KFC SuperCoach Plus Article: What to do with injured Nathan Cleary?

To sell or not to sell? That is the question for over 60 per cent of KFC SuperCoaches following Nathan Cleary’s injury.

News Nathan Cleary is out for 4-6 weeks is an immense blow for KFC SuperCoaches.

Not only is Cleary the most popular player in the game at over 60 per cent ownership, he has also scored the most points this season (1,376) and was well on the way to smashing the record for best individual KFC SuperCoach season.

In fact, as a measure of Cleary’s dominance, his current season average of 114.7 is almost 20 points clear of the next best of all-time — James Tedesco last season with 95.2.

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HOLD OR SELL?

I can’t see any situation where an overall player would hold. If Cleary misses the full six weeks he only plays four remaining KFC SuperCoach rounds this season. If he misses four weeks, he plays a far more palatable six remaining games.

But even when he returns, he will play hampered and probably needled, which likely brings his astronomical scores down to human levels. Certainly, KFC SuperCoaches would want to take a look for a few weeks after his return before jumping on. With a break even of 204, a hampered Cleary could easily be $200,000 cheaper a fortnight or so into his comeback.

Nathan Cleary is out for 4-6 weeks.

HEAD-TO-HEAD PLAYERS

For head-to-head players it’s a somewhat different story as trades need to be conserved and Cleary could be a handy play during the finals series, which run from rounds 22-25. Of course, you need to make the finals first, and cashing in on Cleary’s million dollar price tag could be your path to the top eight. In short, for head-to-head players your approach depends entirely on team situation — in particular amount of trades remaining and position on the ladder. Remember that if you do sell, you will need to create mass money to bring him back.

GREAT TIMING

KFC SuperCoach is in the midst of a cheapie crisis. There are no viable bargain buys this week following the dropping of Canberra young gun Matt Timoko, meaning KFC SuperCoaches are madly scrambling to create cash. However, the injury to Cleary has averted that issue. Because he is so much more expensive than any other halfback at $1,066,300 (a KFC SuperCoach record), even a trade to the next most expensive player Jahrome Hughes will create $427,000 to upgrade elsewhere. Imagine what you could do with that cash. It’s the equivalent of 2-3 keepers.

REPLACEMENTS

* Jahrome Hughes - The most popular replacement. Hughes sits second to Cleary at halfback for both total points and average and therefore has serious claims, although he doesn’t cover next week’s all-important bye.

* Cody Walker - The best replacement in my opinion, although you’ll need the right duals to make it work as Walker is only available at five-eighth. The star Rabbitoh is one of the greats of KFC SuperCoach, not averaging below 60 in the last half decade despite playing in a notoriously fickle position. He is averaging 72 this season and has a dream run against the Tigers, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Warriors and Dragons.

* Kodi Nikorima - In the midst of his best ever season, averaging 69.1 which is fourth in the position. Niko has the huge advantage of covering the Round 17 bye, although the main appeal is the Warriors’ incredibly soft run home — they only have two tough match-ups in the remaining 10 games.

* Shaun Johnson - Started slowly on return from a serious Achilles injury but has stepped it up recently by averaging 70 in the last three rounds. Covers the upcoming bye.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Plus Article: What to do with injured Nathan Cleary?