Rage Trades: Who needs to go from your SuperCoach team after Round 21
IF YOU have any trades left, one has to be used on Fremantle forward Michael Walters. And he’s not the only player in the gun as we gear up for preliminary final weekend.
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WITH SuperCoach semi-finals now done and dusted, you’re either licking your wounds in preparation for the 2019 season, or raring to go for a preliminary final next week.
For those playing for overall ranking, however, the upcoming last two weeks of the year will prove essential in boosting your competition standing as high as possible as the season draws to a close.
THE TACKLE: WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE CATS?
Though many coaches by now have had their trade period involuntarily conclude after reaching the maximum number allocated, it’s still worth noting some incredible performances and undeniable form, as well as any players who need to be dragged to the bench.
BOOT HIM
It has been harped upon for a few weeks, but if your side doesn’t consist of 22 premium players by now, it was evident this week how even popular rookie picks may have severely damaged your scoring potential.
Paul Ahern had just 10 disposals and, after scoring poorly now for consecutive weeks, it could prove a costly misjudgment to back in to return to form after his handy 124 against West Coast in Round 19. Unfortunately, he may need to be used to cover an apparent Michael Walters hamstring injury up forward.
Downgrade options ideally need to be restricted to your bench alone, and cannot be relied upon to take the field.
Walters is out for the year, hitting more than 21,000 owners.
To my #SuperCoach team. For a long time. https://t.co/qxeZczMMQZ
— The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC) August 12, 2018
On more SuperCoach-relevant injuries, Heath Shaw looks to have injured his PCL, and even in a best-case scenario won’t make his return for at least the remainder of the home-and-away season.
In the same game, Josh Kelly suffered concussion after a strong Tex Walker tackle, and missed the remainder of the game, stranded on 82 points. He should get up for next week’s Sydney derby against the Swans, but it’s still a frustrating turn of events after his double ton last week, especially for anyone who had traded him in following Andrew Gaff’s already infamous suspension, or entrusted him with captaincy duties.
Patrick Ryder’s adductor issues are also seemingly set to continue, but the Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy ruck combination is a SuperCoach must-have regardless.
BUY HIM
The tried and true shone this week, and enforces the need for experience and pedigree at this late stage of the season.
Patrick Dangerfield and Jack Macrae both dominated for their sides with 40 touches apiece, returning massive scores of 160 and 153 respectively.
For the Saints, point-of-difference pick Seb Ross has now gone over 150 two weeks in a row with 43 touches against the Dons, who themselves had a multitude of high-scorers including stars Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett and Devon Smith.
In the last game of the Round, Fremantle’s Lachie Neale continued to shine in Nat Fyfe’s absence, his 34 touches and a goal going a long way in helped his side get up over a competitive Blues outfit.
CAPTAINS REPORT CARD
A+: Seb Ross, Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett, Jack Macrae (140+)
A: Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, Ollie Wines, Brodie Grundy, Marcus Bontempelli, Clayton Oliver, Isaac Heeney, Lachie Neale (120-139)
B+: Sam Menegola, Steele Sidebottom, Jake Lloyd, Patrick Cripps (110-119)
B: Devon Smith, Tom Mitchell, Joel Selwood, Robbie Gray, Stefan Martin, Dayne Beams, Rory Sloane, Matt Crouch (100-109)
C: Dustin Martin, Elliot Yeo, Scott Pendlebury, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Bryce Gibbs, Rory Laird, Lance Franklin, Kade Simpson (80-99)
D: Michael Hurley, Shaun Higgins (70-79)
F: Trent Cotchin, Dayne Zorko (
BENCH CALLS
Should have had on field: Lewis Pierce, Nathan Freeman, Rowan Marshall, James Worpel, Nick Holman, Jarrod Linert, Brayden Sier, Jack Madgen, Sam Murray, Aiden Bonar, Tom McCartin, Taylin Duman, Paddy Dow (70+)
Should have left on the bench: Ben Long, Ben Paton, Bailey Rice, Wil Powell, Will Brodie, Kane Farrell, Liam Ryan, Daniel Venables, Willie Rioli, Brandon Starcevich, Oscar McInerney, Jordan Gallucci, Paul Ahern, Will Walker, Fergus Greene, Brad Lynch, Charlie Spargo, Adam Cerra, Cameron Polson (
NAILED IT
Reviewing Thursday night’s predictions on the SuperCoaches Box podcast (watch live from 6:15pm every Thursday or catch up on iTunes):
Al Paton: Dustin Martin to score 150.
Verdict: Failed It. Though Al’s Tigers decimated the Gold Coast, Martin didn’t quite prosper in the SuperCoach scoring ranks as much as many would have hoped for.
His 28 touches went at 71 per cent effectiveness, but three clangers on top of just two tackles and four clearances for the match prevented him from scoring anywhere near Al’s lofty prediction.
Dan Begala: Patrick Cripps to score 150-plus.
Verdict: Failed It. Team bias clouded the vision of our experts this week, as Dan’s Blues went down to the Dockers by 29 points in Perth. Cripps was good with 32 disposals, but six clangers, three frees against and a 62 per cent disposal efficiency restricted his score to just 112.
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