The SuperCoach Investor’s trade tips for Round 14

The end of the byes is in sight and it’s time to set up our SuperCoach sides for the run home with a selection of high-quality picks available at big discounts.

Clayton Oliver kicks at goal. Pic: Michael Klein

There is light at the end of the SuperCoach tunnel.

The Round 13 bye took a heavy toll on many coaches (myself included), who fielded teams replete with a mix of cinnamon and jam doughnuts.

With one bye round remaining the SuperCoach Investor, Daniel Begala, shares his final thoughts on supercharging your side for league and overall success.

LOCK-IE NEALE

It’s taken weeks, but now is our chance to finally grab our man.

He’s Australia’s, or more specifically, Brisbane’s most wanted — the best-scoring midfielder in the competition.

It’s the simplest trade you’ll ever do, but you must – if you’re not among the 87,000 current holders – acquire the services of Lachie Neale ($578K, MID) this week.

The Begala Brigade will be jettisoning Rising Star favourite, Sam Walsh ($439K) for the dynamic Brisbane midfielder with one trade and chump change.

The only regret? I couldn’t do it sooner!

If you’re not already a Neale owner, there is no point getting “cute” with this trade and opting for a point-of-difference who you suspect may trump Neale’s run home.

There are none.

He sits atop the midfielders throne with only two stars, Josh Kelly (average: 123) and Nat Fyfe (121), averaging in excess of the magical 120 SuperCoach threshold, and this is nothing to be sneezed at.

It’s not an innovative move, I know, but sometimes you have to conform with the herd and trade accordingly.

He’s been welcomed with open arms at The Begala Brigade after joining the side as early as 9pm on Sunday evening (when SuperCoach opened).

THE BARGAIN BASEMENT

With three trades available for the final time this year, it’s time to go shopping.

You can cast the net far and wide, but there are a breadth of proven scorers that must be within your sights across Round 14 and 15.

We know how difficult it’s been to generate “liquidity” from our rookies, so it’s imperative that we exercise pragmatism with the remainder of our trades.

If you’re after some defensive “arbitrage” look no further than Tom Stewart ($497K, 101) and James Sicily ($489K, 99) who are sure to be among the top six to eight defenders at the pointy end of the season.

We’re starting to notice a “Big Five” in the midfields with Neale (124), Kelly (123), Fyfe (121), Patrick Cripps (120) and Jackson Macrae (116) breaking away from the peloton into an unrivalled level of consistency and scoring.

Clayton Oliver is more than $80,000 cheaper than his Round 1 price. Picture: Michael Klein

After that, however, you can throw a blanket over the next string of midfielders.

The picks of the bunch are Marcus Bontempelli ($534K, 112), Rory Sloane ($511K, 109), Clayton Oliver ($539K, 107) and Adam Treloar ($508K, 105), who are all seriously undervalued compared to their peers.

They each have a strong SuperCoach pedigree and are available at significant discounts on their original starting prices, particularly Oliver, who has plummeted $83,300 since Round 1 and shown signs of 2018 “Clarry” in recent weeks.

It’s pretty simple in the rucks — Max Gawn, Brodie Grundy and daylight. There’s nothing to see here, so let’s move along … to the forwards.

Much like the midfield, a distinct group of stars has risen to the top of the rankings featuring Travis Boak, Tim Kelly, Josh Dunkley and Patrick Dangerfield.

WHISPERS: WILL DANGERFIELD PLAY?

TRADE GUIDE: DUNKLEY WORTH TOP DOLLAR

EXPERT TIPS: FOUR OVERLOOKED SUPERCOACH GUNS

After that the field opens up, and if you’re chasing the frugal life, why not take the punt on an in-form Jack Billings ($455K, 96) or his St Kilda counterpart Rowan Marshall, who sits marginally outside the top six forwards, yet averages 102 points and can be snapped up for less than $500K?

Robbie Gray ($437K) is also sure to be a popular trade among coaches who are desperate to finalise their F7/M9 coverage as we approach finals.

Many of these trade decisions – particularly in the midfield – will deliver only marginal benefit to your scoring potential, so, much like a seasoned stock market professional, you’ve got to chase “value”.

No one likes a penny pincher, but keeping your cash idle will go along way to your overall and league success at the business end of proceedings.

Tighten those purse strings, it’s arbitrage time.