The Phantom’s SuperCoach midfield revelations after week 2 of the AFL’s JLT Series

WEEK two of the JLT Series has given the Phantom — and other SuperCoaches — plenty to ponder. Here our guru looks at some of the standout performers.

Jack Viney ... SuperCoach gold! Picture: Wayne Ludbey

WEEK two of the JLT Series has given the Phantom — and other SuperCoaches — plenty to ponder. Here our guru looks at some of the standout performers.

Luke Dunstan ... may be ready to turn potential into consistent performance. Picture; Quinn Rooney (Getty Images)

Luke Dunstan (StK) $391,700

The young midfielder has threatened to break out for a while, dating back to a 143-point performance in just his third senior game in 2014. Consistency has plagued him since, but this could the year it finally comes together, if his display against the Power is anything to go by. Dunstan registered 20 disposals, 10 contested possessions, seven clearances, six tackles, two goals and 119 points.

Harrison Wigg fires out a handpass while playing for Adelaide in the SANFL last season. Picture: Tom Huntley

Harrison Wigg (Adel) $123,900

While he was a little shaky by foot in the first half, the 20-year-old’s first senior hitout was an impressive one. The defender-turned-midfielder was close to a debut last season and, after 23 disposals, eight contested possessions and 70 points from 66 per cent time on ground against the Tigers, Wigg is well-and-truly in contention for Round 1. Especially after the season-ending injury to Cam Ellis-Yolmen.

Jack Viney (Melb) $527,500

The new Melbourne skipper is a SuperCoach powerhouse in the making. After lifting his average from 92 to 97 in 2016, there is every chance Viney will add, at least, another five points to that figure in 2017. After 88 points in the Demon’s first JLT Series game, Viney finished with 19 disposals, six marks, two goals and 102 points against the Blues.

Young bull ... Clayton Oliver of the Demons marks at training Picture: Quinn Rooney (Getty Images)

Clayton Oliver (Melb) $382,500

Learning from the Demons’ new skipper will be 19-year-old bull Oliver, who followed up his 101 points in the opening week with 19 possessions — 11 of them contested — six clearances and 103 points in the second JLT match. The strong-bodied midfielder only spent 71 per cent of the game on the ground, after just 68 per cent game time last week. Wait until he plays a full game.

Sam Mitchell (WC) $568,000

While he was in new colours, it was the same-old Mitchell against the Dockers. The 34-year-old tallied 28 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency and 108 points in his first hitout as an Eagle. But will he play enough games?

Elite status awaits ... Luke Shuey kicks during training. Picture: Hamish Blair

Luke Shuey (WC) $574,500

After averaging 117 post mid-season bye in 2016 and a 27-disposal, 118-point performance in his first match of the JLT Series, Shuey is on the fast track to elite-premium status.

Nat Fyfe (Freo) $573,500

On his return, the Docker superstar, who finished with 93 points, had 16 contested possessions. The next best player on the ground had seven. Enough said.

Ready to make an impact ... Trent Dumont. Picture: Hamish Blair

Trent Dumont (NM) $415,000

There are spots up for grabs at North and after 11 games last season, the inside midfielder is at the top of the queue. And that was even before his 25 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six marks, five tackles and 116 points against the Hawks. Shaping as a nice mid-price point-of-difference.

Jaeger O’Meara (Haw) $318,900

It was the performance that changed the structure of many SuperCoach teams in an instant. O’Meara who was solid, without being outstanding, in his first hitout in week one, was a standout against the Kangaroos. The supremely-talented midfielder scored 90 points, on the back of 22 disposals — 16 of them coming in the first half — eight contested possessions, seven clearances and a goal. And to think that in the lead-up to the JLT Series, all we were hoping for was O’Meara to get though unscathed.

Ready to carry even more of the load ... Tom Mitchell. Picture: Lachie Millard

Tom Mitchell (Haw) $565,600

Even though he scored well as the third or fourth midfielder at the Swans, there is little doubt — with the departure of Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis — Tom Mitchell will lead the Hawks’ on-ball brigade. The ball magnet gave us a little taste of what to expect against the Kangaroos with 26 disposals and 119 points in 77 per cent game time. Expect him to improve on last year’s average of 104.

Originally published as The Phantom’s SuperCoach midfield revelations after week 2 of the AFL’s JLT Series