The Phantom’s SuperCoach formguide for Sydney: Can the new kids on the block take the lead at the Swans?
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 Sydney’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style formguide covering every player in it.
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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 Sydney’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style summer formguide covering every player in it.
The Phantom’s Best 22
B: Dane Rampe, Lewis Melican, Nick Smith
HB: Zak Jones, Aliir Aliir, Jake Lloyd
C: Oliver Florent, Josh Kennedy, Ryan Clarke
HF: Isaac Heeney, Lance Franklin, George Hewett
F: Tom Papley, Sam Reid, Nick Blakey
1R: Sam Naismith, Luke Parker, Callum Mills
Inter: Callum Sinclair, Ben Ronke, Jordan Dawson, Jarrad McVeigh
The Phantom’s Formguide
(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2019)
Jake Lloyd (Def $608,200)
One of the major SuperCoach players after career-best season in 2018, which featured 14 SuperCoach tons. Will take some catching as Sydney’s top-scorer. Get on.
Isaac Heeney (Fwd/mid $529,200)
The young star averaged 107 prior to the bye last season but faded after a concussion in Round 15. Is capable of better than 2018 average suggests and, after a good preparation, should have plenty of admirers.
Lance Franklin (Fwd $543,500)
Most-credentialed runner in the field after averaging 107 points or more in four of his first seven seasons in the game. But fitness and a limited preparation is, again, a concern. Wait and see.
Luke Parker (Mid $561,700)
Star midfielder couldn’t replicate career-best form from 2016 in the past two seasons but, after 11 SuperCoach tons — six in excess of 120 — last year, the 26-year-old must be respected in 2019.
Callum Mills (Mid $428,900)
After averaging 73 points or more in his first three seasons in the game at half-back, the young star might finally be ready to make the long-awaited move up the ground in 2019. Is capable of far better as a ball-winning midfielder. Keep in mind.
Josh Kennedy (Mid $525,600)
Star midfielder will feature again but he’s starting to drop back in the field after recording lowest season average since 2011 last season. Must be respected but others now have stronger claims at the price.
Nick Blakey (Fwd $166,800)
Despite an interrupted preparation, the highly-rated 18-year-old, who was part of the Swans’ Academy, is a chance for an early-season debut in 2019. Comes right into SuperCoach calculations if he’s named alongside Franklin in Round 1.
Sam Naismith (Ruck $251,400)
Resuming from an ACL injury and is likely to reclaim the No. 1 ruck spot from Callum Sinclair. Never been a major player in SuperCoach but must be considered at the price.
Jordan Dawson (Mid $260,600)
Is capable of making the step up after averaging 133 SuperCoach points in the NEAFL over the past two seasons. Should have plenty of admirers if he gets an opportunity.
Oliver Florent (Mid $359,300)
Classy youngster is building nicely after posting four scores of 86 or more in the second half of 2018. Might come right into SuperCoach calculations at this time next season.
George Hewett (Mid $425,200)
The 23-year-old passed the 80-point barrier in 14 of his 22 starts and recorded three SuperCoach tons in 2018 and could be even more prominent this season as midfield responsibility grows. A great late-round draft selection.
Ryan Clarke (Def $355,400)
Ball-magnet, who couldn’t find a suitable role at the Kangaroos, could step straight into the Swans’ line-up in 2019 after a good preparation. Doesn’t have the class of some in the field but keep him in mind.
Aliir Aliir (Def $431,800)
Coming off impressive 2018 campaign which saw him score 90 points or more in five of his final 10 matches and could feature in 2019. Consider in SuperCoach Draft.
Dane Rampe (Def $422,400)
Can feature on his day as five scores of 98 or more last season suggests but there’s not enough value at the price.
Zak Jones (Def $432,200)
Failed to build on impressive 2017 campaign, which saw him add 27 points to his average, last season. Capable of better in 2019, depending on the role.
Callum Sinclair (Ruck $528,000)
Posted 11 SuperCoach tons in career-best year in 2018 but others looks to have stronger claims this season if Naismith takes the No.1 ruck spot back.
Jarrad McVeigh (Def $487,100)
The 319-game stayer commands respect after averaging 89 points or more in 10 of the past 11 seasons but others now have stronger claims at the price.
Tom Papley (Fwd $383,400)
Average fell by 11 points last season after permanent midfield role didn’t eventuate. Others have much stronger claims at the price in SuperCoach.
Sam Reid (Fwd $395,200)
Resuming after just one start — a 104-point performance in Round 3 — in 2018. Can feature and must be respected by fitness is a big concern.
Ben Ronke (Fwd $350,600)
Impressive first-up effort, despite late-season fadeout, but is unlikely to feature in SuperCoach at that price in 2019.
Lewis Melican (Def $279,400)
Resuming after just three starts, due to injury, in 2018 and might keep veteran Heath Grundy out of the best 22. Look elsewhere in SuperCoach, though.
Nick Smith (Def $338,200)
A reliable — and important — defender for the Swans but not for SuperCoach, as an average of 62 or less in the past three seasons proves.
MAKING THEIR CASE
Recruit Dan Menzel (Fwd $369,100) could force his way into the Swans Round 1 line-up, while Heath Grundy (Def $419,000), Harry Cunningham (Mid $410,100) and Kieren Jack (Fwd/mid $310,600) might miss out with the new talent coming through. Young forward Tom McCartin (Fwd $274,100) will get another opportunity after an impressive 2018 and untried defender Jack Maibaum (Def $123,900) will be knocking down the door. And can former Cat Jackson Thurlow (Mid $289,700) force his way in at his new club?
Final word: How to deal with SuperCoach rookie blow
There was more KFC SuperCoach carnage at team selection this week. But there was some good news, too. The Phantom looks at all the Round 4 teams, how to deal with new rookie blow and all the weekend’s best captain options
SuperCoach: Simpkin, Petracca or Smith – who do you take?
Jy Simpkin, Bailey Smith and Christian Petracca all present tremendous value in the KFC SuperCoach forward line ahead of Round 4. But, if you’re trading Josh Dunkley or cashing out on Lachie Whitfield, which one do you choose?