The Phantom’s SuperCoach formguide for Geelong: Who to pick from embarrassment of riches in Cats’ star-studded midfield?

Whether you are punting on a mid-price selection or backing the favourite, it’s not always easy picking a winner in SuperCoach. To help, The Phantom predicts Geelong’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style summer formguide covering every player in it.

The Phantom's SuperCoach formguide: Geelong

• The Phantom’s Formguide: Adelaide
• The Phantom’s Formguide: Brisbane
• The Phantom’s Formguide: Carlton
• The Phantom’s Formguide: Collingwood
• The Phantom’s Formguide: Essendon
• The Phantom’s Formguide: Fremantle

Whether you are punting on a mid-price selection or backing the favourite, it’s not always easy picking a winner in SuperCoach. To help, The Phantom predicts Geelong’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style summer formguide covering every player in it.

The Phantom’s Best 22

B: Tom Stewart, Mark Blicavs, Jack Henry

HB: Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor, Zach Tuohy

C: Tim Kelly, Sam Menegola, Mitch Duncan

HF: Quinton Narkle, Esava Ratugolea, Brandan Parfitt

F: Lachie Fogarty, Tom Hawkins, Luke Dahlhaus

1R: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett

Inter: Scott Selwood, Nakia Cockatoo, Jake Kolodjashnij, Charlie Constable

The Phantom’s Formguide

(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2019)

Patrick Dangerfield says he has lost 4kg and is fit for the 2019 season. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Patrick Dangerfield (Fwd/mid $660,500)

Posted SuperCoach tons in 19 of his 21 games despite battling a number of injury issues. Is fitter and could improve on his 122-point average. Must be included as a dual-position forward.

Tim Kelly (Mid/fwd $505,800)

Blew away the field at times in stunning first-up effort, posting nine SuperCoach tons in his debut season. With dual-position status, the classy mover looks a major player again.

Sam Menegola (Mid/fwd $543,100)

Averaged 100 points per game across the pass two seasons and should be prominent again 2019. Takes some catching on his day.

Gary Ablett (Mid $580,600)

Most-credentialed player in the field commands huge respect again after averaging 107 points in far-from-convincing season. Always a chance to feature.

Tom Hawkins at Cats training. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Tom Hawkins (Fwd $552,900)

Outstanding finish to 2018, recording SuperCoach tons in eight of the final 12 minor rounds and looks set to be a major player again this year. Not if you’re after value but should be prominent.

Charlie Constable (Mid $123,900)

Young inside-midfielder was a close to debut last year and should finally get a chance in 2019. Comes right into calculations.

Brandan Parfitt (Fwd $434,300)

Tough 20-year-old — who faded after huge start to 2018, which included a 168-point performance — is capable of even better and should see more midfield time in his third season. Keep in mind.

Mitch Duncan (Mid $576,500)

Couldn’t reach heights of 2017 form despite posting 13 SuperCoach tons last season. Among the better chances and will have plenty of admirers.

Joel Selwood (Mid $570,500)

Star midfielder could again find himself behind the ball — as he did on occasion in 2018 — given the Cats’ depth through the middle. Rates highly again, regardless of role.

Tom Stewart (Def $463,000)

Averaged 85 points, with seven SuperCoach tons, in All-Australian season in 2018. Should feature again but others look to have stronger claims at the price.

Zach Tuohy (Def $460,400)

Consistent performer but just can’t do enough to be considered a major player. Scored 85 points or more in 16 of his 22 games but only went on to pass the 100-point mark three times. Keep in mind, especially in SuperCoach Draft.

Quinton Narkle (Fwd $241,000)

Exciting small forward could add another dimension to the Geelong midfield in time. Played just the six games in his second year at the club but is fitter and will be an improver in 2019. Do not dismiss.

Nakia Cockatoo (Fwd $190,500)

Talented 22-year-old, who has failed to make more than 11 starts in any of his four years in the game, is resuming from a knee injury. May need the outing but there’s some value here.

Rhys Stanley (Ruck $483,500)

There will be pressure on his spot despite a strong finish to 2018 with five SuperCoach tons in the final seven games. Others have much stronger claims in the ruck field.

Can Luke Dahlhaus rediscover his best in new colours? Picture: Tim Carrafa

Luke Dahlhaus (Fwd/mid $418,300)

Form doesn’t make for great reading, given average has fallen by 27 points in the past four seasons, but the former Bulldog will get his first start as a Cat in 2019. Can figure but unlikely to trouble the leaders.

Jack Henry (Def $336,100)

Strong-marking utility did his best work in defence but could be used in attack throughout 2019 as Geelong works out it’s best setup. A chance to improve on super-impressive first-up effort but not a lot of value at the price.

Esava Ratugolea (Fwd $295,200)

Resuming after nasty leg injury cut short an impressive start to his career early last season. Working to full fitness after off-season surgery but should feature alongside Hawkins inside 50 — and maybe in the ruck — in 2019.

Scott Selwood (Mid $382,700)

Fitness a concern but can feature on his day and should be prominent in the Cats’ midfield again this season

Lachie Fogarty (Fwd $324,300)

Plenty of competition for his spot but the 19-year-old might have done enough in his debut season to get the first look. Hard to recommend at the price however.

Look elsewhere if Mark Blicavs returns to a defensive post this season. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Mark Blicavs (Def $405,200)

Athletic big man transformed himself into a key defender last season and, while he will remain there after an outstanding campaign, he’s not suited to SuperCoach in that role. Look elsewhere.

Harry Taylor (Def $262,800)

Injury and form saw the veteran make just seven starts in 2018 but he’s having a good preparation and should still feature for the Cats this season. Look elsewhere in SuperCoach, though.

Jake Kolodjashnij (Def $320,000)

Played every game last season but shouldn’t be considered in SuperCoach after averaging 59 points per game.

MAKING THEIR CASE

The final makeup of the Cats’ lineup is hard one to predict meaning Cam Guthrie (Def $346,100), Jordan Cunico (Def $381,500) and Jed Bews (Def $230,700) could slot straight in after doing more than enough in 2018. Expect to see top draft pick Jordan Clark (Def $144,300) and mature-age recruit Nathan Kreuger (Fwd $123,900) at some stage this season, while fellow mature-ager Darcy Fort (Ruck $117,300) will be fighting with Ryan Abbot (Ruck $340,700) for a spot in the ruck.