Rookie Rankings
Have gone all players below $220,000.
All listed at "highest value" position So R/D/F/M in order this year given so few DEF options.
DEF
1. McCartin - Role was good, rotating in the intercept gig with his brother, took several kick-ins, looks to get involved around the ground. 70 on the high end of his average I think but will have bigger games to balance out the quieter ones.
2. Hinge - Role was stronger than other options but didn't produce for 4 quarters which has become a theme. JS is middling.
3. SDK - Price is a factor here, but he showed good scoring ability and selected alongside all of Blicavs, Henry and Kolo is a good sign. Obviously misses this week though.
4. Gibcus - Scoring a bit more limited but outproduced others and he's the cheapest name left.
5. Sinn - Has to be picked, obviously, but has significantly better scoring potential than all but maybe McCartin and probably him also. I expect he gets first shot at Duursma's spot and has the skill to stick around. No point grabbing until round 4 though barring donuts.
6. Skinner - Expect he and Clurey will fill Aliir/McKenzie spots, potentially good role if he replaces Aliir, which he's the most obvious fit to do as he's shown the most as an intercept player, albeit at SANFL level. Could get a lock-down role and use Jonas though. Senior body and better scoring profile than those below, and cheaper with DPP.
7. DGB - Job security over the other guys but he's a bad option.
8. Smith - Slightly better scoring potential but JS is also very poor.
9. Gardner - Don't.
MID
1. Daicos - Must have. Genuine chance to be a D6 after DPP change. Worst case should make a lot of cash.
2. D. Stephens - Cheaper, great role, played well, JS is solid.
3. JHF - Role is solid, JS is excellent, scoring potential is good. Expensive is his issue.
4. Ward - Role was very good, JS is solid, scoring potential is excellent. Expensive and injury a bit of a worry. JS also could become an issue if he doesn't produce in the role as half their list would like to play that role.
5. Hough - JS is his issue long term but he's cheap, his role was very good and he played very well, despite his size he was one of the most physical Eagles.
6. Davies - Role and price his issue, he scored great on the weekend but played pretty much pure forward and they don't face the worst team in the league every week so will be starved. Wouldn't shock me if this is his highest score for the season. Rate him very highly though and he's an injury from a better role and it all changing (see Martin below...). If he was 123k, he'd be 3rd here though for perspective.
7. Mead - JS will be an ongoing issue, his role was much better than expected which I think was probably largely due to Rozee and Gray being injured and very limited (his role became good after starting bad) so wouldn't expect that to continue. Even with a vastly improved role he still spent most of the game forward and wont score well there. He's cheap though.
8. MacDonald - Role was actually solid but I just can't see how he stays in the side when everyone returns, just can't see any reason to pick him ahead of Day, Impey, Bramble, Breust and Howe when all ready. Can make some cash if he does hang around for 6 or so weeks more.
9. Soligo - Role wasn't bad and the half dozen things he did were actually really good but he only did a half dozen things and that's a concern. Hard to see him playing 22.
10. Sheldrick - He played well but I can't see how he stays in the side this week or long term if he does hold on. At some other clubs he'd be much higher but Papley, Lloyd and Warner all to come back over the next few weeks.
11. Owens - Be surprised if he plays, role was bad and he played even worse. Did do a few things in Q4 at least but doesn't really tick any boxes you want ticked right now.
12. Sharp - Started as sub, didn't do much after coming on and expensive.
Several of the M/F would slot into the top 5 here, imo.
RUCK
1. Hayes - Obvious, he just scored more in one round than the next 3 combined... Did a lot of good things but is going to have to make it as a forward not a ruck in the Saints side and will have to back it up now with a bit more attention against sides with multiple KPD available. This week is the test.
2. Dixon - Cheap, JS is poor to terrible with Darling likely back this week he could well go straight out. Still, the other options cost twice as much.
3. Preuss - He's just better than the other two, Flynn was solid though but they could use a BIG target and midfield dominance is their best path to scoring, imo, so makes sense to play 2 genuine rucks. Of course this is Cameron who has never gone for midfield dominance in his coaching career so...
4. Lynch - I think he was out for McEvoy anyway but now has to get back in but I also think he's a Reeves injury or bad form from #1 ruck chance.
5. Williams - He's just not good, honestly I'd be seeing what Dixon can do in the ruck this week and dropping Williams because Williams struggled to beat Chol, who is in the very worst 2nd rucks going around.
FWD
1. Martin - You can't predict the one player who is in his way going down in the first few minutes but you have to respect the guy who takes that opportunity and flies with it. He just bought himself a month, the role is now available for ~8 weeks. He's basement priced. The 27 disposals is the more important part of his score, that puts a solid 80+ target on the board. Must have.
