The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season: Defenders who caught the eye in week 3 of the JLT Series

THE countdown is on. The JLT Series is over and it’s time to start finalising your team. Here are the defenders who caught The Phantom’s eye in the final week of JLT Series action.

The Phantom's Standouts JLT Series Week 3

• JLT Week 2 standouts: Defenderd
• JLT Week 2 standouts: Midfielders
• JLT Week 2 standouts: Forwards
• Ultimate cash cow guide

Marley Williams (NM) $396,300

JLT 2: 118, JLT1: 78

The 24-year-old, who averaged 85 SuperCoach points in 2015, built on his 78-point performance in the first JLT Series game with an impressive display across half-back against the Tigers. The left-footer finished with 22 disposals – at 81 per cent efficiency – six marks, five tackles, nine rebound 50s and 114 points. With Richmond comfortably on top, there was plenty of play in North Melbourne’s defensive 50 but that might happen more often than not in 2018.

Jayden Short (Rich) $319,900

JLT2: 113, JLT1: 58

While the rebounding defender only passed the 80-point barrier in two of his 16 games last season, Short’s score of 113 against North Melbourne on Wednesday night shows he has the potential. But just how often we see the 22-year-old tally 25 disposals and 10 marks is the big question.

Angus Brayshaw (Melb) $316,700

JLT2: 99, JLT1: 35

That’s more like it. Again playing a high half-forward role, Brayshaw had a much bigger impact than he did in the first week of the JLT Series. The 22-year-old, who has only played 15 games in the past two seasons after a number of concussions, recorded 19 disposals, five tackles, two goals and 99 points. The No. 3 pick from the 2014 draft is still very enticing at $316k.

Shane Savage (StK) $479,700

JLT2: 115, JLT1: 145

Along with his team, Savage was slow to get going against the Demons but, once he did, he was at his damaging best. Savage posted his second SuperCoach ton of the JLT Series, on the back of 27 disposals – 20 of them kicks – five rebound 50s, seven inside 50s and two goal assists.

Callum Mills (Syd) $403,100

JLT2: 93, JLT1: 80

It’s not the first and it won’t be the last time you hear The Phantom say this; unleash him into the midfield, Horse! When the 20-year-old’s transition into a full-time eventuates, his scoring will go through the roof. But, as Mills showed on Friday night – and as he has at times in the first two years of his career - he’s still a good SuperCoach scorer at half-back, finishing with 22 disposals, eight marks and 93 point against the Giants.

Sam Murray provided plenty of run for Collingwood in their JLT Series clash with the Bulldogs.

Sam Murray (Coll) $123,900

JLT2: 102, JLT1: DNP

The highlight of the weekend. The former Swan was the talk of the pre-season but fell out of many SuperCoach teams after being left out of Collingwood’s AFLX and JLT1 team. But he’s been rushed back in after a standout first-up appearance as a Magpie in week three. The 20-year-old provided plenty of run from defence, tallying 24 disposals – 18 of them kicks – nine marks and seven rebound 50s to finish with 102 points. Murray is a lock if Nathan Buckley picks him in Round 1.

Aaron Naughton (WB) $166,800

JLT2: 74, JLT1: 63

In another impressive display, the 18-year-old showed off his intercepting ability, tallying seven intercept marks against the Magpies. Naughton is firming as a Round 1 starter after 13 disposals and 74 points in his second appearance in the JLT Series.

Jason Johannisen $450,800

JLT2:107, JLT1: 83

The dashing play-maker once again showed how effective he can be forward of centre against the Magpies, recording 21 disposals, four inside 50s, one goal, two goal assists and 107 points. A unique selection in defence.

D arcy Byrne-Jones (Port) $354,100

JLT2: 109, JLT1: 50

Big numbers against the Crows – 30 disposals, 10 contested possessions and six clearances – but don’t expect it every week when the real stuff starts.

Dashing Port Adelaide defender in action against the Crows.

Riley Bonner (Port) $257,300

JLT2: 78, JLT1: 49

The young Power defender built on a solid first-up display against the Eagles with an impressive performance in the pre-season derby. The 21-year-old, who doesn’t make many mistakes, finished with 21 disposals – at 86 per cent efficiency – six marks and 79 points and was often the man the Power went to when moving the footy out of defence. It’s hard to seeing Bonner being left out of the Power’s back six against the Dockers, especially with the hamstring injury to Jasper Pittard.

Rory Laird (Adel) $550,800

JLT2: 91, JLT1: 103

Pretty standard from Laird on Sunday; 23 disposals, all of them effective, and 91 points. You only have nine days to put him in your team.

Jacob Weitering (Carl) $353,900

JLT2:106, JLT1: DNP

Even as a key-defender, the No. 1 draft pick from 2015 is going to become SuperCoach relevant soon. And, if his 26-disposal, 12-mark performance is anything to go by, it could be very soon.

Cam O’Shea (Carl) $166,00

JLT2: 60, JLT1: DNP

O’Shea didn’t play in the Blues’ first game and then sat on the bench for the first two quarters against the Hawks. But 10 disposals and 60 points in the second half keeps him on the Round 1 watchlist.