KFC SuperCoach’s top trade targets of Round 14
The bye rounds are back and so is best 18 scoring in KFC SuperCoach. With no Lachie Neale to rely on in Round 14, which players should you be targeting with your three trades?
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There’s arguably been no team which has been more frustrating for KFC SuperCoaches this year than West Coast.
Only two Eagles — Nic Naitanui (111.1) and Andrew Gaff (101.5) — have averaged more than 100 points to Round 14.
Luke Shuey, Tim Kelly, Dom Sheed and Elliot Yeo have been in the echelon below KFC SuperCoach’s top midfielders in recent years and little has changed this season.
Thousands of coaches have been tempted into Eagles players in recent rounds due to the value their fallen premiums represent when compared to options from other clubs who have already had the bye.
Savvy SuperCoaches can tell you there’s a fine line between identifying a value pick and falling for a trap.
As coaches weigh up whether to take a punt on any Eagles this round, it’s worth considering whether the potential saving is worth the points risked.
Shannon Hurn might seem value, but what if he’s averaging 30 points a round less than Luke Ryan?
Gaff also appeals at less than $500k, but only posted one ton from rounds 5-12 and scored 94 from 37 disposals against Hawthorn.
Settling for second best might help ‘finish’ your team, but is it really finished if other coaches boast top premiums scoring bigger numbers every round?
Place a premium on every trade you make in the last five rounds — unless of course you’re playing for league glory in finals from Round 14.
Brisbane Lions and Adelaide have a bye this round, but SuperCoach will revert to best 18 scoring.
Good luck to all those starting their league finals this round and remember, there’s no league games in Round 15.
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TOP TARGETS
Zach Merrett $573,400 MID, Avg: 111.8
While three of his past seven scores have been less than 100, Merrett has had one of the highest ceilings of any midfielder in recent rounds. The prolific Bomber has scores of 135, 137 and 143 in three of his past six matches, which have also included a 119. He was available for $524,600 in Round 9, but even at this price is still an attractive trade option. The major plus about his 143 against Richmond was it came in a losing side and Essendon has a difficult run home.
Luke Ryan $605,300 DEF, Avg: 109.4
More than 5000 coaches paid the difference between James Sicily and Ryan last round and were rewarded with his eighth successive ton. Ryan has averaged 124 in his last eight matches and is looming as a likely top-two defender with Jake Lloyd. He’s giving his KFC SuperCoach owners a great POD in defence as he only features in nine per cent of teams. There’s a huge ownership difference between him and Lloyd (37 per cent) despite their similar scoring.
Andrew Brayshaw $562,400 FWD-MID, Avg: 105.3
Is a forward line really complete without Brayshaw? The only question mark remaining on the breakout Docker two weeks ago was how he would score once Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters returned to the Fremantle team. Justin Longmuir has shown he’s keen to back his emerging midfielders in, instead deploying Fyfe and Walters as forwards who rotate through the middle. Forgive his 67 in Round 12 — he was 62 at halftime but then played limited game time in the second half. He’s otherwise posted seven hundreds in eight games, of which five have been 122 or higher.
Jack Martin $435,200 FWD-MID, Avg: 93.1
The first-year Blue seemed a perfect F6 option before his return match due to a break even of 148. KFC SuperCoaches would have hoped to snare Martin for about $400k to round out their attack, at least before he dominated with 144 points against Gold Coast. He only lost $1200 as a result of his 21-disposal, six-mark game against the Suns. That likely means coaches who want to get Martin at his lowest point will need to jump on this round. He has five tons as a Blue and is only this cheap due to an 18 when he was injured in Round 11.
Steven May $432,100 DEF, Avg: 87.8
Steven May you say? The same Demon who hasn’t averaged more than 87 before? You bet. May looms as one of the bargain defensive options of the run home after averaging 95 in the past nine rounds — including a score of 36. Aside from that low point against North Melbourne, May hasn’t scored less than 90 since Round 4. His increased scoring can be partly attributed to taking the Demons’ kick outs, which have helped him maintain an average of 15 disposals (his kicking efficiency is up from 73.1 per cent to 82.2 per cent — he recorded a career best of 82.5 per cent in 2016).
Jack Scrimshaw $335,200 DEF, Avg: 68.1
If you’re strapped for cash and need a defender who has had a bye, Scrimshaw is worth a look. While he’s never been a prolific KFC SuperCoach scorer, the Hawks backman appeared to be one of the beneficiaries of James Sicily’s absence against Port Adelaide. Scrimshaw’s score of 91 against the Power was aided by four intercept marks and eight intercept possessions, the type of numbers more accustomed to Sicily. He might not score the big numbers of some other defenders, but the scope for a big finish is certainly there.
