Marlion Pickett is the cream of the SuperCoach crop from Tigerland
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 summer formguide covering every player in it.
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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.
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THE PHANTOM’S BEST 22
B: Nathan Broad, Dylan Grimes, David Astbury
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short
C: Marlion Pickett, Trent Cotchin, Sydney Stack
HF: Shane Edwards, Tom Lynch, Kane Lambert
F: Jack Higgins, Jack Riewoldt, Jason Castagna
1R: Toby Nankervis, Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia
INTER: Josh Caddy, Daniel Rioli, Ivan Soldo, Shai Bolton
THE PHANTOM’S FORM GUIDE
(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2020)
Marlion Pickett (MID $123,900)
Coming off a super-impressive first-up effort – 96 points – which almost saw the 28-year-old take home the Norm Smith Medal on debut. Must be included at the price.
Dustin Martin (FWD, MID $543,000)
Again looks a major SuperCoach player with new position in 2020 and will have plenty of admirers after big finish to last year.
Tom Lynch (FWD $388,800)
Power forward will be an improver after slow start in 2019 and, as late-season form suggests, can feature prominently on his day. There’s value here.
Jack Higgins (FWD $358,800)
Resuming – if all goes to plan – after brain surgery and looks capable of better than inconsistent first half of last year suggests. A definite threat with a good preparation, given six scores of 87 or more in debut season.
Bachar Houli (DEF $571,600)
Coming off a career-best campaign – 13 SuperCoach tons – the 31-year-old stayer should feature again. There might be better value but he must be respected, despite calf injury in December.
Jayden Short (DEF $349,300)
Fell off the pace due to fitness concerns last year after breakout 2018 campaign, which feature 10 scores of 90 or more. Hard to trust alongside Richmond’s other ball-winners but might come right into calculations at the price.
Jack Riewoldt (FWD $374,100)
Others might have stronger claims but the 262-game star can’t be taken lightly and is far better than 69-point average in injury-interrupted year suggests.
Sydney Stack (DEF $435,100)
Up-and-coming 19-year-old takes some catching on his day and is a definite threat. Keep in mind after five SuperCoach tons in his first 13 games.
Dion Prestia (MID $550,200)
Once injury-prone midfielder averaged 121 points per game in the final five games of last year and is among the major players on his day. Do not dismiss.
Shane Edwards (DEF, MID $458,300)
Underrated star, who posted 12 scores of 80 or more last year, can figure but others have much stronger claims in SuperCoach.
Kane Lambert (FWD $477,900)
Consistent performer, who has averaged 86, 88 and 88 in the past three seasons. There’s better value but he must be respected.
Nick Vlastuin (DEF $495,500)
A career-best year in 2019, when he increased his SuperCoach average from 81 to 91, keeps the reliable defender in the mix.
Shai Bolton (FWD $379,100)
Skilful runner can figure in a midfield role but he’s hard to recommend in a packed field. Monitor.
Toby Nankervis (RUCK $404,300)
Two-time premiership made just 12 starts last year and will be resuming from off-season groin surgery. Should get first chance and is capable of better.
Ivan Soldo (RUCK $411,200)
If the 23-year-old can get out early, he may make the No. 1 ruck spot his own. Can’t be ignored in SuperCoach Draft.
Trent Cotchin (MID $429,500)
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 (FWD, MID $407,300)
Battled for position early but found a way in a new role last year. Might be an improver but hard to make a case.
Daniel Rioli (FWD $321,800)
Another important part of a well-oiled Richmond side but others have much stronger claims in SuperCoach.
Nathan Broad (DEF $294,800)
The 26-year-old will face strong competition for his spot in defence but should be there in Round 1. Look elsewhere in SuperCoach, though.
Dylan Grimes (DEF $399,500)
Becomes the key man in defence again after the retirement of Alex Rance but unlikely to feature in any format.
Jason Castagna (FWD $360,700)
Important part of the Tigers’ side but SuperCoach isn’t his thing, at least not consistently. Ignore.
David Astbury (DEF $363,800)
Scored less than 60 points in eight of his 19 games last season. Not keen.
MAKING THEIR CASE
Second-year midfielder Riley Collier-Dawkins ($123,900 MID) starred in last year’s VFL Grand Final and will be pushing for an early-season debut while speedy midfielder Patrick Naish ($236,200 MID) will add to his two career games. Last year’s hard-luck story Jack Graham ($418,900 MID) might start in the VFL after a delayed start to pre-season, while Liam Baker ($403,900 DEF, FWD) , Jack Ross ($305,800 MID) and Kamdyn McIntosh ($343,800 MID) would be unlucky to miss out. Ryan Garthwaite ($244,400 DEF) and Noah Batla ($257,700 RUCK, FWD) are the talls likely to be called upon next.
THE FAVOURITE: Dustin Martin
THE VALUE: Marlion Pickett
THE SMOKY: Jack Higgins
Originally published as Marlion Pickett is the cream of the SuperCoach crop from Tigerland
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