SuperCoach 2018: The forward and ruck standouts from week 2 of the JLT Series

A STAR SuperCoach forward, a forgotten Lion and a talented Saint top the list of forwards and ruckmen who impressed The Phantom in Week 2 of the JLT Series.

JLT Week 2 forwards - The Phantom SuperCoach

• JLT Week 1 standouts: Midfielders
• JLT Week 1 standouts: Forward/ruck
• JLT Week 2 standouts: Defenders
• JLT Week 2 standouts: Midfielders

Lance Franklin (Syd) $540,500

134 points

No pre-season, no worries for the superstar Swan. Franklin, who had shoulder surgery over summer, wasted no time in finding form, booting four goals from 14 disposals and four marks in the Swans’ first JLT Series game. ‘Buddy’ has been a slow starter in the past and many SuperCoaches were concerned it may happen again with Swans facing a tough opening two months but, although Sydney did it easy, there was no sign of it on Saturday.

Is 2018 the year for Paddy McCartin?

Paddy McCartin (StK) $234,500

91 points

He’s be hampered by injury throughout his short career but we know he has the talent and, at $234k, after 15 disposals, five marks – three of them contested – and two goals against the Blues, McCartin must be considered in 2018. Especially with the lack of forward-line rookies this season.

T om Bell (Bris) $287,000

79 points

While all the talk has been about fellow under-priced team-mate Allen Christensen, the former Blue has been flying under the SuperCoach radar. Bell, who averaged 90 points in his final season at Carlton in 2015, only managed six games last season after a serious ankle injury mid-year. But, in just 50 per cent game-time against the Swans, the tough midfielder tallied 17 disposals, 11 contested possessions – the second-highest for the Lions – six clearances and 79 SuperCoach points. Don’t forget about him.

Josh Thomas, left, has enjoyed a great pre-season to date.

Josh Thomas (Coll) $357,400

109 points

The 26-year-old, who played the final nine games of 2017 after serving a two-year suspension, was a standout in the Collingwood midfield against the Giants. Thomas, who recorded 22 disposals, a team-high five inside 50s and 109 points, won 13 contested possessions – the equal-most on the ground – and his nine clearances was a game-high.

Is a third-year breakout looming for Josh Dunkley?

Josh Dunkley (WB) $296,900

114 points

A shoulder injury wiped out more than half of his 2017 season but, after an exciting 17-disposal, three-goal, 114-point performance in the Bulldogs JLT Series opener, maybe this is the year Dunkley builds on his impressive debut season of 2016. But just how coach Luke Beveridge works his army of small midfielder-forwards remains to be seen.

Toby McLean (WB) $470,200

98 points

McLean is another Bulldog who rotated forward and through the midfield against the Hawks, finishing with 19 disposals – at 89 per cent efficiency – five tackles, two goals assists and 98 points.

Tom Papley (Syd) $451,400

110 points

Franklin’s forward-line sidekick is an intriguing SuperCoach proposition. Papley, who averaged 92 points from Round 9 onwards last season as he pushed up the ground into the midfield, tallied 14 disposals, three goals and 110 points against the Lions. Papley needs to continue to pinch-hit in the middle to be a viable SuperCoach selection.

Oliver Florent (Syd) $246,200

86 points

There were no big numbers but definitely some promising signs in Florent’s nine-game debut season in 2017. Again, he’s outside the rookie-priced bracket but he should see plenty of game-time this year. And, after recording 16 disposals, seven tackles, five marks and 86 points in Sydney’s win over the Lions, we might see a spike in the 19-year-old’s scoring.

AND THE RUCKMEN

Matthew Kreuzer (Carl) $603,700

119 points

Last year’s No. 1 SuperCoach ruckman reminded us all why he is the most expensive big man in the game, recording 15 disposals, 14 hitouts, eight contested possessions and two goals in a dominant display against the Saints.

Brodie Grundy (Coll) $534,700

103 points

With 29 hitouts and 103 SuperCoach points, Grundy won the ruck battle with Giant Dawson Simpson but, surprisingly, Simpson had one more possession than the usually-prolific Collingwood big man. Despite the solid start to the JLT Series, Grundy is still hard to select with forward and part-time ruckman Mason Cox in the side.

Stefan Martin, left, was dominant as the Lions’ solo ruckman on Sunday.

Stefan Martin (Bris) $540,000

125 points

We shouldn’t be surprised with Martin’s standout performance against the Swans; there was no Archie Smith in the side. The athletic big man, who played as the Lions’ sole ruckman, tallied more disposals and contested possessions than any other Brisbane player on the ground to finish as the only Lion to score more than 100 points.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2018: The forward and ruck standouts from week 2 of the JLT Series