SuperCoach AFL 2024 round 7 trade guide: Top targets and new dual-position players
Rookies and mid-pricers are on the chopping block in SuperCoach this week. Who needs to go and who should stay? Experts rate the most traded players this week.
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There are big decisions to make in SuperCoach, and we don’t have much time.
Round 7 starts on Wednesday night when Melbourne and Richmond meet in the annual Anzac Eve game.
Which rookies should we buy, which value premiums can we trust – and which cash cows are ready to cash in?
See our experts’ verdict on the 10 most traded in and 10 most traded out players, and scroll down for the full round 7 trade guide.
MOST TRADED IN
1. HUGO GARCIA $117,300 MID/FWD
Al Paton: BUY. No.1 rookie target this week. Saints have a few players to come back in but I think Ross will back him in.
Tim Michell: BUY. Twenty-three centre bounces, 16 tackles and 18 contested possessions in five quarters is some way to start your career. Should be coming in to any serious side.
Dan Batten: BUY. Has attended 23 centre bounces in 1.5 games and showed some good signs in a dirty night for his side last week.
Tarquin Oakley: BUY. Role is great. Score of 69 in a side that lost by 10 goals is very promising, and it could have been more if not for an early 50m penalty given away.
Patch: BUY: I don’t think we’ll want Hugo on field, and he’ll be sub here and there I reckon, but by gum he’s the best guy we’ve got this week.
2. SAM WALSH $576,800 MID
AP: BUY. I said I wanted to see one more game to be convinced – consider me sold. Back issues still worry me but value and scoring power are worth the risk.
TM: BUY. I’m too scared of breaking him as a Carlton supporter but you shouldn’t be. He could be $620k next week after scores of 166 and 130.
DB: BUY. Including the finals last year, his past five scores are 111, 134, 121, 166 and 130 at an average of 132.4. Seriously underpriced.
TO: BUY: Backed up his mammoth first game with another big score to make sure you can trust him.
Patch: BUY: I love value and Sam Walsh is value.
3. BIGOA NYUON $123,900 FWD
AP: CONSIDER. We need downgrade options but Biggie might not last long in the Kangaroos side with Kallan Dawson a week or two away.
TM: PASS. I bought him after one game and am not even convinced he holds his spot this week. He looked a bit lost at times against Hawthorn. Gut says Toby Pink comes back in.
DB: CONSIDER. Got better as the game went on but he is no certainty to hold his spot.
TO: PASS: Smart call to have waited a week on Biggy, who put up a score of 46 on the weekend. If he plays he’ll make some money but his job security is shaky.
Patch: PASS: I’ve had a successful season avoiding the entirety of the North Melbourne backline (Sheez excepted). I’ll give Biggy a miss.
4. RILEY GARCIA $125,200 FWD
AP: WAIT. Was putting up huge VFL numbers before cracking the seniors, but with Bevo it always pays to play it safe. Top rookie target for next week.
TM: PASS. Only one game in and he’s got Luke Beveridge as coach. Have another look with Tom Liberatore back.
DB: WAIT. Impressive first game but it’s hard to trust Bevo with anything.
TO: WAIT. Even if he was on the bubble you can’t be sure of anything when Luke Beveridge is coach. So at least wait until after his second match.
Patch: PASS. I don’t want a bar of a Dogs rookie coming off one game. No thank you.
5. JORDAN DAWSON $533,600 MID
AP: CONSIDER. As cheap as he’ll get (Break Even 73) but I would like to see him do it again against * checks fixture * North Melbourne. If you’re a believer, jumping on now could pay off big time.
TM: BUY. But only if you already have Walsh. The 168 was glorious but he didn’t hit triple figures in the first five rounds. Plus, Matt Crouch is back this week to take midfield minutes.
DB: CONSIDER. Walsh looks a better option and I’d want to see how he goes with Matt Crouch back. But he could go large again against North Melbourne.
TO: WAIT: A great game but those who have owned Dawson this year can tell you that it’s only his first ton of the season. If he goes big again with Crouch in the side he will still be a value trade in next week.
Patch: CONSIDER. I think he’s back? Maybe? I’d want one more look with Crouch in the side but admire anyone with the gall to go this week.
6. KANE McAULIFFE $117,300 MID
AP: BUY. Big junior numbers and will get midfield minutes in a decimated onball brigade.
TM: CONSIDER. Want to see the final Richmond team before saying yes with talk Hopper and Prestia could return. If that happens, McAuliffe might be sub.
