SuperCoach AFL 2024: Round 19 trade guide, experts rate most popular moves and reveal their trades

With six weeks left and SuperCoach finals on the horizon, several of our experts are planning to risk it all for glory. See what they have planned for round 19 — including a big Matt Rowell call — here.

With trades running low, the last six weeks of SuperCoach will be a limp to the finish — rather than a race — for many.

It’s crucial to find the right balance between being aggressive with the trades you have left and having a ‘rainy day fund’ for when season-ending injuries and suspensions hit.

Our experts are not immune to the lack of trades many SuperCoaches are dealing with — some have even burned their last trade already.

But those with a few up their sleeves are leaving no stone unturned to make a late charge for a high overall finish.

Check out what the experts have planned for round 19 below.

Al Paton has had enough of Matt Rowell’s poor run of scores. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

AL PATON

OUT: Matt Rowell (finally), Jeremy McGovern

IN: Lawson Humphries, Lachie Neale

For a few horrible hours I thought more injury carnage was going to force me to hang on to Rowell again, but after teams were released Thursday night and Zac Fisher and Colby McKercher were both named in North Melbourne’s side to face Carlton, I couldn’t hit the trade button quick enough.

I traded in Rowell in round 6, so I did get a couple of big scores before he completely fell apart, but it’s been a pretty painful ride and the past five rounds have been excruciating (average 77). For reference, players who have scored more points in that time include Darcy Tucker, Lachie Bramble, Judd McVee and Luke Nankervis.

I held McGovern last week but talk out of West Coast that he’s missing ‘at least one more’ makes me very nervous - it was a punctured lung, after all. And what incentive do the Eagles have for rushing him back?

This is where - I hope - having a couple more trades than people around me will pay off for a push to the finish line. Go hard or go home, right?

Trading Gov all the way down to Lawson Humphries (another player who has easily outscored Matt Rowell in recent weeks) looks extreme, but I have Colby McKercher as a spare premium down back, so he effectively becomes D6 with super rookie Humphries in reserve. I feel pretty comfortable with that.

That leaves me a mountain of cash to get a Rowell replacement, so why not go for the best of the best. Lachie Neale is absolutely on fire at the moment with five scores over 140 in his last 10. He’s also a key point of difference for The Phantom, who is now just 40 points behind me in the overall rankings, so I’m very happy to shut down that scoring avenue.

This leaves two trades in the bank for the final five rounds, and they are strictly for injuries only. What are the chances we’ll have more of those?

Is Tom Stewart’s role too good to pass up? Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

TIM MICHELL

NO TRADES — I think

I know, I told you last week I was using my last trade and you wouldn’t have to hear from me again. But then Mitch McGovern was injured, Adam Saad became Carlton’s main kick-in taker and I decided against using that trade to turn him into the reborn Tom Stewart. It’s a move I am still considering this week, even though Saad scored 130 against Western Bulldogs. Stewart has what I am convinced is the greatest SuperCoach role ever. He attends centre bounces then drops behind the ball, playing the intercept role which has made him one of the AFL’s premier defenders. The only way it could be better was if he was taking kick-ins as well. Last week against Collingwood, Stewart had two intercepts, four inside-50s, three centre clearances and a team-high 85 per cent CBAs. If he hadn’t gone at 53 per cent disposal efficiency, he would have scored 150+. Still, I’m unlikely to go Saad to Stewart this week. But with only $67k in the bank and Stewart projected to jump by about $15k, it might be now or never.

Mattaes Phillipou’s injury was a blow for thousands who jumped on last week, including Chloe Williams. Picture:Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

CHLOE WILLIAMS

OUT: Jack Steele, Mattaes Phillipou

IN: Lawson Humphries, Jye Caldwell

Well. I wasn’t able to ride the high of last week’s success for long before it all came crumbling down (thanks a lot, Phillipou’s hip).

You have read correctly ... I’m downgrading a ‘premo’ (Steele) to a rookie. I used almost every single cent to bring Neale in last week, and the forward options are grim, but even more grim if you only have Phillipou’s $266k to spend.

So Humphries will give me enough money to bring in Caldwell, at the expense of my final trade. Not sure how to feel about it ... I could reverse at the last minute and wait to see how Dowling goes tonight, but it will mean Caldwell will be off the table, at least until next week ...

