SuperCoach AFL 2024 round 2 trade guide: Expert verdict on most popular moves

Don’t lock in those SuperCoach moves without checking the verdict from our expert jury on every player who is being traded in and out this week.

Information is power.

But sometimes you have to make the best decisions based on limited data.

In most SuperCoach seasons it’s wise to wait until after round 2 before making big changes to our starting teams.

But this is a different season.

With prices for players from eight teams moving after their next game, injuries and some surprisingly hot or cold performances in round 1, coaches aren’t waiting around to get the strongest squad on the park.

With the trade centre in overdrive, our experts give their verdict on the most popular moves before round 2.

Scroll down to see the full trade guide.

MOST TRADED IN PLAYERS

1. Massimo D’Ambrosio (DEF) $224,900

Al Paton: BUY. Great option at the price but I wouldn’t be expecting 122 every week.

Tim Michell: BUY – unless it means missing out on one of the players on the bubble this week with a low Break Even. I’ll use DPP and get Jack Billings then buy Massimo next week.

Dan Batten: CONSIDER. Don’t want to tempt the SuperCoach gods, so I’ll be waiting a week. Still an element of risk jumping on this week, but if you have other moves to make then go for it.

Tarquin Oakley: BUY: The new Hawk found the football at ease and is a great trade-in option for Josh Gibcus if you can find the cash to upgrade.

2. Jack Billings (FWD) $243,900

Al: CONSIDER. Looked fantastic last week and surely is now in Goody’s best 22, although he’s unlikely to take 15 marks every week. I’m tossing up between Billings, Fyfe and Bonner.

Tim: BUY. About as much chance to be sub again as I am to go into this week without Isaac Heeney.

Dan: BUY. You could potentially wait a week, but he might be $40k more expensive. One I’m thinking I’ll pull the trigger on ahead of a favourable clash against the Hawks.

Tarquin: CONSIDER: If you’ve got Harmes he’s a perfect replacement, but for others like Fisher you’ve got a difficult call to make.

Jack Billings has a Break Even of 5 this week. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

3. Blake Howes (DEF) $123,900

Al: BUY. If you don’t have him already he’s the No.1 rookie choice (Break Even -86) and an easy replacement for Josh Gibcus or Zach Reid.

Tim: BUY. Going to make huge cash and looks locked in as part of the Demons’ back six. Plan to trade him out at the bye.

Dan: MUST-BUY. If you didn’t already, you have to capitalise on his round zero score.

Tarquin: BUY: Must jump on now if you haven’t already.

4. Tom Berry (FWD) $163,500

Al: BUY. Dimma loves a pressure forward. Will make cash quickly, but I would only want him on the bench.

Tim: BUY. But not as a priority. He had six disposals in round 1. Small forwards and SuperCoach are a bad mix. But I said that about Kade Chandler last year.

Dan: BUY. A nice rookie POD who has had high impact per possession in his two games. Every chance he drops a 30 at some stage, but definitely worth the punt.

Tarquin: CONSIDER: I’m bringing Berry in this week as he’s on the bubble and even if he drops a couple of 50s he’s set to go up $100k after his next two games – but there is a bye in between.

Tom Berry is in 1 per cent of SuperCoach teams. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

5. Isaac Heeney (FWD) $483,700

Al: BUY. He has dominated against two of the best teams in the comp. How big can he go against Essendon, Richmond and West Coast before his bye?

Tim: BUY. SuperCoach is too painful without Heeney the midfielder. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

Dan: BUY. Doesn’t look like that role is changing any time soon, and Adams and Parker are about a fortnight away.

Tarquin: BUY: Heeney the midfielder is a prolific scorer, so get him in if you can.

6. Marty Hore (DEF) $123,900

Al: WAIT. We get one more week to look at him before his price changes, but he’s shaping as the best Zach Reid replacement.

Tim: WAIT. Howes is more of a priority this week. You can always grab Hore ahead of round 3.

Dan: WAIT. No need to jump after one game, but had some good moments with three intercept marks.

Tarquin: PASS: Leaving for this week, only played the one game, so if he goes large can reassess after round 2.

7. Jesse Hogan (FWD) $419,200

Al: PASS. Will no doubt leap in price after this week, but what do we do then? Not worth using two trades for the sugar hit.

Tim: BUY. But only as a quick cash grab. Enjoy him feasting on the Eagles, ride out the bye then trade at his peak.

Dan: BUY. Like this is as a short-term points and cash gen play. But it might be a stretch if you have too many Suns and Giants players with the round 3 bye looming.

