The AFL's opening round in New South Wales presented an opportunity for the AFL to make inroads into the heart of rugby league, sneaking into Peter V'Landys' backyard while he took the family on holiday to Las Vegas.
For the SuperCoachers, we have our own chance to make a breakthrough in the 2024 season – a free hit for players from the eight clubs who will line up before the first round.
With an unlimited number of trades until the start of the first round and no players eliminated, it's free real estate.
Although opening round scores don't count and won't be included in your SuperCoach points (with round one starting the real stuff), you can still make the most of the four matches – Sydney v Melbourne on March 7, and Brisbane v Carlton on 8 March. Then Gold Coast v Richmond and GWS v Collingwood on March 9.
Here's how to take advantage of the unique start to the season.
Insurance premiums
Wondering how Taylor Adams would be split between midfield and striker?
Want to know if Finn Callaghan will make a move inside?
Want to know what role Zac Williams will play when he returns to the Carlton side?
Normally, we have to read the summary of training matches, find out how many coaches are experimenting with their best 23 players, and how much of the style of play will carry over to the real season.
For these eight teams, there's no guessing: they're playing for four points.
There's no dealing with dodgy camera angles from regional centers, or uncertainty as to whether someone like James Harms is in the top 23.
We play for points. We know. And all for free.
Juniors
This has always been the biggest mystery facing SuperCoachers.
If the Suns rest Tuc Miller for a practice match, it is difficult to gauge whether Jake Rodgers plays in his place or if Gold Coast will suit them both.
They will not rest Miller in the opening round.
So we know which starters will participate in about half of the competition before SuperCoach officially starts, and we don't need to use precious deals to bring them in.
but this is not all.
We will see price rises from these guys downstairs a week ago, as price changes will still be affected by the opening round, even if the results are not.
This means that promotion season can start a week earlier, and cash flow starts sooner than ever.
Farewell
All things have balance and the downside to this blessing we have been given is a week off.
All eight clubs from the opening round will have a bye in the first few weeks of the season and SuperCoach will calculate the best 18 results across those rounds.
With only four rounds of top 18 scorers, can we take more risks with players who have a high variance in results – such as starting strikers?
Does taking a guy like Tom Lynch become more attractive when we know that four innings early, when we want him to make money, if he messes up the field, we might not even have to improve his grades?
Tinkerers
For those who like to tinker with their sides from pre-season time trials to the first lockdown, this tour is your gift.
Jesse Hogan scores and drives up the first quarter of the season?
You can see how he fits into your team in real time, and then not commit to actually selecting him by substituting him after he scores three points in the second half.
Prepare your side early and get patching up.
If you set up the leagues early, you can use the opening round as a reminder to the office bums — there's always one — to pull themselves together and form a team.
Drafts
The real winners from Round 0 could be the SuperCoach Draft players.
Not only do we have in-depth knowledge of all eight sides lined up in the opening round, but the NFL's obsession with Thursday Night Football will play into the hands of SuperCoachers for once.
Games will be completed by Saturday night, making March 10 the perfect day to greet your teammates for barbecue, pancakes, beer or Evians for the mother of all draft days – where spreadsheets that took months to compile are blown away in mere hours.
If Brodie Grundy came out and scored 150 in the opening round, would you take him in the first round instead of the second?
If Darcy Cameron has a week off, would you look to target him a little later and 'kick' your players, with a focus on eating into the captain's scoring options in midfield?
This is information we haven't had before and will make your drafts even spicier.
