KFC SuperCoach 2021: The Phantom answers the burning questions ahead of Round 9

Caleb Daniel scored 37 KFC SuperCoach in three quarters against the Blues before exploding in a remarkable final term. This is how he passed three figures.

Another round down in KFC SuperCoach means we’re another week closer to the dreaded byes.

There are only three more rounds of nine matches before KFC SuperCoach takes on a best-18 scoring system for three weeks as each team enjoys a weekend off.

As most of you know, even getting 18 on-field is tough.

Sideways trading is usually popular during this time – especially with an extra trade available each round - but given the injuries, suspension and you crazy SuperCoaches moving on your premiums, it might be harder in 2021.

And that brings me to the first question of the week…

How many trades does everyone have left?

I know most things, but not everything so I put the question out to the Twittersphere.

As of 4pm on Monday afternoon, 12 per cent of more than 1900 voters had used every one of their allocated KFC SuperCoach trades in the opening eight rounds.

That should make a lot of you feel better.

Help me out in this week's KFC #SuperCoach burning questions...

How many trades do you have left before making any moves this round?

— The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC) May 10, 2021

Are the KFC SuperCoaches who clicked 23+ lying?

Yes.

Tom Mitchell posted a season-high 147 KFC SuperCoach points in Round 8. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

If I clicked 16, should I be worried?

See above.

But seriously, it’s time to start considering your bye-round plans, if you haven’t already. Think about who will be missing - and when - and which premiums you will be upgrading to over the next month. Holding rookies until their bye, even if it means you miss culling them at peak price, and then trading to a star coming off the bye, is definitely something to think about. You also need to be looking at when the premium you trade in this week will be missing between Rounds 12 and 14. It shouldn’t completely dictate your trade, but it definitely needs to be considered.

Speaking of premium upgrade, Phantom, Tom Mitchell this week?

Get on. After a slow start by his lofty standards – on the back of three scores of 90 or less – Mitchell was back to his absolute best on Sunday

Before Round 8, The ball-magnet’s contested possession numbers were the lowest they’ve been since 2015 and his average of 9.6 metres gained per disposal was the third-lowest rate of the top-50 ball winners.

Against the Eagles, Mitchell finished with season-highs in contested possessions (17), effective disposals (34), disposals (41), clearances (6) and KFC SuperCoach points (147).

Despite the huge score, the Brownlow Medallist is still available for $84k less than his starting price – with a breakeven of 60, he won’t be for long – and he faces North down in Tasmania in Round 9.

Only Jack Macrae has won more of the ball this season, so, just like Sunday, Mitchell’s continued improvement will come from what he does with it.

At his best, we know there are not many better KFC SuperCoach scorers in the game.

TRADE GUIDE: A DETAILED LOOK INTO THE BEST SUPERCOACH OPTIONS

Josh Kelly again played through the midfield against the Bombers. Picture: Toby Zerna

Would you pick him ahead of Josh Kelly?

It’s a tough one, but yes.

Saturday’s game against the Bombers made it three in a row in the midfield for the star Giant and, as a result, he posted a second consecutive KFC SuperCoach ton.

Kelly recorded season-highs in disposals (30), groundball-gets (8) clearances (7) and an equal-season-high 11 contested possessions.

The left-footer also gained the most territory (505 metres) he has since Round 1.

And he still finished with two goals (equal-most) and nine score involvements (second-most), despite playing further away from the big sticks.

Funny the influence he can have playing in his best position.

Actually, it’s not even slightly funny.

But, in saying all that, like I did last week, ask yourself if Kelly, who has missed 20 matches through injury over the past four seasons, is more chance of backfiring than Mitchell?

It’s hard not saying yes.

For Josh Kelly owners/watchers, he's been in the midfield for the first quarter. A number of CBAs, as well a some time on a wing. #SuperCoach#AFLGiantsDons

— The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC) May 8, 2021

Would you jump on Kelly, if you picked Mitchell last week?

Great minds, because that’s exactly my situation ahead of Round 9. After watching Kelly, I was almost set on doing this – in fact, I did right when lockout ended.

But I then asked myself another question.

Is it worth overlooking a sure-thing such as Clayton Oliver and going with Kelly to save $80k?

Initially, I said yes, given the year we are having. But maybe it’s not enough, especially after I jumped on the value of Andrew Brayshaw a week earlier.

There’s also your own bye-round situation to consider, too.

OK, I need money, who is the best downgrade option?

This is likely to be the most-asked question in the KFC SuperCoach this week.

We have a three-way battle between Richmond’s Riley Collier-Dawkins ($123,900 MID), Magpie Caleb Poulter ($117,300 MID-FWD) and St Kilda’s Ryan Byrnes ($123,900 MID).

