AFL SuperCoach 2016: Every rookie rated after AFL Round 3

WHICH cheap players are flying after three rounds and who should be on the trades chopping block? Plus this week’s bubble boys. NEW PODCAST

WHICH cheap players are flying after three rounds and who should be on the trades chopping block?

SuperCoach players who were prepared to hand over the cash for premium priced rookies are reaping the rewards, with Jacob Weitering, Darcy Parish, Matt Dea and Clayton Oliver all scoring well and Eagles defender Eric Mackenzie in the best form of his career.

But there are worries at Sydney with Tom Papley and George Hewett crashing to earth last weekend — how much longer should they stay in our teams?

And the Bombers are a mixed bag, with Mitch Brown high on the trade radar. But who should we trade him for?

Read on for a complete wrap of every rookie-priced player.

THREE GAMERS

Mitch Brown (Ess) $154,100 def/fwd

In more than 118,000 SuperCoach teams but for how long? Has cracked 50 only once this year but with a negative break-even (-19) should continue to creep up in price for another 5-6 weeks. Too early to cut and run but may have to reassess that next week when there will be some good defensive options on the bubble.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Ess) $166,600 def/fwd

Has emerged as the most reliable of the cheap Essendon defenders, scoring 71 against Port Adelaide. Price jumped $64k and with a break-even of -57 he has a lot more money to make.

Matt Dea (Ess) $243,500 def

What did we just say about the Bombers? Started with a higher price tag but has justified it with an 81-point average making him a safe starter in the back six. Break-even still well in the negative, ensuring more price gains to come.

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Jacob Weitering (Carl) $289,100 def

Flawless performance in Round 3, scoring 129 to land the Rising Star nomination and pocket a $68k price rise. Has a break-even of -27 this week. Set and forget.

Marcus Adams (WB) $226,000 def/fwd

Leading the rookie class of 2016 so far with a massive $108k price rise following his 97 against the Hawks. Expect another huge spike with a break-even of -99 this week. Start him on the field and leave him there, possibly for the whole season.

Eric Mackenzie (WC) $290,300 def

Scoring career-high numbers after returning from a knee injury, rewarding coaches who forked out top dollar (in rookie terms) for him before Round 1. Should make his break-even of 17 comfortably on Friday night.

Callum Mills (Syd) $243,000 mid

Just doing enough, banking a $31k price rise after a 56 against GWS, his lowest score of the season. Break-even of 19 a lot higher than most other rookies, so let’s pick it up, Callum.

George Hewett (Syd) $163,800 mid

Uh-oh. Scoring has nosedived since his 96 in Round 1, managing just 19 against the Giants. Break-even now 29 so even if he plays he’s no certainty to get another price rise.

Ben Kennedy (Melb) $258,600 mid/fwd

Bit of a downer in Hobart although he picked up some points late with the final centre clearance. Very healthy $71k price rise already and projected to jump another $31k this weekend. Still an excellent pick.

Ben Kennedy has made a strong start to his career as a Demon. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Darcy Parish (Ess) $260,400 mid

His score of 83 last round was dead on his season average, making him a better pick than Mills to this point. Jumped $57k and has a break-even of -27.

Clayton Oliver (Melb) $253,100 mid

Wowing fans and experts with his contested footy but scoring seems to be capped at 90 — still nothing to sneeze at for a first-year player. Went up $46k but break-even now -1 so will need to keep posting good numbers.

Ryan Davis (GC) $151,500 mid

Chugging along with another score in the 50s and still has a break-even of -25. More Suns injuries will help him keep his spot in a winning line-up.

Tom Papley (Syd) $196,100 fwd

Was in single figures at halftime against GWS but lifted to post 46, helping himself to an $86k price jump. Break-even of -40 means more price rises are coming. Keep the faith, but he might be more suited to the bench.

Sam Kerridge (Carl) $215,700 mid/fwd

A little down on the weekend with a 65 but no complaints here about how he’s travelling. Break-even is -44.

Lincoln McCarthy (Geel) $193,900 fwd

Posted a 96 against the Lions, clearly his best score of the year, to land a $54k price rise and keep his break-even at -48. Some were wavering after the first two rounds but he’s a very safe pick on the forward bench and a possible starter.

Connor Menadue (Rich) $192,000 mid/fwd

Couldn’t handle the Crows heat, scoring 31 from 18 disposals. Will get more chances but break-even of 19 means he might not get far above $200k.

