AFL SuperCoach selection gossip: Shane Mumford, Ben Cavarra, Josh Kelly, Ollie Wines, Robbie Young

SuperCoach rookies are crucial at this early stage of the season and several are pushing a strong case for AFL debuts via state league practice matches. ALL THE GOSSIP.

Ben Cavarra is back on the training track at Western Bulldogs after injury. Picture: James Ross.

SuperCoach rookies are crucial at this early stage of the season and several are pushing a strong case for AFL debuts via state league practice matches.

But it’s not only the young players pressing their claims for a senior call-up, with veterans Shane Mumford and Hamish Hartlett both impressing in their respective bids to return from injury and suspension.

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Don’t underestimate the importance of rookies who debut later than Round 1.

Valuable cash cows Adam Cerra, Ed Richards and Willie Rioli played their first matches in Round 2 last year, while Jack Higgins (Round 3), Matt Guelfi (Round 4), David Mirra (Round 4) and Ben Ronke (Round 6) became valuable sources of SuperCoach income and scores.

Keep one eye on the VFL, SANFL, NEAFL and WAFL in coming weeks as the next crop of cash cows emerge to bolster our benches and bank balances.

Shane Mumford will be available for senior selection at GWS from Round 3. Picture: Damian Shaw.

Here’s the gossip you need to know ahead of Round 2:

MUMFORD IMPRESSES IN NEAFL HIT OUT FOR GIANTS

Given the green light to feature in NEAFL practice matches before he returns to the AFL from suspension, GWS ruckman Shane Mumford was a standout against Sydney University on Sunday. While Dawson Simpson should have a hold on the Giants’ No. 1 ruck role after he had 32 hit outs against Essendon, Mumford’s performance won praise from coach Adam Schneider. “I was very impressed by his work rate and his aggression which we all know,” Schneider told the club website. He really dominated the tap work and played extremely well. Another solid game this week will put him right up there in Round 3 when he’s available.”

THE YOUNG HAWK WHO HAS IMPRESSED CLARKO

James Worpel and James Cousins won praise for their efforts filling the void in Hawthorn’s midfield left by Tom Mitchell in Round 1 against Adelaide. Coach Alastair Clarkson praised that pair on Talking Footy on Monday, but also mentioned Harrison Jones as a player who could soon be called upon. Jones is a $123,900 defender in Supercoach and scored 79 in JLT1 against Brisbane Lions. “When Tom went down we knew it was going to take a series of players to probably share that workload. There’s another young player James Cousins, (and) another young lad who didn’t play on the weekend but perhaps deserved to, Harry Jones, who has had a really good summer,” Clarkson said.

Josh Kelly is set to make a welcome return for GWS. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

WINES LIKELY STILL A FEW WEEKS AWAY

Port Adelaide has not ruled out recalling co-captain Ollie Wines this round, although he has been listed as 1-2 weeks as he recovers from a shoulder injury by the club on its official injury update. “If he is able to absorb the contact we expect to get into him this week then he might be available,” Michael Voss told SEN SA on Monday. Wines’ return could impact the scoring of popular SuperCoach rookies Willem Drew (55% of teams), Zak Butters (46%), Xavier Duursma (56%) and Connor Rozee (19%).

JOSH KELLY SET FOR GWS RETURN

After an injury-delayed start to his 2019 campaign, Josh Kelly is expected to return to the GWS Giants midfield this weekend against West Coast Eagles. A proven premium scorer, Kelly is only in 4.6% of Supercoach teams after he missed both games in the JLT Series. The prolific on-baller is one of the elite scorers in the game, averaging 114.3 and 113.8 in the past two years, therefore shaping as the ultimate point of difference.

Ben Cavarra is back on the training track at Western Bulldogs after injury. Picture: James Ross.

CAVARRA BACK IN FULL TRAINING AT DOGS

He shaped as one of the must-have forward rookies before sustaining a quad injury and Ben Cavarra has returned to full training at Western Bulldogs. The $117,300 SuperCoach forward has been listed as a test on the Bulldogs official injury report but is a chance to play a VFL practice match against Williamstown on Saturday.

TAYLOR CATCHES EYE IN NORTH’S VFL PRACTICE MATCH

A senior premiership player at 16, North Melbourne draftee Curtis Taylor has shone for the Roos’ VFL side in recent weeks. North Melbourne suffered a 20-point loss to Port Melbourne on Saturday, but No. 46 draft pick Taylor’s efforts were lauded by coach David Loader. “It looks like something is going to happen all the time when Curtis is near the ball,” Loader told the club website. Taylor is available for $117,300 as a Mid-Fwd.

Hamish Hartlett featured in a SANFL practice match as he builds toward a senior return. Picture: Tom Huntley.

HARTLETT SHINES, MCADAM INJURED IN SANFL GAMES

He has a reputation as a SuperCoach burn man but Hamish Hartlett’s positive return through the SANFL would have at least been encouraging for Port Adelaide supporters. It has been four years since Hartlett averaged 100.1 but he’s available for a discounted $349,200 as a defender if you fancy a mid-priced risk. “My knee felt really good. We’ll see how it pulls up tomorrow but I reckon we’ll be fine,” he told the club after the Power’s trial game win against Adelaide. Crows forward Shane McAdam ($123,900, Fwd) reportedly suffered a calf injury during the clash.

IS THIS THE NEXT MATURE-AGE SAINTS DEBUTANT?

Matt Parker had SuperCoaches smiling when his two-goal debut netted 87 SuperCoach points and another mature-age St Kilda recruit impressed in a VFL practice match at the weekend. Robbie Young, taken with pick No. 67 in last year’s draft, kicked four goals for Sandringham against Williamstown to enhance his claims for a senior debut. Drafted from North Adelaide, the 24-year-old is a $117,300 SuperCoach Fwd.

Originally published as AFL SuperCoach selection gossip: Shane Mumford, Ben Cavarra, Josh Kelly, Ollie Wines, Robbie Young