I’ll start by saying I like all of them.

The contested nature of Collier-Dawkins’ game is very suited to KFC SuperCoach – and it’s why he scored 76 points on debut.

Poulter averaged 130 points per game at junior level last year and he finished with zero clangers and 81 points in the win over North Melbourne on Saturday.

Caleb Poulter was impressive at the MCG on Saturday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Byrnes’ scoring hasn’t hit the same heights – 52 and 62 – but he’s playing his role well on the outside for the Saints and he’s clearly highly-rated, coming straight back into the side after just two VFL games following a severe early-season hamstring problem.

The latest injuries to Shai Bolton and Shane Edwards, to go with the continued absence of Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia, helps the job security of Collier-Dawkins but he played just 63 per cent of the game against the Cats. And, like the Hipster said on The Lair, did he do anything on Friday night that made him untouchable in a premiership-contending side?

Probably not. Well, not yet anyway.

So, with that in mind, and his dual-position status and effectiveness by foot, I’ve got Poulter just in front.

What about a double-downgrade?

It’s something else worth considering, for sure.

But with Port Adelaide defender Lachie Jones, who boasts a breakeven of -47, hopeful of being available next week, the ‘there are no rookies coming’ argument may not be entirely true.

I’m not against a double-down move but if you can bring a premium in straight away and improve your team, I’d do it. Who knows what will happen in the next seven days, anyway.

Jordan Ridley has failed to recapture his early-season KFC SuperCoach form. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

Should we be concerned about Ridley?

You could be in the market for a double downgrade if you had been planning for a cheap Ridley this round, because it’s not yet the week to jump on.

Concerned might be the wrong word, but the player who posted scores of 125, 136, 147 and 124 before the concussion-affected 31 hasn’t quite yet returned, recording back-to-back scores in the 80s after the week off.

Jayden Laverde has taken 11 intercept marks – to Ridley’s four – in the past two matches, after moving to defence, and Mason Redman (6) took three more kick-ins than Ridley against the Giants.

With a Round 9 breakeven of 119, you can afford to watch and see how the Bombers’ back-six works against the Dockers. A score of 94, for example, would see the No. 1 KFC SuperCoach scorer of the opening month, fall to less than $480k.

Should I considered Demon James Harmes then?

A stat line of 31 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 73 pressure points and 132 KFC SuperCoach points suggests Harmes, who starred in his first game since Round 1, is worth some thought.

The 25-year-old averaged 95 points per game through the midfield in 2019, before being recast as a defender last season and hit the ground running in his return from a broken wrist.

It’s a tough one, though, because is he a top-six defender? That score proves he’s a contender, for sure, but I’d like to wait and see how the return of Jack Viney affects his role.

Problem is, with a breakeven of 9, he’s not going to be this cheap again.

I think waiting is the right call, though, because he could still be a good buy in the mid-$400k range.

What was behind Caleb Daniel’s final quarter?

The tweet below explains it all so let’s the put the issue to bed. You should know by now that when the game is on the line, more points are awarded. Also, Bevo, if you’re reading, keep Daniel in defence.

Caleb Daniel in the final quarter yesterday:

11 disposals (11 effective)

Points breakdown:

Disposals - 31.8
Handball-Receives - 5.4
Uncontested Marks - 5.4
Contested Possessions - 20.4

Total points - 63.1#SuperCoach

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) May 9, 2021

Is it time to dump Chad Warner?

If he was a midfielder-only, I’d say yes. You definitely know you’re going to get more from a premium replacement.

But if you’re trading him to a forward, can you say the same thing?

Warner is still a big part of Sydney’s midfield and his breakeven is still slightly less than his average, so he shouldn’t lose too much value over the next few rounds, even if he doesn’t have another big score in him.

Dayne Zorko posted his fifth KFC SuperCoach ton of the year in Round 8. Picture: Tara Croser.

What about Zorko? Has his role changed without Neale?

It hasn’t really, with Zorko’s midfield percentage only increasing by five per cent in the past two rounds.

But he’s posted five KFC SuperCoach tons this season and is a likely top-six forward in this year’s pool.

Just be ready for another score of 70 or less - he’s posted two this year - because that’s equally as likely to come. And it could be this weekend if Gold Coast challenge Touk Miller’s one-game suspension.

Zorko got off the chain in the past two instalments of the Q Clash but Miller’s blanket jobs on Zorko in 2018 and 2019 are famous among KFC SuperCoach circles.

Should we trade Dusty?

No. He recorded three scores of 81 or less in the opening six rounds of last season but still finished with an average of 101. That should also be enough this year. Don’t overact. Address your other problems first.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2021: The Phantom answers the burning questions ahead of Round 9