Another footy season is just around the corner which means the chance to get one up on your mates also beckons.
Or perhaps you fancy yourself as the best coach out there and are gunning for that major prize?
Whatever your motivations, here's everything you need to know about AFL Supercoach in 2020.
MORE: The AFL Supercoach 2020 cheapies you need to keep an eye on
How to play AFL Supercoach Classic
This is the big one. With $50,000 on the line, there's plenty to play for.
Here's the run-down:
You have a $10 million salary cap and 30 places in your team to fill (eight defenders, 11 midfielders, three rucks, eight forwards).
22 of those players will score points, while you'll also select four emergencies every week.
You'll also pick a captain, who will score double points, and a vice-captain, who will step up if your skipper doesn't play.
Players earn points through a Champion Data algorithm, based around stats, but it's not as simple as it sounds.
For example, more points are awarded for contested possessions vs. uncontested, effective disposals vs. ineffective and depending on what time and significance of the match they occurred.
Intercept possessions, tackles and score involvements are also highly regarded.
As expected, midfielders generally score the most points, though the ruckman have been dominating in recent years.
Here's the top three scorers in each position from last season to give you an idea of who to keep an eye on.
| Defenders | Jake Lloyd (Syd) | Tom Stewart (Gee) | Rory Laird (Ade)/Daniel Rich (Bri) |
| Midfielders | Jack Macrae (WB) | Lachie Neale (Bri) | Josh Dunkley (WB) |
| Rucks | Brodie Grundy (Col) | Max Gawn (Mel) | Todd Goldstein (NM) |
| Forwards | Josh Dunkley (WB) | Patrick Dangerfield (Gee) | Tim Kelly (Gee) |
Players' prices will change throughout the season depending on how they score, with the prices adjusted based on a rolling three-match system.
If a player of yours gets injured, suspended or simply isn't cutting it, you can trade them out, but be shrewd because you only get 30 trades for the season.
When you think a young player has hit their maximum value, you can trade them out, or 'downgrade', for the next cheap option emerging on the scene.
By the end of the season, you're aiming to have a side stacked with the best 'premiums'.
How many rounds are there in AFL Supercoach Classic?
The Supercoach season starts in round one and runs over 23 gameweeks until the end of round 23.
If you've managed to finish in the top eight in your league, the finals will begin in round 20 and take place over the final four rounds of the AFL regular season.
As has been the case for several years now, there will be three bye rounds in the middle of the season (rounds 12, 13 and 14).
These are slightly different in Supercoach, with coaches having just 18 possible scoring players, rather than 22, during those three weeks.
How do I join a private league in AFL Supercoach Classic?
Whether there's cash on the line or just good-old bragging rights, there's plenty of fun to be had by joining a league with your mates.
And it's pretty easy to do.
If you're the organised one in the group, it might be up to you to create the league, simply click 'create/join league' under the Leagues tab and you're on your way.
Once you've made the league, send the code around to your mates.
If your mate has already made a league, get the code off them and enter it when prompted.
Now all you've got to worry about is getting that team humming on the park.
How do I loophole my captain in AFL Supercoach Classic?
If you're new to Supercoach but have spent any time talking to veterans or trying to familiarise yourself with the game, you've probably heard the term 'captain loophole'.
Put simply, it takes advantage of the rolling lockout and gives you a free shot at potentially big captain score, provided you don't bugger it up.
Here's how it works:
Let's say your number one captain choice is Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy, but the Pies don't play until Saturday night, you can stick your vice-captain on a player going around earlier in the weekend in the hope they go huge.
Taking round one, 2020 for example, Richmond meet Carlton on a Thursday night, so you might make Dustin Martin your vice-captain.
Scenario 1: Dusty's four-goal, 30-touch performance sees him pick up 150 Supercoach points.
Leave the vice-captain on Dusty, move a player who definitely won't play that weekend onto the field and put the captain on them.
Just make sure you name the player you want on the field as an emergency on the same line as your non-playing captain.
Eg. VC - Dustin Martin (Mid/Fwd), C - Jordan Sweet (Ruck), Emg - Brodie Grundy (Ruck)
Rest easy knowing your weekend is off to the perfect start.
Scenario 2: Dusty doesn't quite set the world on fire and finishes with a score of 81.
You're pretty confident Grundy will go bigger than that when the Pies meet the Dogs on Friday night, so you leave the C on the big man.
Pretty simple? Just make sure you stay on top of it and beat the lockout if you're gonna do any tinkering.
How do you play AFL Supercoach Draft?
Sick of seeing the same few players in everyone's team? Or do you fancy yourself as a gun talent scout and reckon there's some hidden gems out there?
Supercoach Draft might be the format for you.
Draft lets you and your mates go head-to-head and gives you plenty of freedom in how your league will work.
You can tinker with the league size, season length, team structure, draft format or even set the league up to run over several seasons.
Once the actual draft gets underway, players can only be selected in one team in that league, making for a dramatic season.
You can also trade with your opponents to get ready your team for a flag tilt.
