With all this talk of doubles to start the season, have we forgotten to consider the most important aspect of BBL SuperCoach? The subject of byes is not as sexy as dreaming up ways of getting some double-teaming action with the likes of Daniel Sams, Marcus Stoinis or Matt Short, but what about the long-term implications of these interactions?
Written by Andrew Scudamore @abjscud
Sure, getting off to a flyer in any form of SuperCoach can set you up for success, as I was able to do with relative success last year, but it was the following rounds that really set me up for a grandstand finish of 48th overall.
A steady approach through rounds 2-5, building a healthy bank balance, even at the risk of losing some head-to-head leagues and losing ground in the overall standings, set me up. But there was one aspect that was arguably even more important and enabled me to get ahead of the curve. Being savvy with trades, and somehow getting ahead of the curve is really what matters, and using the loops are pivotal in this.
I have set my team this year with a fairly tight plan for the first 3 rounds that becomes a little flexible for rounds 4 and 5, albeit with a clear objective to have a good team by the Sixers round 5 double.
Like many SuperCoaches, Cooper ‘Looper’ Connolly is a major player in my plans because of the flexibility he offers, but he isn’t the only player I’ll be calling on to enact a loop. I’ll be looping in every position in every round. This is where byes can actually play in your favour.
Stoin is another key player here (assuming you are one of the many who have him, and, like me, who are crying in your soup over twin ducks to start his campaign). Being DPP means he can switch with Looper Connolly when it suits, such as round 2 when the Scorchers actually play first up.
A quick glance at the Honeyball bye and doubles calendar available in the excellent Honeyball BBL magazine, details how the Scorchers are the best team to have a ‘looper’, as they play the most later round games. This provides coaches with valuable time to pivot mid-round.
I mentioned my plans involve every line.
Keepers: Clarke (next round-unless I use a boost to bring in Billings to get ahead of the curve- see previous comment) and Gilkes before I assess my plans for Round 4. By this stage I will have my eyes firmly fixed on Mr Phillipe ahead of his Round 5 double but whether or not I get him depends on the fortunes of others and hence, why it is important to have a clear short-term plan and a general mid-range idea.
Batsmen: Possibly Stoin in Round 2 or Billings If I enact my cunning boost plan. Hales will play this role for me in round 3. Assess for Round 4, possibly Looper Connolly (gee he could be important!).
Bowlers: Again, Stoin if I have brought in Billings, or another who may yet be added to my mix….actually I think I am talking myself in to Billings through this process! Farooqi will play the looper role in Round 3 or possibly even, you guessed it, Cooper Connolly!
Round 4 will be the real difference-maker, where there are no doubles and no byes. This will clearly be the time to spread genuine guns around the field. Hopefully you’ll be slightly ahead of the curve by that stage.
The addition of boosts this year is a great one. Many of the most successful coaches in the footy codes seemed to use their trades aggressively to get ahead of said curve. Good luck!
