SuperCoach 2016: Gary Ablett and Tom Liberatore trade tips plus Round 16 market watch

GARY Ablett is gone for the season and must be traded out — but that presents a unique opportunity for smart SuperCoaches, and a Gold Coast teammate. NEW PODCAST

Gary Ablett comes off after hurting his shoulder.

GARY Ablett is gone for the season and must be traded out, but it might not be a disaster for everyone.

There is one teammate who would be devastated at his good mate requiring shoulder surgery, but who could use it as a spur to take his game to a new level.

Last year Ablett went down in Round 17, coincidentally the same match Aaron Hall hit 100 SuperCoach points for the first time. Or was it?

With no Ablett, Hall became a permanent midfielder for the final seven rounds of 2015 and averaged 114 points a game.

Hall has had a very hot and cold season so far, but has found form again with scores of 118 and 94 in his past two games. Could he make another hot run to the SuperCoach finals?

The forced Ablett trade presents another opportunity for smart SuperCoaches. Now is the chance to snap up a superstar you might have missed — Scott Pendlebury and Dan Hannebery are at the front of the queue — or to recruit a unique player who could be your ticket to SuperCoach success. Here are our best midfield trade targets:

Rory Sloane $592,900

One of the form mids in the comp costs just $3000 more than Ablett. Has averaged 124 over his past five games and the Crows have a great run home. In just 24,000 teams.

Rory Sloane is in red-hot form for Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley

Joel Selwood $582,900

Proven performer who has scored under 100 just four times in 15 games. Patrick Dangerfield’s offsider averages 126 over his past five.

Lachie Neale $574,000

Ranked fifth for overall points this year with an average of 114 and has missed the ton just twice. In just 18,677 teams.

Marcus Bontempelli $568,800

So hot right now. Has scored 120-plus in four of his past five games including a 140 against the Tigers. Huge POD with just 5 per cent ownership.

Jordan Lewis $549,800

In just 3 per cent of teams but coming good when it matters with four big scores in a row and an average of 120 over his past three.

Jack Steven $544,800

Scored 170 on the weekend, so there’s that. The bargain pick after his price dropped $50,000 in the past three weeks. He scored 79 and 52 in that time so his form is hot and cold — a bit like the Saints — but when he scores big, he scores really big.

Tom Mitchell $490,500

Has also been hot and cold this year but is coming off a 121 against the Cats. Has gone over 120 three times in his past six games, but the rest were all under three figures. Risky.

Callan Ward $490,400

Price has crashed from a high of $587,100 after Round 6 even though he has scored 100-plus five times since then. But there have been some uncharacteristic low scores as well, including a 78 against Collingwood. The Giants’ draw is about to open up. Back him to respond.

Brendon Goddard $477,000

Now looking for value around Libba’s price. BJ doesn’t get many 130s any more but he’s a reliable contributor just about every week — his past five scores are 96, 60, 96, 96, 108. One-time favourite now in just 1.5 per cent of teams.

Dion Prestia $473,600

The Demons and Tigers like this bloke a lot and the past two weeks have shown why with SuperCoach scores of 124 and 126 — his best for the season. How will he go without Gaz?

Jack Viney $451,000

If you have no cash in reserve and need a straight swap for Liberatore, the Demons hard nut is the best available. He scored 112 on the weekend and although that was just his sixth triple-figure score for the season, he has another four in the 90s.

Callan Ward has averaged over 100 the past three seasons. Picture: Phil Hillyard

ROUND 16 STARS

170 Jack Steven

144 Tom McDonald

141 Max Gawn

140 Marcus Bontempelli

139 Touk Miller

WEEKLY TOP SCORES

2624 Unicorns, Kerry

2593 Mid Priced Mayhem, James

2565 Jasmine DQ, Kimberley

2564 Chopstick, Macro-Jaime

2563 Spangher, Etc, Nicholas

OVERALL LEADERS

35,659 Talkin’ Flags, Louis

35,636 GOODBETTERBEST@SCT, Raj

35,579 Buzz II, Barry

35,552 Endeavour Storm, Tyrone

35,499 Shemmist Wharehouse, Shemm

THIS WEEK’S WINNING TEAM

Unicorns

Coach: Kerry Worledge, Vic

Score: 2624

DEFENDERS

Sam Docherty 107

Kade Simpson 93

Matthew Boyd 107

Jasper Pittard 93

Alex Rance 73

Rory Laird 130

Logan Austin 36

Tom Lee 0

MIDFIELDERS

Dan Hannebery 106

Luke Parker 113

Rory Sloane 114

Jack Steven (c) 340

Gary Ablett 74

Matt Priddis 126

Robbie Gray 132

Ben Keays 0

Jack Trengove 0

Darcy MacPherson 0

RUCKS

Max Gawn 141

Sam Jacobs 114

Sam Grimley 0

FORWARDS

Dustin Martin 111

Zach Merrett 129

Josh J Kennedy 115

Lance Franklin 94

Aaron Hall 94

Brett Deledio 91

Tom Phillips 0

Mackenzie Willis 0

The Bombers couldn’t catch Jack Steven.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JACK STEVEN

Steven dominated across all key areas, finishing with 41 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 20 uncontested possessions 12 tackles and nine inside-50s from 83 per cent game time. His clearance work was impressive, generating a game-high 12 clearances including seven from centre bounces.

CHAMPION DATA MARKET WATCH

Rory Laird

Laird found plenty of the ball against the Blues, gathering a career-high 35 disposals and 14 contested possessions. His decision making and ball use was exceptional, recording a team-high disposal efficiency of 89 per cent. He also had 16 handball-received and covered plenty of territory on his way to a season-high 130 points.

Kieren Jack

Jack led the Swans to victory in his 200th game, finishing with 123 SuperCoach points – his highest score since Round 1. He recorded 24 disposals, 11 contested possessions, five clearances, three goals and five score involvements from 83 per cent game time. His tackling was relentless, applying a game-high of 10.

Michael Hartley

Hartley recorded his biggest price rise since Round 8, increasing by $25,600 after scoring a season-high 111 SuperCoach points against St Kilda. He won eight of his 13 disposals directly from opposition intercepts, a team-high tally, while of his round-high tally of 19 spoils, nine were deemed effective. Hartely also hit the target with every one of his disposals.

YOUNG GUN: OLEG MARKOV

Markov was one of several shining lights for the Tigers last round, collecting 75 SuperCoach points on his AFL debut. His ball use was a highlight, hitting the target with 15 of 18 disposals, recording nine marks, 15 uncontested possessions and four tackles. In the defensive half of the ground, he hit the target with 14 of 15 disposals.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2016: Gary Ablett and Tom Liberatore trade tips plus Round 16 market watch