KFC SuperCoach: Experts have their say on the big Round 5 trades and reveal their moves
Injury, suspension, high rookie breakevens. There is plenty of reason to trade in KFC SuperCoach. To help, our experts have revealed their Round 5 trades.
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Injury and suspension are forcing KFC SuperCoaches to trade but what about the rookies?
To help you make the final decision on your Round 5 trades, here is what our experts are doing.
THE PHANTOM
MY TRADES: Tom Fullarton to Alec Waterman, Braeden Campbell to Changkuoth Jiath (via Rory Laird DPP).
I’m a little torn this week. In more ways than one, too. A possible top-eight defender for $399k after three KFC SuperCoach tons is hard to pass up and trading a rookie midfielder to him - via Laird - also helps my team at the bottom end. But, at $256k, Campbell is the only way I can get to him. I’d like to keep the young Swan given I think he’s still got a bit more cash to make. Maybe the greater good wins out, though, especially after Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin backed in fellow midfield rookie James Jordon. I’ve also got mid-pricers Tom Green and Liam Duggan to deal with but dumping one of them doesn’t help my on-field rookie issues. Let’s see what teams throw up over the next 48 hours.
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TIM MICHELL
MY TRADES: Patrick Cripps and Steven May to Jayden Short and Changkuoth Jiath (via Rory Laird DPP).
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in KFC SuperCoach in the past 18 months, it’s to follow the trends. Maybe I’ve been speaking too much to our investment guru Dan Begala. I spent most of last year bemoaning the fact I never got Jy Simpkin, telling myself he was too expensive when his price shot above $400k. I won’t make the same mistake with Jiath, who has been a revelation. His ceiling is enormous and he’s scoring 100+ despite a few clangers each week. I’m confident he can be a finishing D6. May is the player I had earmarked for that spot but after the KFC SuperCoach gods went against me last week I’ll upgrade him to the player whose scoring has annoyed me every round so far - Jayden Short. If you can’t beat them, join them. I don’t love trading Patrick Cripps, or missing Alec Waterman, but so be it. These moves also mean I hold James Jordon who looks like he’ll keep his spot despite battling for the past few rounds. He only needs one decent score to start generating cash again.
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DAN BATTEN
MY TRADES: Tyler Brockman and Lachie McNeil to Jayden Short and Alec Waterman (via Rory Laird and Anthony Scott DPP)
I fell agonisingly short of the Richmond defender last week with a warchest at my disposal, so it was difficult to resist him after eclipsing 130 points against Port Adelaide. I would have preferred to get rid of Anthony Scott instead of McNeil, but I did not quite have enough cash in the bank, but I figure both Brockman and McNeil won’t hurt me too much. Watch them both average 65 from here... Trading in Waterman is a no-brainer given his super-low break even, and he should be more consistent than the average small forward as a mature-age recruit.
TRADE GRADES: VERDICT ON ROUND 5’S BIG MOVES
KFC SuperCoaches are faced with another intriguing week.
With injuries mounting, rookies emerging and premiums underperforming, coaches will be tempted to pull the trigger again.
But we are entering the point of the season where patience is a virtue.
Which players should you trade, hold and buy this week?
Dan Batten, The Phantom and Daniel Begala assess the most popular trades of the round.
TRADED OUT
CALEB DANIEL
The Phantom: HOLD. Understand the temptation – and the thought – but you’ve taken the hit, I’d look to upgrade around him if you can cover the 0. Get a rookie off your field first.
Dan Batten: TRADE. The new kick-in rules – placing emphasis on distance, rather than efficiency – and Adam Treloar’s arrival have hurt his scoring. Jumping off now for a top six defenders looks like the best move given his suspension, if you haven’t already burned other sideways trades.
Daniel Begala: HOLD: Unfortunately, I’ve already exhausted too many trades to consider shorting Daniel from my side, but I am worried – long term – that forward tags will be heading his way on a weekly basis.
JACOB KOSCHITZKE
TP: HOLD. Lachie Jones aside, we don’t have many alternatives and he could come straight back in this week.
DB: TRADE … if moving him on helps you avoid a zero. We can’t be waiting until Saturday night to find out if he has been recalled. HOLD if you have cover.
Begala: HOLD: If you’ve overlooked Heath Chapman last week, “Kosi” is a hold until Lachlan Jones reaches the bubble in Round 6. Should be a walk-up start for the Hawks this week following the suspension to Mitch Lewis.
