KFC SuperCoach Round 3 trade ratings: Which players should you bring into your team?
Dustin Martin is the most traded-out player in SuperCoach after news he will miss tonight’s clash against Hawthorn. Are coaches jumping the gun? See the expert take on Dusty, Dan Houston and more.
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KFC SuperCoach players can’t get rid of Dustin Martin quick enough.
After news dropped on Wednesday night that Martin will miss Richmond’s clash against Hawthorn with a rib injury almost 6000 coaches have traded Martin as of 9am on Thursday.
He has overtaken Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston as the most traded out player in the game.
Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee is the most common replacement for Martin, with Christian Petracca another popular option.
Are coaches jumping the gun?
Rozee costs $471,600 and is set to shoot up in value with a break-even of -4. Petracca is slightly cheaper at $470,000 with a break-even of 34. You would have a bit of spare change if you get either for Martin, who is valued at $542,600. The Tigers superstar lost $400 in value after scoring 79 last week but is unlikely to drop much further, with a break even score of 101 next time he plays, likely against St Kilda in Round 4.
Dustin Martin's ownership dropped by 3.5% overnight! 😮
— SuperCoach AFL (@Supercoach) June 17, 2020
Crazy trading or the right move? #supercoach pic.twitter.com/CL5AltSgJb
Is trading Martin the right move? With the ability to use two trades almost every round many experts have suggested going for broke in 2020, but Dusty is one of the most popular picks in SuperCoach for a reason. Scroll down to see what our experts say about the move, plus their verdict Houston, Marcus Bontempelli, Brodie Smith and this week’s best rookie picks.
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MOST TRADED OUT
Dustin Martin $542,600 FWD-MID
Al Paton: HOLD. I haven’t considered trading him, and that’s not just my Tiger bias talking. I can see myself using trades to swap out injured stars later in the season, but not yet. The big game in KFC SuperCoach is improving your team overall by making money and that means ensuring you have the rookies who will increase the most in value. There are plenty of those on offer this week — too many! Get Trent Rivers or Harley Bennell or Darcy Cameron or Sam Sturt, cop a small hit in points sitting Dusty on the bench, and you’ll be in a much stronger position in a month. And you’ll have Dusty!
Tim Michell: HOLD — for this week. As long as you have cover with rookies such as Max King or Connor Budarick, it’s worth reassessing again in Round 4. Use your trades to punt players who are bleeding money in a season where cash generation is so important. This isn’t a round for sideways trades with so many rookies on the bubble and top premiums such as Lachie Neale tipped to surge in price again.
Dan Batten: TRADE — that is, if you have no other pressing premium issues to fix. This might sound a bit crazy, but Dustin Martin is not only missing this week but could also miss Round 4 as well, and who knows if his scoring will be at its best with this rib concern. In a shortened season with this many trades you can afford to move Dusty on with the thought of potentially getting him back in, and it means this week you’ll have an advantage over more than 60 per cent of coaches.
The Phantom: DEPENDS. The conservative — and standard — approach would be to hold, given his likely top-six finish and the fact he might only miss one week. But it’s not a standard year. With almost two trades per week, you can afford to jump on and off premiums this season, as long as the rest of your team is in order. Prioritise rookies and failed mid-pricers but don’t be afraid to trade Dusty, especially if you’ve had a slow start.
Dan Houston $464,600 DEF-MID
Al Paton: TRADE. Just not fulfilling the role we need. Go to Howe or Nick Haynes.
Tim Michell: TRADE. Houston has already burned $20,200 and will fall further with a break even of 123.
Dan Batten: TRADE. Role is a concern and there are options around his price that will appeal.
The Phantom: TRADE. Not a must-trade yet but after taking a back seat in the midfield against the Crows and the injury to defender Ryan Burton, I’m concerned.
Tom Green $166,800 MID
Al Paton: TRADE. Too many other good rookie options who are playing. Easy call.
Tim Michell: TRADE. You can make $50,000 by turning him into Trent Rivers. Don’t hesitate.
Dan Batten: TRADE. Difficult to see him getting a look in with Callan Ward back in their line-up. Moving him on for bubble boy Harley Bennell will net you a handy $45,000
The Phantom: TRADE. Harley Bennell is your man.
Dylan Roberton $260,400 DEF
Al Paton: TRADE. Based on Brett Ratten’s comments on Sunday he might not be back for a while.
Tim Michell: TRADE. He’s got too much value to be sitting on your bench in the hope he’s recalled by St Kilda. Target a player with a low break even on the way up, even if it’s via DPP.
Dan Batten: TRADE. Jarryn Geary’s injury could open the door for a return but Brett Ratten has said he still has a bit to work on after a quiet Round 1 effort.
The Phantom: TRADE. Called it last week, there’s too many playmakers in the St Kilda defence now, even if he does get a reprieve.
Sam Jacobs $374,500 RUC
Al Paton: TRADE. Cash in the small price rise and jump on the Pittonet train. He’ll go up way more.
