Dat word count got me again!
Rucks
1. Flynn - Best JS, best midfield and showed plenty in the preseason.
2. Meek - JS is in his hands, he sure looked good enough to command the #1 spot. Scoring will be more limited as I think that Darcy will cause a genuine ruck split when he's fit. I'd have preferred Darcy play this week to confirm that. If he got destroyed round one he definitely could be out of the team by round 2.
3. Hunter - Think he actually has the most scoring potential of the three but outside Ryder staying walkabout or Marshall setback I just don't see any realistic way he's still playing when both are available and both are scheduled to return by round 3. He'd be #2 otherwise.
4. Fullarton - Not a genuine ruck role and also on a timer should make this obvious. If people were going 3 rookies and possibly even with two he does make a lot of sense forward. They need a 2nd ruck if they don't want to ruck Daniher/Hipwood and McStay doesn't offer it either and all are athletic enough to actually be able to play the 4 together, Hipwood in particular wouldn't be a fundamentally different player if he was 182cm.
5. Treacy - Suspended, Darcy looming.
Forwards
1. N. Cahill - Strong role that generally yields in the 65+ range. I don't think that Impey's role is any different at 50k more for comparison. JS is the biggest question but it sure feels like it's his spot to lose.
2. J. Rowe - Job security should be very good. Scoring potential a bit more questionable but his role was solid in preseason, albeit tough in a bad side but hard to see the Crows being that bad every week. He's a bench player though for me as scoring is going to be inconsistent most likely.
3. C. Warner - This one is tough, in the right role he's the top option, in the wrong role he's not worth the premium. Assuming he holds up on a wing though he should be among the best rookie priced players. Round 1 going to be a hard read though, if he's named wing it's at least a sign but think he could end up forward or even out of the side sadly as I really rate him.
4. M. Bergman - This one is also tough. He's ahead of Cahill if he had JS as it's the same role at a lower price. He might not even play though. If he's named he's an on-field rookie though but need Hartlett also named, basically want him in there at full strength. Textbook all or nothing, either he demands the spot in the side and averages ~70 or he's out of the side in a few weeks.
5. K. Chandler - If he was cheaper he'd be right alongside Rowe but he's 160k for a small forward playing a pretty tough role, both Rowe and Chandler played more of a natural HF role than the forward pocket that McNeil/Bruhn/Bramble played so it's not the worst of roles but he's going to need to play well. Pickett looming could also push him out but Chandler looked the goods to me and I think he plays plenty of footy. The tough part here is I'm not sold he's a guy you want on-field which makes paying the 40k premium on a Jones a tough biscuit to swallow.
6. J. Bowey - He's in the mix with their outs but job security again a major concern but scoring potential is pretty good in the role he probably plays. Another all or nothing if he's named.
7. H. Jones - He's going to play but it's a tough role for a young player. Wouldn't shock me if 3-5 are all not named though so he could definitely be in a lot of teams.
8. O. Henry - Exact same scenario as Jones but 12k more expensive. Honestly I don't think there's much difference here.
9. J. Jones - Tough role he'll be playing and the price premium do make things difficult. Also a strong side so a couple of bad games will have his spot on the line.
10 . L. Henry - All or nothing in a bad role. Think he gets the chance with all the small forward injuries and has the talent to own the position long term but if he's just ok then Walters et al push him out pretty quick. Bad role and the price are why he's this low though.
11. L. McDonald - Young KPF, I think he'll actually be one of the better in that group but he's fringe 22 right now with Buddy, allegedly, looming, in a bad side at 194k. I'd probably have him ahead of Jones at the same price but ultimately 60k is 11 odd points extra he needs to put up and I have no grounds to expect he does that.
Hopefully haven't missed anyone but if I have ask away
Rucks
1. Flynn - Best JS, best midfield and showed plenty in the preseason.
2. Meek - JS is in his hands, he sure looked good enough to command the #1 spot. Scoring will be more limited as I think that Darcy will cause a genuine ruck split when he's fit. I'd have preferred Darcy play this week to confirm that. If he got destroyed round one he definitely could be out of the team by round 2.
3. Hunter - Think he actually has the most scoring potential of the three but outside Ryder staying walkabout or Marshall setback I just don't see any realistic way he's still playing when both are available and both are scheduled to return by round 3. He'd be #2 otherwise.
4. Fullarton - Not a genuine ruck role and also on a timer should make this obvious. If people were going 3 rookies and possibly even with two he does make a lot of sense forward. They need a 2nd ruck if they don't want to ruck Daniher/Hipwood and McStay doesn't offer it either and all are athletic enough to actually be able to play the 4 together, Hipwood in particular wouldn't be a fundamentally different player if he was 182cm.
5. Treacy - Suspended, Darcy looming.
Forwards
1. N. Cahill - Strong role that generally yields in the 65+ range. I don't think that Impey's role is any different at 50k more for comparison. JS is the biggest question but it sure feels like it's his spot to lose.
2. J. Rowe - Job security should be very good. Scoring potential a bit more questionable but his role was solid in preseason, albeit tough in a bad side but hard to see the Crows being that bad every week. He's a bench player though for me as scoring is going to be inconsistent most likely.
3. C. Warner - This one is tough, in the right role he's the top option, in the wrong role he's not worth the premium. Assuming he holds up on a wing though he should be among the best rookie priced players. Round 1 going to be a hard read though, if he's named wing it's at least a sign but think he could end up forward or even out of the side sadly as I really rate him.
4. M. Bergman - This one is also tough. He's ahead of Cahill if he had JS as it's the same role at a lower price. He might not even play though. If he's named he's an on-field rookie though but need Hartlett also named, basically want him in there at full strength. Textbook all or nothing, either he demands the spot in the side and averages ~70 or he's out of the side in a few weeks.
5. K. Chandler - If he was cheaper he'd be right alongside Rowe but he's 160k for a small forward playing a pretty tough role, both Rowe and Chandler played more of a natural HF role than the forward pocket that McNeil/Bruhn/Bramble played so it's not the worst of roles but he's going to need to play well. Pickett looming could also push him out but Chandler looked the goods to me and I think he plays plenty of footy. The tough part here is I'm not sold he's a guy you want on-field which makes paying the 40k premium on a Jones a tough biscuit to swallow.
6. J. Bowey - He's in the mix with their outs but job security again a major concern but scoring potential is pretty good in the role he probably plays. Another all or nothing if he's named.
7. H. Jones - He's going to play but it's a tough role for a young player. Wouldn't shock me if 3-5 are all not named though so he could definitely be in a lot of teams.
8. O. Henry - Exact same scenario as Jones but 12k more expensive. Honestly I don't think there's much difference here.
9. J. Jones - Tough role he'll be playing and the price premium do make things difficult. Also a strong side so a couple of bad games will have his spot on the line.
10 . L. Henry - All or nothing in a bad role. Think he gets the chance with all the small forward injuries and has the talent to own the position long term but if he's just ok then Walters et al push him out pretty quick. Bad role and the price are why he's this low though.
11. L. McDonald - Young KPF, I think he'll actually be one of the better in that group but he's fringe 22 right now with Buddy, allegedly, looming, in a bad side at 194k. I'd probably have him ahead of Jones at the same price but ultimately 60k is 11 odd points extra he needs to put up and I have no grounds to expect he does that.
Hopefully haven't missed anyone but if I have ask away
Can't say thank you enough for this! Very helpful. No doubt I'll keep tinkering with my rookies and see who gets named.
I know you've only included sub 200k players but what you reckon about P.Dow? Worth having him over any of the mids/fwds you've listed? Also how will his game be affected when ZWilliams returns next week?