The Phantom’s 2018 SuperCoach pre-season: The back-line money makers
CASH cows are the backbone of any good SuperCoach team. From first-year draftees to mature-age recruits and those who have been around a while but yet to make their mark. The Phantom takes you through the rookie-price options in defence.
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CASH cows are the backbone of any good SuperCoach team. From first-year draftees to mature-age recruits and those who have been around a while but yet to make their mark. Before the all-important JLT Series, The Phantom takes you through the rookie-price options in defence.
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THE TOP DRAFTEES
Nick Coffield (StK) $171,300
Although he caught the eye of recruiters with his ability to intercept and set up the play from half-back, the versatile Coffield played a variety of positions throughout his junior career.
And, in his first pre-season at the Saints, the classy right-footer, who averaged 21 disposals — at 76 per cent efficiency — and 100 SuperCoach points in the TAC Cup last season, has been working closely with the midfield group.
The word is last year’s No. 8 pick can match it with the big boys already, meaning we should see plenty of Coffield during the JLT Series.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Should be high on your JLT Series watchlist.
Aaron Naughton (WB) $166,800
At 195cm and 89kg, with senior football experience in the WAFL, the versatile key defender is ready to go.
After recording the most disposals and SuperCoach points out of all key defenders at the national under-18 championships, Naughton broke into Peel Thunder’s senior side as a 17-year-old in 2017.
And he wasn’t just making up the numbers.
In his seven games, the athletic Naughton averaged 14 disposals and seven marks — four of them intercepts.
The average intercept marks for key defenders in the AFL in 2017 was 1.7 and, in just his second senior appearance in the WAFL, Naughton tallied eight in a single game.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Naughton’s numbers are hard to ignore and he’s ready to step straight into AFL footy, meaning we should see plenty of him during his debut season.
IT’S TIME
Tom Doedee (Adel) $123,900
In 2018, his third year on the list, it’s time for the Crows to unleash Doedee.
With Jake Lever moving to Melbourne and Brodie Smith to miss most of the season through injury, there is an opportunity for Doedee to make his mark in Adelaide’s back half.
And, after averaging more intercept marks and possessions than any other defender in the SANFL last year, the 20-year-old is ready to fill the void.
The Phantom is not the only one to speak highly of Doedee, who finished runner-up behind Scott Thompson in the Crows’ SANFL club champion, either
On the first day of pre-season training, fellow defender Jake Kelly labelled Doedee “a special player’’.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Lock him in. The Phantom can’t see him not being there in Round 1.
Isaac Cumming (GWS) $117,300
With the injury to Zac Williams and departure of Nathan Wilson, it could also be time for the 19-year-old dashing defender to push his way into the Giants side.
The GWS Academy product, selected at pick No. 20 in the 2016 draft, impressed in the NEAFL last season, with his ball-use a highlight.
Cumming, who won more than 25 disposals in six games, scored more than 100 SuperCoach points in six of the final 11 matches of 2017.
Yes, Heath Shaw is still back there but the Giants need to replace the speed and precision kicking that both Williams and Wilson provided.
The Phantom’s Verdict: We’ll see him at some point in 2018. Fingers crossed it’s in Round 1.
RECYCLED GOLD
Cam O’Shea (Carl) $166,000
In 2013, O’Shea played every game for Port Adelaide, averaging a very serviceable — and career-high — 74 SuperCoach points.
Fast forward three years and, after only playing 32 of a possible 66 games, O’Shea found himself on the outer at Alberton. At the end of the 2016 season, he was delisted.
In 2017, the 25-year-old moved back to Melbourne to play with Carlton’s VFL affiliate the Northern Blues.
And what a great decision it was.
After winning the best-and-fairest and averaging 23 disposals and 91 SuperCoach points, O’Shea was picked up by Carlton in the pre-season draft.
In the absence of injured star Sam Docherty, O’Shea, who has 81 AFL games to his name, is vying for a spot across at half-back.
The Phantom’s Verdict: We haven’t heard much about O’Shea in the new year but the JLT Series should tell us more about Carlton’s plan. If he’s there Round 1, he’ll be a reliable cash cow.
Sam Murray (Coll) $123,900
Without a senior appearance to his name, Murray’s move from Sydney to Collingwood was one of the surprises of last year’s trade period.
After spending his first year in the Swans’ reserves as a forward, the 20-year-old was recast as a rebounding defender in 2017 with great success.
The 187cm left-footer averaged 22 disposals — at 77 per cent efficiency — six intercept possessions, six score involvements and 94 SuperCoach points in his new role.
And his performances raised eyebrows from afar with the Magpies giving up a future second-round selection for the hard-running Murray.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Clubs do not just throw those selections away so expect Murray to be in Collingwood’s plans early on.
ANOTHER CHANCE
Mitch Hibberd (NM) $169,300
Hibberd was a popular rookie-priced selection in SuperCoach last season after an impressive summer earned him a Round 1 debut.
Brad Scott obviously didn’t like what he saw because Hibberd, after just 10 disposals and 23 SuperCoach points, was back in the VFL.
We didn’t see Hibberd until strong, consistent VFL form saw him force his way back into the senior side in Round 15. While he had little impact in his return game, the 192cm defender, who boasts elite endurance, was outstanding in Round 16 tallying 22 disposals — at 86 per cent efficiency — seven marks and 74 SuperCoach points.
Unfortunately, Hibberd was struck down by injury in the first quarter of the Round 17 clash with Port Adelaide.
But that means his rookie price tag remains.
So can we give the 21-year-old, who held off new recruit — and running machine — Billy Hartung to win the 2km time trial at the start of pre-season, another chance in 2018?
The Phantom’s Verdict: If Hibberd can put in a strong JLT Series, he may prove more reliable than a first-year draftee.
TOP-PRICE
Jack Scrimshaw (GC) $202,300
While he didn’t see the world on fire in 2017, expect the 193cm rebounding defender to build on his four-game debut season.
At this stage of his career, Scrimshaw, who averaged 56 SuperCoach points in his first three games before a disappointing score of 17, will be hoping to lockdown a spot at half-back and utilise his damaging left-foot and intercept ability.
But, as the 19-year-old develops, he has the qualities to turn himself into a Marcus Bontempelli-like midfielder.
The Phantom’s Verdict: If he can cement his spot in the Suns’ best 22, Scrimshaw should post some decent numbers given his weapons.
Brandon White (St K) $225,800
The neat-kicking left-footer played one game in his debut season of 2016, hitting the target with 12 of his 13 disposals to finish with 45 points, despite hurting his arm, against the Lions in Round 23.
In 2017, White was again forced to bide his time in the VFL before winning promotion in Round 19. In the three matches that followed, the dashing defender won 13, 16 and 10 disposals — all at more than 80 per cent efficiency — in each game respectively, to average 59 SuperCoach points.
While these numbers don’t scream ‘pick me’, the 21-year-old’s effective ball-use and decision making, which was again on show during the club’s recent match simulation session, will have him in the selection frame early in 2018, especially with the retirement of Leigh Montagna.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Expensive but one to keep an eye on.
THE FAIRYTALE
David Mirra (Haw) $102,400
An early-season debut for the mature-age recruit, who averaged 127 SuperCoach points in the final five games of the VFL season, would be a fairytale. Not only for the 26-year-old who had previously been overlooked in every draft in since 2009 but for SuperCoaches, given our love for bottom-price rookie option.
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