Footy Tragic

The rookie pool is thinning out as the season progresses with just four bubble boys this week. It’s getting to be slim pickings (pun intended)…

JOSH BOOTSMA (Carlton Blues, DEF)

AFL Dream Team: $98,700. Scores: 30, 61. Break even: -25

SuperCoach: $106,600. Scores: 10, 71. Break even: -15

It looks like the Blues have unearthed a bit of a cult hero here. Bootsma has been impressive in his first couple of AFL outings. He has a massive set of guns on him for a guy who weighs about as much as a couple of cats taped together! Nonetheless despite his Josh Thurgood-like physique, Bootsma has a great appetite for the contest (Brad Green can attest to that) and intensity that Bryce Gibbs would die for…

Summary: Job security is a concern here – Carlton have a cavalcade of mid sized defenders competing for spots & I think Bootsma is up against it to keep his place in the team. I like Bootsma & think he’s definitely worth keeping an eye on for the future but in a word it’s no.

SAM DARLEY (Greater Western Sydney Giants, DEF)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 64, 42. Break even: -36

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 82, 23. Break even: -35

A bit like Zorko last week we’ve been waiting for Darley since the pre-season and he has lived up to the hype early doors. He scored well coming on as a sub against the Dons last week & looks at home at AFL level. His scoring should improve as he better adjusts to the intensity of the elite level & he could be a godsend for some fantasy coaches given the dearth of quality rookie backs.

Summary: The ideal down trade for any underperforming back, as stated earlier good rookie backs are hard to come by & there are less & less as the season drags on.

ALEX SEXTON (Gold Coast Suns, MID/FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $98,700. Scores: 22, 60. Break even: -16

SuperCoach: $106,600. Scores: 13, 55. Break even: -2

The Gold Coast 2011 zone selection looked useful in his last outing against Port. He has that handy DP status which is good for any coaches looking to open up a link. Not a ball magnet but shows good endeavour.

Summary: A bit of a meh from me. Wax on/wax off, trade in/trade out. Downtrade/cash cow only.

ZEPHANIAH SKINNER (Western Bulldogs, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 28, 19. Break even: 23

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 21, 24. Break even: 25

Zep has suffered from sub fun in his short career so far. It’s a bit hard to know what his fantasy ceiling could be. He’s come into the side for Nathan Djerkurra & given his sub status there are probably questions on his endurance.

Summary: No, with the upcoming Round 11 bye I don’t see Skinner lasting much longer in the improving Doggies side. He isn’t worth the cash at this point.

A definite point of interest this week is that all of our Bubble Boys have the bye in Round 11. So buyer beware of trading into bye trouble.

DAYNE ZORKO (Brisbane Lions, FWD/MID)

AFL Dreamteam $104,200 BE:-52 Scores: 26,96 Ave: 61

SuperCoach $113,200 BE:-47 Scores: 18,100 Ave: 59

Looks set for a big price rise courtesy of a day out against GWS in round 8. It’s been a long wait for Zorko & fantasy coaches since the pre-season where he probably was in most teams. He has shown good intensity & a willingness to tackle. DZ’s DP status also makes him a sexy option for fantasy coaches.

Summary: Yes. Zorko should jeep his spot in a pretty pox Lions side & score well with his tackling and finishing skills.

JOSH JENKINS (Adelaide Crows, RUC)

AFL Dreamteam $104,200 BE:-76 Scores: 54, 92 Ave: 73

SuperCoach $113,200 BE:-107 Scores: 73, 95 Ave: 84

The former Bomber rookie listed player has looked pretty good in his first two outings for the Crowies. He has grabbed the spot offered to him by Shaun McKernan with open arms & doesn’t look like giving it up easily. He’s averaging a nice amount of points in both fantasy forms in a kind of Leigh Brown type role (2nd ruck come forward). His ruckwork at this point leaves a little bit to be desired which could threaten his job security.

Summary: He is a good trade in option but it depends on your teams circumstances – if you have a ruck line up consisting of any two of Jacobs, Hudson, Giles, McIntosh, Cox, Naitanui or Minson, trading in Jenkins isn’t the smartest way to deal with the round 11 bye. Job security isn’t set in stone but he remains a good downgrade option regardless.

BRAD MCKENZIE (North Melbourne Kangaroos, MID)

AFL Dreamteam $103,200 BE:42 Scores: 23, 4 Ave: 13.5

SuperCoach $111,600 BE:50 Scores: 8, 10 Ave: 9

Green vest fun has left McKenzie with spuddish fantasy scores in his first two outings in the AFL. There isn’t much more to analyse.

