The Phantom’s verdict on all of the popular trade options being suggested ahead of Round 3

It’s a big week, SuperCoaches. You’ve heard most of them but here’s The Phantom’s verdict on all of the popular trade options being suggested ahead of Round 3.

• Round 2 SuperCoach Review: Dusty to Rocky?
• SuperCoach Draft: Waiver Wire targets

It’s a huge week for SuperCoaches but all of the trade options – hypothetical or not – are making The Phantom dizzy.

Sure, this is the week to make any corrections before player prices change.

But if you don’t have any corrections to make, trading is not a necessity, either.

You’ve heard most of them but here’s The Phantom’s verdict on all of the popular trade options being suggested in the SuperCoach community.

ROOKIES

This is what you need to focus on first. If you didn’t start with any of these rookie-price players, they should be your No. 1 priority ahead of Round 3.

Willem Drew $123,900, Fwd-Mid, Breakeven: -121

Charlie Constable $123,900, Mid, Breakeven: -97

Matthew Parker $117,300, Fwd, Breakeven: -108

Xavier Duursma $130,800, Def-Mid, Breakeven: -69

Zak Butters $157,800, Mid, Breakeven: -63

Jordan Clark $144,300, Def, Breakeven: -51

While you could argue trading a low-scoring rookie-price player, such as Carlton’s Michael Gibbons, to Charlie Constable is worth the trade, given the second-year Cat’s scoring potential but I wouldn’t be spending the $40-$50k to get to Zak Butters. Gibbons will still make some cash.

THE BIG ONES

Dustin Martin, right, at Richmond training.

Dustin Martin $563,800, Mid

Breakeven: 152

Although he’s been starting at the centre bounce, Martin has spent 53 per cent of his time forward this season and, with the injury to Jack Riewoldt, that percentage might even increase over the next month. He’ll bounce back eventually but he’s yet to make a tackle in 2019.

To Tom Rockliff $405,900, Mid, BE -19

Go for it. The Phantom is using Martin’s form as an opportunity to jump aboard the Rockliff train and make some cash in the process. Don’t worry about the return of Ollie Wines, a fit Rockliff can maintain this type of scoring.

Sideways to another premium option

If you’re not trading in Rockliff or maybe restructuring your team with, say, a Martin to Tom Liberatore trade, then I’d just be holding the Brownlow Medallist. Sideways trading premiums after two weeks is not the ideal move.

To Luke Davies-Uniacke $197,500, Mid, BE -87

Yes, this move has been suggested by a few SuperCoaches on social media. While I understand the idea behind a restructure – trading in a premium in another position and playing Davies-Uniacke on-field –there’s plenty of risk involved. Can he maintain his scoring? I’d hold off.

Isaac Heeney $529,200, Fwd-Mid

Breakeven 155

As coach John Longmire revealed in his post-match press conference, Heeney is still battling an ankle injured he suffered in the JLT Series. And it’s affecting his ability to impact the game as a midfielder. But I’m backing him in. As a forward, he’s a player you’ll want in your final team, anyway.

To Tim Kelly $505,800, Fwd-Mid, BE: 76

As tempting as it is to jump on Kelly after his hot-start to the year, back Heeney in and work towards getting in Kelly in elsewhere as your cash cows start to fatten.

James Worpel, middle, has been a standout in Hawthorn’s midfield in the first two weeks.

To James Worpel $395,700, Fwd-Mid, BE: 28

I’m less opposed to this move, especially after the injury to Liam Shiels. The money will come in handy and the 20-year-old might finish as a top-six forward if he can maintain his current form. But as a second-year player, shoulder plenty of responsibility, can he? That’s my only concern

To Darcy Moore $239,400, Fwd-Mid, BE: -31

After such an impressive start, at $239k, you could argue Moore is a must-have cash cow this year. If you are looking at making changes elsewhere, this could be your move.

THE OTHER MOVES

Josh Dunkley OUT.

Back him in. Dunkley ranks fifth at the Bulldogs for centre bounce attendance this season, after attending the second-most (17) against the Hawks. But he’s fading out of games, averaging just 36 points in second halves. Expect him to find form against the Suns in Round 3.

Devon Smith, Jack Billings OUT

Keep the faith, especially with Billings, who has scored 84 and 88 in the opening two weeks.

David Mundy OUT

After just 35 points in Round 2, I’m all for this move. As a replacement, I like Tim Kelly, Travis Boak and James Worpel, in that order.

Dom Sheed IN

The Eagle midfielder’s form has been super-impressive but The Phantom still prefers Tom Rockliff, at a similar price, or Tom Liberatore at $300k.

Originally published as The Phantom’s verdict on all of the popular trade options being suggested ahead of Round 3