The early rounds are a true test of your Supercoach mettle. Not only do you have to pick the right rookies for your initial squad, you’ve also got to find the right ones to put on the field. Leaving a ton sitting idle on the bench is one of the most notorious frustrations in the game!
Fortunately there were plenty of amazing newbies churning out big scores to start the season, which helped compensate for some off-colour premiums. Here’s a review of the rookies from Round 1. Note that since price changes don’t kick in until after round 3, break evens don’t have any relevance as yet.
DEFENDERS
| Player | Club | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lachie YOUNG (MID) | NTH | $202 000 | 85 |
| Neville JETTA | MEL | $186 300 | 63 |
| Connor MENADUE | NTH | $201 500 | 62 |
| Tom HIGHMORE | STK | $117 300 | 60 |
| Jordon BUTTS | ADE | $176 800 | 56 |
| Jacob KOSCHITZKE | HAW | $123 900 | 53 |
| Zach GUTHRIE (MID) | GEE | $180 500 | 51 |
| Harry SHARP (MID) | BRL | $117 300 | 51 |
| Nik COX (FWD) | ESS | $175 800 | 33 |
CHEERS: Roos recruit Young belied his POD status to post the best number of the much-maligned defensive rookies, running at 85% efficiency for his 14 disposals. The remaining candidates were a reasonably consistent bunch, with late replacement Menadue giving a good account of himself with 16 possessions.
JEERS: It’s hard to be critical of someone as inexperienced as Cox, but based on his pre-season form and debut game it looks like 30s will be par for him. A rookie swap may be on the cards for the 22% of teams that have him.
MIDFIELDERS
| Player | Club | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Errol GULDEN | SYD | $117 300 | 139 |
| James JORDON | MEL | $123 900 | 78 |
| Sam BERRY | ADE | $117 300 | 59 |
| Tom POWELL | NTH | $153 300 | 53 |
| Lochie O'BRIEN | CAR | $180 500 | 50 |
| Tanner BRUHN | GWS | $157 800 | 48 |
| Stefan GIRO | FRE | $123 900 | 27 |
| Lachlan MCNEIL | WBD | $102 400 | 26 |
| Charlie LAZZARO | NTH | $117 300 | 3 |
CHEERS: One of the main differences between a good score and a great score this week was whether you had Gulden on the field. 19 disposals (17 of them being pinpoint left-foot kicks) and three majors on debut was an eye-catching effort from the 32nd pick in last year’s draft. Jordon slotted nicely into the star-studded Demons midfield with 15 touches and a goal, hopefully extending his lease on that spot.
It’s worth mentioning that Powell did most of his scoring late in the game when he was moved from the forward line into the middle – hopefully a trend that will continue.
JEERS: McNeil and Bruhn spent most of their respective debuts bogged down in that forward pocket role that is Supercoach poison for so many rookies, although Tanner showed some good signs in the second half against the Saints. Both players may be worth another look before you decide whether to make any corrective trades.
RUCKS
| Player | Club | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt FLYNN | GWS | $123 900 | 140 |
| Paul HUNTER | STK | $102 400 | 44 |
| Lloyd MEEK | FRE | $123 900 | 43 |
| Tom FULLARTON (FWD) | BRL | $128 900 | 38 |
We were deprived of a pre-season showing for Flynn, but he repaid the faith for those who took him on sight unseen. 18 possessions and 34 hitouts – including 10 to advantage – is a mammoth effort , especially considering he played through a twisted ankle sustained in the third quarter. The other fashionable rookie rucks were serviceable, but hopefully they weren’t on your field!
FORWARDS
| Player | Club | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| James ROWE | ADE | $117 300 | 104 |
| Logan MCDONALD | SYD | $193 800 | 88 |
| Chad WARNER | SYD | $144 000 | 70 |
| Paddy DOW (MID) | CAR | $202 400 | 60 |
| Braeden CAMPBELL (MID) | SYD | $189 300 | 56 |
| Anthony SCOTT (MID) | WBD | $102 400 | 56 |
| Harrison JONES | ESS | $123 900 | 48 |
| Ned CAHILL | ESS | $161 200 | 37 |
| Liam HENRY | FRE | $184 500 | 36 |
| Miles BERGMAN | PTA | $123 900 | 31 |
| Tyler BROCKMAN (MID) | HAW | $117 300 | 22 |
| Trey RUSCOE | COL | $206 800 | 13 |
| Oliver HENRY | COL | $135 300 | 9 |
CHEERS: The other must-have rookie this week is Rowe, who was a key cog in the Crows’ massive upset win on Saturday. Looked like he’s been in the league for years, and loves a goal or two! McDonald belied his KPF status to guide the Swans home with three majors on debut, and he was ably supported by the industrious Warner, who had 19 touches in a roaming role.
JEERS: OHenry was well off the pace for the second straight game, while Brockman managed a couple of fantastic goals but also threw in 5 clangers to kill his scoring. Bergman will be flat out holding his spot this week after a nervous, error-riddled debut.
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Thanks Chillo. Need to move Henry on this week, the main options are Jordan or Warner. Both had a similar number of touches. Is it a coin flip or does anyone have some insight on JS etc. Jordan slightly cheaper so leaning that way.
TU Jordan
TD Warner
I had both Flynn (Meek at R2) & Gulden on the bench…………. how sh!t is SC!!! ? 🙂
Same here Simo, and also had Rowe on the bench!!! A 2015 score could have been a 2200 plus change! That’s SC!
Do we still have 1 more week b4 the 1st price adjustment [RD3]
Hey Willy, prices will change after Round 3.
Hartlett has been cleared to play to add more pressure on Bergers spot.
As a power fan I think Bergman will be a player for us for years to come, looks ready made (physically at least) and will get games this season. Last week however he only got a game because Hartlett was out, as soon as he’s fit he’s back in. Having said that the injury to Bonner may keep him in.
What is Willem Drew’s JS like?
He’s a tough one. A foot injury post 2019 sanfl gf and no footy 2020 due to no port maggies in the sanfl thanks to covid. I personally rate him for what it’s worth (and I think internally he’s well thought of), but honestly sc wise your guess is as good as mine.