The Phantom’s Intel: Walsh the star, Mills the midfielder, the Gawn-Preuss show and a young Swan headline the first-round of practice matches

They might only be practices matches but SuperCoaches can still learn alot at this stage of the pre-season. The Phantom delivers all of the SuperCoach intel from the practice games feature Carlton, Hawthorn, GWS, Sydney, Melbourne and Collingwood.

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They might only be practices matches but SuperCoaches can still learn alot at this stage of the pre-season. The Phantom delivers all of the SuperCoach intel from the practice games feature Carlton, Hawthorn, GWS, Sydney, Melbourne and Collingwood.

Sydney 12.4 (76) def. GWS 7.10 (52)

Blacktown

The Kick-ins

The Phantom’s Initial thought is players who often received the ball from the kick-in — like Rory Laird — may find themselves on the end of even more short kicks, if they work hard enough. Play will restart quicker, allowing more space before the opposition can set up.

Jake Lloyd (Syd)

$608,200, Def

Lloyd was the example today when he didn’t take the kick-in, working hard into the pocket to get the ball and go. And, like usual, he was everywhere else. Spend the cash.

Callum Mills (Syd)

$428,900, Def

Callum Mills is putting his hand up for a permanent midfield role in 2019.

As expected, the young star played through the midfield — and dominated. His clean hands and distribution out of congestion was the highlight. Mills, after spending the early-part of his career at half-back, has, once again, been tipped for a permanent move after training the midfielders all summer. Please, Horse, leave him there this time.

Jye Caldwell (GWS)

$162,300, Mid

The 18-year-old has battled injury in the past two seasons but, on first look, it’s not hard to see why the Giants were so keen on the 18-year-old with their first pick in last year’s draft. He was clean, evasive and won plenty of footy through the midfield. Team-mate Heath Shaw, who was a guest commentator, tipped Caldwell to make an impact in his debut season.

Justin McInerney (Syd)

$117, 300, Def

There’s been some excitement around McInerney in his first pre-season at the Swans and for good reason. The 18-year-old is tough, well-balanced and has some serious dash, as he showcased in a number of line-breaking plays in the second half against the Giants. Expect to see him at some stage in 2019.

It was an impressive first-up performance for highly-rated draftee Nick Blakey.

Nick Blakey (Syd)

$166,800, Fwd

Impressive showing from the highly-rated forward, booting three goals and presented strongly on the lead. Still well-and-truly in contention for Round 1.

Tim Taranto (GWS)

$481,600, Mid

While there were a number of big names missing, Taranto, sporting a sharp new haircut and more ink, was the main man in the middle for the Giants, winning more of the ball as the game went on. The 21-year-old, who The Phantom’s is expecting to take another big step in 2019, looked strong in the first proper hitout of the pre-season.

Jordan Dawson (Syd)

$269,600, Mid

The long-kicking left-footer, who has dominated the NEAFL over the past two years, split his time between the middle — attending a number of centre bounces — and the forward 50 against the Giants. He even featured in the ruck against Mumford at one stage, losing the hitout but following up with the clearance at ground level. At 192cm, the athletic Dawson looks set to add another dimension to the Swans midfield in 2019.

Shane Mumford (GWS)

$320,200, Ruck

Played a half and, in typical fashion, went in hard. But a late hit on Swan George Hewett could land him in hot water.

Melbourne 11.6 (72) def. Collinwgood 7.6 (48)

Olympic Park

Max Gawn, picture flying high at training, formed an impressive tandem with recruit Brayden Preuss against the Magpies.

Max Gawn and Braydon Preuss

While Gawn still played predominantly in the ruck, the tandem with new recruit Preuss worked a little too well for The Phantom’s liking.

Against a young Collingwood ruck brigade, Preuss started forward, bagging two goals for the match, but also featured at the centre bounce at times, while Gawn’s tap-work and aerial dominance was again a highlight. Simon Goodwin would be happy but SuperCoaches should still be concerned.

Marty Hore (Melb)

$117,300, Def

The mature-age recruit, who averaged 102 SuperCoach points in the VFL last season, impressed in Melbourne’s back-half against the Magpies. The 190cm defender showcased his penetrating left-foot, even taking a number of kick-ins, and is firming as a Round 1 starter.

Darcy Moore controlled the air in the Collingwood defence.

Darcy Moore (Coll)

$239,400, Def/Fwd

I’ve been trying to avoid the hype but after today’s showing, Moore has to seriously be in the SuperCoach conversation. While it was only a practice match, the 23-year-old took a number of big intercept marks in defence, showing how effective he can be in the Magpies back-six. His errant kicking was the only concern.

Taylor Adams (Coll)

$523,100, Mid

The ball magnet was pushed out of the Collingwood midfield at times last season but he was everywhere against the Demons at Olympic Park, finding the ball at will. Keep the underpriced Magpie in mind.

Isaac Quaynor (Coll)

$153,300, Def

Entered the game in the second half and looks a ready-made AFL player. A little rushed under pressure but a chase-down tackle highlighted his pace.

Aaron vandenBerg (Melb)

$283,400, Fwd/Mid

This bloke is as tough as they come. A few Magpies would’ve walked off the ground a little sorer than they would’ve liked for a practice match after running into the 26-year-old.

Dayne Beams (Coll)

$557,600, Mid

Found plenty of the football early, which should come as no surprise, but also spent time as a deep forward, finishing with a couple of majors. He’s a tough match-up and this could be a tactic the Magpies use when the real stuff starts, given Beams’ goal sense and their army of star midfielders.

Jamie Elliot (Coll)

$280,300, Fwd

Bagged two early goals to the delight of the Collingwood fans, who are all hoping for an injury-free year from the important small forward. It was a good start.

Hawthorn 12.5 (77) def. Carlton 8.5 (53)

Ikon Park

Draftee Sam Walsh was Carlton’s best player in the practice match against the Hawks on Thursday.

Sam Walsh (Carl)

$207,300, Mid

The Phantom’s only seen highlights but from what I saw — and going by numerous reports from those in attendance — the No. 1 draft pick well-and-truly delivered on the hype in his first competitive hitout as a Blue. He’s clean, takes the game on and, yes it was only a practice game, but Walsh looks as if he’s been out there many times before.

Dylan Moore tackles James Frawley during Hawthorn’s intra-club match earlier in the pre-season.

Dylan Moore (Haw)

$123,900, Fwd

The Phantom wrote about the second-year Hawk — and his dominant VFL finals series in 2018 — as part cash cow week earlier in February and Moore justified the enthusiasm with two goals against the Blues at Ikon Park.

James Cousins (Haw)

$219,900, Mid

The young midfielder, who averaged 25 disposals per game in the VFL last season, found plenty of the footy in a Tom Mitchell-less Hawthorn midfield. Look for the 20-year-old to press his Round 1 claims further during the JLT Series.

SuperCoach Survival Gide

Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carl)

$364,900, Fwd

Showed off his sublime skills against the Hawks in a sign he might be ready to take his game to another level in his third season. But let’s see if he can deliver in the JLT Series before seriously considering.

James Sicily (Haw)

$570,400, Def

The intercepting-defender has stated the new rules could mean a slight role change from him in 2019 but, in a positive sign, took majority of Hawthorn’s kick-ins on Thursday.