2. Xerri - His role was good, his output was good and he should grow. CCJ getting dropped would make things a bit tidier probably but I still don't mind the 3 talls. They seemed to work it out better in the 2nd half also.
3. Durdin - Role was very good, scored very well, ultimately he's 40k cheaper and I think a similar scoring prospect to Rachele.
4. Rachele - JS is now excellent, scoring potential I think he just showed the peak, role is not good and they wont face one of the weaker sides every week. Mostly he's expensive and I still think he's a mid 60s guy as more of a high end target. He'll get a lot more attention defensively also.
5. Naish - I thought he was really solid for the Eagles. His JS is sketch, he's expensive but he's got the best scoring potential of the group left.
6. F. Maginness - This one is hard, he finished well but he was really poor the first 3 quarters, his role was good but similar to Macdonald I don't know how he holds off the same names. Basically though with a strong role and good scoring potential he beats the rest despite that.
7. O. McDonald - Role was sound but expect more lockdown in general, scored well but think that's a high end score for him. JS should be solid if he keeps playing well. Would be higher at 125k.
8/9. Ginnivan/McCreery - I think they're basically the same thing, JS is sound as long as they play well, roles aren't terrible but aren't good, would call it a roaming forward pocket type role but neither had the range of Durdin for example. If they were 125k they'd move up though on JS.
10. Henry - Too expensive but think his JS should be better than most of this list, just a hard role and no real scoring history.
11. Ralphsmith - I just don't see the role for him, didn't make it with Vlastuin out and he's back in a couple, Rioli and Short were two of their better players. His scoring potential at HB is higher than basically anyone on the list but think he plays HF if he plays right now. He's expensive as well.
12. Baldwin - It's a bad role and the JS is terrible, I thought he tried hard in trying circumstances but Francis, Stringer and Jones will be back and he's very much a slow burn type who might not get the chance to burn.
13. Bedford - Sub is a bad sign, he's not a replacement for Salem either long term. Worth watching though, showed some good signs.
14. Lazzaro - I actually really like him as a player but he's 200k, was the sub and the injury was not a type for type so he probably goes back to the sub. Just can't see how he gets a good role.
15. Evans - Sub as well, also not like for like injury, albeit forward for forward at least, but it's a one week injury. Bad role at best.
Have gone all players below $220,000.
All listed at "highest value" position So R/D/F/M in order this year given so few DEF options.
DEF
1. McCartin - Role was good, rotating in the intercept gig with his brother, took several kick-ins, looks to get involved around the ground. 70 on the high end of his average I think but will have bigger games to balance out the quieter ones.
2. Hinge - Role was stronger than other options but didn't produce for 4 quarters which has become a theme. JS is middling.
3. SDK - Price is a factor here, but he showed good scoring ability and selected alongside all of Blicavs, Henry and Kolo is a good sign. Obviously misses this week though.
4. Gibcus - Scoring a bit more limited but outproduced others and he's the cheapest name left.
5. Sinn - Has to be picked, obviously, but has significantly better scoring potential than all but maybe McCartin and probably him also. I expect he gets first shot at Duursma's spot and has the skill to stick around. No point grabbing until round 4 though barring donuts.
6. Skinner - Expect he and Clurey will fill Aliir/McKenzie spots, potentially good role if he replaces Aliir, which he's the most obvious fit to do as he's shown the most as an intercept player, albeit at SANFL level. Could get a lock-down role and use Jonas though. Senior body and better scoring profile than those below, and cheaper with DPP.
7. DGB - Job security over the other guys but he's a bad option.
8. Smith - Slightly better scoring potential but JS is also very poor.
9. Gardner - Don't.
MID
1. Daicos - Must have. Genuine chance to be a D6 after DPP change. Worst case should make a lot of cash.
2. D. Stephens - Cheaper, great role, played well, JS is solid.
3. JHF - Role is solid, JS is excellent, scoring potential is good. Expensive is his issue.
4. Ward - Role was very good, JS is solid, scoring potential is excellent. Expensive and injury a bit of a worry. JS also could become an issue if he doesn't produce in the role as half their list would like to play that role.
5. Hough - JS is his issue long term but he's cheap, his role was very good and he played very well, despite his size he was one of the most physical Eagles.
6. Davies - Role and price his issue, he scored great on the weekend but played pretty much pure forward and they don't face the worst team in the league every week so will be starved. Wouldn't shock me if this is his highest score for the season. Rate him very highly though and he's an injury from a better role and it all changing (see Martin below...). If he was 123k, he'd be 3rd here though for perspective.
