The search for value at North Melbourne is tough, but Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin and Aiden Bonar provide hope
Much like its 2020 season outlook, North Melbourne is one of the big unknowns in terms of SuperCoach relevance this year. Check out The Phantom’s best 22.
Supercoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from Supercoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Phantom’s Summer Form Guides: Richmond | Gold Coast | GWS | Melbourne | Collingwood | Carlton | Geelong | Sydney | Brisbane | St Kilda | West Coast | Fremantle | Western Bulldogs
- New year, new club: 10 players to add to your watchlist
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 North Melbourne’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style summer formguide covering every player in it
MISSING SUPERCOACH? YOU CAN STILL GET INVOLVED IN SUPERCOACH BBL!
THE PHANTOM’S BEST 22
B: Ed Vickers-Willis, Majak Daw, Marley Williams
HB: Shaun Atley, Robbie Tarrant, Jasper Pittard
C: Jared Polec, Ben Cunnington, Trent Dumont
HF: Tarryn Thomas, Nick Larkey, Jy Simpkin
F:Jack Ziebell, Ben Brown, Cam Zuurhar
1R: Todd Goldstein, Shaun Higgins, Ben Jacobs
INTER: Jed Anderson, Aiden Bonar, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Mason Wood
THE PHANTOM’S FORM GUIDE
(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2020)
Todd Goldstein (RUCK $609,400)
Wound back the clock last year, recording his second-highest average – 112 – since 2013. Will take some catching as the club’s No. 1 scorer again but is there enough value at the price?
Aiden Bonar (FWD, MID $202,800)
Averaged 94 points per game in the NEAFL last season and comes right into calculations with more opportunity at his new club. A definite threat.
Ben Cunnington (MID $554,100)
A big improver in SuperCoach last year, averaging 113 points through 15 rounds before slowing. Rates highly again.
Luke Davies-Uniacke (FWD, MID $342,100)
There was one glimpse – a 118-point performance in Round 2 last season – but he’s so far failed to replicate junior SuperCoach numbers at the top level. But that might change in 2020. Keep in mind, despite the price.
Jy Simpkin (FWD, MID $383,000)
Had 24 disposals or more on five occasions – with 36 the highest – and finished with a SuperCoach ton in all of them. Forward-line role and inconsistency meant he also failed to score more than 62 in 10 matches. Is capable of far better in 2020.
Jack Ziebell (FWD, MID $493,400)
Can feature prominently on his day, as 10 SuperCoach tons – six in excess of 120 – suggests, and can’t be taken lightly.
Tarryn Thomas (FWD $339,900)
Played 20 games in an impressive first-up campaign and is likely to improve on 63-point average in 2020. Might surprise.
Shaun Higgins (MID $515,200)
Better than last year’s 95-point average suggests after injury-affect 11 in Round 12 and six-week lay-off. Do not dismiss, especially in SuperCoach Draft.
Cam Zurhaar (FWD $353,800)
The 21-year-old was an improver last season after cementing his spot in the side and is better than last start – nine disposals and 27 points – suggests. An outside chance to feature.
Jasper Pittard (DEF $432,000)
Posted six SuperCoach tons – including in the final two rounds of the year – during his first season at the Kangaroos. Hard to recommend in the classic format but he is capable of better as 91-point average from 2016 suggests.
Jared Polec (MID $476,400)
Impressive last start – 29 disposals, two goals and 118 points – but average fell from 95 to 88 in his first year at the club. A likely improver in 2020 but not enough to have strong SuperCoach claims here.
Trent Dumont (MID $455,100)
Failed to build on 2018 season, posting just two SuperCoach tons last year in more of an outside role. Others have stronger claims but he is capable.
Majak Daw (DEF $339,600)
Will be coming off a limited preparation but the 28-year-old looks set to resume in defence after a difficult 2019.
Ben Brown (FWD $432,000)
Can feature prominently, as seven SuperCoach tons last year suggests, but struggles when he’s not kicking goals. He must be respected but there’s better value.
Jed Anderson (MID $470,200)
There will be pressure on his spot but the 25-year-old is likely to get first crack after increasing his SuperCoach average from 79 to 87 last year. Looks capable of better.
Robbie Tarrant (DEF $447,800)
Key pillar in defence takes some catching on his day, as 160-point performance against the Bombers last year proves but is unlikely to feature outside of SuperCoach draft.
Ben Jacobs (MID $348,500)
Facing another limited preparation after playing just 20 games since 2015 but likely to resume tagging role in the senior side if fit. Can figure, as 80-point average from 2018 suggests, but he’s hard to recommend.
Nick Larkey (FWD $329,000)
The forward is a likely improver in his fourth season on the list but there’s not the same value in SuperCoach there was last year.
Mason Wood (FWD $356,300)
Although he has threatened, there’s still some uncertainty around his place in the side. Even more around his position in SuperCoach. Look elsewhere.
Shaun Atley (DEF $403,700)
Strong runner, again, commands a spot in the field but he’s unlikely to feature in SuperCoach.
Marley Williams (DEF $334,800)
Plays his role – and plays it well – but it’s hard to make a case for the 26-year-old in SuperCoach.
Ed Vickers-Willis (DEF $247,600)
Battling to be ready after setback in recovery from ACL injury but the spot appears to be his. Ignore.
MAKING THEIR CASE
Young smalls Kayne Turner (FWD $329,400) and Taylor Garner (FWD $337,900) could easily feature in Rhyce Shaw’s Round 1 side, while Dom Tyson (MID $287,600) might burst back onto the scene after injury-riddled 2019.
Sam Durdin (DEF $254,700) might be ready to finally make his mark after a strong finish to last year, while Paul Ahern (DEF, MID $337,900) and Luke McDonald (DEF $327,100) will be unlucky to miss out.
Originally published as The search for value at North Melbourne is tough, but Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin and Aiden Bonar provide hope