The Phantom’s Round 22 Review: A top SuperCoach’s Tom Mitchell trade plus the rampaging Cats
IT’S time to put it all on the line, SuperCoaches, it’s grand final week. While the head-to-head leagues are heating up, the race for overall glory is going down to the wire. RECAP
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GRAND Final week is here.
It’s time to put it all on the line, SuperCoaches.
If you’ve held a trade, use it wisely. There are plenty of points to be gained, even if you are happy with your current team.
It’s all about this round. There is no future fixture or potential points to analyse.
And it’s not just the head-to-head leagues which are heating up, the race for overall glory — and cash prizes — will go down to the wire.
Nathan Calleja is one coach plotting his attack on the top 10.
His team, Nathan’s Gunz, is the 15th-ranked SuperCoach team after 22 rounds and, while he sits 472 points off first place, only 93 points separates Calleja from a 10th-place finish and a $1000 prize.
Calleja’s starting squad, of which he still has 11, included top-price SuperCoach stars Tom Mitchell and Max Gawn, as well as underpriced gems Patrick Cripps and Stephen Coniglio.
But it was the selection of Sydney’s Jake Lloyd, who has scored 34 more points than any other defender in the game, and Bomber Devon Smith, the third-ranked SuperCoach forward, which really set the team up.
“I never saw Lloyd being the No. 1 defender but I knew he would benefit from Jarrad McVeigh’s decline in numbers,” Calleja told The Phantom as he prepares for eight Grand Finals in Round 23.
“And it’s just remarkable Devon Smith started the year at only $439. He was a true bargain.”
While avoiding most of the injury carnage has certainly helped, astute trading has seen Nathan’s Gunz shoot up the overall rankings, peaking at No. 11 after Round 18.
Calleja jumped off the underperforming combination of Jack Billings and Michael Hibberd early but it was the acquisition of two midfield premiums, in particular, which the 25-year-old from Melbourne labels as his best moves of the year.
“I enjoyed some massive scores after trading an injured Josh Kelly to Jack Macrae in Round 4 and Zach Merrett at $506k was my first midfield upgrade.” Calleja said.
He’s made some good ones, no doubt, but Calleja’s final trade could be his most important as he attempts to gain an edge on the 14 SuperCoaches ahead of him.
“My plans are undecided this week but I have contemplated trading Tom Mitchell.”
Calleja responded when ask just how he was going to break into the prize money.
Sure, the idea seems crazy given Mitchell has scored more points than any other player in the competition but there is logic behind it.
In Round 8 at the MCG, Sydney’s George Hewett restricted the ball-winning midfielder to just 20 disposals and 72 SuperCoach points — his lowest score for 2018.
This week, the Hawks travel to the SCG, where Mitchell is likely to, again, receive some heavy attention from the defensive midfielder.
After four scores of 150 or more between Rounds 17 and 21, Mitchell has failed to score more than 108 points in the past two matches with Cat Scott Selwood and Saint Jack Steele following him closely.
“Seeing as Mitchell is up against Hewett, the extra points from a Jack Macrae/Josh Dunkley type could be the difference.” Calleja added as he considers the in-form Bulldog pair as Mitchell’s replacement.
Every SuperCoach team above Nathan’s Gunz — and 65 per cent of all squads — own Mitchell.
While all but two own Macrae, only one team has Dunkley, who has scored the third-most points in the competition over the past five rounds.
“It could either make or break me.” Calleja added.
Calleja couldn’t offer The Phantom any advice given I didn’t make a single Grand Final — sigh — but he suggests those SuperCoaches who did make it to the big dance keep a very close eye on the final team sheets this weekend.
“Make sure you check for late outs before every game this week. Those teams contending for finals may throw up an ‘illness’ or ‘soreness’ and premiums could be rested.” Calleja cautioned.
I’d be listening, SuperCoaches.
And not just about the final teams.
The Mitchell move — or something similar — could be the difference between glory and grand final pain.
THE RAMPAGING CATS
The Cats had a field day on Saturday.
In the 133-point demolition of the Dockers, a staggering 13 players scored 94 SuperCoach points or more — 10 of them past the 100-point mark.
First-year star Tim Kelly lead the way, recording a season-high 155 points, on the back 26 disposals and three goals.
Tom Hawkins booted six goals on his way to 136 points, while the usual midfield suspects, Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood, Mtich Duncan and Sam Menegola all scored three figures.
Patrick Dangerfield was the only big name to miss out on a SuperCoach ton, tallying just 94 points.
Geelong host the Suns this week so expect more of the same, meaning all of the names above should be high on your trade list.
THE PHANTOM ROUND 22
Score: 2183
Overall ranking: 16,796
THE PHANTOM’S MENACE
Jed Anderson
You’ve had a good year, Jed but just let Tom Doedee take the ball next time, please.
Originally published as The Phantom’s Round 22 Review: A top SuperCoach’s Tom Mitchell trade plus the rampaging Cats