The race to claim the $50,000 SuperCoach main prize going down to wire in Grand Final week
THE race for SuperCoach glory and the $50,000 major prize is as close as it’s ever been with the top three teams separated by just 74 points. Plus, expert captain and trade advice for Grand Final week.
Supercoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from Supercoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE race for SuperCoach glory and the $50,000 major prize is as close as it’s ever been.
A measly 74 points separates the top three teams - CharCole Chicken, tankasawrus and Throbbing Hotspurs - with one week to go.
One decision this week could provide a life-changing win.
REGRETS: MY SUPERCOACH TRADE SHAME
ADVICE: TOP SUPERCOACH GRAND FINAL HAIL MARYS
THE PHANTOM: IS MITCHELL A GRAND FINAL RISK?
Robert Price, coach of Throbbing Hotspurs, could be left ruing a late-season fall after going from first to third last week.
Having been in top spot since “Round 9 or 10”, the timing couldn’t have been worse, but Price isn’t giving up.
“I’m going to pull everything out I can ... I’ll put a left-field pick as vice-captain and hopefully they have a big week,” he said.
“I’ll keep my trade situation a secret but it is getting desperate.
“I think the other guys have a few guys I don’t have. I’m pretty ticked off Buddy (Franklin) has regained form.
“Before this year my wife hated SuperCoach but with my team going so well I’m allowed to have the phone out at the dinner table and be distracted (laughs).”
Each team has some interesting points of difference with the likes of Lachie Neale, Dustin Martin, Jack Gunston, Lance Franklin and Angus Brayshaw’s performances all crucial to claiming the $50,000.
With a 2607 in Round 22, tankasawrus, coached by Mark Tancredi, remained in second overall, just 44 points off top spot.
However, with a 2672, Cole Cook saw his team CharCole Chicken leap from third to the top of the almost 200,000 SuperCoaches.
“I didn’t expect it, it’s pretty close at the top,” Cook said.
“I’ve still got two trades up my sleeve so I’ll wait and see if Buddy is fit (but) I’ll definitely use them.
“I’ve moved up the last couple of weeks, Buddy coming good - that was a big one - and I brought Wingard in when he was cheap, he’s been handy.”
However it pans out, second place goes home with $5000 while the third place to 10th place-getters win $1000 each.
CAPTAIN’S CORNER
BRODIE GRUNDY ($679,700, Ruck) Ave last 3 v opp: 112
Likely to be the No.1 captaincy choice this week after going 162, 121, 167 and 157 in the past month. Collingwood face Fremantle this week, a team Grundy posted 134 against in Round 11. The Saturday twilight slot isn’t loophole friendly but he’s hard to go past.
TOM HAWKINS ($519,000, Fwd) Ave last 3 v opp: 107
After Jack Riewoldt’s romp, we’re expecting Hawkins to potentially have a similar field day against Gold Coast. The Cats’ spearhead has scored 113, 70 and 140 in his past three against the Suns.
TOM MITCHELL ($676,000, Mid) Ave last 3 v opp: 91
A word of warning on Tom. Despite being the No.1 overall SuperCoach scorer, it’s widely expected Sydney will send George Hewitt to the Hawks ball-magnet in a showdown role. Further prove that Mitchell may not be a good captaincy option is his score of 72 in Round 8.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD ($622,300, Mid) Ave last 3 v opp: 114
Any Cat looms as a strong captaincy candidate this week against Gold Coast but Dangerfield’s ability to rack up disposals, lay tackles and kick goals make him perhaps the safest option.
JUMP ON
TOM HAWKINS
Hawkins is the No.1 trade acquisition this week ahead of Geelong’s clash against Gold Coast. SuperCoaches believe Hawkins is in for a field day at GMHBA Stadium but he’s been in excellent form all season, averaging 99 - a career high.
ANGUS BRAYSHAW
The Melbourne star was a mid-price risk at the start of the season but has rewarded those that took the punt and will finish the SuperCoach season as a top-10 defender on average (96.0).
JUSTIN WESTHOFF
Just a $17,000 jump from the injured Jesse Hogan, Westhoff has been a reliable scorer this season, averaging 100.3 as the No.1 overall scorer among forwards. With Port Adelaide playing for its finals survival, expect a big game on Friday night.
JUMP OFF
JESSE HOGAN
Hogan was a popular pick earlier in the year after getting a run in the midfield but his scoring dried up significantly as the season wore on and now a foot injury has ruled him out for the rest of the year.
ALEX WITHERDEN
The Lions defender has been a solid contributor this season but a hamstring injury has ended his season prematurely. If you’ve got the trades left, you’ll only need $35k to bring in the likes of Shannon Hurn, Michael Hurley or Tom McDonald.
TOM DOEDEE
The Crows Rising Star contender is probably second to Tim Kelly for Cash Cow of the Year but shoulder surgery has ended his season with one game left and at $385,700 you won’t need much to upgrade him to a premium scorer.
The result of trying to win a hard ball... 👇ðŸ½
— Tom Doedee (@TDoedee31) August 22, 2018
Thanks for all the messages and support 🤗 pic.twitter.com/dGDskUEshs
PLAYERS TO WATCH
PORT ADELAIDE v ESSENDON
Jared Polec was one of several Power players that struggled last round, scoring just 68 points, his second-lowest return for the year. Dyson Heppell enjoyed his sixth price rise in the past seven rounds after scoring 105 points against Richmond.
GEELONG v GOLD COAST
Gary Ablett averages 31 disposals, one goal and 120 points at GMHBA Stadium this season. David Swallow has struggled at the venue, averaging just 17 disposals and 58 points from three career games.
RICHMOND v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Josh Caddy has scored back-to-back tons for the first time this season, scoring 116 and 107 points in that order. Lachie Hunter has dominated in these games, racking up
155 and 146 points respectively.
FREMANTLE v COLLINGWOOD
Nat Fyfe has dropped below 100 points in two full games this season, with one of these coming against Collingwood in Round 11 (78). Steele Sidebottom hasn’t reached 100 points in three of his four interstate games, averaging 92.
CARLTON v ADELAIDE
Kade Simpson scored 144 points last week against the Bulldogs – his biggest score since the season opener against Richmond. Matt Crouch smashed his previous best disposal tally by finishing with 46 disposals and a season-high 131 points against the Kangaroos.
SYDNEY v HAWTHORN
Dan Hannebery averages 28 disposals, four inside 50s and 98 points from his past four games against the Hawks at the SCG. Shaun Burgoyne has scored 127, 158 and 144 points in that order in his past three games at the venue.
BRISBANE v WEST COAST
Dayne Beams’ average of 30 disposals against the Eagles in his second-most against an AFL side. Jeremy McGovern’s return of 77 points per game against the Lions is his second-lowest against any team.
MELBOURNE v GWS GIANTS
Clayton Oliver (117) is one of just two Demons to average more than 100 points in wins this season alongside Max Gawn. Lachie Whitefield is one of four Giants to average three figures in wins (111).
ST KILDA v NORTH MELBOURNE
Jack Steven has struggled in his past four games at Etihad Stadium, averaging 25 disposals and 74 points. Jack Ziebell is averaging 18 disposals, two goals and 87 points in his past four games at the venue.
Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >
Pre-season intel: Who’s training the house down at your club
Pre-season matches begin this month, which means players are stepping it up a notch on the track. Who are the ones impressing at your club? Get all intel from across the league here.
SuperCoach Plus: The secret weapon for fantasy AFL and NRL
Ready to up your game? Unlock the full potential of SuperCoach Plus and make this fantasy season your best yet.