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Dear Footy Tragics,

As you are well aware, it’s Michael Barlow week here at Footy Tragic. Barlow has been nothing short of sensational in his debut season of AFL football. He went from an unloved and unwanted VFL toiler to legitimate Brownlow Medal contender in just 12 months!

The Barlow story draws some parallels to the tone of this article, with the five players I have written about below all being unloved and largely unwanted. The difference between Barlow and the players below is a lack of love from DT coaches, rather than AFL recruiters.

In Barlow’s case, AFL recruiters put a line through his name simply because he was (apparently) too slow and not damaging by foot. The recruiting officers of 15 AFL clubs were derelict in their duties by ignoring the facts that Barlow was a ball magnet, with very strong hands, an excellent long distance runner and extremely courageous. To top matters off, Barlow is also a more than adequate kick, who gets forward and kicks goals! It didn’t matter what Barlow did, recruiters wrote him off due to their own preconceived ideas and bias against him.

Sometimes it takes courage to ignore the herd mentality that is a strong part of human nature. However, for those with sufficient intestinal fortitude to back your own judgment and ignore the temptation to be a sheep, your reward may pay handsome dividends. If you are looking for proof, just ask the Fremantle Football Club who backed their own judgment with Barlow.

When assessing replacements for Barlow, please consider these players who are not only unique, they represent excellent value:

  • Kade Simpson ($403,900) – 14 games played with an average of 106, in 10,356 teams.
    Simpson has taken his game to another level in 2010, boosting his 2009 average of 89 points per game to 106. Simpson is also incredibly durable, not missing a game since 2005.
  • Brad Green ($395,300) – 14 games played with an average of 101, in 3,134 teams.
    Green has been a very reliable and consistent DT choice for years, but he plays for an unfashionable team in Melbourne. Unfortunately for Green, the Demons have been cellar dwellers while Green has been in the peak of his career. You could do a lot worse than insert Brad Green into your DT.
  • Shane Tuck ($397,400) – 12 games played with an average of 99, in 1,376 teams.
    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: Andrew Swallow of the Kangaroos in action during a Kangaroos AFL training session at Arden Street Oval on January 21, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

    This guys papers were stamped the moment new coach “Dimma” Hardwick arrived at Punt Round. Tuck was only at Richmond in 2010 to serve the final year of his contract; otherwise he would be on the scrapheap. Hardwick said that “we’re playing the kids” and Tuck certainly was not in the long term plans. Well, Tuck forced his way into the Richmond side in Round 3 and has played every game since. He has also averaged 101 points per game over the last 5 matches. I take my hat off to Shane Tuck, a true survivor just like his Dad.

  • Andrew Swallow ($364,900) – 14 games played with an average of 94, in 3,406 teams.
    Swallow is fast becoming an A grade midfielder in the AFL, yet we never hear about him. Why? He plays for North Melbourne. Swallow is a ball magnet and he also loves to tackle. He’s gold for any DT coach and his price is extremely tempting.
  • Jude Bolton ($395,600) – 14 games played with an average of 92, in 2,675 teams.
    Bolton is durable, courageous, a ball winner and a magnificent tackler. He also has averaged 114 points per game over the last 4 games. Why then is he in so few teams? Due to the herd mentality described above.

Good luck!