AFL SuperCoach 2024: The Phantom’s rookie rankings in every position
A lot of names are being thrown around – but who are the SuperCoach rookies you need to pick? The Phantom ranks the best cheapies in every position.
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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 and price taken into account.
DEFENDERS
1. Blake Howes
Melb, $123,900
SC Ave 2023: 93 (VFL)
Opening Round score: 91
The third-year Demon has not only rocketed into the SuperCoach rookie conversation but straight to the top of this list. With a 91-point score already in his price cycle – on the back of 17 disposals and a game-high 12 intercept possessions against Sydney – Howes is already guaranteed to make early cash. And for that, he’s a must-have. Plus, the Dees were rapt with the debut of the competitive 20-year-old, who averaged 23 disposals, six intercepts and 93 points in the VFL last year.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: Can’t leave him out now.
2. Josh Gibcus
Rich, $150,700
SC Ave 2023: DNP
Opening Round score: 76
After hamstring injuries wiped out last year, the highly-rated Tiger looks ready to finally build on his solid debut season of 2021. Gibcus travelled to Qatar in December to receive specialist treatment, setting the foundation for a pre-season block that has seen the 20-year-old remind onlookers of his aerial prowess in defence. Intercept possessions equal big SuperCoach points and there might be none better at Richmond than Gibcus – who tallied 18 disposals, three intercept marks and 102 points in just his fourth senior game in 2022 – very soon.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: Tallied nine disposals and eight intercept possessions in a convincingly-beaten side in opening round to confirm his place as a great on-field rookie option.
3. Nick Coffield
WB, $123,900
SC Ave 2023: 83 (VFL)
Practice match score: 51
The former top-10 draft pick played 16 of 17 games and averaged 72 points in a career-best season in Covid-affected 2020. He then finished with 17 disposals, nine marks and 95 points in the semi-final loss to Richmond. But, after an inconsistent 2021 season, Coffield tore his ACL the next summer and hasn’t played at AFL level since. The 24-year-old was traded from St Kilda in October and he’s relishing a “fresh start” at the club he supported as a kid. Importantly, Coffield, who scored 114 points in his first VFL game for two years in July, has fitted in well on the track and with Taylor Duryea now 32 and Hayden Crozier delisted, there might be a spot in defence for him.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: Likes to kick – 13 of his 14 disposals were by foot in the official practice game – and he looks set to make his long-awaited AFL return this weekend.
4. Zach Reid
Ess $123,900
SC Ave 2023: 44 (2 VFL games)
Practice match score: 80
Zach Reid in full training is great news for SuperCoaches and Bombers fans alike. The 202cm defender, who is a terrific ball user, played eight games in his first two years on Essendon’s list, scoring 60 points or more in three of his first five. But he’s battled multiple injury issues along the way, with the pick 10 from the 2022 draft managing just two VFL appearances last season. But a fit Reid has caught the eye on the track, with Essendon footy boss Daniel McPherson telling Melbourne radio the club is “really excited about what he could do in the side”.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: The Bombers love him and after 15 disposals – at 90 per cent efficiency – seven marks and 80 SuperCoach points in the practice game, it’s easy to see why. Not much between he and Coffield at the price.
5. Toby Pink
NM, $123,900
SC Ave 2023: 73 (SANFL)
Practice match score: 70
Pink joined North Melbourne as a delisted free agent, and the key defender will get a chance in the Roos’ depleted backline. The former Swan’s numbers have been solid in the SANFL the past two seasons for Glenelg, averaging 73 points, 6.3 intercepts and 2.8 intercept marks in 2023 and 72 in 2022.
The Phantom’s March 15 Verdict: Slides in for Hawk Ethan Phillips, who was overlooked at selection. A bench option if you need it.
NEXT IN LINE
Charlie Dean
Coll $102,400
SC Ave 2023: 93 (1 VFL games)
Opening Round score: 55
Could this finally be the 2021 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medallist’s year? After winning the award as the VFL’s best young player, Dean landed at the Pies in that year’s rookie draft and SuperCoaches pencilled him – and his standout intercept marking – in as a basement price rookie. But both of his first two seasons on the Magpies list were wiped out by injury, with Dean only managing three VFL games. One of those, however, was a 93-point performance, on the back of 15 disposals, seven spoils and four intercept marks, on return from injury in the 2023 preliminary final.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: With no Jeremy Howe or Nathan Murphy, Dean debuted in opening round with a nine-disposal, four-intercept performance described as “promising” by coach Craig McRae. But how strong is his job security? It might not be as solid as Phillips’.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER TO START: Marty Hore, Jase Burgoyne, Kallan Dawson
MIDFIELDERS
1. Ryley Sanders
WB, $184,800
SC Ave: 170 (U18 Champs)
Practice match score: 86
The Bulldogs draftee scored 127, 178, 152, 210, 160, 151, 161, 144, 126, 137, 184, 118 and 118 last year. They aren’t his top scores, they are his SuperCoach tallies in every match he played in 2023 across the under-18 national carnival and Coates League. Sanders is a SuperCoach scoring weapon in the making, who averaged 36 disposals, 14 contested possessions, eight score involvements, six marks, five and clearances and four tackles for the Allies in their title-winning campaign. And he hit the ground running at the Bulldogs, turning heads over summer through the midfield.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: Sanders has the ability to play inside and outside, and tallied 30 disposals and 10 contested possessions against the Hawks in the Community Series. Get him in – and on your field.
