SuperCoach AFL 2025: Expert verdict on most traded players for round 14

Zak Butters gets a big tick, but who else should SuperCoaches be trading in and out this week? Get verdicts on 20 players on the trade table.

The Zak Butters and Zak Johnson double act could be the easiest trade of 2025.

The Port Adelaide star has bottomed out in price, and the Essendon rookie is on the bubble – tick, tick.

But SuperCoach is rarely that simple.

Who else should come and go this week, if Butters is in fact a must-have.

See the expert verdict on the 10 most traded in, and 10 most traded out, players below.

MOST TRADED OUT

Xavier Lindsay $305,600 MID

Al Paton: TRADE – Owners who held him last week were very unlucky, but I wish I had a rookie worth this much.

Tim Michell: TRADE – He’s losing money after being subbed on 20 and finishing with 19 points against Collingwood. Great cash cow but time to cut ties.

Chloe Williams: TRADE – Congratulations on riding him home, this will likely be his peak price. Lindsay is forming into a great player to watch, but was subbed out - it’s time to go.

Levi Ashcroft $383,500 MID-FWD

AP: TRADE – I don’t hate the idea of keeping him as a final on-field rookie but, like most people, I need his cash to make an upgrade this week.

TM: TRADE – Writing is on the wall after being subbed two weeks ago and a quieter game against Adelaide. You’re probably going to trade him at the Lions’ bye anyway, so cash in now while his value is still near its peak.

CW: TRADE – Similar to Lindsay, Levi’s been a great servant and a score of 66 isn’t bad for a rookie in the bye rounds. He’s yet to crack the ton and I’m sure that will come, but his BE is 102 so it’s also time to go.

Xavier Lindsay was subbed off on King’s Birthday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Henry Hustwaite $169,600 MID

AP: TRADE – Wish he made more money but he’s doing nothing on the bench. Move him on to someone who is playing.

TM: TRADE – I still have nightmares about seeing him used as a ruckman before he was subbed at halftime a few weeks ago. He’s not coming back.

CW: CONSIDER – The pro is his price isn’t changing, the con is his price isn’t changing. You could get away with holding for longer if needed, but at least keep him in your future plans.

Campbell Gray $173,500 DEF-FWD

AP: TRADE – I don’t know what a “posterolateral knee injury” is, but it doesn’t sound good. Don’t expect to see him for a while – the rookie curse strikes again.

TM: TRADE – So unfortunate that he’s injured as he might have squeezed back in post-bye after Richmond’s disastrous effort against Sydney.

CW: TRADE – His price is only just greater than Hustwaite’s, but it makes him valuable to downgrade …. or sideways trade. After so much promise, he’s now injured with a timeline yet to be decided. He might come back post-injury when Balta isn’t playing, but it’s no guarantee.

Matt Roberts $449,900 DEF

AP: HOLD – This is really for my team – I can’t afford to use a trade on a guy who can hopefully hold on at D6 with a 90-plus average. But it might work for other teams.

TM: TRADE – He’s not a top-six defender and cash generation has been very tough this year. Use Roberts’ value to get Zak Butters in.

CW: CONSIDER – The value of a trade … he’s not a top defender, and will likely be impacted by Mills, and is on the bye after being ill last week. Is he worth a trade though, if you’re running low? Yes, if you’re strapped for cash … if not though, maybe not.

Matt Roberts is missing this week on Sydney’s bye. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Matt Carroll $187,400 DEF

AP: CONSIDER – Looked good in the first half last weekend then stopped dead. Won’t make any more money so trade if it helps you make another move.

TM: TRADE – Didn’t become the cash cow most thought he would be and was subbed early against Essendon. Looks a likely prospect but his kicking needs work and his clangers hurt his scoring.

CW: TRADE – I’m sad to see my favourite rookie go. If he’s named, you could hold him for one more price rise and a potential on-field score. But I, for one, will be trading.

Christian Moraes $226,600 MID

AP: TRADE – My most valuable rookie aside from Levi so he has to go. No guarantee to keep his spot in the Port side.

TM: TRADE – Kicked a nice goal late against GWS after being subbed on to ensure he didn’t lose money. But with Jason Horne-Francis to return there’s a fair chance he’s playing SANFL this week.

CW: TRADE – This seems like his peak, jump off while you can to grab a Zak Johnson type.

Isaac Kako $$217,900 MID-FWD

AP: TRADE – We’ve had some seriously slow burn rookies this year – Kako has played every game and made $68k. He’s an extra green dot but is he likely to be in your best 18 at any stage? Use the money if you can.

TM: TRADE - What will happen first? Essendon winning a final or Isaac Kako’s spike game?

CW: CONSIDER – The spike score is a myth at this point, but he is playing. If you need a playing rookie you could consider holding, but he’s also at a decent price to downgrade considering the scheme of the year.

Isaac Kako has played every game in his debut season. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Elijah Tsatas $225,600 MID

AP: TRADE – A chance to come back this week but any rookie with money on their head is ripe for trading.

TM: CONSIDER – Sam Durham’s crude bump on Adam Cerra might bring Tsatas back into the team. If it doesn’t, send him packing.

CW: CONSIDER – With Durham out for two weeks, he may get his chance to make a tiny bit more cash, provide you a score and take you through to his bye. Wait for teams and if he’s not named, trade.

Clay Hall $187,100 MID

AP: CONSIDER – The sort of player who could come into the side in round 15 and be a regular for the rest of the year. But might also never be seen again.

