The Round 0 Loophole: How to Exploit the 2026 Opening Weekend
Round 0 provides a free look at players before the Round 1 price-lock. Here is how to use the 'vision check' to fix your SuperCoach bench.
Round 0 (Opening Round) is the ultimate "cheat code" for SuperCoach 2026. For the cost of a few days of patience, you get a 100% verified vision check on 8 teams before the Round 1 lockout.
In a game won and lost on rookie cash generation, this is the only time the house gives you a look at the cards before you bet. Here is how to exploit the Round 0 loophole.
The Vision Check: Roles > Stats
Coaches often make the mistake of looking at the Round 0 score. Ignore the score; look at the role.
If a basement rookie like Willem Duursma plays Round 0, we aren't looking for a 100-point epic. We are looking for:
- Time on Ground (TOG%): Did they play 75%+ or were they parked on a wing?
- CBA (Center Bounce Attendances): Are they actually in the guts or just goal-hanging?
- The 'Eye Test': Are they keeping up with the speed of the game?
A rookie who scores 45 but attends 15 center bounces is a "Buy." A rookie who scores 70 but kicked three flukey goals from 4 touches is a "Fade."
The "Dual-Gamed" Advantage
Rookies playing in Round 0 get their "third-game price rise" one week earlier than the rest of the competition. This accelerates your cash generation.
If you have two identical rookies—one playing Round 0 and one starting Round 1—the Round 0 player is statistically superior because they hit their price-cycle peak faster. This allows you to "hop" to a premium earlier in the season.
Avoiding the "Sub" Trap
Round 0 is notorious for coaches getting experimental with the tactical sub. If a rookie is named as the sub in Round 0, they are an immediate Red Light.
Being the sub kills a player's scoring average and stunts their price growth. If your "lock" rookie starts in the green vest in Round 0, you have the luxury of trading them out for a Round 1 starter before the lockout. Don't carry a sub into Round 1.
The Strategy: The Corrective Trade
The real power of the loophole is the "Corrective Trade." You can set your team on Thursday, watch the Round 0 games, and if your "sleeper" looks like a bust, you can swap them out for a Round 1 player with zero penalty.
The Loophole Lock: Keep one bench spot flexible. Use it for the best-performing Round 0 rookie who showed high TOG% and job security.
Last updated: February 23, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do players' prices change after Round 0?+
No. SuperCoach prices are locked until a player has played three games. Round 0 acts as a 'free look' where stats are recorded, but prices remain static until after their third appearance.
Can I trade Round 0 players before Round 1?+
Yes. Since the full season 'lockout' doesn't occur until the first game of Round 1, you can use Round 0 data to perform a 'corrective trade' on your rookies without spending a trade move.
Should I pick rookies only from Round 0 teams?+
Not necessarily. While they offer more certainty, you shouldn't ignore high-ceiling rookies from Round 1 teams just because you haven't seen them play yet.
Found a Round 0 breakout? Check the updated Rising Star markets at PointsBet before the odds slash.
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