AFL SuperCoach 2025: The Phantom’s rookie rankings in every position
Opening Round has been and gone and it’s time to lock in your SuperCoach rookie selections. But, with so many options, who do you choose? The Phantom ranks the best ones.
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The key to success in SuperCoach is nailing your rookie-price selections.
To help you sort the good from the bad, I’ve ranked the best cheapies in every position – with scoring potential, job security, price and Opening Round score taken into account.
See full details of every 2025 cheapie in the Rookie Bible.
DEFENDERS
1. Ben Paton (Syd) $133,400, Fwd
Opening Round score: 67
A player delisted after four games, three of them as sub, last year as No. 1? Well, there isn’t a lot of choice – not that we can be sure about, anyway. In this rookie defender climate, we have to take the dual-position player in the 22, who already has a score of 67 in his rolling average. It helps knowing he averaged 64 and 63 at the Saints in 2020 and 2022 respectively.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: At this point, he just has to be in your side. On the field? I’m not sure yet.
2. James Leake (GWS) $119,900
Opening Round score: 64
The Giants have confirmed Tom Green will miss the start of the season, so Leake might really get that chance in the midfield. He arrived at the club as a versatile utility, but the 188cm Leake has been working with the midfield group this summer after averaging 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, seven tackles, five clearances and 113 in an impressive, six-game VFL stretch onball last year.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Made his debut against Collingwood, attended seven centre bounces and finished with 64 points in just 54 per cent game-time. That percentage is a concern, sure, but he’s in for now.
3. Zach Reid (Ess) $119,900
AAMI Series score: 73
We’ve been here before, I know, but if the Essendon defender is fit, he has to be in the top five. And he is at the moment, featuring in the practice match against the Bulldogs. The 22-year-old, a terrific ball user for his size, lasted just 33 per cent of the season opener in 2024, but tallied a combined 47 disposals and 22 intercepts in his first two VFL games on return.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: He’s still fit, so Brad Scott will pick him. On my bench.
4. Bo Allan (WC) $136,600, Def-Mid
AAMI Series score: -12
After impressing at WAFL level last season, and as he proved in the practice match against Richmond, the big-bodied teenager is ready to slot straight into West Coast’s backline – and probably onto our SuperCoach benches, too.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: That score against North Melbourne was bad, I know, but he’s a kid and he will still play. Don’t write him off yet. Price and DPP status keeps him at No. 4 – just.
5. Jaxon Prior (Ess) $169,200
AAMI Series score: 69
Another delisted player, whose previous SuperCoach numbers have been heavily affected by the sub vest, to feature on this list. Averaged 101 and 104 in the past two VFL seasons and is on track to feature in Essendon’s defence on Friday night after tallying 11 kicks and seven marks in the AAMI Series.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: More expensive, and that might not suit given what’s available in the midfield, but he could be one to field.
Next in line: Luke Trainor, Tobie Travaglia, Connor O’Sullivan, Saad El-Hawli
Richmond draftee Trainor scored well in limited AAMI Series game-time and isn’t far behind Prior, and might be a better D8 bench option, given his likely round 1 debut. Travaglia will rise again if Ross Lyon picks him, so, too, El-Hawli at Essendon but that seems less likely
MIDFIELDERS
1. Elijah Tsatas (Ess) $191,200
AAMI Series score: 90
The 20-year-old has come with a bullet, ticking a lot of boxes during his third pre-season. After some standout work during match sim, Tsatas attended a team-high 19 centre bounces and had the ball on a string against the Bulldogs in the first practice match. Averaged 31 disposals and 108 SuperCoach points in 12 VFL games last year, but made just seven senior appearances, four of them sub-affected.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Capped off a brilliant summer with a strong midfield showing in the AAMI Series to emerge as the No. 1 on-field rookie in the midfield. Forget his kicking – for now.
2. Elijah Hewett (WC) $122,800 Fwd-Mid
AAMI Series score: DNP
“He’s had a really strong pre-season … he loves the contest, I’m glad he’s on my team this year,” new teammate Jack Graham said of Hewett after the 20-year-old’s performance through the midfield against the Tigers in the first practice game. A third-year breakout – of sorts – looms for Hewett, who missed all of 2024 through injury.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Didn’t feature in the AAMI Series after pulling up sore following West Coast’s intra-club. But looks like he will be available for round 1 and is a DPP bench lock at the price.
3. Levi Ashcroft (Bris) $185,500
AAMI Series score: 80
Just like his older brother, and Norm Smith Medallist, Will in his debut season, Levi is as ready as any player in this year’s pool to have an impact in 2025. Ashcroft, a three-time Coates League premiership player and two-time under-18 All-Australian, lands at the Lions after a dominant junior career and an equally dominant 35-disposal, 149-SuperCoach point performance in his one VFL appearance this year.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Forget his off-season shoulder surgery, and the concerns about a half-forward role, Ashcroft proved it’s all unlikely to matter with 22 disposals in 66 per cent game-time in the AAMI Series. With that pedigree and junior scoring history, lock him in.
4. Finn O’Sullivan (NM) $199,000
AAMI Series score: 99
“He’s an impact man, so he’s going to be able to play from next year and he’s pretty exciting,” North Melbourne recruiting manager Will Thursfield said of the club’s prized recruit after the draft. And O’Sullivan, who some say his the most talented player to come out of last year’s draft pool, proved Thursfield right, with an eye-catching display on a wing and across half-back in the AAMI Series, finishing with 99 points from 18 disposals.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Didn’t feature near the top five in the early instalment of these rankings, but I’m completely on-board now. He had 10 contested possessions and nine intercepts against the Eagles and has close to the best job security of all draftees. Another top-price midfield rookie on my field.
