Discussion 2025: AFL SuperCoach Discussion - OPEN

[mike89]

Also I would be starting a pretty standard midfield eg 5 keeper 3 rookies. Given that prices will be dropped to allow for the 31st player (if it was say 20k per player as pure guess) that gives you around 600k for that 31st player. But we won't know till prices come out.

In the BBL the prices have reduced by about 6% (squads going from 16 to 17 with the flex) so given AFL is about double the squad size I'd expect about a 3% reduction.

 

[TBG]

I think the 23rd player may help with covering a player subbed off during the round. My thoughts on how I'd start my team with the flex player is pick a rookie to help with cash generation. Allows you to load up a little more on rookies to make money?

 

[Serj]

One downside of locking in a third ruck early is losing the pseudo-dpp trade flexibility that flex will provide. If I have a defender in flex, I can trade out a defender, move the flex into defence, and trade into literally any line without needing a DPP.

If you lock in 3 rucks early that won't be available. So I'm not sure on starting a third ruck, unless there is a playing cheapo ruck.

 

[Tex]

One downside of locking in a third ruck early is losing the pseudo-dpp trade flexibility that flex will provide. If I have a defender in flex, I can trade out a defender, move the flex into defence, and trade into literally any line without needing a DPP.

If you lock in 3 rucks early that won't be available. So I'm not sure on starting a third ruck, unless there is a playing cheapo ruck.

If I start a ruck at Flex , then trade out a ruck , swing my Flex to ruck position, can't I trade in anyone into Flex position?

 

[Russty_]

If I start a ruck at Flex , then trade out a ruck , swing my Flex to ruck position, can't I trade in anyone into Flex position?

Here's some info from that SC Podcast regarding that....
The Flex player is treated the same as anyone else in your starting line-up and can be traded, substituted (with another player in the corresponding position or via DPP)

 

[Tex]

Here's some info from that SC Podcast regarding that....
The Flex player is treated the same as anyone else in your starting line-up and can be traded, substituted (with another player in the corresponding position or via DPP)

So does that mean the Flex position becomes a Ruck position if I start a pure Ruck at Flex?

 

[Herbie66]

So does that mean the Flex position becomes a Ruck position if I start a pure Ruck at Flex?

Defenders 6 + 2 Bench
Mids 8 + 3 Bench
Rucks 2 + 1 Bench
Forwards 6 + 2 Bench
Flex 1

Flex can be anyone at all

Best onfield 22 scores (from 23 spots) count

Flex doesn't have a bench score covering them if they DNP

 

[Tex]

Defenders 6 + 2 Bench
Mids 8 + 3 Bench
Rucks 2 + 1 Bench
Forwards 6 + 2 Bench
Flex 1

Flex can be anyone at all

Best onfield 22 scores (from 23 spots) count

Flex doesn't have a bench score covering them if they DNP

Yep , as I thought
So if I start a ruck at Flex, trade out a ruck , swing Flex ruck to ruck , I should be able to trade in any player with any positions into my Flex position.
Hence I'm heading down the Ruck at Flex path personally

 

[Herbie66]

Yep , as I thought
So if I start a ruck at Flex, trade out a ruck , swing Flex ruck to ruck , I should be able to trade in any player with any positions into my Flex position.
Hence I'm heading down the Ruck at Flex path personally

Correct

 

[Shannon]

https://thefootymailbag.net/25-sc-preseason/2025-rookie-bible

 

[Shannon]

Also I would be starting a pretty standard midfield eg 5 keeper 3 rookies. Given that prices will be dropped to allow for the 31st player (if it was say 20k per player as pure guess) that gives you around 600k for that 31st player. But we won't know till prices come out.

Looks like next season we will have an excellent crop of rookie mids that could well play round 1 at this ridiculously early stage. Many of them are impressing on the track, bodies already quite well built - the kids these days seem more developed than previously & are more AFL ready.

Jagga Smith/ Finn O'Sullivan ( apparently taking kick out for the A team at North training/ set to start at half back, lucrative role)/ Sid Draper/ Levi Ashcroft (looks as good as his brother) Harvey Langford/ Josh Smillie (similar to Patrick Cripps) could all well be in my starting team so might start just 4 premiums/keepers in the mids with so many potential great mid rookie options next season.

 

[Serj]

If I start a ruck at Flex , then trade out a ruck , swing my Flex to ruck position, can't I trade in anyone into Flex position?

You can, but then you are trading a ruck. You only have 3(+ flex) of those, you have 8+ of the other lines. More of your trades will be on other lines than ruck.

