The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season: Cash-cow smokies

It’s the all-important cash cow week and today it’s time for the smokies who might be hidden from your radar. From ball-magnets waiting for an opportunity to late-round draftees, The Phantom names six players to add to your watchlist.

• The Phantom’s pre-season guide to: Premium smokies | Premium forwards | Premium defenders | Premium midfielders | Mid-price defenders| Mid-price midfielders | Mid-price ruckmen | Mid-price forwards | Mid price smokies | Cash cows in defence | Midfield cash cows | Cash cow ruckmen | Cash cow forwards

It’s the all-important cash cow week and, today, it’s time for the rookie-priced diamonds hiding in the rough. From ball-magnets waiting for an opportunity to late-round draftees, The Phantom names six players to add to your watchlist.

Dylan Clarke, mid

(Essendon $147,700)

In the VFL last season, the ball magnet averaged 27 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances and 110 SuperCoach points per game.

The 20-year-old tallied 30 disposals or more on nine occasions with a season-high 38 disposals — to go with 11 marks and 11 tackles — against Coburg in Round 10.

And in his draft year of 2016, Clarke averaged 29 disposals and 145 points per game in the TAC Cup.

It’s fair to say he has no trouble finding the football.

But his kicking is a concern — and it has been since his junior days.

Clarke recorded a kicking efficiency of less than 50 per cent across his first two seasons in the VFL.

From the outside, it looks to be one of the main reasons he’s only played one senior game in two years on the Bombers’ list.

But Clarke deserves a chance to showcase his strengths on the big stage.

The Phantom’s Verdict: If he does get another opportunity this season, at $147k, his money-making potential is huge.

Dylan Moore, right, celebrates a goal during the Box Hill’s VFL preliminary final victory over Williamstown.

Dylan Moore, fwd

(Hawthorn $123,900)

In his draft year of 2017, the elite runner dominated the TAC Cup as a midfielder with his 130 SuperCoach points per game ranking seventh in the competition.

Moore averaged 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions, six score involvements, five clearances and five tackles per game.

The 19-year-old started his journey with the Hawks as a small-forward in the VFL.

And by the end of 2018, he was a very influential one.

In the last two games of Box Hill’s successful finals campaign, Moore, who booted four goals in the preliminary final and then three a week later in the grand final, averaged 18 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 10 scores involvements and 118 SuperCoach points.

A senior debut isn’t far away.

The Phantom’s Verdict: Could become a very popular selection after the JLT Series.

Tackling machine Tom Atkins attempts to bring down start team-mate Patrick Dangerfield.

Tom Atkins, mid

(Geelong $112,900)

On August 19, 2017, Atkins broke the VFL tackle record, applying 23 against Collingwood.

And that’s not all he did that day.

The 23-year-old tallied 25 disposals, 21 contested possessions and 13 clearances.

Huge.

In the VFL last season, Atkins — Geelong’s skipper — averaged 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five clearances, nine tackles and more than one score assist per game.

The Cats could no longer overlook Atkins, who had been right in front of them for years, adding him to the rookie list late last year.

And after working with the Geelong forwards in a standout pre-season campaign, a pressure-forward role awaits in 2019.

The Phantom’s Verdict: A Round 1 bolter who could post some good numbers from the outset.

Luke Foley, mid

(West Coast $117,300)

After being overlooked in last year’s draft, the tall midfielder landed at the Eagles after a terrific 2018 season.

Foley, who stands at 187cm and 75kg, averaged 17 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances and 115 SuperCoach points per game, to be Western Australia’s highest-rated player at the Under-18 championships.

Back in the WAFL, the 19-year-old averaged 26 disposals, seven tackles and 139 points at Colts level and hopes to follow a similar path to Docker Bailey Banfield, who was also drafted a year after he was eligible at the end of 2017.

The Phantom’s Verdict: While a debut might not come as early as Banfield’s last season, Foley should definitely get an opportunity at some stage.

Aaron Nietschke, right, during his first pre-season at the Demons.

Aaron Nietschke, mid

(Melbourne $117,300)

“He’s hungry and he’s here for a reason and we love what we see so far in Aaron.”

That’s what head of player development at Melbourne Matt Egan had to say about pick No. 53 in last year’s draft.

And while we might not see him straight away, the 184cm 18-year-old, who has been training with the defenders during his first pre-season, is one to keep a close eye on.

Why?

Playing for Central District in the SANFL Under 18s last year, Nietschke average 32 disposals, 14 contested possessions, nine marks, nine score involvements, five clearances, one goal and 170 SuperCoach points per game.

Yes, 170 points per game.

Nietschke also showed he can mix it with the big boys, averaging 115 points in six reserves games and tallying 23 disposals, nine handball-receives and eight contested possessions in the first of his three league appearances for the year.

The Phantom’s Verdict: Might force his way in at some stage this year through sheer weight of numbers.

Corey Wagner, mid

(Melbourne $123,900)

Can former Kangaroo Corey Wagner make the most of his second chance at the Demons?

After being signed by the Demons under the AFL’s new rookie rule, the 21-year-old gets a second chance after spending two years on North Melbourne’s list.

In 2018, Wagner, who has eight AFL games and a career-high SuperCoach score of 61 to his name, played for Melbourne’s VFL affiliate, averaging an impressive 21 disposals and eight tackles per game.

The 181cm midfielder tallied at least 20 disposals and 10 tackles on six occasions.

Wagner has impressed the club with his running ability over the pre-season and has been doing most of his work with the forwards.

It’s unlikely the Demons signed Wagner without a specific role in mind, meaning he’s likely to feature at some point in 2019.

The Phantom’s Verdict: Might not be at the top of the watchlist but keep him in mind.