With lots and lots and lots of footy coming our way over the next month, rookies are more important than ever. Specifically active rookies, because bench cover is going to be essential in the next hectic phase of this season. Luckily for us some “old” favourites returned to the form we were hoping for at the start of the season, and some new faces popped up to give us the scores we need right now. All the Round 7 rookie performances are here for your viewing pleasure.
DEFENDERS
| Player | Club | Price | Score (avg) | BE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will DAY | HAW | $193 700 (+$40K) | 62 (77) | -39 |
| Derek EGGMOLESSE-SMITH | RIC | $246 900 (+$45K) | 119 (92) | -37 |
| Andrew MCPHERSON | ADE | $158 200 (+$34K) | 52 (64) | -34 |
| Ben MCKAY | NTH | $149 200 | 86 (86) | -24 |
| Louis BUTLER (MID) | WBD | $141 900 (n/a) | DNP (51) | -18 |
| Ryley STODDART | SYD | $138 700 (+$15K) | 37 (42) | -2 |
| Lachlan ASH (MID) | GWS | $243 600 (+$32K) | 69 (52) | 3 |
| Jarrod BRANDER (FWD) | WCE | $235 200 (n/a) | DNP (60) | 16 |
| Trent RIVERS (MID) | MEL | $166 000 (n/a) | DNP (47) | 20 |
| Will HAMILL | ADE | $186 100 (+$14K) | 13 (39) | 27 |
| Stephen HILL (FWD) | FRE | $266 400 (+$15K) | 49 (64) | 29 |
| Fischer MCASEY | ADE | $206 300 (-$6K) | 30 (39) | 46 |
| Tom WILLIAMSON | CAR | $241 500 (+$2K) | 43 (55) | 54 |
| Brandon STARCEVICH (MID) | BRL | $257 700 (-$20K) | 51 (57) | 71 |
| Hayden YOUNG | FRE | $273 700 (n/a) | DNP (52) | 94 |
CHEERS: He has one of the great names in AFL history, and Eggmolesse-Smith had a performance to match his name against the outmatched Roos, racking up 23 disposals at 83% efficiency. He comes with an elevated price tag, but might be worth a shot at D6/7? Ash continued his good form despite another Giants loss with 14 touches, while Day backed a solid debut with another 19 possessions and 8 marks. He would’ve scored much better but for the 8 turnovers he committed, mostly due to his attempts to drive the otherwise lethargic Hawks out of defence.
JEERS: Hill has been great but had to rely on junk time to get his stats, and thus his scoring struggled as a result. He’s a hold at this stage, but bear in mind he came into the season underdone and may be rested some time soon. Starcevich stumbled along to another mediocre score and dropped some more dough. You need to get him off your field (or out of your team) as soon as possible.
TRADE TARGETS: McKay was the object of some scrutiny from the punters as he somehow managed 86 points from only 5 disposals, but it was his prodigious 15 one percenters (mostly spoils) that contributed the bulk of his tally. He was only a late in after Zurhaar withdrew, but may hold his spot after injuries to other key players? Wait for team sheets….
MIDFIELDERS
| Player | Club | Price | Score (avg) | BE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam SIMPSON | GEE | $185 700 (+$62K) | 78 (95) | -80 |
| Marlion PICKETT | RIC | $256 500 (+$40K) | 105 (70) | -17 |
| Mitchell HIBBERD | ESS | $176 200 (+$31K) | 43 (52) | -13 |
| Harley BENNELL | MEL | $193 300 (+$41K) | 70 (61) | -9 |
| Chad WARNER | SYD | $125 700 (+$8K) | 29 (34) | 8 |
| Justin MCINERNEY | SYD | $232 900 (n/a) | DNP (64) | 13 |
| Jye CALDWELL | GWS | $254 700 (+$35K) | 69 (70) | 15 |
| Dylan STEPHENS | SYD | $197 400 (+$8K) | 44 (48) | 21 |
| Ned MCHENRY | ADE | $191 500 (+$18K) | 24 (38) | 26 |
| Ryan BYRNES | STK | $117 300 | 22 (22) | 26 |
| Caleb SERONG | FRE | $246 600 (+$12K) | 42 (59) | 34 |
| Noah ANDERSON | GCS | $325 000 (+$17K) | 93 (67) | 45 |
| Tom GREEN | GWS | $268 700 (n/a) | DNP (62) | 47 |
| Kyron HAYDEN | NTH | $220 300 (-$9K) | 7 (42) | 78 |
CHEERS: Hey, did you know that Pickett played well in last year’s grand final? It’s true! Marlion finally rewarded his long-suffering owners with a fantastic effort against the Roos, with 16 disposals, a goal, and most impressively seven tackles. Anderson has a stronger role in the absence of Rowell and continues to gradually gain value, while Simpson had to rely on a big second half to get to his score but paid a good return for all those who brought him in on the bubble last week.
