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The Phantom’s SuperCoach formguide for Richmond: Dusty still the king but second-year Jack is in the running

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 Richmond’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style formguide covering every player in it.

The Phantom's SuperCoach Formguide: Richmond
The Phantom's SuperCoach Formguide: 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 Richmonds’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style summer formguide covering every player in it.

The Phantom’s Best 22

B: Nick Vlastuin, Dylan Grimes, David Astbury

HB: Jayden Short, Alex Rance, Bachar Houli

C: Kane Lambert, Trent Cotchin, Jack Higgins

HF: Shane Edwards, Tom Lynch, Daniel Rioli

F: Jason Castagna, Jack Riewoldt, Josh Caddy

1R: Toby Nankervis, Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia

Inter: Jack Graham, Kamdyn McIntosh, Nathan Broad, Dan Butler.

The Phantom’s Formguide

(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2019)

Richmond star Dustin Martin in action during the pre-season.
Richmond star Dustin Martin in action during the pre-season.

Dustin Martin (Mid $563,800)

Star midfielder takes some catching on his day and looks set to be a major player again after battling a slight injury in the back half of 2018. There’s plenty of value here given he’s much better than last season’s average of 104 suggests. Get on.

Expect a spike from second-year midfielder-forward Jack Higgins in 2019.
Expect a spike from second-year midfielder-forward Jack Higgins in 2019.

Jack Higgins (Fwd $392,700)

Coming off super-impressive first-up effort which featured six scores of 87 or more in the regular season and then a SuperCoach ton in his first final. Looks capable of even better with more midfield time. A definite threat.

Jayden Short (Def $465,600)

Big improver last season, adding 28 points to his average after posting 13 scores of 85 or more, including five SuperCoach tons. Capable of better, especially with the new kick-in scoring.

Tom Lynch (Fwd $425,600)

First start as a Tiger. Star forward averaged 83 points or more in four of his five seasons at the Gold Coast and is capable of much better in a team which put the ball inside-50 13 more times last season. Consider.

Toby Nankervis (Ruck $533,000)

Reliable big man averaged 98 points per game after passing the 90-point mark in 16 matches last season. Comes into calculations with the price of the top-ranked ruckmen.

Jack Riewoldt in full flight over summer.
Jack Riewoldt in full flight over summer.

Jack Riewoldt (Fwd $504,100)

Huge 10-goal, 219-point performance saw the 30-year-old add 10 points to his SuperCoach average last season. Is among the major players on his day and must be respected.

Kane Lambert (Fwd $481,800)

Prominent again last year after breakout 2017 season but quiet games – Lambert had seven scores of 72 or less in 2018 – have so far prevented him from becoming a major player. Do not dismiss.

Dustin Martin the new face of Bonds

Dion Prestia (Mid $482,600)

Fitness has been a long-time concern and 2019 is no different after the midfielder made just 10 starts in the minor round last year. Can figure on his day and is worth some thought in the draft format.

Trent Cotchin (Mid $486,900)

Selfless skipper can lead from start to finish on his day but often helps better the run of others. More of a SuperCoach Draft selection now.

Josh Caddy, right, runs with Daniel Rioli at Richmond pre-season training.
Josh Caddy, right, runs with Daniel Rioli at Richmond pre-season training.

Josh Caddy (Fwd $458,400)

Been a threat for some time but inconsistency makes him hard to recommend. Averaged 102 points over the first eight rounds before finishing with a season average of 84 in 2018. SuperCoach Draft only.

Shane Edwards (Fwd/mid $470,600)

Added 12 points to his SuperCoach average last season and can feature prominently on his day. Can’t be taken lightly with dual-position status.

Nick Vlastuin (Def $442,900)

Averages of 17 disposals and 82 SuperCoach points per game the highest of his six-year career last season. There’s better value but he must be respected.

Alex Rance (Def $448,100)

Star defender can feature in SuperCoach but 2018 average of 82 – his lowest since 2011 – suggests others have stronger claims.

Daniel Rioli (Fwd $324,600)

Fitter and will be an improver after missing the first half of 2018 but is unlikely to feature in SuperCoach at the price.

Bachar Houli chats to skipper Trent Ctochin at training
Bachar Houli chats to skipper Trent Ctochin at training

Bachar Houli (Def $399,600)

Fitness has been a concern with the 31-year-old playing just 43 of a possible 66 home-and-away matches in the past three seasons. Can figure but hard to trust.

Jack Graham (Mid $364,100)

Can figure as a 131-point performance in Round 7 last season suggests but there’s not a lot of value at the price in 2019.

Shaun Grigg (Mid $432,700)

The 214-game stayer still provides plenty to the Richmond side but no longer figures prominently enough to be considered in SuperCoach.

Jason Castagna (Fwd $317,000)

Posted four scores of 94 or more in the opening five rounds last season yet still finished with an average of 58. Not for SuperCoach.

Dan Butler (Fwd $317,000)

Fluctuating SuperCoach form means there is far more value at the price. Look elsewhere.

Dylan Grimes, right, runs with a protective face mask at Richmond training.
Dylan Grimes, right, runs with a protective face mask at Richmond training.

Dylan Grimes (Def $335,500)

Important part of the Tiger defence but SuperCoach isn’t his thing. Ignore.

David Astbury (Def $377,300)

Averaged 73 points per game in career-best year of 2017 but he’s hard to recommend in SuperCoach. Look elsewhere.

Nathan Broad (Def $290,800)

Played 16 games last season but failed to reach the 60-point mark in 11 of them. Not keen.

MAKING THEIR CASE

Experienced duo Kamdyn McIntosh (Def $316,000) and Brandon Ellis ($387,500) are right on the edge of selection while Connor Medaue (Def $228,600) and Shai Bolton (Fwd $146,600) should see senior again this season. Draftee Luke English (Mid $117,300), who played in the WAFL last season, is a midfielder who could play straight away if required. And can former Saint Mav Weller (Fwd $334,500) squeeze in?

Originally published as The Phantom’s SuperCoach formguide for Richmond: Dusty still the king but second-year Jack is in the running

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/the-phantoms-supercoach-formguide-for-richmond-dusty-still-the-king-but-secondyear-jack-is-in-the-running/news-story/e842ea94c3af4990b50a9fee4cff9fe2