Some incredible performances from the freshers over the weekend have seen a definite pecking order forming amongst the rookie ranks. As you’ll see from the tables below, there is now a clear shortlist of must-have cash cows. And if you’ve got stuck with one of the lesser lights listed here, then I strongly encourage you to consider a corrective trade or two as soon as possible. Cash generation is a non-negotiable at this stage of the season!
A friendly reminder that the first price rises (or falls!) of the season will happen after Round 3…
Here’s a review of the rookie performances from Round 2.
DEFENDERS
| Player | Club | Price | Score (avg) | BE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas HIGHMORE | STK | $117 300 | 77 (69) | -68 |
| Lachie YOUNG (MID) | NTH | $202 000 | 66 (76) | -33 |
| Jacob KOSCHITZKE | HAW | $123 900 | 38 (46) | -18 |
| Harry SHARP (MID) | BRL | $117 300 | 20 (36) | -2 |
| Neville JETTA | MEL | $186 300 | 42 (53) | 4 |
| Jordon BUTTS | ADE | $176 800 | 37 (47) | 11 |
| Nikolas COX (FWD) | ESS | $175 800 | 42 (38) | 28 |
| Heath CHAPMAN | FRE | $148 800 | 42 | N/A |
| Jaxon PRIOR | BRL | $123 900 | 23 | N/A |
| Nicholas MURRAY | ADE | $102 400 | 41 | N/A |
THE GOOD: Mature age recruits regularly provide Supercoach gold, and the trend continues with Highmore proving the pick of a fairly skinny bunch of rookie defenders. 9 touches, 5 tackles and 5 one percenters in a very solid performance that bodes well for his future prospects in the Saints defence. Young also continues to performs well in the busy Roos defence, counting 8 intercepts among his 15 possessions.
THE BAD: If the dual position status tipped you into selecting Cox, it’s time to correct that error. The potential for a very good footballer is there but he’s not going to help your Supercoach team much this year!
THE UGLY: Sharp was the answer to many prayers when he popped up on the team sheets in Round 1, but it’s important to remember that he is still literally a schoolboy! Only managed 4 touches against the Cats and will probably find himself rested this week (pending travel arrangements etc.).
MIDFIELDERS
| Player | Club | Price | Score (avg) | BE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Errol GULDEN | SYD | $117 300 | 136 (138) | -206 |
| James JORDON | MEL | $123 900 | 82 (80) | -87 |
| Sam BERRY | ADE | $117 300 | 69 (64) | -59 |
| Tom POWELL | NTH | $153 300 | 75 (64) | -38 |
| Lachlan MCNEIL | WBD | $102 400 | 55 (41) | -21 |
| Stefan GIRO | FRE | $123 900 | 63 (45) | -17 |
| Tanner BRUHN | GWS | $157 800 | 32 (40) | 12 |
| Charlie LAZZARO | NTH | $117 300 | 53 (28) | 13 |
THE GOOD: Those baby Swans are an exciting bunch, and they are absolute musts for your Supercoach team too! Gulden gets the headlines for the near flawless start to his AFL career, racking up 22 possessions and his second Supercoach ton. Elsewhere, Jordon and Powell both turned in very solid efforts and should be locked into your midfields.
THE BAD: Berry scored 69 points against Sydney, which on face value is a perfectly respectable return for a rookie. But when you realise that he kicked 0.4 on the day, you can’t help but wonder what might have been! Did lay a whopping 10 tackles though, so it’s hard to be too critical.
THE UGLY: Bruhn is playing in the forward pocket in a struggling Giants team, and his scores reflect that sad state of affairs after he could only manage seven touches against the Dockers. It’s time to consider switching him out if you’re missing any of the more attractive options.
RUCKS
| Player | Club | Price | Score (avg) | BE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt FLYNN | GWS | $123 900 | 78 (109) | -145 |
| Lloyd MEEK | FRE | $123 900 | 82 (63) | -52 |
| Paul HUNTER | STK | $102 400 | 35 (40) | -19 |
| Tom FULLARTON (FWD) | BRL | $128 900 | 35 (37) | 3 |
Flynn turned in another encouraging performance with 12 possessions and 18 hitouts, but from my viewpoint it was actually Meek who won that battle with 13 touches and 17 hitouts of his own. Either one is a great choice at R3 (or R2 for the more ‘courageous’ of you out there).
