SuperCoach 2017: At last, it’s time to trade in a bargain, says The Eradicator

With The Phantom still AWOL during this critical time on the SuperCoach season, The Eradicator has removed his old fashioned subs’ vest to help you through.

Josh Kelly is The Eradicator’s player of the week. Picture: Phil Hillyard

With The Phantom still AWOL during this critical time on the SuperCoach season, The Eradicator has removed his old fashioned subs’ vest to help you through.

The Phantoms R11 Score: 1675, Overall rank: 13,603

The Eradicator R11 Score: 1815. Overall rank: 2812

What a round of wildly diverse scores as the first wave of bye round madness hit us on the weekend.
Some coaches managed to get through with 18 scoring players on the park (even with the Aaron Sandilands late-out debacle Sunday), many fell just short and some enterprising coaches tanked the weekend to load up for the next two weeks.

Anything over 1700 was a pretty solid score, all things considered.

But there’s no time to reflect on glory or what could’ve been. This week we face the second wave of bye fever.
Fortunately, for most coaches, Round 12 dials back the degree of difficulty, with only players from four teams not available for selection — Geelong, North Melbourne, Richmond and West Coast.

This means fielding a minimum of 18 players will be an easier assignment than last week. But with another big challenge facing us in Round 13, it’s probably time to start preparing for what lies ahead in a two-week plan to see you through.

More on that later in the week, meanwhile let’s have a look at some players who may be of interest to get you through.

ON THE BUBBLE

Collingwood’s Matthew Scharenberg is on the bubble. Picture: Michael Klein

With quality rookies being our biggest problem in 2017, it’s almost a cause for celebration when two present on the bubble in the same week. While Hawthorn’s James Cousins and Collingwood’s Matthew Scharenberg have the drawback of a R13 bye, if named, they’ll be a warm body on the park this week and some much needed cash in the bank if they can get a good run of games.

UPGRADE OPTIONS

If you’re going to trade in a premium before the weekend, the best play is to choose one who’s already had their bye round. Fortunately there are now eight teams who have had their rest, giving you plenty of options. Here are some options.

Sam Docherty, Car

$596,300, Def

Average 113, Breakeven 127

After taking his game to the next level in 2016, Docherty has gone one better to become the highest averaging defender this year. He’s only scored under 100 twice this season (91, 98). If you have the cash to splash on a top shelf defender, this is your man.

Kade Simpson, Car

$489,400, Def

Average 92, Breakeven 107

If you can’t afford Docherty, you may want to consider Simpson. He has been one of the most reliable defenders over the last few seasons. He didn’t have the quickest start to 2017, but has averaged over 100 in the last five rounds and represents great value at his price.

Gary Ablett, GC

$585,300 Mid

Average 111, Breakeven 127

This selection may not be for everyone and comes with some risk (has already missed one game with a shoulder injury), but he’s rolled gold Supercoach royalty, is at a decent price and was back to his best on the weekend.

Marcus Bontempelli is at a season low price. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Marcus Bontempelli, WB

$553,600 Mid

Average 113, Breakeven 158

The Bont had a huge start to the year, averaging 124 over the first seven rounds. He failed to ton-up in the three games leading into the bye, leaving his current price at a season low. Yes, his breakeven is a little on the high side if you want to wait a week, but it’s The Bont and anything could happen.

Josh P Kennedy, Syd

$545,600 Mid

Average 105, Breakeven 101

Kennedy had an up and down start to his season, by his lofty standards, but he rolled into the bye with three consecutive 100+ scores under his belt. Having averaged over 110 in five of his last six seasons, his price is too good to ignore.

LEFT FIELD

Luke Parker, Syd

$482,200 Mid

Average 90, Breakeven 139

After three years of premium scores, Luke Parker has been off the boil at the start of 2017. His average this year is 90, well down on the 112 last season. If he’s freshened up after the bye rounds and can get back to his best, his price tag is a bargain.

Mitch Wallis, WB

$472,700 Mid

Average 110, Breakeven 59

After last year’s nasty broken leg, Wallis has come out with a bang to start his 2017 campaign. He’s averaged 110 in his two games to-date and present good value if he can maintain that momentum. Comes with risk, but if you’re looking for a point of difference, he’s an option

THE ERADICATOR’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Josh Kelly, GWS

Mid $585,600

Average 114, Breakeven 63

The Phantom’s pre-season breakout prediction (thanks for the tip, runaway SuperCoach doyen) has lived up to all expectations. He’s averaging 114 this season, and has only failed to clock a triple-figure score on three occasions (92, 96, 93). He also sits sixth on total points scored. All the talk about potential big offers from rival clubs hasn’t slowed him down either, he posted an epic 176 on the weekend — the highest score of the round, with each possession putting a few more dollars on the paycheck!

Originally published as SuperCoach 2017: At last, it’s time to trade in a bargain, says The Eradicator