KFC SuperCoach 2023: Expert trades, The Phantom’s burning questions and all the Round 15 late mail
It’s time to pull out all stops to get the best team on field in the toughest bye round. See the moves our experts are making plus the Phantom answers the big KFC SuperCoach questions.
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How do you get to 18? Can you even get to 18? Should you panic about not getting to 18?
These are the questions running through the minds of thousands of KFC SuperCoaches as round 15 approaches.
With many popular premiums off with the bye, James Sicily suspended and Clayton Oliver still missing through injury, the best 18 scoring format of the bye rounds is being tested to its limit this week.
Some coaches won’t get there, and that’s OK. You won’t be alone, and some coaches boasting about having 18 or 19 players available this week are very likely counting some highly dubious scorers in that tally.
So how can you maximise your score and set your team up for the final nine rounds of the season? See the moves our experts are making and scroll down to see The Phantom’s answers to this week’s big KFC SuperCoach questions.
AL PATON
IN: Christian Petracca, Jordan Ridley, Ryan Maric, Marcus Windhager
OUT: James Sicily, George Wardlaw, Alex Cincotta, Eddie Ford
This is not a misprint. Somehow I still have a Trade Boost left at round 15. And if I don’t use it now, I never will, so this is my last best hope to make some ground back on the top echelon of coaches this season (plus Tim and Dan Batten). The long-term plan was to bring in Clayton Oliver this week for Harry Sheezel using DPP, but that has modified to James Sicily to Christian Petracca, which lands me in the same spot but with more money (and no Oliver or Sicily). I do enjoy owning Trac, though, Sheezel has looked much better in the past two weeks and there’s a chance Oliver might take a little while to warm up to his absolute best when he does finally return from the first serious injury of his career.
Ridley’s last month has been fantastic and although I’m a bit wary of his ongoing role (and the fact his biggest scores came against weaker opposition), his price is a very nice fit and he allows me to leave Jordan Dawson in the midfield, where he can swing back to defence if needed to provide cover for my very shallow bench. Maric is the no-brainer rookie of the week and I really like Windhager’s role in the Saints’ midfield, especially if Jack Steele needs a rest. He is also my only viable way to generate bench money to help with a final upgrade or two – I can’t see Maric shooting up in value and many of my other spots are taken by the likes of Blake Drury, Matt Roberts and Charlie Constable.
THE PHANTOM
IN: Darcy Cameron, Ryan Maric, Marcus Windhager/Angus Sheldrick/Harvey Harrison
OUT: Jason Horne-Francis, Eddie Ford, Alex Cincotta
Apart from finally trading out the brilliant, but frustratingly erratic, Horne-Francis – hello, 2024 – to Cameron, there’s not a lot to get excited about in The Lair this week. After, again, being reminded last weekend that quality still beats quantity in the bye rounds, I’d love to add another premium ahead of round 15, especially given Clayton Oliver’s continued absence. But with cash and trades tight, it’s just not going to happen. Instead, I’ll continue to build towards Callum Mills and Luke Davies-Uniacke as my final two upgrades – which will push Nat Fyfe to the bench – over the next few weeks. Speedy Collingwood forward Harrison gives me the flexibility with money, but I feel better about having Sheldrick or Windhager on field this round, and on the bench as cover going forward.
TIM MICHELL
IN: Jake Lloyd, Elliot Yeo, Darcy Cameron
OUT: James Sicily, Kieren Briggs, George Wardlaw
I could have traded Eddie Ford over George Wardlaw but it would leave Bailey Humphrey and Nat Fyfe stuck on my forward bench which seems pointless when I only need one for cover. Keep Wardlaw if you can but it just doesn’t work for me. I’ve got to move Sicily on and worry about what Jake Lloyd could do against the Eagles this round, so he’s in. Ultimately it came down to Lloyd or Noah Anderson and I think I’d rather keep the extra $35k to help me turn Humphrey into Callum Mills with one of my precious remaining trades. I don’t really want to trade Briggs either but if I don’t move on Cameron this week I’m guaranteed not to have 18 players. Losing Sicily and Clayton Oliver for this week has really thrown my plans out and left me pretty desperate which is why I’ve got to take a punt on Yeo. It could fail spectacularly but there’s enough coaches in the top 1 per cent doing the same thing that at least if the ship sinks, we’ll be going down together. As Al Paton said on this week’s podcast though, Yeo needs to get through at least the next 2-3 weeks to make enough money to be an easy sideways trade if his body lets him down again. Fingers crossed it doesn’t. Finally, if Clayton Oliver doesn’t play next week, I’m going full blown tantrum mode.
