Melbourne tackling machine Kysaiah Pickett presents great value if picked to play for the Demons in Round 1
Kysaiah Pickett was highly-touted before Melbourne snapped him up at this year’s AFL Draft. The dynamic nephew of Byron Pickett headlines a number of Demons who should be on your SuperCoach radar in 2020.
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The Phantom’s Summer Form guides: Richmond | Gold Coast | GWS | Melbourne | Collingwood | Carlton
- 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 Melbourne’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style summer formguide covering every player in it
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THE PHANTOM’S BEST 22
B: Oscar McDonald, Steven May, Neville Jetta
HB: Christian Salem, Jake Lever, Michael Hibberd
C: Ed Langdon, Jack Viney, Adam Tomlinson
HF: Bayley Fritsch, Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca
F: Kysaiah Pickett, Sam Weideman, Jake Melksham
1R: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, James Harmes
INTER: Angus Brayshaw, Jayden Hunt, Aaron vandenBerg, Nathan Jones
THE PHANTOM’S FORM GUIDE
(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2020)
Max Gawn (RUCK $697,100)
The second-highest averaging player in the competition last season is, again, among the favourites. A safe bet.
Clayton Oliver (MID $593,900)
Midfield bull fell back to the field, dropping six points off his SuperCoach average – 115 to 109 - last year. But that means there’s plenty of value in 2020. Will have plenty of admirers.
Kysaiah Pickett (FWD $157,800)
Tough, aggressive excitement machine could be unleashed in Round 1 and the Demons’ top pick doesn’t need many touches to have an impact. Get on.
Aaron vandenBerg (FWD, MID $248,000)
Enjoying a good preparation after playing just seven games in the past two years. There’s a spot for the 27-year-old if he remains healthy. Keep in mind at the price.
Ed Langdon (MID $466,300)
Impressive runner will be an improver at his new club after averaging 28 disposals and 108 points per game from Round 20 onwards last year.
Tom McDonald (FWD $387,000)
Strong-marking tall, resuming from season-ending knee injury, was impressive in his last start – 20 disposals, six goals and 139 points – and looks capable of improving on inconsistent 2019.
Christian Salem (DEF $491,200)
The neat-kicking left-footer, who posted four scores of 120 or more last year, is a definite threat on his day but he’s yet to put it together consistently. Monitor.
Jack Viney (MID $439,300)
Fitness concerns appear behind the 25-year-old for now and, unlike last summer, he’s enjoying a good preparation. Do not dismiss at the price.
Bayley Fritsch (DEF, FWD $413,900)
Versatile swingman booted 14 goals in the final seven games of 2019 and is a likely improver in his third year. Others might have stronger claims in the field but he’s worth some thought in SuperCoach Draft.
Angus Brayshaw (MID $452,400)
Horror 2019 campaign, after breakout season the previous year, saw his SuperCoach average fall from 97 to 83. Might surprise but he’s hard to recommend on recent form.
James Harmes (MID $516,400)
One of the shining lights in disappointing season, Harmes became an important part of the Demons’ midfield in 2019, averaging 100 points per game from Round 16. But others appear better placed at the price.
Christian Petracca (FWD $441,300)
Has been a threat for a while now and, while he can figure on his day, the powerful midfielder-forward is hard to trust in SuperCoach.
Adam Tomlinson (MID $390,200)
In a more-permanent midfield role, the former Giant should be an improver but he’s unlikely to feature in SuperCoach after posting just one score of 100 or more last year.
Michael Hibberd (DEF $349,300)
Once a major SuperCoach player, the 30-year-old is unlikely to feature in 2020. Look elsewhere, despite the price.
Jake Lever (DEF $384,200)
Intercept defender should be an improver with a better preparation this campaign but others are better placed in SuperCoach.
Sam Weideman (FWD $319,400)
There’s plenty riding on the performance of the young forward, who is resuming from a broken jaw, but, in SuperCoach, it’s hard to make a case.
Jake Melksham (FWD $359,800)
Booted 32 goals in 2018 but struggled – like his team – for consistency and fitness last year. Can feature on his day but he’s hard to recommend.
Nathan Jones (DEF, MID $397,900)
The 286-game stayer should get first opportunity but there’s a few lining up to take his spot. No longer features in SuperCoach.
Steven May (DEF $384,200)
More prominent than may key defenders in SuperCoach – scoring 75 points or more in 15 of his past 21 matches – but others have much stronger claims at the price.
Jayden Hunt (FWD $317,300)
The Demons lack of speed should see the 24-year-old resume a forward-line role - although there will be pressure - in 2020 but look elsewhere in SuperCoach.
Neville Jetta (DEF $243,700)
One of the first-picked at Melbourne but his selection in SuperCoach is a completely different story.
Oscar McDonald (DEF $267,000)
Not keen.
MAKING THEIR CASE
The ball-use and composure of draftee Trent Rivers (DEF, MID $117,300) could see him make an early-season debut, while Melbourne’s top pick from the previous draft Tom Sparrow (FWD $182,500) should add to his two career games. Marty Hore (DEF $383,600) would be unlucky to miss and Harrison Petty (DEF, FWD $288,300), Charlie Spargo (FWD $234,200) and Kade Chandler (FWD $195,500) will be around the mark for forwardline spot.