KFC SuperCoach 2020: The Phantom looks at the Marsh Series week three standouts in every position
The Marsh Series is over and the countdown is on, SuperCoaches. Here are The Phantom’s standout players and their scores from the all-important final weekend of pre-season action.
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That’s it, SuperCoaches, the Marsh Series is in the books. Here is every standout from the final week of pre-season action.
DEFENDERS
Rory Laird (Adel)
$525,800
132 points
The ball-winning defender was at his best against the Suns, finishing with a round-high 16 intercepts and 32 disposals on Friday. It follows on from his 49 points in 41 per cent game-time against the Demons, reaffirming his SuperCoach value after an underwhelming 2019.
Brodie Smith (Adel)
$481,300
121 points
Believe it or not, this is the first mention of Brodie Smith in The Phantom’s pre-season. But it might not be the last. The 28-year-old, who tallied a game-high 34 disposals, was the midfield standout for the Crows with his ball-use and breakaway speed between the arcs at Noarlunga Oval. Smith averaged 97 points from Round 16 onwards last year following the role change which is set to continue under Matthew Nicks.
Jack Lukosius (GC)
$247,600, Fwd
58 points
After 70 points in 56 per cent game-time in the first week of the Marsh Series, the No. 2 pick from the 2018 draft had 12 disposals and 40 points to halftime against the Crows, confirming his SuperCoach credentials as an intercepting-defender this year. Lukosius was less-influential after halftime but finished with 17 disposals, 10 marks – three of them intercepts – and is worth some thought amid the SuperCoach rookie crisis.
James Sicily (Haw)
509,400
95 points
Speaking of intercept stars, the Hawk was prolific against the Demons, finishing with 29 disposals and 10 intercept possessions in his first appearance of the Marsh Series. A game-high nine clangers, however, kept his score to less than three-figures.
Bayley Fritsch (Melb)
$413,900, Fwd
102 points
He might to be relevant in the classic format but if you’re playing SuperCoach Draft, keep the Melbourne swingman, who looks set to play as a roaming forward this year, on your list. Fritsch followed up an impressive practice match performance against the Kangaroos with five goals and 102 points in the clash with the Hawks.
Darcy Byrne-Jones (Port)
$473,400
94 points
After a breakout year of sorts proved he was more than just a lockdown defender last season, Byrne-Jones now finds himself on the SuperCoach radar. And he’ll remain there after 26 disposals, 12 contested possessions and six marks against the Bulldogs in Whyalla.
Bailey Williams (WB)
$300,500
106 points
Williams’ story reads a little different, however, with the 22-year-old falling off the radar – and out of Luke Beveridge’s best-22 – last year. But in form reminiscent of his 2018 season, which saw the defender average 82 points per game across the first 15 rounds before injury struck, Williams tallied 23 disposals, 10 intercepts, nine marks and 550 metres gained in an impressive display against the Power.
Jarrod Brander (WC)
$133,800
76 points
To say we needed Brander’s 17-disposal, 76-point performance against the Dockers is an understatement. In a week when a number of rookie-price players fell out of Round 1 contention, the third-year Eagle all-but booked his place on a wing for the opening-round clash with Melbourne.
Liam Duggan (WC)
$353,000
118 points
Is this the year the left-footer takes the next step and becomes a consistent ball-winner across halfback? The 23-year-old finished with 32 disposals – only Andrew Gaff won more of the ball – and 12 marks in a prolific performance.
Isaac Cumming (GWS)
$245,000
111 points
In the absence of Zac Williams, Cumming, a consistent NEAFL performer for a number of years, has been one of the standouts of the Giants’ pre-season. The 21-year-old, who has played seven senior games, tallied 22 disposals – at 88 per cent efficiency – 11 intercepts and 111 SuperCoach points in just 61 per cent game-time against the Tigers. His 23-disposal, 86-point performance against the Swans a week earlier wasn’t bad, either.
Nick Haynes (GWS)
$474,700
108 points
Including the major round, Haynes posted SuperCoach tons in five of his final seven games of 2019, so the 24-disposal, 14-mark, 108-point performance in his first appearance in the Marsh Series should come as little surprise.