DAN BATTEN
IN: Christian Petracca, Elliott Yeo, Ryan Maric
OUT: Jack Ziebell, George Wardlaw and Eddie Ford
If Campbell Chesser or another player in my side isn’t named tonight, I will likely punt Ziebell and bring in Petracca as my 18th player. It will leave me with four trades left, an R3 of Gawn or Briggs to move on next week and Bailey Humphrey at F6, but an extra 100-plus points seems worth it – especially if Trac goes large against a depleted Cats midfield. Alternatively, I’ll just turn Wardlaw and Ford into Yeo and Maric and bring in Oliver, Petracca or Tom Liberatore ahead of round 16. Yeo will act as my D6/7 who I’ll be able to loop with the likes of Harry Sheezel and Jack Ziebell, if I keep him. I could just swap Gawn straight to Petracca this week, but Gawn has had some big games against the Cats in the past and it gives me another look at him before I decide to trade one of him or Briggs out.
The Phantom answers the burning bye round questions
“He’s heading in the right direction.”
I’m all about positivity in life. You’d probably call me a glass half-full guy – so this quote resonates.
Except when it comes to my bloody KFC SuperCoach team.
Nothing can kill my weekend mood quicker and easier than this game.
I was working with the Hipster on Saturday afternoon and all was good, as Hayden Young and Harry Himmelberg shot out of the blocks in Western Sydney.
We were trading friendly barbs and complaining about not owning Kieren Briggs. He was asking me trade questions.
By three quarter time, my responses were very short.
At the final siren, there was no responding at all.
It’s fair to say I stormed out.
Thankfully, the cricket was on at home, otherwise the wall would’ve received a big old-fashioned stare down.
Phantom, maybe you need help more than us …
Apologies for the rant, I’ve been holding it in for three days.
But I’ve moved on, and I’m heading in the right direction.
Your team?
My spirit.
It’s a difficult week in KFC SuperCoach and we need to stick together.
Let’s find the positives.
Get to the point, who’s really heading in the right direction?
Clayton Oliver.
“He’s doing really well. He’s integrated back into training over this week,” Melbourne doctor Laura Lallenec told the club’s website on Monday afternoon.
“He still does have a few more things to tick off to be available for Thursday night but he’s heading in the right direction.”
They are more encouraging comments for the thousands of KFC SuperCoaches who, like me, held the Demons star.
Coach Simon Goodwin, on the other hand, sent panic through an already stressed KFC SuperCoach community earlier on.
“We’ll know a bit more today where’s at, both physically and whether he’s ready to perform at the level,” Goodwin said on Monday morning.
“He’s progressing well, we’re hopeful. Both he and Harrison Petty are in the same position.
“We’re hopeful but not certain. We need to make sure they train and pull up well. We’re not declaring them at this point.
“Spending five days in hospital isn’t ideal … we won’t take any risks with any players.”
Declaring Oliver a starter is exactly what Goodwin did for the Collingwood game, moments after the Round 12 win over Carlton.
So, after Oliver then wound up in hospital with an infected blister, you can understand his hesitation this time around.
But, who are you going to be this week – Goodwin or Lallenec?
If you’re in camp Doc, then keep reading, we’re going to hit this bye with good vibes only.
Phant, I’ve got 16 players on the field this week, the vibes are bad …
The good thing is, you’re not alone.
As the poll below highlights, many KFC SuperCoaches will be struggling to field a full side in Round 15.
Don’t blow up your trade plan just to get an extra player or two on field this week. Of course, if it’s part of the blueprint and helps you get to where you want to go – a complete team – then you’ve planned well.
Remember, focus on your premiums. An extra premium could outscore two or three rookie-price players – especially if we’re talking Ryan Maric and Jack Buller – and you will be better placed coming out the other side of the byes.
How many players will you have in #SuperCoach this week after trades?
— The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC) June 20, 2023
Back to Oliver, if he plays, do I get him back straight away?
The gun midfielder’s price has hovered between $650k and $700k all year. Even after a stint on the sidelines, and with a breakeven of 139, he’s probably not going to fall much when he returns.
So, if you’ve been saving a spot for Oliver in the midfield, and you’ve got the cash, then by all means.
But if you’re not as flushed with trades and still need to add a premium or two elsewhere on the field, is $658k money well spent?
On what he’ll produce, you could say it is.
But if trading him in this week means you have to play a rookie on field for an extra two weeks in another position, you might be better off looking for value.
Phant, stop trying to make him a POD …
Would I do that?
What’s the value then?
In the midfield, after copping serious attention for a three-week stretch following his huge 189-point performance against Melbourne, Gold Coast’s Noah Anderson has gone 120 and 106 in his past two and is available for $556k.
If you wait, Callum Mills has a breakeven of 167 for his return game and is already at $471k – a huge $171k discount on his starting price.
He may have not hit the heights of last season – when he averaged 117 – after being moved around again by coach John Longmire. But he still averaged 98 before the early injury in Round 9 – and there’s plenty of room for growth.