Summary: The kid can play, but you’d want to see him getting a bit more love from coach Brad Scott than the ‘I like you slightly more than Cam Richardson’ treatment.

ANDREW PHILLIPS (Greater Western Sydney Giants, RUC)

AFL Dreamteam $115,800 BE:-13 Scores: 35, 56 Ave:45.5

SuperCoach $124,700 BE:-32 Scores: 47, 61 Ave: 54

The lanky Taswegian has held his own in his first two outings for the Giants. Playing second fiddle to Jon Giles he has exceeded expectations given his slender build. His tapwork is good & he is a solid citizen around the ground. He looks to have a good future in the game.

Summary: No. It may be a bit short sighted but I’d be trading in Jenkins if I needed a ruck this week.

KOBY STEVENS (West Coast Eagles, MID)

AFL Dreamteam $104,200 BE:-41 Scores: 83, 28 Ave: 55.5

SuperCoach $135,500 BE:-19 Scores: 81, 21 Ave: 51

Stevens was drafted in 2009, effectively making him a mature aged rookie with his basement price in DT. There are plenty of midfielders ahead of him at the Eagles but they are dropping like flies so he could get more games. He seems to be a bit of a backup player at the moment.

Summary: No. I like Koby but I think he’ll struggle to get a game. He might need a change of scenery to be honest.

JACOB BRENNAN (West Coast Eagles, DEF)

AFL Dream Team $104,200 Scores: 31, 66 Avg: 48.5 BE: -27

SuperCoach $113,200 Scores: 47, 84 Avg: 65.5 BE: -64

The Son of Monkey hasn’t looked out of place in his first two games in the AFL. The medium sized defender reads the play well & has a good appetite for the contest. However, you have to wonder if he wasn’t playing in a team that structures up so well if he would  have the freedom to play the role he is playing. On the other hand he has managed to crack it for a game in a top of the ladder side, so well done to the chimp!

Summary: With the dearth of defender rookies this season Brennan would have to come under consideration. But I wouldn’t do it as I just don’t think his job security is there.
 
 

CAMERON DELANEY (North Melbourne Kangaroos, DEF)

AFL Dream Team $104,200 Scores: 58, 54 Avg: 56 BE-42

SuperCoach: $113,200 Scores: 79, 57 Avg: 68 BE: -66

In an underwhelming couple of weeks for North, Delaney’s been pretty good down back. His scoring has been very respectable for a key defender & he’s due for a handy price rise after this week. If he gets a game that is, North aren’t exactly short of tall defenders (nyuk nyuk nyuk) & after a couple of ordinary losses the club will surely swing the axe.

Summary: Thanks but no thanks. Job security is obviously an issue in the longer term & big defenders aren’t usually fantasy football stud material.

 
 
AHMED SAAD (St Kilda Saints, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $115,800 Scores: 20, 42 Avg: 31 BE: 16

SuperCoach: $124,700 Scores: 29, 81 BE: -33

This former Bullant came back to bite the Blues on Monday night. Pacy, smart and with a keen goal sense & recruited as a mature aged player, Saad has all the ingredients to make it as a good small forward in the AFL. Along with fellow rookie Terry Milera & veteran Stephen Milne, Saad makes up a handy trio that has the potential to rejuvenate the aging Saints.

Summary: Saad looks the goods as a downgrade option in the forward line. Job security in the short to medium term looks good & Saad should score well with the Saints on the improve.
 
 

LEE SPURR (Fremantle Dockers, DEF)

AFL Dream Team: $107,800 Scores: 22, 65 Avg: 43.5 BE: -18

SuperCoach: $116,700 Scores: 50, 70 Avg: 60 BE: -48

Like Barlow, Mzungu & Broughton before him, Spurr is further proof of Freo’s much improved recruiting networks. After starting as sub in his first outing against the Gold Coast, Spurr has shown glimpses of why he was highly rated by fantasy coaches pre season. While the results aren’t there yet in a scoring sense, the Cowboy plays an attractive looking fantasy game.

Summary: like all rookie defenders this round job security isn’t certain but he’s the man to get in your team now in my opinion. With Brandon Ellis due to be rested & whispers that GWS are only going to play their teenagers for 14 games this year to combat burnout (hello Tom Bugg) – it’s getting close to trade time & I’m backing Spurr to hold down a spot for the Dockers.
 