Brad Sheppard $439,100 DEF, Avg: 91.4
If Steven May isn’t enough of a POD for you, how about Brad Sheppard? As of Round 13, the West Coast backman featured in 1855 teams. An average of 91.4 puts him on the tier below the top defensive SuperCoach scorers this year, although it’s worth noting his average was 95 after seven matches. Consecutive scores of 67 and 69 either side of his bye have dragged Sheppard’s average back to 91.4, but he boasts five tons in 12 games and scores of 99 and 94. He’s durable, has had a bye and is still value at less than $450k.
Josh Kennedy $450,400 MID, Avg: 81.2
Wait another week if you want to get Kennedy at a crazy price. At anything less than $450k, the Swans veteran needs to be in your trade considerations. Kennedy opened the season with a four-round average of 109 before scores of 85 and 18 (injury-affected). He managed an 84 in his return game but with a monster break even of 170 for Round 14 is set to plummet further.
Josh Kelly $601,200 MID, Avg: 116.6
Coaches should be targeting stars who have already had their bye and Kelly fits that bill. Although GWS has struggled of late, Kelly’s average of 116.6 ranks fifth of all midfielders. Of the other topscoring midfielders, Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons have a bye in Round 14, Jack Macrae and Jack Steele have the dreaded Round 15 bye and Clayton Oliver will cost $688,800. That should put Kelly firmly in the thoughts of coaches trying to complete their midfields with a bona fide star. Kelly’s five-round average of 132.6 ranks seventh of all players. GWS’ draw opens up in the next month too, facing Fremantle, Carlton, Adelaide and Melbourne.
Nick Haynes $503,700 DEF, Avg: 105.3
Blanketed by Will Hayward in Round 12 for a season-low score of 67. Before then, Haynes had only one score below 97 and eight tons in 10 games. Haynes has taken the next step to become a KFC SuperCoach premium this year thanks to his elite intercept marking. The Giants star has averaged 3.7 intercept marks and seven intercept possessions a game. Hayward has done SuperCoaches needing an extra defender a huge favour by sending his price tumbling back toward $500k.
Shannon Hurn $407,300 DEF, Avg: 85
Tread carefully here. Hurn has a history of premium scoring with season averages of 96.4 and 103.5 in the past two years. However, his average this year has dipped to 85 and his price has fallen from $567,500 after Round 3 to $407,300. Hurn certainly still possesses the ability to score big, as he did in Round 1 (152) and Round 8 (114). But with West Coast soon to leave WA and Hurn recording five scores of 73 points or less, it will take a brave SuperCoach to back him to finish their defence.
Andrew Gaff $480,000 MID, Avg: 101.5
See the above trade advice on Hurn. Gaff’s price has gone on a similar trajectory since he dominated the early rounds, reaching $618,400 after Round 5. The Eagles wingman was available for $475,900 in Round 13 but rose $4100 after a score of 107 against GWS Giants. Considering the team carnage being tipped in footy frenzy 2.0 and the likelihood stars will be rested, durability should be a factor in your trades. Gaff provides that, having played 22 games in five of the six seasons between 2012-2017 and 39 matches in the past two years.
ROOKIE WATCH
Jake Riccardi $117,300 FWD, BE -33
The pick of the cheapies this week after an excellent first outing for the Giants, kicking two goals and scoring 82 KFC SuperCoach points. If you’re wondering why he looked like an accomplished senior player already, he was picked up in last year’s draft as a 20-year-old after kicking 38 goals for Werribee in the VFL. The Giants’ draw opens up from here (in theory), with matches to come against Fremantle, Carlton, Adelaide, Melbourne and St Kilda - and no bye.
An amazing debut from Jake Riccardi:
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) August 23, 2020
16 disposals
10 marks (3 inside 50)
6 shots at goal
2 goals
5 Score involvements
79 #SuperCoach
87 #AFLFantasy #AFLEaglesGiants
Irving Mosquito $123,900 FWD, BE: -25
The man with the best name in the AFL lived up to the buzz (sorry) with two exciting goals on debut in Darwin, scoring 77 points. Small forwards are notoriously unreliable scorers but if you need to free up some cash he should keep playing and the Bombers have already had their bye.
Tom Fullarton $123,900 FWD, BE: -2
Scored 54 including a goal in his first game but SuperCoaches have been burnt by Lions rookies this year. Brisbane has blooded five new faces in 2020 but most haven’t lasted long - Deven Robertson (one game), Tom Berry (six games), Connor Ballanden (two) and Jack Payne (one), plus another rookie-priced forward Sam Skinner (two games). Buyer beware.
Jordon Butts $123,900 DEF, BE: 12
Showed promise on debut with a 40-point return but will find scoring hard as a key defender. The Crows have a bye this week and he might make way for Daniel Talia if he returns from injury in Round 15. Only really an option if you’re desperate for a downgrade in defence - and there is still no sign of Will Gould.
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