SuperCoach Investor: Now is the time to complete your team

THE byes are almost over, which also means it’s the last week we get three trades. Use them all — but use them wisely. The SuperCoach Investor explains how.

Elliot Yeo handballs during a West Coast Eagles AFL training session.

THE byes are never easy, but this year has tested SuperCoach players like never before.

Every teams has been hit by injuries, selection upheaval and a very unexpected sojourn across the Tasman from one of our most popular players.

For the first time — in a very, very, VERY long time — I was faced with the harsh reality of heading into battle with a zero on the field, and I was certainly not alone.

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But it’s time to forget Round 13 and focus on rebounding this week with an injection of post-bye talent for the run home.

Our resident investment expert, Daniel Begala, runs the numbers on the big decisions this week.

COMPLETING THE PUZZLE

We’re in the final throes of the byes and now is the time to release the shackles and deploy each of the generously provided three trades into action this weekend.

Coaches who have made smart investment decisions over the first 13 rounds will be close to boasting what all our trade decisions have been working towards — a complete squad with 22 premium stars on the field.

They’re the envy of the stock market, but don’t let those astute investors leave you in their wake as the gap is closer than you think.

Whether it’s your defence, midfield or forward line that’s lacking, it’s essential that you take the bull by the horns and acquire the missing ingredients for your side this week.

If you still have Tom Doedee ($394k, DEF) or Tim Kelly ($435k, MID) in your starting line-up, now is the time to jettison these well-performed rookies and acquire a blue-chip player who will outscore them by several hundred points over the remaining rounds.

My mind is fixated on the elusive Eagle, Elliot Yeo (DEF, $522K), who has historically been a very volatile stock capable of the top-shelf dividend distributions.

That leaves one premium position to be filled at The Begala Brigade with expressions of interest to be held in Round 15. Early whispers suggest that it’s a choice between Sam Menegola (MID/FWD, $490K) and Lance Franklin (FWD, $486K) jostling for F6.

West Coast defender is having a brilliant season.

ROOKIE RICHES

We’ve all been scarred by the prolific doughnut activity across the byes, so do whatever it takes to ensure you field 18 players — stars and rookies — this week.

The timing is perfect for rookie pair Paul Ahern (MID/FWD, $123K) and Brody Mihocek (DEF, $102K), who will be among the most popular trade-ins for Round 14.

Get them in, but make sure it’s at the expense of your rookies, mid-priced mishaps and the other absentees that cannot contribute to your score in Round 14.

The SuperCoach Investor also suggests keeping a close eye on Joel Smith (MID/DEF, $155K) who plays his second game this week and could be provide perfect dual-position bench coverage for your late season surge (and inevitable carnage).

In the absence of Jake Lever, it’s expected that the Demons will give Smith — who has the hallmarks of a prodigious SuperCoach scorer — every chance to lock down a defensive role until season’s end.

Watchlist him and should he live up to his end of the bargain, Nick Holman looms as the perfect trade candidate following his commendable efforts across the byes.

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