How KFC SuperCoach will run during the second footy frenzy of 2020

With three more bye rounds scheduled in a second ‘footy frenzy’ of 2020, there are new rules to help KFC SuperCoach players. See what it all means plus the schedule for private league finals and expert trade advice.

Another footy frenzy, another round of special rules for KFC SuperCoach.

The AFL has released the fixture for Rounds 14-18 which will feature 17 games over 18 days and three more rounds in which at least two teams have a bye.

But SuperCoach never stops, and there are some changes to the game to get us through another challenging period in the crazy 2020 season.

The same bye rules will apply as we have already seen this year, with “best 18” scoring and an extra trade.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE PHANTOM’S TRADE ADVICE

The schedule for finals in head-to-leagues has also been locked in.

Finals will start in Round 14 and skip a round before continuing in Round 16. This dodges the most treacherous bye round when six teams — Geelong, Gold Coast, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs — all have the week off, avoiding SuperCoach elimination finals being decided purely on the number of players available — or unavailable — that week.

The three extra trades will be added to the season total, which now stands at 37.

Note that next round also features an extra trade to account for the current footy frenzy.

Here’s how the rest of the season will play out in KFC SuperCoach:

R12 — normal week: best 22, max 3 trades

R13 — normal week: best 22, max 2 trades

R14 — bye round: best 18, max 3 trades + H2H finals week 1

R15 — bye round: best 18, max 3 trades + H2H week off

R16 — bye round: best 18, max 3 trades + H2H finals week 2

R17 — normal week: best 22, max 2 trades + H2H finals week 3

R18 — normal week: best 22, max 2 trades + H2H Grand Final

Jack Macrae is one of the many SuperCoach stars who will be missing in Round 15.

As with all the changes this season, we have tried to make the game as fair as possible for the largest number of players while keeping the SuperCoach we know and love.

Note: These changes are subject to any further news or changes about the AFL fixture. Any further adjustments will be communicated as soon as possible.

What does it mean for KFC SuperCoach Draft?

Draft was already reconfigured to take place over 17 rounds at the start of the year. So everyone’s season will still run for 17 rounds. We’ll void Round 15 completely to minimise impact of multiple byes and the season will go through to Round 18. So whatever was due to take place in each league over rounds 15-17 will now take place over 16-18. For example, if you had selected a three-round finals series to take place in Rounds 15-17, it will now be 16-18.

THE PHANTOM’S TRADING TIPS

The final set of bye rounds are locked in and it’s all systems go in the scramble to the KFC SuperCoach finish line.

But, after the AFL announced on Friday that six teams won’t play in Round 15, your path to get there may need to change.

With Geelong, Gold Coast, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Western Bulldogs sharing a bye round, there will be plenty of KFC SuperCoach premiums missing in the round which begins on September 1.

Sure, the best-18 scoring system will again be implemented – as it will in Rounds 14 and 16 – but it will be tough going for KFC SuperCoaches.

If you own a few – or all – of Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli, Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan and Jack Steele in the midfield, is trading in Noth Melbourne gun Jy Simpkin the best move?

Yes, his value is undeniable at $394,900, but you need to be spreading out your stars, if you haven’t already started doing so.

I’m sure a few of you have Bailey Smith, Caleb Daniel, Hugh Greenwood and Todd Goldstein sprinkled throughout your team, too.

Jy Simpkin’s Round 15 bye makes him a risky trade option.

Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe at $575k was a better option anyway, right? Despite the $100k difference, given the Dockers have already had the bye, he was.

But the second festival of footy will see Fremantle play four matches in 14 games, between August 29 and September 12, and Fyfe has shown he is not as durable as a number of other top-line KFC SuperCoach stars. So is he still the better option?

The truth is, we don’t know what KFC SuperCoach issues team selection will throw up for the rest of the year.

If he does miss a game, Fyfe is unlikely to be the only top-line star to be rested.

