The Phantom and Tim Michell discuss the importance of Max Gawn in KFC SuperCoach

It’s getting harder to trade for Max Gawn in KFC SuperCoach every week as his price soars toward $750,000. Could a stepping stone from Marc Pittonet be the answer? These are some of the best options.

Tim Michell and The Phantom

4 min read

July 9, 2020 - 3:02PM

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This year has certainly thrown its share of curve balls.

KFC SuperCoaches have encountered plenty of challenges as well and there’s none bigger for 75 per cent of coaches than how to get Max Gawn.

Starting without the Melbourne captain appeared a winning tactic when he scored 93 in Round 1 against Nic Naitanui.

TRADE GUIDE: KEY KFC SUPERCOACH INTEL FOR ROUND 6

But since then, Gawn has recorded scores of 184, 141 and 163, soaring to $742,500.

In the past three rounds, Gawn has scored 174 points more than Pittonet (488 to 314).

That presents a big problem for coaches such as The Phantom and Tim Michell, who are stuck with Carlton’s Pittonet at R2.

They discuss how they plan to get Gawn or whether they’ll aim to make up the points elsewhere.

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Max Gawn’s KFC SuperCoach price continues to rise and put him further out of reach.

TM: Well Phantom, looking at both our scores on the weekend, we’ve both got a few KFC SuperCoach issues to deal with. While other coaches target Elliot Yeo or Jordan Ridley, we’re making plans to get Max Gawn in. How much longer can we live without him?

Phantom: A few? I like your positivity. With Gawn, given he’s scored 127 more points than my R2, Marc Pittonet, in the past two matches, we can’t wait much longer. But the gap, Tim, the gap.

TM: It’s a problem we are both staring at. Boy do I envy those coaches with Brodie Grundy, Max Gawn and Marc Pittonet at R3. The gap you speak of is currently $307,300, which is going to leave a huge hole in any war chest KFC SuperCoaches have built up. Any ideas on how we can bridge it?

Marc Pittonet has a break even of 76 ahead of Round 6 in KFC SuperCoach.

Phantom: Let’s not speak of them. I’ve got $225k in the bank but that’s money I need elsewhere. Is hope an idea? Because I’m hoping a tough matchup with Gold Coast skipper Jarrod Witts this weekend will, at least, halt Gawn’s price. But that’s only one side of the problem. Pittonet’s breakeven is increasing, so he needs another big score in Round 6 to ensure he hits the $500k mark. Sorry, I could’ve just said no. Can you save us?

TM: Doubtful. These are grim times Phantom. The possibly crazy idea I’ve had is to flip Pittonet to Tim English or Rowan Marshall before his price peaks, which could be this week. English is absolutely flying in the past three rounds, averaging more than Brodie Grundy (130). Marshall has shown he should be rucking on his own too with scores of 117 and 128 in the past two rounds. Any merit in this approach?

Phantom: You’ve thrown me, Tim … but maybe it’s not so crazy. You’re right, English is flying and he’ll run rings around Pittonet in general play on Sunday. Given his breakeven of 34, another three-figure score will see his price rise past $560k. Now we’re getting closer. Can we afford using the trade on a player who could also score 100 this week on hit-outs-to-advantage alone?

TM: It really depends how desperate you are to get Gawn doesn’t it? I’m mindful that we’re running out of time in a shorter season and every week we don’t have him we’re losing ground on 25 per cent of teams who do. The thought of using three of my 30 trades to get my R2 right seems very dangerous though after starting with Nic Naitanui.

The Phantom and Tim Michell both started Nic Naitanui instead of Max Gawn.

Phantom: Very true. But if you’ve got the cash to upgrade elsewhere this week, will the difference between Pittonet and a midfield premium and Gawn and a midfield rookie be all that much? We’re back to where we started aren’t we?

TM: Much like my native Victoria this week, unfortunately we are. I think you’ve touched on the approach that can get us out of the Gawn bind. It’s going to be tough to get him, but where we can make up the points is nailing our upgrades in other positions.

Phantom: Fingers crossed we can share this beer at an actual pub soon. And, yep, although different, considering you’re adding another stepping stone, it’s a good approach for those well-balanced teams in a year when we’ve got more trades. Right now, I’ll hope that gap closes slightly this week and splash the cash ahead of Round 6. But, it’s KFC SuperCoach and in 2020, Tim, something else will likely happen. Are you going to pull the trigger?

Max Gawn has a three-round average of 163 in KFC SuperCoach.

TM: Ask me again on Thursday. If there’s carnage like we saw last week when John Noble and Jarrod Brander missed, my priorities will be elsewhere. Let’s cross our fingers Jarrod Witts can continue his rival ruck take-down. He’s conceded an average of 88 points to Round 5, although Darcy Fort (who I started and traded out) managed 107 last round. Come on Jarrod, I’m at my Witts end trying to work out how to get Max!

Phantom: Those numbers are music to my ears, Tim. Your witty puns — and Darcy Fort in general — not so much.