SuperCoach: Tom Mitchell is back, but who else has value at the Hawks in 2020?
By year’s end, Tom Mitchell will be the highest-averaging player at the Hawks. But if he’s a slow starter, after recoving from a broken leg, who’s next in line? See The Phantom’s best 22 analysis
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- New year, new club: 10 players to add to your watchlist
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 Hawthorn’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: Ben Stratton, James Frawley, Blake Hardwick
HB: James Sicily, Sam Frost, Jack Scrimshaw
C: Ricky Henderson, Tom Mitchell, Tom Scully
HF: Chad Wingard, Mitch Lewis, Oliver Hanrahan
F: Tim O’Brien, Jon Patton, Luke Breust
1R: Ben McEvoy, James Worpel, Jager O’Meara
INTER: Isaac Smith, Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels, Shaun Burgoyne
THE PHANTOM’S FORM GUIDE
(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2020
Tom Mitchell (MID $630,900)
Resuming from a serious leg injury and may need the outing but will still take some catching as Hawthorn’s highest-averaging player by year’s end. Monitor his preparation before committing early, however.
James Sicily (DEF $509,500)
Coming off an inconsistent season, as a result of multiple role changes, but, with the inclusion of Sam Frost in defence and Jon Patton in attack, is a likely improver in 2020. Averaged 105 in 2018 and finished 2019 with scores of 140, 47 and 124. A chance to pip Mitchell in total points.
Chad Wingard (FWD, MID $412,300)
Averaged 26 disposals and 91 points in the final month of the year, playing through the midfield, and is far better than season average of 76 – and price – suggests. Keep in mind.
James Worpel (MID $527,000)
Coming off a super-impressive campaign, which saw the strong ball-winner post SuperCoach tons in six of the final seven games of the year. Is a threat, again, despite return of Mitchell and loss of dual-position status.
Jon Patton (RUCK, FWD $337,000)
Resuming from a third knee reconstruction but is enjoying a good preparation at his new club. Posted seven SuperCoach tons — two in excess of 150 — in 24 games between Round 22, 2016 and Round 3, 2018. Do not dismiss.
Jack Scrimshaw (DEF $350,300)
After an injury-interrupted 2019, the skilful defender is likely to improve on first-up effort at the Hawks. Might surprise.
Ricky Henderson (MID $514,900)
A career-best campaign, which featured 11 scores of 100 or more, for the 31-year-old in 2019. Others might have stronger claims in the classic format but he’s a big chance in SuperCoach Draft.
Jack Gunston (FWD $433,600)
Spent time in defence last year and was inconsistent as a forward but there might be some value here, given the 28-year-old averaged 90 or more in three of the previous five seasons.
Ben McEvoy (RUCK $503,600)
Finished last year in defence and the talk continues to suggest he’ll start there in 2020. But he’s still a threat as the No. 1 ruckman, after recording nine SuperCoach tons in the first 17 games of the season.
Jaeger O’Meara (MID $491,100)
A big part of the Hawthorn midfield but his SuperCoach scoring power – or lack of – has him placed just outside the top-group again in 2020.
Blake Hardwick (DEF $429,000)
The reliable defender posted eight scores of 85 or more in 2019 but should only be considered in SuperCoach Draft.
Tom Scully (MID $356,800)
Far better than last start – an injury-affected 15 points in Round 23 – suggests and there might be some value here given the 26 disposals, two goals and 107 points the previous week. Hard to trust.
Tim O’Brien (DEF, FWD $389,300)
Coming off an impressive finish to 2019 campaign, which saw him boot 12 goals and post scores of 79, 83, 75, 86 and 101 in the final five rounds of the year as a forward. Could improve again.
Liam Shiels (MID $471,600)
Can figure on his day, as three scores of 124 or more last year suggests, but he no longer features prominently in SuperCoach.
Oliver Hanrahan (FWD $284,800)
Hard to make a case on recent form – a 52-point average in 2019 – but he’s a likely improver after establishing himself at senior level last year.
Isaac Smith (MID $450,700)
Posted two SuperCoach tons in the final three rounds of last year but others, now, have much stronger claims.
Mitch Lewis (FWD $367,000)
Promising key-forward looks a likely improver in 2020, after finishing with four scores of 80 or more in the final six rounds of 2019.
Luke Breust (FWD $418,100)
The 207-game stayer booted another 34 goals last season but he’s unlikely to feature in SuperCoach at the price.
Shaun Burgoyne (DEF $417,200)
Can still figure on his day, as 84-point average over the final eight rounds of 2019 suggests, but it’s hard to make a case.
Sam Frost (DEF $348,000)
Key-defender is likely to better the run of Sicily but he’s no chance to feature himself.
James Frawley (DEF $299,900)
Look elsewhere.
Ben Stratton (DEF $236,100)
The skipper is hard to recommend in SuperCoach.
MAKING THEIR CASE
Jon Ceglar (RUCK, FWD $417,000) - who will start in the ruck if McEvoy does stay in defence - Paul Puopolo (FWD $346,600) and Conor Glass (DEF $241,600) would be unlucky to miss out while former Bomber Michael Hartley (DEF $272,400) ismore-than-handy depth.
James Cousins (MID $376,500) is the likely midfield inclusion if Mitchell isn’t ready for the season opener but Jarman Impey (DEF $402,500) is still a fair way off after tearing his ACL in July last year.