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.
Will Ashcroft – Brisbane
Ashcroft led the Lions for disposals (26) in another strong performance from the prized draft pick. Incredible to have a first-year player and second-year player (Nick Daicos) lead their respective sides in disposals in such a big game. He chalked up 11 contested possessions, attended 15 centre-bounces and scored 76 points as Brisbane inflicted the first blemish of Collingwood’s season. Is a star and will only get better.
Darcy Wilmot – Brisbane
Kicked a goal but wasn’t able to accumulate much of the ball, recording just the eight disposals for 36 points. The wingman/half-back seems like a Fagan-favourite but job security might be more of an issue now.
Lachie Cowan – Carlton
He’s not setting the world on fire in the points scored category, but the Tasmanian seems to be settling in pretty well in defence. Had nine disposals, three marks, two tackles and 42 points in the win over North.
Ollie Hollands – Carlton
Hollands has quickly become an important player in this Blues side, with his gut-running allowing him to get into space on the wing. Managed 15 disposals and a couple of marks on Good Friday, spending 112 of a possible 126 minutes on-ground.
Harry Sheezel – North Melbourne
It’s actually becoming ridiculous how much of the ball this guy is getting. Another 37 disposals for the Sheez in round four. Yes there’s just the eight contested possessions in there, but he used it at 81% efficiency by both hand and foot. Scored 119 points against the Blues and is averaging 118 points through the first four weeks of the year. Amazing.
Judson Clarke – Richmond
Not a first year player, having played four games last season, but Judson Clarke was excellent in the Tigers narrow loss to the Bulldogs. The wet and woolly conditions probably suited his ground-level capabilities. The wingman/half-forward picked up 20 disposals, four marks, five tackles and kicked a goal for his 90 points in his best game to-date.
Mattaes Phillipou – St. Kilda
Phillipou got more involved in general play in the Saints fourth-win in a row. Managed 18 disposals and kicked one goal, with his four tackles lifting his score to 66. Looks comfortable out there playing a familiar role to the one which saw him drafted in the first round.
Ned Moyle – Gold Coast
The ruckman was a late call-up for injured leader Jarrod Witts and he performed admirably on debut, showing good ruck craft against an established threat in Rowan Marshall. Moyle won 35 taps and laid seven tackles for his 74 points. Had just the five touches but his follow-up tackling and tap-work was enough to suggest there’s a fantasy game in him.
Bailey Humphrey – Gold Coast
The talented mid/forward also made his debut against the Saints, scoring 47 points from 11 disposals and three tackles. Spent most of the day as a half-forward but managed a couple of centre bounce attendances throughout the game (5 in total). Is a great talent who we should see plenty more of this year.
Judd McVee – Melbourne
The medium-defender has pieced together some good moments so far this season. He managed another 16 disposals, three marks, two tackles and 58 points as the Demons comfortably looked after the Eagles. With Christian Salem out for an extended period and Goodwin experimenting with pushing Trent Rivers further up the ground, this is McVee’s time to show what he can do across half-back.
Cameron Mackenzie – Hawthorn
Hawthorn had a shocking second quarter, but Mackenzie showed some glimpses again. And that’s what this year is about for the Hawks. He gathered 16 disposals (including 10 contested), two marks, four tackles and 56 points in more of an outside mid/half-forward role.
Reuben Ginbey – West Coast
The hard-as-nails midfielder wasn’t quite as influential on the weekend, but he still laid five tackles and accumulated 14 disposals. Although 11 of them were handballs, it’s pleasing to see Adam Simpson continue to use his strengths in an on-ball role.
