Most Traded Round 14

We now have six teams to pick from if we want to avoid a further blue dot in the next few rounds. Unfortunately, that does not mean instant success with just those the players to select to try and fill our teams. Unfortunately, I put the JimmyDee mozz on LDU last week and sent him down the toilet for a 79 season low. As I’ve stated in the previous editions of this column, injuries and suspensions have cruelled my chances of completing a premo team, so I hope some of the intel here will point you folks in the right direction to complete yours properly, and LDU redeems himself this week for those that traded him in.

As we get further into the season it it harder to make assumptions on who has who left in their sides and why the ratio of trades is reflected on the charts below as they are. For example, Angry Anderson is the most traded rookie/player this week, but does not need to be as he is on a bye and his price will not change. We could cull where prices will change and cash will be lost and leave Anderson till next week. Is it because we have exhausted all other rookies, we don’t have the DPP flexibility or because we want to think that another rookie might score within the best 18 concept, if that makes sense. Let us know what your thought processes are for this weeks pretty crucial trading plan.

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MOST TRADED OUT
As mentioned above, Angus Anderson has been moved on by 22k coaches, presumably to be replaced with a playing body for the round. He’s made $131k and his last two 40s doesn’t inspire confidence that he can overcome his BE of 63 when he returns, so it’s a pretty easy decision to part company.

Matteas Phillipou!!! I’ve been hanging onto this guy for weeks now hoping he will finally get a spike score and help me through to his bye. Didn’t expect it to be a massive down spike to earn him an impossible BE of 116 that’s nearly double his average. Hasn’t lived up to the promise, and has not tonned up all year and looks less likely now that almost all mid time has has been absorbed by a full time forward role. Has made $172k so jump off before you lose another $20-30k this week. $25k up to Sam Durham might make some sense if you can afford to lose him next week.

Justin McInerney looks like missing up to ten weeks, no brainer, trade him to someone useful. Pity he lost $52k from his early exit.

Unless you are turning Jagga Smith into a star that you have missed from the early bye sides to strengthen your team, he might be useful cover for the last two byes, especially against The Weagles in R16 in Melbourne. If you need the cash to jump on a Dawson, LDU, Callaghan type, then it’s a good call. His BE of 102 is not impossible despite a couple of average games, and his upside is there periodically as evidenced by three tons this year. Factor in his three after the bye, Giants, Eagles and Tigers if you can find the cash elsewhere, given his highest score was 113 at The G against Richmond.

Underwhelming lately, to say the least, would be an apt description of Dan Houston‘s past few games. Normally you wouldn’t panic if a premo’s BE was a little above his average score, but I’m tipping most of you are not considering him a premo anymore. Hasn’t scored a ton since round 8 when I suspect most of you jumped on board and have been disappointed ever since. Personally, never liked him for reasons other than Supercoach so I’m good with everyone dumping him now to get a playing defender to cover the next three rounds and beyond while there is still a little bit of cash there.

Feels like I’ve been referencing Josh Lindsay here for weeks now. Did not play last round, so nothing should have changed from last weeks comment. BE of 112 and average of 75 suggests he will lose another $17k if he indeed gets back in the side this week. If he dos not, you could prioritise others on this list as his price will not change until he plays again.

Don’t see a need to move Milan Murdock on this week. He still has something to offer in a best 18 scenario, especially as a M/F DPP. Has gone 90 + in two of his last three and BE is gettable at 61. I still think he may be a useful M/F past the byes as a reliable bench cover. Has the game to get some good scoring happening with contests and tackling playing a role.

I treat Leo Lombard as a warm body now that he has completed his bye and plays through the next three. His last five scores are all his top five scores, giving a five round average of 68, suggesting he is not going backwards. The fact that he has played every game is also encouraging and the confidence gained may be worth the risk of taking on a BE slightly above his overall average but below his recent average. He is not likely to lose much, if any, cash. If you have good forward options to bring in from our limited pool, and if they are going to play the next three, then there is some sense in taking the $187k profit and using it wisely.

If you look up Supercoach Spud of 2026 in the dictionary, there’s likely a picture of Hugh McCluggage staring back at you. What a massive fall from grace, sadly, for various reasons. Dropped $250k in price, unheard of, and dropped 50 points on average from last season. For those of you that were holding on to the mantra of not trading premos, this is the chance to shed yourselves of the millstone around your neck because he will not be back playing for at least a month.

Another player with absolutely no need to trade unless you have no other way to a premo you are seeking, is Patrick Retschko. Has had his bye, still has money to make (BE 27), and is the type of player to get some warm body points over the next three weeks at least. Apart from Brissy, which could be tough, he has North, Collingwood and Carlton to follow, all of whom give a few points away. Forget the piddly score last week in a horror smashing, his game style will earn him some valuable points if you have the where with all to hang on a bit longer.

