We look at how every SuperCoach cash cow is performing and who we should be trading in or out
UPDATED: WILL Matt Guelfi back up after Anzac Day? Can Jack Higgins hold his place at Richmond? We assess every cash cow in Round 5 so far. Who are you bringing in or trading out?
Supercoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from Supercoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Round 6 lockout is just 24 hours away.
There’s not much time to decide which rookies are worth persisting with and who should be shown the door.
THE TACKLE: ROBBO’S ROUND 5 LIKES & DISLIKES
BAROMETER: EVERY CLUB’S ROUND 5 INJURY LIST
Never fear, Tim Michell looks at every cash cow in Round 5 and the best downgrade options.
There are seven cash cows on the bubble this week, David Mirra, Matt Guelfi, Zac Langdon and Jack Higgins loom as the best options while Jordan Cunico, Lochie O’Brien and Zac Bailey are also set to play their third games.
ANZAC UPDATE
MELBOURNE v RICHMOND
Jack Higgins ($130,800, Mid-Fwd) – 91 points Breakeven: -77
He’s already become a cult hero at Tigerland and the reasons to pick Higgins outweigh those against. He’s scoring well, applying plenty of pressure and kicking goals, all reasons he should stay in the Richmond side. But then again, he was good on debut and still found himself squeezed out of the reigning premier’s team the next week. The best option appears a downgrade in midfield, where you should have adequate cover if he finds himself in the VFL again.
Sam Weideman ($175,300, Fwd) – 64 points
Weideman’s first match for the year and he was serviceable playing predominantly as a tall forward and pinch-hitting in the ruck. He has Cam Pedersen, who starred in the VFL at the weekend, breathing down his neck. It’s hard to justify spending that much on a player who will likely be in and out of the side.
COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON
Jaidyn Stephenson ($286,700, Mid-Fwd) – 88 points Breakeven: -35
What a revelation Stephenson has been in the past few weeks. He’s added plenty of dash to Collingwood’s forward half and is already being spoken about as a bargain after slipping to pick No.6 in the draft. Consecutive scores of 115 and 88 put him in the frame to potentially rise to $400,000 and be close to a straight swap to a fallen premium.
Callum Brown ($289,100, Mid-Fwd) – 80 points Breakeven: 27 points
Brown has become a regular fixture in the Collingwood side and has posted two scores of 80 or above in his four matches. If he’s impressed you enough to bring him in as a Mid-Fwd, this has to be the week you jump on. You don’t want to be spending more than $300,000 for a player still finding his feet at senior level, as impressive as he has been.
Sam Murray ($304,300, Def) – 78 points Breakeven: 8
Murray jumped above $300,000 after a $53,000 price rise and more than 60 per cent of teams are enjoying the ride with the first-year Magpie. Four of his five scores have been between 72 and 95 and he’s a reliable rookie in defence. With his breakeven now positive, the time has come to closely monitor his scores and upgrade when necessary.
Ben Crocker ($232,500, Fwd) – 47 points Breakeven: 29
Crocker is only in 1677 teams and he’s probably worth holding if you are one of these. He only has a bit more money to make though, so if you need to bring in Jack Higgins or Matt Guelfi, considering downgrading him this week.
Matt Guelfi ($117,300, Fwd) – 69 points Breakeven: -72
Guelfi was added to a few teams after Bayley Fritsch was left out of Melbourne’s side on Tuesday and he didn’t disappoint with a score of 69 on Anzac Day. Essendon’s selection will be interesting this week after its disappointing performance against Collingwood, but hopefully 15 disposals and nine marks was enough to keep Guelfi in the side.
SYDNEY v ADELAIDE
Tom Doedee ($312,800, Def) – 100 points Breakeven: 26
Doedee’s breakeven is set to be smashed back into the negatives after another impressive showing against the Swans. His average sits at 88.6 and you should have him on the field every week. If he can sustain an average of above 85, he’ll finish the year as a top-25 defender. While that’s not enough to stay in your side until the end of the campaign, he should be there until at least the byes now.
Jordan Gallucci ($219,400, Mid-Fwd) – 54 points
Our first look at Gallucci for the year and not enough to suggest he’d be a trade-in target when he’s on the bubble after two matches. He has the advantage of being listed as a Mid-Fwd, but you’re going to need consistent scores of 75+ from a player priced above $200,000.
Myles Poholke ($123,900, Mid-Fwd) – 53 points
Poholke made his AFL debut against the Swans and tallied 10 disposals and four tackles. He’s clearly in the mix, but you’d want to monitor the Crows’ injury list closely before considering bringing him in.