TM: TRADE - Puts up big numbers in the WAFL every week but can’t get back into a team that isn’t winning. Seems to be too one-dimensional as a an inside mid for Andrew McQualter’s liking.

CW: TRADE – He may finally come back in one day, but that day doesn’t seem to be soon despite great WAFL performances.

MOST TRADED IN

Zak Johnson $113,500 MID

AP: BUY – Part of the Zak Butters equation for many coaches but even if you don’t need the cash right now, he’s scoring well enough you could get away with him on field. Get him in.

TM: BUY – Apart from playing in North Melbourne’s backline, there’s no better role in SuperCoach than playing in Essendon’s backline. He’s no Zach Reid, but Zak with a K is going to be a nice late-season cash cow.

CW: BUY – He looked great and should get a continued run with Redman out until after the round 16 bye, but the bubble boys haven’t given us much so far … fingers crossed for Zak!

Zak Butters $563,700 MID

AP: BUY – Could be the topscoring mid from here.

TM: BUY – The easiest upgrade you will make all year. Made a mockery of the Toby Bedford tag, so honestly who cares if he gets Ed Langdon this week?

CW: BUY – Doooooo it.

Zak Butters is great value this week. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Tom McCarthy $99,100 DEF-MID

AP: CONSIDER – Johnson is the best cheapie this week but if you need another one, it’s probably McCarthy. Hopefully he gets a game soon!

TM: BUY – I will double down on my prediction he averages 85 and becomes a 23rd man for many teams in the run home.

CW: CONSIDER – If he’s named and you’re desperate, go for it, but you could wait and keep him as a downgrade next week (or even the week after).

Ted Clohesy $120,000 FWD-MID

AP: PASS – Price fell all the way to $103k after being the sub in six of his first eight games. Scores well when he gets a chance but only came in because Bailey Smith was a late out.

TM: PASS – Job security looks incredibly shaky and we’ve all got enough rookie zeros on our bench already.

CW: CONSIDER – If you’re desperate for a playing rookie, he may not even qualify for that, but is at least on the fringes to bob up for largely regular appearances for varying returns.

Colby McKercher $393,200 DEF-MID

AP: BUY – Role changes are so volatile and we need this to stick for 11 weeks, but the upside is so good he’s worth the risk. Do the right thing, Clarko.

TM: BUY – Colby is a defender and Sheezel a MID-FWD. Clarko wouldn’t mess with a winning formula, surely?

CW: CONSIDER – I’m cooling on Kerch, but the price is nice … and would’ve been even nicer last week! The roles look settled now at North Melbourne, but will it last the rest of the season? He averaged 88 in a similar role last year and has high upside. It’s a tricky one.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has bottomed out in price. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera $507,100 DEF

AP: BUY – Down the pecking order with other options popping up this week but I really like him at this price. Will have a 160 game at some point in the run home.

TM: BUY – Coming off his bye, great price and loves to kick the footy. Prone to the odd clanger but only because he bites off options most players wouldn’t even consider.

CW: CONSIDER – This is a great price for Nas, but now we’re all strapped for cash (we all are …. right?). He’s been mostly consistent this year and should finish well with contract talks still in the balance.

Tom De Koning $536,000 RUC

AP: CONSIDER – You’ve missed the Todd Goldstein mauling but he went up only $8k and should go big again this week. Just wonder if being stuck with a ruck in Flex might be an issue in the run home.

TM: BUY – Another 140-plus score incoming against Matthew Flynn and might have Dante Visentini a few weeks after that.

CW: CONSIDER – Another team-by-team scenario, he’s not quite a value option but is cheaper than he started and should lift on the run home if the Blues do, and if he wants to increase his contract value even more.

Tyrell Dewar $176,200 FWD-MID

AP: CONSIDER – Looks good playing in defence. Wish he was cheaper but I also wish I had him instead of Luke Pedlar.

TM: BUY - Nine kick-ins over the past two weeks and his DPP will be handy. Seems to have nabbed the Ryan Maric role.

CW: CONSIDER – Happy to see his name here, as he’s one who I’ll be targeting this week. Seems to be a part of their future and I need a rookie who’s playing both for cover and for cash for final upgrades. An easy swap from Gray, if you’re not desperate for the downgrade money, and has shifted to a half-back role, kick-ins included (for now).

Tyrell Dewar (left, with Tyler Brockman) is a cheap option in SuperCoach. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hugh Jackson $119,900 MID

AP: PASS – Christian Moraes, Will Lorenz ... there are a lot of moving pieces at Port Adelaide – too many for my liking.

TM: PASS – The smart money says he’s sub this week when Horne-Francis returns from injury.

CW: PASS – He looked great and I’m keen to watch his career unfold, but his CBAs should be largely absorbed by Horne-Francis’s return.

Max Holmes $555,100 DEF-MID

AP: PASS – A great buy the past two weeks but now he’s price is up and Cats have the buy in two weeks. Get Nas instead.

TM: BUY – You’re paying a premium compared to what others did a few weeks ago but he’s worth it. In fact, he’s probably going to be a $600k player by season’s end and the Cats have such an easy run home.

CW: BUY – Holmes is playing great footy and is finally reaching the heights of a top SuperCoach defender. The DPP is handy, too. He’s a must have if you have the cash!

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2025: Expert verdict on most traded players for round 14