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

IT’S time to get serious, SuperCoaches, the JLT Series is here.These are the midfielders who caught The Phantom’s eye in the first four games over the weekend.

The Phantom: JLT 1 standouts

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

IT’S time to get serious, SuperCoaches, the JLT Series is here.

These are the midfielders who caught The Phantom’s eye in the first four games over the weekend.

Luke Davies-Uniacke (NM) $189,300

52 points

Only 12 disposals and 52 SuperCoach points for North Melbourne’s top pick against the Demons but the strongly built 18-year-old won eight contested possessions – the second-most for his team. ‘LDU’ showed he can mix it with the big boys in his first senior appearance.

Clayton Oliver stood up in the absence of some big-name Melbourne teammates. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Clayton Oliver (Melb) $612,800

108 points

Just Clayton Oliver doing Clayton Oliver things. In a midfield missing Jack Viney, Nathan Jones and Dom Tyson, Oliver tallied 22 disposals, 15 contested possessions and six tackles. His consistency at such a young age is remarkable.

Dustin Martin (Rich) $656,000

108 points

Three quarters for the Brownlow medallist, who was only in second gear, in the first JLT Series hitout but still enough time for 24 disposals, 1.1 and 108 points. And, importantly, no sign of an off-season hangover.

Corey Ellis (Rich) $228,400

96 points

The 21-year-old, who has only posted two scores of 80 or more in his 23 senior games, got his chance in the Tiger midfield against the Bombers. Ellis, who did not record a clanger, finished with 17 disposals, seven contested possessions, six inside 50s, six tackles and 96 points. The No. 12 pick in the 2014 draft recorded similar numbers in the VFL last season, averaging 22 disposals, 11 contested possessions and six tackles in his final six games for the year. Tough side to crack, though.

No surprise that Matt Crouch was in everything at Strathalbyn. Picture: Tom Huntley

Matt Crouch (Adel) $608,300

107 points

Crouch had more than 31 disposals in each of his final 11 games of 2017 and, if his performance against the Dockers on Sunday is anything to go by, this streak could alive for a while yet. The 22-year-old was everywhere at Strathalbyn Oval, accumulating 36 touches – 22 in the first half – and 13 contested possessions. Can he score more points than Tom Mitchell in 2018?

Bryce Gibbs (Adel) $563,300

102 points

The star recruit is flying under the SuperCoach radar, finding himself in only three per cent of teams. But, after fitting into the midfield seamlessly, in an impressive first-up display in Crows colours, this number could start to increase significantly. Gibbs finished with 27 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven clearances and a goal.

Nat Fyfe starred for Fremantle on Sunday. Picture AAP Image/Tony McDonough

Nat Fyfe (Freo) $597,900

162 points

Seriously, if you don’t have him in your team – and I know there are plenty of you, 59 per cent in fact - stop what you’re doing and put him in. Featured at half-forward and through the midfield yesterday and – as he will be all year – was hard to stop, tallying 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, three contested marks, two goals and 162 points.

Andrew Brayshaw (Freo) $198,300

87 points

Our pre-season thoughts were confirmed on Sunday; the 18-year-old is more than ready to step straight into AFL footy. The composed Brayshaw, playing through the midfield against the Crows, posted 87 SuperCoach points, on the back of 14 disposals – at 85 per cent efficiency - six tackles and six contested possessions. It’s only one game, yes, but it looks like Brayshaw will be worth his top-end price tag.

Bailey Banfield (Freo) $123,400

96 points

We know Ross Lyon likes to surprise us and, although The Phantom has mentioned Stefan Giro and Mitch Crowden over the past month, could Banfield be the Round 1 bolter? The 20-year-old rookie-listed midfielder, who won Claremont’s best-and-fairest in the WAFL last season, registered 11 disposals, five marks, two goals and 96 points playing predominantly as a forward on Sunday. Add the 188cm Banfield to the watchlist

Dom Barry showed his running ability and class. Picture: Tom Huntley

Dom Barry (Port) $117,300

99 points

Maybe Dom is good. The Phantom wasn’t overly convinced by Barry’s AFLX showing but maybe I read into the quick-fire concept too much. Against the Eagles on Sunday, Barry booted his side’s first goal of the afternoon, before showing off his running ability and class, tallying 20 disposals, nine contested possessions and 99 points. One of the Power’s best.

Jack Redden (WC) $437,900

162 points

In the Eagles’ first match without Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell, it was the former Lion who stepped up. Redden, who has only scored three SuperCoach tons in his first 32 games at West Coast, posted a huge, game-high 162 points in the victory over the Power. Redden recorded 26 disposals – at 88 per cent efficiency - 12 contested possessions, six marks and seven tackles. All the signs were good over summer and the first-up performance capped it off.

SuperCoach locks? Defender Elliot Yeo and midfielder Luke Shuey. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Luke Shuey (WC) $529,100

149 points

Redden’s star team-mate was pretty good, too. The leader of the Eagles’ midfield finished with 28 disposals and 149 SuperCoach points. Shuey, who is in only one per cent of teams, is looming as a nice point-of-difference.