Footy is back with Round 1 starting on Thursday night, how good! There were 44 rookie priced players that took the field this week with 15 debutants which is a great sign.
If you don’t have 1 of the top rookies you can still wait a week to bring them in, a lot can happen in the 2 weeks between now and price changes. There is a handful that seem like great options but next week we can all use 3 trades if needed. Break evens will be included next week.
Players that are considered rookies for this review are players priced under the Cadman Line of $207,300.
DEFENDERS
| Player | Club | Price (Change) | Score (Ave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conor MCKENNA | BRL | $167,500 | 93 |
| Reuben GINBEY (MID) | WCE | $171,300 | 85 |
| Aiden BONAR | NTH | $203,700 | 82 |
| Tom COLE | WCE | $182,300 | 78 |
| Jack BUCKLEY | GWS | $205,000 | 76 |
| Max MICHALANNEY | ADE | $135,300 | 62 |
| Bodhi UWLAND (MID) | GCS | $123,900 | 59 |
| Josh GOATER (MID) | NTH | $192,700 | 57 |
| Charlie CONSTABLE (MID) | GCS | $123,900 | 56 |
| Miller BERGMAN | NTH | $123,900 | 52 |
| Darcy WILMOT | BRL | $123,900 | 51 |
| Judd MCVEE (MID) | MEL | $123,900 | 50 |
| Lachie COWAN | CAR | $117,300 | 38 |
| Rhyan MANSELL | RIC | $188,800 | 29 |
| Campbell CHESSER (MID) | WCE | $123,900 | 20 |
The Good: McKenna played his 1st game in Lions colours and can hold his head high in a team that was well beaten. He had 20 touches at 80% with 5 intercepts and a goal, he also took 4 kick ins and played on 3 times. Ginbey had a great game with 15 touches although only at 53% but he also took 4 marks and laid a huge 12 tackles playing through the middle with 16 CBAs. Bonar played as a key defender and had 15 touches at 100% with 5 marks and 7 intercepts to give his score a boost, only in 1% of teams.
The Bad: Chesser made his debut after an injury riddled year and only managed 5 touches with 3 marks and 2 tackles, should keep his spot in a rebuilding Eagles side.
MIDFIELDERS
| Player | Club | Price (Change) | Score (Ave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cam MACKENZIE | HAW | $180,300 | 93 |
| Jack BYTEL | STK | $158,600 | 71 |
| Will PHILLIPS | NTH | $158,300 | 65 |
| Oliver HOLLANDS | CAR | $162,300 | 56 |
| Will ASHCROFT | BRL | $202,800 | 55 |
| Oskar BAKER | WBD | $123,900 | 43 |
| James TUNSTILL | BRL | $187,900 | 37 |
| Matt ROBERTS | SYD | $123,900 | 27 |
The Good: Cam Mackenzie made his debut and did everything we could’ve asked him to. He had 18 touches at 83% with 9 contested. Took 4 marks, laid 3 tackles, 3 clearances and had 7 score involvements. His ownership of 58% will definitely increase now.
The Bad: Baker played on the wing as expected and had 13 touches but used it poorly at 54%. He kicked a goal and took 3 marks but he needs to improve his disposal.
RUCKS
| Player | Club | Price (Change) | Score (Ave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esava RATUGOLEA (FWD) | GEE | $174,000 | 55 |
Ratugolea played down back for his 6 touches with 4 marks, 11 one percenters and 6 intercepts. He had 4 clangers which reduced his score, very contested play style so he can have some big weeks but he will definitely have some low scores.
FORWARDS
| Player | Club | Price (Change) | Score (Ave) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry SHEEZEL | NTH | $198,300 | 114 |
| Kade CHANDLER | MEL | $123,900 | 93 |
| Liam HENRY (MID) | FRE | $202,300 | 83 |
| Luke PEDLAR | ADE | $173,400 | 83 |
| Charlie COMBEN | NTH | $123,900 | 83 |
| Brent DANIELS | GWS | $191,300 | 78 |
| Mattaes Phillipou (MID) | STK | $166,800 | 76 |
| Jye MENZIE | ESS | $154,200 | 68 |
| Noah LONG (MID) | WCE | $117,300 | 63 |
| Reef MCINNES | COL | $176,200 | 61 |
| Alwyn DAVEY (MID) | ESS | $117,300 | 58 |
| Josh BRUCE | WBD | $161,200 | 50 |
| Anthony CAMINIT | STK | $102,400 | 34 |
| Orazio FANTASIA | PTA | $203,300 | 33 |
| Fergus GREENE | HAW | $123,900 | 33 |
| Toby MCLEAN (MID) | WBD | $178,900 | 21 |
| Bailey LAURIE (MID) | MEL | $123,900 | 21 |
| Ben KING | GCS | $176,300 | 19 |
| Josh TREACY | FRE | $200,400 | 17 |
| Francis EVANS | PTA | $136,500 | 6 |
The Good: Sheezel made a very impactful debut with 34 touches at 74% with 4 clangers playing in defence. He also took 9 marks with 6 intercepts and he took 3 kick ins. Safe on field if he can maintain this role. Chandler finally got a game without a vest on and scored well. He had 16 touches with 8 marks, 7 tackles and kicked 1.2. The Dees have players returning but surely this buys him a few games now. Pedlar had a great game with 13 touches with 6 marks and a goal with 8 score involvements also. Comben was thrown in the ruck with the injury to Xerri in the 1st quarter. He scored well as a result with 13 touches with 7 contested, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 12 hitouts and kicked 1.1, he also had 11 score involvements.
The Bad: Treacy isn’t in many teams but he only had 3 touches and a goal but had 4 clangers to make it even worse. Ben King made his return from injury for 12% of sides but was quiet as they were beaten. He had 5 touches and a goal with 4 clangers. Laurie was subbed out at 3 quarter time in his debut after having 4 touches from 47% TOG.
Nick Daicos Rookie of the Year Award:
3 – Harry Sheezel
2 – Cam Mackenzie
1 – Conor McKenna
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Thanks Alza, have always found this most helpful .
I watched the WC game and Chesser was amazing, He was on 23 at HT and finished on 22 and wasnt sighted once in the 2nd half.
Thanks mate, I didn’t get to see the game but saw his score in the first half as you said so I was surprised to see him score so poorly
Good work Alza, always required reading for determining targets.
Great write up, Alza.
I thoughts Phillips would be in and out of the team but he looked really good. Definitely passed the eye test!
Thanks Thommo, the fact he could score 65 from 3 quarters is a great sign but like the weekend he is a sub risk with him missing all of last year. And also the fact North do have a few running through the middle already