AFL SuperCoach 2024: The Phantom’s burning questions and round 13 trade guide

Will Jordan Dawson play? Is Lachie Neale the one? Or is there better value? Which rookies should you jump on? The Phantom answers the big SuperCoaches questions ahead of round 13.

Who says nothing ever happens in Adelaide?

Because, as the great Mark Williams said when the last South Australian side won a grand final, “you were wrong”.

All – well, maybe just a lot – of SuperCoach eyes are on the Crows this week, with Matt Crouch ruled out for the season and skipper Jordan Dawson in some doubt.

C’mon, Phant, just tell us – will Dawson play?

It depends. Will you hold it against me?

The early talk is positive and the Crows just can’t drop this one on Thursday night, so I think he’ll line up.

Does that mean he’s playing pain free? Probably not. But he’s not on the injury list.

“He is pushing through and leading by example, I thought he fought, he has been challenged this week,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks said after the Hawthorn loss.

Will Jordan Dawson play this week? Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

What if he doesn’t – do we trade?

Not in a best-18 week. If you’re trading, keep upgrading.

Even you, Tim Michell.

What about Crouch?

With the ball magnet to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, that’s a different story.

Hello, Lachie Neale.

He’s the one, Phant?

He’s one of them this week, yep.

He’s averaging 117, coming off the bye and is in just five per cent of teams.

Yes, the Brownlow Medallist who averaged 123 points in 2022 was in exactly 8354 teams when lockout lifted on Sunday night.

With Brisbane’s bye out of the way, that number should increase this week – and with good reason.

Yes, he’s posted two scores in the 70 this year, but he’s hit three figures in every other game, scoring 162 or more in two of his past four matches.

Neale has gone 117 and 135 in his past two against the Bulldogs – Brisbane’s round 13 opponent and the team that gave up 156 points to Nick Daicos last week and 144 and 131 to Chad Warner and Errol Gulden a round earlier.

Neale is from South Australia, too.

So is Lachie McNeil.

See.

Lachie Neale is averaging 117 points per game this year. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos

Who?

If you exclude those who won’t – and are unlikely to – play this weekend, he’s the player with the fifth-lowest breakeven in the competition.

But, yes, I know that wasn’t really a question and I agree.

Despite coming on as the sub early and scoring 80 SuperCoach points, on the back of 11 disposals and two goals, I don’t think McNeil is the one we can be sure enough about at the elevated price of $158k.

He averaged 28 last year and 44 in 2022.

Back to Lachie McNeale - $614k, I am not spending that…

That’s fair, there isn’t a whole lot of value in his price tag.

But if, like me, you’ve being jumping on the obvious value when it’s been there so far this year, now might be the time to pay up.

What about Rory Laird?

Lil Laird or Lil Lach – it’s a good question this week.

Despite Dawson spending a big chunk of the second half forward against the Hawks, Laird recorded his lowest centre bounce attendance percentage for the season.

Sam Berry was back, Jake Soligo was the first-choice and Max Michalanney got his first run on-ball, when things weren’t working for Matthew Nicks.

Laird popped up in defence, where he first made his mark at the level a number of years ago.

Sure, his CBAs might increase this week, but is Laird replacing Crouch the best way forward for Adelaide?

Izak Rankine should be back after the bye, too.

I’m paying up for Neale.

What about Tom Green?

Now, we’re talking value. $490k!?

Yes, he’s scored 5, 115, 95 and 78 in his past four matches, but this is the same Tom Green who averaged 132 in the opening month.

With a 110-point breakeven, you can probably wait a week to be sure, but he’s a great way to finish off your midfield.

He’s had a week off, and I’m tipping he hits his straps again soon.

Sometimes, you just gotta jump.

Billy Dowling will make his AFL debut on Thursday night. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Jump on Billy Dowling before he’s played a game?

We’ve buried the lead here again.

If I wasn’t half way through this column when the news came through that Dowling would make his long-awaited debut on Thursday, I would’ve mentioned it already.

The $123k FWD-MID had another 31 disposals, eight marks, seven score involvements, six tackles and 117 SuperCoach points in the SANFL on Saturday and will finally get his chance against the Tigers.

Let’s hope, not as the sub.

Give us what we really want, Phantom…

157, 183, 161, 198, 148, 163, 107, 167, 136, 268, 113 and 119.

You were talking about Dowling’s junior SuperCoach numbers, right?

No, your answer to the first question

Oh.

I still wouldn’t pick him on debut – let’s give him a chance first.

What about Jacob Blight?

Now, this is a different story.

The 22-year-old, plucked from the WAFL in the mid-season draft by the Tigers, hit the ground running in Victoria, taking eight intercept marks on his way to 135 SuperCoach in his first VFL appearance for Richmond.

It appears he’s been picked to play, so a Thursday night debut is also a chance.

You’d probably still pick Will Dawson first, given he’s on the bubble with dual-position status, but I’m not against Blight, either, at $102k.

What about the other way – does Harley Reid have to go?

If it’s two, I would.

Even if it’s one, I would.

The Eagles have the bye after North this weekend and you’d think opposition sides will follow Ross Lyon’s lead and put some time into the teenager.

I’m not saying they’ll be able to stop him every week, but it will cost you $34k to get to Zac Fisher.

Reid’s price won’t change if he doesn’t play in round 13, though, so the money play would be trading a Darcy Wilson or Sam Clohesy first.

Sure, don’t expose yourself in rounds 14 or 15 too much, but priority should be your premium count.

Are you trading in Fisher?

At this stage, yes. Colby McKercher is unlikely to play this week and Fisher confirmed his SuperCoach scoring power in the role two weeks ago.

And, again, another non-Victorian.

Kidding, I love you all.

Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2024: The Phantom’s burning questions and round 13 trade guide