Tarquin: PASS: Feel like we’ve missed the boat on Hogan as non-owners. He would be a good cash injection but difficult to swing in a $400k+ player who has one match before a bye.

Jesse Hogan scored 165 points in round 1. Picture: Phil Hillyard

8. Charlie Dean (DEF) $123,900

Al: PASS. Scoring and job security both highly questionable.

Tim: PASS. Talk is he trained with the B side and probably won’t make the Pies’ team for round 2.

Dan: PASS. Job security looks shaky and he could come out of the Pies team as soon as this week.

Tarquin: PASS: Think Hore and D’Ambrosio are better cheapies in defence, plus Howes if you don’t have him.

9. Caleb Serong (MID) $621,600

Al: PASS. Obviously an amazing starting selection but how are we getting him this week?

You can’t trade out a $600k midfielder after one game to chase points.

Tim: BUY. Might be $700k soon after starting his campaign with a 170. As a non-owner, praying someone pays him some attention this week.

Dan: BUY. Could go close to repeating his R1 efforts against North.

Tarquin: CONSIDER: Hurts not owning Serong but it’s difficult to find the funds this early for a player of his price.

10. Matt Rowell (GC) $571,800

Al: PASS. Similar situation to Serong in terms of booting a first-choice mid to bring him in, and he has to come back to the back at some stage, doesn’t he?

Tim: BUY. Contested ball is one of the major stats Champion Data loves and Rowell is the new king of it.

Dan: BUY. But be wary of the number of Suns mids you’ve got – probably can only have two of Rowell, Touk and Flanders.

Tarquin: CONSIDER: Another tough one given he’s one week away from a bye, but Rowell is currently the top scorer of SuperCoach.

MOST TRADED OUT

1. Josh Gibcus (DEF) $150,700

Al: TRADE (OR WAIT). With best 18 scoring this week you could wait another week to assess the best replacement, although someone would have to come from the clouds to top D’Ambrosio or Howes.

Tim: TRADE – but not as a priority. I’m happy to try and use him as a loophole this week, remembering it’s best 18.

Dan: TRADE. But can also afford to wait on D’Ambrosio or Hore.

Tarquin: TRADE: An unfortunate injury for Gibcus, just a question of whether you trade this week or wait one more to evaluate your options.

2. Zac Fisher (FWD) $378,600

Al: TRADE. Could still be a decent pick, but if you need to find cash from somewhere to fix another problem, he’s a player I’m prepared to sacrifice.

Tim: HOLD – unless it gets you Heeney or Flanders before their prices rise. Then by all means punt him.

Dan: CONSIDER. Certainly not a must-trade but I think I’ll pull the trigger.

Tarquin: HOLD: I’m holding given it’s just one bad score and we saw Fisher score a 130 in pre-season.

Zac Fisher didn’t get off to the best start. Picture: David Crosling

3. Zach Reid (DEF) $123,900

Al: TRADE. Don’t have to do it this week but will need to find an off ramp soon or he could be the Charlie Constable of 2024.

Tim: TRADE. The timeline is 4-6 weeks but hard to see him returning in a month considering his injury history.

Dan: TRADE. Diagnosis is 4-6 weeks and the Bombers are sure to be cautious with the injury prone defender.

Tarquin: TRADE: Another injured young defender that should be moving out of most sides.

4. James Sicily (DEF) $637,400

Al: TRADE. Role was already iffy now he’s got a bad score in his price cycle and he is already in the MRO’s crosshairs. Lots of good ways to spend that cash – get out now.

Tim: TRADE. Huge price to have on your bench and Break Even is already 196 after a round 1 score of 43.

Dan: HOLD. If the Dees of old return he could have a field day back there, but definitely be prepared to trade with his price set to plummet.

Tarquin: TRADE: The role isn’t great for Sicily and his price will dip plenty after his poor score. There are plenty of better scorers over $600k.

5. Nic Martin (MID) $492,800

Al: HOLD. The role was good, the execution was not. I have more faith in Martin than Fisher to turn that around.

Tim: HOLD. Unless he is your only avenue to Heeney/Flanders or even Serong. That’s the situation I’m in and why I am likely to trade Martin.

Dan: CONSIDER. If you can get up to Serong or Rowell I don’t mind it, but I’ll be waiting a week.

Tarquin: HOLD: Similar to Fisher, his role is great and he found the ball, but just needs to clean up his disposal.

