SuperCoach rookie watch: The cheapies with great earning potential

WE’RE three rounds into the season, which means most rookies have started to increase in price. Check out which SuperCoach cheapies are making you money.

ARE your SuperCoach rookies starting to make you money?

We’re three rounds into the season, which means most rookies have started to increase in value.

THE PHANTOM: THE GOOD AND THE BAD FROM ROUND 3

MARKET WATCH: TOP SUPERCOACH TRADE TIPS

Some prices have risen a lot more than others, while some cheapies haven’t been the cash cows we had expected.

How long should you be holding on to them?

Here is a comprehensive review of how every rookie performed in Round 3.

Carlton v Collingwood

Zac Fisher ($318,400) — 76 points; Breakeven: 3

The last time Fisher can be classed as a ‘rookie’, considering his price is now above $300,000. On a dirty night for the Blues he still delivered 76 points which resulted in a rise of more than $50,000 from his starting price of $263,600. Enjoy the ride for at least the next month if you have him then consider your options when he peaks.

Jarrod Garlett ($158,200) — 64 points; Breakeven: -6

Garlett’s best return in his first three games for the Blues. He’ll gain nicely in price in the next few weeks if he maintains his average of between 50-60 points, but he won’t be a player you can bank on each week. Worth holding, for now, on your bench.

Jarrod Garlett can keep your bench warm. Picture: AAP

Paddy Dow ($200,400) — 49 points; Breakeven: 24

The No.3 draft pick only eclipsed his breakeven of 33 by 16 points and it is decision time on whether you want to stick with him. If there’s a player carrying the base rookie price who takes your fancy, it’s probably time to bite the bullet and cash in.

Sam Murray ($191,700) — 95 points; Breakeven: -39

A brilliant return from the dashing Magpie which came from 21 possessions, seven marks and four tackles. His breakeven should continue to be negative for a while yet and you would feel comfortable starting him in your defensive six.

Jaidyn Stephenson ($203,600) — 33 points; Breakeven: 24

Stephenson had a breakeven of -20 heading in to Round 3, so he was always destined for a decent price rise. Unless he manages a score of 70 or above in his next few matches, the gap between his breakeven and scores are going to meet quickly. Hold for at least another two weeks then consider your options, especially with someone like Jack Higgins set to be on the bubble.

Port Adelaide v Brisbane Lions

Cam Rayner ($203,000) — 63 points; Breakeven: 38

Just hit his breakeven of 61 which means he should earn money for a few more weeks yet. The No.1 pick only had nine disposals but laid four tackles to push his score above 60 for the first time.

Todd Marshall ($241,600) — 69 points; Breakeven: -18

The high-priced rookie forward has started the year promisingly and rewarded 1600 coaches who had him in their side by Round 3 to benefit from his price climb. He’s probably too costly to consider now.

If you don’t have Todd Marshall you may have missed the boat. Picture: AAP

Riley Bonner ($306,700) — 68 points; Breakeven: 38

A rookie in terms of games played despite his elevated price, Bonner averaged will likely end up closer to 70, which he has managed the past two weeks, than his Round 1 score of 119. He’s still going to make plenty of cash though.

Dom Barry ($151,000) — 39 points; Breakeven: -11

Monitor how much longer Barry’s breakeven remains negative, as that will tell you when to push the trade button. His score of 39 on Saturday means he’s averaged less than 50 in his first three games.

Melbourne v North Melbourne

Bayley Fritsch ($164,900) — 56 points; Breakeven: -18

The first time in his career Fritsch did not score 60, but he was still around the same mark. He’s done a few nice things in each game and will continue to gain in price, but don’t expect huge scores from the first-year Dee.

Bayley Fritsch has been serviceable. Picture: Michael Klein

Luke Davies-Uniacke ($194,900) — 23 points; Breakeven: 16

This might be the week to pull the button on LDU. If you saw enough in someone like Richmond’s Jack Higgins, who offers MID-FWD swing, they consider a downgrade. His breakeven was nine before the popular pick struggled to 23 points against the Demons.

Gold Coast v Fremantle

Andrew Brayshaw ($213,600) — 32 points Breakeven: 33

If you have both Brayshaw and Luke Davies-Uniacke, it’s time to consider which you are comfortable parting with early in the season. The coaches who picked both high draft picks haven’t been rewarded with the scores their starting price demanded.

Adam Cerra ($184,800) — 53 points; Breakeven: -4

On the bubble this week. Cerra has done a few nice things in his first two games for the Dockers but has been introduced to AFL playing predominantly as a forward. Can he score enough to justify the price?

Mitch Crowden ($117,300) — 72 points; Breakeven: -31

Crowden will be one of the most popular downgrade options this week. His MID-FWD swing is a bonus and he showed against Gold Coast he can win the footy and be damaging in attack. Strongly consider bringing him in before his price surges. He had 13 possessions and six marks against the Suns.

Bailey Banfield ($172,900) — 69 points; Breakeven: -30

Another reasonable score from Banfield which pushed his three-round average above 60 as he was given the shutdown role on Aaron Hall. Keep him in your side for a while yet, but he’s best served as bench cover.

Nick Holman ($196,100) — 82 points; Breakeven: -57

You missed out on a $94,000 price rise if you failed to trade Holman in before Round 3. The former Blue has been a revelation in the early rounds for the Suns and laid another six tackles in their loss to Fremantle. He’ll continue to climb in price, so consider him if you haven’t already.

