Lachie Neale is still the man to catch at Brisbane but Hugh McCluggage, Jarryd Lyons and Dayne Zorko might close the gap in 2020
Lachie Neale scored 322 more SuperCoach points than any other Lion last year but his midfield teammates might close that gap in 2020. See The Phantom’s best 22 and analysis on every player
Supercoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from Supercoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Phantom’s Summer Form guides: Richmond | Gold Coast | GWS | Melbourne | Collingwood | Carlton | Geelong | Sydney
- Revealed: The Phantom’s first draft for 2020
Whether you are punting on a mid-price selection or backing the favourite, it’s not always easy picking a winner in SuperCoach.
To help, The Phantom predicts Brisbane’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style summer formguide covering every player in it
MISSING SUPERCOACH? YOU CAN STILL GET INVOLVED IN SUPERCOACH BBL!
THE PHANTOM’S BEST 22
B: Alex Witherden, Harris Andrews, Marcus Adams
HB: Callum Ah Chee, Darcy Gardiner, Daniel Rich
C: Jarrod Berry, Jarryd Lyons, Mitch Robinson
HF: Dayne Zorko, Daniel McStay, Cam Rayner
F: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Lincoln McCarthy
1R: Stefan Martin, Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage
INTER: Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Zac Bailey, Noah Answerth, Grant Birchall
THE PHANTOM’S FORM GUIDE
(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2020)
Lachie Neale (MID $658,500)
One of only four players in the game to average 120 points or more in 2019. The durable 26-year-old, who has missed just two games since 2013, will again take some catching as Brisbane’s top scorer.
Hugh McCluggage (MID $510,700)
Added 17 points to his average – 77 to 94 - in his third year at the top-level. But he looks capable of even better in 2020, after posting nine SuperCoach tons, three in his final four games of year, in 2019. Consider.
Jarryd Lyons (MID $535,400)
Looks capable of becoming a major SuperCoach player in 2020 after averaging 124 points in his final nine games of the year, including Brisbane’s two finals. A definite threat without the opposition attention.
Dayne Zorko (MID $579,100)
Coming off a huge finish, which saw the 30-year-old average 116 points from the Lions’ bye through to the semi-final loss to the Giants. Will be prominent again.
Alex Witherden (DEF $392,800)
Fell away after a strong start in 2019 and his far better than 72-point average suggests. On the form from the first two years of his career, there’s plenty of value here. Do not dismiss.
Daniel Rich (DEF $525,800)
Scored 88 points or more in 18 of 22 home-and-matches, including 10 SuperCoach tons, in a career-best 2019. Must be respected.
Harris Andrews (DEF $449,300)
Played in defence last year, despite talk of a role change, but failed to recapture form which saw him average 97 points per game in the opening 12 rounds of 2018. Keep in mind.
Mitch Robinson (MID $512,700)
Can’t be taken lightly after five SuperCoach tons – three in excess of 120 – in the final seven minor-round matches of 2019 but he’s more of a SuperCoach draft chance as a midfielder-only.
Callum Ah Chee (MID $311,700)
Enjoying a terrific preparation at his new club and has all the traits to succeed – and command a Round 1 spot – in 2020. Price is a slight worry but he’s still worth some thought.
Cam Rayner (FWD $251,800)
An inconsistent 2018 but the No. 1 pick from the 2017 draft should be an improve in his third year. Hard to trust but he’s a threat, especially if role increases.
Zac Bailey (DEF, MID $263,200)
The 20-year-old is yet to settle in a role but he might surprise this season.
Grant Birchall (DEF $292,700)
Limited preparation given past fitness concerns but the 31-year-old might come right into SuperCoach calculations if he can get through summer unscathed.
Jarrod Berry (MID $461,300)
Another likely improver at the Lions, after posting five SuperCoach tons in injury-interrupted third year.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen (MID $507,200)
Contested-ball gun scored 100 points or more in five of his 10 games last year before injury and looks set for more responsibility at his new club. Another who could surprise.
Charlie Cameron (FWD $433,200)
All-Australian forward can feature prominently as nine SuperCoach tons last year suggests. But there looks to be better value in the classic format elsewhere.
Stefan Martin (RUCK $501,100)
Impressive last start – 123 points in the semi-final loss to the Giants – but the 33-year-old stayer struggled to hold the pace in 2019. Consider in SuperCoach Draft only after five scores of 76 or less.
Marcus Adams (DEF $316,300)
Can figure, as 100-point Round 22 performance and 135 in the second match of his career in 2016, suggests. But others look to have stronger claims.
Eric Hipwood (FWD $294,000)
Needs a bag to trouble the SuperCoach scorers consistently. Look elsewhere, despite the price.
Lincoln McCarthy (FWD $357,400)
Put fitness concerns behind him last year, playing every game for the Lions but he’s unlikely to feature at the price in 2020.
Noah Answerth (DEF $336,700)
Encouraging first-up performance but he’s now part of an awkward price bracket in SuperCoach. Hard to make a case.
Darcy Gardiner (DEF $363,300)
Important part of Brisbane’s 22 but SuperCoach isn’t his thing.
Daniel McStay (FWD $305,100)
Not keen in SuperCoach.
MAKING THEIR CASE
Oscar McInerney (RUCK, FWD $368,400) and Allen Christensen (FWD $367,800) could easily force their way in to Chris Fagan’s Round 1 side while third-year defender Brandon Starcevich (DEF, MID $147,700) is eyeing the half-back vacancy left by Luke Hodge. Strong-bodied young midfielders Ely Smith (FWD, MID $123,900) and Deven Robertson (MID $117,300) could feature early this year.