JEERS: Hayden had a day to forget, and unfortunately he probably will do just that after running headlong into Tom Lynch during the second half. Hopefully he recovers well as he looks to be a good young player. Warner has struggled to get into the game while playing an unfamiliar role in the past fortnight, and may get a rest this week.
RUCKS
| Player | Club | Price | Score (avg) | BE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tristan XERRI (FWD) | NTH | $144 800 (n/a) | DNP (48) | -10 |
| Tom CAMPBELL (FWD) | NTH | $199 600 (n/a) | DNP (36) | 46 |
| Luke JACKSON | MEL | $210 600 (+$12K) | 79 (55) | 16 |
As slow and inexperienced as Jackson looked on his debut, he was lively and skilful in his second game. 14 touches, a goal and dare I say it, he looks to be in the Grundy class of midfielders who also happen to play in the ruck. Exciting times for the Dees!
FORWARDS
| Player | Club | Price | Score (avg) | BE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Izak RANKINE | GCS | $195 900 (+$72K) | 102 (107) | -97 |
| Darren MINCHINGTON | HAW | $117 300 | 62 (62) | -14 |
| Cody WEIGHTMAN | WBD | $144 300 | 63 (63) | -4 |
| Atu BOSENVULAGI | COL | $139 500 (+$16K) | 31 (43) | -3 |
| Minairo FREDERICK | FRE | $117 300 | 47 (47) | 1 |
| Mitch HANNAN | MEL | $307 900 (+$44K) | 86 (77) | 4 |
| Josh MORRIS | HAW | $125 200 (+$8K) | 40 (33) | 8 |
| Kysaiah KROPINYERI-PICKETT | MEL | $229 000 (+$14K) | 52 (53) | 12 |
| Ned CAHILL (MID) | ESS | $117 300 | 35 (35) | 13 |
| Billy FRAMPTON | ADE | $229 200 (n/a) | DNP (55) | 14 |
| Elijah TAYLOR (MID) | SYD | $117 300 | 34 (34) | 14 |
| Shane MCADAM | ADE | $185 900 (+$30K) | 72 (47) | 15 |
| Jake AARTS | RIC | $178 800 (+$31K) | 53 (52) | 25 |
| Aiden BONAR (MID) | NTH | $209 800 (+$7K) | 54 (50) | 26 |
| Jack MAHONY (MID) | NTH | $182 200 (+$13K) | 35 (45) | 28 |
| Sam STURT | FRE | $195 300 (n/a) | DNP (62) | 31 |
| Connor BUDARICK (MID) | GCS | $223 000 (-$6K) | 42 (51) | 39 |
| Laitham VANDERMEER (MID) | WBD | $302 200 (+$35K) | 69 (65) | 42 |
| Max KING | STK | $284 200 (+$20K) | 55 (59) | 53 |
| Tyson STENGLE | ADE | $201 200 (-$1K) | 37 (39) | 58 |
| Thomas BERRY | BRL | $209 500 (+$18K) | 42 (47) | 60 |
| Curtis TAYLOR | NTH | $287 900 (+$12K) | 76 (64) | 80 |
CHEERS: Rankine is arguably the most watchable player in the league after only two games, and 16 possessions and two majors gave him a second consecutive Supercoach ton. Still worth getting if you’re among the 56% of coaches who don’t have him for some reason. Hannan continues to be the best cash cow that nobody has, while Taylor bounced back from a shocker to be one of the Roos’ best in an otherwise woeful night for Shinboners. His break-even is high-ish this week, but he may be worth holding if you have other issues to address in your team.