Can Mattaes pay a visit to Gawn’s physios please?

EXPERTS RATE ROUND 19’S MOST POPULAR TRADES

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the SuperCoach waters.

Last weekend’s carnage has spilt into another week, with coaches caught out by more bad injury news.

And all while many are still trying to put the finishing touches on their final team.

SuperCoach experts deliver their verdict on the most traded players ahead of round 19, and scroll down for the full trade guide.

MOST TRADED IN

1. ZANE TREW $138,600 MID

Al Paton: CONSIDER. Attended 45 per cent of centre bounces last week so Jarrad Schofield is clearly a fan.

Tim Michell: BUY. I guess? Not really a player who’s ever been on my radar but after the best game of his career against Brisbane he should have decent job security and provide bench cover in the last month when you might need it.

Tarquin Oakley: CONSIDER. If you really need cover and can’t afford Humphries then Trew is an option. But no DPP status means he will only cover one line.

Patch: CONSIDER: I mean like, sure, bud. Have fun. He might be sub, he might be dropped, but like whatever. He’s cheap and playing.

2. LAWSON HUMPHRIES $207,400 DEF/MID

AP: BUY. A $90k price rise in one week is ridiculous but so is Humphries’ role and scoring potential.

TM: BUY. No one likes paying $90k more than other coaches but rumour has it the last time Humphries missed a target he was playing WAFL reserves. Perfect cover as a DEF-MID and Geelong has a cushy run home.

TO: BUY. DPP status, only $200k and can score tons. Perfect bench cover.

Patch: BUY. The one that got away. If you can get him in then do so.

Jye Caldwell has been a great SuperCoach recruit. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

3. JYE CALDWELL $570,000 MID/FWD

AP: CONSIDER. I should have got him in any of the last four weeks but now the price is less appealing and Essendon’s run home gets a lot tougher.

TM: BUY. Four consecutive 110-plus scores and only one below 80 since round 2. Enjoy him as a forward while you can because he’ll be MID only next year.

TO: WATCH. On managed minutes at training this week. Almost a must-have, but not if he’s injured – so don’t lock him in yet.

Patch: BUY. The one that got away ... again. I’m somewhat concerned by Parish returning but I’ve been concerned by that since round 5.

4. LACHIE NEALE $674,400 MID

AP: BUY. He scores so many points. If you can find the cash, get him.

TM: BUY. One of the defining calls of the year for many coaches was buying Neale off his round 12 bye when he was $614k. Since then he has scored 134 or more in four out of six games and only slipped below 100 when Marcus Windhager tagged him. As a non-owner, I’m praying John Longmire sends James Jordon or James Rowbottom to him.

TO: BUY. The two-time Brownlow Medal winner is in, well, two-time Brownlow Medal winning form. Jump on if you can.

Patch: BUY: The one that got— oh stuff it, I made the call to not go for him and now hate myself for it. Buy. I guess. Sure. Whatever. I’m not mad, you’re mad.

5. MATTAES PHILLIPOU $266,400 FWD

AP: PASS. Undo trades!

TM: PASS. The highs and lows of SuperCoach, hey? Phillipou scores his second ton in two weeks as a midfielder, then a few days later we find out he’s out for 3-4 weeks due to a hip issue. I feel bad for anyone who traded him in last week – yes, even Dan Batten.

TO: PASS. Out for a month.

Patch: HOLD: If you’ve got cover, hold. If you have one or fewer trades, hold. If you have two or more trades and cover, consider holding. Oh wait this is to trade him IN, god no, don’t do that.

Unlucky Saint Mattaes Phillipou has a hip injury. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

6. LUKE JACKSON $491,900 RUC/FWD

AP: CONSIDER. Suspect he’ll go OK against his old team this week but his scoring is definitely capped with Sean Darcy back in the team.

TM: PASS. Sean Darcy is due back this week, which means Jackson is headed forward. Your trades should be all about match-ups and roles from this point, and Jackson doesn’t have the role to score well when Darcy plays. Especially against a stingy Melbourne defence this week.

TO: PASS. Sean Darcy is back, which means Jackson’s scoring plummets.

Patch: BUY? I guess? I mean Sean Darcy is coming back so he’ll be bad again but, like, I don’t know who else we’ve got.