5. Mitch Knevitt (Geel $149,800)
AAMI Series score: 69
My fellow SuperCoach rookie enthusiast Dan Batten has talked about this guy all summer. He’s even raised it with Knevitt himself. “Hopefully I can make them (owners) a bit of cash,” the 22-year-old said in response. And, after what we saw against the Hawks in the practice match, when the tall midfielder attended more centre bounces than any other Cat, he might just do that.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Hit the ground running in the AAMI Series, showing off his clean hands early to finish with 22 disposals and 10 contested possessions. Looks set for a spot in Geelong’s round 1 midfield and sits at No. 5 here given his slightly cheaper price tag.
6. Ed Allan (Coll) $194,000
Opening Round score: 71
“His potential is unbelievable … I think he can be an absolute superstar.” I still can’t get Nick Daicos’s comment about Allan out of my head. Or his 21-disposal, 10 contested-possession, six-tackle, 94-point performance on a wet night against the Demons in round 24 last year, either.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Could easily be No. 5 - even No. 4 - on this list, that’s how tight it is. Especially given the 71-point score, on the back of 19 disposals, is locked in. The Pies, after what they dished up against the Giants, can’t really be dropping a 21-year-old Allan anytime soon, either.
7. Nathan O’Driscoll (Freo) $198,000
AAMI Series score: 72
Another young Docker, like Neil Erasmus, who lifted on the big stage in the WAFL finals series. In his final seven state league games for the year, the 21-year-old posted six SuperCoach tons, with the highlight a 29-disposal, 130-point game the grand final win. O’Driscoll’s absence from the senior side, after reaching three figures in two of his first three games at the level, is a little easier to explain, though. The hard-running left-footer was sidelined for a large chunk of 2024 with a blood clot in his knee, an ordeal that saw him lose 10 kilograms.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Yes, I need a seventh here. I’d be happy fielding any of these guys. O’Driscoll started slow in the AAMI Series but came storming home to remind SuperCoaches – and Justin Longmuir – about the influence he can have.
Next in line: Murphy Reid, Hugh Boxshall, Sam Lalor, Sid Draper, Harvey Langford, Max Hall, Lucas Camporeale
Tough St Kilda draftee Boxshall is on my bench at $113k, while Reid might surprise us all. At the Crows, it all depends what Matthew Nicks does at selection when it comes to Sid Draper. If he’s confirmed as a starter in the 22 ahead of time, then maybe these rankings change. Lalor’s debut has been confirmed but can you pick him over the players listed above?
RUCKS
1. Harry Boyd (StK) $99,100
2. Liam Reidy (Freo) $132,600
3. Harry Barnett (WC) $119,900
Boyd at R3 – and that’s about it for now, unfortunately. If he plays.
FORWARDS
1. Sam Davidson (WB) $113,500
AAMI Series score: 72
With uncertainty still surrounding Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s immediate playing future, and Cody Weightman ruled out for three months, Davidson looks as close to a round 1 lock as any SuperCoach cheapie this year. The Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medallist – the VFL award popular cash Sam Clohesy won in 2023 – won the ball at will on a wing in the AAMI Series, and his ability to win the ball in the air and on the ground gives coach Luke Beverdige options forward of centre.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: The easiest SuperCoach rookie selection of them all – must at least be on your bench.
2. Isaac Kako (Ess) $149,500, Mid
AAMI Series score: 72
As he showed in the AAMI Series clash with Geelong, Kako can give the Essendon forward 50 an immediate injection of x-factor – like Nick Watson did in his first year at Hawthorn. The small forward booted 20 goals and averaged 19 disposals and 113 SuperCoach points in the Coates League.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Ready to go, and ready to have an impact. Kako is a popular pick - and for good reason. Just don’t expect big scores every week.
3. Conor Stone (GWS) $119,900
Opening Round score: 64
Like Ben Paton and Ed Allan above, Stone’s Opening Round score pushes him up the rankings – he’s one game closer to a price rise than most others. The 22-year-old, who averaged 91 points in the VFL last season, tallied six intercepts and 64 points playing in defence against the Pies.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: With that score in the system, is he now the perfect F8 option, who could get DDP early on? Maybe.
4. Tom Lynch (Rich) $183,200
Practice match score: DNP
If he’s playing, can you leave the Richmond star out at that price? In his last full season – well, 18 home-and-away games – in 2022, Lynch booted 60 goals and averaged 94 points. Sure, the Tigers made the finals that year, but he’s also $183k.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: If he plays, he has to be on this list – and it sounds like if he might.
5. Dan Curtin (Adel) $158,600
Practice match score: 29
The second-year Crow said having a crack in the midfield during pre-season was “really exciting” in December. But, in mid-February, he was one of Adelaide’s better players in the club’s internal trial playing as a forward, working up the ground, in the ‘A’ team. Of course, SuperCoaches would prefer him in the midfield, but he looks on track for round 1 in his new role.
The Phantom’s March 10 verdict: Struggled to have an impact against the Lions, but he’s shown enough – and skipper Jordan Dawson talked him up about being his potential midfield replacement at West Lakes.
Next in line: Aidan Johnson, Joe Berry, Sam Powell-Pepper, Corey Warner
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Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2025: The Phantom’s rookie rankings in every position
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