Mr. SuperCoach, Antimo Iannella, reveals his 2019 team for the SuperCoach competition

It’s been a long pre-season for Mr. SuperCoach on The Phantom’s Lair Podcast but, after a late overhaul, he’s finally settled on his 2019 side. See Antimo Iannella’s now.

• REVEALED: The Phantom’s final team
• The Hipster’s team revealed
• The Phantom’s ultimate mid-pricer guide
• The Phantom’s ultimate cash cow guide
• Must-have SuperCoach players

It’s been a long pre-season for Mr. SuperCoach on The Phantom’s Lair Podcast but, after a late overhaul, he’s finally settled on his 2019 side. See Antimo Iannella’s now.

About 18 hours ago, after staring at my team for what seemed like days on end, I decided to hit the ‘clear side’ button and start all over again.

Perhaps I’ve watched too many episodes of Marie Kondo but it was the drastic step I needed to unclutter my mind and spark some Supercoach joy.

Now there’s still a few too many mid-pricers - especially coming back from injury - and I’m not entirely sure about all the rookies, however, I’m much happier with the overall balance of my squad.

DEFENCE

Mr. SuperCoach is a long-time fan of Swan Callum Mills.

I’ve gone for a slight POD at D1 with the Eagles’ Shannon Hurn. I think he’ll continue his form from last year and as well-documented, the new kick-in rules should suit him.

I’ve added a trio of mid-pricers coming back from injury in Callum Mills, Zac Williams and Brodie Smith, who are all excellent value and should only increase in price. I’m not too worried about Mills’ midfield time, I think in his fourth season the Swans will be unlikely to use him in a lockdown role and he’ll be an attacking half back flanker when not playing in the middle.

Sam Collins and Jordan Clark are the best of the rookie defender options and pick themselves.

MIDFIELD

Demon Clayton Oliver, right, is one of three top-line premiums Mr. SuperCoach has locked in.

I’ve splashed the cash in the middle with Jack Macrae, Patrick Cripps and Clayton Oliver. Three guys who can all go large, are in the prime (or approaching the prime) of their careers and fitness permitting, can average in the region of 120.

I’m clearly biased but I think the Crouch brothers present terrific value and in an improved Crows side, will be consistent midfield performers in 2019. I strongly considered Rockliff, Sheed and Worpel at M5 but Brad’s the best of this bunch and with Adelaide’s (slightly) softer draw in the first half of the year, should be able to recapture his 2017 form.

Tom Liberatore is a very trendy pick but his scoring history and JLT form is impossible to ignore at his price. Sam Walsh and Zak Butters are the obvious rookies to fill out the starting midfield.

RUCKS

Ideally I’d pick Max Gawn here but I just don’t have the cash. I also feel Braydon Preuss will inevitably get games throughout the year and impact Big Maxy’s scoring. Todd Goldstein finished the second half of last year extremely well and is the second best sole ruck option. I will look to bring in Gawn at some point during the year, hopefully for much less $$$.

Mr SuperCoach Antimo Iannella's 2019 team

FORWARD

Geelong’s Tim Kelly, right, in action during the pre-season.

A very stock standard forward six but I can’t betray my Supercoach beliefs just to be different. Patrick Dangerfield and Isaac Heeney are auto picks, and I like Tim Kelly at F3, he should only get better in year two and the Cats will be looking to get the maximum out of his talents before he departs west.

I don’t feel overly comfortable about Darcy Moore at F4 but he’s the best option at this spot. I have a couple of other players in mind for this position who I’ll keep a close eye on during the first month of the season. Setterfield is a no brainer after a solid JLT series and I’m backing Willem Drew to get a decent run in the Power midfield - with or without Ollie Wines.