Playing from overseas, I’m always dependant on the reporting of footy journalists and their views on the next batch of rookies. Only problem is that they’re practically ALL given a chance at this stage, even though there’s still plenty of water to flow under the bridge. The majority of rookies are doomed to spend the entire season in the reserves……….that doesn’t help our starting line-ups at all.
The truth is that the journos are in the same basket as all Coaches. We’re at the mercy of the selection panels from all 18 clubs. Our rough drafts, the ones we’ve been working on for months over the pre-season, often look completely different after Rd1 Teams are announced.
So what’s the goal of this write-up? It’s not necessarily an endorsement of the following rookies…….just my Top 5 assessment of youngsters/green-horns/newbies that I believe will definitely be lining up for Rd1 (from the information available to us, and in no particular order):
GOOD TO GO
Ben Cavarra (Bulldogs) $117,300 FWD
Won a Morrish Medal plus two B&Fs at Frankston Dolphins playing as a midfielder. During his time at Williamstown, he won the goalkicking over the last two years playing as a small forward.
Apropos ‘small’, Cavarra was initially overlooked in multiple drafts due to his small stature (175cms). But if Caleb Daniel can make it then anyone can, right 😉 Still managed an average of 97 SC-pts per game, so is sure to have some decent tricks up his sleeve.
Brett Bewley (Fremantle) $117,300 MID
After five seasons at Williamstown, Bewley was excited to have his name read out on Draft Night. Bewley made the VFL team-of-the-year over the last two years, mainly due to his effective long kicks (#1 in the VFL) and rating ‘elite’ with his delivery inside 50.
Ross Lyon seems to have warmed to the idea of recruiting mature-age rookies after the success of Bailey Banfield in 2018. With Lachie Neale moving to Brisbane and Connor Blakely out with a long-term injury, 23 year-old Bewley seems set for a Rd1 debut.
Sam Collins (Gold Coast) $188,900 DEF
Collins managed to play 14 games for Freo across two seasons before being delisted at the end of 2017. Over 12 consecutive games in 2016, Collins managed a 72 SC-avg, including a 126 vs Collingwood & 100 vs Essendon.
The 24 year-old spent last year in the VFL where he led the competition for total and contested marks. With the mass exodus from the Gold Coast, Collins is set for a key defensive role with Suns in 2019. A Rd1 debut seems just a formality……..
Sam Walsh (Carlton) $207,300 MID
It seemed a mere procedure that Walsh was taken as the #1 Draft pick. Champion Data already had him labelled as ‘one of the most reliable ball-winners ever seen’ after his TAC Cup performances. Carlton have been prone to giving their youngsters a chance early on and 2019 should be no exception.
With the inexplicably long injury list at Princes Park, Walsh is sure to join Cripps in the midfield……..most likely in the big Rd1 clash against the Tigers. Very pricey but will play early on…..
Will Setterfield (Carlton) $144,900 MID/FWD
In the time-old tradition of raiding the reserves of the Giants, Carlton picked up former #5 Draft pick Setterfield for an absolute steal during the 2018 trade period. Standing at 191cm and weighing in at 87kgs, he provides another big body for the Blues at the midfield contests. He also has the ability to go forward and create a tricky match-up for the opposition.
Setterfield has had a shocking run with injuries in his time at the Giants, managing just seven games in the NEAFL and only two games at senior level. Just needs to stay on the park to get his guernsey for Rd1……..
NOT QUITE SURE
Darcy Fort (Geelong) $117,300 RUCK
What does Chris Scott have in mind with Fort? Has the 25 year-old really been recruited to start in the Ruck ahead of Rhys Stanley & Zac Smith? Or is he just an insurance policy given the injury /form issues of Stanley and Smith?
Fort is no stranger to Geelong, having played for the Falcons as a Junior in the TAC Cup seven years ago. The 205cm big fella has spent time in the VFL & SANFL since then. At Central Districts in 2018, Fort averaged 16 disposals, 42 hitouts and 123 SC-pts per game. Just not quite sure he’ll be named early on. If he is named for Rd1, he’s sure to be a popular R3……
There’s a couple of youngsters that could’ve made the list but I wanted to limit it to five. Again, since a lot of these pre-season ‘tips/whispers’ never crack the Seniors, I’ve kept is as simple as possible. Which rookies do you see lining up for Rd1? Did I get the list right? Maybe add your Top5 in the comments below and we’ll re-post this thread over the first weekend of fixtures to see how we did 😉
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Great stuff Schwarz. Apart from the five you mention, I’m struggling for ‘certain’ starters.
If I had to stick my neck out for five others I would say:
Rozee, Rankine, Duursma, Parker and Hind. Apart from Rozee and Rankine, I’m not confident at all. Hopefully Gibbo too. That would be the story of the year, before the season has even started!
thanks Allsaints, was wondering how I was going to fill the Wigg-shaped hole in my defensive bench, hopefully Duursma gets a run.
if he doesn’t, i guess it’s just pick the player I can afford who gets named for round 1…
McKay and logue I would love to come up in defence. Read a couple of reports on the pair nothing to lock in over but promising signs, sort of.