ISAAC HEENEY
TP: TRADE. 2-3 weeks is the latest time frame from the Swans but even they used the word ‘hopeful’. Jarman Impey is the value move here. Could hold if you have Butters as well, though.
DB: TRADE. Injury has struck yet again for Heeney and owners will be forced to trade.
Begala: TRADE: Looks as though the injury-prone Swan will miss a month of football, so if that is the case, there’s no option other than to trade. I’ll be trading to Alec Waterman ($102K, FWD) to free up liquidity to try and reinforce my midfield with the likes of Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Tom Mitchell.
ZAK BUTTERS
TP: TRADE. Port hope he’ll be back in a month but that’s too long in KFC SuperCoach, unless you’re sitting pretty and have a league-first focus. Consider Adam Cerra with DPP swing if you’ve got all the value forward options.
DB: TRADE. The news out of Alberton is better than first thought, but he is set to miss a month, which is too long to bench a premium.
Begala: TRADE: Butters has been a revelation in FY21, but given the prognosis is greater than three weeks, he’s a trade.
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BRAEDEN CAMPBELL
TP: TRADE/HOLD. Not a must trade given his 29 will drop out of next week’s rolling average – and break-even calculation. But if you have the money to improve your team, do it.
DB: HOLD. Feel like he has more cash to make than $68.8k. His 29 goes out of his rolling average this week and he scored well against his upcoming opponent, the Giants, in the pre-season.
Begala: HOLD: Yes, he’s on the verge of missing this week’s B/E (71), but I’d prefer to play Campbell on the field ahead of the likes of McNeil, Scott, Brockman & Berry.
PADDY DOW
TP: TRADE. Alec Waterman is your man – you’re not losing out on points either.
DB: TRADE. Cut your losses after his second straight sub-50 score, and give him the flick for Alec Waterman.
Begala: TRADE: The SuperCoach Investor hesitantly pulled the trade trigger last week and welcomed Jarman Impey to the side at $288K. There is still time, investors, to rectify your Dow position with Alec Waterman the best option as a “downgrade” solution.
JOE DANIHER
TP: HOLD. Give him another week.
DB: HOLD. Worth giving him another week in his grudge match with Essendon, where he could get on the end of a few.
Begala: HOLD: Daniher struggled in the wintry conditions in Ballarat over the weekend, but surely, he’s not your biggest headache this week?
ORAZIO FANTASIA
TP: TRADE. With a break-even if 83, he needs a big score very soon to make any real money. A great option to get to Waterman. Or up to Impey – there’s still time.
DB: TRADE. Battling a knock and isn’t worth holding regardless. His dual-position status should give you plenty of options around his price.
Begala: TRADE: Fantasia’s scoring is far too inconsistent for your investment portfolio, so why not consider downgrading one of your “cash cows” to Alec Waterman and transitioning Fantasia into Changkuoth Jiath at $399K?
LACHIE NEALE
TP: HOLD. Upgrade around him now – his back might be better by the time you’re done anyway.
DB: HOLD. Neale has posted scores of 157 and 140 in his last two encounters with Essendon, and he has said his back injury is improving by the week.
Begala: HOLD: Neale’s recurrent back complaint is a real concern, but with his price at $585K it seems like you’re forced to hold the Brownlow Medallist or realise a substantial “loss” of capital of c. $136K. But if you think he’s unlikely to turn the form around, I think this may be the last chance to part ways.
RORY SLOANE
TP: TRADE. There’s a case to hold if you have other injuries but, if not, bump him up to a big gun or look at Cerra.
DB: TRADE. Started the year like a house on fire, but could be sidelined for another three weeks.
Begala: TRADE: Sloane’s going to miss 2-4 weeks with an eye injury and he’s a point-of-difference with ownership below 6%. It’s a trade for me otherwise you’re going to be too reliant on rookie “roulette” and we know the bottom 3-4 players in our teams are having the grandest impact on our weekly scoring.
TRADED IN
ALEC WATERMAN
TP: BUY. He’s $102k, has a break-even of -77 and coach Ben Rutten says he’s “really important”. A great downgrade option this week.
DB: BUY. He may be a small forward, but he is an 88-kg, 24-year-old small forward who is at a bargain-basement price. Don’t expect two goals every week, though.
Begala: BUY: Waterman was a must-have in the preseason and finally has his chance on the big stage as a mature-aged forward. He’s booted four goals in his first two forays and will give your portfolio an immediate injection of cash.