FORWARDS
| Player | Club | Price | Score (avg) | BE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chad WARNER | SYD | $144 000 | 94 (82) | -80 |
| Braeden CAMPBELL (MID) | SYD | $189 300 | 118 (87) | -63 |
| James ROWE | ADE | $117 300 | 19 (62) | -54 |
| Logan MCDONALD | SYD | $193 800 | 69 (79) | -43 |
| Tyler BROCKMAN (MID) | HAW | $117 300 | 77 (50) | -30 |
| Anthony SCOTT (MID) | WBD | $102 400 | 23 (40) | -19 |
| Miles BERGMAN | PTA | $123 900 | 58 (45) | -16 |
| Paddy DOW (MID) | CAR | $202 400 | 53 (57) | 6 |
| Harrison JONES | ESS | $123 900 | 5 (27) | 20 |
| Ned CAHILL | ESS | $161 200 | 15 (26) | 42 |
| Trey RUSCOE | COL | $206 800 | 25 (19) | 83 |
| Jamaine JONES | WCE | $182 400 | 68 | N/A |
| Michael FREDERICK | FRE | $175 700 | 57 | N/A |
| Francis EVANS | GEE | $123 900 | 54 | N/A |
| Zach SPROULE | GWS | $123 900 | 33 | N/A |
THE GOOD: If your rookie is wearing red and white this year, then you’re on to a winner! Campbell, Warner and McDonald were all fantastic in their contrasting roles on Saturday afternoon. Campbell’s teammates are actively looking to use his prodigious left boot on the rebound, Warner provides the hard nose that is typical of Swans’ footy, while McDonald is a potent complement to the returning Franklin in the forward line. Brockman was also lively in a well-beaten Hawthorn side, managing another two majors and generally providing a focal point for the Hawks’ side going forward.
THE BAD: Watching the game Scott seemed to be well involved in the Dogs victory, but when you’re playing alongside the likes of Dunkley, Bont, Macrae et al I guess there’s only so many Supercoach points to go around! Still, he seems to have decent job security and the price is right, so leave him on your bench and hope for better next week…
THE UGLY: Show of hands – who brought Rowe off the bench this week and suffered the dreaded double whammy? After tonning up on debut, Jimmy ghosted his way through his second game to frustrate the 64% of coaches with him in their teams. The Bombers rookies somehow managed to be even worse and should be considered for correction.
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Tex should be considered for one week as a rookie !!
leading fwds are back
AFL has eliminated defensive pressure
Not quite, just moved it 10 metres away
Great read Chillo
Agree Wighty
In fact bringing in Tex this week with his draw in next 4 weeks and cash he will make.
I know it should be Jordon but with Fyfe concussed and owning all the other scoring rookies including Flyn and Meek I need to take a chance .
with the greatest respect – that would be an awful move. Jordan is gunna make a lot more cash that Tex.
Tex +146k next 3 weeks -ONLY IF he maintains his 144 average (no chance)
Jordan +171k next 3 weeks – has a better chance of keeping close to his 80 average
Appreciate the response Batts
and respect everyone’s opinion .
May even get Jordon and Tex and have a war chest for week after
Dusty normally quiet vs Swans but think he is in great form
While I’m probably bringing in Tex it is because I’ve got a full house of the good rookies bar Jordan and Berry. If you didn’t start with most of the Cygnets you really are looking at other trade priorities. Lower priced rookies get higher cash growth, after all.
In fact to fit Jordan and Tex in I’m having to chop guys who have got reasonably good breakevens themselves (eg Dow, Daniher or Hunter).
However there is clearly a huge difference between a breakeven of 6 or 10 and a breakeven of -114 and -87 and many weeks more of cash growth.
This sadly means that I don’t get to pick up Meek, McDonald and Berry. But there’s only so much “cash growth” you can select before the overall scoring of your team begins to suffer.
Batts,
Whilst your calculations may be debatable, I completely agree. Yeah, it’s a baller move, and 1 more massive score this week will seal the deal for those taking the gamble.
