KFC SuperCoach: Best rookies and cheapies to trade out ahead of Round 15
Jake Riccardi nearly hit the KFC SuperCoach ton in just his second game and rookie guru Dan Batten believes these scores can continue. See why he is still a great buy despite rising in price and the verdicts on who to trade out.
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KFC SuperCoach rookies prove pivotal to strong bye round scores and last round was the perfect example.
Those who held Izak Rankine up against a lacklustre North Melbourne side, as recommended in the Round 14 rookie guide, were handsomely rewarded with a stunning 130-point display.
His score was the fifth highest total of all forwards in the round, surpassing top-line premiums Christian Petracca, Hugh Greenwood and Andrew Brayshaw.
Similarly, those who traded in GWS cheapie Jake Riccardi (who this writer overlooked) nabbed a handy 94 points for their best 18.
Other coaches were hurt by the likes of Max King (26 points), Darcy Cameron (32) and Irving Mosquito (42).
In Round 15, scores from rookies will be even more vital with six teams having their bye and many coaches struggling to field more than 18 scorers.
Rookies with the bye should be your number one priority to trade out, especially if they have a big break even, like King, or have been dropped, in the case of Power forward Boyd Woodcock.
With most coaches short on cash at this time of the year, a rookie who can produce premium scores — or at the very least can serve as an emergency loophole — is a gift from the SuperCoach Gods.
This is why Jake Riccardi remains an attractive option despite rising in price.
TOP ROOKIES TO TRADE OUT
1. Boyd Woodcock
2. Jarrod Brander
3. Will Day
4. Max King
5. Brad Close
DEFENCE
John Noble ($359,400, DEF) Ave: 69.5 BE: 73
HOLD. Passed his high break even with a score of 89 last week and has posted three 86-plus totals in his last six matches. Getting plenty of footy as a running defender and is worth keeping for at least another week before his bye in Round 16.
Will Day ($359,900, DEF) Ave: 69.5 BE: 64
TRADE. Has been as consistent as they come in terms of rookies but Alastair Clarkson has opted to rest him ahead of their clash with Adelaide.
Brandon Starcevich ($256,800, DEF) Ave: 56.5 BE: -23
HOLD. After his price plummeted from $70,000 from his initial peak, scores of 99 and 75 in his last two should see him return to the $300,000 mark — that’s valuable cash at this time of the year. A break even of -23 makes him a must hold if you’ve held onto him during his bye, and with scores like these he could feature in your best 18.
Jarrod Brander ($266,500, DEF/FWD) Ave: 58 BE: 55
TRADE. Brander has been omitted following a season-low 36 points and his dual position status options up a number of avenues for upgrades.
Trent Rivers ($180,600, DEF) Ave: 48.8 BE: 9
HOLD. Unless a promising rookie defender emerges (somebody say, Will Gould?) there isn’t much point moving him on.
MIDFIELD
Caleb Serong ($366,200, MID) Ave: 74.5 BE: 79
TRADE. The young Docker lost $16,000 after scoring 54 points and it is time to utilise the cash he has made.
Marlion Pickett ($358,600, MID) Ave: 71.3 BE: 84
TRADE. Pickett struggled in Richmond’s win over the Eagles, managing 48 points after scores of 85 and 90 in his previous two matches.
FORWARD
Izak Rankine ($337,200, FWD) Ave: 79 BE: 16
HOLD or TRADE. This depends on your priorities. Izak Rankine proved his immense star power with a mammoth 130-point outing against North Melbourne. I’d suggest holding Rankine is you hunting league victory or find yourself in a reasonable position for Round 15. But if you are looking at fielding 16 or 17, trading Rankine is worthwhile with a tough match-up against Brisbane in Round 16.
Max King ($317,000, FWD) Ave: 60.5 BE: 108
TRADE. We tipped King to have a tough game against Steven May but nobody expected him to be kept to just three disposals. A must-trade with a 108 break even to overcome.
Darcy Cameron ($255,300, FWD/RUCK) Ave: 56.4 BE: 96
TRADE. Hasn’t registered 50-plus points in his last three games and his price is hurtling backwards.
Stephen Hill ($267,500, DEF/FWD) Ave: 56 BE: 111
TRADE. Scores of 31 and 30 in his last two games just aren’t going to cut the mustard.
Bradley Close ($233,100, FWD/MID) Ave: 55.8 BE: 32
TRADE. May make a bit more cash but has the bye this week and will make you $110,000 downgrading to a rookie.
Boyd Woodcock ($231,000, FWD) Ave: 64 BE: 8
TRADE. Was surprisingly dropped last week after solid form in the Power side and has the bye in Round 15.
TOP ROOKIES TO TRADE IN
1. Jake Riccardi
$173,300, FWD | Ave: 88 | BE: -71
2019 average (VFL): 63
Job security: High
After soaring $56,000, it definitely isn’t too late to join the Jake Riccardi party. Following his 82 points, 10 marks and two goals on debut, Riccardi starred against Fremantle with four goals and 94 points. The Giants have a favourable run home with Carlton and Adelaide in their next two matches and he will likely come up against the third-best defender with Jeremy Cameron and Harrison Himmelberg beside him. A super-low break even of -71 sweetens the deal with his price projected to rise another $70,000 this round.
2. Thomson Dow
$117,300, MID | Ave: 49 | BE: 0
2019 average (NAB League): 105
Job security: Medium
First-year Tiger Thomson Dow spent an encouraging amount of time in the middle, going head-to-head with star Eagle Luke Shuey at stages. He tallied 12 disposals and 49 points and should be better for the run. Dion Prestia is unlikely to return until finals, meaning Richmond are likely to persist with Dow.
3. Tom Fullarton
$123,900, FWD | Ave: 53 | BE: -2
2019 average (NEAFL): 69
Job security: Medium
Tom Fullarton was the newest youngster trialled to back-up Oscar McInerney in the ruck and an impressive debut means he is likely to continue in the role. The former basketballer slotted a goal and missed two other gettable shots up forward and competed well in the ruck, scoring 54 points. He had the bye last week and should hold his spot but the imminent return of Archie Smith is a concern for his job security.
4. Bailey Williams
$123,900, DEF/RUCK | Ave: 39 BE: 13
Job security: Low
Bailey Williams performed better than his score of 39 suggests on debut, giving away two consecutive free kicks at crucial points of the game which hurt his output. The athletic ruckman competed well at ruck contests and has held his spot against Essendon despite Oscar Allen’s return. However, it is difficult to see him getting another game once spearhead Josh Kennedy recovers from his concussion.
MORE SUPERCOACH:
KFC SuperCoach Round 15 trade guide: Top targets to survive worst of 2020 bye rounds
KFC SuperCoach Round 14 burning questions: Lachie Neale trade advice, value options, tagger concerns
KFC SuperCoach experts reveal their tips for the run home
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach: Best rookies and cheapies to trade out ahead of Round 15
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