MOST TRADED IN
Over 35k coaches traded, and most played, a CROW rookie sight unseen. Does that break all the rules, or does it just exemplify the situation where rookies are a huge gamble right now? Well, another 30+k have brought him, Hugo Hall-Kahan, into their teams after just one AFL appearance, and why not in the situation. Proved he was ready with a solid 72 point performance that included 100% by foot amongst his 16 valuable possessions. I think you can safely put yourself on the list if you already haven’t.

Must confess Campbell Lake is not someone I’m familiar with. The new Saint scored a modest 45 on debut and has handy DPP for the mid/fwd role swings, and is basement priced. I’m not going there because we might see Higgins back sooner than later, and we only get two games of bench cover before his R16 bye. If you are only doing it to get a cheap DPP, look at Port’s debutant, Xavier Bamert, from North Melbourne’s VFL side. Captained the Dragons to a premiership and played all four carnival games for Vic metro so has some creds. Not saying he is better than Lake, just don’t have the info.

Third most trade ins with 10k is the Flying Finn, Finn Callaghan of the Giants. I had him pencilled in for a swap for Sam Flanders this week. Makes sense price wise if you can swing the DPP magic, however I’m still considering a possible Windhager tag this week which may upset the apple cart. He will be a good buy, and like the Giants, looks to be on an upward trend, with four tons from his last five so I haven’t ruled it out. However, historically, he is down on average against his next three oppo, Saints, Blues and Hawks with averages 80 or below against each of them.

can we trust Dean Solomon to continue with Sam Durham in the guts and Zach Merrett down back. Merrett went from 16 CBAs to 1 whereas Durham went from 1 to 18, resulting in his highest score of the year, above 50 points higher than his current average. BE of 78 sits right around that current average, suggesting you will be able to have another look at those roles without too much price damage considering a projected 79. Did look pretty good last week and if the role continues as is, should be a bit of a steal as a $365k forward. Bear in mind, he has dropped $124k for a reason, so see where he is named and if the teams give an indication of a continuing role.

Lachie Ash at $509k and back, seemingly as the defensive distributor, represents great value for a guy averaging 104 and who has had his bye. Lowest score of 105 against the Saints in his last three, suggesting a cushy team match up. On my radar this week, but still trying to decide whether I can fit him along side Whitfield as I do not want any of the premos from rounds 15 or 16. If I did he would likely turn into Bailey Dale or Nas.

I’ve ridden the highs and mainly lows of the Horny one for weeks now, but with a BE of just 32, Jason Horne-Francis represents some value at $461k with his DPP and potential ceiling. Taking Pete Ladhams’ one game out, the Hornet is top ten forward with his average of 94 and he’s had a bye, all positives. What is not, is consistency. Against his next three, Swans, Pies and Crows, his career averages are all under 91 without a ton ever against the Pies. Food for thought, but worth the punt I believe, for a player maturing in his role.

If you have the cash, then my boy Jordan Dawson is potentially the buy of the week. How well has he played under some pressure of the past few weeks. Drags the Crows along and what he does, he does with impact which scores well in Supercoach. Bit of a caveat is the coach for using him all over at times, or for letting Daws make those decisions himself, taking him away from the higher scoring roles. The only reason I don’t have him is that I don’t want to mozz the man because he is far too valuable to the team.

Seven tons for an average of 97 is why we have been talking about Touk Miller for a couple of weeks now. Probably should have picked him after his bye, but it’s not too late as he has not increased in price since round 2 and is only $470k. Scored 120 against the Cats earlier in the year and averages 91 against them through eleven games. Very consistent with only one score below 80 for the year, so if that’s important to you, go for it. If you want the opportunity for a ceiling score however, maybe not.

I like the look of Sydney’s Harry Kyle, passes the eye test. Couple of scores over fifty and the only bubble boy on the list, and projected to make $30+k on his “up there” starting price of $145k  Don’t they love their left footed defenders? M/D DPP useful next week on their bye if you decide to pick him up. Direct swaps with the Max Holmes or HHK types to shuffle warm bodies may be useful over the next couple of weeks.

And last on the list of ten is Magpie Mid Season recruit, Mitch Podhajski, who scored a 52 on debut last week. I’ve got to throw it out there, why trade in a player on a bye who has no better score than a couple of others who are not on the bye. If you are just filling a spot on the bench with the cheapest player in the SC pot, why not one of the ones playing, or even gamble on the Port rookie. Can’t see Podhajski being any more useful next week, for what it’s worth.

Again, thanks for reading and thanks for any input that you are responsible for, it is really appreciated.