 

LIAM SUMNER (Greater Western Sydney Giants, MID)

AFL Dream Team: $139,200 Scores: 64, 23 Avg: 43.5 BE: 7

SuperCoach: $151,600 Scores: 92, 24 Avg: 58 BE: -23

Sumner has shown glimpses of why he was so highly rated at last years draft & is clearly a gun as GWS have won 50% of their games that he has played in. What an impact! Seriously, Sumner is another talented GWS youngster – dime a dozen these days! He looks to have decent scoring potential without being really outstanding and given his skinny build has probably exceeded expectations at AFL level so far.

Summary: Yeah, nah. He’s pretty expensive for a rookie, so how much cash would you really be saving with a down trade? SuperCoach – maybe, Dreamteam – no.
 
 

BEAU WILKES (St Kilda Saints, DEF)

AFL Dream Team: $98,700 Scores: 47,32 Avg: 39.5 BE: -13

SuperCoach: $106,600 Scores: 52,36 Avg: 44 BE: -22

The former Eagle has been pretty good so far. He was outstanding against Melbourne before being subbed off with a sore hammy. He can clunk a mark & kick a goal as well as play in defence so he is a nice addition to the Saints list.

Summary: No. He’s one of those guys who you’re better off with from round 1. With Stanley & Kosi in good form up forward as well as McEvoy & Gwilt due back in the not too distant future I don’t see where Wilkes fits in the team.
 
 

PETER YAGMOOR (Collingwood Magpies)

AFL Dream Team: $98,700 Scores: 8, 44 Avg: 26 BE: 14

SuperCoach: $106,600 Scores: 6, 29 Avg: 17.5 BE: 31

Yagmoor hasn’t quite filled the Leon Davis role at the Pies this year. He’s pacy but just can’t seem to find the ball.

Summary: No he’s not there yet in any shape or form.

While this article focuses on rookie priced players it is worth noting that Andrew Walker, Luke Hodge & Colin Sylvia will have their first price shifts this year. Hodge & Sylvia are currently super expensive & will drop in price after returning from injury and are worth keeping an eye on as they’ll surely improve their scoring in the second half of the year. Walker is scoring well but wait on it as he has a reasonably high breakeven this week.

TAYLOR ADAMS (Greater Western Sydney Giants, MID/FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $125,700. Scores: 71, 91. Break even: -79

SuperCoach: $136,600. Scores: 80, 90. Break even: -87

Another impressive youngster to roll off the GWS production line, Adams is hard as a cat’s head and has the added benefit of a dual position link. A strong ball player, Adams has shown us why he was selected in the first round of last year’s draft – and he’s shown impressive intensity in the AFL and Geelong nightclubs so far… He was one of the team’s best in the game against Carlton and barring injury should be in the team for the foreseeable future as he has that bit of “you know what” about him.

From a fantasy perspective his scoring has been healthy and given his ferocious appetite for the contest I would expect it to continue.

Summary: It depends on your strategy; he is going to get a decent price rise so if you are downtrading rookies to make cash he is a good option. Ditto if you lack DP Mid/Fwd cover.

NATHAN BROWN (Collingwood Magpies, DEF)

AFL Dream Team: $120,200. Scores: 40, 39. Break even: 1

SuperCoach: $200,700. Scores: 66, 45. Break even: 11

Brown made an impressive return from injury in the Anzac Day clash with the Bombers. He’s moved well for a big guy who has missed all footy since the 2010 Grand Finals. He isn’t a particularly sexy fantasy option and his scoring reflects that – he’s a gorilla tamer.

Summary: It’s a no from me. While there are somewhat a lack of rookie defender options, you’re dicing with death if you’re forced to trade in a’ lumberer’. Not to mention I don’t think his job security is there yet – Keefe has been impressive as a KPD for the Pies and Tarrant will be pushing up from the VFL soon enough.

JARRAD BOUMANN (Hawthorn Hawks, DEF)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 18, 20. Break even: 31

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 17, 31. Break even: 21

Boumann probably reflects the lack of key defensive options at Hawthorn more than anything else – he hasn’t been particularly impressive in either of his matches in round 1 & 6 – not to mention his rather putrid fantasy scores. Given he was subbed off in both clashes shortly after half time against opposition clubs with several key forwards on the ground (Cloke, Dawes, Paine, Koschitzke, Riewoldt & Stanley) he isn’t exactly Clarko’s go to man.