DB: CONSIDER. Watch team sheets with Jacob Hopper back, but he looks to have done enough to get at least another week.
TO: PASS: Hasn’t put up a decent score as yet. Happy to see how he goes against Melbourne with Jacob Hopper set to return as well.
Patch: BUY. Sure. He seems like he’s got better job security than Garcia and Biggy.
7. JACK MACRAE $480,000 MID/FWD
AP: BUY. Who else are we picking at F4-6? Macrae is a long-time favourite, that’s a great price and I don’t expect Libba’s return to impact his role much.
TM: PASS. I want to see him score well with Tom Liberatore in the side before committing. Happy to pay a bit more next week if need be.
DB: CONSIDER. I’d be tempted to have another look, but $480k is good buying even with Bevo.
TO: CONSIDER: Some thought he would be F1 in pre-season so to pick him up at $480k is worth the consideration. How will he go with Libba back?
Patch: PASS. No thank you dawg. Not yet, anyway. He might be super cheap but you’re handing Luke Beveridge a loaded gun and telling him not to shoot you.
8. DAN HOUSTON $597,600 DEF
AP: CONSIDER. A likely top-six defender but I have the value guys as higher priorities this week.
TM: BUY. He has been my No.1 target for this round for weeks and I threw a tantrum on Saturday when he stuffed my plans by scoring 141. St Kilda pays little attention to half-backs and Houston hasn’t gone below 100 yet. Let’s hope I don’t break him like I did Jack Steele.
DB: BUY. Super consistent and looks a certain top-six defender.
TO: BUY. Takes kick-ins and racks up plenty of ball.
Patch: BUY (AS LONG AS YOUR NAME ISN’T TIM MICHELL). To any friendly souls reading, Dan Houston has been excellent and is coming up against the best team in the comp if you’re a running defender who likes scoring SuperCoach points. To any Tim Michell, Devourer of SuperCoach Premiums reading, there ain’t no Dan Houston here and there never was.
9. NICK DAICOS $577,300 DEF/MID
AP. BUY. Starting without him has proved to be the smart play but I’d be finding a way to get him in STAT.
TM: BUY. Whether it’s because you traded him out or never owned Daicos, now is the time to get on. Back to his best in round 6 and only likely to get better. Anzac Day Medal?
DB: BUY. An absolute bargain at that price.
TO: BUY: Your top priority if you don’t have him.
Patch: BUY. He’s back, in pog form. Get on before he gets too expensive – a priority over anyone else on this list.
10. DAYNE ZORKO $547,100 MID/FWD
AP: PASS. Can’t trust a 35-year-old with a history of soft-tissue injuries.
TM: PASS. Dayne and I have a chequered SuperCoach history so I won’t be going there. I’d much rather Macrae or even Shai Bolton. But when Zorko went on a run of 150s a few years ago I chose Bolton over him, so what do I know?
DB: CONSIDER: Pricey, but in this current role he should be a top-six if he can stay on the park. But as we have seen with Zorko, that’s a big if.
TO: BUY: With a lack of premium forward options, Zorko has a great role off half-back and didn’t get thrown forward even with Zac Bailey out.
Patch: CONSIDER. I’ve been tempted by Zork for a month now and it hasn’t quite lined up to trade him in. This is our last chance to do so before his price is sky-high, but with McKenna back this week and Zorko being 35, I’m still nervous.
MOST TRADED OUT
1. ZAC WILLIAMS $327,300 DEF
AP: HOLD. With a Break Even of 62 Zac can still make us money. I’m hoping to see his name on the Carlton team sheet so I can keep him for a few more weeks.
TM: TRADE. Has done his job by making more than $100k and although he might play this week, his Break Even is now in the 60s.
DB: WAIT. Will trade if he isn’t named but with Adam Saad out of that backline I’m tempted to hold him.
TO: CONSIDER: Was coming good before that subbing against GWS. If he’s out then trade, but if he’s named you’ve got a tough decision.
Patch: TRADE: If he’s injured then he’s gone.
2. RYLEY SANDERS $294,900 FWD/MID
AP: TRADE. I can see him making money at some stage, but it won’t be for a while. I need the money now.
TM: HOLD. Wish I still had him now he’s DPP. I’d rather be fielding Sanders at F4 or F5 than some of the speculative rookies I’ve got.