BUT, all it takes is ONE dodgy game, ONE score of 40, and it instantly becomes a disaster. For my money, this is all but guaranteed. The guy’s almost 31 years old, and only averaged 56 last year!!! Hell, he’s only tonned up once each year for the last 3 years.
Gotta disagree BAB. Making decisions on the basis of one bad week that may or may not happen is fraught with danger. If you give Tex an AVERAGE of 50 over the next three weeks, he is then running at about 90. Sure his be will not be where it is now, but his price should still be about 450 k.
The new rules seem to suit him and what if he averages 70-80 over the next three weeks? Even with a 40 ?
Great write up as always Chillo, I’m potentially looking at 2 corrective rookie trades, Cox and O. Henry out for Lachie Young and Brockman.
Would love North supporters and Hawks supporters advice on their JS if you guys have some info?
These are purely cash generator trades, but I don’t foresee any other required trades for the next couple weeks, pending injury of course!
Lachie Young is looking pretty steady down back and is trying to play the intercepter role. Luke McDonald is the only threat with JS but there’s PLENTY others that will go out of the side before Young. Also, with North’s backline likely to be under seige most weeks there’s plenty of scope for points for him. I don’t have him but if you’ve nailed everything else he’s probably a better defensive rookie than a Sharp or Koschitzke.
Thanks RB, appreciate the insight.
I have nailed all the other rookies, so it would only be speculative picks like Tex that I am foregoing.
I ended up with a side far closer to traditional GnR at the season start than what I originally planned.
Jamhead, I would expect Brockman to have pretty good JS too. Hawks are in a rebuilding stage and need to invest in their kids. Reckon Brockman has some special qualities. Even after his low score in round 1 I fielded him last week (after looping Dow) because he has had a touch of class and seems to bob up for a couple of goals a game. I could see him ave 60. which isn’t spectacular but he might bob up for the odd 80 game which could spike his price.
Thanks for the write up, Chillo.
I’ve managed to do really well with rookies this year and the only man I’m worried about not having is Chad Warner. The bloke on the chopping block is Paddy Dow. (Paddy is barely hanging onto his spot on the field in my FWD line.)
What does everyone think, is it worth going after the $$ and using a trade?
I still see Dow averaging in the 70’s, if he can retain his role. Warner is harder to gauge
Chad Warner BE-80 looks a must have rookie with his scoring potential averaging 82 and you make 58k by trading Dow to him.
That’s an absolute must do. Warner ain’t going anywhere and will make heaps more that Dow.
Dow will only make 34k next 3 weeks (total) at his 57 ave and 70 wont take him past Warner.
Warner at his 80 average will make 60k this week and potentially +106k total next 3 weeks….
We all get tempted by rookies who we missed early. Personally I think Gulden is the only must have. If you have most of the good rookies then keep Dow. Blues have a couple of fresh injuries so Dow should keep his spot. Sure he has slower growth than some other rookies but he won’t lose money. I think circa 71 ave will reap $150k. More rookies WILL come later to downgrade to after Dow has made some cash. Keep Dow, save the trade.
I think Dow just got delivered certainty with Martin and Fisher out.
Hi HH,
Isn’t Dow on the bench a bit during games?
Bomber – TOG round 1 69% and 73% round 2 … lowest each time basically
Yes he runs (or at least has been running) very low TOG.
Maybe that might mean room for improvement over the coming weeks?
Just saw a SC nightmare on Fox Neale could be out this week…
It might. The question is whether they are doing midfield rotations to give everyone an opportunity or they are cycling him out because he lacks the tank.
Or building a tank?
Too early to trade out IMO
Interested to know everyones thoughts on my 2 potential trades this week? Have not used any trades thus far.
Dow > Impey
Hunter > Meek at R3
Hard to know without knowing the rest of your team but just be aware that sometimes people give the ole’ thumbs down when people post in the wrong(ish) thread. Chuck this in trade talk and you might get better traction.
I believe Dow to Impey is moving from one trap to another as is Clark, H Young, Caldwell, Daniher etc. Hunter to Meek ONLY if you have ALL of the other viable rookies and that includes the lesser lights such as Cran, The Brock and Ice.
Is Berry a must have? I have all of the other rookies but have used 2 trades already. I have Downie on my bench who is yet to play so would be a straight swap to Berry.