Yeah, but when’s he back?
The Swans said last week Mills would join the main group for full training ahead of the Round 16 clash with West Coast. Fingers crossed.
Anyone else?
I also have my eye on North Melbourne gun Luke Davies-Uniacke.
Yes, I have already traded him out this year.
But before the latest hamstring injury, he looked to be moving like he was in the opening month, finishing with 29 disposals, 18 contested possessions and 122 points in just 75 per cent game-time against the Power in Round 9.
You could look to other positions this week, too.
Darcy Cameron ($464k Fwd/Ruck) is building and gives you important ruck cover for the run home.
Of all defenders playing this weekend, Bomber Jordan Ridley ($504k) is the second-ranked KFC SuperCoach scorer since Round 9. My friend Fantasy Freako tells me Ridley’s average of 116 is second-only to Nick Daicos over this period.
Ridley has posted four KFC SuperCoach tons on the trot since the Round 8 concussion and he’s hit the target with 48 of his past 50 kicks.
The value route isn’t always the best option, but, in order to finish their team, some KFC SuperCoaches will have no choice.
I am one of those. And I think with some of these names, you – hopefully – won’t be compromising too much on points.
OK, Phant, we have more questions …
As I said, I’m here to help this week
@GWix15: Nic Martin - can his scoring continue?
Martin is a star, no doubt about that. He’s averaged 27 disposals – 22 of them effective - nine contested possessions, nine marks, nine score involvements and 129 KFC SuperCoach in the past three matches – that’s the third-highest three-round of any forward. The 22-year-old, who rarely fumbles, attended his first centre bounce for the season against the Blues in Round 13, so his spike in form doesn’t appear directly Darcy Parish-related. I like him as a point-of-difference – you need these to make up ground at this stage of the year – given Essendon’s great run home. But is $530k now too much to pay for a small sample size? I still prefer Cameron.
@CraigByron1: Do I get Darcy Cameron as F6 for the DPP (means I only need a mid to complete my team) or swing Macrae forward and get 2 mids to complete? I’ll have 3-4 trades left for finals either way.
I’d take Cameron for what could be all-important cover and then reassess the best midfield options next week.
@DaveBinney: Atkins to Yeo or Sinclair. If I go Yeo I’ve got $100K to get Sam Walsh next week
Would I pick an injury-prone Elliot Yeo over Jack Sinclair in isolation? No. But if you’re low on trades and the $100k means you can finish your team, it could be a punt worth taking. Although I do classify Yeo – especially at the price – as a slight compromise.
Andrew Bailey: Thoughts on Luke Parker? Gone very well the last 6-7 weeks.
Hipster mentioned him multiple times on that fateful Saturday afternoon – maybe another reason I stopped talking to him. But his recent form is undeniable, with the Swans midfielder averaging 112 since Round 5. In just one per cent of teams, Parker is a huge POD, but I’d still pick Anderson at the same price.
@wow3049: Do I keep Briggs or Marshall?
@DSE_DSE_DSE: How long to keep Briggs. He’s very good. Potentially better than Romo. But if we do fling him, is it worth holding in the bench for two more weeks?
Everyone’s asking about Briggs – and rightly so. The rising Giant’s three and five-round averages are second-only to Bulldog – and No. 1 scoring KFC SuperCoach ruckman – Tim English. Briggs has scored 18 more points than Rowan Marshall in the past five matches, but from this point onwards, with the Giants on the bye, Marshall plays one more game. So, I think the St Kilda big man still gets the in-form Briggs in the run home, therefore I’d trade him this week if it was your plan to use the cash. If you don’t need that money – or the number – he should pass the $500k mark over the few rounds.
@martinlovatt: Asides from Maric is there any cheap downgrade targets that have already had their bye?
Haha. Unfortunately, there aren’t many at the price we need them to be. Speedy Magpies forward Harvey Harrison ($123k Fwd) is probably the one if he holds his spot, while Geelong’s Irish recruit Oisin Mullin ($102k Def) is available for selection after missing last week with an adductor injury. Please, Chris.
@bencc64: Who to trade Sicily down to? Already got Daicos/Stewart/Dawson/Sinclair. Thinking Ridley but may cop the bye and pick up Daniel.
Ridley at the price, for sure.
Lyndon Fazackerley: Is Ford a must trade?
He might still make money after the bye, but it’s not the time of the year to squeeze out a little more from our cash cows. Use the money now, if you can.
Barry Johnston: Trade or hold Steele?
As hard as it is to watch, I’d still probably get the rookies off your field first, especially given he’ll, at least, be out there this week. After your team is complete, maybe a straight swap to Mills could be on the cards.
Here’s to moving in the right direction.
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