The Eradicator’s SuperCoach 2019 team reveal

Mid-pricers will be the key to success for The Eradicator in 2019. The Phantom’s Lair podcaster explains his strategy, including his two ‘adjustment trades’ for Round 2. See Matt Pike’s team now.

• REVEALED: The Phantom’s final team
• The Hipster’s team revealed
• Mr SuperCoach’s top-secret team revealed
• The Phantom’s last-minute guide

I don’t think I’m the only SuperCoach in the land to be looking at their team and thinking it’s quite mid-priced. I have never been one to avoid a mid-pricer, despite the guns and rookies approach that serves a lot of coaches extremely well.

Mid-pricers aren’t a bad thing. At the end of each season, some diligent number-cruncher will put together a retrospective team that would either win the season, or go extremely close, without using a trade.

That team is usually powered by far more mid-pricers than any SuperCoach selector would dream of selecting.

That tells me that there is, every year, a combo of mid-price selections that can get you off to a flyer. Which is also balanced with the knowledge that picking a mid-price success story is a far more hit or miss exercise than any other type of player.

Maybe that’s a justification because, yeah, this year I have a number.

It adds an element of risk, but I give myself an out by allowing two adjustment trades after Round 2, before the prices rise. If something hasn’t worked by then and there’s a performing rookie I’m missing, I’ll make the switch and pocket the cash.

I can’t remember a season where I didn’t use the two adjustment trades.

Anyway, without further desperate mid-pricer justification ado, here’s my team.

Jake Lloyd during Swans training at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

DEFENCE:

Jake Lloyd — Picked mostly after I missed his epic run home last year. I also think the new rules will compliment his already best-in-position scoring.

Zac Williams — had an average that had been steadily rising to 94 before missing the 2018 campaign. Value pick.

Brodie Smith — has a best season of 93, though has only gone over 80+ twice. But the new rules should well suit his game style impact and scoring. The four seasons before the knee injury he didn’t miss many games.

From there on, my defence is rookie value as I think this is a good line for the cheapies this year. Apologies to Pearce Hanley, I’m still trying to find a way to fit you in to the side. Haven’t totally ruled it out. I think the Phantom’s Lair Supercoach Podcast will be poorer with your absence from my team.

MIDFIELD:

The biggest risk in the midfield.

I’m not starting with Patty Cripps or (I’m sorry I missed) Jackson Macrae. Without doubt, I want these two in my final side, but I feel they are priced close to what we can expect point wise, so will bide my time for when a value dip comes to me. They could get off to a flyer and hurt me, but you can’t cover everything.

Nathan Fyfe, Dusty Martin and Matt Crouch — all under-priced premiums, who based on history, can and should push for top eight averaging midfielders. If these three guns can give me an output near Macrae, Cripps and Clayton Oliver, I’d be stoked.

Here’s the risk:

Brad Crouch — nothing wrong with his scoring output, it’s just getting on the park that has been the concern. But he’s had a full preseason and played the u23’s game v Port and the two JLT Community matches. For me, if you’re going to take him, you’ve got to do it at the start. I think he has the potential to average very high this year, and I really hope he does.

Tom Rockliff — I know he’s on the; never again’ list for some. But he’s coming off his lowest season average since the one game in his debut year, is fit and has proven hi-end scoring potential in the past. Risk — yes. Reward — definitely there.

Tom Liberatore — popular bargain buy. I’m on board.

This leaves me with Sam Walsh and Zak Butters starting on the park.

RUCK:

Brodie Grundy, Max Gawn, done. I’m not going to say set and forget, as I don’t want to curse things but, all things being equal, they are two rucks everyone will want to finish with.

If Zac Clarke plays round 1, he’ll be my R3. If not, I will swap to the cheapest Ruck/Forward and use it as a loophole position, with the potential to open up a future swing set.

Patrick Dangerfield is a forward line lock. Picture: Alan Barber

FORWARD:

Patrick Dangerfield and Isaac Heeney are locked as what feel like the two most reliable forwards heading into the season.

Jack Billings is another who’s got a spot on many coaches never again lists. I feel he’s going into this season with a similar role to what he had in the second half of last year — where he averaged mid-90s. Represents value.

Despite the fact Toby Greene has had a limited pre-season, I’m going to pick him. Another risk, but his scoring history and price are very appealing.

Darcy Moore looks like he’s going to have a valuable, and SC scoring-friendly, role in Collingwood’s defence this year. I’m in. I’ve also used Chris Burgess on the defence bench to open up the Def-For swing set, which will open up flexibility.

Will Setterfield — should be in all teams, but I like the look of him at F6, as I’m not as bullish on the job security of the forward rookies as some.

I will be keeping an eye on rookie selections (obviously), particularly Brett Bewley, who I’ll select if named. I also have $114k in the bank to open up options for whatever adjustment trades present themselves after round 2 — there will be something, I just need to be ready for it.

The Eradictor's 2019 SuperCoach team