KFC SuperCoach 2022: Champion Data formguide and late mail for round 11

The rookie saviour of Round 11 has been dropped, throwing the plans of more than 20,000 KFC SuperCoaches into chaos. See the best downgrade options and more in our late mail.

Need the best last-minute advice to get your KFC SuperCoach team in top shape for round 11?

You’ve come to the right place.

Check out the expert tips from Champion Data guru Fantasy Freako and scroll down for latest selection news and whispers you need to know.

CLEARY AXING THROWS PLANS INTO CHAOS

The most traded-in KFC SuperCoach player for Round 11 has been dropped.

Western Bulldogs confirmed our worst fears on Thursday evening when Luke Cleary was left out for their trip west, with Taylor Duryea recalled.

Coach Luke Beveridge hinted at the possible change on Wednesday when he told reporters:

“(Duryea) will be considered as well. We have had a little bit of change through that backline.

“Luke Cleary has had a couple of games, which has been terrific, to be able to debut another young fella.

“He’s gone OK, Luke. He’s gone pretty well. But Taylor, I think he will get through today’s session with flying colours and he’s a chance to come in as well.”

That will mean Joel Jeffrey ($127k FWD) or Cooper Stephens ($123k MID) loom as the best rookie downgrade options this week.

Sam Butler ($117k FWD-MID) and Rhylee West ($187k FWD) are other options after West retained his spot in the Bulldogs team.

Jake Soligo ($168k MID) is another who could be considered at an elevated price after he impressed with a score of 96 last round.

Jacob Wehr ($123k DEF) is the defensive rookie who could be a direct Cleary swap, but he has only played one game and carries plenty of risk with Tim Taranto and Lachie Whitfield to return after having a Round 12 bye.

FANTASY FREAKO’S FORMGUIDE

The bubble looks to have officially burst for Nic Martin. He saved himself with a big final quarter last round, collecting 14 disposals and 28 points. Until three-quarter time, he had just five disposals and 21 points to his name.

Martin had all the makings of a season keeper, but with a Break Even score of 116 this week, a decision needs to be made. A move to a fallen premium is definitely on the cards.

Paddy McCartin and Sam De Koning posted decent scores once again and both players have a BEs in the 40s ahead of round 11. There’s no need to trade out either player at this stage, unless you’re looking to jump up to a premium.

Nick Daicos, the third-most selected player in the competition, has now returned back-to-back scores in the 60s and has a BE of 88. I wouldn’t go out of my way to trade him out just yet, even though another price fall is likely, but if you can get to an underpriced Tom Mitchell, then that may be the play to make.

Josh Rachele, on the other hand, has to go, as he has already been ruled out of Round 11 through injury. He has an ownership over 43,000 and the round 13 bye.

Cooper Stephens could get more opportunities with Patrick Dangerfield injured. Picture: Alison Wynd

As we look at the bubble boys, there are three to consider, led by Luke Cleary. He kept his place in the side last round even after Tim O’Brien returned from injury, with Taylor Duryea’s illness offsetting that move. Hopefully Cleary remains in the side as long as possible, although Luke Beveridge has hinted that Duryea will be considered for round 11.

Joel Jeffrey enters Round 11 on the back of a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination and a five-goal haul, but will he suffer the third game blues as Maurice Rioli Jr, Malcolm Rosas and Buku Khamis have before him as small forwards?

The one player I have my eye on is Cooper Stephens. With Patrick Dangerfield sidelined with a calf injury until after the round 13 bye round, Stephens will surely get a crack at a centre bounce midfield/wing role, especially after Joel Selwood spent a season-high 30 per cent of game time on the wing last weekend. Stephens stepped up and attended 10 centre bounces against Port Adelaide, collecting 16 disposals, six inside-50s and 62 points. But Chris Scott doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to playing the kids, so tread carefully.

Champion Data's top rookie picks for round 11.

IS HAWK THE BARGAIN OF 2022?

I’m a sucker for a bargain and if we look at potential trade targets ahead of round 11, a former Brownlow Medallist has to be top of the list.

Tom Mitchell has fallen to his lowest price of the season and is now under $500,000 even after scoring 129 points against the Lions. Overall, his price drop of $139,600 is the seventh-biggest of any player in the league, but there are extenuating circumstances.

There’s no doubt that Mitchell’s role has changed this season, with Sam Mitchell using Jai Newcombe (66 per cent of centre bounces), Jaeger O’Meara (57 per cent) and Conor Nash (47 per cent) in plenty of centre bounces. Mitchell has attended 55 per cent of centre bounces in 2022, well down from 70 per cent last season.

Last weekend he attended 49 per cent of centre bounces, his second-lowest percentage of the season, but he did push up the ground and impacted the play when he was stationed up forward. He won a season-high 36 disposals as well as 20 contested possessions – his second-most for the year, while also generating nine clearances and applying seven tackles. He was back to his best!

Tom Mitchell could be a steal in KFC SuperCoach this week. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

After managing just 14 disposals and 40 points against Essendon in round 8, Mitchell was given one week off to freshen up and get over some soreness, and he has returned a different player. He was back hunting the ball and showed a willingness to get involved in the play.

Moving forward, are we likely to see the round 10 Mitchell, or will he struggle to get the scores on the board, as he did in the opening three rounds of the season? Only time will tell.

Mitchell has a strong KFC SuperCoach pedigree and I can’t see him averaging less than 100 points for much longer. His current average of 96 is the first time he has been under 100 since 2014, so if history is anything to go buy, then he should get back to posting the numbers we’re all accustomed to from him.

But nothing is a certainty in KFC SuperCoach and is one game enough to jump on? If you’re in a position to turn Matt Rowell, Nick Daicos or Nic Martin into Mitchell, then it’s a no-brainer really, as he’s a more than handy M8 option.

As I’ve outlined in recent weeks, make sure you take stock of your team and ensure you plan accordingly ahead of the bye rounds, as your ultimate success over this period will depend on it. Best of luck for the round ahead and trade wisely!

Champion Data's top captain picks for round 11.