The Phantom names his pre-JLT Series must-have SuperCoach player on every line for 2019

Haven’t yet picked your SuperCoach team yet or trying to work out your structure? In the fifth week of his SuperCoach pre-season, The Phantom names his pre-JLT Series must-have player in each position for 2019.

• The Phantom’s Face Off: Miles v Hannebery v Liberatore | Laird v Whitfield | Martin v Crouch v Merrett | Gawn v Goldy v the rest | Menegola v Dunkley

• The Phantom’s pre-season guide to: Premium smokies | Premium forwards | Premium defenders | Premium midfielders | Mid-price defenders| Mid-price midfielders | Mid-price ruckmen | Mid-price forwards | Mid price smokies | Cash cows in defence | Midfield cash cows | Cash cow defenders | Cash cow ruckmen | Cash cow forwards | Cash Cow smokies

Haven’t yet picked your SuperCoach team yet or trying to work out your structure? In the fifth week of his SuperCoach pre-season, The Phantom names his pre-JLT Series must-have player in each position for 2019.

DEFENCE

Giant defender Zac Williams is ready to build on his breakout 2017 season.

Zac Williams

(GWS $407,800)

At $407k, the dashing Giant defender appears the best value-for-money option in the competition

After missing the entire 2018 minor round with an Achilles injury he is, arguably, more than $100k underpriced this season

In 2017, Williams averaged 22 disposals, eight contested possessions, five score involvements, six intercept possessions, four tackles and 94 SuperCoach points per game.

The 24-year-old scored 82 points or more in 16 of his 20 matches and booted 7.8 from half-back.

While he didn’t feature in the home-and-away season, Williams was recalled for GWS’ finals campaign last year after just one NEAFL appearance.

And he wasted little time reminding the competition of his influence, tallying 33 disposals — 20 of them kicks — nine marks and 117 points in the elimination final against the Swans.

Williams, who, after taking a team-high 13 in the Giants’ two finals will be the go-to man for the kick-ins, is unlikely to be available for less than $500k for long.

MIDFIELD

Is Brett Bewley, right, the Tim Kelly of SuperCoach 2019?

Brett Bewley

(Fremantle $117,300)

Mature-age recruits are often the best cash cows.

Geelong’s Tim Kelly and Gold Coast’s Nick Holman were the examples in 2018.

And 23-year-old Docker Brett Bewley, drafted from Williamstown in the VFL, could be the one in 2019.

The damaging left-footer, who has impressed with his running ability in his first pre-season at Fremantle, averaged 26 disposals, five inside 50s, four marks, four tackles and 104 SuperCoach points per game last year.

He still has to prove his worth in the upcoming JLT Series but, with a ready-made body, multiple avenues of scoring and plenty opportunity in the Docker midfield, Bewley is looming as the must-have cash cow in 2019.

RUCK

Brodie Grundy, left, battled with Max Lynch at Collingwood training.

Brodie Grundy

(Collingwood $708,200)

This one’s boring but you just can’t leave Grundy out.

He’s been bothered by a toe issue recently but, on Monday, was back in full flight at Magpies’ training.

And, at this stage, it’s no reason to avoid him.

In fact, I can’t think of any.

The Collingwood big man, who tallied more hitouts, disposals, clearances, contested possessions and tackles than any other ruckmen, averaged a competition-high 130 points per game in 2018.

It’s true, no ruckman has finished as the top-ranked scorer in consecutive seasons since Dean Cox in 2012.

But Grundy might be the man to break the ‘Cox Curse’ in 2019.

Like Cox, Grundy is not just a ruckman, he acts as an extra midfielder.

The 24-year-old equalled the clearance numbers of midfield stars Matt Crouch and Joel Selwood in 2018.

And he recorded more contested possessions per game than Dustin Martin, Luke Shuey, Adam Treloar, Stephen Coniglio, Dayne Beams and Scott Pendleburey.

Given a ruckman will this year be allowed to grab the ball out of the ruck and no longer be regarded as having had prior opportunity, his numbers may get even better.

While it will be hard to Grundy to maintain his high-price tag all season, it’s the points you’ll miss out on which will hurt the most.

FORWARD

Isaac Heeney is ready to take his game to another level this season.

Isaac Heeney

(Sydney $529,200)

Patrick Dangerfield is just too obvious. If you don’t already have the Geelong superstar in your side as a forward, you may as well give up now.

The other forward who is looming as a must-have for 2019 is young Swan Isaac Heeney.

“I am feeling really fit and ready to go. Hopefully, touch wood, it will mean I will be able to run out games a bit better and to produce a full and consistent season.

“I feel I can take my game to the next level and help the team go to the next level, too.”

That’s what the 22-year-old told the Herald Sun early this week after, so far, completing the first full pre-season of his career.

Heeney averaged 98 points per game in 2017 — his third year in the game — after battling glandular fever.

Last season, he posted SuperCoach tons in nine of the first 12 rounds, despite knee surgery over summer.

And he still split his time between the forward line and the midfield last season, which makes his 11 SuperCoach tons — five in excess of — even more impressive.

The Phantom can’t wait to see what the next level holds.

Originally published as The Phantom names his pre-JLT Series must-have SuperCoach player on every line for 2019