SuperCoach AFL 2025: Top trade targets for round 12, mid-season byes

The mid-season byes are here, and getting 18 scoring players for round 12 has never been harder. But these nine players can get you out of jail.

Welcome to a critical phase of the SuperCoach season.

The mid-season byes bring new challenges, and a unique opportunity to make ground on your rivals – if you play it smart.

For the next five rounds – one more than last year – four teams per round will have a week off (two in round 13) – watch for those blue dots in SuperCoach. And we don’t get a chance to ease into the bye rounds, with North Melbourne, Carlton, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs all sitting out round 12.

To help coaches compete, special rules apply during bye rounds – your weekly score is a total of your best 18 available scorers (including relevant emergencies), and three trades are available every week (four if you activate a Trade Boost).

But injuries to key SuperCoach players mean even fielding 18 players this week is no certainty. Zach Reid is a must-trade for 110,000 coaches after suffering another hamstring injury, while Cooper Simpson lasted only minutes in his bubble game before suffering a serious shoulder injury in a huge blow for more than 53,000 coaches who traded him in last week.

But it’s not all bad news. There are players who can help cover the gaps, boost bye round scores and get us closer to a finished team. Here are our best picks for round 12.

ROOKIES

Angus Clarke answered SuperCoaches' rookie prayers.

The chances the teenage wingman will kick three goals in a half again are remote, but his standout debut (16 disposals, eight marks, three tackles, three goals, 97 SuperCoach points) should cement his spot in Essendon’s best 22 for a few weeks, which is all we need right now. Rules about going early on rookies after one game become extremely relaxed at this time of year!

Campbell Gray was recruited in last year's mid-season draft.

The swingman with the go-go gadget arms effected a round-high 13 spoils in the Dreamtime game, completely blanketing Nate Caddy who took just one mark for the game (Gray took six, including three intercept marks). After a sub-effected 41 in his first AFL game in round 7 he is on the bubble this week. The big red flag is he has clearly come into the team as cover for Noah Balta, who is unavailable again in round 12 but will return the following week. However, Gray has played forward and back in the VFL, and Adem Yze will be tempted to find a spot for him after such an impressive performance.

Richmond rookie Campbell Gray. Picture: Mark Stewart

Kaleb Smith has been putting up strong numbers in the VFL.

Another Tiger on the rookie radar after picking up 20 disposals off half-back in a full game against the Bombers. Three of his other four appearances this year have been as the sub, which explains his 28 average and why he costs only $6k more than his round 1 price. Job security might be better than Gray’s but doesn’t come with DPP.

BARGAINS

Kane McAuliffe was taken with pick 40 in the 2023 draft.

Get down to Richmond to do your shopping this week. McAuliffe isn’t rookie priced any more, but he’s still a very real option especially for teams struggling to find the cash to upgrade to a top-end premium. He could be the perfect bye play – playing as Richmond’s No.3 centre bounce midfielder (behind Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper), the young South Australian with the booming left leg has a three-round average of 81; if he maintains that he’ll make $100k over his next three games while providing solid on-field scores and dodging another blue dot. Unfortunately, his fixture is daunting, with GWS, Sydney and Western Bulldogs on the horizon.

Kane McAuliffe is getting midfield exposure. Picture: Mark Stewart

Angus Sheldrick is building his tank.

Similar logic applies to Sheldrick, who backed up his 81 points last round with 85 against the Demons, playing another full game – his 71 per cent time on ground was up 11 per cent from the week before – and attending 37 per cent of centre bounces. He appears safe in Dean Cox’s best 22 for now and has a similar money-making path to McAuliffe for $50k less. His fixture looks a lot better – Adelaide, Richmond, Port Adelaide. The spectre of the sub is always there, though.

PREMIUMS

Lachie Whitfield didn't take a kick-in in round 11.

Lost his title as the No.1 defender of 2025 to Jack Sinclair at the weekend after a surprising shift to half-forward against Port Adelaide. That does ring alam bells but the good news is his lowest score of the year (and just his second below 100) shaved another $18k off his price tag. SuperCoaches need to see him back behind the ball so it’s sensible to wait and see where Adam Kingsley sends him on Saturday. But the temptation is there to take a chance against the Tigers, who just gave up 163 points to Nic Martin, who plays a similar role.

Zach Merrett put the Bombers on his back against Richmond.

The Bombers skipper has likely bottomed out at a $68k discount off his round 1 price thanks to the SuperCoach price system, which works off a three-round rolling average – so Merrett’s price calculation includes two scores under 80 as well as his 156 against Richmond. He gets a rematch with the Tigers in round 18 but does face some potential tags in the run home.

Zach Merrett’s price is very appealing. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Tom Stewart is a backline bargain.

Is the reward worth the risk? Injuries have restricted Stewart to just six appearances this season, but this is very cheap ($98k below his round 1 price) for a player of Stewart’s long-term SuperCoach pedigree. He looked like his old self against the Bulldogs, intercepting and setting up the Cats from centre half-back. And the real temptation is Geelong’s fixture. The Cats play West Coast this weekend and their run home includes two games against Richmond plus home games against Gold Coast, St Kilda and Port Adelaide. Of course, that also applies for Max Holmes ($519k DEF-MID).

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is having a breakout season.

Unlike Stewart, ‘Nas’ has been a model of consistency apart from one poor score (63 v West Coast) that has brought his price down into very gettable territory. He bback with a career-high 35 disposals on Sunday and clearly has licence to roam the ground and attempt difficult kicks, which can lead to a high clanger count but also highly attacking plays that are highly rewarded in SuperCoach. This year’s No.5 defender for total points, he’s a great option now or after St Kilda’s round 13 bye.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2025: Top trade targets for round 12, mid-season byes