The Phantom’s 2018 SuperCoach pre-season: The big money is in the midfield cash cows
FROM first-year draftees to mature-age recruits and those who have been around a while but yet to make their mark. The Phantom is here to steer you through the all-important rookie-price options in the midfield.
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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. The Phantom takes you through the rookie-price options in the midfield.
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THE TOP PICKS
Luke Davies-Uniacke (NM) $189,300
The No. 4 pick could already be North Melbourne’s best midfielder.
Wait. Did I say that out loud?
In all seriousness, even though he is yet to take the field, ‘LDU’ is creating a buzz down at Arden Street.
And it’s not hard to see why.
The 18-year-old has some phenomenal junior numbers to show and, at 188cm and 85kg, is ready to have impact from the get-go.
The ball-winning midfielder averaged 24 disposals, 12 contested possessions, five clearances, six score involvements, one goal and 134 SuperCoach points in the TAC Cup last season, with a 33-disposal, 184-point performance in the finals the highlight.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Onlookers say ‘LDU’ looked comfortable running through the midfield during the club’s recent intra-club match. I think that’s where we will see him in Round 1.
Andrew Brayshaw (Freo) $198,300
Reports from Perth suggest Brayshaw, the younger brother of Melbourne’s Angus, lined up on Nat Fyfe — his new housemate in Perth — in the Dockers’ intra-club clash last week and won his fair share of footy.
Like ‘LDU’, Brayshaw is ready to go and is another complete package to come out of last year’s draft. The 18-year-old posted a SuperCoach ton in all 10 TAC Cup games he played last year, averaging 25 disposals, 12 contested possessions, five clearances, seven tackles and more than seven score involvements.
Last year’s No. 2 draft pick was the leading score assist player in the competition.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Another who could be worth his top-end price tag. Over to you, Ross.
Paddy Dow (Car) $193,800
Dow’s 2017 was cut short by a shoulder injury but he had done enough for the Blues to take him at pick No. 3 in last year’s draft.
If he’s ready to go come Round 1 — which the club insist he is — the 18-year-old should walk straight into a transitioning Carlton midfield.
And, given 60 per cent of the inside midfielder’s possessions at the under-18 championships were contested; his scoring should justify his starting price.
In his final TAC Cup game last year, Down tallied 35 disposals, 21 contested possessions and six clearances.
The Phantom’s Verdict: He will be a star but, if both ‘LDU’ and Brayshaw are named in Round 1, The Phantom will be taking them over Dow.
Hunter Clark (StK) $175,800
While Clark has played at half-back in his junior days, his ability to win the footy, break away and hit a target should see him become a damaging AFL midfielder — and hopefully a good SuperCoach scorer when he gets a chance.
The 18-year-old showcased his ball-winning ability in the TAC Cup in 2017, averaging 27 disposals and 126 SuperCoach points.
There is plenty of class about Clark with his clean hands and kicking — on both sides of his body — standout attributes.
But he also likes the tough stuff, averaging 13 contested possessions and 7 tackles per game last year.
The Phantom’s Verdict: The Phantom really likes the look of Clark but there is plenty of competition down at the Saints. The JLT Series will give us a better indication of how close a debut is.
THE MATURE-AGERS
Tim Kelly (Geel) $117,300
Steven Motlop out, Kelly in?
That’s the scenario SuperCoaches are hoping for and, after the classy 23-year-old’s impressive pre-season campaign, it’s a very good chance of becoming a reality.
In 2017, the sublimely-skilled Kelly dominated the WAFL, averaging 26 disposals, 14 contested possessions, four tackles, seven score involvements and 118 SuperCoach points to finish runner-up in the Sandover Medal as the league’s best player.
The last mature-ager to make the transition from the WAFL to the Cats’ side was ball magnet Sam Menegola and, last year, Tom Stewart was another mature-age recruit to have an immediate impact.
Expect the goal-kicking midfielder to do the same in 2018.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Kelly is looming as the must-have cash of the season.
