Doctor’s Orders: Best rookies to trade in during the bye rounds

Nat Fyfe, Jack Macrae and Travis Boak are all on the SuperCoach shopping list this week, but how do we afford them? The expert crew at Doctor SuperCoach have found the answer.

Brett Bewley handballs during a Fremantle Dockers AFL training session.

The first bye round is over and we can all breathe a sigh of relief.

However, there is still plenty of planning that is necessary if you want to successfully navigate through the remainder of the bye rounds.

Upgrading your SuperCoach sides during the byes is a necessity to maintain overall rank and momentum heading towards SuperCoach Finals, but money doesn’t just grow on trees! The expert team at Doctor SuperCoach analyse the best playing cash cows heading into Round 12 to consider for your sides.

RYAN GARDNER $102,400 FWD/DEF – 1 GAME PLAYED

The sixth pick in the mid-season draft was thrown straight into the Bulldogs forward line before their bye. His final tally of just 41 SuperCoach points doesn’t jump off the page, but Gardner managed a 17 point first quarter when the Dogs were competitive; with the scoreline blowing out, the ball was hardly seen in the Western Bulldog forward line thereafter.

At bargain basement price and with dual-position status, Gardner makes for an enticing downgrade option. Given Gardner was thrown straight into the Bulldogs side, his job security in the short-term should be acceptable, with the added bonus that if he is dropped, the Bulldogs are one of the best loophole options in the second half of the season, with most of their matches on Sundays.

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His scoring potential will remain limited, however, it only takes few goals for him to put up a reasonable score and make some cash.

BRETT BEWLEY $117,300 MID – 2 GAMES PLAYED

Bewley was selected at Pick 59 in the 2018 national draft after playing for Williamstown in the VFL for the past five seasons. Averaging 25 disposals in the past two VFL seasons, Bewley was selected as a mature age recruit for the Dockers and has managed 21 touches per game in the WAFL this season, playing as a midfielder.

Ryan Gardner looks safe in the Bulldogs’ line-up.

Brett Bewley will play his third game this weekend.

In the AFL side, Bewley has been playing a half-forward flank role, with modest returns so far – 11 and 13 disposals which have led to just 49 and 47 SuperCoach points respectively. While Bewley certainly has the ability to score well, it is reliant on him getting more midfield time at AFL level. With the return of Stephen Hill imminent, it will be difficult for Bewley to hold his spot, let alone shift into the midfield rotations.

Probably on the cusp of selection each week, Bewley is a risky SuperCoach downgrade option going forward. However, if you need someone that will play in Round 13 and then are happy with him to sit on your bench for the rest of the season, he could fit this particular bill.

Don’t forget about the possible return of Harley Bennell ($167k MID) either, as he could also displace Bewley from the starting Fremantle side.

PATRICK NAISH $123,900 DEF – 1 GAME PLAYED

The Richmond father-son pick in 2017 took a season to find his feet at VFL level, before jumping to an average of 24 touches and a goal a game in 2019. In his past five VFL matches, Naish averaged 26.8 disposals and 1.4 goals a game, which led to him practically forcing himself into the Richmond side given the Tigers’ injury woes.

He produced similar numbers in his AFL debut with 20 disposals and a goal. These are great numbers and promising signs from a rookie midfielder — and Naish has the added advantage of being listed as a defender in SuperCoach.

Patrick Naish made an impressive debut for the Tigers. Picture: Michael Klein

With Brandon Ellis out due to a groin injury, Jayden Short still missing and expected back after the bye and Nathan Broad dropped due to form, there is a spot in the Richmond side for the next few weeks for Naish, as long as he keeps performing.

Damien Hardwick has been kind to SuperCoach Richmond rookies this season, with Noah Balta, Liam Baker and Sydney Stack all playing large amounts of football this season, so expect Naish to get his fair run at it as well.

Given the other rookie choices available, having a defender rookie with this scoring potential pop-up during the bye times is a godsend.

DYLAN CLARKE $147,700 MID – 1 GAME PLAYED

At a slightly inflated price, Clarke needs to have more scoring potential than other rookies to be a worthwhile cash cow – and with a score of 99 in his first match of 2019, he showed it.

Clarke averaged 27 touches and 8 tackles in the VFL last season, playing as a ball-winning midfielder. However, when he managed to crack into the Essendon side, he was primarily used as a pressure forward pocket, not allowing him to accumulate touches at will. In 2019 though, it was different. Clarke came in to replace Dylan Shiel and slotted straight into the midfield in a tagging position, where he played on Patrick Cripps and restricted him to just the 11 possessions, while gathering 23 of his own. It is yet to be seen if Clarke will maintain his tagging role in the Essendon side, which would be SuperCoach gold. Given Shiel and most likely Myers will be expecting to return into the Dons first choice midfield, Clarke could find himself back into a less SuperCoach friendly role or even worse, back into the VFL. The knock has always been on Clarke’s kicking efficiency, however, if he is to be used as a permanent tagger going forward, his shaky job security will become much more stable. Watch him this week to judge his role with Shiel back in the side before jumping on.

Get more expert advice from the Doctor SuperCoach team here.