Rookie Expectations

Ollie Wines had the equal most contested possessions for an AFL debut

Every year a crop of new rookies enter the Supercoach arena. Some of these fresh faces come with a lot of hype and expectations while others don’t draw much attention. This year we have had a plethora of quality rookies to choose from, mostly in the midfield and defence. High draft picks such as Lachie Whitfield, Jimmy Toumpas and Ollie Wines have come with big wraps and high price tags. Mature age rookies like Kane Mitchell and Brett Goodes have come a bit cheaper but likewise with high expectations. We’ve even had a former steeplechaser, Mark Blicavs, come from nowhere and end up playing round one for the Cats. Now that round one has come and gone, it’s time to see who lived up to the preseason hype and who failed to meet our expectations. While some coaches will be regretting their decisions, others will be rejoicing in them. For many there will need to be some corrective trades made over the coming weeks, so let’s look at the good and not so good rookie selections after round one.   

The Good

Ollie Wines (PTA) $169K

Most coaches knew about Ollie Wines’ impressive preseason but not all were willing to pay the extra cash to have him. This was a horrible decision in hindsight as you couldn’t have asked for a better debut from a rookie. Wines was superb in Port’s smashing of Melbourne, with 24 disposals, one goal and 125 Supercoach points. An impressive 16 of Wines’ 24 possessions were contested, which was the equal most by an AFL player on debut. Although his performance was against poor opposition it’s hard not to get excited about having Wines in your team. Well done to the 36% who picked him. For those who overlooked him you will need to make a corrective trade to get him into your side.    

  

Jack Viney (MEL) $109K

Jack Viney was one of the few positives to come out of Melbourne’s shocking performance on the weekend. Viney showed passion and hardness at the ball on his way to 22 possessions, one goal and 117 Supercoach points. Viney also had 16 contested possessions to be equal with Wines as the most contested possessions on debut. Although 59% of coaches own Viney not all had him starting on the field, which was a bad error in hindsight.  The other 41% are advised to get this guy into your team as quickly as possible and make sure he’s in your starting midfield this week.

Brett Goodes (WBD) $128K

There was no greater story from the weekend than Brett Goodes. At 29, Goodes’ AFL debut was long overdue and he didn't waste any time once he got his opportunity. Goodes dominated for the Bulldogs across half back collecting 24 possessions (at 87% efficiency), seven marks and 113 Supercoach points. The 63% of coaches who selected him were expecting solid numbers from the mature age rookie, but Goodes far exceeded these expectations. He is a must-have starting rookie in your backline who may even become a keeper. If you don’t have him, make the corrective trade to get him in this week.  

Jasper Pittard (PTA) $128K

Jasper Pittard was one of many success stories to come out of Port Adelaide's great start to the season. Pittard had only played 14 games over the past three seasons due to injuries, making him a cheap option for your defence. With three years in the system and a full preseason under his belt, Pittard showed why he was a high draft pick. He had 14 disposals (at 85% efficiency), six marks and one goal in the Power’s win over the Dees, finishing with 93 Supercoach points. Surprisingly only 28% of coaches had Pittard in their sides. He uses the ball well off half back and Port like to bring the ball through him so I expect Pittard to continue to score well. If you don’t have him I would look to bring him into your side before his price goes up. 

Jaeger O'Meara (GCS) S115K  

No rookie came with more hype and expectation than Jaeger O'Meara. As the Suns number one selection in the 2011 mini-draft, we all knew about him and his potential after another preseason under his belt. Besides Brett Goodes, O'Meara was the highest selected rookie with 62% of coaches having him in their side. O'Meara's 113 Supercoach point performance in his last NAB Cup game against the Dees also meant he was a certain starter in most sides. O'Meara's slow start on debut would have had a lot of coaches worried but he improved as the game went on finishing with 12 disposals, one goal and 72 Supercoach points. Expect more improvement, but for me he is behind Wines and Viney at the moment.  

The Not So Good

Kane Mitchell (PTA) $126K

The former Sandover Medalist had a super preseason for the Power and was a ‘lock’ in most Supercoach sides early on. However, after playing a few tagging roles many coaches went cold on Mitchell resulting in only 21% of them selecting him. There was also a mad panic to either bench him or trade him out once he was named as the starting sub before the game. Mitchell ended up being subbed on in the fourth quarter and was able to gather 7 possessions and 13 Supercoach points in that time. Not a great result after all the preseason hype. Mitchell has a lot more to offer but the concern is getting game time in a competitive Port Adelaide outfit. Therefore it could be good timing to trade out Mitchell if you need Wines. Otherwise I would keep him on your bench for now.          

Jimmy Toumpas (MEL) $184K

Jimmy Toumpas was impressive in the NAB Cup for Melbourne, showing he was a classy ball user and good finisher. He was also likely to get games early, which was enough for 13% of coaches to select him in their starting sides. As Toumpas was a more expensive rookie choice, those who selected him probably went with Toumpas instead of Wines. This would have been heartbreaking for those coaches watching Wines dominate, while Toumpas could only manage 9 disposals and 25 Supercoach points on debut. Although he will improve I would trade Toumpas out for Wines if you made this mistake.  

Brent Macaffer (COL) $128K

With a lack of forward rookie options this year Brent Macaffer was a ‘lock’ for most sides with 52% of coaches selecting him. As a mature player discounted due to injury, Macaffer was a bargain at his price. The biggest dilemma was whether or not to start him in your F.6 position or have him on the bench. His return of 12 disposals, 5 marks and 1 goal for 44 Supercoach points suggests a bench spot would have been best. However, not all could afford that luxury depending on your team structure. Macaffer is still a worthy selection if you’re struggling for forward rookies. He should play every week and generate enough cash to help improve your side. 

Lachie Whitfield (GWS) $199K

As the number one draft pick, Lachie Whitfield came with a lot of hype and expectation. He lived up to much of this throughout the preseason showing he had little trouble finding the ball as he did in the under 18 competition. Despite his lofty price, 18% of coaches thought he was worthy of selection. They would have been bitterly disappointed with his return of 15 disposals and 49 Supercoach points. When you pay top dollar for a rookie in Supercoach you expect a decent return for your money. To make things worse, GWS are likely to rest Whitfield throughout the season and limit him to around 11 senior games. If you picked him over Wines or Viney I would make a corrective trade.

Mark Blicavs (GEE) $115K

Mark Blicavs, a former steeplechaser, surprised many with his NAB Cup form. Blicavs scored 118 Supercoach points against the Pies playing as the Cats number one ruckman. With ruck stocks low at Geelong Blicavs became a likely round one starter, resulting in 37% of coaches selecting him. His nine possessions (at 100% efficiency), 11 hitouts and 57 Supercoach points on debut wasn’t a bad return. Coaches who started him as their second ruck would have liked 70-80 points, but when you consider Ryder (54 pts) and Roughead’s (58 pts) scores it doesn’t sound so bad. With Blicavs likely to play more games he looks to be a good bench option. At this stage I wouldn’t burn a trade to get him.  

I hope the rookies you chose lived up to their expectations. If not, you can always make corrective trades to get the right ones into your side.