SuperCoach AFL expert trades round 5: Caiden Cleary or Tom Gross

SuperCoaches across the country are torn on trading in Caiden Cleary or Tom Gross, and our experts have made a unanimous call. See who’s made the cut – and the rest of their trades – here.

SuperCoaches are being spoiled for choice this week with two good rookie options – but which one to pick? Our assembled experts have voted with their feet, with every one of them bringing in Tom Gross, while a couple are passing on Caiden Cleary.

See the rest of their trades.

AL PATON

IN: Caidan Cleary, Tom Gross

OUT: Jack Henderson, Lucas Camporeale

I’ve made some big moves this year and my strike rate isn’t great, so it’s time to play it safe and build the bank with an old fashioned double downgrade. I know some coaches are keen to dive into upgrade season already but for me this stage of the season is about setting myself up for a big premo shopping spree in a few weeks’ time, and that means making as much money as possible. Having two good rookies on the bubble is an opportunity to clear some dead wood on the bench and open up a DPP swing by moving Isaac Kako or Max Hall into my midfield.

PATCH

IN: Tom Gross and Caiden Cleary

OUT: Jack Henderson and Elijah Hewett

I’ve toyed with a lot of options, but the ones who get me fun options like Nick Daicos, Zach Merrett, Zak Butters or, dare I say it, Sam Draper all involve me sending one of Matty Roberts or Sam Davidson to the knackery and using a boost. I can keep Roberts and Davidson to get Draper in, but it does require a boost and boosting to bring in big Sammy Drapes feels like some kind of SuperCoach crime. So I’m resetting my cash generation, building the piggy bank and taking another week to get the lay of the land after a sneaky Noah Anderson upgrade last week.

Caiden Cleary is a popular trade-in by SuperCoaches. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

TIM MICHELL

IN: Zach Merrett, Tom Gross and Caiden Cleary

OUT: Connor O’Sullivan, Finn O’Sullivan and Sam Davidson

… is the desperate version, while the safe version is …

IN: Tom Gross and Caiden Cleary

OUT: Jack Henderson and Mitch Knevitt or Conor Stone

I’m ranked 50k after my worst start to a season ever and getting desperate (see my Luke Ryan trade in last week). It’s just a matter of how desperate. Merrett has West Coast, Collingwood and North Melbourne in his next three and is more of a point of difference than the obvious pick Nick Daicos. But maybe Nick is obvious for a reason? I’d like to leave some money spare knowing Tom Stewart (and possibly Jordan Ridley) will bottom out next week. Maybe I should just play it safe. We’ll see …

MATT FORREST

IN: Tom Gross

OUT: Jack Henderson

A move that is barely netting me any profit, I’m hoping Gross is a better investment than the Demon. I’ll contemplate Caiden Cleary and Saad El-Hawli for a double, or even triple, downgrade, but my cash cows aren’t fat enough to cull just yet. Hopefully next week I can officially start upgrade season.

CHLOE WILLIAMS

IN: Tom Gross, Andy Brayshaw

OUT: Sam De Koning, Nathan O’Driscoll

To boost or not to boost? I wanted Brayshaw last week, but Flynn’s absence made me pivot, unfortunately. He comes in as my first upgrade, but leaves me with three on field rookies down back. Gross looked great against the Blues, so that’s self explanatory. I like the look of Cleary, but is Gross worth a boost?

Tom Gross is being traded in by every one of our expert panel this week.

DAN BATTEN

IN: Tom Gross and Caiden Cleary

OUT: Jack Henderson and Mitch Knevitt/Isaac Kako/Elijah Tsatas

Looks like a pretty straight forward week with Gross and Cleary standing out as downgrade options. The difficulty is working out who to trade out – and yes, I’m expecting whoever I offload to burn me. Gross entered his draft year as a potential top 10 pick and showed his class and toughness on the weekend, while Cleary should rack up a handful of tackles each week. My other option is getting Saad El-Hawli to change my team structure after benching Zach Reid and Luke Trainor last week, but not sure if it is worth burning a boost to do it.

TARQUIN OAKLEY

IN: Max Holmes, Tom Gross

OUT: Joel Freijah, Jack Henderson

Wanted to ditch Freijah last week but injuries changed my plans. He is now gone alongside Hendo who was also a disappointment. These trades would leave me with just over $1k in the bank so it’s Gross over Cleary to get Holmes into the side. I do really like Daicos and Cleary as options so these moves are not locked in.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL expert trades round 5: Caiden Cleary or Tom Gross