Sydney v GWS Giants

Daniel Lloyd ($251,300) — 95 points; Breakeven: 0

With little on offer from a bargain rookie perspective in this clash, Lloyd caught the eye with 95 points from 12 possessions, six marks and six tackles. His price was already above $200,000 though and you will find it hard to squeeze him in unless you have plenty of bank up your sleeve.

Jeremy Finlayson ($211,900) — 77 points; Breakeven: -57

Finlayson has been one of the finds of the season and his dual-position status could come in handy this week and you consider your options on high-priced rookies such as Luke Davies-Uniacke or Andrew Brayshaw. He’s played well enough to be a starter in midfield or defence.

St Kilda v Adelaide

Lachlan Murphy ($153,600) — 63 points; Breakeven: -52

Starting the season at the lowest-possible price, Murphy has started his career with two scores above 60 and held his spot long enough to enjoy a price rise. Keep him on your defensive bench until he is squeezed out of Adelaide’s team of his breakeven meets his average score.

Rowan Marshall ($219,400) — 79 points; Breakeven: -28 (one week before price changes)

You have a few more weeks to consider if you want to part with the extra money to trade for Marshall. After 14 disposals, six marks and 18 hit outs, don’t rule a line through him.

Nick Coffield ($171,300) — 66 points; Breakeven: -30 (one week before price changes)

A promising debut from the first-round draft pick and you would expect he’ll hold his spot for a while yet after a difficult start to the season for the Saints. Wait another week until he’s on the bubble before pulling the trigger.

Ben Long ($189,300) — 35 points; Breakeven: 27

Not a prolific enough scorer to be in consideration with the extra cash you would have to part with. There’s better options for cheaper in the forward stocks.

Richmond v Hawthorn

Jack Graham ($276,000) — 38 points; Breakeven: 88

Graham has struggled after his opening-round 100 and the 15,000 coaches who have him in their team need to consider whether he’s worth cashing in on. If you could turn him in to a premium who fell in price, it’s probably worth doing.

Jack Higgins ($130,800) — 63 points; Breakeven: -48 (after one game)

A couple of nice goals, a few fist pumps and plenty to like about the Tigers debutant on Sunday. If he puts in another performance like that, he’ll have to be considered next week when he’s on the bubble.

Wait another week for Jack Higgins. Picture: AAP

Western Bulldogs v Essendon

Ed Richards ($135,300) — 82 points; Breakeven: -50

After two games, Richards should be one of the most popular trade-in options this week. The difficulty is working out how to get him in to your defence with so many other defensive rookies playing well.

Aaron Naughton ($182,400) — 61 points; Breakeven: -1

Hold on to Naughton for a few more weeks after he produced the best score of his first three AFL games in the win over Essendon. His breakeven is still negative and while his scoring won’t be prolific, he has more money to make.

Tim English ($184,900) — 76 points; Breakeven: 1

Another strong showing from the young Bulldogs ruckman which caused his starting price to rise by more than $50,000. His current price would be a lot to pay for a rookie ruckman, but consider if you are desperate for bench cover in the rucks.

Tim English has had a price surge. Picture: Mark Wilson

Billy Gowers ($152,900) — 43 points; Breakeven: -9

Gowers’ breakeven remains negative which is promising, however he has only averaged 49.7. He might come in to consideration for some coaches though, especially with injury concerns surrounding Liam Ryan and Zac Langdon out for at least a few more weeks.

Josh Begley ($225,100) — 46 points; Breakeven: 36

Begley’s scoring is creeping closer to his breakeven and at the elevated price, there are better options elsewhere up forward.

West Coast v Geelong

Tim Kelly ($231,700) — 90 points; Breakeven: -69

Kelly started slowly on Sunday against the Eagles but was more influential in the second half as the Cats battled back into the contest. Start him in your midfield and enjoy another steep price jump this week. Oh, and if you’re one of the 34 teams who don’t have him, shake your head.

Jack Henry ($123,900) — 93 points; Breakeven: — 46

The injuries are mounting at Geelong and Henry’s job security increased when he had 16 disposals and six marks against the Eagles. There’s not many forward rookies left at this price, but can he back up a breakout performance?

Jack Henry was outstanding against the Eagles. Picture: Alison Wynd

Esava Ratugolea ($123,900) — 74 points; Breakeven: -32

Ratugolea was preferred to Rhys Stanley to ruck against Nick Naitanui on Sunday, suggesting he is firmly in Chris Scott’s plans. He’s an exciting prospect but the question is whether he can score consistently enough to be worth a trade.

Dan Venables ($144,200) — 23 points; Breakeven: 4

Not renowned as a huge possession winner, Venables only had nine disposals and two marks on Sunday and his score reflected this. You’ll likely need to hold him due to injuries up forward.

Willie Rioli ($123,900) — 40 points; Breakeven: 3

Watch the news about Liam Ryan’s injury with interest before deciding whether to bring Rioli in. If Ryan’s ankle keeps him out for an extended period, Adam Simpson could turn to Rioli to fill the small forward role.

Jake Waterman ($181,000) — 72 points; Breakeven: -42

Waterman continues to deliver in the absence of Josh Kennedy up forward, but it is hard to justify a trade when his job security is questionable with Kennedy on the comeback trail.

Liam Ryan ($194,100) — 88 points; Breakeven: -88

Two brilliant weeks and plenty of highlights from Ryan, but like the Eagles 48 per cent of teams will be sweating on scans to determine the extent of his injury. You will have to look at trading him if he’s going to be out for more than a few weeks. A trade to Rioli or Jack Henry could be worthwhile and will make $70,000.