Final say: Round 23 tactics, trades, skippers

Some SuperCoach trades feel better than others. 

Bringing in Clayton Oliver for Nick Daicos last week just felt amazing. One of those trades that pops up at the perfect time and in the perfect place. By Friday lockout I knew I didn’t have any option but to go with Clarry.

Boy is it a pleasure to watch the Red Nut go at it when he’s fit and firing. 81% game time, running rampant through the guts of the MCG. with 13 thirteeeen!! tackles just to round things off.

I feel fantastic about that move, even more so now that poor old Libba is out at least this week with a nasty concussion. Over 30% of the top 5,000 own Libba, which has really opened the door for a nice move up the rankings over this last fortnight of the season.

2,328 for the round was good enough for 19,000th and a little rise up the rankings to 3,200th overall.

Continuing on with this week’s podcast theme – I thought I’d drop a top 3 of guys who’ve played their way on to my “Never Again” list after disastrous 2023 campaigns.

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3. Darcy Cameron

This big oaf, this big lumbering oaf, is going to be the major reason why I don’t make a top 1,000 push. 

DCam was a beast [without Grundy] in 2022 and I, like many others, surmised that there was no reason he couldn’t do the same in 2023 with Grundy firmly out of the picture.

Signs were bad early when he couldn’t keep the oafiest of all oafs – Mason Cox – out of the side. They’ve only gotten worse since then, culminating in a 67 point stinkbomb against a Geelong side without even the sniff of a recognised ruckman. Shannon Neale (WHO???) had 67 points against him on Friday night.

Get out and stay out Darce.

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2. Charlie Constable

The ultimate tease this bloke. Must have made a loud joke about Stewie Dew’s weight because he racks up tons and possies for fun in the NEAFL/VFL/whatever it’s called these days and somehow can’t get a game in a team that’s about to miss finals for the 35th year running. 

Seeing his stupid name sitting stupidly at D8 this entire season is giving me a hernia. 

I look forward to Constable having 47 touches in a preseason game in 2024 and sucking everyone else in. I won’t be buying the hype.

Narrator: he probably will buy the hype.

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1. Mason Redman

What more does Redman need to go right for him this season:

• New coach
• Rebuilding team
• Contract year
• Other halfback out half the season (Ridley)
• Perfect role

And he still can’t become a perma top-10 or even top-20 defender!!! Give me a break. Get out of my team. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

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Eddie’s Captains

Josh Dunkley

Has had his two lowest scores of the season in the last fortnight – surely due a bounceback?! Crucial fixture for the Lions against the Pies, who unfortunately Dunks doesn’t have a great record against. I’m nervous here.

Lachie Neale

Neale has three consecutive sub-100 scores now and has admitted his form is “average”, which is never a great spot to be. In comparison to Dunks his recent performances against Collingwood are marginally better: 102, 117, 89 in his last three. I don’t like either of these options.

Zach Merrett

Always a reasonable VC/C shout, especially against a GWS side that gave up a boatload of points to Power mids last week. Has been susceptible to a tag this year so watch out.

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Rowan Marshall

Massive chance to go large against a Geelong side without a recognised ruckman. Do you trust him with the straight C? I don’t, which probably means you’ll need a loop option who plays after the Saints game.

Rory Laird

Despite flying under the radar, Laird has a five-round average of 122.2. He faces the Swans at Adelaide Oval, a venue that he loves playing at and an opposition he chops up. Big watch.

Errol Gulden

Bit of a nasty record against the Crows and I’m not sure the Adelaide Oval suits him. 

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Tim English

Like Marshall – a massive chance to go large against a side without a recognised ruck. Will he get subbed? Probably the only thing that could stop him going 150+.

Marcus Bontempelli

With Libba sidelined due to concussion, Bont’s role becomes even more pivotal. Two 140+ scores in his last three v the Eagles. Sub again a big risk.

Clayton Oliver

Probably cops the Magginness tag you’d think? Unless he goes to Petracca… In which case Clarry could be on.

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Max Gawn

Has dominated the Hawks with two 170+ scores in his last three against them. Probably better options out there, but if you’ve got him this is why you brought him in.

James Sicily

A risky bet at this point, given teams have shown to be pretty adept at shutting down his impact. I’m probably avoiding, but does have a great record against the Dees, so who knows.

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Vice Captains

1. Rowan Marshall
2. Zach Merrett
3. Josh Dunkley

Captains

1. Tim English
2. Marcus Bontempelli
3. Clayton Oliver