DB: CONSIDER. Could prove to be a handy forward rookie if he returns to the 22. But can we trust Bevo?
TO: CONSIDER: If he’s in the 22 it’s fair to hold him, but you might not know that until Saturday night. Then he might be subbed off again.
Patch: CONSIDER. I think there’s a case for holding him, but if you need the cash then cut and run.
3. MASSIMO D’AMBROSIO $348,200 DEF/MID
AP: HOLD. See my comment on Zac Williams above. Massimo’s BE is lower than Zac and is still an on-field option. One thing that makes me nervous is the Hawks play on Sunday so we won’t know the final team until every other side has already played. He couldn’t the sub again, could he?
TM: CONSIDER. Still has one more price rise in him but worth punting if it gets you to Walsh or another gun.
DB: CONSIDER: Torn with what to do with D’Ambrosio. Scored well over the weekend but the fact he was subbed out isn’t exactly a vote of confidence.
TO: HOLD: Hawks were in control when D’Ambrosio was subbed off. Can see him getting back to a full game next week with runs on the board over the previous five rounds.
Patch: CONSIDER. He plays the last game of the round and I can’t be confident he won’t be the sub, which scares me enough to trade him. If you reckon he’s safe then hold.
4. JEREMY SHARP $337,700 MID
AP: HOLD. Probably won’t make much more money so you could consider cashing him in but he’s still a reliable on-field scorer in the midfield – and I suddenly don’t have a lot of those.
TM: CONSIDER. No rush to move him on but another popular starting pick who looks to have just about peaked. Has the great round 13 bye if you think you can carry him that long for cover.
DB: CONSIDER. Another of those players that is horses for courses. Could hold him as an M8 or M9 but if trading him gets the premium you want, then by all means trade.
TO: TRADE. Won’t lose too much cash with a bad game if you hold him, but that Break Even is very close to his average now.
Patch: TRADE: He’s gone for mine, with the highest Break Even of any rookie on my side. Should still score well but I’m all about the cash generation with these guys.
5. JACK CARROLL $233,000 MID
AP: TRADE. Back-to-back scores of 26 and a Break Even over 80. Time to go.
TM: TRADE. Losing value fast after two weeks as the sub.
DB: TRADE. Price is hurtling backwards now and looks to be out of favour.
TO: TRADE. No room in that Blues midfield with Cerra returning as well.
Patch: TRADE. I ain’t having no sub-affected scores in my side if I can help it. Well done for the scores you did put up, but hit the road, pal. We’ll see you as a genuine draft option in a few years.
6. OLIVER DEMPSEY $306,600 FWD/MID
AP: HOLD. Winning dual-position status is a bonus and he seems to like the MCG. Another low score could be the last straw, though.
TM: HOLD. Still annoyed I didn’t get him and unless he is managed I wouldn’t be in a rush to trade him out. It’s a slight concern for owners he’s played more forward than wing in recent weeks, though.
DB: HOLD. His floor seems to be 50 and the addition of midfield status is a bonus.
TO: TRADE. Break Even is above his last two scores.
Patch: CONSIDER: His Break Even is 66, which is achievable but you’d be getting close to flicking him.
7. COLBY McKERCHER $252,000 DEF/MID
AP: TRADE. Crazy that a couple of weeks ago I thought I could leave McKercher and Sanders on field until the mid-year byes. Losing cash fast.
TM: HOLD. I’m convinced based on Alastair Clarkson wanting to accelerate Harry Sheezel’s midfield move that McKercher will head back this week. And we all know North Melbourne’s backline is a SuperCoach goldmine.
DB: TRADE. Price is going to continue dropping unless he moves back into defence full time.
TO: CONSIDER. Clarko ruined McKercher’s chances of scoring well against Hawthorn when he played him as a high half-forward in the first half. Spent some time in the second half down back but never recovered – if he stays there going forward he is a hold.
Patch: TRADE. If you haven’t already, Colby’s gotta be traded. North is a miserable place to be right now and I don’t want a bar of it.
8. LUKE JACKSON $530,600 RUC/FWD
AP: HOLD. I think he still does enough to be in the mix for a top-six forward, and ruck cover could be huge if Gawn or Grundy miss a week at some stage.
TM: HOLD. Unless you need to bring Max Gawn in before his annual 150-plus against Richmond on Anzac Day Eve. Jackson’s scoring was always going to take a hit once Darcy returned, but he might still be a top-six forward.
