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KFC SuperCoach Round 10 trade guide: Premium options, value picks and planning ahead

Only your best 18 scores count in KFC SuperCoach’s bye rounds and that makes every point crucial. These are some of the big stars are available for bargain prices our experts suggest you target.

Hot and cold players for Round 10 | KFC SuperCoach AFL

It’s time to start carefully planning your next move in KFC SuperCoach.

If only it was that easy.

As quickly as Round 9 came to an end, the start of Round 10 was only 24 hours away.

The biggest difference coaches will notice will be the return of best-18 scoring.

Only your best 18 scores of Round 10, 11 and any other rounds where less than nine games are played will count.

KFC SuperCoach bye planner promo.

This change was introduced when Melbourne and Essendon’s Round 3 game was postponed and will continue for the remainder of the 2020 in rounds with less than nine matches.

The best-18 scores from on-field players (and emergencies where applicable) will become your overall score for these rounds.

Best-18 does not count scores for players on the bench in a position which has its full complement of players (for example if six forwards are fielded, your F7 and F8 will not be counted).

It’s time to get those trade plans in order. Good luck.

THE BYES

ROUND 10: Carlton, Hawthorn, Fremantle, West Coast

ROUND 11: Sydney, GWS

THE LOCKOUTS

Last match of R9: Sunday August 2, 6.10pm (Fremantle v Collingwood)

First match of R10: Monday August 3, 7.10pm (Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs)

Last match of R10: Friday August 7, 7.50pm (Essendon v GWS)

First match of R11: Saturday August 8, 4.35pm (Port Adelaide v Richmond)

Last match of R11: Wednesday, August 12, 7.10pm (Gold Coast v Essendon)

First match of R12: Thursday, August 13 (Sydney v GWS)

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ROUND 10 TRADES

THE VALUE

Jy Simpkin (NM) $425,400 FWD/MID

After another non-injury-affected sub-par performance, the breakout North Melbourne star is likely to be available for less than $430k ahead of Round 10. He was poor against the Crows, mainly on the back of a disposal efficiency of 41 per cent, but this is the same player who averaged 120 KFC SuperCoach points in the opening six rounds. And with Geelong, Melbourne and Brisbane – teams who have opted against tagging this season – in the next three rounds, Simpkin should hopefully get some more space to work in again. Even if he’s only on the fringe of the top-six from here, $400k, which is what his price tag may be following Round 10, is outrageous value.

Dustin Martin was back to his dominant best on Thursday night. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
Dustin Martin was back to his dominant best on Thursday night. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Dustin Martin (Rich) $516,600 FWD/MID

He’s been building but Dusty was back for real on Thursday night. The star Tiger dominated the game in the way only he can, finishing with 26 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine score involvements, three goals and 184 points. Martin’s price fell on the back of scores 79, 81, 93 and 66 between Rounds 4 and 6, but the Brownlow Medallist has now posted three consecutive KFC SuperCoach tons. On recent form, he might be a top-six forward from this point after all, so that’s still great buying — especially considering his break-even this week is 16. Oh, and last time he played the Lions he kicked six goals in a qualifying final.

Tom Stewart (Geel) $442,000 DEF

The second top scoring defender of 2019 could be the bargain of the week. Make a spot in your backline as he comes in at more than $100k cheaper than his starting price after scoring 18 when his shoulder popped out in the first quarter against Melbourne. Doesn’t score 150 too often but almost never goes under 80. You won’t get him any cheaper and he’ll play through both bye rounds

Mitch Duncan (Geel) $521,500 MID

The most overlooked star of KFC SuperCoach (currently in 1 per cent of teams) should finally get his dues after shedding about $50,000 from his starting price following an injury-affected score of 13 against the Lions. In the first eight rounds his worst he has otherwise scored has been 114 and that is following a very consistent trend over the past four years – averaging 110, 106 and 103 from 2017-19. Duncan has returned from a hamstring injury with scores of 134 and 148.

Stephen Coniglio is back in the midfield and back scoring big KFC SuperCoach numbers.
Stephen Coniglio is back in the midfield and back scoring big KFC SuperCoach numbers.

Stephen Coniglio (GWS) $548,700 MID

Coniglio’s centre-bounce numbers have been up since he attended a season-high of 21 in Round 7. And, in no surprise, it’s had a direct effect on his scoring with the Giants skipper posting a five-round average of 114 including 121 against the Suns. While GWS has a bye in Round 11, with only two teams missing coaches should have little trouble fielding a best 18.

Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) $590,000 MID

It’s been a rollercoaster year for Danger but he was still the eighth-ranked midfielder going into Round 9. Plus, he’s every chance to improve on that ranking in the run home. The Brownlow medallist represents good value after starting the year at $625k and he’s a great captain option, starting against North Melbourne on Wednesday. Could he repeat the 226 he piled on against the Roos in 2016?

Jade Gresham continues to fly under the radar in KFC SuperCoach.
Jade Gresham continues to fly under the radar in KFC SuperCoach.

Jade Gresham (StK) $466,100 FWD/MID

The creative Saint is flying under the KFC SuperCoach radar again. He was injured in Round 1 and had a very quiet game against the Tigers in Round 4 but in his other seven matches for the year, Gresham has posted scores of 120, 81, 91, 92, 108, 94 and 110. The 22-year-old, who is, as expected, involved at plenty of centre bounces for St Kilda this year, was brilliant against the Swans, tallying 23 disposals, 10 contested possessions, six clearances and two goals. The performance capped an impressive month in which Gresham averaged 101 points. Not bad for $470k.

Noah Balta (Rich) $287,300 FWD/RUCK

KFC SuperCoach players who picked Balta as a rookie last year might be wary of going there again but he has taken giant strides playing as a key defender, highlighted by a score of 107 against the Dogs that featured three intercept marks. With a projected break-even of only eight you could use him to make some quick cash through the byes then turn him into a premium. He could provide some very handy ruck cover, too.

Richmond’s Noah Balta has drawn comparisons to Alex Rance after a move to defence.
Richmond’s Noah Balta has drawn comparisons to Alex Rance after a move to defence.

Oscar McInerney (Bris) $354,500 RUCK/FWD

Stuck with Mark Pittonet at R2 or looking for a cheap forward who can provide insurance if one of your starting rucks has a week off? He’s not a noted KFC SuperCoach name but injuries to Stef Martin and Archie Smith give him a clear run at the No. 1 ruck role for the next 6-8 weeks. Showed his scoring potential with big hundreds against West Coast and Port Adelaide.

THE TOP PRICE

Max Gawn (Melb) $771,300 RUCK

The $800k dream – or nightmare for non-owners – is over – for now at least. Gawn’s season-low of 87 on Wednesday night will result in a $17k price drop and a huge Round 10 break-even of 218. And with Reilly O’Brien, Todd Goldstein and Brodie Grundy to come in the next three matches, the Melbourne big man may suddenly become affordable for the 68 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches who don’t have him. Sure, 218 isn’t impossible for Gawn but, if you are a non-owner, hold fire ahead of Round 10.

Christian Petracca (Melb) $603,100 FWD

The strong-bodied midfielder had a game-high 15 contested possessions and a team-high 24 disposals in the loss to the Power. But just four effective kicks and seven clangers saw the highest-averaging KFC SuperCoach forward finish with 99 points. He’s hovering around the $600k mark and while the Round 9 score will stop his price skyrocketing, he’s unlikely to get much cheaper anytime soon. With no bye and a 117-point average, Petracca is close to a must-have, despite the steep price.

Jake Lloyd (Syd) $610,000 DEF

Those months of doubt about whether Jake Lloyd would be a premium scorer after his 77 in Round 1 seem decades ago. The Sydney ball magnet was stuck on the bench for the last 10 minutes of Saturday’s loss to St Kilda yet still scored 126 KFC SuperCoach points. That figure was made even more impressive by the close checking of Jarryn Geary. Lloyd hasn’t scored less than 101 since Round 2 and averaged 122 points a game from rounds 2-8. Those numbers put him well clear of his rivals for the mantle of the No. 1 defender of 2020 and any KFC SuperCoach team without Lloyd is only missing out.

Patrick Cripps was back to his best in Carlton’s loss to Hawthorn.
Patrick Cripps was back to his best in Carlton’s loss to Hawthorn.

A dam Treloar (Coll) $609,000 MID

The Magpies midfield gun would have featured in thousands more teams had he not missed the opening two rounds of the campaign through injury. Since returning, Treloar has produced a five-round average of 120 points, including a run of 119, 122 and 158 in consecutive matches. It’s tough to part with an extra $100,000 when there’s considerable value on offer in midfield but if you’ve managed your cash wisely, Treloar should be in your sights.

