Round 1: Rookie Watch – AFL Fantasy

Welcome to this week’s ‘Rookie Watch’, where we take a closer look at the rookie players who made their debut over the weekend and assess their potential for future AFL Fantasy scoring. As we all know, rookies can be a make or break in AFL Fantasy, and finding those hidden gems early can give you a significant advantage over your competitors. So, without further ado, let’s dive into some of the performances of the rookies and evaluate their potential for the future.

Lachie Cowan – Carlton

Cowan earned a round one debut against the Tigers and looked capable at half-back before being subbed out with an apparent soft-tissue injury. Spent some time on Bolton at stages which is a credit to his defensive capabilities. He finished with eight disposals (six contested) two marks, two tackles and 37 AFL Fantasy points but appears under an injury cloud.

Ollie Hollands – Carlton

The wingman had some handy moments throughout the contest, but his 14.7km distance covered stood out for me. That was on par with noted endurance beast Ed Curnow and is a serious effort for a first gamer. Hopefully, that endurance base lends itself to more AFL Fantasy points. He accumulated 11 touches, took a couple of marks, laid three tackles and scored 44 points in a solid outing.

Harry Sheezel – North Melbourne

Last week Harry Styles captivated the country, and now Harry Sheezel is doing similar after a perfect start to his career. Playing across half-back in a previously unfamiliar role, he looked Daicos-like from the beginning. He had the ball on a string in a role that provided him with the licence to create out of defence, managing 34 disposals and nine marks against West Coast. Could easily be shifted to the half-forward role which saw him taken so early in last year’s draft, but fantasy coaches will hope he remains in the fruitful backline role.

Will Phillips – North Melbourne

Phillips caused panic aplenty when he wasn’t picked in the starting line-up, but rather as the sub. Came on early for the injured Xerri and played well in an on-ball role. He picked up 17 disposals, four clearances and 46 points and looks like he should remain in the side.

Reuben Ginbey – West Coast

Both debutants scored well in this game, but whereas Sheezel’s dream debut was laced with class and skill, Reuben Ginbey’s was headlined by grunt and a willingness to crack in hard as a genuine inside midfielder. Ginbey is a massive unit already and he threw his weight around in the contest, managing 15 touches, four marks, 12 tackles and 92 AFL Fantasy points. Admittedly he lacks some polish, but fantasy coaches won’t mind that so much.

Campbell Chesser – West Coast

Chesser finally got his chance on the big stage (if you consider West Coast and North at Marvel a big stage) after missing last year through injury. He looked perhaps a touch overawed, picking up the five disposals to go with three marks and two tackles. Could probably do with a run in the WAFL.

Noah Long – West Coast

The third Eagles debutant, Long played as a half-forward and accumulated ten disposals, a mark, three tackles, a goal and 38 points. Job security will be an issue, but West Coast needs to give youngsters like Long a chance to prove they should be a part of the rebuild.

Will Ashcroft – Brisbane

It was a tough initiation for Ashcroft, with Brisbane’s midfield destroyed in a manner rarely seen in the Fagan era. Probably wasn’t the flashy debut he would’ve dreamt of, but he still managed 13 disposals, three marks and four tackles and played mostly on-ball. Suspect this will be one of his lower-scoring games.

Darcy Wilmot – Brisbane

Got a taste of it late last year and fitted in across half-back, where he had ten kicks in his 11 disposals. Also managed four marks in his 49 AFL Fantasy points.

Kade Chandler – Melbourne

Looked terrific playing a high-pressure forward role for the Demons, laying seven tackles en route to 104 points. With Kozzie Pickett set to miss a couple of weeks, expect Chandler to not only keep his spot but score at a decent click.

Bodhi Uwland – Gold Coast

The Suns were well beaten, again, but Uwland offered some hope, at least from a fantasy perspective. Played down back and amassed 20 touches and three marks in his 68 AFL Fantasy points.

Max Michalanney – Adelaide

Max ‘clamps’ Michalanney looked comfortable playing as a versatile defender. Was moved onto taller opponents when Nick Murray went down injured, but as always competed until the very end. Took some strong overhead grabs and found more of the ball than I anticipated, collecting 12 disposals, four marks and 50 AFL Fantasy points.

Cameron Mackenzie – Hawthorn

Sam Mitchell had no problem throwing McKenzie into the thick of it, and he didn’t let him down, picking up 18 touches, four marks, three tackles and using the ball at 83% efficiency. Had 16 centre bounce attendances too. He’ll be a very solid midfielder for a long time.

Alwyn Davey Jr – Essendon

Davey Jr kicked his first goal after his first crack sailed out of bounds on the full. Playing almost exclusively as a pressure forward, he managed nine touches, five marks and three tackles and should retain his spot given the Bomber’s strong result.

Mattaes Phillipou – St Kilda

Mattaes played up forward and showed some exciting glimpses for Saints fans. Booted his first goal, looked typically comfortable aerially and found a fair bit of the ball and also had a couple of clearances. With 16 touches, three marks and 54 AFL Fantasy points, he should play every game he’s fit for.