Jon Ralph takes a look at the rookies who are ready for Round 1
ALL category A rookies are eligible for selection from Round 1 this year and there is no shortage of players pushing for a spot. JON RALPH looks at the rookies who are ready to go at your club.
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ROOKIES were once the second-class citizens of the AFL.
Lowly paid, offered one-year contracts and unable to play senior footy unless a senior-listed player went down injured.
Now, after an AFL rule change, all Category A rookies can play from Round 1.
Instead of stockpiling youngsters to go with a single mature-aged rookie, clubs will use the change as a tactical weapon.
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At Carlton, in an indication of the new-found respect for rookies, Alex Silvagni was named in the leadership group.
So which rookies at your club are a chance to push for Round 1 or an early-season game?
On Saturday, Essendon’s ruck/forward Shaun McKernan thrust his name forward.
Last year, with injuries to Bombers ruckmen, McKernan was elevated to play in Round 1.
Now, after a strong display in the loss to Richmond in Wangaratta, he is again asking questions of John Worsfold’s selection panel.
Worsfold said after the match he was already considering whether McKernan was a Round 1 possibility.
“I am rapt Shaun has given us plenty to think about in that regard,” he said.
“We didn’t use Joey (Daniher) in the ruck. We gave (fellow rookie) Sam Draper an opportunity.
“Shaun didn’t really go into the ruck, he mainly played as a forward.
“He showed he is strong enough to make an impact from his limited chances today. I thought he was outstanding in making the most of what he had.”
Fremantle rookie Stefan Giro impressed coach Ross Lyon with a sparkling two-goal AFLX debut.
“Stefan Giro off the rookie list is a freak athlete,’’ Lyon said.
“He’s really powerful. He’s like a (Luke) Dahlhaus, he’s got really good speed, he’s an exceptional runner and he just finds the ball.”
At Geelong last year, Cam Guthrie’s younger brother Zach was a spindly kid who looked five years from playing an AFL game.
He got nine games with his balance and bravery.
Guthrie, Stewart Crameri and Sam Simpson are three rookies who provide valuable depth on a list stacked with talent.
And maybe, when the Cats’ Round 1 team is named, they will be in it.
ROOKIES READY TO GO
ADELAIDE
Cam Ellis-Yolmen showed in 2015 he can be a senior-team midfielder, but his 2017 was ruined by a knee injury. Paul Hunter is a 25-year-old ruckman who would need an injury to Sam Jacobs to come into contention.
BRISBANE LIONS
Jake Barrett played 17 games last year and was one of the AFL’s best tackling forwards (4.8 a game). Claye Beams is an AFL survivor and adds midfield depth.
Homesick Cian Hanley has returned to Ireland.
CARLTON
The Blues are so impressed with Alex Silvagni, they put him in their leadership group. His brilliant display on Lance Franklin in Round 6 last year showed his credentials. Former Sun Matt Shaw will get a chance to slot into Sam Docherty’s vacant half-back role.
COLLINGWOOD
Key defender Brody Mihocek, 25, was great in Port Melbourne’s VFL premiership and is an excellent interceptor. Pies fans know what Josh Thomas can do after he playing every game from Round 15 last year. Adam Oxley is good cover as a flanker.
ESSENDON
Shaun McKernan is every chance to get senior games. Ben McNiece is a mature-aged defender whose Anzac Day debut was the first of two AFL games last year. Former cricketer Luke Lavender will take time to develop as a key-position tall.
FREMANTLE
Stefan Giro is a huge Round 1 chance. The No.21 pick in last year’s rookie draft has pace and dare and had quality numbers in his junior career. He was super in AFLX and Ross Lyon loves him. Ryan Nyhuis kicked four goals on debut last year. He can also play half-back and tag.
GEELONG
Stewart Crameri shapes as a valuable third forward and has intraclub form. Zach Guthrie impressed in his nine games last year as a small defender with poise and smarts. Both could play plenty of games. Sam Simpson played five of the last nine home-and-away games last year.
GOLD COAST
Ex-Blues midfielder Nick Holman gets another crack at it via the SANFL and is an early contender for games. Darcy MacPherson played eight games last year and Max Spencer, who earned five games last year, is a promising key defender.
GWS GIANTS
Ex-Blue Dylan Buckley can play half-back and small forward. Sam Reid, one of footy’s great survivors, played 13 games last year, while forward Daniel Lloyd played seven.
HAWTHORN
Irishman Conor Glass shapes as an AFL regular after playing every game from Round 18. Dallas Willsmore played two 2017 games. Changkuoth Jiath is a long-term prospect.
MELBOURNE
Tim Smith’s debut season as a 26-year-old was cut short by injury after two games. Corey Maynard is an inside midfielder who will push hard for games. Declan Keilty, 21, is a key tall learning the craft.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Cameron Zurhar played four games last year as a crumbing forward. The Roos’ other four rookies will take more time.
PORT ADELAIDE
Lindsay Thomas will hope to make an immediate splash as a goalsneak but has plenty in front of him. Dan Houston played 17 games last year as a marking half-back. Jarrod Lienert, 23, is a half-back/wingman who pushed for a debut last year.
RICHMOND
Mabior Chol is showing real signs of improvement but would need ruck injuries. Tyson Stengle played two games last year as a small forward. Callum Moore is a 193cm marking forward who played two games in 2016 and could figure.
ST KILDA
Rowan Marshall and Lewis Pierce are 200cm-plus ruck/forward prospects. The Saints have a pair of Irish rookies in Darragh Joyce and Ray Connellan.
SYDNEY
Alex Johnson has had groin surgery, so will take time. Utility Robbie Fox played three games early last year when injuries hit the club. Apart from that pair, the Swans have stocked up with young rookies.
WEST COAST
Of the six rookies, Fraser McInnes, 24, is the only one who would think he could play an early game. Played everywhere in two matches last year.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Luke Beveridge is said to be a big fan of No.9 rookie selection Billy Gowers, a 21-year-old forward from VFL side Footscray. Roarke Smith, back after two ACLs, played AFLX but may need to put together some form before pressing for a senior game.
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