Rookie Preview – Round 1, 2020

Written by Chillo on March 20 2020

Welly, welly, welly, welly, welly, welly, well. Footy goes on, whodathunkit?

I’m going to assume that everyone reading this already had the highly impressive Marlion Pickett (MID, $123 900) locked in for the opening game of this strange little season we’re about to experience. And the rest? Turns out that rumours of a cowpocalypse may have been a little exaggerated – but has anyone got a cheap defender I can borrow?

WESTERN BULLDOGS v COLLINGWOOD

Tyler Brown (MID, $123 900) will probably score well enough, but his job security is wafer-thin given the imminent return of Adam Treloar from a hamstring twinge in a week or two.
The highly decorated Ben Cavarra (FWD, $123 900) finally gets his chance, but will probably play that small forward role that is usually SC poison. Still worth a thought at F8 but manage your expectations. Ryan Gardner (FWD, $136 800) is not SC relevant.

Notable omissions: Trent Bianco (MID/DEF, $117 300)

ESSENDON v FREMANTLE

Sam Sturt (FWD, $123 900) is named to start in the purple forward line, but I would expect him to be in the slow-burn club along with the likes of Max King (see below). You’ll be relying on Sturt having one or two big games amongst the mediocre ones if he’s going to generate cash for you – therefore he’s a bench option only.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (DEF, $189 000) is expensive for a rookie key defender, but given the dearth of budget options down back he looks to be a good option based on his intercept marking alone.

Notable omissions: Stephen Hill (DEF/FWD, $190 600)

ADELAIDE v SYDNEY

Justin McInerney (MID, $123,900) was excellent in Marsh 1 and hardly sighted in Marsh 2, but maybe Horse had already seen enough? Worth a shout on your mids bench.
Key defender Fischer Mcasey (DEF, $184,800) and small forward Ben Davis (FWD, $123,900) each get a gig but will likely play low-scoring roles for the Crows. Billy Frampton (FWD, $165 400) is an interesting choice at centre half-forward but there’s probably better options elsewhere for rookies on this line. Not sure why he doesn’t have DPP status?

Notable omissions: Will Gould (DEF, $117 300), Ned McHenry (MID, $123 900)

GOLD COAST v PORT ADELAIDE

Small defender Connor Budarick (FWD/MID, $106 900), wingman Noah Anderson (MID, $202 800) and number one draft pick Matt Rowell (MID, $207 300) will all debut for the Suns. Rowell and Budarick should be in every team; Anderson probably doesn’t have the scoring power at his price to be a viable cash cow.
Mitch Georgiades (FWD, $130 800) is an extremely exciting prospect in the Power forward line, but doesn’t really have a Supercoach friendly game just yet. May be worth a thought if some of the other more fancied options don’t make their final 22s.

Notable omissions: Izak Rankine (FWD, $123 900)

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY v GEELONG

Contested ball animal Tom Green (MID, $166,800) gets a Round 1 debut and must be right near the top of your list of rookie candidates. The shortened game times should only help him as he builds his tank for senior footy.
Mature-age small forward Zach Guthrie (DEF, $190 100) impressed during the Marsh series and has been named on the wing for this game. Hasn’t been a high scorer in the past, but the change in role might make him more relevant?

Notable omissions: Lachlan Ash (DEF, $193 800)

NORTH MELBOURNE v ST KILDA

Max King (FWD, $123 900) will be a textbook slow burn rookie that you would normally avoid (especially in a shortened season), but his watertight job security might see him earn a spot on the pine.
Four rookie Roos were named on their extended bench: Aiden Bonar (MID/FWD, $202 800), Curtis Taylor (FWD, $123 900), Tristan Xerri (RUC/FWD, $123 900) and Tom Murphy (DEF, $152 000). If Taylor makes the cut then he should earn a spot in your forward line, while Xerri may get game time at some stage this year and is one of a handful of R3 candidates. Bonar comes with risks and I’ll let you decide if they’re worth it.

