AFL Supercoach: The Phantom’s best rookie defenders

Looking for a bargain defender? AFL Supercoach expert The Phantom runs his eye over some of the best rookie defenders for season 2017.

AFL Supercoach expert The Phantom runs his eye over some of the best rookie defenders for season 2017.

Nic Newman

(Syd) $123,900

The 24-year-old appeared in last year’s pre-season competition as a rookie-listed player but after a dominant year in the NEAFL, which saw him average 28 disposals and be judged the best player on the ground in a losing grand final side, Newman won promotion to the senior list. By all reports, Newman is getting very close to a debut so look for the skilful left-footer to feature across halfback early in 2017 for the Swans. Especially if Callum Mills helps fill the void left by Tom Mitchell in the midfield.

Matthew Scharenberg

(Coll) $164,000

The 21-year-old has all the tools. He reads the play better than most, uses the footy well and, at 191cm, can play almost anywhere on the ground. Unfortunately, a horrible run with injury has meant Scharenberg is yet to get the opportunity to put them on show. But the former No. 6 draft pick is up-and-going, impressing in Collingwood’s match simulation and set to take part in the JLT Series. If all runs smoothly from here, it will be a show you won’t want to miss.

Luke Ryan

Freo ($117,300)

Fremantle need another playmaker in defence. Enter Ryan. The rebounding-defender starred in the VFL last season, averaging 105 SuperCoach points and making a name for himself as an intercept king. And best of all, the mature-age recruit, who was picked at No. 66 by the Dockers in last year’s draft, is ready to go. While there is always cause for some concern when coach Ross Lyon is involved — given it’s often hard to pick just what sort of opportunity the young players will get — take some comfort in knowing fellow mature-age defender Sam Collins played 12 consecutive games in his debut season in 2016.

Mitch Hibberd

(NM) $123,900 MID

A persistent knee injury disrupted Hibberd’s first season at the Kangaroos, with the highly-rated 21-year-old, who has already been handed a contract extension, only managing 13 VFL appearances. But after an off-season clean-out the athletic defender-midfielder, who averaged 24 disposals and 120 SuperCoach points in the 2015 Under-18 Championships, looks set make his mark in a young North Melbourne side in 2017.

Curtly Hampton

(Adel) $160,000

After failing to play a senior game during his first year at West Lakes, the word is the powerful 23-year-old is putting himself right in contention for Don Pyke’s round one side. Injury has stalled Hampton’s career to date but there has been glimpses of the enormous talent he showcased as a junior. Hampton, who would add another dimension to the Crows’ engine room or across halfback, averaged 88 in the opening nine rounds of 2014, posting two SuperCoach tons, before injury, again, forced him out. Monitor.

Andrew McGrath

(Ess) $211,800 MID

The No. 1 draft pick, who averaged 32 disposals — at 84 per cent efficiency — and 145 points in the TAC Cup last season, will be a SuperCoach star, no doubt about it. But with coach John Worsfold stating his concern about overloading the 18-year-old in the early stages of his career, there is no certainty that we see McGrath line up in round one against the Hawks.

Originally published as AFL Supercoach: The Phantom’s best rookie defenders