AFL SuperCoach 2024: The Phantom’s burning questions and round 2 trade advice

Should I trade this week? Is Heeney a must? What about Massimo? Time to cut Fisher? Best Gibcus replacement? The Phantom answers the big questions ahead of round 2.

What round is it?

Yes, that is what your favourite weekly SuperCoach column – the one that answers the difficult, through-provoking questions of the round – is leading off with in 2024.

New year, new me, and all that.

I field full-game, non-rookie 17s now. But more on that later.

Or not.

Seriously, though, the aftermath of round 1 feels different this time.

And it is.

Some players are on the bubble after playing two games, others only one. Some have a bye this week. Others next. Others not at all.

Trading after one round was once a SuperCoach mortal sin.

It’s become more accepted in recent years with the introduction of extra trades and boosts.

We all think we know more than the SuperCoach next to us – don’t lie – but accepting, and then correcting, a mistake in structure or personnel is an important part of the opening few rounds.

You only get two chances to alter your team before player prices change, hence the shift towards trading after one round.

But given some prices change after one week this season, that shift is a full-blown movement now.

Isaac Heeney has been the SuperCoach star of the opening two rounds of the AFL season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

So I should be trading this week then, Phantom?

There’s no straight answer here.

While the addition of 40 trades brings with it new strategy, and will see many SuperCoaches taking an aggressive early approach, you still shouldn’t be trading for the sake of trading.

Yes, some people, in fact, do that.

But if you’ve got an injury, forecast you might need to make multiple changes before the rest of the price changes next week, or just missed out on a fast-starter whose price rise is imminent, then consider giving yourself flexibility and going early.

You’re talking about Isaac Heeney, aren’t you?

He’s one of the reasons you would trade, yes.

“The plan was to play him a fair bit in the midfield this year and certainly in the first part of the year which is what he’s been doing and doing it really well,” Swans coach John Longmire said of Heeney’s start to the season this week.

Heeney has spent 73 per cent of time in the midfield, up from 14 per cent in 2023.

The plan has, obviously, worked and it now appears a plan that’s worked too well to change.

After scores of 144 and 136 to start 2024, Heeney’s price will skyrocket by more than $50k with another three-figure score this weekend.

In this form, and with Essendon, Richmond and West Coast before the bye, you almost have to jump on.

Would you trade Zac Fisher to him after one week?

I would, yes. I’m not saying Fisher will dish up another 50 against the Dockers on Saturday, but he doesn’t have Heeney’s scoring power or the all-but guaranteed early price surge.

Zac Fisher scored 50 SuperCoach points in round 1. Picture: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos

What about Fisher in isolation?

It’s an interesting one.

The former Blue had 17 kicks against the Giants, but five of them resulted in a direct turnover. And that’s a -4-point clanger each time, friends.

On the other hand, his teammates Harry Sheezel and Colby McKercher combined for 41 kicks and 0 clangers in round 1.

But Fisher still took four kick-ins – playing on with all of them – and, despite there being so many mouths to feed in North Melbourne’s defence, finished with 21 disposals.

I still think he’s down the pecking order slightly in terms of who the preferred distributors are for the Roos, but if you aren’t using him to get Heeney, or to fund another move, then you could have another look.

Nic Martin can’t kick either, hey?

Not against the Hawks, he couldn’t, with only eight of the 22-year-old’s 16 kicks on Saturday afternoon effective.

And when you’re only winning four contested possessions, you need to be hitting the target.

As smart, clean and skilful as Martin can be, he only went at 64 per cent by foot last year, too.

Sure, the new role across half-back should allow for even more time with the ball in hand, but if it happens again on Saturday night in Sydney, get ready to jump off, because he’s no top-six lock in defence with those numbers.

And that’s what you might have been hoping for when you picked him, with a potential round 7 dual-position addition in mind.

Hayden You…

Don’t.

Keep the faith.

OK, OK. Martin or Fisher then? I am dumping one this week…

Fisher.

Jack Billings impressed in his first full game as a Demon. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

I’ll turn him into Billings then…

Give him one more full game and then make a call

But his price is about to go up?

What round is it? See.

You’re right, after an 11-point score as sub in opening round and 119 against the Bulldogs, on the back of 23 disposals and 15 marks, Billings has a breakeven of five this weekend.

If he’s not the sub again – and, surely now, he won’t be – Billings will be priced closer to $300k ahead of round 3.

But the big rise will be the following week, with the former Saint’s breakeven set to plunge when that 11-point score drops out of his rolling cycle.

I am happy to pass him up at $243 to have another look and be sure.

I rate him, and think it was more St Kilda than the player himself, but being sure about Jack Billings just doesn’t come naturally.

Can I wait a week on Josh Gibcus, too?

Given this week is best-18 scoring, you could. Especially with the player with the second-lowest breakeven of all defenders, Charlie Dean, on the edge of selection.

If you didn’t start Demon Blake Howes, though, there’s the easiest trade you will ever make, with the young defender boasting a breakeven of -86 – the lowest in the competition.

Even a 40 against the Hawks in round 2 will see his price rise by more than $50k.

His teammate Marty Hore, though, has only played one game and his price won’t change after this weekend’s fixture.

If you have Howes – and to a lesser extend Coffield – I’d consider waiting to see what Hore can produce.

The above applies to Bomber Zach Reid, too, who will miss at least four weeks with a hamstring strain.

What if I can turn Gibcus into Massimo?

Do it!

Isaac Smith presenting Massimo D'Ambrosio with his Hawthorn jumper. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Who’s Massimo?

For some, that’s a fair question.

Massimo D’Ambrosio, the former rookie-listed Bomber who torched his former side playing for Hawthorn in round 1.

The left-footer tallied 29 disposals and 122 SuperCoach points on Saturday, floating between the wing and half-back.

His kicking is a weapon but, after having the other side of his game questioned during his time at Essendon, D’Ambrosio’s 13 contested possessions were equally as impressive.

So, you’re sold?

As much as I need to be at $224k. I’m looking at trading Connor Budarick to him.

Who?

Good question. Let’s wrap this up.

But, seriously, Budarick played lockdown on a shocking night conditions-wise, so I don’t think he’ll dish up at 17 again. But when there’s $80k up for grabs, and a bigger looming cash injection, it’s hard to not cut ties.

Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2024: The Phantom’s burning questions and round 2 trade advice