Midfielders and defenders are best value from an improving Brisbane Lions squad
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 Brisbanes’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 Brisbanes’s best 22 and delivers a racing-style summer formguide covering every player in it.
The Phantom’s Best 22:
B: Darcy Gardiner, Harris Andrews, Luke Hodge
HB: Alex Witherden, Marcus Adams, Daniel Rich
C: Jarrod Berry, Jarryd Lyons, Hugh McCluggage
HF: Mitch Robinson, Eric Hipwood, Cam Rayner
F: Charlie Cameron, Dan McStay, Allen Christensen
1R: Stefan Martin, Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko
INTER: Lincoln McCarthy, Lewis Taylor, Tom Cutler, Zac Bailey
The Phantom’s Formguide
(Ranked in order of SuperCoach significance in 2019)
Lachie Neale (Mid $607,300)
Expect the same despite change of colours. Will take some catching as Brisbane’s No. 1 scorer in 2019.
Stefan Martin (Ruck $573,700)
Comes right into calculations given the price of top-ranked big men. Should be prominent again after finishing 2018 as 11th-ranked scorer.
Alex Witherden (Def $455,000)
The young star, who boasts brilliant foot skills, looks set to be a major player in 2019. One of Brisbane’s most damaging on his day. Get on.
Harris Andrews (Def $480,100)
Rates highly again after posting six SuperCoach tons in the first 12 rounds of a breakout 2018 season. Must be included.
Dayne Zorko (Mid $520,200)
One of the major SuperCoach players on his day but can he brush opposition attention for a full year? Better than 2018 average suggests.
Hugh McCluggage (Mid $416,800)
After adding 23 points to his average in 2018, expect another similar spike from Brisbane’s
classiest midfielder this season. Should have plenty of admirers - The Phantom included.
Jarryd Lyons (Mid $502,000)
Impressive numbers despite mid-year spell from the seniors at the Suns last year. Could flourish in developing on-ball brigade and is a great mid-round SuperCoach Draft selection.
Zac Bailey (Fwd/mid $275,900)
Impressive last start – 20 disposals, two goals and 87 points – and should get the chance to improve on debut season. Keep in mind.
Jarrod Berry (Mid $434,300)
After finishing off a strong second season with three tons in the final four matches, the young midfielder looks likely to improve again this year. Awkward price but worth some thought.
Mitch Robinson (Fwd/mid $496,600)
Tough 29-year-old is often overlooked despite some great numbers. Commands respect in 2019 after scoring 80 points or more in 14 of his 19 games last year. Might slide in some SuperCoach drafts.
Cam Rayner (Fwd $327,700)
A definite threat. But 2020 could be his year as he begins to build into the powerful midfielder we all expect him to become.
Daniel Rich (Def $428,200)
Given the rise of the young stars, it’s hard to see the left-footer featuring prominently from a SuperCoach point-of-view in 2019. Look elsewhere in the classic format.
Lincoln McCarthy (Fwd $247,500)
New recruit is resuming from horrible run with injury but commands respect if his body holds up.
Marcus Adams (Def $339,600)
Impressive form when fit and could command a spot in Brisbane’s back six – ahead of Josh Walker - if he’s ready to go come Round 1. Do not dismiss.
Tom Cutler (Mid $439,700)
Five SuperCoach tons last season means he must be respected in 2019. But more as a late-round draft selection.
Charlie Cameron (Fwd 387,400)
Resuming after a Lisfranc injury ended his first season as a Lion prematurely. Expect the dangerous small forward to have an influence, as he did in the first 11 games, but hard to recommend at the price.
Eric Hipwood (Fwd $281,800)
Needs a bag to trouble the SuperCoach scorers and, while they might come more consistently this season, look elsewhere.
Luke Hodge (Def $451,400)
The 324-game stayer commands respect but others now have stronger claims in SuperCoach.
Allen Christensen (Fwd $395,000)
The popular 2018 selection is great scorer on his day but not at that price this season.
Lewis Taylor (Fwd $390,400)
Solid contributor but doesn’t do quite enough to have strong SuperCoach claims here. Average fell by eight points in 2018
Darcy Gardiner (Def $382,400)
Won more of the footy and took more marks as the year went on but it’s still not enough to have him in the SuperCoach mix in 2019.
Daniel McStay (Fwd $300,900)
Not keen. SuperCoach is not his thing.
MAKING THEIR CASE
Rhys Mathieson (Fwd/mid $365,00) is well-and-truly in the best 25, while Josh Walker (Def $389,700) could keep Adams out after an impressive 2018. Ben Keays (Mid $260,600) might finally take the next step after dominating in the NEAFL and draftee Ely Smith (Mid $117,300) is a big-bodied midfielder ready for senior football.
Originally published as Midfielders and defenders are best value from an improving Brisbane Lions squad
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