Plenty of value to be had as the SuperCoach depth continues to build at the Blues

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

The Phantom's SuperCoach formguide: Carlton

• The Phantom’s SuperCoach formguide: Adelaide
• The Phantom’s SuperCoach formguide: Brisbane
• Who can you call on to cover Mitchell?

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

The Phantom’s Best 22

B: Lachie Plowman, Jacob Weitering, Nic Newman

HB: Kade Simpson, Caleb Marchbank, Tom Williamson

C: Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps, Zac Fisher

HF: Marc Murphy, Harry McKay, Sam Petrevski-Seton

F: Alex Fasolo, Charlie Curnow, Mitch McGovern

1R: Matthew Kreuzer, Ed Curnow, Matthew Kennedy

Inter: Will Setterfield, Paddy Dow, Dale Thomas, Lochie O’Brien

The Phantom’s Formguide

(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2019)

Patrick Cripps (Mid $648,200)

Midfield beast was huge last season but capable of even better. Scored 421 more points than next best team-mate. Get on.

Nic Newman (Def $394,100)

Ball magnet who should be prominent with more opportunity and is better than last year’s average suggests. Must be included.

Another GWS recruit, Will Setterfield, during preseason training. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING

Will Setterfield (Fwd/mid $144,900)

Resuming after ACL injury last summer but should have plenty admirers if all goes well over the next two months.

Kade Simpson (Def $570,300)

The 307-game stayer shows no signs of slowing down and will, again, be the go-to man off half-back in the absence of Sam Docherty. Must be respected.

No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

Sam Walsh (Mid $207,300)

First start. The No. 1 draft pick is a prolific ball-winner and should slot straight into the Carlton midfield right away. Get on.

Matthew Kreuzer (Ruck $432,900)

Only 12 games and three SuperCoach tons last season after big 2017. Priced well this year but hard to trust. Keep in mind.

Charlie Curnow (Fwd $420,400)

Five SuperCoach tons last season after four in final eight games of second season in 2017. Should improve again but will he spend more time in the midfield? Wait and see.

Sam Petrevski-Seton (Fwd $364,900)

Failed to build on debut season — which featured six scores of 92 or more — in 2018. But, like many in third year, a chance to take a big step forward. Consider.

Tom Williamson (Def $189,500)

Rebounding defender is resuming after back injury wiped out 2018. Rates highly at the Blues and should have plenty of admirers — who remember his debut season — in the SuperCoach community if he gets a Round 1 start.

Zac Fisher (Fwd/mid $392,800)

Averaged 88 in opening six rounds of 2019 in only his second season in the game. Keep in mind.

Ed Curnow (Mid $552,200)

Third-ranked blue last season after second triple-figure average of his eight-year career. Should hold his form but not a lot of value at the price.

Former captain Marc Murphy at training. Picture: Sarah Matray

Marc Murphy (Mid $501,500)

Veteran can feature prominently on his day but he’s only had 45 starts in the past three years. Worth some thought in SuperCoach Draft.

Lochie O’Brien (Mid $256,900)

Neat-kicking left-footer didn’t set the world alight in debut season but improvement might come quickly. Keep in mind at the price.

Alex Fasolo (Fwd $250,000)

Averaged 75 points or more three times in his career and should get more opportunity at Carlton. Can’t be ignored at the price.

Can Matthew Kennedy have an injury-free season? Picture: AAP Image/James RossARCHIVING

Matthew Kennedy (Mid $350,600)

Fitter and will be an improving after just 12 games in his first year as a Blue. Needs to figure prominently in the midfield if Blues are to climb.

Jacob Weitering (Def $354,400)

Big year for former No. 1 draft pick who was impressive in his last start with 101 points. Do not dismiss in SuperCoach draft.

Paddy Dow (Fwd/Mid $323,500)

Should improve on first-up effort that only featured one score of 80 or more. Talented 19-year-old showed enough to suggest he’ll be a high-quality AFL midfielder. Price not appealing.

Dale Thomas had his best season since 2012 last year. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Dale Thomas (Def $462,000)

Commands respect coming off his best season since 2012. Others have stronger claims but do not dismiss in SuperCoach draft.

Harry McKay (Fwd $360,800)

Carrying extra weight — in a good way — and the Blues have high hopes. Look elsewhere in SuperCoach, though, at the price.

Caleb Marchbank (Def $355,600)

Although three scores of 90 or more in his 12 games last season shows he can feature, he won’t do enough to be considered.

Mitch McGovern (Fwd $368,200)

Limited preparation for the former Crow after early pre-season back injury. Not for SuperCoach this season, unless he plays as a spare defender.

Lachie Plowman (Def $345,800)

Important part of developing Carlton defence but others have much stronger claims in SuperCoach. Look elsewhere.

MAKING THEIR CASE

Liam Jones (Def $382,600) is unlucky to miss after transforming himself into a reliable defender last season but the Blues need to continue with Weitering. Former Demon Tom Bugg (Mid $272,100) will play a role in 2019 as will Jack Silvagni (Def/Fwd $254,400). And draftee Liam Stocker (Mid $126,300) should see plenty of action in his first year, with a Round 1 debut not out of the question.

Originally published as Plenty of value to be had as the SuperCoach depth continues to build at the Blues