The Phantom’s 2018 SuperCoach pre-season: Rookie-price forwards
FROM first-year draftees to mature-age recruits and those who have been around a while but yet to make their mark. The Phantom is here to steer you through the all-important rookie-price options in the forward line.
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FROM first-year draftees to mature-age recruits and those who have been around a while but yet to make their mark. The Phantom is here to steer you through the all-important rookie-price options in the forward line.
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THE BIG NUMBERS
Jordan Dawson (Syd) $123,900, midfielder
After a dominant year in the NEAFL, the 20-year-old, who played one senior game, won Sydney’s Cathy Lees Award for ‘most promising young player or best blossoming talent’ for 2017.
The past three winners are Nic Newman (2016), Isaac Heeney (2015) and Jake Lloyd (2014).
That’s a good indication we can expect big things from the third-year Swan in 2018, especially after posting some enormous numbers in the reserves last season.
Dawson, who played through the midfield and up forward, averaged 136 SuperCoach points, ranking elite for disposals, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, contested marks, goals and tackles per game in 2017.
Now that’s what you call an all-round game.
In one match last year, Dawson recorded 40 disposals, 14 marks, eight tackles, seven clearances, six inside 50s and three goals.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Sure, his role may not be quite the same at senior level but if Dawson is there Round 1 — and The Phantom thinks he will be — he’s a lock.
THE EAGLES
Luke Partington (WC) $219,000
While there are number of West Coast forwards on the SuperCoach radar in 2018, Partington’s name has hardly received a mention.
But, after six appearances last season, including the final against Port, and three pre-seasons under his belt — don’t underestimate the benefits of this — the 21-year-old is ready to step up and help fill the void left by Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis in the midfield.
At the top level in 2017, Partington spent most of his time as a small-forward but he was prolific as a ball-winner in the WAFL.
The hard-running Partington averaged 28 disposals and 93 SuperCoach points, winning 10 or more contested possessions in 10 of his 13 games last season.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Might show that he is worth the extra cash during the JLT Series.
Liam Ryan (WC) $117,300
One player that has been talked about a lot is the excitement machine from the WAFL.
The 21-year-old, who is a mid-sized forward at 181cm, booted 73 goals from his 23 games last season — nine more than any other play in any major state league, not just the WAFL.
Don’t let his height fool you.
Ryan is outstanding overhead, taking the third-most marks inside forward 50 last season, plenty of them while sitting on a defender’s shoulders.
Expect to see plenty of highlights from the mature-age recruit in 2018.
The Phantom’s Verdict: The perfect bench option at the moment.
Daniel Venables (WC) $123,900
It’s a fair chance we would’ve seen the strongly-built 19-year-old in the Eagles’ line-up during his debut season if it wasn’t for injury.
After a delayed start to his first pre-season due to a foot injury, West Coast’s first pick in the 2016 draft played eight games in the WAFL, two of them in the reserves, last year before a toe injury ruined his chance of a mid-season debut.
The explosive Venables played predominantly as a forward in those eight games but his mix of power and speed, that has many onlookers comparing him to star teammate Luke Shuey, could see him push into the midfield.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Although Venables has never been a big ball winner, his ability to impact the scoreboard — off his own boot and by dishing off to others — should still see him score well, if he gets a chance
Willie Rioli (WC) $123,900
Lewis Jetta had some pretty strong words to say about the 22 year old, who battled hamstring injuries during his first season on the club’s list, earlier in the week.
“You can expect magic from him. He is a freak. He is pretty similar to his cousins (Cyril and Daniel). He knows where the goals are, knows how to kick a ball and he has worked really hard over the pre-season.”
As Jetta’s comments reiterate; Rioli is highly rated at the Eagles.
Injury restricted the dangerous small-forward to just two games in the opening 17 rounds of the WAFL in 2017 but Rioli was so impressive late in the season that he was in the selection frame for the Eagles’ elimination final against the Power after only three senior WAFL appearances.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Just like they have so far over summer, expect Rioli and Ryan to form an exciting forward combination in 2018.
THE COMEBACK
Paul Ahern (NM) $123,900, midfielder
After two knee reconstructions, is it finally time to see the No. 7 pick from the 2014 make his debut?
The Phantom sure hopes so because the former Giant can play.
