The Phantom’s Round 17 Review: Nic Newman’s three-round average, an underpriced Giant set to step up and Josh Dunkley’s midfield masterclass

The Phantom has been quiet for a while but now it’s time to talk about Nic Newman. Plus, if Sunday is anything to go by, there’s one Giant who could see a spike in scoring with injuries to key midfielders.

Grab a cuppa, SuperCoaches.

Or, Stephen Coniglio owners, maybe something stronger.

I’ll be a while - it’s time to talk about Nic Newman.

If you’re a regular, you would be aware of The Phantom’s pre-season prediction.

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

— The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC) February 28, 2019

Newman made me look good after a 134-point performance in Round 1.

But after failing to break the 100-point mark in the following five rounds and then missing two weeks through injury, the opening-round clash against the Tigers seemed a distant memory at that point.

On Saturday against his old side, the rebounding defender was the best player on the ground, tallying 32 disposals, 13 marks – six of them intercepts – and a game-high 147 points.

This is not even about The Phantom’s prediction anymore.

With scores of 117 and 107 in the previous two matches, Newman is averaging 124 points per game since the Round 14 bye.

Nic Newman tackles teammate Ed Curnow at training.

No other player in defence boasts a higher three-round average.

At $489k, with a clash against the Suns on the horizon, Newman has to be considered as a genuine value upgrade for the run-home – especially given he’s only in six per cent of teams.

And his 94 points-per-game has him just outside the top-10 defenders by average.

There’s still time.

Ride it home with me, SuperCoaches.

Unfortunately, however, Coniglio owners - who are already half-way through that drink – will have a more pressing issue this week.

The star midfielder, who hurt his left knee late in Round 16, lasted just minutes at the MCG on Sunday.

Coniglio was carried off the ground without any stat – or SuperCoach point – to his name.

Many SuperCoaches were left hoping a score of 0 meant an emergency player would take his place.

You should know this, SuperCoaches but a Stephen Coniglio 0 will count. An emergency will only replace a 0 from a player who never took the field. #SuperCoach

— The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC) July 14, 2019

But unfortunately, as most of you should know, that is not the case and many were left to take donut from a player who took the field.

Now that’s tough.

While there was no replacement in SuperCoach terms, there a big name in the midfield who stepped up in his absence.

Stephen Coniglio re-injured his knee against the Tigers on Sunday

Toby Greene moved into the midfield and impressed in Coniglio’s absence.

Match-winning forward Toby Greene, who started his career as an on-baller, took Coniglio’s spot in the Giants’ midfield rotation and was one of his sides’ most-influential players.

Greene finished with game-highs in SuperCoach points (138) and disposals (34) and an equal-game-high seven clearances.

With Josh Kelly already on the sidelines, if Coniglio is ruled out for an extended period, Greene – like Newman – comes right back into the conversation as an underpriced point-of-difference in the final six rounds.

Staying on the Giants, returning star Lachie Whitfield’s 96 points saw his price fall by $25k.

The 24-year-old, who sent owners into a panic when he left the field after a heavy knock in the third-quarter before returning, tallied 33 disposals and eight marks.

While Whitfield’s breakeven of 156 is still high, at $538k, there’s no reason to wait any longer with only six weeks of the season left.

Take a bow, Josh Dunkley.

And what about the Josh Dunkley masterclass at Marvel Stadium.

The star Bulldog, who coach Luke Beveridge persisted with as a forward for the first month of the year, tallied 39 disposals, 24 contested possesions, 15 tackles and a huge 202 SuperCoach points.

HUGE.

And it resulted in some big scores in Round 17.

How did you go?

THE PHANTOM’S ROUND 17

Score: 2578

Overall ranking: 1607

Studs: Josh Dunkley (202), Nic Newman (147), Brodie Grundy as C (137), Tim Taranto (111), Rory Sloane (113)

Duds: James Sicily (60), Isaac Heeney (73), Tom Rockliff (73)

Originally published as The Phantom’s Round 17 Review: Nic Newman’s three-round average, an underpriced Giant set to step up and Josh Dunkley’s midfield masterclass