Doctors Orders: How to plan you trade moves for KFC SuperCoach restart

Should we throw all the old SuperCoach trade rules out the window or is that a recipe for disaster? The experts at Doctor SuperCoach break down the numbers and list the priorities for Round 2.

After an agonising wait for football to return, we are finally on the cusp of Round 2. Alongside joy and excitement, there also comes the daunting task of preparing our KFC SuperCoach team for the unusual year ahead.

This week on Doctor’s Orders, the expert team at Doctor SuperCoach look into key factors surrounding the 2020 season and provide tips and strategies to cope with the changes.

KEY FOOTY FACTS

— There are 17 rounds of the season (only 16 more to go)

— Match time will remain restricted - 16 minutes plus time-on each quarter

— There will be no bye rounds (and thus, no three trades per bye week)

— AFL-listed players unable to play in second-tier competitions (no VFL, NEAFL, WAFL)

KEY KFC SUPERCOACH FACTS

— Our SuperCoach teams will remain the same as it was in Round 1 (no restart)

— Player prices will change after two matches, instead of the usual three

— 30 trades are available for the remainder of the season

— Coaches will be able to make up to five trades before Round 2

— After Round 2 we will revert back to the traditional two trades per round

CAN I AFFORD TO USE ALL FIVE TRADES THIS WEEK?

Absolutely! Not only can coaches afford to use all five trades, it is highly recommended.

Using maximum trades all season will result in the trade bank being emptied at the conclusion of Round 14. This means that if necessary, you can certainly use all five without restricting yourself completely for the rest of the season, given there are only 17 rounds. Unlike seasons past, where using maximum trades left coaches holding their breath from Round 14 to 23, this season it is much more practical to go all-out.

PRIORITIES BEFORE ROUND 2

There are a number of factors to consider before allocating up to five trades, but the best avenues to go for will depend on how coaches structured their starting team.

1. BRING IN THE BEST ROOKIES AND CASH COWS

This should definitely be your No.1 priority heading into Round 2. Players’ prices will start to change immediately after the conclusion of Round 2, so it is important to bring in the players who will make money quickly.

The reason why this is so crucial is because, with just 16 rounds of football remaining, limited match time and no state league football, the chances of getting good or better cash cows mid-season are very slim. Missing the best rookies now may cause coaches to be unable to complete their teams or be heavily strapped for cash later on.

Josh Dunkley had a disappointing score in Round 1. Picture: Michael Klein.

Chad Wingard made a flying start to the season.

2. TRADE OUT PLAYERS WHO ARE OUT FOR ROUND 2

If you have any players that will not play in Round 2, look to trade them out. If they are likely to miss only a round or two it may be acceptable to hold them, but considering the volume of trades coaches have, don’t be afraid to pull the trigger early, especially for rookies who may get dropped. Pick up any missed rookies with low break evens after the first round even if it makes no immediate cash.

3. SHOULD I SIDE-TRADE PLAYERS WHO UNDERPERFORMED IN ROUND 1?

If coaches have any underperformers such as Luke Ryan, Josh Dunkley, Marcus Bontempelli or Andrew Brayshaw, trading them out is solely up to your belief in them to bounce back.

Consider carefully why they scored poorly. Were they playing the role that was expected of them? Did they suffer from an injury-interrupted pre-season? Or did they just have a poor game against strong opposition?

If there is a missed opportunity and an alternative that will outperform them for the remainder of the year, then don’t hesitate to use a trade. The key however, is to not get sucked into a player just because they scored well in Round 1. Players such as Chad Wingard (131), Dom Sheed (128) and Brayden Maynard (104) may seem appealing after a successful first game, but the odds of them maintaining top-tier form is questionable.

Another potential strategy to handle an underperforming player is to trade them for a quick cash injection from someone who scored ridiculously high in Round 1, with a very low break even in Round 2.

Jack Viney is the prime example in this situation as he’s coming off a round-high 186 SuperCoach points. Trading someone such as Josh Dunkley for Jack Viney would instantly give an additional $200,000 to spend elsewhere, and then don’t forget to factor in Jack Viney’s potential $100,000 price rise or Dunkley’s possible $100,000 price fall. A potential swap back for minimal money in a few rounds doesn’t sound too bad!

Ideally, if coaches can limit sideways trades as much as possible, that is the way to go. Spending more trades now on cash generation and quick cash will pay itself off in points later down the track.

Max Gawn — trade or hold?

MORE KFC SUPERCOACH TIPS:

KFC SuperCoach rookie bible: Every cheapie rated ahead of Round 2 price changes

The 10 must-have players in KFC SuperCoach for Round 2

KFC SuperCoach late mail: All the latest whispers and news ahead of Round 2

KFC SuperCoach expert Al Paton reveals how he will use his five trades for Round 2

BURNING QUESTION: SAM NAISMITH OR MAX GAWN?

The choice of whether to stick with Gawn or trade him for Naismith is consuming many SuperCoach players. Both players have tremendous upside, but it depends on whether coaches are desperate for money to fix other holes in their sides.

Why Naismith?

Without question, the Swans ruckman will make a whole lot of money while scoring adequately. Priced at just $251,500, trading him in for Gawn will net coaches almost $450,000 initially, as well as likely around $200,000 more if he can stay fit in season 2020. That $450,000 could allow coaches to invest in other money-making players like Jack Viney or Jeremy Howe or to fix other problem areas in their teams. Fitness and injury worries remains the biggest concern for Naismith.

Why Gawn?

The big man is an elite ruckman with a history of averaging 120-plus. Gawn was underdone heading into Round 1 after a pre-season injury scare and scored just 93, but the opponents that await him in the next four rounds are promising. Gawn will likely come up against Marc Pittonet, Tom Bellchambers/Andrew Phillips, Darcy Fort and Naismith. Giving up on Gawn means likely giving up four mammoth scores and a captaincy option.

Nothing in SuperCoach is easy!

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Originally published as Doctors Orders: How to plan you trade moves for KFC SuperCoach restart