Still haven’t picked your SuperCoach team? The Phantom names the must-have player on every line to help you get started

New to SuperCoach or just haven’t picked your team yet? The Phantom names the must-have player on every line to help get you started. Plus hear the latest edition of The Phantom’s Lair podcast.

• REVEALED: The Phantom’s final team
• The Phantom’s ultimate premium guide
• The Phantom’s ultimate mid-pricer guide
• The Phantom’s ultimate cash cow guide

• JLT Series Week 2 Standouts: MID | DEF | RUCK | FWD

New to SuperCoach or just haven’t picked your team yet? The Phantom names the must-have player on every line to help get you started.

DEFENCE

ZAC WILLIAMS

(GWS $407,800)

At $407k, the dashing Giant defender appears the best value-for-money option in the competition

Don’t worry about his limited game time in the pre-season competition, he’ll be fine come Round 1.

After missing the entire 2018 minor round with an Achilles injury he is, arguably, more than $100k underpriced this season.

In 2017, Williams averaged 22 disposals, eight contested possessions, five score involvements, six intercept possessions, four tackles and 94 SuperCoach points per game.

The 24-year-old scored 82 points or more in 16 of his 20 matches and booted 7.8 from half-back.

While he didn’t feature in the home-and-away season, Williams was recalled for GWS’ finals campaign last year after just one NEAFL appearance.

And he wasted little time reminding the competition of his influence, tallying 33 disposals — 20 of them kicks — nine marks and 117 points in the elimination final against the Swans.

Williams, who, after taking a team-high 13 in the Giants’ two finals will be the go-to man for the kick-ins, is unlikely to be available for less than $500k for long.

The No. 1 draft pick is a lock for SuperCoach in 2019.

MIDFIELD

SAM WALSH

(Carlton $207,300)

“I’m yet to see a weakness, to be honest. He’s a serious athlete.”

That’s how veteran Kade Simpson described his new team-mate on SEN in February.

Everything you hear about the classy, hard-working midfielder is overwhelmingly positive.

And his numbers are no different.

In 41 junior matches covered by Champion Data, the No. 1 pick averaged 29 disposals per game.

Walsh, who averaged 142 SuperCoach points at the Under-18 championships, has been a standout for the Blues over the pre-season, ranking first at the club for inside 50s and second for disposals and contested possessions in the JLT Series.

He’s well-and-truly justified the hype.

Not since David Swallow at the Gold Coast in 2011 has a No. 1 draft pick averaged more than 73 points per game in their debut season.

But that’s about to change. Pay the top-end rookie-price and pick him.

RUCK

BRODIE GRUNDY

(COLLINGWOOD $708,200)

This one’s boring but you just can’t leave Grundy out.

He’s been bothered by a toe issue recently but, on Monday, was back in full flight at Magpies’ training.

And, at this stage, it’s no reason to avoid him.

In fact, I can’t think of any.

And, no, a quiet JLT Series from a SuperCoach point-of-view is not one.

The Collingwood big man, who tallied more hitouts, disposals, clearances, contested possessions and tackles than any other ruckmen, averaged a competition-high 130 points per game in 2018.

It’s true, no ruckman has finished as the top-ranked scorer in consecutive seasons since Dean Cox in 2012.

But Grundy might be the man to break the ‘Cox Curse’ in 2019.

Like Cox, Grundy is not just a ruckman, he acts as an extra midfielder.

The 24-year-old equalled the clearance numbers of midfield stars Matt Crouch and Joel Selwood in 2018.

And he recorded more contested possessions per game than Dustin Martin, Luke Shuey, Adam Treloar, Stephen Coniglio, Dayne Beams and Scott Pendleburey.

Given a ruckman will this year be allowed to grab the ball out of the ruck and no longer be regarded as having had prior opportunity, his numbers may get even better.

While it will be hard to Grundy to maintain his high-price tag all season, it’s the points you’ll miss out on which will hurt the most.

The Phantom is expecting big things from Swan Isaac Heeney in 2019.

FORWARD

ISAAC HEENEY

(SYDNEY $529,200)

Patrick Dangerfield is just too obvious. If you don’t already have the Geelong superstar in your side as a forward, you may as well give up now.

The other forward who is looming as a must-have for 2019 is young Swan Isaac Heeney.

“I am feeling really fit and ready to go. Hopefully, touch wood, it will mean I will be able to run out games a bit better and to produce a full and consistent season.

“I feel I can take my game to the next level and help the team go to the next level, too.”

That’s what the 22-year-old told the Herald Sun in January after, so far, completing the first full pre-season of his career.

Heeney averaged 98 points per game in 2017 — his third year in the game — after battling glandular fever.

Last season, he posted SuperCoach tons in nine of the first 12 rounds, despite knee surgery over summer.

And he still split his time between the forward line and the midfield last season, which makes his 11 SuperCoach tons — five in excess of — even more impressive.

Heeney was, again, used forward, at times, in the absence of Lance Franklin during the JLT Series but still managed to score 104 and 70 in limited game-time.

The Phantom can’t wait to see what the next level holds.