 

[Russty_]

Yep , as I thought
So if I start a ruck at Flex, trade out a ruck , swing Flex ruck to ruck , I should be able to trade in any player with any positions into my Flex position.
Hence I'm heading down the Ruck at Flex path personally

Yep and you'd only have to trade a Ruck out with an injury, until then you get to enjoy having 3 high scoring Ruckmen. if you're willing to fork out that much money

 

[Ironhawk]

Which is normally the higher averaging player - the 3rd best ruck or 9th best mid?

By the end of the season, you should be aiming for the top of line players on field, with your flex whichever one of the above two is the next highest. I honestly do not know for sure which is usually the better option, but expect it's the 9th mid.

Starting 3 premium rucks means you will probably be trading one out at some point. At this stage, I'm leaning towards an extra cash generating option for the flex spot, but I really don't know the best way to go. Will depend on prices etc.

 

[Manikato1]

You could also probably use the flex to support a specific strategy on one line. Eg maybe you decide to go risky in the back line with maybe one high end keeper and a number of mid pricers. Then you use the flex to support that by choosing a high another high end def keeper. If the gamble works out that is great. If it doesn't though then you could move the def flex into your back line to bolster it and put who ever you like into the flex spot. All kinds of possibilities to be considered.

 

[Shannon]

TDK scores when solo ruck last season :-



Blues had the bye round 14, then he pulled up sore round 16 after his monster game round 15. Injured late in the round 17 game, didn't play the rest of the regular season. Recall the blues as a team playing & looking far better when he was the main ruckman.

Marshall after the bye was so consistent, just 1 score under 100:-



Xerri after the bye, just insane numbers:-



Over the last few years, Solo or Rucks that get only brief relief score so well in SC

The above 3 were the 3 rucks I was debating about the most, not sure which one to leave out... now I can start all 3 if I wish

 

[GrainFedBeef]

I think the 23rd player may help with covering a player subbed off during the round. My thoughts on how I'd start my team with the flex player is pick a rookie to help with cash generation. Allows you to load up a little more on rookies to make money?

The flex will not influence the number of rookies in your team, if my read is correct.

If you assume we all start with 12 premiums or some combo of premiums and mid pricers, the 31st player is always going to be a rookie.

If someone picks 3 ruck premiums (one in flex), they have one less premium in another line which is filled by the rookie.

Basically my read, unless you go 3 premium rucks, whatever you pick in flex is the same as anyone else doing that, just you rearranged the spots.

Given we have one extra rookie, in theory cash generation is better, if the flex is a premium rucks, it is because you think that will be better than the 9th best mid, 7th defender or forward.

just my thoughts after listening to SC podcast and others on this forum for 24 hours. If wrong, I blame the cocktails as I sit around a pool in phuket!

 

[GrainFedBeef]

TDK scores when solo ruck last season :-

View attachment 81152

Blues had the bye round 14, then he pulled up sore round 16 after his monster game round 15. Injured late in the round 17 game, didn't play the rest of the regular season. Recall the blues as a team playing & looking far better when he was the main ruckman.

Marshall after the bye was so consistent, just 1 score under 100:-

View attachment 81153

Xerri after the bye, just insane numbers:-

View attachment 81154

Over the last few years, Solo or Rucks that get only brief relief score so well in SC

The above 3 were the 3 rucks I was debating about the most, not sure which one to leave out... now I can start all 3 if I wish

Yeah, think this change benefits those who had fomo in rucks.

I was finding it hard to pick between xerri marshall and gawn, TDK would replace gawn if solo. Either way I think my preference is more rucks and lose a premium on another line, where a roomie replaces it.

 

[Under The Dome]

Comparing for flex no DPP for the new season.
I've highlighted those taking an early bye.

Gawn 124.1
Xerri 119.9
Marshall 112
Nank 110.2
English 108
Witts 107.9
Grundy 106.6

Bontempelli 126.4
Butters 120.4
Neale 119.9
Daicos 117.2
Heeney 116.8
Treloar 116.6
Serong 115.7
Merrett 115.3
Dunkley 111.8
Cripps 110.5
Brayshaw 109.8
LDU 109.1
Steele 108.6
Walsh 108.4
Gulden 108
Anderson 106.7
Green 106.6

 

[Ricky Bobby]

Yeah, think this change benefits those who had fomo in rucks.

I was finding it hard to pick between xerri marshall and gawn, TDK would replace gawn if solo. Either way I think my preference is more rucks and lose a premium on another line, where a roomie replaces it.

Based on the apparent strength of the mod rookies, this seems like a good strategy to allow an extra high end mid rookie.