Jeremy Howe (Coll)
$431,900
134 points
Although we didn’t see it consistently last year, that was Howe at his best on Sunday. The strong-marking Collingwood star dominated the air, and benefited from Collingwood’s high-possession style, finishing with 25 disposals, 11 marks and eight rebound-50s.
John Noble (Coll)
$215,400
73 points
The mid-season draftee continued his ball-winning ways against the Saints, tallying 23 disposals – at 87 per cent efficiency – six marks and 73 points. Noble worked up and down the ground, recording four inside-50s and three rebound-50s, in a performance which will see his SuperCoach ownership skyrocket with the lack of rookie-price options.
Sam Docherty (Carl)
$436,100
105 points
See, there’s nothing to worry about. After blowing the cobwebs out last week against the Dockers, the co-captain was far more influential on Sunday night, tallying 21 disposals, 10 marks and 105 points in 81 per cent game-time.
Callum Mills (Syd)
$444,100
105 points
The old Callum Mills SuperCoach pre-season ton. This one was on the back of 26 disposals, nine intercept possessions and nine one-percenters. He’s just still so vital to the Swans down back.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Ess)
$189,000
104 points
Monday provided hope for the SuperCoach rookie-price bracket and Essendon’s new intercept star led the way. The 21-year-old tallied 12 intercept possessions and, like last week, was efficient with the ball in-hand, hitting the target with 16 of his 18 disposals.
Zach Touhy (Geel)
$386,300
112 points
Has another mid-price option thrown his name into the ring? It was Touhy at his best against the Bombers, with the 30-year-old tallying 26 disposals – at 85 per cent efficiency – seven inside-50s, five rebound-50s and 112 SuperCoach points.
MIDFIELDERS
David Swallow (GC)
$478,900
122 points
He’s averaged between 85 and 90 in each of the past three seasons, despite some big SuperCoach scores. So, while Swallow’s standout performance against the Crows, on the back of 33 disposals and 14 contested possessions, was good, the 27-year-old is still just a SuperCoach Draft option at this point.
Jeremy Sharp (GC)
$117,300
42 points
Sharp had nine disposals in the second-half against the Cats in the opening round of the Marsh Series and the teenager made the most of his limited opportunity against Adelaide, tallying 14 disposals and seven marks after coming on in the third-term. Has he done enough?
Tom Mitchell (Haw)
$630,900
112 points
Another big tick for the Brownlow Medallist as he completed a near-perfect pre-season against the Demons. After playing just over a half in the first week, Mitchell was on the ground for 81 per cent of the game on Friday night, finishing with 24 disposals and six tackles.
Adam Tomlinson (Melb)
$390,200
120 points
The former Giant was everywhere against the Hawks. Everywhere the ball was, not in every position, like during his time in Sydney. Tomlinson worked tirelessly on a wing, tallying an equal game-high 32 disposals and 10 marks. Consider in SuperCoach Draft.
Jack Viney (Melb)
$439,300
133 points
Unlike Tomlinson, the former skipper is now a genuine part of the SuperCoach conversation as the top mid-price option in the midfield. Viney followed up his dominant performance against the Crows with 32 disposals, 23 contested possessions and 10 clearances to finish as the top-ranked player on the ground.
Andrew Gaff (WC)
$583,200
133 points
The star wingman was at his prolific-best against the Dockers, hitting the target with 28 of his 32 disposals to finish with more SuperCoach points than any other player on the ground.
Elliot Yeo (WC)
$584,400
129 points
Gaff’s midfield enforcer wasn’t far behind, finishing with 33 disposals, 14 contested possessions, eight clearances and seven tackles, in a performance to remind SuperCoaches of the all-round nature of his game.
Nat Fyfe (Freo)
$651,600
115 points
The star Docker just eased his way in to pre-season action, recording a team-high 115 SuperCoach points, on the back of 23 disposals and 14 contested possessions, in the Dockers’ final Marsh Series hitout.
Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
$549,500
135 points
Prior to the game, the question was how would Leon Cameron use his skipper – who he had recently declared would spend plenty of time forward – in the absence of the injured Tim Taranto in 2020? Coniglio’s 32 disposals and 135 SuperCoach points, on the back of the third-most centre bounce attendances for the Giants, makes it pretty clear. And his two goals and three goal assists is just another reminding of his ability forward-of-centre.