7. Mead - JS will be an ongoing issue, his role was much better than expected which I think was probably largely due to Rozee and Gray being injured and very limited (his role became good after starting bad) so wouldn't expect that to continue. Even with a vastly improved role he still spent most of the game forward and wont score well there. He's cheap though.
8. MacDonald - Role was actually solid but I just can't see how he stays in the side when everyone returns, just can't see any reason to pick him ahead of Day, Impey, Bramble, Breust and Howe when all ready. Can make some cash if he does hang around for 6 or so weeks more.
9. Soligo - Role wasn't bad and the half dozen things he did were actually really good but he only did a half dozen things and that's a concern. Hard to see him playing 22.
10. Sheldrick - He played well but I can't see how he stays in the side this week or long term if he does hold on. At some other clubs he'd be much higher but Papley, Lloyd and Warner all to come back over the next few weeks.
11. Owens - Be surprised if he plays, role was bad and he played even worse. Did do a few things in Q4 at least but doesn't really tick any boxes you want ticked right now.
12. Sharp - Started as sub, didn't do much after coming on and expensive.
Several of the M/F would slot into the top 5 here, imo.
RUCK
1. Hayes - Obvious, he just scored more in one round than the next 3 combined... Did a lot of good things but is going to have to make it as a forward not a ruck in the Saints side and will have to back it up now with a bit more attention against sides with multiple KPD available. This week is the test.
2. Dixon - Cheap, JS is poor to terrible with Darling likely back this week he could well go straight out. Still, the other options cost twice as much.
3. Preuss - He's just better than the other two, Flynn was solid though but they could use a BIG target and midfield dominance is their best path to scoring, imo, so makes sense to play 2 genuine rucks. Of course this is Cameron who has never gone for midfield dominance in his coaching career so...
4. Lynch - I think he was out for McEvoy anyway but now has to get back in but I also think he's a Reeves injury or bad form from #1 ruck chance.
5. Williams - He's just not good, honestly I'd be seeing what Dixon can do in the ruck this week and dropping Williams because Williams struggled to beat Chol, who is in the very worst 2nd rucks going around.
FWD
1. Martin - You can't predict the one player who is in his way going down in the first few minutes but you have to respect the guy who takes that opportunity and flies with it. He just bought himself a month, the role is now available for ~8 weeks. He's basement priced. The 27 disposals is the more important part of his score, that puts a solid 80+ target on the board. Must have.
2. Xerri - His role was good, his output was good and he should grow. CCJ getting dropped would make things a bit tidier probably but I still don't mind the 3 talls. They seemed to work it out better in the 2nd half also.
3. Durdin - Role was very good, scored very well, ultimately he's 40k cheaper and I think a similar scoring prospect to Rachele.
4. Rachele - JS is now excellent, scoring potential I think he just showed the peak, role is not good and they wont face one of the weaker sides every week. Mostly he's expensive and I still think he's a mid 60s guy as more of a high end target. He'll get a lot more attention defensively also.
5. Naish - I thought he was really solid for the Eagles. His JS is sketch, he's expensive but he's got the best scoring potential of the group left.
6. F. Maginness - This one is hard, he finished well but he was really poor the first 3 quarters, his role was good but similar to Macdonald I don't know how he holds off the same names. Basically though with a strong role and good scoring potential he beats the rest despite that.
7. O. McDonald - Role was sound but expect more lockdown in general, scored well but think that's a high end score for him. JS should be solid if he keeps playing well. Would be higher at 125k.
8/9. Ginnivan/McCreery - I think they're basically the same thing, JS is sound as long as they play well, roles aren't terrible but aren't good, would call it a roaming forward pocket type role but neither had the range of Durdin for example. If they were 125k they'd move up though on JS.
10. Henry - Too expensive but think his JS should be better than most of this list, just a hard role and no real scoring history.
11. Ralphsmith - I just don't see the role for him, didn't make it with Vlastuin out and he's back in a couple, Rioli and Short were two of their better players. His scoring potential at HB is higher than basically anyone on the list but think he plays HF if he plays right now. He's expensive as well.
12. Baldwin - It's a bad role and the JS is terrible, I thought he tried hard in trying circumstances but Francis, Stringer and Jones will be back and he's very much a slow burn type who might not get the chance to burn.
13. Bedford - Sub is a bad sign, he's not a replacement for Salem either long term. Worth watching though, showed some good signs.
14. Lazzaro - I actually really like him as a player but he's 200k, was the sub and the injury was not a type for type so he probably goes back to the sub. Just can't see how he gets a good role.
15. Evans - Sub as well, also not like for like injury, albeit forward for forward at least, but it's a one week injury. Bad role at best.
Xerri now despite his higher price? Or wait a week for Nic Martin to be on the bubble at $102k?
