Former AFL coach Rodney Eade reveals his secrets to SuperCoach success

FORMER Bulldogs and Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade isn’t afraid to take a risk when picking his SuperCoach side. And it’s all part of a grand plan. See who makes his starting squad.

FORMER AFL coach and four-time premiership player Rodney Eade treats SuperCoach like the stock market, so it is no surprise his team, the “Merchant Bankers”, is loaded with a mix of proven blue-chip scorers and cash cows.

Eade spends about 10 minutes a week playing SuperCoach, Australia’s biggest and best fantasy game, and despite an intimate knowledge of the game itself and unparalleled industry contacts the former Gold Coast Suns coach avoids working the phones to get inside mail.

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But coaching the Suns helped Eade, who has played in a family and friends league for several seasons, in terms of watching opposition players more closely.

“That helps but you still trade when you shouldn’t trade,” Eade told the Herald Sun.

“Most of my trades were done really early in the week or the last minute.”

Eade is close to finalising the Merchant Bankers ahead of the Round 1 rolling lockout, which begins on Thursday night.

Eade has thrown caution to the wind this season, picking up “wildcard” Jackson Trengove, Darcy Moore and GWS ruckman Dawson Simpson.

Remember, cash is king: buy low, trade high.

“I’ve taken a punt in the ruck with Simpson, he saved me some money so hopefully he gets up and if (Nic) Naitanui’s price goes down I might grab him,” Eade said.

Rodney Eade will be hoping his SuperCoach players don’t let him down. Picture: Colleen Petch

“I’ve got $200,000 now to play with, I like to leave $100,000 or so for when I decide to upgrade to (Patrick) Dangerfield.”

Like a lot of SuperCoaches, Eade is willing to risk Dangerfield (hamstring) after his JLT setback.

Rest assured, Dangerfield is penciled in atop the Rocket watchlist.

“I’ve gone with Dusty (Martin) at this stage,” Eade said.

If Dangerfield out for 3 or more weeks get off him in fantasy footy or S’Coach. Will build into form so price will go down.

— Rodney Eade (@facingchange26) March 11, 2018

“I don’t think Danger will play Round 1, so it’s a risk, like everything, it’s like the stock market so I’ll just bank on Danger not having his 150-point games (early in the season) so his price might go down.”

It’s a lottery up forward, Eade had Tom Lynch, but now is toying with the idea of spending up on Lance Franklin.

Former pupil, Jaeger O’Meara, now at Hawthorn, was a lock in the midfield at the bargain-basement price but after a glowing JLT campaign GWS Giant star Stephen Coniglio has emerged as a likely replacement.

“There’s a few question marks,” Eade said.

“I’ll make some changes before the start.”

Rodney Eade SuperCoach Team part 1.

Rodney Eade SuperCoach team part 2.

BENCH

Dougal Howard, Tom Doedee, Charlie Constable, Tim Kelly, Dom Barry, Darcy Cameron, Jake Waterman, Bayley Fritsch