SuperCoach 2016: Which AFL rookies are in line for senior selection

PICK the right rookies and you’re well on your way to ultimate SuperCoach glory. EIGHT ROOKIE PROSPECTS

PICK the right rookies and you’re well on your way to ultimate SuperCoach glory.

Get it wrong and you’re left burning trades trying to get rid of players who might never make it on AFL lists let alone score well enough to make money.

It’s an inexact science picking rookies.

Firstly, they’ve got to play.

Then, play well enough to warrant selection each week.

But it’s not impossible.

Tigers midfielder Kane Lambert made the transition last year and his best mate Adam Marcon will be looking to do the same this time around.

Suns speedster Adam Saad not only survived at AFL level but thrived providing run off half back.

He started as a rookie cash cow option last year and for many of his proud SuperCoach owners he was still there at the end of the season.

Who will make the cut this year? Here’s eight of the best bottom-priced rookie SuperCoach prospects.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Ess) $102,400 def-fwd

At 25 letters and a hyphen the Bomber — with the longest name in the AFL — known around the club simply as “Walla” is quickly making a name for himself ahead of a possible Round 1 AFL debut. Used primarily across the half-back, Walla has played 40 games in three seasons for Essendon’s VFL side where averaged 17 disposals and was rated elite by Champion Data for intercept marks and tackles. Originally from Melville Island, off the coast of the Northern Territory, McDonald-Tipungwuti’s journey to Essendon via Gippsland is nothing short of exceptional.

Ryan Davis (GC) $102,400 mid

The definition of a mature-age rookie ready to play. Davis played 14 games in two years on West Coast’s rookie list in 2008-09 before being cut and spending the next six years dominating the WAFL. Given another chance by the Suns, he has scored 65 and 67 in two NAB Challenge appearances to put up his hand to be the next Adam Saad.

Darcy Macpherson (GC) $102,400 mid

Seems to have been overtaken by Davis but had a great summer and the son of former Bulldog Steve (overlooked as a father-son pick) scored 108 SuperCoach points in the Suns’ opening NAB Challenge game on the back of 15 disposals and 10 tackles (but scored just 14 the next week). The Gold Coast injury curse shows no signs of abating so he’s every chance to get a run too.

Adam Marcon in action for Williamstown. Picture: David Smith

Adam Marcon (Ric) $102,400 mid

Mature-aged recruit Marcon looks a bolter after a five-year VFL apprenticeship. Loves to get his hands dirty around the stoppages which usually bodes well for SuperCoach. Played 19 VFL games last year for Williamstown where he averaged 23 disposals and eight tackles a game. Taken with pick 47 in last year’s rookie draft, Marcon joins best mate Kane Lambert at Punt Rd who bridged the gap from VFL to AFL last year.

Tom Ruggles (Geel) $102,400 def

A season-ending knee injury to Jackson Thurlow creates an opening on the Cats’ list and in defence, and Ruggles could be the man to fill it. Geelong’s VFL best-and-fairest winner last year (where he rated elite for intercept marks), the 23-year-old had 15 disposals against Essendon in Shepparton last weekend and says he’s up for the challenge: “Yeah I think I’m ready,” he told the Geelong Advertiser.

Jackson Thurlow's injury could open up opportunity for rookie def Tom Ruggles. Impressed against Bombers. Won VFL Cats B&F.

— Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) March 7, 2016

Andrew Galluci (Carl) $102,400 fwd

Might be a long shot but a back injury to draftee Harry McKay gives the Blues the option of upgrading a rookie — and Galluci seems to be in a three-way race with ruckman Cameron Wood and Irishman Ciaran Byrne. The mature-aged small forward kicked 28 goals for Williamstown in the VFL last year and has played in both of Carlton’s NAB Challenge games so far, picking up 12 disposals, four tackles and a goal (and a worrying seven clangers) in the loss to Essendon. Could fill a void as a small forward who can apply pressure.

Mabior Chol flies high over Alex Rance during an intra-club match. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mabior Chol (Ric) $102,400 fwd-ruc

Showed glimpses of what he is capable of in two NAB Challenge games already this season and gets another chance on Thursday night to push his case for a shock Round 1 selection. The Sudanese-born Queenslander is incredibly athletic, boasts strong hands and reads the play well. Would not surprise to see him make his debut this season but SuperCoach output not going to be great.

Jonathon Beech (Adel) $102,400 mid/fwd

The Crows can promote a rookie to replace retired defender Matthew Jaensch and Beech is at the front of the queue. In contrast to other Crows rookies including former cricketer Alex Keith and basketballer Hugh Greenwood, Beech is ready to go right now. The 25-year-old can play a variety of roles and averaged 18 disposals a game in the SANFL last year, rating elite for marks, goals and score assists. But he hasn’t appeared in the NAB Challenge which isn’t a great sign.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2016: Which AFL rookies are in line for senior selection