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Lachie Whitfield is a SuperCoach must-have as a DPP but is young midfielder Jye Caldwell ready make his mark in 2020?

Star Giant Lachie Whitfield is a lock as a midfielder-forward and Josh Kelly and Zac Williams are among the best in their position. But is a second-year midfielder ready to surprise?

SuperCoach steals

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

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THE PHANTOM’S BEST 22

B: Nick Haynes, Phil Davis, Aidan Corr

HB: Heath Shaw, Sam Taylor, Zac Williams

C: Jye Caldwell, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield

HF: Stephen Coniglio, Harry Himelberg, Bobby Hill

F: Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson

1R: Sam Jacobs, Josh Kelly, Tim Taranto

INTER: Jacob Hopper, Brett Daniels, Matt de Boer, Harry Perryman

THE PHANTOM’S FORM GUIDE

(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2020)

Lachie Whitfield (FWD, MID $604,100)

The 25-year-old is a class above and must be included as a dual-position forward after averaging 111 points per game last year.

Lachie Whitfield after announcing he has signed a 7-year deal to remain with GWS. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Lachie Whitfield after announcing he has signed a 7-year deal to remain with GWS. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Zac Williams (DEF $551,700)

Dashing defender is now among the major players after bouncing back from injury to post 11 SuperCoach tons in 2019. Will be prominent again.

Josh Kelly (MID $637,700)

The field’s top-chance on his day, as three consecutive season averages of 114 or more suggests. But fitness is still a concern, with the 24-year-old missing 15 home-and-away matches in the past two years.

Jye Caldwell (MID $190,100)

Having a good preparation after interrupted 2019 campaign, which featured an impressive first-up 73-point effort on debut. Looks capable of better this year with early opportunity.

Stephen Coniglio at Giants pre-season training. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Stephen Coniglio at Giants pre-season training. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Stephen Coniglio (MID $549,500)

Resuming from serious knee injury and credentials – 108-point average through the first 16 rounds of 2019 – unquestioned. Priced at an average of 101, there’s plenty of value in the newly-appointed captain.

Toby Greene (FWD $510,100)

With six consecutive SuperCoach tons, the 26-year-old is coming off a huge second half of 2019 playing through the midfield. In a full-strength field, he’s likely to resume a forward-line role but will still feature prominently.

Tim Taranto in action during the pre-season. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Tim Taranto in action during the pre-season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Tim Taranto (MID $555,900)

Looks capable of even better than last year’s breakout campaign, which saw the strong midfielder post 13 SuperCoach tons. Do not dismiss.

Callan Ward (DEF $511,400)

Made just one start in 2019, suffering an ACL injury in Round 4. The 29-year-old might need the outing but he’s having a good preparation and can feature prominently on his day.

Sam Jacobs (RUCK $348,400)

Overrun by younger teammate at Adelaide last year, playing just five matches, but looks refreshed and, as last start – 25 hitouts-to-advantage and 125 points – suggests, can still figure. Must be respected.

New GWS big man Sam Jacobs trains with the club for the first time. Picture: Phil Hillyard
New GWS big man Sam Jacobs trains with the club for the first time. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Jeremy Cameron (FWD $503,900)

Coleman Medallist, who posted four scores of 134 or more last year, can lead from start to finish on his day. Others look to have stronger claims in the forward pool but keep in mind.

Bobby Hill (FWD $275,800)

Exciting small-forward played seven games in his debut season and will be an improver with more opportunity in 2020.

Jacob Hopper (MID $520,200)

Added 17 points to his SuperCoach average last year after tallying the second-most disposals at the Giants. Looks capable of even better if he can split the field.

Nick Haynes (DEF $474,700)

As his five SuperCoach tons in the final seven games of the year suggests, the gun defender can figure prominently on his day. A threat but others looks better placed.

Harry Perryman (MID $410,500)

Tough, skilful 21-year-old posted SuperCoach tons in two of the Giants’ four finals and improved significantly last year. But he’s hard to recommend in a full-strength Giants midfield.

Jeremy Finlayson, left, and Lachie Keeffe at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex. Picture: John McCutcheon
Jeremy Finlayson, left, and Lachie Keeffe at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex. Picture: John McCutcheon

Jeremy Finlayson (FWD $446,400)

Defender-turned-forward can figure after 2019 role change but others have much stronger claims at the price.

Matt de Boer (MID $408,000)

The 29-year-old will again make the run harder for the top chances and should only be considered late in SuperCoach Draft.

Harry Himmelberg (FWD $413,700)

Athletic tall booted 38 goals and played a direct hand in 27 others – ranked No. 1 in the competition – but his SuperCoach scoring is too inconsistent to feature in the classic format.

Heath Shaw (DEF $448,700)

The 308-game stayer is a future SuperCoach hall-of-famer but he no longer figures prominently at the price.

New captain Stephen Coniglio, centre, poses for a photo with outgoing captains Phil Davis, left, and Callan Ward, right, in December. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP
New captain Stephen Coniglio, centre, poses for a photo with outgoing captains Phil Davis, left, and Callan Ward, right, in December. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP

Phil Davis (DEF $431,600)

Vital to the Giants side but other have much stronger claims in SuperCoach.

Brett Daniels (FWD $347,300)

Coming off an impressive finals series but look elsewhere.

Aidan Corr (DEF $223,700)

Showed his importance to the GWS defence late in the year after fitness concerns for most of 2019.

Sam Taylor (DEF $316,200)

Not for SuperCoach.

MAKING THEIR CASE

Expect to see the speed of top draft pick Lachie Ash (DEF, MID $193,800) off half-back early in the season while second-year midfielder Jackson Hately (MID $301,600) will be right in the Round 1 mix. The big-bodied Academy gun Tom Green (MID $166,800) is ready to play but is there a spot for him?

Adam Kennedy (DEF $353,500) and Sam Reid (DEF $375,700) would be unlucky to miss out.

Originally published as Lachie Whitfield is a SuperCoach must-have as a DPP but is young midfielder Jye Caldwell ready make his mark in 2020?

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/supercoach-news/lachie-whitfield-is-a-supercoach-musthave-as-a-dpp-but-is-young-midfielder-jye-caldwell-ready-make-his-mark-in-2020/news-story/4658cb19f4814364bf34f99d0f1b753a