AFL SuperCoach 2018: Why you should trade now to avoid disappointment during the byes

LIKE business and pleasure, one should never mix loyalty with SuperCoach. It’s time to make some tough calls at the trade table, starting with Geelong cash cow Tim Kelly. Who else is in the trade mix?

LIKE business and pleasure, one should never mix loyalty with SuperCoach.

While a select few (present company excluded) target overall rankings, the vast majority of us are in it for league wins and bragging rights alone.

In order to experience such great heights careful planning is required, especially just before and during the mid-season byes.

A strong bye window opens the door for SuperCoach contenders to attack the second half of the season with money and trades to burn.

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Conversely, a wrong move or three — SuperCoaches get the luxury of three trades per round during the Round 12-14 bye window — can bring even the most experienced players undone.

Let the downgrades begin.

Geelong midfielder Tim Kelly holds an iron grip on SuperCoach “Cash Cow of the Year” honours, having earned owners a staggering $311,900 profit in nine games.

Now could be the perfect time to trade out Tim Kelly. Picture: Alison Wynd

The slick ball magnet averaged 99.9 points before posting a season-low 48 last week.

Collingwood rebounder Sam Murray and GWS Giants defender Jeremy Finlayson have done their job, earning lucky owners more than $210,000 profit.

With breakevens (points needed to avoid projected price drop) ranging from 79-120 points the popular trio must be traded out.

No ifs, buts or maybes.

As legendary Hawthorn coach John Kennedy famously said: “Don’t think, DO!”

St Kilda draftee Ed Phillips ($123,900 MID) is a popular choice, with 13,167 SuperCoaches having already jumped on board, after respectable scores of 87 and 49.

Essendon’s Jordan Ridley ($123,900 DEF) and Melbourne’s Tim Smith ($123,900 FWD) after eye-catcher debuts, scoring 76 and 91 respectively.

Seasoned SuperCoaches will have steadily built war chests over the past few weeks in preparation for the bye block, with many of those already turning Kelly into cut-priced superstar Patrick Dangerfield ($601,800) this week.

Looking ahead, it is not too late to bridge the money and points gap.

Fresh off byes, Port Adelaide pair Robbie Gray ($541,900 FWD) and Tom Rockliff ($374,900 MID) could be tempting inclusions for Round 11, while enigmatic Gold Coast midfielder Aaron Hall ($460,600) looks to have won back Suns coach Stuart Dew.

When should you trade in Robbie Gray? Picture: AAP Images

The 27-year-old Tasmanian, who was dropped after Round 4, has bounced back with scores of 110 and 137 in recent weeks.

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Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2018: Why you should trade now to avoid disappointment during the byes