Jackson Hately (GWS)
$301,600
92 points
The second-year midfielder was fourth in line for centre bounces against the Tigers and followed up his impressive first-round display with 29 disposals, 20 uncontested possessions, six marks, five clearances and 92 points on Sunday. And it was a performance which highlights the terrific inside-outside balance Hately possesses as a midfielder.
Tom Green (GWS)
$166,800
72 points
There was no repeat of the SuperCoach ton on debut but the Academy gun did more than enough in his second appearance at a Giant. And that’s probably an understatement. Green was there at the opening centre bounce and finished with 16 disposals, six contested possessions, five marks, two goal assists, one major and 72 points.
Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
$566,500
45 points
The Magpie star had 14 disposals in the first quarter and, by the time his day was over at halftime, Pendlebury had 19 touches to his name. Don’t expect the skipper to be any less effective in his 15th season in the competition.
Jack Steele (StK)
$515,900
122 points
Is Steele, released from his defensive midfield duties, ready to become a true SuperCoach premium in 2020? His all-round statistical display, which featured 24 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 11 tackles, six clearances and five inside-50s, suggests he’s well on the way.
Hugh McCluggage (Bris)
$510,700
117 points
Following another outstanding performance against the Blues – 117 SuperCoach points in 74 per cent game-time - McCluggage finished with a combined 43 disposals, 21 contested possessions, 13 inside-50s, 12 score involvements, nine clearances and four goals in the Marsh Series. And his clanger count across the two matches? Zero.
Dayne Zorko (Bris)
$579,100
134 points
Don’t forget about this Lion star, who averaged 116 points per game from the Brisbane’s bye through to the semi-final loss to the Giants last year. Zorko was at his damaging best against the Blues, finishing with 23 disposals, two goals and 134 points.
Deven Robertson (Bris)
$117,300
62 points
The bottom-price rookie saviour is here. The junior ball-magnet made his first appearance in the Marsh Series and looked more-than-comfortable rotating through the midfield, finishing with 11 disposals, five tackles, five contested possessions and 62 points in 63 per cent game-time.
Sam Walsh (Carl)
$471,900
109 points
Another game, another SuperCoach ton for Sam Walsh – his second of the pre-season. And that’s a sentence we might have to get used to saying pretty quickly. The Rising Star winner tallied 25 disposals, 12 contested possessions and four clearances against the Lions.
Josh Kennedy (Syd)
$579,000
156 points
The veteran burst out of the blocks, passing three figures by halftime, before finishing with 37 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 10 tackles and 156 points in a huge performance on Monday.
Patrick Dangerfield (Geel)
$625,500
116 points
Game-highs in disposals, contested possessions and clearances for the Geelong star in just 70 per cent game-time. Yes, he also had more clangers than any other player on the ground but he more than makes up for his mistakes.
RUCK
Zac Smith (GC)
$254,700
122 points
Again, with no Jarrod Witts, the 30-year-old proved he’s still a genuine No. 1 ruckman with a commanding performance against Crow Reilly O’Brien. Smith posted a SuperCoach ton, on the back of 16 disposals, 14 hit-outs-to-advantage and eight contested possessions.
Max Gawn (Melb)
$697,100
68 points
In an encouraging return from a pre-season knee injury, the star big man finished with seven effective disposals and 68 SuperCoach points in the first half.
Luke Jackson (Melb)
$198,300
71 points
Jackson came on after halftime to replace Gawn and gave the SuperCoach world a glimpse of what we can expect in the future, tallying 71 points in 49 per cent game-time.
Tim English (WB)
$448,400
123 points
With English, the SuperCoach community has been asking when? When will the young Bulldogs big man take the next step to premium status? Well, after his dominant performance against the Power, on the back of 13 disposals, nine hit-outs-to-advantage, eight contested possessions, three intercept marks and two goals, it might be sooner rather than later. His ability to continually hurt his opponent on the break, forward-of-centre, is the key.