Notable omissions: Jack Mahony (FWD/MID, $117 300)

HAWTHORN v BRISBANE

The Lions also have four rookies named on their extended bench, with Deven Robertson (MID, $117 300) and Brandon Starcevich (MID/DEF, $147 700) the most likely of that quartet. Both are potentially good earners so keep an eye out for final teams this afternoon.
None of the Hawks rookies made the 26 man squad for the opening round.

WEST COAST v MELBOURNE

As expected, Jarrod Brander (DEF/FWD, $133 000) was named on the wing. He is definitely a work in progress but seems to have the confidence of the Eagles coaching staff in that role. Hulking swing man Bailey J. Williams (DEF/RUC, $123 900) was named on the extended bench, which is encouraging after he missed Marsh 2 with injury. But with shortened game times, does West Coast still need a back up option for Nic Nat?
Lively small forwards Toby Bedford (FWD, $123 900) and Kysaiah Kropinyeri-Pickett (FWD, $157 800) have each been confirmed to debut for the Dees, but should be avoided by Supercoaches.

Notable omissions: Trent Rivers (MID/DEF, $117 300)

 

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59 thoughts on “Rookie Preview – Round 1, 2020”

  1. Thanks for the write up chillo!

    Whilst some more cows are making their debuts I’m not instilled with confidence. The job security across the board is very very sketchy, especially the backmen!

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  2. I know bonar scored well in JLT 1, however played a half in JLT 2 and spudded up, (keeping in mind he gave away 4 free kicks)…. shall I start bonar up forward?
    Bit concerned about the other rookies output.

    Tu; Lock Bonar in

    Td; Look elsewhere

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    1. Bonar only played the last quarter in Marsh 2, but what that means I’m not sure. Was the coach saving him for Round 1? Or was it just a “charity” run to keep his spirits up? I’ve learned to avoid trying to read the mind of any coach.

      Suggestion: Put Aiden in your team and see if he makes the final 22 this afternoon. If he doesn’t, at least you’ll be able to downgrade him to someone else.

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      1. Hey Chillo, I am confident he makes the final 22. Just think he will be a better alternative to the other forward rookies going around. Hoping he can average 70 or so, which may be good enough for now. Is he worth the extra 80k, thats the question…. ?

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    1. Sorry people but PETRACCA lining up on ball has got me thinking….
      My head says lock him in, but my heart says wait and see

      TU; LOCK petracca in

      TD: WAIT and see

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  3. Great write up Chillo, answered most of my questions, couldn’t find Sam Sturt in any of the stats. With the 17 rounds, do we still get a couple of weeks before they move in price or is that going to change to one?

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    1. Don’t quote me on this but I believe price changes will kick in after two games, rather than the normal three. I’ll check this though and get back to you

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          1. Might not be that drastic for two reasons: 1) they have Carlton next and IIRC, premo mids usually do well against them; 2) 1/3 of their rolling average for the first price round is based on their average for last year.

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  4. TU Georgiadis
    TD King
    King did show promise and will be a slow burn, I can actually afford both but it will be at the expense of losing a DPP link.

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  5. Different approach to this one – who do we like as an early loophole who *should* get games in the near future?

    DEF: Williamson?
    MID: McHenry?
    FWD: Rankine?

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    1. Keep an eye on the team sheets this afternoon, I’m not entirely convinced Robertson will make the cut this week but should play at some stage this year.

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    2. Do we know the extent of Rankine’s shoulder injury?
      He was mooted to start earlier this week. Should play and soon and often. Should score as well or better than McHenry. Both likely decent options compared to the other dross we have at our disposal. Rankine is a more effective loophole.

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    3. Serong was reportedly very close to selection and Rankine will play as soon as he is fit. Another one is Sharp from GC, he was very good in preseason but they couldn’t debut too many in R1. McHenry will also play when fit. All good options.

