The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season: All the must-have premiums for 2018
They are the stars of the competition and the best scorers in the game but you can’t fit them all in. To help you decide which big guns to select, here is premium week of The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season all rolled into one mega guide.
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- The Eradicator’s team reveal
- Ultimate mid-pricer guide
- Ultimate cash cow guide
- The Phantom’s team reveal: Defenders
They are the stars of the competition and the best scorers in the game but you can’t fit them all in. To help you decide which big guns to select, here is premium week of The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season all rolled into one mega guide.
DEFENDERS
THE SURE-THINGS
Michael Hurley (Ess) $563,500
An average of 26 disposals — at 79 per cent efficiency — and eight marks per game would be a great return for any ball-winning midfielder. But these aren’t the numbers of a midfielder; these are the numbers of the 2017 All-Australian centre half-back.
After averaging 82 in the opening four rounds — don’t forget he did miss 12 months of footy — Hurley exploded, reminding us all of his scoring power, posting SuperCoach tons in 12 of the next 16 games, seven of them in excess of 115.
Only 3.2 per cent of teams started with the key defender last season but the signs were there, the rest of us just missed them. Prior to the suspension saga, Hurley lifted his average from 86 to 95 in 2015, finishing the year strongly, averaging 106 in the final six games.
That percentage will be much higher in 2018 — and for good reason.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: The verdict hasn’t changed despite an injury setback which saw him just make one appearance in the JLT Series. Hurley is one defender we can be sure about. With the Bombers on the rise, there is no reason he won’t improve again.
Rory Laird (Adel) $550,800
Speaking of defenders we can be sure about, Laird is just about the only other one. The 24-year-old, who reads the play better than most, is a ball magnet in every sense of the word, tallying 34 or more touches on nine occasions in 2017.
Laird, who averaged 30 disposals and 100 SuperCoach in an All-Australian year, is as safe as selections come.
Even in the absence of half-back sidekick Brodie Smith.
In the last two games Laird lined up at half-back without Smith — the preliminary final and grand final — he posted scores of 129 and 106. Don’t be concerned.
The Crows play 6 of the first 9 games at Adelaide Oval and, like a number of his star teammates, Laird scores well at the venue, averaging 109 points there last season.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: Again, no need to change this verdict. Along with Hurley — and Michael Hibberd — Laird is one of the few sure things in defence in 2018. Put him and forget about it.
CAN WE TRUST THEM?
Elliot Yeo (WC) $561,300
In 2017, after a number of years of inconsistency, there was finally some certainty about Yeo’s form and SuperCoach scoring — his average of 103 was the third-highest of all forwards.
But — with an injury and his flexibility — is there now too much uncertainty to start the 24-year-old in 2018?
Although Yeo lined up in both the Eagles’ JLT Series fixtures, a hip complaint delayed his start to the pre-season.
This quote from Yeo, who has switched from a forward-midfielder to a pure defender in SuperCoach for 2018, earlier in the year doesn’t help either; “I’d like to progress through into the midfield but I still think there might be times there where I will have to play backline or I’ll have to go forward, deep forward or high-half forward.”
Even he’s not certain.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: The Phantom wasn’t certain in January and, after a JLT Series which saw Yeo play a variety of roles and score 95 and 59, I’m now even more concerned.
Brandon Ellis (Rich) $502,500
As a 21-year-old in 2014, Ellis averaged 97 SuperCoach points and finished second in the Jack Dyer medal. The following year, he broke the three-figure mark, averaging 100 for the season, scoring 90 or more in 17 of his 22 games. The hard-running Ellis was well on his way to becoming one of the league’s most damaging wingmen.
Fast forward to 2017 and, after a pre-season discussion with coach Damien Hardwick, Ellis was recast as a defender after an underwhelming 2016 campaign. A slow start saw him average 79 over the first nine rounds but Ellis bounced back with a huge 30-disposal, 147-point performance in round 10. The 24-year-old went on to average 100 points from that point as the Tigers roared into the finals.
There’s long been a query over his kicking but the stats show Ellis is improving this side of his game. A disposal efficiency of 79 per cent last season is up from 73 in 2015 and 75 in 2016.
And they don’t come more durable. Ellis has played 106 consecutive games — the third longest streak in the game — and has only missed three matches since his debut.
