SuperCoach premium midfield face off: Should you trade for Mitch Duncan or Zach Merrett ahead of Round 19?

It’s the ultimate SuperCoach conundrum. You’re low on trades, still need one premium scorer and there’s two bargain options to choose. Should you take Mitch Duncan or Zach Merrett?

Mitch Duncan is still a midfield point of difference with three per cent ownership. Picture: Alison Wynd.

With SuperCoach finals a week away and trades limited for most teams, one of the toughest calls you make will be the last premiums to add.

If you’re in need of a defensive upgrade ahead of Round 19, the answer is simple — Lachie Whitfield.

If you’ve been carrying a player such as Essendon on-baller Dylan Clarke ($297,200, mid) in your M8 spot, the solution is less clear.

For less than $200,000, you can turn Clarke into his teammate Zach Merrett ($492,500), the only Bombers midfielder averaging triple figures this year — 107.4.

Complicating matters is Geelong’s Mitch Duncan dropping to $500,200, more than $100,000 less than his peak price of $607,100. Duncan has averaged 107.2, presenting a serious bargain as the Cats aim to hold onto top spot ahead of AFL finals.

TRADE GUIDE: WHY IAN HILL IS THE BEST BUY OF ROUND 19

DOCTOR’S ORDERS: FOUR CUT-PRICE TRADE OPTIONS

Merrett has been the most popular trade of the gun pair this week, featuring in swaps for Clarke (286 trades), Sydney Stack (223) and Will Setterfield (153).

Duncan has been traded in for Clarke (95 trades), Setterfield (51) and Stack (46).

Splitting the on-ball duo, separated by only 0.2 in average and $7,700 in price, will be a tough call. Here are some important factors to consider.

Zach Merrett has given SuperCoaches plenty of reason to smile this year. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

ZACH MERRETT

— $7,700 cheaper than Duncan despite having a better average.

— His average of 107.4 ranks 13th for midfielders yet his $492,200 price tag makes him the 38th-most expensive on-baller.

— In his past three matches against Gold Coast and Port Adelaide — Essendon’s next opponents, he hasn’t scored below 92 and has five hundreds.

— Merrett has seven scores of 120+.

— His run home features Gold Coast, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Fremantle and Collingwood. Merrett has an average of 116 against the Dockers, who he faces in SuperCoach preliminary final week.

POPULAR TRADES*

Dylan Clarke — 286

Sydney Stack — 223

Will Setterfield — 153

Jackson Hately — 104

Griffin Logue — 101

Stephen Coniglio — 97

Mitch Duncan is still a midfield point of difference with three per cent ownership. Picture: Alison Wynd.

MITCH DUNCAN

— Duncan is still in only 6816 teams — or three per cent.

— Only Patrick Dangerfield has a better average of Geelong’s midfielders than Duncan. Dangerfield predominantly features in SuperCoach forward lines.

— Duncan has six scores 120+ and nine 116+.

— His only score below 82 was three weeks ago against Western Bulldogs (58).

— Duncan averages 123.3 in his past three games against Geelong’s next opponent, Sydney.

— The Cats take on the Swans, Fremantle, North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions and Carlton during a friendly run home. Duncan scored 123 against the Blues last year, Geelong’s SuperCoach grand final week opponent.

— How many Cats is too many? If you’ve already got Dangerfield and Tim Kelly, as most sides do, is there a danger they will share points?

POPULAR TRADES*

Dylan Clarke — 95

Will Setterfield — 51

Sydney Stack — 46

Stephen Coniglio — 45

Griffin Logue — 35

Noah Answerth — 32

VERDICT: Pay the extra $7,700 for Duncan. His POD value alone might be enough to set you apart from league opponents or help you jump the rankings in the last month of the season.

*Trades as of 9am Thursday.