The Phantom: How to replace Nick Riewoldt in your SuperCoach team

NEED to replace Nick Riewoldt in your SuperCoach team? Here’s who The Phantom reckons are your best options.

Nick Riewoldt will miss between 2-6 weeks with a knee injury. Picture: Valeriu Campan

During the week, The Phantom advised many to think about holding the injured St Kilda star after the club had suggested Riewoldt may only miss 1-2 weeks.

But, after the man himself declared on Wednesday night that he will, in fact, miss between 2-6 weeks. He has to go.

Here are The Phantom’s replacement options ...

THE LIKE-FOR-LIKE

JOSH KENNEDY (WC) $532,200

After seven goals and 174 points in the opening round, the star Eagle is the obvious replacement for Riewoldt. While Kennedy should finish among the top 6-8 forwards by year’s end, just be ready for the odd quiet game. The 29-year-old started 2016 in similar fashion, posting 180 points in round one but could only manage one more SuperCoach ton in the next six games. He’s a great pick — just don’t expect those scores every week.

LANCE FRANKLIN (Syd) $514,600

The superstar Swan also started the season with a bang. Franklin registered 125 SuperCoach points, on the back 18 disposals, seven marks and four goals, in a losing side. The Swans will be out to atone for last week’s disappointing first-up performance and Franklin will be among the points again. We all know about Buddy’s ability to get up the ground and get his hands on the ball but his overhead marking — something that has been criticised in the past — was a highlight of his game against the Power, even in the wet. The Phantom prefers Buddy over Kennedy.

JACK MACRAE (WB) $511,700

If you didn’t start with both Bulldogs — Luke Dahlhaus and Macrae — then here is your chance to change that. The Phantom is a big fan of Macrae and, while his 92 points in the opening round doesn’t scream ‘pick me’, expect him to only get better from here.

THE CASH GRAB

JACK STEELE (StK) $347,100

The former Giant backed up his big pre-season numbers with 113 points against the Demons. Steele led the inside-midfield charge for the Saints, finishing with 23 disposals and 12 contested possessions. Get on before his price rises after round three.

OTHER TRADES

JOEL SMITH (Melb) $117,300, def

The mature-age recruit didn’t last long in his debut, dislocating his shoulder early on in the clash with the Saints. He will miss up to four months so he must go. If you can hold out until next week, The Phantom suggests doing so. It will give you another opportunity to see how the other rookie-price players — Smith’s eventual replacements — perform.

BRETT EDDY (Port) $102,400, fwd

The news coming out of Alberton on Friday morning isn’t good for SuperCoaches. Eddy, who is in 59 per cent of teams, will be dropped for Sunday’s game with the Dockers. Again, if you can hold out, do so. But some may need him on field so Demon Mitch Hannan ($117k) is your man.

Although The Phantom suggests holding off if you can, we only get two trades a week and given next week is a crucial trading period before the first round of price rises, you need to think ahead. If you have forecast the need to make more than two corrective trades next week, you have no choice but to jump the gun this week.

Especially if you, like many other coaches, will be doing all they can to squeeze in Magpie Will Hoskin-Elliot ($213, fwd) after the former Giant backed up his 88 points in round one, with 120 on Thursday night against the Tigers.

CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN

BY THE NUMBERS

Average past three games v opponent

Patrick Dangerfield Mid 133$716,900

Nat Fyfe Mid 127$573,500

Josh P. Kennedy Mid 123$617,100

THE PHANTOM’S PICK

The Phantom agrees with the numbers this week. Dangerfield, who scored 229 points the last time the Cats played the Kangaroos, is your man. If you didn’t chuck the VC on any player in Thursday night’s game and you are able to stay on top of things on Sunday, make Dangerfield VC in the early game, before turning to Nat Fyfe in the last game of the round if Dangerfield struggles.

THE PHANTOM’S MENACE

PATRICK CRIPPS

This week’s menace is pretty obvious. The Phantom talked up the Blues star all pre-season and made him vice-captain in the opening game of round one. And, well, the rest is history. Cripps could only manage 50 points and set the tone for a disappointing weekend. LIFT, PATRICK.

Originally published as The Phantom: How to replace Nick Riewoldt in your SuperCoach team