Can we trust him?
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: The Phantom isn’t usually one to jump at JLT Series form but Ellis’ role, which didn’t seem like it will allow him to accumulate, has put me off.
Jake Lloyd (Syd) $479,900
In a month of football that really put him on the SuperCoach radar, the neat-kicking, runner, who splits his time between half-back and the wing, averaged 103 points over the final four rounds of 2016.
Lloyd carried that form into last season, averaging 100 in the opening nine rounds of the season — a period which included five SuperCoach tons — before a nasty concussion saw him leave the ground early in round 10.
While the 24-year-old returned after the bye to post four consecutive scores of 88 or more, Lloyd never really got going again, only passing that figure once for the remainder of the year.
When you have to ask yourself too many questions about someone, there is reason to be concerned. Does he have the ceiling to be an elite scorer? Does a fit Jarrad McVeigh affect Lloyd’s role? Can he be damaging enough with the football to compensate the outside nature of his game?
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: The more that happens, the more I believe the answer to the first questioned I asked back in January is no.
THE VETERAN
Kade Simpson (Car) $516,300
Is there such thing as a young 34-year-old?
The veteran Blue defender, who turns 34 in May, makes a good case. Simpson shows no sign of slowing down and, in the absence of star rebounder Sam Docherty, the Blues can’t afford for him to.
Since 2009, the courageous left-footer has averaged more than 92 SuperCoach points in each season, with that number peaking at 106 in 2016. Although he still posted two scores in excess of 140, inconsistency crept into Simpson’s game and that figure dropped back to 94 in 2017.
While, again, as a leader in an inexperienced backline, there will be more responsibility on Simpson’s shoulders, don’t expect Docherty’s disposals to fall into his hands. There are a number of young Blues vying to help fill the void.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: After scores of 73 and 69 in the JLT Series, the pre-season question remains unanswered. Can Simpson hit that high ceiling consistently to be a top 6 scorer?
THE YOUNG GUN
Alex Witherden $478,900
In his first nine appearances in the AFL, Witherden averaged 87 points, posting SuperCoach tons in his fourth, sixth and ninth games. Yes, it’s only a small sample but only 18 defenders averaged more points than the then 18-year-old.
Witherden can find the ball — he won more than 27 touches in four games — but, more importantly, he uses it with precision.
And the Lions trust him with the footy.
From round 14, Witherden took the fourth-most kick-ins of any player in the AFL. And, in a great stat for fantasy coaches, 28 were to himself, placing him second.
The only negative with the young star is his price. Paying $478k for a second-year player is a lot and it usually doesn’t happen.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: His pre-season form didn’t change the January verdict; Witherden should win the Rising Star award but, as much as I want to pick him, The Phantom can’t overlook the high price tag.
MIDFIELDERS
DANGER V DUSTY
Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) $749,800, Dustin Martin (Rich) $656,000
Brownlow medal. Norm Smith medal. Premiership Medal. AFLPA MVP. Coaches’ MVP. And the list goes on. Dustin Martin’s 2017 was nothing short of phenomenal. It will go down as one of the best individual seasons in history.
While Martin averaged a career-best 119 points per game, Patrick Dangerfield was still the king of SuperCoach.
In the home-and-away season, Dangerfield, who played one less game than Martin, scored 239 more points and, even though they were ranked one and two, Dangerfield’s average of 136 exceeded Martin’s by a huge 17 points per game.
It’s a lot to pay but the Geelong star is worth every cent.
Sure, he may fall in price but there is no guarantee. Dangerfield, who started 2017 at $717k, dropped to $560k by round 8 after copping a heavy knock against Hawthorn in round 4, resulting in scores of 90 and 65 in the following three rounds. But it didn’t take long for him to bounce back. By round 17, Dangerfield’s price was back to a staggering $783k. A closer look reveals Dangerfield averaged 150 points from round 9 onwards. If there is no heavy knock in 2018, does it happen? The Phantom doesn’t think so.
And, while the return of Gary Ablett to the Cattery might take a few points off some - most likely at the bottom-end - it’s unlikely to be Dangerfield.