2. Colby McKercher
NM, $202,800
SC Ave: 150 (U18 Champs)
Practice match score: 55
First Nick Daicos dominated across half-back in his debut season. Then Harry Sheezel did it last year. Now, it might be McKercher’s turn, with the 18-year-old – drafted has a classy, neat-kicking midfielder with a serious burst of speed – impressing in a similar role at North Melbourne over summer. He’s been so good, Roos captain Jy Simpkin was left to say nothing but “holy crap” when quizzed about McKercher’s pre-season to date. The left-footer booted 12 goals and averaged 29 disposals and 144 SuperCoach points for the Tassie Devils in the Coates League in 2023.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: As we saw in the practice match, there are plenty of mouths to feed at North, but the role is there. Worth the top-end price tag.
3. Matt Roberts
Syd, $156,800
SC Ave: 31 (AFL), 107 (VFL)
Opening Round score: 76
After starting as the sub in the opening three rounds of the year, Roberts was finally given the opportunity in round 4 against the Tigers. And he took it, finishing with 14 disposals – at 92 per cent efficiency – eight contested possessions, four tackles, four marks and 93 points in an efficient display on a wing. Unfortunately for the Swans, and a few SuperCoaches who jumped on, he was injured a week later. But after four consecutive SuperCoach tons to finish the VFL season, and a move to half-back over summer, Roberts, who was a junior ball magnet, is right back in the SuperCoach rookie conversation.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: A move to half-back is the new ‘more midfield minutes’ and this guy might seriously surprise. That was the verdict before any pre-season games. And he’s done more than surprise. Roberts is just super efficient and smart – and a lock on your bench at the very least, especially with a 76-point score already in his price cycle.
4. Jhye Clark
Geel, $123,900
SC Ave: 64 (VFL)
Practice match score: 86
Injury ruined most of his debut season, with Clark playing only seven games in 2023 – sic in the VFL and one as the sub in the senior team. But the tough midfielder hit the ground running this year and attended more centre bounces than any other Cat in the practice match against Essendon.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: Earmarked as the Joel Selwood replacement when he was drafted, it might finally be Clark’s time. His desire to hunt the ball and body should make for a higher SuperCoach floor and he’s an on-field candidate, depending on your structure.
5. Shaun Mannagh
Geel, $117,300, Fwd
SC Ave: 117 (VFL)
Practice match score: 44
“He is ready to go and we feel like he can have a big influence on the way that we play… really composed, beautifully clean off his feet”. When Patrick Dangerfield speaks at Geelong, people listen. So the Geelong star’s praise for mature-age recruit Mannagh wouldn’t just be for show. The 26-year-old booted a remarkable 40 goals – six of them in the grand final – and averaged 25 disposals, six tackles and five clearances in 21 VFL games last season. A ball-winning offensive weapon, Mannagh could help Geelong forward-of-centre right away.
The Phantom’s March 15 Verdict: Mature-age. Dual-position. $117k. Kicks goals. Mannagh ticks a lot of SuperCoach cash cow boxes. Moves into the fifth spot after Henry Hustwaite was also overlooked by the Hawks. He’s in the 23 and, ff he’s not named as the sub on Saturday night, pick him.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER TO START: Jack Carroll, Jeremy Sharp, Josh Sinn
RUCKS
1. Sam Naismith (Rich, $123,900)
2. Coen Livingstone (WC, $102,400, Fwd)
3. Liam Reidy (Freo, $123,900)
4. Jordan Sweet (Port $158,700)
5. Toby Conway (Geel $180,000)
We’ll keep this one simple. After he scored 93 in opening round, Richmond captain Toby Nankervis only needs to miss two more for Naismith to make some quick, serious cash. Could Adem Yze play two ruckmen when Nankervis does return, given his limited preparation? There’s enough upside to make him the top point-scoring, money-making R3 option. But if you’re after a forward-ruck non-playing R3, Livingstone is your man. If you’re starting Luke Jackson in the forward line – and you probably should be now – Livingstone allows you the option of bringing Jackson up to cover your on-field rucks at any stage. The Eagles play eight Sunday games – and only one in the early Saturday timeslot – before their round 14 bye, meaning he’s the best VC loophole candidate.