ST KILDA v GWS GIANTS
Ben Long ($241,300, Fwd) – 97 points Breakeven: -21
Far and away Long’s best score of the season, eclipsing his previous high of 65. He was a major reason the Saints almost caused one of the boilovers of the season, producing a score which will keep his breakeven low. He started the round at $207,300 and it would be a brave coach who brought him in when another price rise takes effect.
Nick Coffield ($219,300, Def-Mid) – 61 points Breakeven: -13
Bubble boy Nick Coffield hasn’t gone below 60 in his three games to date and appears a consistent scorer. He’s preferably a bench option in midfield or could take the last spot in your defence if you are light for numbers. His price will be above $200,000 by the end of the week and you’ve missed the boat if you didn’t bring him in.
Hunter Clark ($180,300, Mid) – 47 points Breakeven: 33
Clark beat his breakeven by 10 points, with 47 his highest score in his short career with the Saints. No doubt he’ll be a terrific player for a long time for St Kilda, but hard to understand why he’s still in more than 15,000 teams. It’s time to move him on.
Jeremy Finlayson ($329,000) – 89 points Breakeven: 3
Finlayson is fast becoming a SuperCoach favourite. He’s assumed an important role in defence for the Giants and his ability with ball in hand has led to a steep price rise already. Start him with confidence in defence or midfield. His lowest score to date has been 77 and there’s been few signs he will let you down.
CARLTON v WEST COAST
Paddy Dow ($225,700, Mid) – 70 points Breakeven: 21
A much-needed 70 from Dow means he’s got more money to make and might even push close to $300,000 for his owners. Considering Carlton’s injury woes his spot in the team appears secure and there’s little need to move him on for at least a few weeks after this score.
Jarrod Garlett ($212,500, Mid-Fwd) – 21 points Breakeven: 32
This might be the week Garlett finds himself on the chopping block. No doubt he will survive in a few teams due to injury concerns, but Garlett might have made as much cash as he will for you. His breakeven was -22 before Saturday, but don’t be surprised if his average and that figure close rapidly after this total.
Cam O’Shea ($170,400, Def) – 14 points Breakeven: 41
It was hard to make much of a case for O’Shea due to the elevated price and you’d be better banking the extra $60,000 and bringing in a player such as David Mirra.
Willie Rioli ($181,300, Fwd) – 78 points Breakeven: -20
A solid return from Rioli, who has grown into his role in the Eagles’ side with each match. His job security is solid due to the long-term injury sustained by Liam Ryan and he’s got plenty of cash to make yet.
Jake Waterman $247,700, Fwd) – 44 points Breakeven: 40
Waterman’s worst return of 2018 despite posting 10 possessions and five marks. If he gets to about $250,000, you might want to consider cashing in for a rookie-priced forward such as Matt Guelfi.
Lochie O’Brien ($162,300, Def-Mid) – 61 points Breakeven: -12
One of this week’s players on the bubble, O’Brien offers a swing between defence and midfield, much like Nick Coffield did last week. The best rookies traditionally emerge from the cheapest bracket and if you are trying to upgrade to bring in a premium, you’d be better holding off for an option around the $117,000 mark.
Andrew Phillips ($224,300, Ruck) – 62 points
Opportunity came knocking for Phillips after an injury to Matthew Kreuzer and he was more than competitive in his battle with Nic Naitanui. If you’re considering a trade to add Phillips to your side, make sure you check on Kreuzer’s recovery first. It’s hard to see the Blues playing two ruckmen at any stage.
Harry McKay ($207,800, Fwd) – 63 points
The calls to play McKay were growing stronger by the week and Blues fans finally got their wish on Saturday. He had some nice moments, but it’s hard to see him collecting enough possessions to justify parting with more than $200,000 to trade him in.
Tom Cole ($170,400, Def) – 98 points
Put Cole on your watch list. He had 19 disposals and six marks in his first match of the season and while he will cost you more, numbers close to 100 from a player under $200,000 are difficult to ignore.
PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONG
Riley Bonner ($320,300, Def) – 64 points Breakeven: 63
I am inclined to hold Bonner for at least a few more weeks, but could understand if owners were looking to move him on. He still had 22 possessions and six marks against Geelong but the popular pre-season pick might have exhausted his cash generation after having a breakeven of 58.
Lachlan Fogarty ($267,800, Mid) – 89 points Breakeven: -12
Bravo if you started with Fogarty in your side. The Cats have found an absolute gem out of the Western Jets and he showed on Saturday how much he thrives on contested football which is SuperCoach gold. His average is above 70 for the season and while it’s too late to trade him in, his 10,000 owners are looking at a cash cow capable of reaching $350,000-$400,000.
Tim Kelly ($337,100, Mid) – 73 points Breakeven: 35
Kelly’s first score below 80 for the season, but hardly cause for concern. The time will come in the next few weeks to consider whether he takes you through to the byes or you upgrade him to a fallen premium. It’s a tough call.
