Doctors’ Orders: Experts at Dr SuperCoach name four trade targets for round 21

Everything you have done this season has led up to this moment! For those who are in the hunt for some silverware, its crucial that you use luxury upgrades and side-swaps with great precision.

This week in Doctor’s Orders we delve into players who have a great match-up for week one of SuperCoach finals and can give you an edge over your opponent.

JEREMY McGOVERN – Defender | $554,400 | Average 107.1 | Break Even 95

We wouldn’t usually advocate bringing in a player who has missed three consecutive games through injury, but an enticing Gold Coast match-up and the absence of Tom Barrass could produce wonders for the All-Australian calibre backman.

It has been a stellar season for McGovern from a SuperCoach perspective. He has gone under 98 just three times across the whole season and hit the 109-plus mark on an astonishing nine separate occasions. The ceiling and consistency have been perfect for coaches who took a punt on him, with the only fork in the road being the rib injury suffered against Melbourne in round 17.

In recent weeks Gold Coast has been one of the teams giving up points to opposition defenders – Connor Idun 120, Jack Buckley 111, Charlie Comben 108 and Jeremy Howe 108 are just some of the general defenders who have flourished against the Suns during this time. None of these players are even remotely close to the level of McGovern this year, and he could be set for a mammoth score this weekend on return.

TOM LIBERATORE – Midfielder | $526,300 | Average 103.7 | Break Even 131

It has been a mixed year for the hard-nosed Bulldog. He started off the year quite strongly, averaging 115, before he suffered his first concussion against Essendon. Then, after succumbing to another one in round 8, the Bulldogs put him on ice for a month as they assessed his playing future.

Ultimately, the club stalwart returned, but has seemingly struggled to get into the swing of things, averaging just 100 in his past seven games. It could all be set to change, however, as the Bulldogs have a huge game against the poor performing Melbourne midfield this Friday night.

The Demons engine room has been dismal all year and have given up bulk points to opposition midfielders. Finn Callaghan (121), Jye Caldwell (120), Josh Dunkley (158) and Caleb Serong (123) are a handful of beneficiaries in this match-up in recent weeks.

Liberatore is still spending 80 per cent of his time in the centre bounce and is a strong, cheap candidate to explode in the coming weeks.

KIERAN BRIGGS – Ruck $547,900 | Average 94.9 | Break Even 122

This utility tall exploded on the scene in 2023, averaging almost 110 across the year. It has been a poor season to date, but lately things have begun to turn around in a big way. His three and five-game averages are 107 and 112 respectively, and a date against Lloyd Meek means EVERYTHING!

Just look at the scores Hawthorn has given up in the ruck in its past four games – Reilly O’Brien 124, Darcy Cameron 132, Luke Jackson 116, Sam De Koning 125 and Mark Blicavs 101.

The scoring power has returned in the past month for Briggs, and with the perfect match-up, the sky is the limit.

CHARLIE CURNOW – Forward | $431,500 | Average 88.5 | Break Even 28

Curnow has somewhat of a love/hate relationship with SuperCoach players around the league. He has had a pretty good year, but in the past month has reached season lows of 33 and 54, which has frustrated many.

In fact, Curnow only has one other sub-70 score on the year, and it was against Collingwood! Key forwards are always going to have more risk than other positions, but the stakes are high this weekend and Charlie will be a huge factor in the Blues’ chances.

The Magpies have struggled defensively in recent weeks and have a tall task ahead of them against the Blues’ twin towers. The data around key forwards is tough to assess as there are many peaks and troughs, but this is a game we expect Curnow to take by the scruff of the neck and have a great chance to flourish.