Returning star Devon Smith looms as the must-have Bomber in SuperCoach while Mitch Hibberd and Darcy Parish provide some value
A returning Bomber, who averaged 98 points in 2018, looms as a SuperCoach must-have in 2020. And he’s followed closely by a midfield recruit. See The Phantom’s best 22 analysis
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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 Essendon’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: Adam Saad, Cale Hooker, Aaron Francis
HB: Mason Redman, Michael Hurley, Connor McKenna
C: Andrew McGrath, Dyson Heppell, Darcy Parish
HF: Orazio Fantasia, Shaun McKernan, Devon Smith
F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joe Daniher, Jake Stringer
1R: Tom Bellchambers, Zach Merrett, Dylan Shiel
INTER: Patrick Ambrose, David Zaharakis, Mitch Hibberd, Kyle Langford
THE PHANTOM’S FORM GUIDE
(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2020)
Devon Smith (FWD, MID $335,800)
The 26-year-old is resuming from a season-ending knee injury and must be included at the price after averaging 98 points per game in 2018. Enjoying a strong preparation.
Zach Merrett (MID $573,600)
Might, again, take some catching as Essendon’s No. 1 scorer after finising with 2324 points in 2019 – 278 more than Dylan Shiel. Looks capable of better than 106-point average, too. Keep in mind.
Mitch Hibberd (MID $114,400)
Resuming AFL career after transforming himself into a big-bodied running midfielder and averaging 128 points in the VFL last year. Will come right into SuperCoach calculations if he does get a Round 1 start.
Darcy Parish (FWD, MID $465,400)
Added six points to his SuperCoach average last year and, as three-game stretch mid-year - which featured scores of 137, 129 and 110 - proves, he’s capable of even better in 2020. Do not dismiss.
Dylan Shiel (MID $529,100)
Can’t be taken lightly after scoring 90 points or more in 15 of his 21 matches last season, posting a SuperCoach ton in nine of them. Worth some thought.
Andrew McGrath (MID $399,400)
Has failed to deliver on SuperCoach promise to this point but, despite only one score of 100 or more last year, is still an outside chance to do so in 2020.
Dyson Heppell (MID $514,300)
The skipper will be coming off a limited preparation after off-season foot surgery but he still takes some catching on his day, as evident by his 153-point performance in Round 11 last year. Has strong SuperCoach Draft claims.
Joe Daniher (FWD $270,400)
A very, very limited preparation – again – for the key-forward who played just four games in 2019 after battling a groin issue. He’s hard to trust but, at the price, is still a chance of having a number of admirers come March.
Jake Stringer (FWD $384,600)
Enjoying a terrific preparation and there is – again – talk of a midfield move in 2020. One of the hardest players to trust in the entire field, however.
Connor McKenna (DEF $433,600)
Impressive last minor-round start – 35 disposals and 141 points – and is a threat in 2020.
Michael Hurley (DEF $432,900)
A huge SuperCoach threat given his offensive power but, recently, has spent more time taking care of the opposition’s best forward. Monitor.
Tom Bellchambers (RUCK $460,500)
Coming off an injury-interrupted campaign, which saw the 202cm big man post a SuperCoach ton in six of his 15 matches. Worth some thought in SuperCoach Draft.
Adam Saad (DEF $443,500)
Was an improver last year, adding seven points to his average after passing the 80-point mark in 15 of his 21 matches. Must be respected in SuperCoach Draft.
Cale Hooker (DEF $438,300)
Can feature when in defence, as six scores of 90 or more last year suggests, but others have stronger claims at the price.
Orazio Fantasia (FWD $314,200)
Enjoying a better preparation after more fitness concerns last year. Price is there and he can figure, as the 130-point Round 5 score proves, but he’s hard to trust.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (FWD $409,500)
Takes some catching on his day, as scores of 143, 135 and 127 last year suggests, but inconsistency makes it hard to recommend him in the classic format.
Mason Redman (DEF $379,800)
Locked down a spot in Essendon’s defence last season but, while he’s a likely improver in 2020, he won’t yet have strong claims in SuperCoach.
Kyle Langford (FWD, MID $399,900)
The pressure will be on but versatility is likely to earn him a Round 1 start. Can figure, as 80-point average in 2018 suggests, but it’s hard to make a case on recent form.
Aaron Francis (DEF $352,300)
Now an important part of the Bomber defence but he’s hard to recommend in SuperCoach after nine scores of 68 or less last year.
David Zaharakis (MID $428,700)
Far better than 51-point average over the final six rounds of 2019 suggests but it’s still hard to make a case for the 29-year-old at the price and after a limited preparation.
Shaun McKernan (FWD $363,800)
Can feature when the role is right but he’s unlikely to threaten in SuperCoach this year.
Patrick Ambrose (DEF $275,200)
Should form part of a strong Essendon back-six but look elsewhere in SuperCoach.
MAKING THEIR CASE
Tagger Dylan Clarke (MID $352,000) is a big chance after a terrific year while Martin Gleeson (DEF $387,400) would be unlucky to miss out.
Recruits Jacob Townsend (FWD $222,900) and Tom Cutler (MID $296,500) will force their way in at some point, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (DEF $189,000) will continue to put pressure on the Bomber talls.
And what will 2020 hold for the talented Jayden Laverde (FWD $364,400)?