SuperCoach 2016: The Phantom looks at hotshot midfielders from NAB Challenge’s first week

THE first week of the NAB Cup has offered some intriguing hints about what’s in store for SuperCoaches. The Phantom highlights midfielders who caught his constantly vigilant eye.

THE first week of the NAB Cup has offered some intriguing hints about what’s in store for SuperCoaches. The Phantom highlights midfielders who caught his constantly vigilant eye.

Callum Mills $211,800 (Syd)

Last year it was Isaac Heeney. this year it’s Callum Mills — the young gun who had 40 possessions against the Suns’ reserves in just his second NEAFL game as a 17-year-old in 2014. Gee, Sydney would be very happy with its academy at the minute.

Lining up at half back in a very SuperCoach friendly role, Mills showed his class and composure, tallying 22 disposals at 90 per cent efficiency for 95 SuperCoach points.

If the ready-made 18-year-old continues in this role — filling the void left by runners Rhyce Shaw and Lewis Jetta — and locks himself into the Swans’ side from the get-go, he will almost be the must-have rookie, even at that price.

Luke Parker ... forgotten man for SuperCoaches. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Luke Parker $538,200 (Syd)

It seems many SuperCoaches have forgotten about Parker, with the Swans star in just over seven per cent of teams — a figure that was below five before the weekend.

After an interrupted 2015, the tough midfielder reminded us all why he could be a top-10 SuperCoach midfielder in 2016, collecting 32 possessions and 128 points in his first appearance since a broken ankle prematurely ended his season in round 20 last year.

The Phantom wouldn’t be surprised to see Parker’s price sky rocket above $600k very soon.

Seb Ross $365,900 (St K)

After posting three scores of 90 or more in the final four games of last season, the young Saint has picked up where he left off, starring in the midfield in the Saints’ NAB Challenge opener against the Kangaroos.

The ball-winning 22-year-old had 26 possessions — 10 of them contested — five marks, five tackles and 129 SuperCoach points.

Ross only managed 10 games in 2015 after missing the first half of the year through injury but, after a strong summer, is set to play a greater role in a young midfield, even with the return of stars David Armitage and Leigh Montagna.

If Tom Liberatore wasn’t almost $10k — and Brad Crouch almost $70k — cheaper, Ross would be on more SuperCoach radars.

Matt Crouch ... in ominous form early. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Matt Crouch $368,400 (Adel)

While all the talk has been about older brother Brad, the 20-year-old has been flying under the radar with a breakout year looming.

The ball-magnet has been a victim of the substitute’s vest in the early part of his career but has still tallied more than 20 disposals in 12 of his 13 non-sub affected games.

On a day when the Crows completely dominated an undermanned West Coast outfit, Crouch helped himself to 24 disposals — 13 of them in a huge first quarter — 11 contested possessions, seven clearances and 115 SuperCoach points in 66 per cent game time.

Although he could become a prominent member of our teams for years to come, in a similar story to Ross, it’s hard to justify selecting Crouch at that price. But keep an open mind.

Nat Fyfe $670,600 (Freo)

The Brownlow Medallist recorded 18 possessions — 11 of them contested — and 58 SuperCoach points in the Dockers’ clash with a Tigers side missing a host of stars.

And he sat on the bench for the entire first half.

The SuperCoach king showed no sign of the back complaint that held him back during the pre-season and sent an ominous warning to those SuperCoaches thinking about starting without him.

The kids

Ball magnet — Jade Gresham marks against Darren Minchington during a Saints training session. Picture: Michael Dodge (Getty Images)

North Melbourne’s Ryan Clarke ($117, 300) picked up 13 disposals and eight contested possessions to register 83 SuperCoach points in an impressive first-up effort.

A ball-magnet throughout his junior career, Jade Gresham ($144,300) had 11 disposals, four inside-50s and a goal assist in 73 per cent game, to post 71 points.

Lion Rhys Mathieson ($117,300) showed his ready to debut straight away, impressing in his club’s opening hitout with 13 possessions — seven of them contested — a goal and 70 SuperCoach points.

But it was young Sun Darcy MacPherson ($102,400) who really shone. The rookie-listed MacPherson had 12 disposals, 10 tackles and 108 SuperCoach points and is pushing hard to win promotion to Gold Coast’s senior list.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2016: The Phantom looks at hotshot midfielders from NAB Challenge’s first week