The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season: Cash cow defenders
The Phantom’s SuperCoach moves into the all-important cash cow week. Today, it’s time for the best rookie-price defenders. Will Port’s Connor Rozee play in Round 1? Which Sun is the intercept king? The Phantom runs the rule over the best options
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The Phantom’s SuperCoach moves into the all-important cash cow week. Today, it’s time for the best rookie-price defenders. Will Port’s Connor Rozee play in Round 1? Which Sun is the intercept king? The Phantom runs the rule over the best options
THE TOP PICKS
Connor Rozee, fwd
Port Adelaide, $189,300
The versatile 18-year-old impressed for North Adelaide in the SANFL last season, playing a key role across half-back in the Roosters’ successful finals campaign.
In the semi-final victory over Sturt, Rozee, who averaged 157 SuperCoach points playing as a midfielder at the 2016 Under 16 national championships, tallied 24 disposals — 20 of them effective — 10 marks and four rebound 50s.
Despite averaging seven intercept possessions in the last four SANFL games for the year, expect the 185cm Rozee to line up across half-forward or on a wing for the Power in 2019.
With his foot skills, aerial ability and speed, it’s hard to see a Port Adelaide Round 1 team without him in it.
The Phantom’s Verdict: There are cheaper options but, all going well, Rozee will play majority of games in his debut season and looms as great cash cow in defence.
Isaac Quaynor
Collingwood $153,300
The ready-made defender averaged 16 disposals, seven contested possessions and 90 SuperCoach points in the TAC Cup last season and has been impressive in his first pre-season at Collingwood.
If he can push his case during the JLT Series, the 19-year-old, who averaged the second-most metres gained at the 2018 Under 18 championships is a chance to feature at half-back early in 2019.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Might not be the highest-scoring rookie-price defender but we all know how important early games are. Keep him on the watchlist.
Xavier Duursma, mid
Port Adelaide, $130,800
With the pre-season shoulder injury to Ollie Wines and the departure of Chad Wingard and Jared Polec, there’s spots up for grabs in the Power side.
While Duursma is unlikely to be ahead of Rozee, the 186cm, 73kg right-footer, who breaks the lines and can play in multiple positions, was the only midfielder in the TAC Cup last year to rank elite for intercept possessions, score involvements and goals.
The Gippsland Power captain averaged 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, five tackles, five score involvements and 124 SuperCoach points in 2018.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Might be a JLT Series bolter.
THE MATURE-AGERS
Sam Collins
Gold Coast $188,900
The 24-year-old, who played 14 games with the Dockers in 2016 and 2017, is back on an AFL list after taking 110 intercept marks in the VFL last season, the most ever recorded in a state league competition.
The 194cm right-footer’s numbers were so good, he would’ve ranked No.1 key defender in the AFL for intercept possessions, intercept marks, contested possessions and marks.
Collins, who averaged 124 SuperCoach points per game in 2018, will slot straight into the Suns’ back six this season.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Lock him in — he’s worth the elevated price tag.
Marty Hore
Melbourne $117,300
The Demon defence won’t be easy to break into but the 190cm defender from Collingwood in the VFL, who has recovered from off-season ankle surgery, will be putting plenty of pressure on the Melbourne match committee — especially with Jake Lever not due back until around mid-year. The long-kicking left-footer, who averaged 102 SuperCoach points, reads the play exceptionally well, ranking second for intercept possessions and marks in the VFL last season.
The Phantom’s Verdict: The perfect bench option if the 23-year-old can break in.
Callum Wilkie
St Kilda $124,900
The 23-year-old won the best-and-fairest in a premiership year at North Adelaide last season after averaging 20 disposals, nine marks — three of them intercepts — and four rebound 50s per game. The 191cm attacking defender is one of a handful of mature-age recruits vying for an early season opportunity at the Saints but where he fits in remains the big question.
The Phantom’s Verdict: More likely an early-season downgrade option.
Chris Burgess
Gold Coast $123,900
The highly-rated 23-year-old, who played at both ends for West Adelaide in the SANFL in 2018, is another mature-age option to consider.
The strong-marking Burgess, who booted 24 goals in 47 SANFL games since making his debut in 2016, averaged 14 disposals, six marks, four intercept possessions, four score involvements and 84 SuperCoach points per game last season.
The Phantom’s Verdict: A very good chance to be there Round 1 but will his scoring translate playing in the Gold Coast forward line?
NEW START
Corey Ellis mid
Gold Coast $233,300
The 22-year-old just couldn’t cement a spot in the senior side in his four years at Richmond but he dominated in the VFL, averaging 110 SuperCoach points per game in the past two seasons.
While the defensive side of his game will have him in Stuart Dew’s plans, is Ellis, who scored 60 points or more just nine times in his 27 career matches, worth the elevated rookie-price even with a new midfield role?
The Phantom’s Verdict: I’m not convinced.
Jack Scrimshaw
Hawthorn $149,800
The highly-talented 20-year-old never really settled on the Gold Coast, managing just four senior games, but, when he’s ready, expect coach Alastair Clarkson to deploy Scrimshaw at half-back and utilise his damaging left-foot and intercept ability.
Scrimshaw, who has the qualities to turn himself into a Marcus Bontempelli-like midfielder in time, averaged 85 SuperCoach points in 14 NEAFL matches in 2018.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Doesn’t have the runs on the board but the potential is there.
BACK FROM INJURY
Tom Williamson
Carlton $189,500
The 20-year-old is resuming after a back injury wiped his 2018 season but the Blues rate him highly after the left-footer showed enough in his 15-game debut season of 2017.
Williamson only averaged 12 disposals in that year but that figure should increase with more opportunity in a defence that’s missing Sam Docherty.
But do Williamson and Nic Newman play in the same side?
The Phantom’s Verdict: The JLT Series will tell us what we need to know about the young Blue.
ANOTHER CHANCE
Harrison Wigg
Gold Coast $102,400
The former Crow was a popular SuperCoach selection last summer before a fractured ankle ruined his first year on the Gold Coast.
But Wigg, who was drafted as a neat-kicking defender, turned himself into a ball-winning midfielder in the SANFL before leaving Adelaide, averaging 23 and 25 disposals in his final two seasons.
After being delisted then re-drafted by the Suns during the off-season, if Wigg can break into the Stuart Dew’s side, he’s a must-have at the basement price.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Please, Stuey.
Final word: How to deal with SuperCoach rookie blow
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