SuperCoach guru The Phantom joins Tim Michell at the bar to discuss Dan Houston’s new midfield role
Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston is one of the hottest players in SuperCoach after coach Ken Hinkley declared him a midfield ‘lock’. Is the hype be justified? The Phantom joins Tim Michell for this week’s SuperCoach Shout.
Supercoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from Supercoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Last year he gave us Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Willem Drew and Xavier Duursma.
Now Ken Hinkley is preparing to provide an even greater gift for SuperCoaches by unleashing Dan Houston as a full-time midfielder.
Houston was top of the agenda when Tim Michell caught up with South Australian-based The Phantom for this week’s SuperCoach Shout, which also includes analysis of Adelaide’s Chayce Jones and Sydney No. 5 draft pick Dylan Stephens.
Tim Michell: Phantom, welcome to the SuperCoach Shout. It’s a pleasure to have you on board from South Australia. You’ve got some first-hand intel on some of the most-relevant names when it comes to SuperCoach. Let’s start with the man everyone wants to know about and Kenny Hinkley says is a midfield “lock” — Dan Houston. Is he a SuperCoach lock too in defence?
The Phantom: Tim! It’s my pleasure. But no second date for Dan Batten? I’m in his corner regarding your no-Dustin Martin campaign. But we’ll save that for another time. There’s a more important Dan, as you mentioned. After averaging 94 points per game as a pure midfielder last year, he’s close. Port need his class and skill in the middle and Hinkley’s comments confirm that. But what sort of jump can we expect?
Tim: That’s the $484,800 question. I still think he’s a player with a ceiling of about 95. I feel we’re often too quick to be sucked in by role changes in SuperCoach. Of course, someone playing in the engine room means they’ll have more opportunity to go big. But does it guarantee a spike in points? I’m not so sure. I invited you instead of Dan Batten today on the premise I’d finally get to unmask The Phantom, but you’ve turned up dressed for a masquerade ball! I’m close to being jettisoned from the office for talking about Chayce Jones too often. With today being Valentines Day, why is it we’ve both fallen hard for the young Crow?
Phantom: I’m with you there. The confirmation from Hinkley is great but Houston spent the second half of last year in midfield, starting with an impressive debut in China. So, really, it won’t be a new role. Then again, 95 will have him right in the top-eight mix. It will take more than one beer to get me out of my costume too, mate. Anyway, love is all about for Chayce, right? Jones should’ve played more senior footy last year and it was hard not to be seduced by his final-round performance against the Dogs. He’s almost the poster boy of a new-look Crows. I have a feeling you won’t be able to shut the others up after the Marsh Series … where have you squeezed him in?
Tim: Not right now, but if he shows even a glimpse in the Marsh Series after “dominating” Adelaide’s pre-season, I don’t see why he couldn’t be a starting F4. You’ve had two team reveals now Phantom, how much has your side changed since the last time we saw it?
Phantom: It hasn’t actually changed too much of late. Although I’ve found the cash to get Dylan Stephens in – and on the field – in the middle. John Longmire’s recent comments confirmed just how impressive he’s been over summer and I saw him first-hand last year dominate at senior level in the SANFL. Do you think two $190,000K+ rookies is too many? How’s your team looking?
Tim: I’m definitely toying with that same idea in midfield. My latest incarnation has five premium midfielders, Matt Rowell, Dylan Stephens and Marlion Pickett. Rookies with decent job security are worth paying up for and these three are the pick of the bunch in midfield. Your face-off series couldn’t have come at a better time for me as I toss the coin to decide between Jake Lloyd and Rory Laird and try to work out whether to pay top dollar for Jack Macrae or just go with Josh Dunkley. Are you buying into the theory Laird and Clayton Oliver can’t go any lower than last year?
MORE SUPERCOACH NEWS:
The predicted top SuperCoach scorer at every club
KFC SuperCoach Rookie Bible: Every potential cash cow for season 2020
The 10 must-have KFC SuperCoach players to build your starting team around
SuperCoach risk vs reward picks: The rolls of the dice that can pay off in 2020
SuperCoach expert jury answer the key pre-season questions
Phantom: I like it. Still a four-and-four mix for me in midfield but it might all depend on Jackson Mead’s hamstring. I do support that theory, yes. Oliver, especially, given his performance on the back of a very limited pre-season. But that slow start last year is a big win for SuperCoaches. With Laird, his performance mirrored that of his side’s after the bye. Matthew Nicks is determined for Adelaide to be better at creating – and scoring from – turnovers this year. And we all know Laird is an intercept star. Have you got either? Speaking of Macrae and Dunkley, could you really start three Bulldogs in the midfield?
Tim: I think it’s the question many coaches are asking. I think two – Dunkley and Macrae – is the maximum. Both rack up SuperCoach numbers for fun at Marvel Stadium. Phantom, your insights are always appreciated, but we’re getting a few funny looks with that mask of yours. Get down to Port Adelaide training and get the peepers on Jackson Mead for us! We need to know just how ‘minor’ this hamstring strain is.
Phantom: Thanks for reminding me, I better to get to Alberton. I’ll have all the intel from the Power’s intra-club match later tonight. My shout at next week’s KFC SuperCoach Draft!