Doctor SuperCoach expert Pig Mentality reveals what he got wrong and right this year, and tips for the rest of the SuperCoach season

Competing against almost 200,000 SuperCoaches is tough – even for the experts. A member of the Doctor SuperCoach team shares how his team went pear-shaped and how to fight back.

SuperCoach is unpredictable.

One week our teams score high, and the next, the next week the same line-up seems to underperform. As we navigate through the bye rounds, it’s a good opportunity for all of us to reflect on our season.

I’ve identified five common mistakes that a lot of coaches have made – and five steps to catch up and climb the leaderboard.

FIVE MISTAKES WE’VE MADE

1. OVERLOOKING THE FLEX POSITION

We all know the value of securing safe rookies or discounted premiums, but with the Flex position and best 22 scoring being new this year, I am not sure we properly took into account the power of our worst scorer dropping off each week

My starting team was geared towards value and getting rookies off field ASAP. But with the Flex and a low score dropping off each round, I probably could have invested a bit more in the higher-priced starting picks. Starting Christian Petracca instead of Andrew Brayshaw was a Sliding Doors moment I wish I could have back.

Starting Christian Petracca as a value premium did not work out. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

2. SPREADING THE BUDGET TOO THIN

Many of us tried to cover every round across the early byes by investing in 23 starters, hoping that depth will pay off. This season, with the Flex position culling our worst scorer, it left a lot of teams thinner than expected and lacking those spike scores in the early bye rounds. Investing in quality over quantity is crucial if we want those high-impact scores.

3. PANIC-INDUCED TRADES

Impulsive, last-minute trades can be tempting during a rough round. Trading out a valuable player or overpaying to cover a bye spot are mistakes that can hurt us in the long run. A calm, strategic approach, even under pressure, usually works best.

In round 3 I had a Sam Davidson 129 on my bench with the Emergency. I was always planning to trade in Ryan Maric that week (before everyone got on him), but to get Davidson’s score, I traded in a player on the bye (Joel Hamling) instead. This backfired as Maric put up a 123 himself, I had to pay $40k more for him the next week and Hamling barely made me any money. I need to stick to my guns in the future.

Copping Sam Davidson’s big score on the bench would have been smarter in the long term than changing trade plans at the last minute. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

4. UNDERESTIMATING FIXTURE ANALYSIS

Past performance matters, but looking ahead at the fixture is equally vital. Many have missed opportunities by not capitalising on players with an easy run coming up. Fixture analysis should guide our trades, ensuring we invest in players poised for a hot streak.

I like to target premiums bottoming out around $550k, who then have a very easy fixture run coming up. One great example of this was getting Jack Sinclair at $533k before round 9. I had identified that his fixture from rounds 10-15 was the best of any defender in the league, so I was going to do whatever it took to get him before then. At the time of writing, he has an average of 133 points per game in my team, due to that easy fixture run, which we all can analyse for ourselves to get a leg up. Hint hint: check out Max Holmes’ run home.

Jack Sinclair was a great buy when his price dropped to just above $500,000. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images

5. LOSING THE JOY OF THE GAME

At its core, SuperCoach is a hobby meant for enjoyment. Obsession with rankings and fleeting scores can lead to frustration and burnout. When we lose the fun in our pursuit of points, every mistake feels heavier. Keeping the pleasure of the game in mind helps maintain perspective over a long season.

FIVE STEPS TO REBOUND

1. MAKE FLEX YOUR STRENGTH

Focus on selecting players with the potential for a spike score, especially in these best 18 weeks. Identify players who can spark with a favourable match-up, and use the Flex position to move players around and trade in whoever is best, regardless of position.

2. BALANCE BEST 18 AND BEST 22 WEEKS

Make sure your trade plans factor in both the best 18 bye rounds and the run home in rounds 17-24. Look for players that are close to “top of their line” at a discounted price. Assets like Nick Daicos and Zak Butters around the $550k mark are prime examples of players with a really solid floor and a huge ceiling.

3. STICK TO A TRADING PLAN

Plan your trades in advance and avoid knee-jerk moves. Having clear criteria for decisions empowers you to set aside panic, even in tough rounds. A clear-headed approach keeps progress steady and your team balanced.

Look to grab Zak Butters when he bottoms out in price. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

4. PRIORITISE FIXTURE ANALYSIS

Integrate fixture analysis into your decision making. Study past performances alongside upcoming schedules. Identifying players with a favourable run ensures you’re planning for future scoring spikes, giving you a competitive edge when others are still reacting. This is doubly important for your captaincy selection each week. If you don’t have the time or know-how to do your own Captain’s research, I put out a detailed video every single week on the Doctor SuperCoach YouTube channel to help you decide.

5. KEEP THE PASSION ALIVE

Remember, SuperCoach is meant to be fun. Stay connected with fellow coaches in your league or online. Balancing competitiveness with enjoyment keeps setbacks in perspective and fuels a lasting passion for the game.

At the end of the day, only 10 people win prizes at the end of the season of almost 200,000 registered players, so finding a way to get enjoyment from this hobby outside of winning the $50k is the key to longevity and an enjoyable experience. For me, the enjoyment comes from the amazing SuperCoach community we have. Both in the Doctor SuperCoach Patreon group, and also from the general SuperCoach community on Twitter. There are some great people out there always willing to have a chat.

Say hi to Pig Mentality on X at @Pig_DRSC and check out his famous weekly captain recommendations on the Doctor SuperCoach YouTube channel.

Originally published as Doctor SuperCoach expert Pig Mentality reveals what he got wrong and right this year, and tips for the rest of the SuperCoach season