Esava Ratugolea ($213,900, Fwd) – 70 points Breakeven: -5
The Cats have unearthed a beauty in Ratugolea. He moves extremely well for a big man and with an average around 60 is a serviceable forward bench option in SuperCoach.
Jack Henry ($206,300, Fwd) – 48 points Breakeven: 27
No Dan Venables and Zac Langdon still sidelined had a few coaches relying on Henry in the past two weeks. He should stay in the side while Geelong’s defence is undermanned, but try to start him on your bench if you have another option.
Jordan Cunico ($188,600, Mid) – 60 points Breakeven: -59
A 109 and 60 will have plenty pondering whether Cunico is worth his starting price. He won’t average 100 every week and is most likely to be a quick cash grab if you bring him in this week before his price rises.
FREMANTLE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Adam Cerra ($227,600, Mid) – 87 points Breakeven: 12
The least popular of the early draft picks in SuperCoach, Cerra produced a score on Saturday which put several of his fellow draftees to shame. He had 15 disposals, five marks, four tackles and kicked two goals. While you’d be excited if you were a Dockers fan, we’ve learned this year spending premium dollars on rookies can be dangerous.
Bailey Banfield ($259,700, Mid) – 67 points Breakeven: 12
Banfield continues to be a solid money-maker and has been scoring between 60 and 70. He might peak at about $300,000, but that’s a while off yet.
Andrew Brayshaw ($222,100, Mid) – 62 points Breakeven: 26
Brayshaw passed his breakeven of 54, so breath a sigh of relief if you held on to him for another week. This might be the round you need to make a call on him though. Swinging Finlayson to midfield and bringing in David Mirra will be a popular option.
Mitch Crowden ($201,800, Mid-Fwd) – 55 points Breakeven: 2
A decent bench option up forward or in midfield. Crowden should be in your team more for cash generation than relying on his scoring.
Tim English ($226,800, Ruck-Fwd) – 78 points Breakeven: 0
Another noteworthy score from English, who is going to emerge as one of the most popular SuperCoach ruckmen in the next few years as he puts on size. You would have loved to have snapped him up at his basement price, but he’s doing enough to still be in the mix if you need to make a ruck change.
Aaron Naughton ($251,300, Def) – 62 points Breakeven: 7
A few low scores early in the season, but Naughton’s three-round average sits at about 60 which is commendable for a young tall in his first season. Sit him on your defensive bench and watch his price rise.
Ed Richards ($224,900, Def) – 44 points Breakeven: 21
Richards should be on your defensive bench if you have him in your side, so don’t panic after his score of 44. Just keep watching his breakeven and cash in when appropriate.
Taylin Duman ($123,900, Def) – 85 points
Duman secured his spot in the Fremantle team thanks to strong WAFL statistics and he delivered in his first appearance for the purple haze. He’ll be a very popular downgrade target if he can produce similar numbers to his 85 in his second AFL match. You probably need to consider whether you can squeeze both him and David Mirra in before trading this week.
NORTH MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN
David Mirra ($102,400, Def) – 54 points Breakeven: -71
If you want Mirra in your team, this is the week you have to pull the trigger. It would be a waste holding off and paying anything above the bargain rookie price for the former Box Hill skipper, who has averaged 65.5 in his two matches.
Cameron Zurhaar ($190,200, Fwd) – 87 points
There was a lot to like about Zurhaar’s first game of 2018, despite his involvement in a few scuffles. I’m hesitant to recommend paying his price for a player who started the season on the outer though.
BRISBANE v GOLD COAST
Cam Rayner ($268,600, Mid-Fwd) – 60 points Breakeven: 0
The No.1 draft pick would have scored closer to 80 and guaranteed another healthy price rise if his last-second shot had tied the QClash. Rayner has rebounded after a few quiet weeks with two serviceable scores and he’s worth persisting with.
Nick Holman ($265,500, Mid) – 88 points Breakeven: 35
After a disappointing 32 last week, this is just what we wanted to see from Holman. He’s going to be a perfect upgrade to a fallen premium around the time Gold Coast has its early bye.
Zach Bailey ($139,800, Mid) – 41 points Breakeven: 26
On the bubble this week, but only averaging 28. Pass.
LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW
The AFL trades set to deliver big SuperCoach bargains
Bailey Smith and Clayton Oliver could be huge SuperCoach steals at a new club in 2025. Which other names should be on the watch list? Here are the moves to watch.
AFL obsession to NBL addiction: How SuperCoach hooked me on hoops
I hadn’t watch the NBL since the Andrew Gaze and Shane Heal days. Now I’m taking my son to United games and watching Phoenix on Kayo because of one reason.