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    1. With no signs of imminent returns for Ben JACOBS and/or LDU, if Bonar is named then he IS an option. Having watched him v closely during MS, I worry about his ability at AFL level and his hammy twinge is also a concern. If you can’t find a better onfield option, he may be a go.
      Have you looked at Darcy FORT. Named as 1st RUC for GEE and Rhys STANLEY is only an emergency! Despite Chris SCOTT who may drop him next week, I am seriously tempted! If he gets a solid run he could make heaps of cash real quick!

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      1. Like the sound of it AS. Shame that he is Forward only in Supercoach.

        Are you considering trading down from a premo/mid-pricer or going up from a rookie?

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      2. In my team at F4! Ive gone mad! It does allow me to keep Grundy Gawn which is becoming an increasingly POD combination however.

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  6. Whats everyones Def bench looking like?

    Im running Williams and Gould at the moment, anyone paying up for playing rooks?

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    1. Currently got Brander on Bench and Bailey J.

      I’m not running a line with zero depth, no matter how thin the rookies are.

      It’s SCT suicide given the job security on display

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  7. Great write up Chillo. Heck the cupboard’s looking bare. Maybe we should start calling cows ‘dunny rolls’ instead?

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  8. Great stuff Chillo. Looks like every forward rookie are in that slow burn category. Not great.

    Would love to field only 1 but struggling without Steven.

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    1. I think it’s safe to have Budarick and Taylor (pending selection) on field. The rest can go on the dartboard and take your best shot, I wish we’d seen something from Cavarra in the pre-season.

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      1. Cavarra was on our watch lists last year.

        Can’t see him holding a forward spot for long though. Doggies have far too much depth.

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  9. Billy Frampton an option up forward? Would prefer him over Davis and Cavarra as I don’t know much about them

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  10. Thanks Chillo.

    Certainly struggling for DEF rookies aren’t we. ZGuthrie now coming into consideration as a result.

    Thoughts on these options?

    TU – Laird, Sicily, ZGuthrie
    TD – Houston, BSmith, Roberton

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  11. You don’t rate Anderson, Chillo?

    I’ve got him at M9 purely based on his rock solid JS compared to other options.

    Swapping Ash for Brander freed up 60k, so I don’t know where to else to allocate that money. Hmm.

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    1. Think I will be picking him up too and moving Bud to the FWD to avoid having a combo of 2 of Georgiades, Cavarra, King and Taylor on field

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      1. Georgiadis has been popular at PA but you have to think he’s straight swap for Dixon structurally

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  12. Cheers for a ripper summary Chillo.

    I had T.Brown locked in on for the pine after getting the call up, but J. McInerney is the same price and reading your write up, it seems like he has better JS??

    TU: Brown
    TD: McInerney

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    1. In the same boat, but looking like Sydney might give games to some younger blokes so maybe that means McInerney has better JS?

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    1. I am no expert, but here’s my FWD rookie rundown:
      Starting with Brander on the field, and currently have Taylor and King on my bench.
      Brander named on the wing is a good sign, I’m just hoping he’ll do enough to earn a spot going forward.
      If Taylor is named, he should be a good bench pick. Showed a lot of potential in that MS2 game.
      King’s JS is too good for me to look past him, and if worse comes to worse I’d rather a 40 from him at F6 than a donut from another rookie!

      My back ups (if Taylor is not named or I need to swing Brander to DEF) is either Georgiades or Sturt, or swing budarick FWD and put McInerney in M11.

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  13. Is everyone paying up for Starcevic down back? 148k avg 50 in Marsh over 2 games, not sure about his TOG though.

    TU: Include
    TD: Look elsewhere

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  14. Do we think that Williams from West Coast will get named?
    My current DEF bench is Williams and Gould, and I want to have at least 1 playing rookie on the bench.

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  15. Anyone have any ideas if/when the following rookies will get a game?
    -Gould
    -Rankine
    -McHenry
    -Bianco
    -Rivers
    Is it worth sitting any of them on the pine this week?
    Any help much appreciated

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    1. Gould – should play this season at some point
      Rankine – back when fit possibly in few weeks
      McHenry – same as above
      Bianco – unlikely due to Collingwood depth
      Rivers – unlikely due to Melb depth

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