Rookie Review – 2023

20 weeks into the season sees the regular season of SuperCoach done and dusted with just 4 weeks left. We have been very blessed this season with a large number of rookies performing well and increasing in value greatly. This year has seen 134 rookie priced players play this season, players under the Cadman Line of $207,300.

With that being said a very large amount of these rookies only played a handful of games which is standard as they ease their way into the AFL system. It really shows how good and lucky we have been to have some of the popular rookies generating cash and providing valuable on field points in a difficult year with increased suspensions and injuries.

It was a hard team to select due to rookie’s being classed as a success in a number of different ways, points, price increase and job security the focus. Not everyone will agree but below is the selected 23, let me know below who you would have in your Rookie 2023 team.

SCT All-Rookie Team of 2023

FB:	Dylan WILLIAMS	Jack BUCKLEY	Connor MCKENNA
HB:	Harry SHEEZEL (C)	Esava RATUGOLEA	Darcy WILMOT
C:	Liam HENRY	Will ASHCROFT (VC)	Oskar BAKER
HF	Kade CHANDLER	Anthony CAMINITI	Mattaes PHILLIPOU
F:	Bailey HUMPHREY	Jacob VAN ROOYEN	Brent DANIELS
R:	Samson RYAN	Will PHILLIPS	Reuben GINBEY
IC:	Seamus MITCHELL	Max MICHALANNEY	Josh WEDDLE
	Matthew JOHNSON	Rory ATKINS (SUB)

DEF

Williams played a newish role for him down back and his scoring greatly improved. Unfortunately he was the sub in his 3^rd game and therefore never reached the ownership he deserved for such a great scorer. Likewise Buckley has been underrated all season long due to being a key defender but has shown that they are valuable rookies. After 8 rounds he was averaging 89 before a few quiet weeks and has since returned to form the last month. McKenna was very popular in pre-season and has played every game this year, showed his worth in the first 8 weeks averaging around 70 when cash generation was most important. Sheezel has been something else this year. He does have the perfect role but he has played every game and has scored as a premium to be one of the best ever rookies. Ratugolea had a slow first couple of games but then came into his own in his new role as an intercept defender scoring well over an 8 week stretch. Wilmot has had an excellent season and has topped it off by averaging 87 since his bye in round 12 while playing every game.

MID

Since getting the wing role Henry has been in excellent form and shown his scoring ability. Ashcroft unfortunately suffered an ACL injury but not before a great debut season. Averaged 85 in a top 4 side while playing through the middle against bigger bodies while holding his own. Baker was solid for us playing every game up until round 15 and was consistent during that time. Phillips was popular during pre-season but took a while to get going. Once he had a greater role in the middle his scoring improved to where we all thought it would be this year. Ginbey has been thrown in the deep end a little playing in a struggling side but this gave him plenty of opportunity in the midfield and he held his own and shown a great future scoring ability.

RUC

Ryan increased by over $200k in a 6 week stretch when he had more ruck time. Could be a starting ruck in the future with the right role as he has shown plenty this year.

FWD

Chandler was one of the best rookies this season averaging 70 until his bye before a slight drop off but he more then did his job by then. Caminiti has played every game he’s been available with a 3 match suspension in round 6. Hasn’t been the highest scorer as a key forward but has been pretty consistent. Phillipou has played every game this year and started very well before dropping back slightly but has contributed to an improving Saints side this year. Humphrey has had an up and down year with his 6 week stretch seeing his value rise by $230k in that time and providing excellent on field points. Van Rooyen has been extremely consistent as a key forward and is a star in the making. Daniels had an increased starting price and hasn’t been the most popular pick, he averaged over 70 until an injury during the byes.

INT

Mitchell and Weddle came in around the same time and have been extremely important rookies across the byes as they held our backlines together during that period. Michalanney has had a fantastic debut season getting some tough jobs on small/medium forwards and has handled them all nicely. Johnson had a hot streak at a perfect time over the byes to provide excellent cover and cash generation. Atkins took a while to come into the team but he has scored very well in his 13 games with the last month really showing that.

Honourable mention to McVee who has played every game this year and has gone under the radar as well as Pedlar who has missed just 1 game.

Rookie of the Year Award Round 20:
3 – Harry Sheezel
2 – Corey Wagner
1 – Rory Atkins

Rookie of the Year Award After Round 20:
36 – Harry Sheezel
6 – Will Ashcroft
5 – Will Phillips
5 – Rory Atkins
5 – Jack Buckley

Congratulations to Harry Sheezel who has taken out the SCT Rookie of the Year for 2023, even with 4 weeks still remaining.

Thanks everyone for reading the Rookie Review this season, it has been a pleasure providing this for the last 20 weeks and I look forward to doing it all again next year.

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