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.
Brynn Teakle – Port Adelaide
Saw enough from the young Power ruckman to suggest he has a bright future in the teal, black and white. Against the Eagles he won 34 hit outs and gathered 14 disposals around the ground. Scott Lycett is 30 now, and Teakle looks like the future.
Reuben Ginbey – West Coast
Another solid and rugged game from Ginbey, who scores 62 points from 12 disposals and eight tackles. This came from just 64% TOG, so when he’s able to build up the tank, his tackling and ball winning will make him a strong fantasy player.
Ollie Lord – Port Adelaide
Key position player Ollie Lord looked promising on debut. He booted a goal and probably could have had a couple more too. He managed 10 touches and took three marks, and should now get a decent crack at it with Mitch Georgiades out for the season with a knee.
Ryan Angwin – GWS
Angwin is probably one who flies under the radar at GWS, however he looked very capable on the wing in their loss to Brisbane. He found 20 disposals for 54 points. Has a strong endurance base and is quite a natural winger so hopefully he can cement his spot in the Giants side.
Will Ashcroft – Brisbane
Ashcroft scores 66 points from 19 touches, two marks and two tackles. Continues to find a fair bit of the footy, but if he could just lift his tackle count he’ll turn 60s and 70s into 80s and 90s. Look out once he does.
Finn Callaghan – GWS
With Angwin on one wing and Callaghan on the other, GWS have themselves some nice additions to the midfield set-up for the future. Callaghan found 19 touches and took five marks for a score of 67 points against Brisbane.
Ned Long – Hawthorn
Long is an interesting prospect for Hawthorn and once who I reckon has some fantasy relevance if he can bring it all together. Although he’s key position height, Long has spent considerable time as a tough tackling inside midfielder. And his tackling was a standout on the weekend, laying seven tackles to go with his nine touches and 49 points.
Seamus Mitchell – Hawthorn
The half-back had 15 touches, six marks, three tackles and 68 points in the tight loss to the Crows in Tasmania. Is finding enough of the ball and using it well enough to suggest he’ll play a role in Sam Mitchell’s future plans.
Oli Hollands – Carlton
Hollands has had a terrific start to his career and he was very good again on the weekend, picking up 22 disposals and five marks for a score of 75. He’s clearly one of Michael Voss’ favourites and clearly has scoring potential with his high endurance base and work rate.
Alex Cincotta – Carlton
Cincotta came into the side having scored very well in the VFL, and he found plenty of the ball at the highest level, picking up 24 touches and seven marks for his 76 points. Docherty is out for a while so this is Cincotta’s time to prove he is in the Blues best 22. Clearly a natural fantasy scorer.
