The best point-of-difference trade options for KFC SuperCoach Grand Final week

If you need a big play to win a KFC SuperCoach grand final or make a late jump up the rankings, now is the time. Jed Anderson scored 174 against the Eagles, which other unique picks could produce the goods Round 18?

It is time to think outside the box KFC SuperCoaches.

Those with trades in hand should be on the hunt for point-of-difference picks for the final round who can help you surge up the ranks and knock off your opponent.

Just ask the 914 teams with Kangaroo Jed Anderson, who top-scored in the opening game of the round with 174 points.

You only need these hidden gems to fire in one round, opening the door for plenty of creativity at the trade table.

One key part of this will be targeting players with favourable match-ups.

Geelong also have a favourable match-up against Sydney in the final round while Melbourne players (v Essendon) and Gold Coast (v Hawthorn) could also produce big numbers.

Plenty of in-form value options are presenting themselves as well, making the choice difficult – especially when it can cost you valuable points.

Check out the point-of-difference picks that can bring home SuperCoach glory.

BEST GRAND FINAL PODS

Ownership in top 5000 thanks to @DataSuperCoach

DEFENCE

Jack Crisp $534,000 DEF

Average: 99.6

Ownership: 11 per cent (10 per cent of top 5000)

Max Gawn and Matt Crouch. These are the only two players in the competition averaging more points in their last three games than Jack Crisp. During this time Crisp has averaged a whopping 132 points, 26 disposals and seven marks. He is winning a mountain of ball in defence and this is likely to continue against ladder-leaders Port Adelaide with the way they are travelling.

Mark Blicavs is in just 2 per cent of KFC SuperCoach teams, despite averaging 100 points per game. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images.

Mark Blicavs $515,400 DEF

Average: 100.1

Ownership: 2 per cent (less than 1 per cent of top 5000)

KFC SuperCoaches have avoided Mark Blicavs like the plague this season despite an impressive campaign and a promising match-up awaits him. Sydney went in with a ruck set-up of Aliir Aliir and debutant Joel Amartey last week, which bodes well for Blicavs if he plays as the second ruckman to Rhys Stanley, who is set to return form injury. However, this could backfire if Chris Scott opts to utilise Esava Ratugolea as the second ruckman, but Blicavs has managed to score well as a wingman and a defender at stages this season. Blicavs is coming off scores of 134 and 118 in his past two matches.

Daniel Rich $424,300 DEF

Average: 85.1

Ownership: 2 per cent (2 per cent of top 5000)

An in-game injury has kept Daniel Rich’s price down and those who swooped on him in the last two rounds for under $400,000 would be pleased with his output. The former KFC SuperCoach burn-man has produced three scores of 97 and 107 in his last three games and is Brisbane’s first-choice kick-in taker. If you are short of cash trading out Sam Docherty, Rich looms as the safest bet.

MIDFIELD

Jarryd Lyons $576,900 MID

Average: 116

Ownership: 4 per cent (11 per cent in top 5000)

Opposition sides have (finally) started to Lachie Neale restrict the influence of the Brownlow Medal favourite, giving Jarryd Lyons the opportunity to pick up the slack. Lyons scored almost all of his 132 points against the Swans in the first three quarters, dominating the clearances and booting a goal. Carlton tagger Ed Curnow will have his sights set on Lachie Neale in the final round, which should spur Lyons into action. For those in the fortuitous position of having two trades left, a sideways move from Neale to Lyons looms as an interesting proposition that could have massive benefits.

Collingwood star Adam Treloar posted a KFC SuperCoach ton in his first game since Round 10 against the Suns. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Adam Treloar $550,400 MID

Ave: 111.9

Ownership: 2 per cent (less than 1 per cent in top 5000)

It’d be a brave call to bring in Adam Treloar off one game but few players possess his ball-winning ability. In a season where 30 possession games are somewhat of a novelty, Treloar has eclipsed this mark in four of his six games – this is including his last game in Round 10, where he was well on track before succumbing to a hamstring injury. He burst out of the blocks with scores of 119, 122 and 158 after returning from injury earlier in the season and is available for $550,400. Didn’t waste any time in his first game back on Monday night against the Suns, tallying 26 touches and 106 points. Only 13 teams in the entire top 5,000 own him – now that’s a POD play.

FORWARD

Tom Hawkins $597,900 FWD

Average: 108.9

Ownership: 4 per cent (2 per cent in top 5000)

Those with cash in the kitty should seriously consider Tom Hawkins, who can turn a KFC SuperCoach Grand Final on its head. Ignore his score of 43 points last round against the strong defence of Richmond, as this week he faces an inexperienced and depleted Sydney backline. Hawkins has posted three 150-plus scores this season - two of those coming in the past five rounds, including a monster 204 against Port Adelaide – and another one could be on the cards. A score like this would almost surely get you onto the KFC SuperCoach dais and give you a rankings surge.

Blake Acres has found his groove at the Dockers. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

Blake Acres $440,800 FWD/MID

Average: 87

Ownership: 2 per cent (6 per cent in top 5000)

Blake Acres is registering the kind of scores he has always been capable of producing. The Docker is thriving as a roaming wingman, boasting a three-round average of 119.7 points and passing 110 in all three. A player in this kind of form screams value at $440,800 and he scored 113 points in his last game at Cazaly’s Stadium in Round 16, where he plays the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Liam Ryan $422,600 FWD

Average: 75

Ownership: 2 per cent (less than 1 per cent in top 5000)

A high risk-reward selection if ever we’ve seen one. Liam Ryan has fallen to lows of 18 and 25 this season but his form in the last four rounds has been exceptional, averaging 106 points. West Coast’s likely dominance of the Kangaroos should work in his favour. If you are in the luxurious position of being able to trade him in at F7, emergency loopholing him on the Thursday night could give you an extra 50 points on an underperforming premium like Jy Simpkin. Just 13 teams own Ryan inside the top 5,000.

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