The Phantom’s first look: The cheaper alternatives in the ruck and the value options for SuperCoach in 2019

Can you really afford to spend $1.4m on SuperCoach superstars Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn? That’s a lot of money! Fear not, the Phantom has you covered with some cheaper options which may give you a perfect point of difference.

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It’s almost here, SuperCoaches — the official team picker will launch this week. The Phantom has checked over all of the prices and here is his first look at the cheaper alternatives in the ruck, as well as the value-for-money options elsewhere in 2019.

Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn. Lock and Load.

Right?

Well the price might not be in 2019.

At $708,200, Grundy, the highest-scorer in 2018, will be the most expensive player in the game next season.

And Gawn, he finished the year as the third-ranked player behind Grundy and Tom Mitchell, will be priced at $692,100.

That’s $1,400,300 — more than 10 per cent of the salary cap — for just two players.

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Despite the two giants averaging at least 20 points more per game than the next best ruckman, understandably, some SuperCoaches may look for an alternative set up in 2019.

With the uncertainty surrounding the role of Gawn’s new ruck sidekick Braydon Preuss ($239,900), Grundy appears to be the best option to lead your ruck division.

And, thankfully, there looks to be some value around if you’re looking for a new partner.

Port Adelaide’s Justin Westhoff is available as a dual-position player in SuperCoach in 2019.

Justin Westhoff

(Port) $549,500 Ruck/Forward

The Power’s 2018 best-and-fairest gains dual-position status after the first three-figure average of his career.

Rory Lobb

(Freo) $411,600 Ruck/Forward

Finally, the new Docker, who has shown glimpses of his scoring power as the No. 1 ruckman, has dual-position status. Unfortunately, though, he’s likely to be used more as forward at his new club if Aaron Sandilands and Sean Darcy are fit.

Sean Darcy

(Fre) $361,500

Sandilands is still the man but if the 36-year-old breaks down, Darcy, who receives a discount after only seven games last season, could become a popular selection.

Shane Mumford

(GWS) $320,200

Mumford’s return to the competition could go either way. He won’t be available for selection until Round 3 due to a club suspension but if a rookie-price ruckman gets an early game elsewhere, at $320k, Mumford could be in some unique plans.

Don’t forget about Sydney ruckman Sam Naismith, who missed the entire 2018 season after rupturing his ACL.

Sam Naismith

(Syd) $251,300

The Sydney ruckman missed the entire 2018 season after rupturing his ACL in March but, if all goes to plan, the 26-year-old will be back training with the main group early in the new year. Despite a lacklustre SuperCoach career to date, a lead ruckman at that price should be on the watchlist.

Keegan Brooksby

(WC) $202,700

Former Gold Coast Sun averaged 15 disposals, five marks and booted 15 goals in 18 SANFL games in 2018. And with Nic Naitanui on the sidelines and Scott Lycett departing there could be a spot up for grabs at the Eagles.

Don’t pretend you’ve never thought about starting with a cheap R2.

Zac Clarke

(Ess) $142,600

A year after being delisted by the Dockers, Clarke’s back on an AFL list after a dominant season in the WAFL. Wants to play in the same team as Tom Bellchambers but what will his scoring be like?

Darcy Fort

(Geel) $117,300

Mature-age recruit averaged 124 and 105 SuperCoach points in the past two SANFL seasons with Central District. And the Cats have shown they don’t mind experimenting with their big men.

ELSEWHERE …

If you decide to go with the set-and-forget strategy in the ruck, there’s plenty of other value-for-money options to save you elsewhere in 2019. On first look, here’s a few that have caught The Phantom’s attention. There’s others but more will be revealed in the coming days.

Gun Crow midfielder Brad Crouch is up-and-running and will provide plenty of SuperCoach value next season.

Brad Crouch

(Adel) $418,000, midfielder

The 24-year-old, who averaged 117 points in his past four games, is running freely with the main group after missing the entire 2017 season. Lock him in if that’s the case in March.

Brodie Smith

(Adel) $332,500, defender

The Phantom’s favourite receives a big discount after playing just two games — and scoring 129 points in one of them — in 2018, after recovering from a knee reconstruction.

Jack Viney

(Melb) $449,500, midfielder

The Melbourne captain is severely underpriced in 2019 given his SuperCoach scoring ability. If he stays fit, he won’t be available for less than $500k for long next year.

Will new Saint Dan Hannebery, centre, recapture his All-Australian form in 2019?

Dan Hannebery

(StK) $326,100, midfielder

Can the former Swan recapture his All-Australian form at the Saints? He would only need to get close to justify his cheap price tag.

Toby Greene

(GWS) $354,600, forward

That’s no misprint. The matchwinning forward will be available for $354k in 2019. But can he get on the park — and stay there?

Can Carlton recruit Alex Fasolo cement a spot in the Blues’ forward-line next year?

Alex Fasolo

(Carl) $250,000, forward

Former Magpie could be worth the elevated rookie price tag if he can win a spot in the Blues’ forward line. Has averaged more than 75 points three times in his injury-riddled career.

Will Setterfield

(Carl) $144,900, mid/fwd

Still recovering from the knee reconstruction suffered in last year’s pre-season but the No. 5 pick from the 2016 draft should slot straight into Carlton’s midfield when he’s ready.

Tom Williamson

(Carl) $189,500, defender

The Blues rate the rebounding defender, who failed to play a senior game in 2018 with an ongoing back issue. The 19-year-old played 15 games in his debut season of 2017.

Sam Collins

(GC) $188,900, defender

The strong-marking defender, who has 14 AFL games to his name from his time at the Dockers, was signed by the Suns after taking 110 intercept marks in the VFL this season — the most by any player in any competition on record.

George Horlin-Smith

(GC) $270,300, midfielder

Horlin-Smith can play and can score but can he win a starting spot in the Suns’ midfield? Along with injury, that was always his problem at the Cats.