TU – Do it
TD – Don’t bother
do it, he will make enough cash to justify. cash is a must.
Downie could get a game as early as this week. I’m holding him. If he doesn’t play use him as a loop.
I’m swapping him to Jimmy Jordon. The only Rook I aint got.
Absolutely .
You can always trade him back in on the Bubble as a downgrade, if he manages to string a few good games together.
Cash now and a potential downgrade longer term.
It seems counter intuitive, but its the right thing to do.
Can only choose 1,
TU: Campbell
TD: Powell
Leaning towards Campbell.
I’ve missed chad and campbell. Got the rest. I’ll trade a dropped rookie (probly sharp) to chad but would need to trade out an underperforming mid pricer to get Campbell. Tom philips is all I have in that category. Is Campbell such a “must have” that a trade like that can be justified?
Thx for the thumbs all. At 10-10 they’re not helping me, or are they…..
Trades are gold (even though they feel like confetti at this stage of the year) so I’m going to take the inconclusiveness of this vote as a signal to hold the trade. 🙂
Is it worth trading Scott to Berry? I’m set everywhere else.
Powell to Jordan a wise move?
I’m trading Downie to Jordon only because of Jimmy’s start and Downie aint playing and is the only rookie i aint got.
Powell looks good. Knows how to find the footy. Minimal price growth difference. You’d just be guessing.
I honestly contemplate getting Giro as a left field pick. It is his 4th season but hasn’t played the last 2 seasons.
His next 4 matches are Carlton Hawthorn Adelaide and North and I wonder whether he can hold a spot and score 60+ each week. That 1st game he was a sub and played ~50% TOG and then last week he was named on the wing.
I think Giro bieng rested this week.
So annoyed. I picked Tex for a Travic Cloke-like SC resurgence… last year!
Maybe next year my dud picks from this year will prosper!
Also seeing Zac Fisher and Jack Martin both out for 6 weeks for the Blues. How does that go for Dow?
Jordan and Tex in for Daniher and Dow.
Not only am I forecast to earn about $150k more this week my projected score jumps over 100 points to almost 2300.
Given that I scored almost 2350 this week but was still 200 points behind the leading group it’s a risk I’m prepared to take.
From this point it will be no forced trades for a while, probably waiting until Hunter is dropped and Treacy on the bubble for trade number 4.
Looking at Tex’s next 4 weeks I’m going with it.
What about Neale? I thought he was a must trade for you?
Or don’t tell me, after all the posts about trading Neale, you don’t own him!!
You just advise everyone else to take the risk and you don’t have a personal interest in the conversation.
Talking about equating it to the stock market. Where is your disclosure?
You Should have said, I don’t own him but IF I did I would do this if I did?
I don’t own him. Geez. I published my team before round 1.
Do you want me to put a disclaimer on the bottom of every post?
If I did own him, do you think I’d trade Paddy Dow with a Breakeven of 6 out and keep Neale and his 271 breakeven.
If I did own him he would be my first trade out this week, given that trading Neale out and bringing Tex in would net me around $200k this week alone.
Fine then.
***** WARNING ***** THIS POSTER DOES NOT OWN LACHIE NEALE *****
You’ve missed 2 of tex’s big bags and now you’ll miss all of daniher’s. He’s got some coming.
I think Tex is a great pick , he is on fire getting great delivery and has a few more weeks of prospective high scoring.
Enough for a quick trade up.
I’m in
I’m swapping him to Jimmy Jordon. The only Rook I aint got.
Is Impey a must have? I have all the other good rookies, and would be trading out Fullerton to get him
TU: Yes trade Fullerton out and Impey in
TD: Not worth a trade, hold firm
Impey looks good, but, do you have a better option to offload than Fullerton?
Fullerton may see a scoring improvement with McInerney out, and has a useful DPP.
… but do you own Fullerton? 😉
Do I own Fullerton?
***** WARNING ***** THIS POSTER DOES OWN FULLERTON*****
🙂
My other forwards are Brockman, Scott, Rowe & Warner. But may hold him I think, very conscious of trades this year, and he can move into the R3 position when Flynn has made enough.
Trading out Caldwell due to his injury, with DPP swing I can make a choice between the following two rookies.
TU: James Jordon
TD: Chad Warner