Tim Michell: HOLD. That is unless you’re upgrading. If you’re planning to downgrade to Marc Pittonet to make cash, just keep Jacobs for the same reason. Otherwise you’ll be using 3-4 trades to fix your rucks which is too many.
Dan Batten: HOLD. Could easily replicate his 130-point effort of Round 1 against Tim English this week.
The Phantom: HOLD. Unless you’re going straight to Max Gawn this week.
Brodie Smith $449,100 DEF
Al Paton: TRADE — if you have no other issues. I don’t want any Crows in my team right now.
Tim Michell: TRADE. I’m like many coaches who started Smith on the promise of greater midfield time. Unfortunately that hasn’t translated to an increase in KFC SuperCoach scoring. In fact, he’s gone backwards and is averaging less than some rookies.
Dan Batten: TRADE. Adelaide look to be a SuperCoach death trap this year and his struggles will likely continue up in the Gold Coast hub.
The Phantom: TRADE. Struggled to make an impact in the midfield so far and was back in defence last week after injury to Jake Kelly. I might give him one more chance but only because I have other issues.
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Brandon Zerk-Thatcher $189,000 DEF
Al Paton: TRADE. Too much cash sitting on the bench if he isn’t playing. Turn him into Trent Rivers.
Tim Michell: TRADE. Why do you still have him? He’s not getting back into Essendon’s team soon after his COVID-19 breach suspension.
Dan Batten: TRADE. Was likely to be squeezed out of Essendon’s Round 2 side before his COVID-19 suspension, and not even tall defender Patrick Ambrose made their side – and you’d say he’s ahead of BZT.
The Phantom: TRADE. Like you should’ve last week.
Rory Laird $508,100 DEF
Al Paton: HOLD. Backflipping on my Crows comment above but I think that 72 is the worst you’ll get from Laird. Rookies are a higher priority.
Tim Michell: HOLD. Punting a premium is tempting, especially when we effectively have two trades a round. But Laird has been one of the most reliable defenders in KFC SuperCoach history and you’ll just have to ride out his price fall.
Dan Batten: TRADE. I held onto Rory Laird all of last season and his high possession tallies didn’t correspond to strong SuperCoach scorers. One who will be hurt by shortened quarters.
The Phantom: HOLD. Started slow, like his side, but surely you have bigger issues. With less matches and more trades, there’s merit in jumping off premiums earlier this year but give Laird another chance.
Marcus Bontempelli $593,200 MID
Al Paton: TRADE. Losing value fast and faces Matt de Boer this weekend.
Tim Michell: TRADE. Easy to say in hindsight but you should have jumped off last week. It’s a much easier call ahead of Round 3 with the De Boer clamp looming.
Dan Batten: TRADE. You can always bring The Bont back in later, but a date with Matt de Boer this weekend means a third sub-100 score on the trot beckons.
The Phantom: TRADE. With Matt de Boer this week, and after two low scores, Bontempelli should be near the top of your priority list.
Ben Cavarra $123,900 FWD
Al Paton: TRADE. Hand injury puts him out for a few weeks. Could be handy for the emergency loophole though.
Tim Michell: HOLD. I saw the value of an emergency loophole at the weekend when I was able to field Brandon Starcevich’s score of 99. Use Cavarra for the same tactic up forward.
Dan Batten: TRADE. A hand injury will rule him out for the next fortnight and a sideways to either Sam Sturt or Darcy Cameron suits. He could’ve been a handy loophole option but the Bulldogs’ next two games fall on Friday (Round 3) and Thursday (Round 4).
The Phantom: TRADE. Especially if Sam Sturt returns.
Jack Macrae $642,900 MID
Al Paton: HOLD. Unfortunately you just have to suffer through a short-term role change. His scores are still OK and you’ll want him when he’s back in the guts in a month.
Tim Michell: ON THE FENCE. If it’s the only way you get to Max Gawn or Lachie Neale then trade him. Preferably hold, but be prepared for his price to crash in the next 2-3 weeks. Worth remembering he dropped $115,800 from his starting price last year before scoring 11 consecutive tons.
Dan Batten: HOLD. His role as a wingman for the first half of Sunday night’s game was a concern, but it’s too early to move him on — we forget he has averaged 120-plus points across his past two seasons. If the role and drop in scoring continues in a week or two, then take action.
The Phantom: HOLD. Wing role is a concern but there’s every chance he’ll back in the centre square for the first bounce on Friday night. Don’t panic just yet.
MOST TRADED IN
Trent Rivers $117,300 DEF-MID
Al Paton: BUY. Who knows when the next defensive rookie will come along. Grab one while you can
Tim Michell: BUY — especially if you have Brandon Starcevich. Choose one as a defender, one as a midfielder and take advantage of their DPP status.
Dan Batten: TRADE. The lone rookie defender candidate for the moment and impressed on debut.
The Phantom: BUY. Super-impressive debut, especially the first-half, and is too good to pass up.