The Phantom’s MARCH Verdict: This comparison, written in late January, has been turned on its head by Dangerfield’s hamstring injury. But The Phantom is still picking Dangerfield, even if he’s officially ruled out in Round 1. It’s going to be hard to get him back in quickly, if you start without him.
#THERETURN
Gary Ablett (Geel) $631,100
The little master is back at Geelong and, after only 34 games in the past three seasons on the Gold Coast, is seemingly back to full fitness and ready to play every game for the Cats. While all of the early signs are good - and he may get close - 22 games for the 33-year-old is unlikely. But, with the Cats only travelling outside of Victoria three times before their round 14 bye, there is every chance Ablett is up with the leaders at the half-way mark.
There is no real need for The Phantom to go on about Ablett’s SuperCoach scoring history.
But I will. Ablett averaged 127 SuperCoach points for six years running between 2008 and 2014. To put it in context, only Patrick Dangerfield (2016, 2017), Nat Fyfe (2015) and Todd Goldstein (2015) have averaged more than 120 points in a season since. Even in the injury interrupted past three years, Ablett has still averaged at least 114 points.
He’s impressed new team-mate Dangerfield, too.
“And there’s Gaz, training in runners, I didn’t see him slip over once and no-one could tackle him. He is just a freak of nature.” Dangerfield said after a wet Geelong training session when everyone was slipping over earlier in the pre-season.
Tempted yet?
The Phantom’s MARCH Verdict: To be honest, The Phantom is still tempted, despite the unsurprising injury setback, which saw him take no part in the JLT Series. But I know better.
Nat Fyfe (Freo) $597,900
Fyfe’s return is of a different sort.
After two years in the wilderness, this could be the year the Docker skipper returns to the top of the SuperCoach tree.
Well, not quite the wilderness but a broken leg ruined his 2016 season and an on-going chest issue restricted him for most of last year.
In the previous two seasons, Fyfe was the second (2015) and fourth-ranked (2014) player in the game in each year respectively, averaging more than 122 in both years.
While his season average in 2017 was only 109, his final two months of the year were reminiscent of the Fyfe of old – form which he carried into a standout international rules series.
The 26-year-old averaged 126 in the final eight games of the year, breaking the 120 barrier in six of them.
The Phantom’s MARCH Verdict: Huge JLT Series confirmed the pre-season thought Fyfe will challenge for the No. 1 ranking in 2018.
THE NEXT GENERATION
Patrick Cripps (Carl) $537,300
It’s hardly a secret.
With Brodie Smith set to spend the majority of 2018 on the sideline as he recovers from a knee reconstruction, Cripps is the outright leader as The Phantom’s favourite.
After an interrupted 2017 campaign, the contested-ball beast is ready to explode in 2018 and once again showcase the scoring power he displayed in his third season in the competition in 2016. In that year, with just 36 career games to his name, Cripps averaged 124 points from round 16 onwards with three scores in excess of 137.
Unfortunately, mainly due to a 12-week layoff over preseason with a back issue, Cripps failed to carry that form into the 2017.
But, although he was slow out of the blocks, Cripps was starting to hit his straps in the second-half of last year before a broken leg ended his season in round 16.
If you ignore the injury affected 25 from that game, Cripps averaged 110 SuperCoach points from round five onwards.
And don’t get me started on his price. There are 32 players more expensive than the 22-year-old.
There are definitely not 32 players who are better SuperCoach scorers. When he’s at his best, there might not even be five.
The Phantom’s MARCH Verdict: Cruised through the JLT Series, posting scores of 119 and 102 – lock him in!
Josh Kelly (GWS) $628,600
Not far behind Cripps on The Phantom’s favourite list is the 2017 breakout star from the Giants.
Kelly, as The Phantom predicted, quickly went past his Giant team-mates to sit as the side’s classiest and most-damaging midfielder last season. In just his fourth year in the competition, Kelly added an enormous 27 points to his average and finished as the eight-ranked SuperCoach player in the game. The 22-year-old is not only consistent but, with five scores in excess of 130, including a season-high 176, has a high ceiling.
“But a tag will come, Phantom.” I hear you say.
Yes, it will and it already has. But, so far, Kelly’s running power and ability to win the ball on the inside and the outside has seen him deal with the extra attention.
Add to this a soft opening seven rounds for the Giants, where they face only one finalist from last year, and you’ve got yourself a great starting selection.