Nic Naitanui (WC)
$457,800
100 points
A pretty standard day out for the athletic big man, finishing with 13 disposals, eight contested possessions, four clearances and 100 SuperCoach points in 58 per cent game-time. Again, the ongoing management of his workload – and West Coast’s ability to do so – is the only reason to steer clear.
Sam Jacobs (GWS)
$348,400
111 points
At the peak of his career at the Crows, Jacobs’ ability to cover the ground and get involved in general play was almost better than any other big man in the competition. And there was a hint of it on Sunday against the Tigers as he tallied 18 disposals and nine marks. If he can find space, the GWS midfielders will find him more often than not.
FORWARDS
Darcy MacPherson (GC)
$443,800
127 points
Weren’t interested after his 132-point performance against the Cats? Neither was The Phantom, to be honest. But the permanent midfield role continued against the Crows and MacPherson was prolific again, finishing with 31 disposals and a game-high 16 contested possessions.
Jonathon Ceglar (Haw)
$417,000, Ruck
101 points
Going down the ruck-cover path in the forward-line? Ceglar is your man after the 29-year-old tallied 17 disposals, 30 hit-outs, five clearances and 101 points against the Demons.
Harry Morrison (Haw)
$287,200, Mid
84 points
SuperCoaches were hoping for Damon Greaves to cover for the loss of Blake Hardwick in Hawthorn’s back-six. But it was the fourth-year Morrison who made his mark in defence, finishing with 23 disposals, eight intercepts, six marks and 94 points on Friday night.
Andrew Brayshaw (Freo)
$382,800
102 points
It was just the performance SuperCoaches wanted to see in the final week of Marsh Series action. The third-year Docker attended the most centre bounces and tallied 24 disposals, nine contested possessions, eight tackles, seven marks and five clearances in an impressive midfield display.
Toby Greene (GWS)
$510,100
127 points
A stat-line – 21 disposals, 10 marks and five goals – that only very few in the competition can produce. Greene is a sure-thing to average more than 90 but can he finish the year as a top-six forward without the midfield time of last year?
Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
$604,100
110 points
Kicking inside-50 one minute, kicking-out from fullback the next, Whitfield played his trademark roaming role, covering the ground like not many others can, against the Tigers. And it’s just what SuperCoaches wanted to see, as the star Giant compiled 28 disposals – 21 of them kicks – nine marks, five inside-50s and four rebound-50s.
Tom Lynch (Rich)
$388,800
111 points
If you weren’t aware Lynch came off little pre-season last year – his first at Richmond – you were reminded several times on Sunday. And SuperCoaches were also reminded of the key-forward’s scoring power after Lynch’s four-goal, 111-point performance.
Ben Long (StK)
$283,100
85 points
There’s been plenty of talk about Long’s new role across halfback but he failed to deliver in the first week of Marsh Series action. But it was a different story against the Magpies, with the 22-year-old, who finished with 24 disposals and seven marks, providing plenty of rebound from the back-half in a clean and efficient display.
Charlie Cameron (Bris)
$433,200
150 points
With 21 disposals and five goals, Cameron was the star of the show at Ikon Park but he’s unlikely to produce that type of performance consistently enough to make him relevant in SuperCoach classic this year.
Curtis Taylor (NM)
$123,900
95 points
The second-year forward, who booted the second-most goals of any North Melbourne player in the VFL last year, was a standout against the Swans, tallying 21 disposals, a team-high eight score involvements, two goals and 95 SuperCoach points. Is Taylor, 19, the rookie saviour we’ve been waiting for?
Devon Smith (Ess)
$335,800, Mid
117 points
As he did in the second-half against the Eagles, Smith spent plenty of time in the midfield in Monday’s clash with the Cats, attending the fourth-most centre bounces for the Bombers. Smith won a team-high six clearances and laid a game-high 10 tackles, while also playing a direct-hand in two of his side’s goals. Lock him in.
Jack Steven (Geel)
$361,700
97 points
A half-forward role in 2020? It looks unlikely if Steven’s performance in limited game-time against the Bombers is anything to go by. Keeping in mind Joel Selwood’s absence, the former Saint attended 13 centre bounces in his 65 per cent time-on-ground – only Patrick Dangerfield and Quinton Narkle were there more – and finished with 26 disposals and 14 contested possessions. It’s going to be a long week.