Nic Naitanui and James Sicily top biggest SuperCoach trades of the week, plus expert captain tips
IT’S a dirty word at Carlton but ‘priority’ is this week’s SuperCoach buzz word with Nic Naitanui and James Sicily both on the chopping block. Plus, expert Round 18 captain and trade tips.
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IT’S a dirty word at Carlton but ‘priority’ is this week’s SuperCoach buzz word.
Trades are running thin and injuries are starting to bite.
If you’ve only got one or two trades left this might be the week to use them. If you’ve got more, congratulations.
Nic Naitanui, James Sicily, Michael Hibberd, Josh Kennedy and Robbie Gray are all out or in doubt this week. They’ve joined the likes of Nat Fyfe, Adam Treloar and Marcus Bontempelli already on the sidelines.
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So, it comes down to who must be replaced and who can be covered.
With Nic Nat out for the season, he is the highest priority trade of the week for his almost 50,000 owners.
If you’ve got a bit of cash in the bank Brodie Grundy, Stef Martin and Todd Goldstein are premium picks, while Callum Sinclair is the high-scoring point-of-difference that won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Gray and Kennedy are still a chance to play this week but we should all have cover in the midfield, which makes them the lowest priority trades of the week.
The difficult call is Sicily.
The star Hawk is out for six weeks with a broken wrist, making him a prime trade candidate but with so many other injuries, bench cover or dual position flexibility is crucial.
In the forward line, the likes of Paul Ahern and Bayley Fritsch are scoring well and can fill in this week.
However, things aren’t as rosy in the backline with Hibberd also out.
Hibberd’s quad injury is expected to be longer than just one week and while Tom Doedee remains a solid scorer, Brad Lynch and Brody Mihocek are the only popular cash cows still playing regularly.
If Sicily is in your forward line, trust in your bench cover this week but if he and/or Hibberd are in your backline, trade.
Tom McDonald provides the def-fwd flexibility of Sicily and comes at a $50,000 discount making him the prime trade candidate.
CAPTAIN’S CORNER
Tom Mitchell ($662,400, Mid) Last 3 v opp: 125
Easily the top captaincy options in Round 18 after round-high scores of 181 and 159 in two of the past three weeks. Ed Curnow could get a tagging assignment, so you’ll have to make a choice between Titch and Max Gawn.
Dustin Martin ($441,000, Mid) Last 3 v opp: 108
Dusty showed some encouraging signs last week and he’s the top VC option on Friday night. While he only scored 105 earlier this year, he pumped out a 146 against the Saints in their previous meeting.
Patrick Dangerfield ($569,000, Mid) Last 3 v opp: 123
Danger’s back! A massive 158 last week in the loss to Adelaide and a history of destroying the Demons. Add in the fact the game is at GMHBA Stadium and you’ve got all the makings off a strong captaincy candidate.
Max Gawn ($651,900, Ruck) Last 3 v opp: 76
Gawn’s average is heavily impacted by a injury-affected 27, take that out and his average jumps to 116. Gawn should dominate the weak Geelong ruck division.
Andrew Gaff ($561,300, Mid) Last 3 v opp: 117
The Bulldogs don’t tag heavily and Gaff should have free rein at Perth Stadium. Expect a big Eagles win and a big Gaff score. The top Sunday captaincy option if you want to play it safe by VC-ing Tom Mitchell or Max Gawn.
JUMP ON
Brodie Grundy ($623,200, Ruck)
The best Nic Nat replacement option but he’s hugely expensive. He’s cost you $150,000-plus as an upgrade. Stef Martin, Todd Goldstein and Callum Sinclair are cheaper options.
Jake Lloyd ($595,000, Def)
If you’re trading Sicily or Hibberd, Lloyd is the must-have option. Again, he’s expensive but its hard to win you’re league without the 7th overall SuperCoach scorer.
Tom McDonald ($452,200, Def-Fwd)
The No.6 forward by average, McDonald replaces the DPP flexibility that made Sicily so valuable. He’s also scoring strongly, averaging 99 on the season.
JUMP OFF
James Sicily ($508,800, Def-Fwd)
Sadly, it’s time to say farewell to Sicily. The No.6 defender and No.1 scoring forward. He’s been a rock of our SuperCoach teams all year whether in defence or attack.
Nic Naitanui ($469,900, Ruck)
Another heartbreaking late season injury. Nic Nat was in almost 50,000 teams and his early injury saw him lose $27k, which makes finding a suitable trade that little bit harder.
Michael Hibberd ($362,000, Def)
As if his sub-par scoring wasn’t bad enough this season, Hibberd has now suffered a quad injury that will definitely keep him out this week and possibly longer.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ST KILDA v RICHMOND
David Armitage is St Kilda’s No.1 ranked player since Round 15 with an average of 116 points. Toby Nankervis has led the Tiger charge over these rounds with scores of 122, 113 and 95 points respectively.
COLLINGWOOD v NORTH MELBOURNE
Brodie Grundy has only dropped below 100 points in three of 11 games at the MCG this season, averaging 123 points. Todd Goldstein scored a season-low 57 points in his only match at the venue in Round 3.
SYDNEY v GOLD COAST
Luke Parker has dropped below 100 points just once against the Suns from seven career games, averaging 24 disposals and 105 points. David Swallow had 29 disposals and 132 points when these sides last played in Round 16 last season.
ESSENDON v FREMANTLE
Devon Smith had a season-low 15 disposals and 52 points in his last match at Etihad Stadium in Round 15. David Mundy averages 20 disposals, four tackles and 90 points from 20 career games at the venue.
BRISBANE v ADELAIDE
Dayne Beams’ price rocketed by $33,300 last round after scoring 111 points in the win over Hawthorn. Rory Sloane racked up 127 points against Geelong which was his second-biggest haul of the season.
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GEELONG v MELBOURNE
Joel Selwood finished with 36 disposals, 10 score involvements and 124 points when he last played the Demons at GMHBA Stadium in 2016. Max Gawn could only manage 15 disposals, 10 hitouts-to-advantage and 63 points on the day.
CARLTON v HAWTHORN
Dale Thomas has enjoyed back-to-back price rises after scoring 110 and 104 points respectively in his past two games. Isaac Smith has also enjoyed two price hikes in successive weeks after scoring 106 and 72 points.
WEST COAST v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Andrew Gaff had 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, one goal and 103 points when these sides last met in Round 2. Jack Macrae dominated with 31 disposals, 11 score involvements and 141 points.
PORT ADELAIDE v GWS GIANTS
Tom Rockliff is averaging 35 more points in wins compared to losses this season, the second-biggest differential of any player at the Power. Dylan Shiel is +28 points in
Giant wins, the third-biggest differential at the club.
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