KFC SuperCoach Investor Dan Begala — ranked 441st overall — explains why trading Lachie Neale makes sense

The No.1 midfielder in KFC SuperCoach this year is the third-most traded player of Round 14. The 441st-ranked SuperCoach Investor, Dan Begala, explains why he’s trading out Lachie Neale.

The smell of spring – albeit only available for a mere 60 minutes per day in Victoria – is finally upon us.

We’re poised for Footy Frenzy 2.0 and a period of market volatility that is sure to distinguish the amateur investors from the seasoned veterans of KFC SuperCoach.

There’s five weeks left. Three bye-impacted match-ups. Oh, and did somebody say finals?

There are season-defining decisions to be made, so strap yourselves in and enjoy this investment presentation from Dan Begala, our SuperCoach Investor.

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Lachie Neale will miss Round 14 due to Brisbane’s bye.

THE BIG “SHORT” EXPLAINED

It’s not the little “short” — it takes great intestinal fortitude to consider trading any one of your blue-chip assets from your SuperCoach portfolio.

With most coaches boasting six or more trades for the run home and only two regular fixtures, R17 and R18, to contend with — it’s time to seize the moment and channel your aggression.

The primary candidate to be shorted this week is Lachie Neale ($698K) who serves his bye in Round 14 and has a 214 break even courtesy of some close attention from the plucky Saints.

Queue the investor furore …

A trade from Lachie Neale to Josh Kelly would net almost $100,000.

If you’re able to acquire a discounted blue-chip stock like Josh Kelly ($601K) that’s already served their bye, you’re in luck.

You’ll free up $100K for reinvestment, field a top-line replacement for Neale and gain that competitive edge – albeit small – against your opposition.

You could then “short” the likes of Jack Macrae ($704K) or Marcus Bontempelli ($639K) – in Round 15 – to assist with reacquiring Neale following his bye.

Yes, it exhausts two trades, but it could be the difference between 50-100 ranking positions if you’re chasing the major prize.

Two words: DAY TRADING.

Another means for doing this, folks, is via someone such as Travis Boak ($513K) who could the perfect cover and – importantly – stepping stone to reacquiring Neale.

Queue the investor furore, again …

Buy low. Sell high. That’s the aim of the game.

SuperCoach Investor Dan Begala sees Travis Boak as a candidate to replace Lachie Neale.

You can “short” Neale in Round 14 with a fixed price locked in at $698K.

If day-trading is your game, I’d consider going “long” (buying) someone in the ilk of Boak who will serve as an intermittent stop gap and is expected to appreciate handsomely.

Yes, Boak has the Round 15 bye, but at least with a breakeven of 65 and a date with the 16th-placed Sydney Swans, he will increase in price and close the gap on Neale.

These decisions – although uncomfortable – are going to be what separates the top echelon of players from the rankings peloton.

Buy low. Sell high. What could go wrong?

MORE SUPERCOACH ADVICE:

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KFC SuperCoach’s top trade targets of Round 14

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KFC SuperCoach experts reveal their tips for the run home

THE SUPERCOACH INVESTOR: A DAY IN THE LIFE

My “long-short” investment strategy – in FY20 – has really paid dividends.

It’s enabled me to fast-track my side, surge up the rankings and build a well-diversified portfolio that is primed for outperformance at the business end of proceedings.

I’m currently 441st overall and building much-needed momentum that I hope to maintain with the buffer of seven trades and twenty-two premiums to choose from.

Life is good at The Begala Brigade, for now.

I’ve balanced my premium availability across the byes with two (R14), four (R15) and two (R16) currently unavailable for duties across those fixtures.

Rory Laird has a Round 14 bye and may need to be sacrificed.

This is an absolute best-case scenario, readers, with the selection gods seldom merciful.

I will be weary, but with the bevy of trades, I will also be tempted to “short” some household names if it provides a scoring edge of say 40-60 points each week.

With rankings my primary motivation, I will certainly entertain some “day trading” activity that could see the likes of Lachie Neale, Rory Laird or any one of the R15 bye candidates, jettisoned from my team for a discounted stock on the rise.

SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY

The first wave of byes proved to be a lucrative opportunity to accelerate the acquisition of premiums into your portfolio.

This time, however, it’s different.

Forget “value investing” and patience, investors, it’s going to be a day-traders frenzy.

Most teams at the pointy end of the rankings pyramid will boast a portfolio composed of premium stocks on every line – DEF, MID, RUC and FWD.

So, the million-dollar question: how does one differentiate themselves?

It’s going to take risk. It’s going to take savvy decision-making. It could make or break your investment portfolio.

You’ll need to be honest with yourself, however, and carefully define whether your aspirations are rankings-based or driven by the honour of league success.

It’s unlikely that you can revel in the spoil of both, unfortunately, so choose wisely.

If rankings are your modus operandi – like the SuperCoach Investor – you will need to entertain the notion of bidding farewell to Lachie Neale (in Round 14) with the acquisition of a secondee to address his intermittent absence.

It’s a bold strategy and one that is likely to challenge every moral fibre of your coaching nous.

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Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Investor Dan Begala — ranked 441st overall — explains why trading Lachie Neale makes sense