His starting price is almost $200k higher than last year’s but he’s in the elite bracket now. And, as an elite player, he should be. Don’t let it scare you off.
The Phantom’s MARCH Verdict: No change to the verdict here, either. A SuperCoach powerhouse for years to come. A Brownlow might not be too far away either.
Clayton Oliver (Melb) $612,800
Oliver’s record after 35 career games is unmatched in the SuperCoach world. The 20-year-old has posted 17 SuperCoach tons, 11 scores between 80-100 and only failed to reach the 80-point barrier seven times. They are remarkable numbers.
With lightning-fast hands and an ability to win the footy before most others can get near it – two traits suited to SuperCoach – Oliver’s influence is hard to quell.
And his developing tank will only help him win more of the footy.
The Phantom’s NEXT GEN MARCH Verdict: The next generation - which also includes Crow ball magnet Matt Crouch - is well-and-truly taking over. But how do we split them?
After glimpses, Crouch announced himself as a premier ball-winner of the competition, recording 27 disposals or more in every game last season. Including finals, his 825 disposals was a new AFL record.
They’ve all got good numbers; there is no doubt about that.
But there is one statistic that separates them.
Last season, Kelly booted 19 goals and 24 behinds.
Crouch (7) and Oliver (4) only managed 11 goals between them.
THE FORGOTTEN MEN
Taylor Adams (Coll) $591,100
In the SuperCoach community, why do we always forget about popular players who lose their dual-position status, even if they are great scorers? It happens every year. In recent time, it’s happened with Dustin Martin, Dayne Zorko and Zach Merrett.
And in 2018, it’s happening with Adams.
Sure the Collingwood midfielder, who will spend time across half-back in 2018, needs tidy up a few areas of his game – errors by foot, in particular – he does everything else and in large volume.
As a SuperCoach defender in 2017, Adams scored 2365 points – a number that would’ve ranked him as the ninth-best midfielder in the competition. So why this year, when the 24-year-old is only available in the midfield bracket, are we not talking about him more? It’s a good question. One I’ve asked myself numerous times this pre-season already. Especially given the ball magnet averaged 120 over the final seven rounds of last year.
The Phantom’s MARCH Verdict: Despite failing to post a big score in the pre-season competition, Adams is looming as a great midfield point-of-difference for the brave SuperCoaches out there.
Marcus Bontempelli (WB) $577,800
There hasn’t been a lot of love for the ‘Bont’ in SuperCoach circles so far this pre-season.
But it’s not right.
Although he exploded out of the blocks to average 124 after seven rounds, the 22-year-old’s average fell from 107 to 105 in 2017.
But he’s going to average 110 soon and 125 points against the Hawks, then 104 points against the Magpies in the JLT Series is a sign that it might be very soon.
Even if he spends time forward.
Bontempelli is one of the most influential players in the game, no matter where he’s playing.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: Not in enough teams for a guy who could easily finish in the top-6 midfielders.
Lachie Neale (Freo) $599,300
Neale didn’t get a mention here back in January but I had to add him.
The ball magnet’s ownership percentage of five is staggeringly low considering he’s averaged 113 and 109 in the past two seasons.
Many SuperCoaches are concerned about starting both Neale and team-mate Nat Fyfe, along with standout rookie Andrew Brayshaw.
Sure, it’s not ideal to load up on Round 14 bye players but it’s not different to having Dustin Martin, Matt Crouch or Patrick Dangerfield alongside Fyfe.
The Phantom’s MARCH Verdict: A huge 159-point performance in the second JLT Series game reminded us not to forget about one of the best SuperCoach scorers around.
LONG-TIME FAVOURITE
Scott Pendlebury (Coll) $586,500
The Collingwood skipper hasn’t started the season with a price tag of less than $600k – let alone $586k – since 2011.
And before last season, Pendlebury had not averaged less than 110 since 2010.
So, after an injury affected year, when the usually-consistent Pendlebury posted seven scores of less than 95, we are in unfamiliar territory with the 252-game star.
But, let’s face it, he’s still Collingwood’s best midfielder.
Even though a potential role behind the ball has been mentioned, for the Magpies to improve, Pendlebury still needs to be having an impact through the middle.
