The Phantom’s Pre-Season: Mid-pricers madness as Newman, Smith and Roberton headline the standout defenders from the first weekend of the JLT Series

Missed any of the JLT Series? Don’t worry, The Phantom has you covered. From more tempting mid-price options to eye-catching rookies, The Phantom looks at the standout defenders and their SuperCoach scores from the first weekend of JLT action.

• The Phantom’s pre-season guide to: Premium smokies | Premium forwards | Premium defenders | Premium midfielders | Mid-price defenders| Mid-price midfielders | Mid-price ruckmen | Mid-price forwards | Mid price smokies | Cash cows in defence | Midfield cash cows | Cash cow defenders | Cash cow ruckmen | Cash cow forwards | Cash Cow smokies

• Survival Guide and Phantom team

Missed any of the JLT Series? Don’t worry, The Phantom has you covered. From more tempting mid-price options to eye-catching rookies, The Phantom looks at the standout defenders and their SuperCoach scores from the first weekend of JLT action.

Nic Newman (Carl) $394,100

97 points

We know the former Swan can put up numbers, we just needed to see his role at the Blues. And what a sight it was on Thursday night. Newman tallied 20 disposals – 17 of them kicks – a game-high seven uncontested marks, four tackles and 97 SuperCoach points in a loose-man role across half-back. After racing to 70 points by half-time, the 26-year-old faded but he’ll be better for the run. I stand by my tweet.

Nic Newman will be a top-8 defender. #JLTSeries #SuperCoach

— The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC) February 28, 2019

Andrew McGrath (Ess) $384,300

85 points

After plenty of talk last summer, it didn’t eventuate. But if the first Bombers’ first JLT Series match is anything to go by, 2019 could be the year we see McGrath blossom into a full-time midfielder. Against the blues, the 20-year-old, who finished with 25 disposals, six clearances, five inside 50s, two goals and 85 SuperCoach points, was Essendon’s best with his clean hands and takeaway from stoppages a highlight.

Jordan Ridley (Ess) $233,100

97 points

The third-year defender, who scored 76 points on debut last season, was impressive across half-back on Thursday. The 20-year-old recorded an equal team-high 97 SuperCoach points, on the back of 23 disposals, five marks, five tackles, six rebound 50s and six one percenters.

Jordan Clark in action against the Eagles.

Jordan Clark (Gee) $144,300

76 points

Coach Chris Scott has been impressed with the 18-year-old draftee during his first pre-season at the Cats and it’s not hard to see why. The composed Clark, whose speed off half-back was a highlight, tallied 21 disposals, five marks, a game-high nine rebound 50s, four inside 50s and 76 points in a performance which has him in right in the Round 1 selection frame. Geelong aren’t afraid to play the kids.

Francis Watson (WC) $123,900

76 points

The 23-year-old has flown under the SuperCoach radar all pre-season, despite impressive form in the WAFL. Watson, who recorded the second-most intercept possessions per game last year, laid a game-high 10 tackles on his way to 76 SuperCoach points against the Cats.

Shannon Hurn (WC) $523,400

111 points

It was an impressive start for the premiership skipper who finished with 24 disposals – 95 per cent efficiency – nine marks, eight contested possessions and 111 SuperCoach points in 72 per cent game time. And he took six kick-ins for the Eagles, playing on three times, in another big tick for those considering the premium defender.

Oscar Allen (WC) $236,700

86 points

There’s spot up for grabs in the West Coast forward-line and the 20-year-old, who can play a key-position at either end of the ground, is a chance to add to his two career games after an 86-point performance against the Cats. Allen booted three goals from 13 disposals and five marks in the absence of star key forward Josh Kennedy.

Jamie Macmillian (NM) $440,200

136 points

It was a day-out for Macmillian with the North Melbourne defender posting a game-high 136 SuperCoach points, on the back of 40 disposals, 11 contested possessions and 11 marks. He’s show he’s capable of a big score in the past but don’t expect them consistently in 2019.

Saint Dylan Roberton impressed in the JLT Series opener against the Kangaroos.