Missing targets cost Nic Martin in SuperCoach in round 1. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

6. Jhye Clark (MID) $123,900

Al: TRADE. Harsh call after one game but if I need to find a spot for a rookie I missed who has made a flying start, he’s at the top of the list of players to make way.

Tim: HOLD. Role was there, just didn’t score well.

Dan: HOLD. Unless you’re looking at Tom Berry as a rookie punt. Chris Scott and Clark’s teammates were impressed by his defensive efforts and they should keep persisting with him. So should you for at least this week.

Tarquin: CONSIDER: I’m waiting one more week on Clark but a straight swap to Jeremy Sharp is tempting

7. Zac Williams (DEF) $216,100

Al: HOLD. Might be more of a slow burn than we thought but will still make money. I’m happy to wait while he builds his tank after a long time out.

Tim: HOLD – at least until after the early byes are done. He’s only going to get better as he gets more games in.

Dan: HOLD. Can serve as a handy loophole for some this week and has been solid aside from from poor last quarters.

Tarquin: HOLD: Not much point getting rid of Williams if you started him. He looked OK in his first two weeks and will rise in price after his bye.

8. James Harmes (FWD/MID) $258,300

Al: TRADE. Swap him for another player in the same price range (Fyfe, Jordon, Billings) or a rookie.

Tim: TRADE. What a disaster. Glad I jumped off after round 0.

Dan: TRADE. His suspension the perfect excuse to trade to one of the sub $300k forward options.

Tarquin: TRADE: Suspended for a week and dropped a 35 – didn’t get enough midfield time.

James Harmes copped a one-match suspension. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

9. Connor Budarick (DEF) $301,200

Al: TRADE. Has probably already had his worst score for the year but a trade to D’Ambrosio to free up $80k makes sense.

Tim: HOLD ... I think. He’s not going to play in torrential rain or as a lockdown defender every week. I’d assess one more week then trade at the bye if you have to.

Dan: TRADE. We have best 18 this week, but Budarick could only muster 17 points in round one. If you followed The Phantom in, you only have yourself to blame.

Tarquin: CONSIDER: Ugly score but it was in ugly conditions. Break Even of 56 isn’t high enough to have Budarick as a must trade.

10. Jai Newcombe (MID) $549,200

Al: HOLD. We picked our premiums for a reason. Deserves one more week. Another poor score and we can be ruthless.

Tim: HOLD. If Fantasy Freako is keen on a player then they generally tick the boxes in SuperCoach. And Freako started with Newcombe.

Dan: TRADE. Just don’t think he can be a 110-plus mid with his disposal efficiency.

Tarquin: HOLD: If you had the faith to go with Newcombe have faith he will turn it around against Melbourne.

Trade guide: Backline replacements, hot starters to target now

How do you know the difference between an over-reaction and a genuine round 1 worry?

The full opening round of season 2024 has left SuperCoaches with a lot to ponder after several popular picks struggled, pre-season battlers starred and two of the must-have defensive rookies were injured.

SuperCoaches are in the unusual position where after round 1, players from eight teams are on the bubble.

That means it’s now or never for several rookies about to experience a price rice, while fast starters such as Isaac Heeney will likely skyrocket in price after round 2.

All of the players on the bubble still have an early bye to come, leaving SuperCoaches with a tricky juggling act on whether to take the cash and run even if it means pain in the next month.

But it’s worth remembering all of the early bye rounds (starting this week) are best 18 scoring.

Here are our top targets for round 2.

Isaac Heeney is averaging 140 SuperCoach points after two games.

TOP TARGETS

ISAAC HEENEY - 136 points

Price: $483,700 | Break Even: -12

Two games in the midfield. A SuperCoach average of 140. And a hefty price rise incoming (projected $47k next week by SuperCoach Plus). Are Isaac Heeney’s days as a SuperCoach burn man officially over? Yes, there’s talk of a return to the forward line when Taylor Adams, Luke Parker and eventually Callum Mills return to the Sydney team. But why would John Longmire move Heeney when he’s probably leading the Brownlow count after two games? There might be a dip in his centre bounces when Parker and Adams are back in a few weeks, but it’s hard to see Heeney becoming a permanent forward again. Here’s a scary thought for non-owners — Sydney has Essendon, Richmond, West Coast, Gold Coast and Hawthorn in its next five games. But there’s also a case for sticking to your guns – at least until Sydney’s round 5 bye – holding trades and hoping Longmire sticks to the plan to station him forward again soon.

