Champion Data names the best SuperCoach trade targets, rookie options for Round 8
NEED a forward in SuperCoach? There is one player nobody has picked who could be the answer to your Jack Billings or Lance Franklin problem. Plus best Round 8 rookie options.
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A GUN forward is on the shopping list for plenty of SuperCoach players this week.
With Jack Billings and Christian Petracca underperforming, Allen Christensen ripe for trading and lingering doubts over the fitness of Lance Franklin, a lot of coaches are in the market for a topscoring and reliable forward.
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Sydney has confirmed Franklin will miss another week with a heel injury and with a break-even of 161 when he returns, coaches will be very tempted to hit the trade button.
Isaac Heeney ($547,100, av 106) and Toby McLean ($524,600, av 111) are top of the wish list, but there is another option at a much more affordable price who has escaped everyone’s attention despite putting together a career-best season.
Jack Darling has never been a player high on our wish list, but he is currently averaging 15 disposals, three contested marks, three goals and 100 points. With just one underwhelming performance this season, when he scored 42 points against Carlton at the MCG, he has been a model of consistency — scoring at least 89 points in every game. Darling is the highest-scoring permanent forward in the AFL and is owned by a mere 697 SuperCoaches.
At $459,500 and with a break-even of 30, he presents great value. However, he might not have it all his own way this round as he faces a Greater Western Sydney side under siege, with the Giants conceding the fewest points to key forwards.
Should Franklin be named to face the Hawks, keeping him is also an option. Hawthorn concede the third-most points to key forwards of any side in the AFL, with Jack Riewoldt (115), Jarrad Waite (110) and Ben Brown (102) all enjoying success against them this season.
TRADE OF THE WEEK
Melbourne young gun Charlie Spargo is one of the most popular trades of the season so far.
He has been added to almost 40,000 teams this week and features in eight of the 10 most popular swaps.
There isn’t much agreement on who should go for Spargo. More than 4000 coaches have made the call on Docker Bailey Banfield, cashing in his $150,000 price rise since Round 1 (with an average of 60 and break-even of 61 he won’t make much more). But Nick Holman, Allen Christensen, Tim English and out-of-form Saint Jack Billings are all in the gun.
ROOKIES
Knowing when to cull the cash cows is a key part of SuperCoach strategy, which makes this round a crucial one, as the likes of Bailey Banfield (break-even 61), Sam Murray and Nick Holman (63), Tom Doedee (64), Jaidyn Stephenson (69), Tim English (75) and Jeremy Finlayson (86) have all basically peaked in price.
Thankfully for SuperCoaches, there are bubble boy options across each position to choose from, with Charlie Spargo (DPP) the pick of the bunch with a break-even score of -89 points — the lowest of any player in the competition. His vibrancy in attack has been evident, kicking three goals straight in his two games, scoring 81 and 78 points.
Mature-aged Swan Ben Ronke should also be considered should he keep his place in the side for Friday night’s Hawthorn clash. He was a lot more prominent on his debut with 92 points, but his 66 points in last week’s loss to North Melbourne was more than what Christian Petracca (40) and Jack Billings (57) returned as they continue to underperform.
In the ruck, Tim English can be given the flick for Oscar McInerney or Braydon Crossley should you decide to cash in. English has struggled in ruck contests against bigger-bodied ruckmen, recording the second-lowest hitout win rate of any player in the AFL.
In defence, Flynn Appleby looks assured of keeping his place in Collingwood’s side, returning scores of 58 and 57 from his two games. His ball use has been a highlight, hitting the target 81 per cent of the time, the fourth-highest of any Collingwood player to feature in both games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hawthorn vs Sydney Swans
Tim Mitchell had a season-low 26 disposals when he last played the Swans in Round 19 last season, scoring 98 points. Luke Parker had 24 disposals, nine clearances and 90 points.
GWS Giants vs West Coast
Stephen Coniglio scored a season-low 64 points against the Cats last round and fell in value by $24,700. Andrew Gaff continues to pile on the scores, scoring 100-plus for the sixth match in a row after collecting 107 points against the Power.
Carlton vs Essendon
Kade Simpson has played more games against Essendon than any other side (25) — averaging 20 disposals and 92 points. Michael Hurley has averaged 17 disposals and 81 points from 13 career games against Carlton.
Gold Coast vs Melbourne
Ben Ainsworth had a season-high 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions and 92 points in last round’s loss to the Bulldogs. Angus Brayshaw reached three figures for the first time this season against St Kilda after a 32-disposal game.
Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
Travis Boak has averaged 27 disposals, six tackles, five clearances and 101 points in his past six Showdowns. Rory Sloane has averaged 23 disposals, 13 contested possessions and 112 points in these games.
Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions
Jack Macrae is the No. 1 ranked player in the competition after piling on a season and round-high 189 points against Gold Coast. Dayne Zorko returned to form with 34 disposals, four goals and 164 points against Collingwood.
Fremantle vs St Kilda
Lachie Neale has dominated against the Saints since 2015, scoring 124, 119 and 117 points respectively. Seb Ross had 34 disposals, six clearances and 109 points when he last played Fremantle in Round 15 last season.
North Melbourne vs Richmond
Todd Goldstein continues to struggle, suffering his fifth consecutive price drop after scoring 77 points against the Swans. Toby Nankervis suffered a minor price fall after scoring 81 points against the Dockers.
Collingwood vs Geelong
Sam Murray’s price rise of $212,700 is the fourth-highest of any player in the competition, averaging 76 points. Lachlan Fogarty’s increase of $190,500 is the fifth-highest by any player, averaging 69 points.
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