SuperCoach 17: The Phantom’s Round 14 preview
IT’S been a day of carnage for SuperCoaches, with key players dropping like flies. First Ablett, then Fyfe, then Kelly. The Phantom’s got a few sound pieces of advice to deal with all the mayhem.
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WOW. What an afternoon it’s been. And it’s not even over yet.
While writing this update, The Phantom has been interrupted several times.
First it was Gary Ablett, who will miss with a calf injury, then it was the news Nat Fyfe has withdrawn from the Dockers’ side and, just as all was ready to be published, the Giants pull Josh Kelly out of their 22.
This is all on top of the continued absence of Aaron Sandilands and the whispers that Sam Docherty and Patrick Dangerfield have had their own issues in the lead up to Round 14. While both of the latter should play, this is a worrying thought.
Ablett has failed to overcome a calf injury suffered in last week’s game but, at this stage, the outlook is unclear. Although he’s 33, and calf injuries usually don’t go well with players this age, if you have him, and have the cover, try to hold this week.
Same goes with Nat Fyfe, with the Dockers stating he should be fit to take on St Kilda in Round 15, and Josh Kelly.
Of course, if you have all three and are still sweating on the fitness of Scott Selwood, Fyfe may be the first to go, given he’s only managed one SuperCoach ton in the past seven games.
“But I’ve got no cash and cannot spare an extra trade, Phantom.” I hear you ask.
If this is you, Ollie Wines ($490k) and Luke Shuey ($499k) are the ones to consider.
If you still have Sandilands, it’s time for him to go. In fact, you should have traded him weeks ago but, hey, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
If you have the cash, the in-form Matthew Kruezer, who boasts a five-round average of 129, is your man. Again, if you cannot scrape together the money for the Blue big man, Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy is well priced at $496k.
Blues defender Sam Docherty, the second-ranked player in the competition and averages 13 points more than the next best defender.
The 23-year-old is the definition of must-have — providing he plays this weekend. But, at $634k, the second-most expensive player is almost out of reach. Some of us are waiting for a quiet game — The Phantom included — but it may just not happen.
If the rest of your team is set and you have trades to spare, then, sure, make multiple moves to get him in. But, if you are still yet to complete your team with premium players, do that first and do it quickly by looking at the value in defence.
Players such as Jake Lloyd ($411k), Rory Laird ($515k), Dylan Roberton ($515k) and Kade Simpson ($500k) should be high on your shopping list.
Or just sit there and hope an opposition coach finally pays Docherty more attention — Damien Hardwick, I am looking at you.
However, Elliot Yeo is a slightly different story. The Eagle utility is still averaging six more points than any other forward to play five or more games but, at $524k, he is much more affordable.
Initially, The Phantom was hesitant but I am now convinced. Yeo, who has posted nine SuperCoach tons this season — four in excess of 125 — has found greater consistency and shown he has multiple avenues of scoring.
And the Eagles have six more home games to come at Subiaco. If you are looking to make the final upgrade in your forward line and you don’t have Yeo, look no further.
CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
By the numbers
THE PHANTOM’S PICK
Another positive from the end of the bye rounds — and there is a long list — is we, again, get the full selection of captain options.
Cat Patrick Dangerfield has posted scores of 138, 140 and 188 in his past three games against the Dockers and, with the Geelong hosting Fremantle at home on Sunday, Dangerfield is a no-brainer as captain this week.
If you didn’t go with Rory Sloane last night, Sydney midfielders Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy and Magpie skipper Scott Pendlebury are the other VC options this week and all feature in the next two games of the round. If you’re after a left-field option, look at Elliot Yeo, who faces the Demons at Subiaco tomorrow night — he averages 120 at the venue in 2017.
It’s always hard to be certain on a VC score when you have Captain Dangerfield waiting — especially against a Fremantle side missing Nat Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands — so The Phantom’s usual cut-off line increases to 135.
THE PHANTOM’S MENACE
Leon Cameron
News broke during the week that young Giant star Josh Kelly injured himself at training during the club’s bye weekend. C’mon, Leon, Kelly is the most wanted man in football and the next million-dollar player in the AFL. Next time you have the week off, you let him take the week off.
Originally published as SuperCoach 17: The Phantom’s Round 14 preview
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