JEERS: Budarick scored well early in the season, but has settled into that lockdown small defender role that Supercoaches hate (8 possessions). He is losing cash now, and it’s up to you whether you trade out or keep him for that DPP swing. Aarts gets a special mention for only scoring 53 despite five relatively straight-forward shots on goal, from which he managed two goals.
TRADE TARGETS: Weightman looks like an extra from the set of a 1960s surfing flick, but the kid can play. Had possibly the best “first career possession” you will ever see to kick a goal from the boundary and was generally very lively – hopefully we see a bit more of him in the coming weeks. Minchington returned from the footy wilderness in one of the more remarkable stories of the year and played more than well enough to hold his spot. I don’t think anyone really knows what’s going on with Clarko at the moment though, so approach with caution.
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Cheers Chillo !
Another fine performance . greatly appreciated.
Thanks Chillo
I’m one of those without Rankine bringing him in .
Brought in Mills and Simpson last week.
Wonder if Brander will be considered for selection any time soon since he wasn’t listed as one of emergencies last week . As Gold Coast playing on Thursday night squads for Sunday game won’t be finalised .
Jarrod Brander is close to a return.
Yeah, will come back in as soon as he’s fit.
Who for GD? Waterman looks much better in the roaming half back to half forward role and cole / jackson have been composed and reliable the last few weeks. I don’t see him getting back in unless one of those have a string of really poor games.
Nelson, Ah Chee and Ainsworth won’t lost much longer you’d think. We’ve got a Sunday game this week, watch us name a long ass extended bench in Thursday lol.
Didn’t Simmo say he was available but just not getting selected?
Correct Matt, Adam Simpson said this in his presser last week.
Was the reason I traded him out last week but knowing my luck I’m sure he’ll be back in this week.
Yep, I traded him out last week for this reason also.
Maybe he’ll make it back in, but being omitted from the 26 despite the coach saying he’s fit to play is not the best sign.
Correct, think there were a couple of incorrect reports on fox etc saying he’d be fit this week and press for selection but he’s just been passed over by others.
Thanks GB and CT
Didn’t notice Brander in injury list last week
Didn’t even realise Minchington was a potential rookie target. Might still be avoided with double upgrade on the cards.
Great article as always!
Sam Mayes ($213,500 MID) scored 115 in his first game for a couple of years. A first round draft pick a few years ago.
Would it be wise to get rid of some of your deadwood rookies on the benches with the upcoming byes coming up?
Depends exactly who you’re talking about, but I think this is wise. It’s inevitable that certain players are going to be rested outside of the byes during the next month also, so anyone without bench cover is going to be eating a donut or two.
Yeah, ToneStar.
Instead of pressing the attack and upgrading last week I went for a double downgrade, got rid of two dead rookies for Rankine and Simpson – bench cover looking really good.
I’d recommend you do the same. Will save you burning trades on warm bodies and instead let you upgrade during the byes.
Good luck.
That’s what I’m looking at too GD. 2 deadwood rookies leaving my team for 2 playing rookies.
Rankine is one (Missed him last week due to other issues)
Split on the second one.
Hang on, hang on,!! byes !! what’s this talk
about byes???
Very quick article coming up shortly Joestar….
Which rookie is more likely to get a game in the next set of fixtures?
TU – Darcy Cameron
TD – Tristan Xerri
For the record I’m deciding which one to cull. Leaning towards culling Xerri as I could see Cameron getting a game if pies need a tall forward-line and opt against naming Cox
Trade for Will Day (U) or Ben McKay (D)?