Rookie Review – Round 16

Rookie Review – Round 16


Last week we said to buy Hugo Hall-Kahan.

He responded with a very nice 96.

Thank you Hugo.

Hall-Kahan is now owned by 97,579 coaches, has jumped from $99,100 to $176,600 and is rapidly approaching “if you don’t own him, are you even playing SuperCoach?” territory. If you still don’t own him, I expect your friends have already sent an ambulance around to check that you’re okay.

Our other recommendation, Jai Murray, also delivered with an impressive 87. Unfortunately, he’s now become a victim of his own success and is probably too expensive to recommend as a downgrade target.

This week the focus shifts to the next group of bubble boys.

And unlike some weeks this season, we’re actually excited about them.

Bubble Boys

 

Kye Annand

Annand probably tops the list this week.

The Richmond defender has now played two games, is basement priced and has a break even of -66.

Richmond continue to give opportunities to young players and Annand looks likely to benefit from that approach.

The role looks solid, the cash generation looks good and there doesn’t appear to be any reason to think he won’t get a decent run at it.

If you’re looking for a downgrade target this week, he’s right at the top of the shortlist.

Joel Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald is the awkward one.

On paper he might be the best rookie available. Averaging 67 from his first two games and carrying a break even of -73 is exactly what coaches want to see. The problem is he has the bye this week.

Many coaches will still go early because the job security looks good and Melbourne have continued to find a spot for him.


Mitch Podhajski

Podhajski is probably the safest forward rookie available.

The rookie Magpie has now played two games and his job security actually looks reasonably good.

A big reason for that is the season-ending injury to Jamie Elliott.

Collingwood suddenly have a vacancy in their forward line and Podhajski appears to be getting the first opportunity to fill it.

His scoring isn’t spectacular, but at $99,100 and a break even of -37, it doesn’t need to be.

The Magpies look likely to give him a decent run at AFL level and that’s exactly what SuperCoach coaches want to hear.

Xavier Bamert

Bamert has quietly put together two decent games.

The average of 48 won’t get anybody overly excited, but a break even of -36 means the cash generation should be solid enough.

The concern remains job security. Port Adelaide have several young players competing for similar roles, including Tom Anastasopoulos and Jack Watkins.

Bamert has probably done enough to hold his spot for now, but there is definitely competition for places.

That keeps him in the watch-list category rather than the must-buy category.

Taylor Goad

Goad is a little different to the rest of this group.

The 205cm ruckman isn’t a Mid-Season Draft recruit and is also slightly more expensive than the basement-priced options.

His average of 44 and break even of -14 are perfectly acceptable.

The interesting part is the role. Despite his low time-on-ground, Goad has been sharing ruck duties with Tristan Xerri and North Melbourne appear willing to persist with a two-ruck setup. That immediately puts him on the radar.

The problem is rookie rucks have a habit of frustrating SuperCoach coaches.

The opportunity is there, but I’d still be watching teams closely before jumping aboard.

Harrison Ramm

Ramm has now played two games and technically qualifies as a bubble boy.

Unfortunately that’s where the good news ends.

An average of 18 from his first two games makes him very difficult to recommend, regardless of his price.

Could he improve? Absolutely. But there are simply too many better rookie options available this week.

One Week Wonders

These players have only played one game but are already attracting attention.

 

Sam Swadling

Swadling immediately put himself on the radar with an impressive 82 on debut.

A midfielder at $113k with a break even of -34 is always going to attract attention.

The question now is whether he can back it up and hold his place.

One to watch very closely.

Marcus Herbert

Herbert continues to look like one of the better Mid-Season Draft selections.

The Eagles midfielder scored 75 in his first game and looked right at home at AFL level.

At $99,100 he’ll be very popular if he can string together another strong performance.

Beau Addinsall

Addinsall was solid without being spectacular.

His score of 57 keeps him relevant and another good game would quickly move him onto coaches’ watchlists.

Not a priority this week, but worth monitoring.

Jaxon Artemis

Artemis hasn’t played yet, but he deserves a mention because many coaches are already planning for him.

The Essendon defender remains one of the most anticipated rookie debuts of the season.

With Archie Roberts injured, the pathway into Essendon’s defence looks much clearer than it did a fortnight ago.

Many expect him to come into the side as early as this week.

If that happens, expect him to become one of the most traded-in players in SuperCoach almost immediately.

He’s AFL-ready, uses the ball well and appears to fill a genuine need for the Bombers.

At $99,100 he won’t make coaches any money sitting in the VFL, but if he’s named, he’ll quickly become one of the most popular downgrade targets in the game.

Conclusion

This week feels fairly straightforward.

If you’re looking at the bubble boys, Kye Annand is probably the standout.

Joel Fitzgerald might actually be the better player from a SuperCoach perspective, but the bye makes things awkward.

Podhajski looks the safest forward rookie available thanks to the opportunity created by Jamie Elliott’s injury.

Bamert and Goad are more watch-list candidates than must-buys.

And don’t forget Jaxon Artemis, who could easily become the most traded-in rookie in the game if he’s named this week.

For coaches willing to go early, keep a close eye on Sam Swadling and Marcus Herbert.

Both have shown enough in one game to suggest they could become very relevant very quickly.

For the first time in months, we’re no longer scraping the bottom of the rookie barrel.

We might actually have choices.

thanks fellas