7. NIC MARTIN $512,100 DEF/MID

AP: CONSIDER. That’s a fair price for a player who can score anywhere between 75 and 140 on any given week. Not someone I’m looking at but DPP could be useful.

TM: CONSIDER. Still have no idea how a bloke who kicks one 10 rows back under no pressure most weeks kicked the ball so beautifully in torrential rain against Melbourne. Maybe he’s turned a corner? Guaranteed a lot of footy most weeks but his ball use can be incredibly frustrating as an owner.

TO: PASS. Can’t see him kicking four goals every week. One ton in six weeks prior to his big score against the Dees.

Patch: BUY: Sure, whatever. Ruin my one remaining source of joy, I dare you.

8. KYNAN BROWN $102,400 MID/FWD

AP: CONSIDER. Useful if you want the cheapest possible MID-FWD, but you could also look at Eagle Loch Rawlinson, who plays more Sunday games when a loophole player is most valuable.

TM: BUY. But only if you want a FWD-MID loophole at the lowest possible price.

TO: PASS. If you’re after a MID-FWD loophole at the cheapest price then Rowlands, Payne and Hall who all aren’t close to senior selection would be better options. You wouldn’t want Brown to come back in as the sub.

Patch: WHAT: I mean, don’t expect him to play?

Zak Butters loves playing against the Tigers. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

9. ZAK BUTTERS $619,300 MID

AP: BUY. If you can’t afford Neale, he’s the next best out there. Still carrying the flag for the early bolters we thought were going to be the next wave of uber premos while Tom Green, Caleb Serong fall off the pace.

TM: BUY. Only Marcus Bontempelli has more points this year, and he’s scored 175 and 158 in his past two against round 19 opponent Richmond. Just be mindful he’ll have Jack Graham, Alex Cincotta and likely James Jordon for company in the next three weeks.

TO: BUY. Loves playing Richmond so a great week to bring him in if you don’t have him already.

Patch: BUY: I guess he’s cheap for what he is. Sure.

10. SAAD EL-HAWLI $102,400 DEF/MID

AP: CONSIDER. Still 3-4 weeks away so a long shot to appear at senior level this season but if you don’t need any points he could be useful as a bench DPP swing.

TM: BUY. But with the same logic as Brown. Only if you need to open up a DEF-MID loop.

TO: BUY. The only DEF-MID at $102.4k, so a good loophole option.

Patch: WHAT: I mean don’t expect him to play?

MOST TRADED OUT

1. ALEX SEXTON $416,500 DEF/FWD

AP: TRADE. Has fallen out of Dimma’s best 23 and you can do a lot with that $400k.

TM: CONSIDER. There’s a decent chance he plays this week – albeit possibly as a forward. Alex Davies and Malcolm Rosas’ suspensions could mean extra midfield time for Bailey Humphrey and a return to the forward line for Sexton.

TO: TRADE. Even if he’s picked, there’s the risk it’s up forward. Only put up 58 points in his last game down back as well. Try to upgrade him to Caldwell or Dylan Moore, who has a nice draw coming up.

Patch: TRADE: SEE YA.

Alex Sexton has lost his half-back role. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

2. BRUCE REVILLE $294,400 MID/FWD

AP: TRADE. Has done his job as a great mid-season rookie.

TM: TRADE. Seemed inevitable Bruce would cop the sub vest at some stage and sadly it happened on Sunday. He might get back into the 22, but he’s losing value now.

TO: TRADE ... if you have trades, unlike me.

Patch: CONSIDER: Only if you need the cash.

3. MATT ROWELL $452,500 MID

AP: TRADE. *weeping* get out if you can

TM: TRADE. Rowell was averaging 131 points and was $654k after round 7. Since then he’s lost $202k and averaged 86.8 – a 43.2 point drop off. That’s grim. Al Paton whinges about owning him every week, with good reason.

TO: TRADE. Five weeks without a ton for Rowell and a 65 against Port is his equal worst of the season. It’s time to go.

Patch: TRADE (see below).

Kath delivers Patch's message to Matt Rowell.

4. JOEL FREIJAH $298,000 MID/FWD

AP: TRADE. With Billy Dowling and Lawson Humphries as bench cover, we can afford to cash in Joel.