DB: HOLD. Jackson was used as the No.1 ruck with Sean Darcy in the side so I’m willing to hold him for now.
TO: HOLD. Provides good ruck cover and a score of 90 isn’t so bad you need to get rid of him.
Patch: HOLD. Please hold Jackson. We gotta be getting rookies off field, not trading premos. We’ll reassess when we’re at full premium.
9. TOM STEWART $538,100 DEF
AP: HOLD. Don’t waste trades swapping premiums in and out. Hopefully your defensive bench cover is better than mine.
TM: HOLD. Too good a player to be trading out when he’s only missing one week with concussion. Plus, it’ll only hurt more when he starts scoring 120s after other coaches jump on for $510k before round 9.
DB: HOLD. Should only miss the one week.
TO: HOLD: Don’t sideways a premium who should only miss one match.
Patch: HOLD. It hurts, but he’ll only miss a week. Hold.
10. AARON CADMAN $280,100 FWD
AP: HOLD. Break Even of 36 is very gettable but getting close to the edge.
TM: TRADE. Still can’t believe he made more than $150k after averaging about 20 last year but well done if you started him.
DB: TRADE. Been a solid cash cow but now it is time to say adios.
TO: CONSIDER: With Hogan and Greene out he could get some more opportunity up forward this week. Flipside is he could get a tougher opponent as well. Break Even of 36 means you can go either way.
Patch: HOLD. Cadman’s got another week left in him, I reckon, and is one breakout game away from another massive burst in cash. Hold if you can, but if you’ve got to flick someone then Cad’s the man.
Trade guide: Round 7 targets, 63 new DPPs
– Tim Michell and Al Paton
SuperCoach is about to enter a totally new phase.
After four bye rounds in the first six weeks of the season that featured best 18 scoring, we’re back to best 22 scoring for the next five weeks.
And coaches also have 63 new dual-position players to consider after the first round of position changes for 2024 – scroll down to see the full list.
The big changes come as some top-end SuperCoach stars and famous fantasy names present at bargain prices and coaches ponder where the cash will come from for the trade moves – this week and going forward – after a series of popular rookies were hit by the sub rule.
So, who should we bring into our teams this week? Scroll down for all the top targets for round 7 – which starts Wednesday night – and the full list of DPP changes.
SAM WALSH $576,800 MID
While there are several premium midfielders whose value is falling, this might be your last chance to grab Walsh for less than $600k. After returning to the Blues side with 166 points, Walsh hit triple figures again against GWS on Saturday. It’d be a miracle if he finished as one of the top-eight midfielders for total points considering he missed rounds 0-4, but you’re not buying him for that reason. You’re buying because there’s every chance he will be one of the highest-scoring SuperCoach midfielders from round 7 onwards. The Blues have a tough run coming up, but nothing in the past two weeks has suggested that will faze Walsh.
JORDAN DAWSON $533,600 MID
Another premium midfielder who responded from a below-par start to the season in a big way last round. Dawson was enormous against Essendon, showcasing his SuperCoach ceiling with 168 SuperCoach points. It was a big win for those who showed faith in the Adelaide skipper and a disaster for more than 2000 coaches who traded him out before round 6. Dawson had scored a combined 163 points in the two weeks before having 31 disposals, seven marks, nine tackles and kicking two goals against the Bombers. As poor as his first five rounds were, Dawson for $533k (Break Even 73) will be hard to resist if he can maintain the form he showed on Friday. Just be wary of Matt Crouch’s return from suspension.
JACK MACRAE $480,000 FWD-MID
Is there a player as intriguing this week as Jack Macrae? SuperCoaches have been hanging out for any sign of the Macrae of old, and he tallied 30 disposals and 123 SuperCoach points against St Kilda. The intrigue surrounds how Luke Beveridge uses Macrae once Tom Liberatore slots back into the middle of the ground. The good news is that Macrae was at only 10 centre bounces against the Saints and dished out a reminder he can still find the ball regardless of his role. Is he back? Maybe. Is he affordable? Definitely. Do we have many other topscoring forwards crying out to be picked? Nope.