But, following Justin Longmuir’s comments about Fyfe spending more time forward, there’s also a chance the Dockers just manage his game-time inside 50 through the next fixture cram.

By average, he’s still the best candidate at the price, but it’s time to weigh up your other options.

He won’t be at Optus Stadium for as long as we thought, but West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff doesn’t miss many games.

At $495k, with the Eagles already having their bye, he’s one to consider.

Bomber Zach Merrett is another whose team will play right through and, after scores of 119 and 137 in the past two matches, is underpriced at $545k.

Of course, if you can get to Demon Clayton Oliver, without sacrificing the rest of your side, you do it.

The fixture also favours the sixth-ranked midfielder in KFC SuperCoach, Taylor Adams, with the Magpies set for the bye in Round 16.

Since his 67 points against the Dockers in Round 9 – and the subsequent price fall – Adams has bounced back with scores of 138 and 128 in the past two matches.

They’ve already played in Round 12, but Giants Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio should also be in your sights.

Make sure Dustin Martin is part of your Round 18 KFC SuperCoach plans.

In the forward line, after three consecutive scores of less than 100, and a shift to a wing with the return of Josh Dunkley, the place of second-year Bulldog Smith in final KFC SuperCoach teams was already being questioned. And the Round 15 bye has cast further doubt over his keeper status.

The Bulldogs play the Crows in Round 12 but with three extra trades being made available – one for each bye-round – he’s one who could eventually make way.

Speaking of playing the Crows, the Tigers will face Adelaide in KFC SuperCoach Grand Final week – and their Round 16 bye is favourable. Do you have Dustin Martin yet?

Back in defence, Rory Laird’s Round 14 bye further enhances his standing as a trade-in target.

The 26-year-old move into the midfield has been good for the Crows and, if last round’s huge 185-point performance is anything to go by, even better for KFC SuperCoaches.

The $525k price tag is handy, too. But a break-even of 14 means he won’t be cheap for long.

Giant Zac Williams at around $490k, following his third consecutive KFC SuperCoach ton since his return on Thursday night, ahead of Round 13, will also be popular for good reason, given GWS has already had the bye.

And his teammate Nick Haynes will also become more affordable, following a 67-point score as a result of some close attention from Swan Will Hayward.

MORE SUPERCOACH NEWS:

KFC SuperCoach Round 12 trade guide: Top targets, how to finish your forward line

SuperCoach late mail: Devon Smith managed as Sam Draper and Jack Bytel are named for second game

KFC SuperCoach 2020: The best rookie options and cash cows for Round 12

KFC SuperCoach winner Dwayne Delminco reveals his secrets for run home

And what about in the ruck?

With the confirmation Max Gawn will miss again, this time with a PCL injury, thousands of KFC SuperCoaches have been planning their next step.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is confident Gawn will return in Round 13 but time is running for those playing catch-up.

North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein was the obvious candidate but he’ll be one of the big names sitting out in Round 15.

Many were already considering Brisbane’s stand-in No.1 ruckman Oscar McInerney and his 111-point three-round average.

The Round 14 bye helps his cause, but McInerney is likely to come up against St Kilda duo Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder and Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy on either side of his week off.

It leaves just one option, right?

West Coast’s Nic Naitanui has posted scores of 146 and 129 in his past two matches, on the back of increased game time, and the Eagles will face Essendon and Richmond, the teams which have conceded the most KFC SuperCoach points to ruckman this season, in Rounds 14 and 15.

But the fixture will test the Eagles, too, with the club to play five games in 18 days.

If he doesn’t miss one, Naitanui’s game-time is likely to be reduced.

But at least there’s a chance he will play through.

There’s so much to consider, The Phantom needs a proper chance to take it all in, too. Stay tuned over the coming days, KFC SuperCoaches.

But, for now, get planning and prepared, we know what’s ahead.

Originally published as How KFC SuperCoach will run during the second footy frenzy of 2020