Dylan Roberton (StK) $297,500

103 points

After a quiet start deep in defence, Roberton settled into the role SuperCoaches want to see him in during the second-half against the Kangaroos. In his first competitive game since the heart scare last season, the 27-year-old hit the target with 19 of his 21 disposals and recorded eight marks, six rebound 50s and 103 points. He’s going to be hard to ignore at that price.

Brodie Smith (Adel) $332,500

103 points

Exploded out of the blocks on Saturday, reminding everyone just why he’s one of The Phantom’s favourites. The rebounding defender had eight disposals in the first 10 minutes, before finishing with 27 – 19 of them kicks – five marks and seven intercept possessions. Smith, who scored 103 points, played on twice with the his two kick-ins. He’s back.

Rory Laird (Adel) $587,600

94 points

A standard performance for the Adelaide ball magnet, who finished with 28 disposals, nine marks and 94 SuperCoach points against the Power. He might not take many kick-ins but he’s still as safe as premium selection come.

Tom Doedee (Adel) $446,200

95 points

He won’t be as popular in the classic format as he was last season but he’s a SuperCoach Draft sleeper. Doedee was brilliant against the Power, recording 14 contested possessions and 14 intercepts – both game-highs – on his way to 95 points.

Heath Shaw (GWS) $492,400

128 points

It was a vintage performance from the veteran defender in the Giants’ JLT Series clash with the Swans. Shaw hit the target with all 28 of his disposals – 23 of them were uncontested – on his way to 128 points. But it’s unlikely to happen as often as it used to in 2019.

Zac Williams exploded out of the blocks against the Swans.

Zac Williams (GWS) $407,800

82 points

The dashing defender reaffirmed The Phantom’s belief he is the best value-for-money option in SuperCoach this season. And all I needed to see was the first 30 minutes. Williams was everywhere in the opening term against the Swans, tallying 14 disposals, 290 metres gained an 52 points by quarter-time. In just 53 per cent game-time, the 24-year-old finished with 20 disposals, six marks and 82 points.

Isaac Cumming (GWS) $173,700

49 points

In just 39 per cent game-time, the running defender, who could only break into the side for two matches in 2018, tallied 14 disposals, six marks, three rebound 50s and 49 points. Can he force his way in this season?

Callum Mills (Syd) $428,900

106 points

The 21-year-old’s numbers weren’t huge but, as he has been in the first three years of his career, he was efficient. Mills finished with 18 disposals – at 88 per cent efficiency – eight contested possessions, seven tackles and a team-high 106 SuperCoach points. The most-pleasing number was Mills’ game-high 15 centre bounce attendances

Daniel Rich (Bris) $428,200

95 points

Another pre-season, another good score from Rich. The long-kicking left-footer posted 95 SuperCoach points, on the back of 26 disposals – 21 of them kicks - seven inside 50s, six rebound 50s and a trademark long-range goal.

Bachar Houli (Rich) $399,600

112 points

The 30-year-old looks fit and an impressive 112-point performance in the first hitout of the pre-season puts him back on the SuperCoach radar. While we’re not short of mid-price options in defence, Houli’s 35 disposals and run off half-back is something to keep in mind.

Jayden Short celebrates a goal with team-mate Jack Graham.

Jayd en Short (Rich) $465,600

100 points

The 23-year-old went past Houli in the pecking order of SuperCoach defenders at Richmond last season and, after an encouraging 29-disposal, 100-point performance against the Demons, there’s reason to suggest he’s still climbing.

Alex Rance (Rich) $448,100

110 points

While we know he can score big in SuperCoach, Rance reminded us again in the first JLT Series match against the Demons. The start defender hit the target with all of 20 disposals to finish with 110 points.

Christian Salem (Melb) $445,400

103 points

It’s a tough group to break into at the Demons but Salem has shown he’s got the skills to take on more midfield responsibility. In 72 per cent game-time against the Tigers, Salem, who split his time between the middle and half-back, recorded 27 disposals, eight contested possessions, three clearances and 103 points.

Marty Hore (Melb) $117,300

57 points

While the mature-age recruit’s final numbers – 13 disposals and five marks -don’t scream pick me, Hore took six kick-ins for the Demons and played on five times. That’s enough to suggest, he’s well-and-truly in coach Simon Goodwin’s plans.