Corey Ellis (Rich) $210,000 mid/fwd

Given kick-in duties against the Crows which is a good sign, but still struggling to really get involved in games. But Damien Hardwick says he’ll persist with the kids. Received a modest price boost of $17k and has a break-even of 31 — not ideal, but if you need a silver lining his best score last year was in Perth.

Wayne Milera (Adel) $201,800 fwd

Has tricks. Will be up and down, scoring 40, 82 and 39 so far — making it very hard to know when to put him on the field. Handy selection though who has gone up $26k and has a projected rise of $25k this week (BE -3).

Wayne Milera chats to Crows coach Don Pyke. Picture: Sarah Reed

BUBBLE BOYS

(Two-gamers set for a price rise after their next game)

Michael Hartley (Ess) $117,300 def

Scored almost all his 53 points against Port in the second quarter, a disappointing drop after his promising 86 on debut. Talk Nathan Grima is ready for senior action makes us nervous.

Josh Dunkley (WB) $117,300 mid

Lost his spot in the Bulldogs team last week — can he win it back? Bob Murphy’s injury creates a vacancy but Easton Wood will fill that. We’re not optimistic.

Nick Kommer (Ess) $123,900 fwd

Scores of 31 and 38 in his two games don’t scream ‘pick me’.

Jade Gresham (StK) $144,300 mid

Dropped last week after scoring 44 and 37 in the first two games and could be set for a stint in the VFL.

Daniel Rioli (Rich) $157,800 fwd

Tiger coaches clearly like him, bringing him straight back into the team last weekend. He kicked two goals but scored just 56 points, which will be the issue in his position. Break-even is exactly 0 so if he scores one point he’ll go up in price.

Jayden Short (Rich) $117,300 fwd

Has scored 46 and 52 in his first two games and is set to get a bump next week, assuming he keeps his spot against the Eagles. That’s no guarantee.

Callum Ah Chee (GC) $189,200 fwd

Remains on the bubble after being rested against Carlton. Should come straight back into the team and is projected to rise $40k after averaging 67 in the first two rounds.

Charlie Curnow (Carl) $171,300 fwd

Handy in his first two games (46, 50) but there are better options out there.

Geelong rookie Tom Ruggles made a successful transition from VFL to the AFL last weekend. picture: Glenn Ferguson

FIRST LOOK

(One-gamers who we get another look at before making any trade moves)

Tom Ruggles (Geel) $102,400 def

Promoted from the rookie list and delivered with a 77 in game one. Another score like that and we might need to get him in for an early cash cow cull — Mitch Brown is on notice.

Josh Wagner (Melb) $121,900 def

Scored 47 first-up against the Kangaroos. Will need to do a lot better against Collingwood to challenge Ruggles as next week’s trade target.

Daniel Menzel (Geel) $260,600 fwd

Rewarded for strong VFL form with a guernsey against the Lions and didn’t disappoint, scoring 91 off the back of 15 disposals and a goal. Hope he pulled up OK.

Mitch McGovern (Adel) $163,800 fwd

Not scoring big but you could do a lot worse on the bench. Averaging 54 and has a break-even of -26.

Billy Evans (BL) $219,100 mid/fwd

A late inclusion against the Cats after Daniel Rich pulled out, scoring 46 points. Not on our radar.

Ciaran Byrne (Carl) $123,900 def

Score of 67 first-up is in Ruggles territory. Watch closely against the Dogs on Saturday.

Matthew Goodyear (Coll) $123,900 mid

Scored just 25 in his first game and could make way for Steele Sidebottom this week.

Oscar McDonald (Melb) $155,400 def

Listed as a fitness test this week after he was injured in Round 1. A chance to return if you picked him then but you wouldn’t consider him now.

Dougal Howard (PA) $123,900 fwd

In and out of the Power side after scoring 61. Might not see him again for a while.

Darcy Byrne-Jones (PA) $123,900 def

Talked up as a SuperCoach option during the pre-season by captain Travis Boak and showed a bit on debut. Watch closely.

Mark Pittonet (Haw) $123,900 ruck

Third-string ruckman at the Hawks made a surprise appearance in Round 1 and hasn’t been seen since. Avoid.

IN THE WINGS

Christian Petracca (Melb) $123,900 mid/fwd

Looks a class above in the VFL but has still played very limited game time this year. Be patient!

@Supercoach @superfooty @FantasyFreako still a little way off a debut #cool #jets

— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) April 11, 2016

Originally published as AFL SuperCoach 2016: Every rookie rated after AFL Round 3