The Phantom’s Final word: All the latest team news, what the coaches really meant, trade options, captains and more
The SuperCoach carnage continues as GWS withdraws Jeremy Cameron from its Round 20 line-up. Plus; what the coaches were really trying to say and all The Phantom’s last-minute advice.
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Just as it looked SuperCoaches were going to get through Friday without any more carnage, the Giants stepped in.
Star forward Jeremy Cameron, who is in 25,000 teams, has been withdrawn from the GWS side for its clash with the Swans due to calf tightness.
If you have both Cameron and Scott Lycett in your forwardline, I feel for you. But, as I detail below, we know more about Lycett then we do about Cameron’s injury - so hold the Coleman Medal leader for now.
In other team news, Carlton defender Liam Jones is also out and, while he’s not SuperCoach relevant, his potential Round 20 opponent Jack Darling is.
But with the usual round of club press conferences, Friday was already interesting enough - if you’re reading between the lines, with your SuperCoach hat on that is.
WHAT THE SUPER COACH SAID
What the AFL coaches said on Friday and how SuperCoaches should interpret them
Ken Hinkley, Port Adelaide
“He (Lycett) could have been picked there is no doubt about that, he was available for selection and we chose not to pick him based on his output and what Pete’s output has been.”
What The Phantom thinks he’s really telling SuperCoaches: Yes, I’ve dropped him, you should, too.
Simon Goodwin, Melbourne
“We want to give some opportunity to some guys, which will then give us a chance to see what we can be in the next four weeks.”
What The Phantom thinks he’s really telling SuperCoaches: You can have Kyle Dunkley back but if any of my stars get even just a slight injury, the cotton wool is coming out.
Ross Lyon, Fremantle
“We’re going to go in a little bit shorter (up forward). Fyfe played forward, Mundy can go through there, so we’re just going to have to be a little bit creative.”
What The Phantom thinks he’s really telling SuperCoaches: Max Gawn VC into Brodie Grundy C.
“Luke Ryan, he’ll struggle to get back I would think, maybe the last game of the year.”
What The Phantom thinks he’s really telling SuperCoaches: TRADE. He’s done. But Griffin Logue might get some of his points.
Brett Ratten, St Kilda
“Dan (Hannebery) would have been in the team but he didn’t get to train and we have to look after him in that way to make sure he gets a good session in on the weekend and get through and hopefully prepare for next week.”
What The Phantom thinks he’s really telling SuperCoaches: Never pick Hannebery again. Not even at a heavily discounted price next year.
SUPERCOACH FINALS
The finals are here, SuperCoaches.
For many of you, there is no tomorrow.
Take the plunge on the left-field option you have been considering because points-of-difference at this stage of the season, with so many teams looking similar, will be the difference in head-to-head match-ups.
Docker Luke Ryan will miss at least three weeks and there’s only four rounds remaining so he’s a must-trade, even for those with the week off in their league.
If you’ve got the money, Lachie Whitfield is the best replacement option – don’t worry about the star Giant potentially copping some attention from Swan George Hewett.
If you’re looking for more value, consider Bachar Houli, Daniel Rich, Brodie Smith and Callum Mills – in that order – under the $500k mark.
There’s also Carlton veteran Kade Simpson, who produced a vintage, 125-point performance against the Crows last week.
See The Phantom’s full analysis here.
With Ken Hinkley confirming Scott Lycett was dropped for form reasons, and not injury, it’s time to move him on, too, if you can.
Like with Ryan replacements, think differently. Here are The Phantom’s best options.
And if you’ve got Cameron - and he’s your only problem - make the move if it’s going to help you stay alive in the finals, despite the strong chance he’ll return next week.
THE PHANTOM’S TRADES
The Phantom has both Ryan and Lycett and, with four trades remaining, I’ll be dumping both.
In the forwardline, I’ll be bringing in Tiger Tom Lynch, who boasts a three-round average of 117 and faces Melbourne and Carlton in his next two matches.
It’s a risk, sure, but big scores in the next two rounds will ensure Lynch scores as much as any of the mid-price options in the run-home.
It also allows for the inclusion of Whitfield - yes for the second time - at Ryan’s expense.
CAPTAINS
Max Gawn v Richmond, Saturday night
The Tigers will give No. 1 ruckman Toby Nankervis another week in the VFL after an extended injury lay-off, meaning Gawn will be up against 16-game big man Ivan Soldo. But not that the competition’s second-ranked SuperCoach scorer, by average, needs any help.
In his past three matches against Richmond, Gawn has posted scores of 145, 151 and 160 and he’s averaging 133 at the MCG — the venue for Saturday night’s clash — this year.
He’s your VC but with a number of great captain options on Sunday, the question becomes what score do you take? You have to take any score of 130 or more, despite the temptation. The only reason you wouldn’t is if you’re behind in your head-to-head league’s final.
Rowan Marshall v Adelaide, Saturday night
At the same time in Adelaide, Marshall is the other vice-captain option to consider. The 23-year-old has posted scores of 139, 122, 119, 161, 126, 116, 142 and 125 since Round 11. Despite the young Saints’ outstanding form, it’s unlikely you take him over Gawn, unless up-and-coming Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien — who likes to win the ball on the ground, like Marshall — fails to overcome concussion.
Brodie Grundy v Gold Coast, Sunday
The Suns have been leaking SuperCoach points to opposition midfielders this season but co-captain Jarrod Witts has been harder to score against in the ruck. In recent matches against Witts, who is averaging 10 points more than the second-ranked player at the Suns, O’Brien (73), Todd Goldstein (91) and Gawn (109) have failed to dominate, recording their second-lowest — non-injury affected — scores for the year.
But, hey, there’s only one Brodie Grundy. And he tallied 23 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine tackles and 136 points against Witts in the pair’s last meeting in 2018.
Patrick Cripps v West Coast, Sunday
The Carlton skipper stuck true to his form against the Crows last week with Cripps posting a SuperCoach ton followed by a score of less than 100 for the past nine weeks. But it was a pretty impressive showing. The contested-ball beast tallied 39 disposals, 24 contested possessions, 19 clearances and 152 points. And in his clash with the Eagles, the 24-year-old finished with 33 disposals, 11 tackles and 151 points. Can he break this year’s trend?
Lachie Neale v WB, Sunday
It will be a midfield shootout at the GABBA on Sunday afternoon and Neale will be leading the charge for the Lions. The Bulldogs engine room has been on fire but the Saints, Demons and Cats on-ballers have been among the points in the past month, too. Neale tallied 30 disposals and 114 points against the Bulldogs in Round 8 and, after a quiet patch which included two scores of less than 80 between Rounds 10 and 14, his five-round average of 125 is the sixth-best in the league.
Jack Macrae v Brisbane, Sunday
The midfield ball-magnet’s price fell by more than $100k following three sub-100 scores between Rounds 5 and 11. But apart from that, Macrae has posted a SuperCoach ton in his other 15 matches for the year, 11 of them in excess of 120. And six of those scores of 120 or more have come in the past seven matches. The 24-year-old, who tallied 38 disposals and a game-high 153 points in the win over the Dockers last week, finished with 135 against the Lions in Round 8.
Josh Dunkley v Brisbane, Sunday
After posting eight consecutive SuperCoach tons, including tallies of 173 and 202, Dunkley scored just 88 points against the Dockers last week — his equal-lowest since Round 4. Of course, The Phantom, like many other SuperCoaches, had the C on the 22-year-old. But in the Round 8 contest, Dunkley outshone teammate Macrae by one point, kickstarting his impressive second-half of the season.
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