Summary: No, he’s not long for this world if Gibson or Gilham are fit; Boumann is out it is as simple as that! If you have him already trade him soon – his price could conceivably go down if he plays another game!

CHARLIE DIXON (Gold Coast Suns, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $165,200. Scores: 64, 63. Break even: -17

SuperCoach: $196,200. Scores: 91, 74. Break even: -46

Dixon is an interesting one this year. He’s already scored half the fantasy points that he accumulated in his ten games last season! With Tom Lynch sent to the backline, Nathan Bock’s season over and Rory Thompson still sidelined Dixon should stay in the team for at least the short to medium term if not longer. He’s a big lump of a lad and the Suns don’t have much of that up forward. He has improved his intensity once the ball hits the deck which has been a weakness in the past with big Chuck.

Summary: While you wouldn’t make a habit of having big key forwards from struggling teams due to consistency of scoring – Dixon might not be a bad option for a bench spot and should score 50-60 for the foreseeable future.

KYAL HORSELY (Gold Coast Suns, MID)

AFL Dream Team: $119,800. Scores: 101, 123. Break even: -144

SuperCoach: $128,700. Scores: 87, 98. Break even: -107

It’s been a bit of a mystery as to why Horesely hadn’t played up until this point. A mature aged player, his start has been reminiscent of Michael Barlow in 2010. Coming from the WAFL he is a ball magnet with neat enough disposal and playing in a struggling team he has looked every bit a fantasy stud! Given his good start you would expect to see him stay in the team when Ablett and Rischitelli return.

Summary: Get him, do it now before his price sky rockets! Rookie priced players who score like premiums are so valuable to any fantasy team not to mention with the byes 4 weeks away.

BILLY LONGER (Brisbane Lions, RUCK)

AFL Dream Team: $148,200. Scores: 59, 21. Break even: 18

SuperCoach: $161,600. Scores: 85, 23. Break even: -10

Leunberger’s injury has opened the door for Billy Longer and the young ruckman has not looked out of place so far in the AFL. His fantasy potential has looked pretty good for a first year ruckman, however his last outing against the Dons saw him subbed out with scores of 21 DT, 23 SC. While Leuenberger is out for some time, I don’t think Longer’s job security is there by any stretch as the Lions have quite a few players that could conceivably pinch hit in the ruck to give Hudson a chop out (Cornelius, Merrett, McKeever).

Summary: Longer has been okay but I don’t think that any fantasy coach lies awake at night thinking about trading in ruckmen. If you’re completely and utterly stuffed in this position/need a quick cash grab, then trading Longer in for a super short term fix is fine but I wouldn’t recommend it.

JARRYD LYONS (Adelaide Crows, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 52, 11. Break even: 6

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 54, 14. Break even: 1

Drafted in 2010, Lyons has looked ok in his first two AFL games. His fantasy scoring has been affected by being sub in the match against Sydney. He is quick with good skills and looks to have a good future in the AFL. Brenton Sanderson certainly hasn’t been afraid to give young players a go this season but I’m not sold on Lyons’ job security yet.

Summary: I’d want to see some more exposed form from Lyons before I traded him in. Taylor Adams from GWS is a better option in a similar price bracket.

SAM REID (Greater Western Sydney Giants, MID)

AFL Dream Team: $124,900. Scores: 60, 27. Break even: -4

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 65, 25. Break even: -21

Callan’s mate hasn’t done as well in his couple of games at the Giants. For a mature bodied fifth year player he has been overshadowed by a lot of his younger comrades. He should continue to get opportunities as the season wears on and younger bodies get tired.

Summary: No, not now. I’d like to see Reid scoring a bit better.

KIRK UGLE (Collingwood Magpies, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 12, 23. Break even: 34

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 24, 18. Break even: 27

The man who makes Jarryd Blair look like a giant has had a subby time of it in his start to an AFL career – and has dealt with the circumstances reasonably well. Buckley has given plenty of kids a taste of it in 2012 but Ugle’s job security looks iffy.

Summary: No. I’d like to see more exposed form from Ugle and have confidence in his job security.

AARON YOUNG (Port Adelaide Power, FWD)

AFL Dream Team: $104,200. Scores: 17, 38. Break even: 17

SuperCoach: $113,200. Scores: 20, 40. Break even: 9

Another raw youngster, he hasn’t scored particularly well in his first two games and is playing a somewhat defensive role for the Power. It would be a surprise if he becomes fantasy relevant in 2012. His job security is shaky.

Summary: No.