Rookie Review – Round 2, 2020

Written by Chillo on June 16 2020

The second weekend of June 2020 will forever be remembered as the weekend that footy came back to us. And as an added bonus, some Supercoach rookies came along too! Here’s a quick recap of round 2.

DEFENDERS

PlayerClubPriceScore (Average)BE
Brandon STARCEVICH (MID)BRL$179 700
(+32.0K)
99 (63.5)-26
Jarrod BRANDER (FWD)WCE$163 000
(+30.0K)
58 (58.5)-25
Trent RIVERS (MID)MEL$117 30062 (62)-18
Brandon ZERK-THATCHERESS$189 000DNP (49)22
Hayden YOUNGFRE$180 30041 (41)28
Fischer MCASEYADE$183 900
(-0.9K)
52 (34)36

Starcevich was pretty much awesome right throughout the game against Freo, picking up plenty of ball in the back half (17 disposals) and using it effectively (76% DE). He’s still just about cheap enough to pick up now if you have overlooked him thus far, and he comes with the extra perk of DPP status. This is particularly useful if you’re getting the similarly categorised Rivers this week, who showed some real spark in his senior debut (12 disposals, 265m gained), and sets up a nice D/M swing with Starcevich if you have both.

Brander remains a consistent cow who can safely putter away and glean a little cash each week. McAsey showed better form in his second game, but is probably not Supercoach relevant, and Young unfortunately didn’t show enough on debut at his elevated price to be worth considering. Zerk-Thatcher spent the weekend in the naughty corner for breaching isolation protocols, but I’m doubtful he would’ve been selected anyway.

MIDFIELDERS

PlayerClubPriceScore (Average)BE
Matthew ROWELLGCS$284 900
(+77.6K)
171 (125.5)-91
Marlion PICKETTRIC$161 700
(+37.8K)
37 (65.5)-40
Justin MCINERNEYSYD$160 800
(+36.9K)
48 (64.5)-38
Tyler BROWNCOL$151 000
(+27.1K)
43 (53.5)-22
Harley BENNELLMEL$123 90059 (59)-12
Jye CALDWELLGWS$190 10073 (73)-1
Noah ANDERSONGCS$220 800
(+18.0K)
75 (58.5)7
Ned MCHENRYADE$123 90034 (34)13
Kyron HAYDENNTH$134 7002625

There’s not much more to be said about number 1 draft pick Matthew Rowell, who was just casually the best player on the ground in only his second senior game with 26 touches and 7 tackles in the Suns’ big upset win. I hope you’re among that 78% of owners! Best mate Noah Anderson was also very good with 19 possessions and a goal.

Harley Bennell finally came back to footy and showed glimpses of that exciting attacking play that we remember, gathering 14 disposals in only 50% game time. There are obvious risks here and his minutes will continue to be managed…but we all know what he’s capable of, and if he even gets anywhere near that then he is a must-have.

The rest of the rookie mids unfortunately ranged from forgettable to mediocre. Pickett only seemed to appear during the second quarter and essentially vanished the rest of the time, disappointing his owners. McInerney and Brown struggled to make an impact, but will hopefully retain their spots next weekend.
Caldwell played his third game for the Giants, and was serviceable in an otherwise lacklustre team performance with 15 possessions.

RUCKS

PlayerClubPriceScore (Average)BE
Darcy CAMERON (FWD)COL$123 90073 (73)-26
Luke JACKSONMEL$198 30030 (30)45

Darcy Cameron replaced the injured Mason Cox, and turned in a very respectable performance in unsuitable conditions with 13 possessions and 8 marks. Hopefully Bucks continues to give him a run, as he showed good mobility and sound skills. Pick 3 Jackson is a project player and looked very nervous early on, but worked his way into the game okay and looks to be a good prospect. He is not Supercoach relevant this year, however.

FORWARDS

PlayerClubPriceScore (Average)BE
Curtis TAYLORNTH$173 400
(+49.5K)
78 (78.5)-59
Sam STURTFRE$123 900DNP (100)-53
Max KINGSTK$156 300
(+32.4K)
77 (59.5)-31
Connor BUDARICK (MID)GCS$136 400
(+29.5K)
62 (53)-29
Mitchell GEORGIADESPTA$130 800DNP (78)-28
Thomas BERRYBRL$123 90058 (58)-11
Kysaiah KROPINYERI-PICKETTMEL$157 800DNP (57)3
Laitham VANDERMEER (MID)WBD$123 90042 (42)5
Ryan GARDNERWBD$146 300
(+9.5K)
29 (36.5)9
Ben CROCKERADE$152 00034 (34)24

Popular selections Taylor (14 disposals and a goal), King (ten touches and 2 goals), and Budarick (16 possessions) all turned in very solid performances in their respective teams’ victories. These three should form the cornerstone of your forward line as they still have plenty of cash to make, although King is likely to be the most inconsistent due to his key forward status.

The younger Berry was lively at times on debut (9 disposals), and hopefully did enough to keep his spot. Watch the team sheets if you’re in the market for a cheap forward this week – or just look at Darcy Cameron first…
The other three forward rooks listed here are playing for clubs that really struggled on the weekend, and on that basis I can’t recommend any of them.

Sturt and Georgiades may each return from injury this week and are very much worth considering if they do, so watch the team sheets on Thursday evening. Kropinyeri-Pickett will probably be included in the Dees’ 22 after serving his COVID suspension, but there are better options elsewhere.

Normally I would put a “Rookie of the Week” poll here, but it seems to be largely redundant this week. Instead, here are some puppies; maybe they can play footy better than their two-legged counterparts?

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3 thoughts on “Rookie Review – Round 2, 2020”

  1. I thought Cameron was pretty damn good, seemed to at worst bring the ball to ground in marking contests & in his short ruck stints looked very solid

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    1. The word out of collingwood was they were suprised when he arrived at how good of ruckman he was.

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