The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season: Mid-price defender analysis

The Phantom’s SuperCoach moves into it’s second week. Today, it’s time for the mid-price defenders. Can Alex Withderden take the next step? Is Callum Mills finally ready for the midfield? The Phantom runs the rule over the best mid-priced options.

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The Phantom’s SuperCoach moves into it’s second week. Today, it’s time for the mid-price defenders. Can Alex Withderden take the next step? Is Callum Mills finally ready for the midfield? The Phantom runs the rule over the best mid-priced options.

Jayden Short and Brandon Ellis and Richmond pre-season training.

TOP-END

Jayden Short

(Richmond $465,600)

After missing out on the Tigers’ flag in 2017, the 23-year-old turned himself into one the AFL’s premier rebounding defenders in a breakout 2018 season.

The long-kicking right footer ranked No. 1 in the competition for metres gained and recorded the 10th-most rebound 50s for the year.

Short, who averaged 20 disposals per game — 16 of them effective — added a huge 28 points to his SuperCoach average after scoring 86 points or more in 13 of his 22 games.

As Richmond’s go-to man at the kick-ins — Short took 90 of a possible 166 in 2018 — his average could increase even further with the new stat ruling this season.

The Phantom’s Verdict: While his numbers are likely to increase, will it be enough to make him a Top 8 defender?

Alex Witherden

(Brisbane $455,000)

At 20 years of age, Witherden is already one of the best ball-winning defenders in the competition.

In the first 30 games of his career, the skilful right-footer has won at least 20 disposals in 23 of them, tallying 27 or more on 11 occasions.

And it’s translated into SuperCoach scoring with the young Lion passing the 85-point mark 16 times.

Despite an inconsistent start, Witherden lead Brisbane for kicks, rebound 50s and marks in 2018 and, per game, ranked inside the top 16 in the competition for all three categories.

While he won less than four per cent of his 23 possessions per game in a contest — a number which would be holding back his SuperCoach scoring slightly — Witherden’s ball use and potential to impact the game forward of centre should see a spike.

Especially given the Lions, like Short at Richmond, want him kicking in.

The Phantom’s Verdict: Lock him in.

Connor Blakely

(Fremantle $461,800)

It was all positive until the news broke on Monday about Blakely’s serious hamstring injury. Cross him of your list, unfortunately.

THE MIDFIELD MOVE

Will we finally see Callum Mills the midfielder in 2019?

Callum Mills

(Sydney $428,900)

Will this be the year it finally happens?

With departure of Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy turning 31 in June, the long-awaited permanent midfield move for Mills could eventuate.

While we’ve heard it before — and on more than one occasion — the 21-year-old, who has played across half-back for most of his 55-game career, has been training with the midfield group over summer.

Sure, you can’t read too much into it but Mills, who only managed nine games last season after a foot injury, even dominated during recent Sydney match-simulation, playing in the midfield.

The problem is, the dominant junior midfielder has been so effective and reliable for the Swans in the back half.

Despite his role not often being a ball-winning one, Mills’ SuperCoach scoring has been impressive, with the Swans Academy product scoring 84 points or more in 10 of his past 17 matches.

The Phantom’s Verdict: It will happen but it’s just hard to be sure when. Mills has dominated the pre-season competition as a midfielder before and we can’t afford to get sucked in again. Play this one by ear.

Wayne Milera

(Adelaide $433,100)

After Brodie Smith suffered an ACL injury in the qualifying final against the Giants in 2017, the Crows were forced to go into 2018 without him.

Enter Wayne Milera.

The sublimely-skilled 21-year-old made his mark on the competition, proving almost impossible to catch dashing from defence.

From Round 17, Milera averaged 23 disposals, six marks, four rebound 50s and 95 points per game.

Milera, who added 22 points to his SuperCoach average in this third season, is great in the air, recording seven intercept possessions and 19 intercept marks last season.

But he’s even better by foot, hitting the target with 133 of his 158 disposals during the impressive seven-game stretch to finish the year.

With Smith back and Rory Laird going nowhere, will Milera remain across half-back to form a dynamic trio of running defenders or will he push further up the ground in 2019?

The Phantom’s Verdict: Either way, he’s only getting better.

