SuperCoach AFL 2025 round 15 trade guide: Best rookies, bargain buys
What rookie crisis?
It might have taken 14 rounds, but all of a sudden there is a bounty of cheapies to pick from in SuperCoach.
Tom McCarthy is already one of the most traded players despite playing just one game and West Coats having a bye this week.
His bargain basement $99k price tag frees up money for other moves, but there a handful of cheapies already on the bubble who will provide an extra green dot in round 15.
There are also some standout bargain options to finish your team without breaking the bank.
Here are my top picks.
ROOKIES
Nick Madden could be competing with Kieren Briggs for a spot in the GWS team.
GWS ruckman has the lowest Break Even of any player available this week after posting scores of 81 and 78 filling in as the Giants' No.1 ruck the past two rounds. Cheap rucks have proved to be excellent scorers and money makers in SuperCoach in the past, the issue here is Kieren Briggs might only be a week or two away.
Young GWS ruckman Nicholas Madden. Picture:Data strip for SuperCoach AFL 2025
Another Giant who played seven games in 2023 and none last year, returning to the senior side in round 11 this season. He scored three points as the sub in the game and was dropped the next week, but returned on the weekend and was a key part of the centre bounce mix, picking up 18 disposals and six tackles. Hard to trust the role will hold, but if it does there should be some more good scores.
Sam Butler had six tackles against the Crows.
Played 19 games from 2022-2024 as a small forward, but has been playing as a midfielder in the VFL this year – racking up 42 disposals in one game. His numbers at AFL level haven't been that prolific – 19 and 14 touches in his two senior appearances – but his pressure (11 tackles) has been crucial. And the Hawks have won their past two. He's $25k cheaper than Martin in the forward line.
Sam Butler is part of a winning Hawthorn formula. Picture:Is Jack Martin the new Tyson Stengle?
Never thought we would consider one of the most injury-prone players in the AFL as a SuperCoach option, but that's the magic of Geelong's recruiting and conditioning departments. Martin hasn't played more than 11 games in a season since 2020, and only broke into the Cats' line-up two weeks ago. But the former forward has landed a plum role in defence, taking 10 marks on his way to 79 SuperCoach points. If you need a cheapie to play on field for a while, he could be the best bet. Just keep a trade up your sleeve in case the injury curse strikes again.
AL'S ROOKIE RANKINGS
1. Sam Butler
2. Jack Martin
3. Harry Rowston
4. Nick Madden
CUT-PRICE PREMIUMS
Callum Mills could be one of the bargains of the season.
We had to wait until after Sydney's bye to snap up the captain at a bargain price, but the timing couldn't be better – hopefully Mills will play every week from here until round 24. And his price is yet to move. It's hard to read too much into the Swans' big win over a barely competitive Richmond, but Mills moved well and had a great role across half-back and through the midfield. And we know what he can do (career-best average 116 in 2022. With a projected $23k price rise after a tough match-up against Port Adelaide you could afford to wait a week, but who has that spare cash lying around – and no need for an extra green dot in a tricky bye round.
Callum Mills is on the bubble. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Key forwards are usually avoided in SuperCoach, but Sam Darcy could be the exception.
Dropped $35k after returning from a knee injury with a huge Break Even, and should be a little bit cheaper again next week. But that's no guarantee with a match-up this week against Richmond under the roof on Sunday. This is the sort of game the Dogs could run up the score, with Darcy looking ominous against the Saints as he warmed back into senior AFL action. He even had a hitout to advantage to help boost his SuperCoach numbers.
Jason Horne-Francis made a spectacular return against Melbourne,
JHF was supposed to be dirt cheap in the next week or two but that now seems like a pipedream after he also blitzed his return game last round. He was everywhere against the Demons early, and only inaccuracy in front of goal (1.3) and a shoulder stinger than kept him off the ground for most of the last quarter prevented a much bigger score. Watch injury news and teams this week, but Port expects him to line up against the Swans.
Dion Prestia was in brilliant form before Richmond's bye.
He's cheap and he's scoring a lot of points (132, 121 in his two games). He also has a very low Break Even, which does provide some cover if he breaks down again. But sadly with Prestia that feels like a matter of when, not if, and it would be a huge roll of the dice to gamble on him playing out the season – we don't want to be bringing in stepping stones at this stage of the season. Still, stranger things have happened.
Dion Prestia is a very tempting price. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
George Hewett is flying under the radar.
Looking for a point of difference in the midfield? Hewett is owned by just 7 per cent of teams despite scoring the sixth-most SuperCoach points in the midfield in 2025. After scoring 94 in round 1 he has only missed the ton once in the next 11 games, with six of those above 120. He's bye-free, available for a very reasonable price and an injury to Sam Walsh opened the door for Hewett to increase his centre bounce numbers. This week he will be a prime mover against North Melbourne. The last time these teams met, in round 6 this year, he scored 171 SuperCoach points.
AL'S TOP TARGETS
1. Callum Mills
2. Sam Darcy
3. Jason Horne-Francis
Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2025: Top trade targets for round 15
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