Have you ever picked up something from the supermarket at a reduced priced, merely because the packaging was ripped or slightly damaged? And, even though it may appear problematic, there is really nothing wrong with it?
That’s sort of like Scott Pendlebury in 2018.
Many will skim over last year’s scores and keep walking, just like some do in the supermarket aisle. Astute bargain hunters – and, in this instance, SuperCoaches - won’t.
The Phantom’s MARCH Verdict: Don’t worry about the JLT Series - when Pendlebury posted scores of 60 and 59 in limited game-time – there is no need to bring a Rolls Royce out of the garage for the warm-up laps. At sub-$600k, Pendlebury still looms as a midfield steal.
RUCKS
Max Gawn (Melb) $503,700
The Melbourne big man stormed onto the SuperCoach scene in 2016, posting 15 SuperCoach tons - six of them in excess of 150 - to finish the season as the third-ranked player in the game, behind only Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Pendlebury. It looked as if Gawn was headed that way again in 2017 with scores of 128 and 111 in the opening two rounds before a severe hamstring injury against the Cats in Round 3 saw him miss the next two months of footy.
Although the 26-year-old, who is cutting a lean look at training after shedding eight kilograms over summer, reminded us of his huge ceiling with a 160-point performance against the Giants in Round 20, he never really got going.
But that’s good news for SuperCoaches in 2018.
At $503k, Gawn, whose hitout-to-advantage percentage of 33 is the best in the game since 2015, is priced at an average of 92 but that figure is well below his scoring capabilities.
Expect it to be more like 110 come the season’s end.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: Gawn’s ownership percentage has increased three per cent to 60 since The Phantom’s premium week. However, that’s still not enough. I’d like to know who the other 40 per cent are going with.
Paddy Ryder (Port) $566,500
If you are looking at another premium, the All-Australian ruckman should be the first name you look at.
As expected, after a year out of the game, Ryder took a while to settle into his groove, breaking the 100-point mark in only two of the first 10 games of 2017.
But, with 40 hitouts, two goals and 119 points against the Lions in Round 13, that changed. The athletic Ryder, who won more contested possession than any other ruckman last season, was Port Adelaide’s most influential player in the second-half of the year, averaging 114 SuperCoach points from that point - one point more than No. 1 SuperCoach ruckman Matthew Kreuzer.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: At almost $40k cheaper, Ryder provides slightly more value than Kreuzer and, given the emergence of Sydney’s Darcy Cameron as genuine ruck bench cover, you now don’t have to worry so much about the Power’s Round 10 bye.
Matthew Kreuzer (Carl) $603,700
Not since Dean Cox in 2009 has a player been crowned the No. 1 ruckman in consecutive seasons. While that doesn’t mean Kreuzer can’t do it in 2018, it’s just something to be aware of.
After a number of years battling his body, Kreuzer finally delivered on the potential we had seen many glimpses of in the past. The 28-year-old played 21 games last year, after reaching the same tally in 2016. It was great to see Kreuzer finally get some consistency in his body because in the previous six seasons, he only managed 75 out of a possible 132 home-and-away games.
What was even better to see was the impact the 200cm big man had. Kreuzer, who is just as good below his knees as he is in the air, posted 14 SuperCoach tons, six of them in excess of 130, with the allround nature of his game helping his scoring.
Out of all ruckmen, only Shane Mumford laid more tackles and Kreuzer won the third-most disposals and the second-most contested possessions.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: Injury scare in Carlton’s second game of the pre-season but he’s right to go Thursday night. No reason to suggest Kruezer’s scoring drops in 2018.
Sam Jacobs (Adel) $526,300
Given he’s only missed four games in the past six seasons, Sauce Jacobs is just about as reliable as ruckmen come.
But his scoring isn’t what it used to be.
Back in 2014, Jacobs averaged 115 points per game – the third most in the competition – and scored more than 250 points than any other ruckman. He followed up with another outstanding season in 2015, with his 108-point average putting him behind only Todd Goldstein’s competition-leading 129 in the big man bracket.
But then Champion Data changed the ruck scoring in SuperCoach. No longer was every hitout rewarded with a point but only those which went to a team-mate’s advantage.
In the first season of the new scoring system in 2016, Jacobs’ average fell by almost 20 points.