MASSIMO D’AMBROSIO – 122 points

Price: $224,900 | Break Even: -37

Thousands of SuperCoach teams used the rolling lockout to pull their sides apart to ensure they had enough money to trade the injured Josh Gibcus to D’Ambrosio. Making changes throughout round 1 can be risky, but this was a genuine reaction to a performance only a select group of SuperCoaches saw coming. D’Ambrosio was superb in his first match as a Hawk against his old club, tallying 122 SuperCoach points from 29 disposals. D’Ambrosio has only played one match and his price won’t change until after his third game, but that score has all but guaranteed a sweet price rise after his third game and has the added benefit of not having a bye. He’s likely to be the most traded-in player this week.

Massimo D’Ambrosio was prolific against his former side. Picture: Michael Klein

TOUK MILLER – 137 points

Price: $545,500 | Break Even: 49

There was no question Miller was underpriced this year, and round 0 and 1 games have confirmed what a bargain the Suns co-captain is. Miller has scored 116 and 137 in the Suns’ first two wins and is destined to soar above $600k if he continues that form. Miller was at the forefront of Gold Coast’s victory over Adelaide on Saturday night with 19 contested possessions, 10 clearances and 29 disposals. Crucially, the past two weeks have confirmed that Miller, Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Sam Flanders can all score well in the same team. He’s got the tricky round 3 bye but if you wait, you’re going to be paying full tote.

Matt Rowell has made an incredible start to the season. Picture: by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

MATT ROWELL – 155 points

Price: $571,800 | Break Even: 25

Followers of top-five finisher the SuperCoach Godfather (or SCodfather) will know he hailed Rowell his “weapon” in pre-season. And, boy, has Rowell lived up to that billing. In two matches this year he has scored 137 and 155, amassing a ridiculous 46 contested possessions against the Tigers and Crows. The biggest knock on Rowell throughout his career to date has been his speed and reliance on contested footy. But anyone who has seen him explode away from opponents this year will know that’s no longer a concern. Like Miller, he’s about to shoot above $600k, and it could be a long while before you can buy Rowell for close to his $571k starting price.

TOM BERRY – 104 points

Price: $163,500 | Break Even: -75

Where has this one came from? In all the discussion about the incredible forward rookie depth throughout summer, Berry’s name barely rated a mention. It’s really little wonder when he averaged 32.5 from six matches last season. But the former Lion looks a new player under Damien Hardwick, scoring 62 and 104 points this year. While the pressure forward role can be tough on SuperCoaches scoring, Berry is projected to enjoy a $59k price spike after his third game agains the Bulldogs on Sunday. And we all know cash is king in SuperCoach.

AARON CADMAN – 72 points

Price: $127,600 | Break Even: -56

Young key forwards can be fraught with danger in SuperCoach – just look at Cadman’s average of 22.8 from 12 games last year. The difference this year is he’s guaranteed a price rise after scoring 55 in round 0 and 72 on Saturday against North Melbourne. With a Break Even deep in the negatives and a match-up to come against last year’s wooden spooner West Coast, Cadman could provide a nice sugar hit before the Giants’ round 3 bye. Just make sure bringing him in doesn’t leave you exposed when the Giants and Suns have a bye next weekend.

Happy Demon Jack Billings. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

JACK BILLINGS – 119 points

Price: $243,900 | Break Even: 5

Billings was a popular pick over pre-season but was hastily removed from thousands of SuperCoach teams when he was named as the sub for Melbourne’s opening round clash against Sydney. A score of 11 points seemed to rule out Billings as a pick this year, but that all changed on Sunday at the MCG. Given a starting role in the 22, he was one of the Demons’ best against the Bulldogs finishing with 23 disposals (20 kicks), 15 marks and a goal – and 119 SuperCoach points. He’s on the bubble this week and while his price won’t spike as much as some others, he shapes as another excellent mid-price option in 2024 and this is the time to move if you want him at bargain price.

MATT ROBERTS – 69 points

Price: $156,800 | Break Even: -58

The rising star from opening round (now there’s an answer to a trivia question) was a popular starting pick after an impressive pre-season when he shifted into defence. Roberts has a game built for SuperCoach. He wins contested footy and is efficient by foot, a strength which has enabled him to make a successful transition into the backline. Sydney has an awkward bye, but if you are willing to look past that there are few reasons not to pick Roberts before his third game of 2024.