Jeremy Howe $485,100 DEF
Al Paton: BUY. If you missed his $53K price rise last week it’s a bummer but he’s still good value at under $500k.
Tim Michell: BUY. Don’t be stubborn if you missed out on him before his price jump of $53K. He looks every bit a top-six defender, albeit early in the campaign.
Dan Batten: BUY. It’s not too late to grab the intercepting star, who looks to be back to his old ways. I will be one of those jumping on him a week late.
The Phantom: BUY. Anything under $500k for a likely top-six defender is great buying.
Marc Pittonet $236,200 RUC
Al Paton: BUY – if you don’t have Grundy/Gawn/Goldstein. From Tim English or Nic Naitanui it’s a great move. Too expensive for R3 though.
Tim Michell: BUY. I don’t like disagreeing with Al, but if you have enough cash and can park him at R3, why not? His breakout game has Reilly O’Brien of 2019 all over it.
Dan Batten: BUY. Don’t throw your side out to bring him in but he looms as Reilly O’Brien 2.0 given his monster score up against Gawn.
The Phantom: BUY. The mid-price picks aren’t going to cut it at R2 so jump on the Pittonet train and use the cash elsewhere. Then plan your Gawn move.
Brandon Starcevich $179,700 DEF-MID
Al Paton: PASS. If you have no playing rookies on your defensive bench it might be worth paying $180k but I’m just accepting I missed the boat.
Tim Michell: PASS. Would you have paid $179,700 for him at the start of the year. He played well against Fremantle but don’t forget Starcevich scored 28 in Round 1.
Dan Batten: BUY. His 99-point effort will remain in his rolling average for the next fortnight and is one to prioritise if you missed out.
The Phantom: BUY. Still cheap enough to consider if you went early on Rivers and Bennell.
Harley Bennell $123,900 MID
Al Paton: BUY. Comes with obvious risk but has the biggest upside of any rookie.
Tim Michell: BUY — but not ahead of Trent Rivers. Really hope we see Harley somewhere near his best again but DPP makes Rivers more important in KFC SuperCoach.
Dan Batten: BUY. Game-time should rise gradually and expect his scoring to follow a similar pattern.
The Phantom. BUY. Don’t miss out.
Connor Rozee $471,600 FWD
Al Paton: PASS. An absolute jet but I can’t see a move that would get him into my team for a long time. Others might be in a different position but rookies are the priority this week.
Tim Michell: PASS — and not just because I want to keep my forward POD! A trade after two strong games has points chasing all over it and he’s only played Gold Coast and Adelaide.
Dan Batten: PASS. Feel like jumping on Rozee could be chasing points and there is no doubt opposition sides will look to reduce his influence.
The Phantom: BUY. I think we’ve seen enough. As effective as they come inside-50 and, as we saw again in Showdown 48, hard to stop in the middle. And it’s not just because of the opponent.
Darcy Cameron $123,900 RUC-FWD
Al Paton: PASS … I think. Can score well and provides handy cover if Grundy is hurt but I have Sam Sturt ahead of him due to the Mason Cox factor.
Tim Michell: PASS. You know as soon as you hit the trade button he’ll play one more game and Mason Cox will come in.
Dan Batten: BUY. Should keep Mason Cox out for at least another week but Rivers, Bennell and Sturt should be higher on the priority list.
The Phantom: PASS. The dual-position status and scoring potential is appealing but how rock solid is his job security? Keep him in mind but there’s a few other rookies ahead of him.
Matthew Rowell $284,900 MID
Al Paton: BUY. How do you not have him already?! Paying $284k for a rookie is nuts but with a break even of -91 he has a lot more cash to make.
Tim Michell: BUY. Let’s start with the obvious. What were you doing pre-season not picking him? If you’ve got an underperforming premium, turn him into Rowell and use that cash elsewhere to boost your team.
Dan Batten: BUY. His record-breaking total showed he is an absolute must-have.
The Phantom: Wot.
Lachie Neale $693,800 MID
Al Paton: BUY if you can! Who has a spare $700k?
Tim Michell: BUY. Just about at all costs too. It’s unlikely he can keep averaging 164, but his points per minute numbers and game time are through the roof. He’s already in 42 per cent of teams and you risk falling further behind without him. $693,800 is a lot but he’ll be closer to $750,000 in three weeks.
Dan Batten: BUY. With his next three games at the Gabba, Neale will be hurtling towards unattainable territory.
The Phantom: BUY. Sure, cash generation is important so are points and you could fall off the pace without him. I think I’m talking to myself.
Jordan Ridley $354,900 DEF
Al Paton: BUY. I like him as a mid-price defender although his job security last year was terrible.
Tim Michell: PASS. Not really sure what a trade for a player at that price achieves. He won’t generate enough cash and won’t be a keeper.
Dan Batten: PASS. Difficult to see him making enough cash or being a keeper.
The Phantom: PASS. Like him, especially his foot skills, but it’s hard to justfiy the price-tag.