In 2015, after averaging 98 SuperCoach points as Vic Metro’s top-ranked forward at the 2014 under-18 championships, the classy 21-year-old averaged 23 disposals at an impressive 76 per cent efficiency in the NEAFL.
Unfortunately that was the last time Ahern was on the field.
North Melbourne took the risk on the hard-running right-footer, trading for him at the end of 2016 even though he wouldn’t take the field the follow season.
But he’s been back in full-training since November last and looks set to finally make his mark on the competition.
The Phantom’s Verdict: If all goes to plan, expect Ahern to confirm his lock status over the pre-season competition, starting with the AFLX tomorrow night.
THE NEXT STEP
Will Setterfield (GWS) $195,700, midfielder
Although he battled injury, the tall midfielder, who was rated as one of the most complete in his draft year, played two AFL games in his debut season, registering 12 disposals, six tackles and 63 SuperCoach points on debut.
In that draft year of 2016, the 190cm Setterfield averaged 121 points in the TAC cup and was the only midfielder in the competition to rate elite for goals, score assists and tackles per game.
Expect the Giants to make the most of those attributes by giving the 19-year-old a role in the forward line in 2018 before the inevitable full-time midfield move eventuates.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Sometimes it pays to pay for those players who have been in the system longer — even if they’ve only played two senior games.
THE TOP-PICKS
Cam Rayner (Bris) $202,800, midfielder
The No. 1 draft pick, who averaged 20 disposals, two goals and 122 SuperCoach across all games last season, is going to be a star. There is no doubt about it.
But Rayner, who has drawn comparisons to a young Dustin Martin — and rightly so — is likely to spend much of his debut season in the forward line as he builds up his endurance.
Sure, the powerful 18-year-old could — and will — do some damage as a forward but will it be often enough for his SuperCoach scoring to match his high price tag?
The Phantom is unsure.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Given that uncertainty, I’ll be looking elsewhere to start. Although I am slightly worried he’ll prove me wrong.
Jaidyn Stephenson (Coll) $180,300, midfielder
Stephenson was once touted as a potential No. 1 pick but a heart condition scared a number of clubs off.
But not Collingwood, who swooped on the line-breaking midfielder with pick No. 6.
The 19 year old, who possesses speed and great hands overhead, exploded in the second half of last season.
After scoring 146 SuperCoach points, on the back of 28 disposals and five goals, against South Australia in the 2017 under-18 championships, Stephenson averaged 132 points in the TAC Cup for the remainder of the year.
Stephenson has the ability and skill-set to add to the Magpies’ side immediately with his goalkicking nous allowing him to play a variety of roles.
If he gets a chance early, it’s not out of the question for Stephenson to post Will Hoskin-Elliott-like numbers of 2017.
The Phantom’s Verdict: High on the watchlist. Should light-up the AFLX.
THE DOWNGRADE
Jack Higgins (Rich) $130,800, midfielder
Over summer, all the signs were pointing to Higgins potentially being one of the best cash cows of the season but Richmond coach Damien Hardwick’s comments on the AFL’s ‘ask the coach’ segment earlier in the week have dampened expectations.
When asked about the chances of Higgins playing in his debut season, Hardwick said “it probably won’t be early,” but added that he would be disappointing if he didn’t put his hand up midway through the year.
So it looks like we will have to wait a while longer to see the prolific midfielder who averaged 144 SuperCoach points across his junior career, breaking Tom Rockliff’s longstanding junior record.
The Phantom’s Verdict: As frustrating as Hardwick’s comments are for SuperCoaches, Higgins will be worth the wait.
THE MATURE-AGER
Bayley Fritsch (Melb) $117,300
The 188cm forward, who possesses great hands, booted 42 goals and averaged 82 SuperCoach points for Melbourne’s VFL affiliate Casey Scorpions in the VFL last season.
The Demons were so impressed they jumped with pick No. 31 in the draft, giving the high-marking Fritsch a shot at the big time.
And they continued to be impressed with coach Simon Goodwin declaring Fritsch “has been a real standout in our training” and “is working really well with our other forwards”.
Melbourne went with mature-age forward Mitch Hannan from the outset in 2017 and Fritsch is tracking on the same path.
The Phantom’s Verdict: Another nice bench option if he’s named in Round 1.
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