Kade Kolodjashnij, right, is set to bounce back as a Demon. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

NEW COLOURS

Kade Kolodjashnij

(Melbourne $363,700)

In 2015, as a 19-year-old in just his second season in the competition, the classy left-footer averaged 22 disposals — 17 effective — and 89 SuperCoach points per game.

Kolodjashnij, ranked No. 1 at the Suns for metres gained and No. 12 in the competition for intercept possessions.

Since then the new Demon, who played 40 out of a possible 44 games in his first two years in the competition, has managed just 38 appearances after battling a number of injury issues.

His form hasn’t been the same, either, with Kolodjashnij scoring 80 SuperCoach points or more just four times.

But after receiving good news regarding the concussion issues he carried most of 2018, the 23-year-old — whose talent is undeniable — could bounce back in a team that wins plenty of football in 2019.

The Phantom’s Verdict: He’s enjoying a good pre-season and should find a spot on the wing at the Demons.

Nic Newman, front right, during a running sessions at Carlton training

Nic Newman

(Carlton $394,100)

While Newman’s scoring has never been a problem, a lack of opportunity has.

In 28 home-and-away matches, the neat-kicking left-footer has scored 80 or more points in 16 of them, with four career SuperCoach tons to his name.

After dominating in the NEAFL, Newman earned a senior debut in Round 2, 2017 and by Round 3, he had passed the 100-point mark for the first time.

Only three weeks later, the 25-year-old tallied 35 disposals — at 82 per cent efficiency — 11 marks, 13 contested possessions and a game-high 151 SuperCoach points.

With no Sam Docherty, Newman should finally find that opportunity in Carlton’s defence.

The Phantom’s Verdict: The last ball magnet coach John Longmire made bide their in the NEAFL was Tom Mitchell. Just saying.

RETURNING STARS

Zac Williams

(GWS $407,800)

Lock Zach Williams into your SuperCoach team this season.

In a breakout 2017 season, the dashing Giant defender averaged 94 points per game — a six-point increase on 2016 — after scoring 82 points or more in 16 of his 20 matches.

The long-kicking Williams averaged 22 disposals, eight contested possessions, four tackles and three rebound 50s per game, while also booting seven goals from 15 scoring shots from half-back.

The 24-year-old missed most of 2018 with an achilles injury but returned to have a significant impact in both of the Giants’ finals.

In the elimination final against the Swans, Williams tallied 23 disposals — 20 of them kicks — nine marks and 117 points, before following up with 19 disposals and 77 points in the semi-final loss to the Magpies.

The Phantom’s Verdict: Don’t leave him out at this price, especially with the new kick-in ruling.

Brodie Smith will boost an already-impressive Adelaide defence in 2019.

Brodie Smith

(Adelaide $332,500)

After recovering from an ACL injury, the running defender made his long-awaited return in Round 20 last season.

And it didn’t take him long to remind us all of his SuperCoach scoring power.

In his second game back, Smith tallied 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six marks and 129 points against the Giants in Round 21.

But, let’s be honest, it’s hard to forget his All-Australian season in 2014.

In his fourth year in the game, Smith, who possesses clean hands and elite foot skills, posted nine SuperCoach tons, six of them in excess of 125, to finish with an average of 93.

While multiple headknocks and a more-defensive role at times haven’t allowed the 27-year-old to recapture that SuperCoach form since, there’s no doubting he’s capable.

And he should take majority of the kick-ins at the Crows this season.

The Phantom’s Verdict: There’s risk but Smith is very well priced and ready to bounce back in 2019.

Dylan Roberton

(St Kilda $297,500)

After recovering from a career-threatening heart condition, Roberton is back in full-contact training and looks set to regain his spot in the St Kilda defence in 2019.

And that means he must return to the SuperCoach conversation.

In 2017, the 27-year-old posted six SuperCoach tons in the first 12 matches to average 104 points by mid-year and, despite falling away slightly, finished with 93-point average.

Roberton, who played mostly as the spare defender, ranked No. 1 at the club for kicks and marks, second for intercept possessions, and fourth for disposals and uncontested possessions.

An average of 17.5 kicks and 5.6 rebound 50s per game had him ranked fourth in the competition for both statistics.

But, in 2017, fellow rebounding defender Jimmy Webster wasn’t as prominent.

Can they both score in the same back six?

That might be the only question mark.

The Phantom’s Verdict: Roberton presents tremendous value and should be in your thinking.