Sam Draper impressed with 73 KFC SuperCoach points on debut for Essendon.
Sam Draper impressed with 73 KFC SuperCoach points on debut for Essendon.

THE ROOKIES

Sam Draper (Ess) $123,900 RUCK

Hello, ruck cover! If you’re among the KFC SuperCoaches who have been dreading Max Gawn or Brodie Grundy being rested, new Bomber Draper looms as your saviour. The big man showed why he was offered a bumper contract to leave Essendon before his debut, with a team-high 21 hit-outs against Brisbane Lions (Tom Bellchambers had 13) and 73 KFC SuperCoach points. Draper also had nine disposals and three clearances, although at that price he wouldn’t have needed to do much to convince KFC SuperCoaches he was worth trading in for ruck insurance. The only tough call is whether to part with your ruck loophole if you started cheapie; Matt Conroy.

Sam Skinner (BL) $111,400 FWD

Skinner had to wait three years for a second game with Brisbane Lions and almost replicated his debut score of 63 points against Essendon. The 198cm big man had 10 disposals, took seven marks and kicked 1.1. He might be managed considering he’s spent so long out of the game due to knee injuries but was one of the feel-good stories of Round 9 with a promising return.

Mark Keane (Coll) $123,900 DEF

Irishman Keane was named to debut in Round 9 after catching the eye with a pre-season outing in which he scored 86 against Richmond. There were some key players missing from both teams in that hitout. Keane only averaged 56 ranking points a game in the VFL last season but with a disposal effieincy of 72.2 per cent and average of 3.8 marks warrants consideration. His job security seems borderline but coaches have been crying out for a defensive cheapie to emerge mid-season. A score of 42 in his debut doesn’t scream ‘pick me’ but he’s a cheap option in defence if you need one.

James Bell (Syd) $159,900 MID/FWD

The Swans youngster has had one price rise but is still cheap after scoring 68 in his second game of 2020 (following a 54 first-up). He got involved in some important pieces of play and looks a good chance to get a decent run at it — and his mid-forward status would make him a nice replacement for Connor Budarick.

Tobe Watson (Frem) $155,400 DEF

Watson was a late inclusion for his first game and was overlooked by most coaches leading into Round 10 but his job security suddenly looks a lot better after an assured display in defence against the Pies — in a great Dockers win. He scored 73 to enter Round 10 with a break-even of -29 and although you don’t have to get on this week due to the Dockers’ bye he could free up some cash from a Jarrod Brander or Stephen Hill type if you’re confident of fielding 18 this week. Otherwise, pencil him in for next week.

WHO TO AVOID

The bye players are obvious — don’t bring in players from West Coast, Carlton, Hawthorn or Fremantle. Yes, Patrick Cripps is good value. But he’s not good value scoring a doughnut. The only reason you would consider this as a long-term play would be if you were incredibly confident of fielding a strong 18 for the best-18 scoring which will apply for any round where less than nine games are played. Otherwise, it’s best to stay patient on players with big break evens. Jy Simpkin will only get cheaper if you hold off another week. If a player you’re targeting has a gap of 30 points or more between their average and break even, take the risk and hold off to avoid spending more than you have to. This doesn’t always work — just ask those who waited for Duncan and Stewart — but should ensure you save valuable bank for coming rounds when getting rookies off field will be a priority.

POST-ROUND 11 BYE TARGETS

Carlton: Patrick Cripps

Hawthorn: Tom Mitchell, James Sicily

West Coast: Shannon Hurn, Andrew Gaff, Tim Kelly

Fremantle: Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters, Luke Ryan

Don’t buy this week as these clubs are about to have a week off but it’s worth stashing away some cash because there will be some big names available at bargain prices on the other side of their bye — meaning they should play every game from here. Cripps could be more than $150k under his starting price, Mitchell could be $70k cheaper and Nat Fyfe’s price will still be coming down after entering Round 9 with a 227 break-even. Meanwhile, Gaff, Hurn and Kelly are all set for an extended run at home. If you have enough money to aim for the topscorers on their line then Walters, Sicily and Ryan are all good options.

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Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Round 10 trade guide: Premium options, value picks and planning ahead

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/afl/supercoach-news/kfc-supercoach-round-10-trade-guide-premium-options-value-picks-and-planning-ahead/news-story/45058421ed6fde7fe6cbd89a9e467d1e