CHANGKUOTH JIATH
TP: BUY. It’s not too late. He’s terrific at winning it back off the opposition but also great with the ball in hand going the other way. After three consecutive KFC SuperCoach tons, he’s in the top-8 mix.
DB: CONSIDER. Don’t sell the farm – or sideways a premium – to bring him in, but he is every chance to finish as a top-eight defender.
Begala: BUY: As suggested in The SuperCoach Investor column this week, Jiath is FY21’s version of Jordan Ridley. Yes, $399K may feel awkward, but if it gives you any comfort – I acquired Ridley after his second price rise last year and there were no complaints!
LACHIE JONES
TP: BUY/PASS. If you need to cover the Daniel 0, or need to make some quick cash, Jones is one you can go early on. Otherwise, plan for him next week.
DB: WAIT … if you can afford to. SuperCoach is a funny game and it might be tempting fate buying him a week early. In saying that, buying Jones to avoid a zero shouldn’t come back to bite you (touch wood).
Begala: BUY: Jones is a cult hero, but has the footballing prowess to back it up. For me, however, he’s a buy once he approaches the bubble in Round 6. If you’re staring down the barrel of a donut for Caleb Daniel, however, he may be the perfect “stopgap” this week via Koschitzke or Tom Highmore.
JARMAN IMPEY
TP: BUY. Like CJ, it’s not too late, especially in a very shallow forward line pool. In current form – and role – Impey looms as a forward keeper.
DB: BUY. He is looking more like a top-six forward as the week’s roll on.
Begala: BUY: Last chance to grab the Hawks’ quarterback before he transcends into the top 6-8 forwards. The SuperCoach Investor acquired his services last week and rues the missed opportunity in Round 3 – but let’s not live in the past!
JORDAN RIDLEY
TP: BUY. Never a bad time to get on the No. 1 scorer in KFC SuperCoach. But don’t love it from Daniel, though.
DB: BUY. You’re looking at the top scoring defender in SuperCoach this year. How to get him in, is the real question.
Begala: The best defender in the game (sorry, Jake) given his monopoly on kick-ins, intercept marking prowess and seamless disposal efficiency. I am bullish on Ridley and think all else being considered; he will be the #1 DEF in FY21.
HEATH CHAPMAN
TP: BUY/PASS. Another impressive performance from the Dockers draftee and he’s still affordable with a low break-even. Consider, if needed.
DB: BUY. Has friendly fixtures against Adelaide and North Melbourne in his next, and his next four matches are at Perth Stadium, which favours his intercepting. With a -56 break even, there’s still plenty of money to be made.
Begala: PASS: Chapman’s arrived with aplomb, but at $208K, I would instead wait for Lachie Jones (PTA) to reach his bubble in Round 6 given the $70k discount. Chapman does, however, have greater job security and continues to build week-on-week.
LACHIE SHOLL
TP: PASS. Brilliant last weekend, and is going figure prominently in KFC SuperCoach down the track, but he’s not a serious top-8 contender this year
DB: PASS. Chasing points bringing him in off a 160.
Begala: PASS: Great young player, but not KFC SuperCoach relevant yet. There are far better options at $400k that could possibly feature in the top 6-8 of their respective lines.
NIK COX
TP: PASS/BUY. Loved his game against the Swans and he’s still going to make some cash. But more value in Chapman/Jones.
DB: PASS. A low break even, yes, but you’ve probably missed the boat. Chapman looks a better option.
Begala: PASS: Star in the making and a wingman that seemingly has it all. Cox will be a mainstay in our KFC SuperCoach teams for years to come.
JACK BOWES
TP: BUY. It’s time to take this guy seriously. Ranks first for disposals and marks and second for KFC SuperCoach points of all general defenders.
DB: BUY. Has recorded more than 20 in every game this year, and is on kick-ins duties. These facets and Gold Coast’s possession play in defence are a recipe for KFC SuperCoach success.
Begala: BUY: Bowes is the real-deal and $503K appears grossly discounted to the dividends he’s generated. The quarterback of Gold Coast’s defence and distributes the ball with meticulous poise and accuracy. Guaranteed to be a top 6 DEF.
TOM HICKEY
TP: PASS. Well done if you started him but don’t jump on now – unless, maybe, Flynn doesn’t return and you’re stuck.
DB: BUY. Could be a short-term stepping stone before getting the cash to upgrade to Grundy or Gawn. Will be licking his lips for his next two matches against GWS and Gold Coast.
Begala: PASS: “Did somebody say [Grundy & Gawn]? I don’t care.”
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