SuperCoach 2016: Which rookies to keep, who to trade after Round 8

THERE is chaos in SuperCoach land but trading the right rookies is still the key to success. Who should stay and who should go this week? NEW PODCAST

Mason Cox kicked four goals against Brisbane.

CHAOS has befallen the SuperCoach world with injuries and selection dramas decimating squads across the competition.

After one of the most challenging weekends in recent memory, the news isn’t looking much better with rookie defender Marcus Adams set to miss another week and even champ Gary Ablett under a cloud.

The silver lining is we can use our trades to cover for missing players and improve our squads at the same time.

Don’t panic into swapping an injured player out for another who could be in the same predicament a week later.

Our rookies play a key role in this strategy.

Who can we trust as cover, who should be traded and who is ready to come in this week?

TRADE TIME

Lincoln McCarthy (Geel) $269,300 fwd

Average 57, Break-even 101

Didn’t go down in price only because he didn’t play. If he’s picked by the Cats this week he’s headed for a big drop. Time to cash him in.

Callum Mills (Syd) $320,700 mid

Av 67, BE 95

Was one of the most traded out players last week but still in 54,000 teams. His value dropped $15,000 after a 59 against the Tigers and he’s projected to lose another $12k this weekend. Gone!

Connor Menadue (Rich) $227,700 mid/fwd

Av 50, BE 48

His $2400 price rise after Round 8 is likely to be his last. Time to offload after another sub-40 score.

ON THE BRINK

Sam Kerridge (Carl) $369,700 mid/fwd

Av 83, BE 70

Averaging 71 over his past three games and only reached 67 last week thanks to a handball to Matthew Kreuzer for the winning goal. Plays North Melbourne this week — a team he scored 143 against as a Crow in 2013. He kicked six goals that day, a repeat of that would be nice!

Marcus Adams (WB) $349,700 def/fwd

Av 86, BE 68

Bad news for his 111,000 owners from Bulldogs footy manager Graham Lowe: “He’s progressing well from his finger surgery, he won’t be available so he’ll miss this week but we’ll review his progress next week.” Time to trade?

Mitch Brown (Ess) $300,100 def/fwd

Av 59, BE 53

Just when we thought we could trust him after an 88 and 96 in Rounds 6 and 7, he turns out a 29 when most SuperCoach owners had him on the field. Still gained $21,000 but about to slam into his price ceiling.

Tom Papley (Syd) $286,000 fwd

Av 67, BE 56

It feels like we’ve been here before. If you held Papley this long, well done, but he’s not going to make any more money unless he plays a blinder against Hawthorn.

George Hewett (Syd) $244,800 mid

Av 57, BE 58

Those numbers are’t ideal. Having said that, he has scored in the 50s the past three weeks so his price shouldn’t fall much and he can provide some bench cover.

Clayton Oliver (Melb) $294,100 mid

Av 66, BE 43

His value dropped $800 after a 49 against the Bulldogs. Love the way he plays but he just doesn’t score that much at this stage of his career. Not the most pressing issue though.

Jacob Weitering (Carl) $338,400 def

Av 73, BE 117

A chance to return from injury this week so we have a decision to make. If you don’t trade him now be prepared to hang on for at least another month while his value recovers from the 23 he scored in his last game.

Clayton Oliver at Melbourne training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

SAFE (FOR NOW)

Christian Petracca (Melb) $184,300 mid/fwd

Av 70, BE -38

Humming along nicely towards the $300k mark in a few weeks.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Ess) $327,300 def/fwd

Av 73, BE 38

Gained $9000 after a 70 against the Roos and should keep making money, but needs a big score to push the $400k mark.

Ben Kennedy (Melb) $334,100 mid/fwd

Av 77, BE 32

Scored most of his 77 points in the second quarter but that was enough for a $22k price rise. A big score against the Lions this weekend could ease any worries about him until the byes.