TM: SELL. Freijah’s job is done. Made more than $170k, provided several handy on-field scores and even some bench cover in recent weeks. One of the best mid-year rookies this season.

TO: SELL. Again, if you’ve got the trades to use his cash for an upgrade, go for it!

Patch: HOLD: He’s the perfect cover. Hold him.

Max Gawn is pushing for an early return from injury. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

5. MAX GAWN $599,000 RUC

AP: HOLD. He wants to play this week. That seems highly unlikely but unless you have a zero on field I would save the trade.

TM: HOLD. If you held him last week and he could be back in round 20, why trade Gawn now?

TO: HOLD. Might be back this week. Even if it’s one more he’s worth keeping now.

Patch: HOLD: If you didn’t trade him last week, don’t trade him this week.

6. JOE RICHARDS $247,300 FWD

AP: TRADE. Three weeks ago I said he would be great bench cover for the run home. I have made some good calls this year but that wasn’t one of them.

TM: TRADE. The small forward role had never been conducive to consistent SuperCoach scoring, and that’s proven the case for Richards after an exciting start to his career.

TO: TRADE. At one point some were thinking he could finish our forward lines. The last two weeks he’s put up 34 and 53 in full games.

Patch: TRADE. Or hold. I dunno how many trades you have left, man. You do you.

7. TOUK MILLER $482,300 MID

AP: TRADE. Unfortunately there are not a lot of great options at this price – Colby McKercher is $465k or you could take a flyer on Jordan Dawson (($490k).

TM: TRADE. Still likely to miss another three weeks with a wrist injury and wasn’t scoring well enough to justify holding.

TO: TRADE. Out for another few matches, which we can’t afford this late in the season.

Patch: SELL: Yeet.

Hawks wingman Massimo D’Ambrosio. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

8. MASSIMO D’AMBROSIO $449,100 DEF/MID

AP: CONSIDER. Had seven scores in a row over 90 before last week. An ideal 23rd premium if you can keep him on the bench.

TM: CONSIDER. I am loath to say trade considering he has averaged more than 90 points a game since I traded him (although it feels like 190). Remember that game Sam Mitchell benched Massimo for the entire last quarter so we all jumped off? No, me either.

TO: CONSIDER. After seven weeks of scoring between 91 and 107 in a ridiculously consistent patch of form, injury struck on the weekend. If he’s your DPP cover I would hold onto him even if he misses a game. If you’re relying on him at M8 or D6 then you could trade.

Patch: SELL. If you’re moving him on for a premo then sure. If not then hold.

9. JASON HORNE-FRANCIS $484,400 MID

AP: TRADE. Even before last week’s implosion he had one ton in his past four games.

TM: CONSIDER. JHF absolutely lost the plot against Gold Coast, but he won’t be that rash every week, surely. He’s not a top premium midfielder, though, so if you can get him to Neale or Merrett types, go for it.

TO: HOLD. I reckon he’ll bounce back and have a big one against Richmond this week.

Patch: SELL. If you’re moving him on for a premo then sure. If not then hold.

10. WILL GRAHAM $317,300 DEF/MID

AP: TRADE. Unlucky to cop the sub vest but if you can make two trades this week his cash could be very useful.

TM: CONSIDER. Should have a decent role while Touk Miller and Alex Davies are out but if I had the option of making $110k and trading him to Humphries this week, I wouldn’t hesitate. Only had 18 per cent CBAs with Davies in the side against Port.

TO: CONSIDER. If you need his cash, sell him. But with a couple of Suns suspended he could find his way back into the 22 this weekend and can score well. Has DPP status to cover two lines as well.

Patch: CONSIDER: I dunno. Sure. Consider? Maybe. You do you, baby girl.

Trade guide: Cut-price premos to save your season

– Al Paton

Who has money?

If you are flush with cash, just buy Lachie Neale.

If you’re like most coaches, you can keep reading this article.

It’s not the time of year to spend two trades on a downgrade and an upgrade, and there aren’t any viable bottom-priced rookies this week anyway.

So we’re looking for sideways swaps or trades that will make you money while still picking up a premium-level scorer.

Those moves are hard to find at any time of year, but fortunately some fantastic candidates have emerged just when we need them.

Check out our best buys for round 18.