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA $623,900 MID
Yes, Petracca has a huge Break Even of 156 as Melbourne returns from a bye against Richmond. He has lost almost $44k from his starting value and is set to lose more, so if we’re playing the value game the smart play is to wait. But the injury-hit Tigers – who are expected to regain Jacob Hopper but have lost Tim Taranto for two months – have been giving up massive scores to midfielders all year. Two weeks ago it was Elliot Yeo’s 157 and the week before it was Jack Steele’s 143. Petracca is good enough to give his Break Even a shake in a game Melbourne will be expected to win handsomely. You could try to get him cheaper, but be mindful if he continues the trend of opposition midfielders dominating the Tigers, he won’t drop by much.
DAN HOUSTON $597,600 DEF
If you can afford to ignore price tags and play the fixture, you won’t have missed the fact that half-back flankers have made a habit of cashing in against St Kilda this year – think Nic Martin’s 44 disposals or, more recently, Bailey Dale’s incredible return to form with 175 SuperCoach points last round. Ross Lyon’s game plan doesn’t involve paying much credence to running defenders, and Houston looms as the next in line ready to go big against the Saints. He was Port Adelaide’s best scorer as his teammates were overwhelmed by Collingwood on Saturday, scoring his sixth successive hundred to start the season. That form suggests he’s a certainty to be a top-six defender and could be a genuine VC option this round.
NIC NEMAN $476,300 DEF
Newman graduated to SuperCoach premium status in defence last year but has had a slow start to 2024, averaging 84 over the first five rounds. But with Adam Saad out injured – and Zac Williams subbed out at halftime – Newman stepped up as the Blues’ main distributor with 26 disposals and 116 SuperCoach points. Watch the Blues’ injury list but if he’s got the role to himself for a while Newman presents clear value at well under $500k.
HUGO GARCIA $117,300 FWD-MID
In a week of great downgrade options, St Kilda’s No.50 pick from last year’s draft appears one of the standouts. Garcia has been a regular at centre bounces in his two senior appearances, laying 16 tackles, and managed to score 69 points in a team which was pummelled by the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night. That score could easily have been 80-plus had Garcia not given away an early 50m penalty and holding the ball free kick.
BIGOA NYUON $123,900 FWD
Biggie was on the radar as a trade-in target after an impressive 89 points in his first game for the Kangaroos last round. He couldn’t back up that performance against Hawthorn, posting 46 from 11 disposals and four marks. He will be on the bubble this week and should still make some money, but isn’t a reliable on-field option. And that’s assuming he keeps his spot in the North Melbourne team. At least he’s ahead of teammate Blake Drury, who followed his promising 78 last week with 38 in round 6.
KANE McAULIFFE $117,300 MID
The Tigers hard nut is also on the bubble this week coming off Richmond’s round 6 bye. His first two scores didn’t set the world on fire but keep in mind he started as the sub and only came on very late in his debut, finishing with 16 points. A 58 in game two is more encouraging. Richmond’s midfield was obliterated by Elliot Yeo and Harley Reid in that game but with the likes of Tim Taranto and Dion Prestia out for a few more weeks, the young South Australian should get plenty of opportunities at the coal face.
RILEY GARCIA $125,200 FWD
After racking up disposals for fun in the VFL, the 23-year-old impressed in his 20th AFL game with 17 disposals, six tackles and 82 SuperCoach points against the Saints. The Dogs were without Tom Liberatore, who missed due to concussion, but Garcia looked at home while attending six centre bounces alongside his more experienced teammates. Garcia is rookie priced and won’t jump in value until after round 8, should he be selected the next two rounds. With Liberatore’s return sure to shake-up the midfield mix, it’s wise to have another look before jumping on.
MEET THE NEW CLASS OF 2024 DPPs
A total of 63 players have been allocated dual-position status after Champion Data assessed every player’s time in position numbers after six rounds.
Players needed to play 35 per cent of game time or more in a second position to earn DPP status before round 7.
There are a lot of SuperCoach relevant names on the list including Oliver Dempsey (MID-FWD), Tom Powell (MID-FWD), Charlie Comben (FWD-DEF) and Hayden Young (DEF-MID).
Ryley Sanders is now a FWD-MID, which is worth considering if you have had the young Bulldog in the trade gun after he was subbed out for the second time this season.
Teammate Sam Darcy just missed out on FWD-RUC DPP with a split of 69 per cent forward, 31 per cent ruck time in his five matches.
The new positions could result in a major SuperCoach reshuffle this week with the likes of Nic Martin and Matt Roberts now able to head back to defence. A popular move will be trading out a non-playing or underperforming cheap defender, moving Roberts or Bulldog Buku Khamis back and bringing in one of this week’s promising MID/FWD cheapies.
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