KFC SuperCoach’s best rookie and POD trade options of Round 13 assessed
Now is not the time to play safe in KFC SuperCoach. But you don’t need to take a massive risk — just grab one of these super scorers to set your team apart in the run home. PLUS ROOKIE RANKINGS.
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We’ve reached the point of the KFC SuperCoach season where it pays to look outside the box.
Point-of-difference picks can help you leap above your opponents in the rankings or get you over the line against your loudmouth mate from the office.
Just ask the 17,000 coaches who started the season with contested beast Clayton Oliver, who now boasts the third highest average in SuperCoach.
With teams beginning to look more similar by the round, unique selections are a must to get an edge.
Here are the best POD (players with under 10 per cent ownership) picks to spice up your team as we approach the business end of the season.
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ROUND 12 PODS
Luke Ryan ($582,200, DEF) Ave: 106.5 Ownership: 3.7 per cent
Luke Ryan has been unstoppable since returning to Western Australia, averaging 127.5 points in five games at Perth Stadium. His colossal 162-point effort against Carlton included 14 intercept possessions and his role as the designated kick-in taker Dockers gives him a stack of bonus points every week. He is the logical choice for James Sicily provided you have cash to splash, but it is worth noting he has just two games left at home before returning to Queensland. Ryan has averaged a respectable 89.5 points away from Perth Stadium this season
Luke Parker ($528,900, MID) Ave: 107.9 Ownership: 2.8 per cent
Luke Parker brought up his seventh 110-plus total for the season in a commanding performance against GWS. The inside bull has hit triple figures in all but two games – both sub-80 scores – and comes at a discount price of $528,900. Has already had his bye and is the clear No. 1 man in the Swans’ midfield while Josh Kennedy, who is expected to return in two weeks, is sidelined.
Zac Williams ($487,200, DEF) Ave: 90.3 Ownership: 4.4 per cent
Zac Williams is the best kept secret in SuperCoach. The Giants defender was at a similar price point last season during another injury-affected year and came home with a wet sail. Williams averaged an impressive 107.9 points from Round 12 onward and history looks to be repeating itself. Since returning from injury this season, the smooth moving defender has posted three-straight tons and is available for under $500,000. If you are looking to bank some cash from a James Sicily trade, Williams is a no-brainer.
Taylor Adams ($559,600, MID) Ave: 112.2 Ownership: 7.6 per cent
This Collingwood hard nut continues to fly under the radar and should continue on his merry way with Adam Treloar unlikely to return until the final rounds of the season. Taylor Adams has shown remarkable consistency, falling below 94 points just once this season. He will continue to avoid attention from opposition sides and his Round 16 bye – shared only by Richmond – is favourable.
Oscar McInerney ($466,600, RUCK/FWD) Ave: 83.5 Ownership: 4.5 per cent
Oscar McInerney has gone from fantasy irrelevance to a potential premium in the blink of an eye since becoming Brisbane’s number one ruckman through necessity. A promising 132-point score against Nic Naitanui as the Lions’ main ruck pillar in Round 3 was a sign of things to come, passing 90 in four of his last five matches in the role – the one modest score coming against Max Gawn. For those with a RUCK/FWD rookie at R3, McInerney RUCK/FWD provides great cover in the event that injury strikes another ruck premium. A score of 99 against Todd Goldstein shows he can hold his own against the premier ruckman in the competition.
Angus Brayshaw ($417,300, MID) Ave: 81.7 Ownership: 1.6 per cent
Angus Brayshaw’s move into the centre square has seen him enter SuperCoach calculations and he looms as a major bargain if he maintains the rage. Brayshaw had the third most centre bounce attendances of any Melbourne player – behind ruckman Braydon Preuss and clearance machine Clayton Oliver – in a complete midfield game. He tallied 23 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and booted a goal on his way to 131, backing up scores of 113 and 91 since the role change. With a break even of 10, this is the week to nab Brayshaw, but can he be trusted?
Uber-pod
Jack Darling ($447,100, FWD) Ave: 80.3 Ownership: 0.8 per cent
If you are looking to think radical, Jack Darling is a high-risk pick who could deliver significant rewards. Like the Eagles, Darling is in a purple patch having eclipsed 90 points in all but one game since Round 4. He has gone up a gear in his last two games with scores of 115 and 124, but be warned: he is capable of horrendous scores (like his 22 in Round 4). At this very affordable price he is almost the perfect player for the upcoming bye rounds – he could pump out a massive ton or not even feature in your best 18!
Rookies
1. Zac Foot ($123,900, FWD/MID) Ave: 61 BE: -9
2. Tom De Koning ($148,900, RUC) Avg: 54.5 BE: -19
3. Matt Cottrell ($142,200, DEF) Ave: 47 BE: -7
4. Ben Cavarra ($144,000, FWD) Avg: 49 BE: -10
5. Nic Reid ($102,400, FWD) Ave: 52 BE: -9
Where are the rookies? SuperCoaches hunting for rookie downgrade options aren’t exactly spoiled for choice, with Sydney debutant Zac Foot being the standout. He posted 61 points in a promising display but this sort of return can’t be expected every week in his half-forward role. If nothing else, his DPP will be handy during the byes and he should continue to get games as coach John Longmire injects the Swans with youth.
Blue Tom De Koning is another that should continue to get opportunities after holding his own as No. 1 ruckman against Fremantle, but he may be shifted to the forward line once Marc Pittonet returns in the next 1-2 rounds.
His teammate Matt Cottrell, a mature-age recruit who joined the club alongside Michael Gibbons in last year’s supplemental selection period, has been played as a pressure forward and scored 61 points against the Dockers. He is the only rookie defender on the radar for the moment (we’ll get to that later) but probably isn’t worth the investment.
It’s a similar story for mature-age duo Ben Cavarra and Nic Reid, who both have incredible stories of persistence to make it to the AFL, but their job security and scoring potential is shaky at best.
ROOKIE WATCH
Will Gould ($117,300, DEF)
I thought he was just an urban legend! Yes, Will Gould is a chance to make his AFL debut after the unfortunate news that Dane Rampe will miss the rest of the season with injury. Gould is still sitting in 43,000 SuperCoach teams and all eyes will be on the Swans’ team release at 6:20pm on Friday night.
MORE KFC SUPERCOACH ADVICE:
KFC SuperCoach Round 12 burning questions: Best James Sicily replacements
KFC SuperCoach’s ultimate Round 13 trade guide: Top targets, rookies and players to punt
Doctor’s Orders: Four left-field trade options with a Round 14 bye