MATTAES PHILLIPOU $266,400 FWD

A stint in the VFL was clearly what the top-10 draft pick needed. After averaging 42 points a game in the first 10 rounds, Phillipou has returned to the seniors a different player, scoring 112 and 101 in his two matches. Saturday night’s performance was possibly even better than that considering the atrocious conditions at Adelaide Oval. It resulted in a $48k price spike and a Break Even of -59 in round 19.

UPDATE:Phillipou has a hip injury and is set to miss the next 3-4 weeks. Cross him off your list!

The Cheap Weapon
Just Calm a Down😍 pic.twitter.com/wHrOyVGDej

— The SCodfather (@magicmoments000) July 13, 2024

Mattaes Phillipou was St Kilda’s best player against Adelaide. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

LAWSON HUMPHRIES $207,400 DEF/MID

Almost 14,000 coaches traded in Humphries before his bubble game – unfortunately only 6 per cent of them had him on field for his 108 points. But they can enjoy the massive $90k price rise after game three, and a -54 Break Even this week. He’s going to be sensational cover across two lines for the run home – so good you could justify bringing him in at his elevated price. After all, he outscored Nick Daicos, Luke Ryan and Harry Sheezel this week.

SAM BERRY $344,600 MID

After being used as the sub in seven of his first nine matches this year, Berry has been injected into the Adelaide midfield in the past three rounds, and the results have been clear: SuperCoach scores of 104, 89 and 106. Berry’s game is built on the tough stuff – on Saturday night he had 15 disposals but 12 of those were contested and he added a dozen tackles. If the role continues, he could be a bargain pick-up in the midfield.

DYLAN SHIEL $390,600 MID

It would have been a huge risk picking up Shiel after one big score. How about after two? Like Phillipou, he has now tonned up in both matches since returning to the senior side. He had 28 disposals, five clearances and six tackles against the Demons and now seems to be a permanent fixture of Brad Scott’s midfield. Shiel has averaged over 90 seven times in his career, so this form isn’t totally out of the blue. Can we trust him?

Could Dylan Shiel be a late-season play? Picture: Brendan Beckett

TOBY GREENE $442,100 FWD

Need a forward to replace Zac Fisher, who seems to have fallen out of the Kangaroos’ best 23? Want to have some fun on the run home? Toby has had a slightly down year by his standards but he produced a performance right off the top shelf against the Tigers – 17 disposals (15 on target), four tackles and 10 score involvements including four goals straight. Scoring can be a rollercoaster and there’s always the danger of the match review officer intervening, but the Giants are hitting form at the right time of year, with the captain leading the way – at a very attractive price.

TOM STEWART $506,300 DEF

We’ve been talking about Stewart for a few weeks now and his price has been going up all that time, but he’s still great value after bottoming out at $461k. The old reliable premo is back, scoring 97 or better in his past four games since being moved into the midfield. His role is gold for SuperCoach, competing at centre bounces then drifting behind the ball.

Eagles youngster Zane Trew is on the bubble this week. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

ROOKIES

Eagle Zane Trew ($138,600 MID) is on the bubble this week after scoring 94 SuperCoach points in game two from 18 disposals and eight tackles. The complication is his first game was back in round 12, when he started as the sub and scored 22 points. Still, he has a Break Even of -36 going into this weekend, and you would think Jarrad Schofield would back him in.

Giants defender Joe Fonti ($117,300 DEF) is also on the bubble with a BE of -25 after scores of 61 and 32 in his first two games.

Zac Taylor ($146,900 MID) has had one price rise, but it wasn’t by a lot after scores 4 and 15 in his first two games – both as the sub. Game three was a different story, scoring 103 to enter next weekend with a -33 BE.

Another viable option at this time of year is to pick a floating doughnut – a cheapie you know won’t play who can be used as a loophole player for the remaining rounds. If you’re going down this round the ideal candidate is a dual-position player who can swing between lines, and plays for a team that is regularly fixtured late in the round. Another Eagle ticks all the boxes – Loch Rawlinson ($102,400 MID/FWD). The small forward has been toiling away in the WAFL all year, averaging 56 SuperCoach points in 11 games (the most recent a 65-point return against West Perth on Saturday). Unsighted at senior level, he’s unlikely to get picked from here. Even if he does, you still have the DPP and the cash you make from the trade.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2024: Round 19 trade guide, experts rate most popular moves and reveal their trades