This is the last week to get James Jordon before his price rise. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

JAMES JORDON – 84 points

Price: $275,500 | Break Even: -12

SuperCoaches spent a good chunk of the pre-season trying to work out which of the $250k-$300k forwards were must-haves for cash generation. Those who started former Demon Jordon would be thrilled after two rounds. Scores of 81 and 84 against Melbourne and Collingwood have all but guaranteed Jordon will be more than $300k after round 2 – and potentially closer to $350k. He looks to be a dependable on-field scorer who doesn’t need big centre bounce numbers to score well. If any of your mid-pricers have tanked and you don’t have Jordon, this is the week for a sideways corrective trade.

LUKE RYAN – 165 points

Price: $611,800 | Break Even: 65

There wouldn’t be too many teams in the market for a premium defender priced about $600k who isn’t on the bubble this week, but we can just agree that Ryan is the one that got away. Hardly spoken of all pre-season despite his strong 2023 numbers, Ryan opened the season with a monster game against Brisbane – franking his 171 point game in round 1 last season. He logged 33 disposals at 88 per cent efficiency, most of them high-scoring long kicks. In just 3 per cent of teams, he’s shaping as an incredible point of difference.

Luke Ryan had another huge start to a season. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

RAGE TRADE?

NIC MARTIN – 63 points

Price: $492,800 | Break Even: 122

Trading after one round is generally asking for disaster. But there’s no doubt those who invested almost $500k in Martin after a pre-season switch to half-back would have been tearing their hair out on Saturday. Let’s start with the good. Only Andy McGrath (33) and Zach Merrett (31) had more disposals than Martin’s 25 for the Bombers. He also managed six marks and 529 metres gained. But there were only three players in the Essendon-Hawthorn game who recorded a lower disposal efficiency than Martin (56 per cent). There were times he was exposed defensively as well, which brings into question how long the move down back will last. He’s worth at least one more look, but there will be savage coaches who show no mercy this week.

OUR VERDICT: One more chance.

ZAC FISHER – 50 points

Price: $378,600 | Break Even: 92

What a disaster. After a dominant pre-season showing against St Kilda which led to high hopes for his backline move, Fisher had seven clangers in his 21 disposals and only hit 50 points thanks to a mark and kick in the last minute against the Giants. A clash against Fremantle under the roof at Marvel Stadium looks easier on paper, but you’ll need to consider what to do with Fisher if you faded Isaac Heeney or Sam Flanders. If punting Fisher is your only avenue to Heeney, don’t hesitate.

OUR VERDICT: Smart move is to hold. But trade if it gets you Heeney.

Zac Fisher had a debut to forget for North Melbourne.

CONNOR BUDARICK – 17 points

Price: $301,200 | Break Even: 56

Things couldn’t have gone much worse for almost 11,000 coaches who started Budarick (sorry, Phantom). After a score of 94 in round 0 he bombed with 17 points against Adelaide after being used in a lockdown role for most of the night. The torrential rain on the Gold Coast made Saturday’s game more about contested ball than sure kicking, which is where Budarick gets most of his points. The issue now is that 17 will sit in his price cycle for a few weeks, so generating money will be tough.

OUR VERDICT: Hold and hope for better conditions this week unless you missed a must-have mid-pricer or rookie with guaranteed cash gen.

HAYDEN YOUNG – 70 points

Price: $525,100 | Break Even: 127

Young moved into the midfield for the final month of last season and reeled off four straight 100-plus scores, but he couldn’t keep the streak going despite starting in the centre square on Sunday. Giving away four free kicks and a 50m penalty didn’t help his cause, and an efficiency rate of 67 per cent is low for a player who is usually a reliable user of the ball. But the role was there and 10 tackles ensured his score wasn’t a total bust.

OUR VERDICT: Keep the faith – if the midfield role continues. The Dockers suddenly have to cover a spate of backline injuries, but will be reluctant to change a winning formula.

JOSH GIBCUS – 19 points & ZACH REID – 15 points

A strong crop of defensive rookies is suddenly looking a lot thinner after injuries to two popular young guns.

Gibcus, priced at $150,700, suffered a heartbreaking ACL injury that will rule him out for the season, so he’s a must-trade for almost 100,000 coaches.

Reid ($123,900) was subbed out with “hamstring awareness”.

OUT VERDICT: Next round is best 18 scoring with Carlton and Brisbane on the bye, so you can wait another week to pull the trade trigger, when we have a better idea of Reid’s timeline and the best potential replacement(s). But if you have the cash to turn Gibcus into Massimo D’Ambrosio this week, don’t hesitate.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2024 round 2 trade guide: Expert verdict on most popular moves