Josh Smith (Coll) $227,400 mid

Av 75, BE 3

Joined the Magpie onslaught with an 83 on Saturday night, great news for the 67,000 owners who traded him in over the past two weeks.

Mason Cox (Coll) $203,300 ruck/fwd

Av 67, BE -5

Our sympathies to coaches who had Cox on the bench and Max Gawn on the field last weekend after his super impressive 102. Picked up another $43k in value and there’s more where that came from.

Ryan Davis (GC) $186,000 mid

Av 48, BE 40

Kicked two goals in the NEAFL and could come in this week to replace Gary Ablett. Don’t expect many points but a warm body on the field is better than nothing.

Michael Hartley (Ess) $300,200 def

Av 68, BE 44

Not spectacular but solid is all we need. Has a low score of 62 in the past month.

Matt Dea (Ess) $304,400 def

Av 70, BE 14

Has staged a fantastic recovery with scores of 79 and 88 in the past two weeks. Won’t make a lot more cash but a solid option down back.

Tom Ruggles (Geel) $220,100 def

Av 60, BE 0

Another solid game and has gained $117,000 since his debut, with more to come.

Ben Keays (BL) $174,600 mid

Av 66, BE -36

Had the biggest price rise of the week ($57,300) after a season-high 76 in Brisbane’s disaster against Collingwood. Averaging six tackles a game. Starting him on the field against Melbourne wouldn’t be the worst move.

Corey Ellis has been a bright light for Richmond this season. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Corey Ellis (Rich) $322,000 mid/fwd

Av 63, BE 41

Has hit a very nice patch of form, averaging 82 over his past three games (76 v Sydney). Should hit $350k in a couple of weeks.

Jade Gresham (StK) $198,800 mid

Av 44, BE 33

Had a career-high 16 disposals against the Eagles. Couldn’t hit a target to save himself but encouraging to see him involved in the play. Will get more opportunities.

Darcy Parish (Ess) $331,800 mid

Av 75, BE 53

Picked up right where he left off after his week off. Has hit his price ceiling but still a very solid midfield option.

Daniel Rioli (Rich) $213,900 fwd

Av 47, BE 24

Two last-quarter goals delighted his 19,000 owners (and Tiger fans everywhere). Gained $9000.

Darcy Byrne-Jones (PA) $326,500 def

Av 77, BE 63

Had his first stinker of the season with a 31 against Carlton but still went up in price (by $4300). Break-even creeping up but no need to panic. Yet.

Darcy Macpherson has made a promising start to his career. Picture: Adam Head

BUBBLE BOYS

Darcy Macpherson (GC) $102,400 mid

Av 68, BE -75

The pick of this week’s trade-in options after scores of 77 and 59 in his first two games. Projected to rise $63k after his next game.

Ben Crocker (Coll) $117,300 fwd/mid

Av 47, BE -25

His 62 in game two was nearly double his score on debut, but how much of that can we put down to playing Brisbane? Will jump about $30k next week. Dual-position status handy for Lincoln McCarthy owners.

Kaiden Brand (Haw) $123,900 def

Av 58, BE -43

Solid scores of 65 and 52 in his first two games. Projected to rise $45k — if the Hawks keep picking him.

Mason Redman (Ess) $117,300 fwd/mid

Av 41, BE -13

Has scored 38 and 44 in his two games.

Also on the bubble if they get picked this week ... Tom Lee, Darcy Tucker, Kieran Lovell, Josh Dunkley, Nick Kommer, Jason Castagna

Jacob Hopper starred in his first game. Picture: Phil Hillyard

ONE-GAMERS

Jacob Hopper (GWS) $193,800 mid

Score: 106

Incredible 32-disposal debut. Crazy to trade him in now?

Bailey Williams (WB) $117,300 def/mid

Very handy with a 60 on debut and will get another game with Adams out. Not sure what happens after that though.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2016: Which rookies to keep, who to trade after Round 8