SuperCoach AFL 2024: Experts reveal their round 10 trades

The need for a premium forward and a match-up against a battered Richmond has forced SuperCoach experts to tear up their trade plans. See their round 10 moves here.

One of the best PODs in SuperCoach this year is about to lose his title.

Dayne Zorko has been a brilliant point of difference for the 9 per cent of coaches with the Lions veteran in their teams. But his ownership is about to soar as coaches throw out their plans to trade him in this week.

Meanwhile, the third-most popular player in SuperCoach has already been traded out of more than 25,000 teams this week, and that number is likely to soar before lockout.

What are the experts doing? See their big moves for round 10 below.

AL PATON

OUT: Harley Reid, Will Graham

IN: Dayne Zorko, Lachie Sullivan

I had Bomber Nic Martin pencilled in to bring in this week, aiming to secure a likely top-six defender before he faces North Melbourne and Richmond in successive weeks.

But that plan has been deferred by a week with Reid ready to go and Zorko putting up an irresistible case to be 2024’s long-lost premium forward – and a match-up against Richmond that creates a sense of urgency.

The Tigers barely have enough fit players to get a team on the field and have been giving up bulk points to opposition midfielders and half-backs – if Ed Richards can score 163 against them, it’s scary to think what Zorko could do on Saturday night.

Sullivan isn’t guaranteed to hold his spot in Collingwood’s best 23, but he’s the clear pick of this week’s cheapies and can hopefully make some decent coin.

Colby McKercher’s injury has thrown a spanner in the works after I brought him in last week, but I’ll park him on the bench and bring on my other round 10 recruit, Alex Sexton. If McKercher isn’t back for round 11, he can become Martin before the Dreamtime bloodbath.

Dayne Zorko is suddently a must-have in SuperCoach. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

THE PHANTOM

IN: Dayne Zorko and Bruce Reville

OUT: Harley Reid and Hugo Garcia

The plan, as I revealed last week, was to get Clayton Oliver ahead of Melbourne’s clash with West Coast. I still like him as an option, and he’s still in the frame at a slightly elevated price over the next couple of weeks, but the need for two legitimate premium-scoring forwards has become too much. Especially given the fixture. Dayne Zorko faces a Richmond side on Saturday night that might just have 26 fit players to choose from.

The Bulldogs had a field day last week and Zorko is averaging 124 in Brisbane wins this year. Last season, he was +16 in Lions victories and, in 2021, when he averaged 106 on the year, that differential was +32. That’s why he’s coming in ahead of Izak Rankine this week.

I think there’s an equal argument either way on Harley Reid, but he gets me to Zorko, so I’m pulling the trigger. Ideally, I don’t trade Hugo Garcia, who has a Break Even of 1, but I’m $1k short of dumping some dead rookie wood off my bench in the trade.

Harley Reid is on his way out of thousands of SuperCoach teams. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

TIM MICHELL

If Sam Clohesy scores less than 70

IN: Christian Petracca, Lachie Sullivan

OUT: Harley Reid, Mykelti Lefau

If Sam Clohesy scores more than 70

IN: Dayne Zorko, Lachie Sullivan

OUT: Harley Reid, Mykelti Lefau

OR

IN: Dayne Zorko, Izak Rankine

OUT: Harley Reid, Harry Sheezel

As you can see, I’m a bit torn on how to approach this week. Harry Sheezel hasn’t been the same SuperCoach scorer since he went into North Melbourne’s midfield, but there’s a part of me that thinks he will burn those who move him on. But then again, I could get Rankine this week before his price goes up and trade Sheezel back in at the same price after his round 12 bye anyway.

Regardless of what avenue I go down, Harley Reid is gone. He’s made his money and although I am sure he will produce a few more tons, I’d rather cash him in now while he’s at the peak of his price cycle.

Sam Clohesy will be on my defensive bench with the E on Thursday night and if he goes 70-plus against the Cats, I’ll go down the path of getting my SuperCoach nemesis Dayne Zorko. If not, I’ll back the plans I have had for a few weeks, grab Christian Petracca and play Hugo Garcia up forward. I’m not really smart enough to play 4D chess, but I think I can make it work.

The Zorko plan leaves me with 17 trades and one on field spot to fill in every position. But can I trust him? I guess we’ll see.

Christian Petracca is $112,000 cheaper than he was in round 1. Picture: Michael Klein

PATCH

OUT: Harley Reid, Buku Khamis

IN: Dayne Zorko, Lachie Sullivan

It’s always tough culling the lambs who brought the most joy, but it must be done. Bye bye, Harley. What a ride it was, and what a time we had, but it’s culling season.

I don’t particularly trust or want Zorko, but his season so far is undeniable and his upcoming run is even more so. Izak Rankine is likely to come in next week, while Sullivan seems to have the better job security compared to Reville with the Pies’ injuries.

At this stage I’ll hold Colby McKercher this week then reassess.

TARQUIN OAKLEY

IN: Luke Ryan, Lachlan Sullivan

OUT: Harley Reid, Will Graham

Holding both Reid and Graham is certainly fair, but I cannot stand by and watch Luke Ryan score 200 SuperCoach points against St Kilda.

Something had to give. Lachie Sullivan just edges out Bruce Reville due to his lower Break Even – I don’t trust the job security of either of them, so I may as well get bang for buck as quickly as possible.

These trades leave me with exactly $0 in the kitty. So it’s meant to be, right?

Then again, Luke Ryan’s price is the devil’s number this week ($666k) so by bringing him in I am definitely going to curse him for all SuperCoaches.

Lachie Sullivan has scored 75 SuperCoach points in each of his first two AFL games. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

CHLOE WILLIAMS

IN: Tom Green, Alex Sexton

OUT: Colby McKercher, Toby Pink

The McKercher injury rocked my trade plans this week, so I thought why not make the most of the opportunity.

I have $252,800 after last week’s downgrades, so it’s Green time. His BE is still at 180, but the time I spent scrolling down to find him makes me feel like I’m getting a steal regardless. Plus, he’ll be in my team for the long haul and it finishes my midfield … for now. It is possible that I swing a late change to Zorko, though, as he was my initial target.

I’m also bringing back Sexton for his nice role and a bit of cash generation, replacing Toby Pink who was honestly a regretful panic addition back when the DEF rookies were dropping like flies.

I promise I don’t have a vendetta against North Melbourne.

DAN BATTEN

OUT: Hugo Garcia and Harley Reid

IN: Bruce Reville and Dayne Zorko

The last time I considered trading Harley Reid, he went out and produced an emphatic performance against Sydney. But this time a top-three forward in Dayne Zorko is on offer, and might not be around for long.

I am around $15k off swapping Tom Powell to him – which would be my preference, as Reid could come out and prove the doubters wrong yet again. His midfield role remains strong, but it looks like now or never for Zorko with a mouth-watering match-up against Richmond and a Break Even below 50.

Offloading Reid and Hugo Garcia early seems worth it.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2024: Experts reveal their round 10 trades