of just 18%.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Essendon vs. Greater Western Sydney

Dylan Shiel finished with 25 disposals and 101 points when he first played the Giants in Round 1. Tim Taranto was one of six Giants to score 100-plus points after collecting 111 in this match.

Geelong Cats vs. Adelaide Crows

Patrick Dangerfield has relished playing his former side, scoring 158 and 130 points in his past two games against them. Brodie Smith averages just 56 points from 11 career games against the Cats — his fewest against any team.

Hawthorn vs. West Coast Eagles

Isaac Smith’s average of 117 points in wins at the MCG this season is the second-most of any Hawk. Nic Naitanui scored 103 points in his last full match at the MCG against Carlton in Round 5 last season.

Sydney Swans vs. Gold Coast Suns

Jake Lloyd’s career average of 74 points against the Suns is his fewest against any AFL side. Jarrod Harbrow scored a season-low 43 points in the shock win over the Swans in Round 18 last season.

Patrick Dangerfield enjoys a superb record against his former side Adelaide. Picture: Julian Smith.

Collingwood vs. North Melbourne

Adam Treloar has posted excellent numbers against the Kangaroos since 2015 — scoring 124, 103 and 116 points in that order. Todd Goldstein has been workmanlike with an average 103 points in these games.

Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs

Scott Lycett’s price boomed by $68,600 last round after scoring a season-high 180 points. Patrick Lipinski enjoyed a $33,900 increase of his own after returning 85 points against Collingwood.

St Kilda vs. Richmond

Sebastian Ross has scored 100-plus points in consecutive games for the first time this season — returning 111 and 101. Josh Caddy struggled when he last played in Round 13 — scoring a season-low 58 points.

Brisbane Lions vs. Melbourne

Daniel Rich has scored the sixth-most points of any defender in the competition after averaging a career-high 99 points. Christian Salem is also enjoying a career-best season with a return of 92 per match.

Fremantle vs. Carlton

David Mundy’s price has tumbled by $74,100 this season after averaging 95 points. Kade Simpson’s drop of $198,400 is the biggest of any player in the league on the back of a 73-point average.