Of course, this wasn’t the only reason. A late-season injury was another major factor in Jacobs’ form.
The 29-year-old bounced back to some degree in 2017 but, in a telling statistic, won 165 more hitouts than any other ruckman in the game, yet finished the year the fourth-ranked overall SuperCoach scorer.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: As consistent and reliable as they come, Jacobs gets to more contests than any other big man in the game but can he score big enough, often enough, to challenge for the No. 1 ranking again? The Phantom is still unsure.
Todd Goldstein (NM) $518,300
If Goldstein return to anything near the form of 2015, when he scored 150 SuperCoach points more than any other player in the game, he’s a bargain at $518k.
But it’s a big if.
While he only averaged 95 last season, Goldstein still posted some big numbers.
And they all came when he played as the solo ruckman. In the four matches Goldstein scored more than 120 points, Braydon Preuss was not in the side.
The Phantom’s verdict: Yes, Goldstein did score well when Preuss wasn’t there but he just remember Goldstein was also dropped to the twos. The way in which coach Brad Scott works his ruck set up will be the key.
The fact he shares the bye with Max Gawn isn’t helping.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: After scoring 81 points in the first half, before Braydon Preuss took over in the second half, in the final JLT Series game, it’s still hard to be sure just how North Melbourne’s ruck setup will look in Round 1. If there is no Preuss on the teamsheet, The Phantom will think very hard about Goldstein. Same goes with Stefan Martin, if he is named as Brisbane’s solo ruckmen.
Brodie Grundy (Coll) $534,700
While the young star averaged midfield-like numbers - 18 disposals, 10 contested possessions and four tackles per game in 2017, coach Nathan Buckley has suggested he will be playing Mason Cox and Grundy in the same side in 2018.
And we only like solo ruckmen around here.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: The JLT Series only confirmed the tandem between Grundy and Cox we will see on a regular basis in 2017.
FORWARDS
THE YOUNG GUNS
Isaac Heeney (Syd) $536,300
The young Swan was one of the most popular forwards at this time last year before a bout of glandular fever put him out of senior action – and thousands of SuperCoach teams - until Round 5.
Even though he was coming off a more limited preparation than most, Heeney posted three SuperCoach tons in his first four games and a further five more for the year to finish with an average of 98 – up 18 points on 2016.
Out of the 2018 crop of forwards, only Sam Menegola and Lance Franklin averaged more.
And it’s only up from here. The 21-year-old’s midfield role increased in 2017, spending 65 per cent of his game time in the middle, averaging 21 disposals, five marks and five tackles.
But these numbers could explode even further as his midfield minutes increase.
Heeney, who underwent minor knee surgery late last year but is still on track for the JLT Series, has been doing plenty of work with the midfield coaches over summer. If a more permanent move does eventuate this season, The Phantom is betting the Swans’ academy product is the top-scoring forward of 2018.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: Despite scores of 45 and 85 in the JLT Series, on The Phantom’s Lair SuperCoach podcast last week, The Phantom guaranteed a SuperCoach ton from Heeney in Round 1.
Jack Billings (StK) $536,300
Is this the year the No. 3 draft pick from 2013 elevates himself into the elite category?
The Phantom believes it will be.
But to do so, the 22-year-old needs to find greater consistency.
Billings, who wins the ball through the midfield and in the forward 50, passed the 100-point mark in 10 games last season but also failed to score more than 70 on six occasions.
The highly skilled left-footer, who was involved in 29 per cent of his side’s scores - ranking him No. 1 at the club - found the consistency required in the final five rounds of the year, scoring 103, 130, 112, 96, and 104 to finish the season.
This could be a sign of what’s to come, especially if he tidies up his goal-kicking – Billings kicked 23.36 in 2017.
It was a while ago, yes, but The Phantom will never forget Billings’ match-winning performance in just his 21st game at the level in 2015. Against the Bulldogs, Billings had 22 disposals, seven marks and booted 4.2 – three of them coming in the final quarter to seal the victory – to finish with a game-high 143 points.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: A hamstring injury late in the pre-season was a concern but Billings recovered in time to take part in the Saints’ final JLT Series match. And that was enough for The Phantom. The 24 disposals and 94 points was a bonus.