Nick Holman (GC) $102,400
Another dream scenario for SuperCoaches would be a Round 1 debut for the basement-price Holman.
After being delisted by Carlton, after nine games, at the end of 2015, Holman spent two years with Central District in the SANFL, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the competition.
In a dominant 2017 season, the 22-year-old averaged 26 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven score involvements, seven inside 50s, six tackles and 127 SuperCoach points per game, finishing the year as Central’s best and fairest.
If the 187cm midfielder can add some outside polish to his game, he will be better placed for a second crack at the big time.
The Phantom’s Verdict: If Holman is named in Round 1, he’s in.
Dom Barry (Port) $117,300
“He’s been outstanding, one of our real shining lights so far this pre-season.’’
Those are the words of Port Adelaide assistant coach Matthew Nicks.
Sure, we hear the ‘training the house down’ line far too often at this time of the year but that’s a ringing endorsement for the 24-year-old, who was selected at pick No. 61 in the 2017 draft.
The former Demon, who, after five games, walked away from AFL footy in 2014, reignited his career with Glenelg in the SANFL last season.
The talented left-footer, who averaged 89 SuperCoach points in the SANFL — with a 152-point performance against the Crows in Round 8 — believes he is in a better place after returning to his home in the APY lands in 2014.
It’s time for Barry, who showed of his running power in the Power’s recent intra-club hitout, to fulfil his potential.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Barry, who should excite at Thursday’s AFLX in Adelaide, could slot in across half-back or on wing in Ken Hinkley’s Round 1 side with the Matthew Broadbent injury and no Jarmey Impey.
TACKLING MACHINE
Lachie Fogarty (Geel) $117,300
Another Cat in line for an early-season debut as a small, pressure forward is the 18-year-old tackling machine.
Fogarty, who fell into Geelong’s lap at pick No. 22, averaged 144 SuperCoach points — the highest in the competition — and 10 tackles per game in the TAC Cup last season.
Coach Chris Scott has already hinted both Fogarty and Kelly can help his side in 2018 and he hasn’t been afraid to give the kids a go in the past — Brandan Parfitt the most recent example in 2017.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Keep him high on your watch list as he will see plenty of pre-season game time.
SECOND-YEAR SPIKE?
Will Brodie (GC) $187,700
In 2018, there will plenty of opportunity in coach Stuart Dew’s new-look Gold Coast midfield and The Phantom believes Brodie — whose game has similar traits to inside bulls Josh Kennedy and Patrick Cripps — will step up.
Despite some strong form in the NEAFL, which saw him average 26 disposals, 11 contested possessions and five clearances, the second-year midfielder only managed three games in his debut season.
While Brodie, who stands at 189cm, failed to reach double-digit disposals in his first two appearances, in Round 23 — after 39 disposals, six marks and seven tackles against the Swans reserves the week prior — the second-year midfielder recorded 23 disposals and eight contested possessions against the Power.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Locked into The Phantom’s side as we speak.
Jordan Gallucci (Adel) $219,400, forward
With Charlie Cameron departing for Brisbane in the off-season, there is a spot for a speedy half-forward in the Crows’ side.
Enter Gallucci.
After averaging 128 SuperCoach in the TAC Cup in his draft year of 2016, the athletic midfielder managed only one game in his debut season.
That came in Round 9 against the Lions with Gallucci recording 11 disposals, three tackles, a goal and 57 points.
The 19-year-old, who scored 226 SuperCoach points in a single game in the TAC Cup, scored more than 100 points in four of his final five SANFL appearances last season.
Gallucci’s 2017 ended prematurely with a broken jaw resulting in dramatic weight loss.
But, he’s back at his usual weight and ready to bring the x-factor his side is looking to replace.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Could become a permanent fixture in the Crows side this season, meaning he might be worth the extra cash. His scoring potential as a half-forward is a concern, however.
Final word: How to deal with SuperCoach rookie blow
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