The Phantom’s SuperCoach formguide for Port Adelaide: Is there a major player at Alberton this season?

Whether you are punting on a mid-price selection or backing the favourite, it’s not always easy picking a winner in SuperCoach. To help, The Phantom predicts Port Adelaide’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style formguide covering every player in it.

The Phantm's SuperCoach Formguide: Port Adelaide

• The Phantom’s Formguide: Adelaide | Brisbane | Carlton | Collingwood | Essendon | Fremantle | Geelong | Gold Coast | GWS | Hawthorn | Melbourne | North Melbourne | Richmond

Whether you are punting on a mid-price selection or backing the favourite, it’s not always easy picking a winner in SuperCoach. To help, The Phantom predicts Port Adelaide’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style summer formguide covering every player in it.

The Phantom’s Best 22

B: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Tom Clurey, Tom Jonas

HB: Ryan Burton, Dougal Howard, Hamish Hartlett

C: Riley Bonner, Sam Powell-Pepper, Steven Motlop

HF: Justin Westhoff, Todd Marshall, Connor Rozee

F: Robbie Gray, Charlie Dixon, Scott Lycett

1R: Paddy Ryder, Ollie Wines, Tom Rockliff

Inter: Brad Ebert, Travis Boak, Kane Farrell, Dan Houston

The Phantom’s Formguide

(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2019)

Justin Westhoff (Ruck/fwd $549,500)

Career-best year in SuperCoach last season — his 12th in the game. Comes right into calculations after 101-point average and new dual-position status.

Robbie Gray (Fwd/mid $525,500)

A major SuperCoach player on his day — as averages of 111 and 110 in 2014 and 2015 suggest — but is likely to be used as a permanent forward once again. The odd low score might keep his average down but he can’t be ignored.

Connor Rozee (Def/fwd $189,300)

After impressing in the SANFL, the star junior should have no trouble making the step up and is firming as a Round 1 starter. Has big SuperCoach claims in his first season. Should have plenty of admirers.

Ryan Burton (Def $356,700)

First start at Port Adelaide. Should feature across half back in 2019 and is much better than last season’s average of 66 suggest. Keep the former Hawk, who averaged 84 points per game in his breakout year of 2017, in mind.

Hamish Hartlett (Def $349,200)

Playmaking defender is resuming from ACL injury and is enjoying a good preparation. There’s some value here given the 28-year-old boasts a career-high average of 101. Do not dismiss.

Ollie Wines (Mid $528,300)

A major SuperCoach player on his day but they just don’t seem to come often enough yet. Posted three scores of 140 or more last season but also four of less than 66. Among the better chances.

Riley Bonner (Def $346,000)

Faded in 2018 after a strong start but is fitter and should improve again this season. Keep in mind with a likely move up the ground.

Tom Rockliff (Mid $405,900)

Disappointing first-up effort at his new club but he’s capable of much better. Is fitter and is a likely improver in 2019, meaning there might be some value at the price. Do not dismiss.

Paddy Ryder (Ruck $490,300)

Fitness a concern last year after a huge 2017 season which resulted in a 103-point average. There’s some value at the price but it might start getting hard to trust the 30-year-old.

Tom Jonas (Def $471,100)

Big SuperCoach improver last season, increasing his average from 71 to 86 after posting six SuperCoach tons. There looks to be better value elsewhere but the 28-year-old must be respected.

Charlie Dixon doing a boxing session with Daniel Buberis at pre-season training in Noosa. Picture: Sarah Reed

Charlie Dixon (Fwd $425,300)

Couldn’t continue impressive form last year, averaging 13 SuperCoach points per game less than he did in 2017. Resuming from a late-season leg injury and is capable of better. Keep in mind for SuperCoach Draft.

Kane Farrell (Fwd $216,900)

Impressive runner who did enough late last season to earn a start in 2019. Well priced and should be an improver as he adds to his five career starts. Keep in mind.

Travis Boak (Fwd $478,000)

Former skipper faded slightly in the back half of 2018 after strong start in new forward position. Still commands respect after averaging 88 points per game but unlikely to feature when the whips are cracking.

Brad Ebert (Mid $471,500)

Average fell by 14 points in 2018 after posting just three SuperCoach tons. Must be respected but others look to have stronger claims — even at Port Adelaide.

Brad Ebert and Scott Lycett. Picture Sarah Reed

Todd Marshall (Fwd $281,300)

Should be an improver after a tough year in 2018 but there might be better value around.

Sam Powell-Pepper (Mid $425,800)

Has threatened but is yet to prove he can become a major player. Posted six scores of 96 or more in 16 games last year but also failed to pass the 60-point mark on five occasions. Others look to have stronger claims.

Dan Houston (Def $420,500)

With Matthew Broadbent returning, competition for spots in defence is tight but the skilful defender — and his very reliable foot skills — might just get the nod. But others have stronger claims at the price in SuperCoach.

Steven Motlop (Fwd/mid $383,900)

Inconsistent first year at Port saw the 27-year-old speedster record his lowest season average since 2012. Capable of better but he’s hard to recommend in SuperCoach.

Steven Motlop break at training on January, 18. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

Dougal Howard (Def $389,500)

The impressive 22-year-old has turned himself into a terrific tall defender but his scoring isn’t consistent enough to be considered in SuperCoach.

Darcy Byrne-Jones (Def $389,600)

Showed a more-offensive side to his game last season, winning more footy and posting eight scores of 84 or more but other still have much stronger claims.

Tom Clurey (Def $350,300)

Key part of the Power defence but has no claims in SuperCoach.

MAKING THEIR CASE

Returning defender Matthew Broadbent (Def $261,700) will be pushing hard for a Round 1 recall while Jarrod Lienert (Def $367,200), Sam Gray (Fwd $380,600) and Jack Watts (Fwd $361,100) would be very unlucky to miss out. Draftees Zak Butters (Mid $157,800) and Xavier Duursma (Def/mid $130,800) should get a taste of senior action in their first year and third-year midfielder Joe Atley (Mid $123,900) will get more opportunity.