SuperCoach AFL 2024: Experts reveal their trades for round 7

Sam Walsh is high on the SuperCoach shopping list this week, but some of our experts are targeting other big names. See all their round 7 moves here.

Upgrade season is here, and so are a batch of new dual-position players.

Downgrade options are another story.

With SuperCoaches hell-bent on improving their teams, there are some great value options on the table this week. And our experts are divided on the best way forward.

See all their moves for round 7 below.

AL PATON

IN: Sam Walsh, Hugo Garcia, Riley Garcia

OUT: Nick Coffield, Ryley Sanders, Jack Carroll

It was back to the drawing board when the Tigers surprisingly dropped Kane McAuliffe, and at one point I had a plan that brought in Sam Walsh and Jack Macrae.

But that would have required punting some of my best performing rookies, and the priority has to be getting out the guys with the highest Break Evens while they still have value worth utilising. So Riley Sanders (107 BE) and Carroll (81) are gone, and I am finally fixing (well, half-fixing) my backline bench issue after carrying Nick Coffield and Zach Reid through the first six rounds. Best 18 scoring papered over that huge crack but my luck could run out quickly with clouds over Massimo D’Ambrosio and Zac Williams this week (I’m resisting trading either of those guys, who both still have more money to make).

DPP changes allow me to swing Buku Khamis to my defensive bench, trade Carroll to Walsh and end up with both Garcias on my forward bench, which has a nice aesthetic symmetry to it. Hugo is the clear pick of the rookies this week and Riley was my No.1 target next week, hopefully some other cheapies appear to keep the upgrades rolling.

Sam Walsh is a prime trade target this week. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Walsh has looked fantastic in his two games and I like his centre bounce numbers, which are much higher than for most of last season.

His back issue could flare up at any time but he feels like the sort of pick that could haunt me all season if I pass on him and he averages 110-plus for that price. He’ll be over $600k by next week so if he does run into more injury issues we’ll have plenty of trade options.

TIM MICHELL

IN: Dan Houston and Hugo Garcia

OUT: Tom Powell and Zac Williams/Massimo D’Ambrosio

Yes, I realise trading Powell when there are next to no good premium forwards isn’t very smart. But I have had my heart set on Houston for this game against St Kilda for the past three weeks, and I have no intention to deviate.

I was originally going to trade Matt Roberts and Massimo but after Roberts’ ton last round he’s still got a few weeks of cash generation left. If I still had a boost I’d grab Kane McAuliffe as well, but I went too hard too early, so that’s not an option. Whether Massimo or Zac Williams is traded with Powell will come down to teams and whether Williams is fit. If he is, I’ll hold him for one more week before I try to turn him and Roberts into Christian Petracca.

Dan Houston has a great match-up against St Kilda. Picture: PAFC

THE PHANTOM

OUT: Zac Williams, Jack Carroll and Chris Burgess

IN: Jordan Dawson, Hugo Garcia and – maybe – James Tunstill

Sam Walsh last week, Jordan Dawson this week – I’m taking the value when it’s on offer and in reach. Carroll’s cash generation is dead, and Burgess isn’t making money in the SANFL either. I’m keeping Sanders – if he plays a full game, he scores. And that’s what we need at the bottom end in the forward line, especially with best 18 scoring done.

Kane McAuliffe was the other downgrade so I’ll have to find another option. Is it the Lions winger who blitzed the VFL in the opening 3 rounds? Maybe.

PATCH

IN: Jordan Dawson, Hugo Garcia

OUT: Jack Carroll, Jeremy Sharp

As much as I’m tempted to trade Dan Houston with the news Tim Michell is bringing him in, I’ll keep him against the Saints.

I was planning to do three trades and work my way up to Sam Walsh, but with viable rookies plummeting I’m undoing my boost and just going to Dawson. Not getting Walsh hurts, but I don’t trust any of the other rookies, and the rookies I do have still have more cash to make. I may cave and bring in James Tunstill to try and get Matt Rowell, though, which would involve flicking Massimo.

TARQUIN OAKLEY

OUT: Zac Williams, Jack Carroll

IN: Sam Walsh, Hugo Garcia

Trying to avoid boosting this week and get one upgrade done with a bit of extra cash coming in handy to get it done.

Walsh scored 126 and 158 in his last two matches against Geelong, so that plus his current super form is enough to convince me. Hugo Garcia is the obvious downgrade option, while Jack Carroll continues to lose cash after consecutive games as sub, so he’s gone.

Zac Williams could play this week but he’s no guarantee to reach his Break Even of 62.

Zac Williams is under an injury cloud. Picture: David Crosling

SWIZ

OUT: Zac Williams, Jeremy Sharp

IN: Hugo Garcia, Sam Walsh

AFL Teams can’t come quick enough.

With the lack of rookies, Garcia is a must-have, especially with his previous VFL form.

Walsh looks back to his best and though there are concerns about his body holding up, I’m happy to ride the train as he has the ability to put up massive scores.

Sam walsh has the best three-round average in SuperCoach.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2024: Experts reveal their trades for round 7