FORWARDS
1. Alex Sexton
GC, $133,400
Ave: 24 (AFL)
Opening round score: 73
A 30-year-old who averaged 24 SuperCoach points in eight senior games at No. 3, Phantom, really? Yeah, it doesn’t scream pick me – but there’s good reason. Sexton, who booted 39 goals in career-best 2019, started as Gold Coast’s sub in five of those eight matches last year, explaining the three scores of 16 or less. The big factor here, though, is new coach Damien Hardwick turning the two-time club leading goalkicking into a rebounding defender – one who could help fill the void left by Lachie Weller early in 2024. The skills of and ability to cover the ground of Sexton, who had 31 disposals, 11 marks and 125 SuperCoach points in the Community Series, have impressed Hardwick during his first pre-season at the club.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: The role is real and so is Alex Sexton at No. 1.
2. Harley Reid
WC, $207,300, Mid
SC Ave: 135 (Coates League)
Practice match score: 88
Harley Reid could play anywhere in his debut season and score well. But with coach Adam Simpson hinting over summer his prized No. 1 pick is likely to spend time behind the ball this year, he might score more than just well. Reid averaged 20 disposals, four intercept marks and 113 SuperCoach points playing in defence for Vic Country at the under-18 carnival as a bottom-ager in 2022. He caught the eye pushing senior teammates around through the midfield in the Eagles’ intra-club, before doing exactly what Simpson had said, mopping up down back.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: Drops one spot on this list but only because of his price and Sexton’s rise. With job security, role and scoring power all there, Reid hasn’t left my side since SuperCoach opened.
3. Darcy Wilson
StK, $139,900, Mid
SC Ave: 125 (Coates League)
Practice match score: 106
The running machine tallied 24 disposals and 10 marks against North Melbourne to show just how well he’ll fit into St Kilda’s side in his debut season. The Saints like to share it around and the player who finds space often gets rewarded. And, given his running power, the teenager, who averaged 25 disposals and 1.5 goals per game last year, will do just that.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: At that price, you just have to pick him, even if you can’t get Wilson on field.
4. Charlie Lazzaro
NM, $181,100, Fwd
SC Ave: 36 (AFL), 106 (VFL)
Practice match score: 68
If we’re counting North Melbourne’s recent intra-club – and of course we are at this time of the year – Lazzaro has played three very good games in a row. In his final VFL game of last season, the 21-year-old tallied 35 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 12 tackles, 11 clearances and 128 SuperCoach points. He was recalled to the senior team a week later for only his third non-sub-affected appearance of the year and finished with 26 disposals, nine contested possessions, five clearances, four tackles and 87 points against the Suns – albeit in a midfield missing Luke Davies-Uniacke. Then, if you’ve missed the news, dominated the Roos’ internal hitout this week, prompting assistant coach Leigh Adams to declare Lazzaro a player who “seems at the moment to have nailed a spot in the midfield”.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: There are some compelling numbers and his work at the contest – an ability to hit it at pace and take the ball in particular – has been equally as impressive. There are plenty of young guns vying for midfield time at North Melbourne, but Lazzaro has shown he can have an impact in a split role. I’m going deep on the bench this year, so he’s in my team.
5. Jackson Mead
Port, $199,800, Mid
SC Ave: 40 (AFL), 98 (SANFL)
Practice match score: 112
In his fifth season, it might finally time for Mead to make his mark. He’s been given infrequent opportunity in the senior side of the past two years, given the strength of the Power’s midfield mix. And, while Mead said this week he’s open to playing anywhere, coach Ken Hinkley know the 21-year-old does his best work in the middle – just like he did in the practice match, tallying 21 disposals at 95 per cent efficiency and 112 SuperCoach points.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict: Yes, Zak Butters went down early in that game but there might be opportunity with Sam Powell-Pepper suspended. If Mead, who is tough, clean and efficient, takes that opportunity, Hinkley won’t drop him just because he was last man in.
NEXT IN LINE
Caleb Windsor
Melb, $180,300, Mid
SC Ave: 98 (Coates League)
“He’s flying, I’ve told all my mates in SuperCoach to get him.” No, that isn’t me talking, that’s Windsor’s star teammate Christian Petracca, who’s loved what he’s seen from the first-round pick over summer. Broke lines and kicked goals on the outside playing for Eastern Ranges last year, but the classy teenager also has terrific hands and can get himself out of trouble, like he’s shown during Melbourne’s intra-club and in the second half against Richmond on Sunday.
The Phantom’s March 12 Verdict:Had some nice moments, again, in opening round and has a 58-point score locked in. But I’m not sure he will win enough footy in an uncontested role to justify the high-price tag and sit in the top five. The next three below are very close, too.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER TO START: Chris Burgess, Zane Duursma, Aaron Cadman, Buku Khamis, Fin Macrae, Cooper Simpson
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Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2024: The Phantom’s rookie rankings in every position
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