The Phantom’s Round 17 review: The good, the bad and Naitanui replacements

ROUND 17 of the SuperCoach season was huge in many ways. There was some big scores but also some big injuries. The Phantom looks at the good, the bad and replacement options for Nic Naitanui.

The Phantom's Round 17 SuperCoach Review

ROUND 17 of the SuperCoach season was huge in many ways. There was some big scores but also some big injuries. The Phantom looks at the good, the bad and the replacement options for Nic Naitanui.

Well, it was good while it lasted.

After a big score last week – and a number of days of bragging – The Phantom came crashing back to earth in Round 17.

And it was on the back of a disappointing Sunday.

Firstly, it started with Eagle ruckman Nic Naitanui, who tallied just 42 points after injuring his right knee against the Magpies.

Despite no official word, yet, the signs aren’t good for Naitanui, who had a reconstruction on his other knee at the end of 2016.

It’s a huge blow to West Coast’s premierships aspirations as well as SuperCoach teams across the country.

At this stage of the season, unless you’ve banked a few along the way, ideally you would use one trade to move on Naitanui, if the worse is confirmed this week – some may not have a choice.

If you’ve got the $150k required, Brody Grundy is your man.

But that’s just a pipe dream for most SuperCoaches.

After a slow start, North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein has produced a terrific two months of football.

If you do have some spare cash, consider North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein, who has posted eight SuperCoach tons on the trot. Of all ruckman, only Max Gawn has scored more points than Goldstein in the past five weeks.

It’s safe to say the 30-year-old has found form again after only managing one score of more than 77 between rounds three and eight.

Yes, I traded him out in Round 5.

At a similar price, there is also Lion Stefan Martin, who boasts the second-highest three-round average of all ruckmen.

Martin has posted eight SuperCoach tons in his past 10 games, with two scores of 142 in the past three weeks.

Despite, being available for $15k cheaper, The Phantom prefers Goldstein if you can get there.

Swan Callum Sinclair has stepped up to fill the void left by injured big man Sam Naismith in 2018.

If you’re short of cash, for just over $20k, you could trade Naitanui to Sydney big man Callum Sinclair, who is the fifth-ranked SuperCoach ruckman after 17 rounds.

And if you’ve got nothing in the bank, there are also a number of value options to consider.

Giant Dawson Simpson leads this group after posting scores of 99, 91, 62 and 122 in the past month.

With Rory Lobb having to play as a more permanent forward in the absence of Jeremy Cameron and Jon Patton, Simpson has stepped up to field the void, recording an impressive 17 hitouts-to-advantage – the second-most for the round - against the Tigers

At $398k, you will make more than $70k off this trade.

And the carnage ended with Robbie Gray, who was knocked out by a Ryan Nyhuis tackle in the second quarter with just 37 points to his name, and a disappointing effort by Docker star Michael Walters.

Even though he’s unlikely to line up against the Giants this week, if you’ve got Gray, you’re holding.

THE GOOD

The big scores. Three of the most-popular players in the game, Tom Mitchell, Patrick Cripps and Patrick Dangerfield – all in more than 40 per cent of teams – broke the 150-point barrier in Round 17. It was the catalyst for the highest-scoring round of the year, with 11 SuperCoach teams scoring more than 2700 points.

Eagles Luke Shuey, left, and Jack Redden are value options to consider in the run home.

Eagle Jack Redden is in some serious form, posting his second consecutive score of 154 against the Magpies on Sunday. Redden has now scored 100 or more in eight of his past 11 games and, at $511k, could be a nice point-of-difference in the run home.

As could team-mate Luke Shuey, who has posted three SuperCoach tons on-the-trot and is undeniable value at $439k.

After averaging 98 points across the first 13 rounds, Docker defender Luke Ryan had a quiet fortnight, posting scores of 53 and 68 after the Fremantle’s Round 14 bye. But he was back in a big way against the Power, recording 16 intercept possessions and a season-high 140 points. The 22-year-old is the seventh-ranked SuperCoach defender in the competition.

THE BAD

The injuries. I’ve already discussed Naitanui and Gray but Saint Jimmy Webster, Swan Josh P. Kennedy and Blue Matthew Kreuzer were other popular SuperCoach names who went down in Round 17. Keep an eye on these guys during the week.

Hopefully you didn’t trade in Demon skipper J ack Viney, who The Phantom did mention in last week’s trade talk, prior to his side’s Saturday afternoon clash. Viney was a late withdrawal against the Bulldogs and is set to miss at least four weeks with a foot injury.

THE PHANTOM’S MENACE

Ross Lyon

On a whole, well coached, Ross but get Michael Walters back into the midfield. ASAP.

THE PHANTOM ROUND 17

Score: 2333

Overall ranking: 14,026

Originally published as The Phantom’s Round 17 review: The good, the bad and Naitanui replacements