SuperCoach 2018: The forwards and rucks who caught The Phantom’s eye in week 1 of JLT Series

A NUMBER of intriguing forward-line options put their hand up in the first four games of the JLT Series. But are they serious options for our SuperCoach teams in 2018?

The Phantom's Pre-season: JLT 1 Forwards

• Mid-price smokies for your watchlist
• The verdict on the your midfield dilemmas
• Forward-thinking solutions
• JLT Series week 1 standouts: Defenders
• JLT Series week 1 standouts: Midfielders

A NUMBER of intriguing forward-line options put their hand up in the first four games of the JLT Series. But are they serious options for our SuperCoach teams in 2018?

FORWARDS

Jesse Hogan (Melb) $383,200

106 points

Over summer, there has been a bit of talk about the 23-year-old key-forward pushing up the ground for stints in the midfield in 2018 and, against the Kangaroos, he did just that. While he did most of his work in the forward-line, we did get a glimpse of the 195cm Hogan, who finished with 13 disposals, seven marks, three goals and 106 points, in the middle.

Alex Neal-Bullen was great against the Kangaroos but can he find consistency in the regular season?

Alex Neal-Bullen (Melb) $414,900

128 points

The 22-year-old, who lifted his SuperCoach average from 54 to 75 in 2017, was one of Melbourne’s best in their opening JLT Series match. Playing predominantly at half-forward, Neal-Bullen gathered 19 possessions - nine of them contested - and booted two goals to finish with 128 points – second only to Max Gawn. Inconsistency hurt him last season.

Bayley Fritsch (Melb) $117,300

70 points

The mature-age recruit’s Round 1 chances were good prior to the first JLT Series clash but, after 11 disposals, six marks – four of them inside 50 – and 3.2, Fritsch is almost a certain starter against the Cats.

Devon Smith confirmed his SuperCoach lock status with a standout display in the Bombers’ midfield.

Devon Smith (Ess) $439,100

118 points

All the talk over the pre-season was about Smith moving to the Bombers for a greater midfield role. We said it, he said it and, on Saturday, it eventuated. In a 15-goal drubbing, the former Giant was clearly Essendon’s best midfielder on the ground, tallying 26 disposals, 11 contested possessions, five clearances, one goal and 118 points. Lock status confirmed.

Josh Caddy (Rich) $419,600

136 points

With 136 points, on the back of 22 disposals six marks, five tackles and two goals, Caddy was the highest-ranked SuperCoach player on the ground. It was reminiscent of his 137-point performance in Round 20 last season – but that was his only SuperCoach ton for the year. He might just be teasing us again

Can second-year forward Shai Bolton win a spot in the Tigers’ best 22 this year?

Shai Bolton (Rich) $242,500

80 points

Bolton, who played six games in his debut year last season, is making his case to be a part of the Tigers’ fleet of pressure-applying small-forwards in Round 1. The highly skilled 19-year-old recorded 10 disposals, three goals and 80 points against the Bombers. However, he might need to apply more than two tackles in the second JLT Series match to win a spot.

Michael Walters (Freo) $478,300

102 points

Only 13 disposals for Walters against the Crows but 10 contested possessions and seven tackles still got him over the line for SuperCoach ton. The Phantom is looking forward to seeing more of Walters, who was one of only two Dockers to pass three figures, in the midfield in 2018.

Tom Lynch doesn’t get a lot of love from the SuperCoach community

Tom Lynch (Adel) $470,900

117 points

The ‘connector’ was prolific, as he often is when the Crows are up-and-going, against the Dockers, tallying 21 disposals, eight marks and two goals to finish with 117 points. Lynch doesn’t get a lot of love from the SuperCoach community but he’s averaged 88, 87 and 86 in the past three seasons.

Mark Hutchings (WC) $282,000

79 points

The midfielder, who has played as a tagger in the past, sat on the bench for the first two quarters of the JLT Series match at Leederville Oval but reminded us all of his ball-winning ability in the second half. Hutchings helped himself to 21 disposals, five marks and 79 points in just 43 per cent game time against the Power.

...AND THE RUCKMEN

Max Gawn (Melb) $503,700

145 points

Gawn, who scored 145 points, confirmed his position as the must-have SuperCoach ruckman of 2018, winning his head-to-head battle with North big man Todd Goldstein. Gawn only had one more disposal but his 18 hitouts-to-advantage – Goldstein had eight – was the deciding factor.