Yep. Both likely to start, but will avoid both if I can. I fear they could make players like Hombsch, Hartigan and even Nathan Brown look SC-relevant! 😉
Got all except Fort at them moment 🙂
Though he’s currently in my side I have serious doubts on Cavarra to get a call up in the Dogs best 22, I can’t see him cracking what is actually quite a deep midfield, and a lot of those mids also rest up forward.
My current 5 would be:
Walsh, Rozee, Collins, Bewley… gee it’s hard to pick a 5th… Parker?
I would have thought McKay would be s certainty given North’s key back injuries:
Walsh, Bewley, McKay, Rozee, Collins…..Pretty confident on Duursma too
Issue with Mckay is Thompson’s suspended rd1. If he gets picked is it just to be dropped the next week?
big risk imo. Brad Scott hates playing younger players
I have Rozee, Walsh, Z.Clarke, Collins and Bewley ready to go R1 . The problem is they all are expensive rookies. I may only get 3. Having them all will affect my structure… It is going to go down the wire when R1 teams all named i reckon.
Praying for some chippos to pull it off
There’s not many locks at this stage, but there’s definitely a lot of players in the mix and should at least get games at some point including Rozee, Gibbons, Drew, E Smith, Hore, Sparrow, Parker, Scrimshaw, Duursma, McKay, Hateley, Constable, Quaynor and Logue. They aren’t all cheap but there’s certainly going to be enough to work with.
Hello all.
I’d add Petruccelle and Atley to that list Duffer.
Petruccelle is lighting up training and maybe in line for the frenchmans forward spot.
I also like Atley to debut.( younger brother of Shaun , North.) Port are short on good runners with the exit of both Wingard and Polec. The kid has great form last year in the SANFL and I’m hoping he gets a game.
Any news on Wilkie allsaints? I’ve had him at D6/7 from the start but have heard nothing, is he still worth considering?
I think Atley’s injured unfortunately, otherwise I would agree FT.
I hope Gibbons gets a game after all the media coverage….
Atley is definitely out, but may be a nice DG target later 😉
Will let you know on Wilkie after going to the intraclub game this coming Saturday. Have heard nothing either.
Thanks Chillo.
Another one bites the dust.
We may have to allow for, at least a few of the more expensive rookies after all.
I already have Walsh at D6 and Collins locked in ( D3/4) may add in Rozee ( F4/5 ) for insurance.
The Rozee / Moore swing option ( although pricey) maybe the way to go. If not enough cheap ( scoring) rookies show up.
Also, any news on Hind. Does he need Hanner’s
(or another mid ) to go down before he gets a run?
Looks like Sam MAYES might get a gig on the wing 😉
I haven’t forgotten allsaints.
Talent to burn ,and burn me he did a few years ago. I thought he could “breakout” at Brisbane. I was so wrong.
Then again if you can get people putting Steele in their sides anything could happen. 🙂
He is officially on my watchlist for a ( midpriced ) D 4/5
Roberton, and maybe Moore are just ahead at the moment.
Very funny mate.
I do remember someone saying “allsaints is back with his crass comments again” when I first mentioned Balls, but with Thommo’s endorsement it does now seem to be ‘sticking’ a little.
You not getting on?!? 😉
Cedric Cox ($166k Def) at Brisbane is getting some mentions. Fingers crossed for a def rookie.
I do recall him getting very positive reviews in the post-season analyses last October. Something about him having speed to burn off half-back. They do need some speed back there. He’s been on my Watchlist ever since. Nicely priced too.
Shane McAdam (Crows) – Mature age rookie.
Noah Aswerth (Lions)
Isaac Quaynor (Magpies) – Training the house down thus far.
Charlie Constable (Cats) – Knocking on the door last season but couldn’t crack a game, should get into the 22 this year.
Marty Hore (Demons) – MAR, with Jake Lever sideline to mid-season opens the door for Hore.
Nice stuff, PA. I hope you’re right, then we can get some GnR happening 😉
Fantastic article Schwarz and 4 of those have been mainstays in my team since Sc opened but you forgot to include Sydney’s newest recruit who will be priced at $102,400.
https://mobile.twitter.com/sydneyswans/status/1097312842879881218
https://mobile.twitter.com/sydneyswans/status/1097417938989047808
name? link not working…
Of that lot I have Bewley, Collins and Setterfield .. confident all will start.
Walsh is too expensive.
I can’t see Cavarra getting an early game ahead of Sam Lloyd, Dureya and Bailey Smith.
I have Hately, Burgess, Gibbons, Parker, Hind and Wilkie as strong contenders for R1.
Those that think Gibbons is a chance for lining up in Round one… Oh… It cracks me up. XD
What’s your thoughts on young Tarryn Thomas?