THE HANGOVER
Luke Dahlhaus (WB) $498,500
After averaging 104 in 2015 and, if you ignore an injury affected 29 in round 12, 100 in the premiership year of 2016, Dahlhaus raced out of the blocks last season to average 115 after
five rounds.
But it was all downhill from there.
Maybe the off-season celebrations caught up with Dahlhaus – although it was more likely a move to a greater forward role in the second half of the year – because he only scored one SuperCoach ton in the final nine rounds, to finish with an average of 91. The 25-year-old averaged 22 disposals during this period – a stark contrast from the 27 in the first 13 games.
Dahlhaus is reportedly training well – but, hey, who isn’t? – and surely, as a collective, the Bulldogs bounce back.
It’s all up to coach Luke Beveridge now.
If we see Dahlhaus the full-time midfielder again in 2018, $498k is super value.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: Dahlhaus spent plenty of time in the midfield during the JLT Series but, given the Bulldogs have plenty of small midfielders who can push forward, it’s still hard to be certain how often we see it in 2018. Very much a wait-and-see.
THE SWITCH
Michael Walters (Freo) $478,300
His season average may have only been 87 but it was a nine-game stretch between rounds 7 and 16 which really made the SuperCoach community take notice.
Walters, who had played predominantly as a small-forward for most of his career and in the first six rounds of the season, moved further up the ground with damaging effect.
The 27-year-old led the Dockers for metres gained and averaged 111 SuperCoach points and 25 disposals during this period with an enormous performance against the Saints in Round 15 the highlight.
Walters showed his unique ability to win the football through the midfield and then get forward and have an impact on the scoreboard. His 32 disposals, 18 contested possessions, six goals and 172 SuperCoach points was one the best individual efforts of the year.
While the classy Docker missed the final five rounds of the year with a knee issue, he’s back in full training and is, again, set for more midfield time in 2018.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: He’s great to watch and, although he’s still not in The Phantom’s side, he’s a great selection.
WAIT AND SEE
Robbie Gray (Port) $504,300
What a sight it is to see the Power star back in training and on track for a JLT Series appearance after a cancer diagnosis late last year.
And in another great sight for SuperCoaches, Gray is back as a dual-position forward in 2018.
The last time the 29-year-old was able to be selected as a forward was in 2015. In that year, the sublimely-skilled Gray averaged 110 points, posting 14 SuperCoach tons along the way to finish the year as the 11th-ranked player in the game.
He lost his dual-position status the following year but Gray, even in an injury interrupted season, still posted an average of 108.
In 2017, the figure dropped to 92, mainly as a result of some inconsistent form and more time forward.
Gray, who was the No. 1 score assist player in the competition, still posted nine SuperCoach tons, breaking the 130-point barrier on three occasions, but failed to score more than 45 points in four games.
While he’s almost unstoppable in the forward 50, the inclusion of Tom Rockliff to the midfield mix might mean Gray spends even more time there in 2018.
And that could mean the scoring inconsistency continues.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: Gray will spend too much time forward in 2018 and, although he will still be very dangerous, his scoring may again be inconsistent. Plus, Gray will miss Round 1 through suspension.
Sam Menegola (Geel) $551,800
With many popular dual-position forwards being taken away from us in the past few years, the addition of Menegloa is a welcome one.
Out of all SuperCoach forwards in 2018, the ball magnet is the only player to have averaged 100 points or more last season.
He achieved this by posting nine SuperCoach tons and scoring more than 88 points in 15 of his 19 appearances. In fact, he’s passed the 88-point mark in 20 of his 25 career home-and-away matches.
The 25-year-old’s best performance for the season came against the Giants in Round 23. Menegola tallied 32 possessions, three goals and 143 SuperCoach points to take his five-round average to an impressive 118.
But it’s important to note skipper Joel Selwood missed the final three games of the year.
He’s back in 2018 and so is the little master Gary Ablett.
So does Menegola get the same opportunity to run through the midfield as he did last year?
Unlikely.
The Phantom’s MARCH verdict: With the pre-season injuries to Ablett and Dangerfield, Menegola’s midfield minutes may still be there in the early part of the season but there is better value at a cheaper price.
Originally published as The Phantom’s SuperCoach pre-season: All the must-have premiums for 2018
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