17 Rookies You Can Build Your Team Around

As round 1 draws closer, the amount of rookies on our radar is continuing to narrow down, and we’re relying on a strong showing in the pre-season for them to be there come the start of the season.

We can’t read the minds of coaches, but these 17 rookies seem like a pretty strong chance to line-up in round 1.

DEFENCE

Will Gould ($123,900)
We all wanted a debut in 2020 and never got one. In the end though, that’s been a good thing because it’s meant we’ve been able to select him dirt cheap this year. John Longmire has been impressed with his pre-season so far as well, pencilling him in for an intercepting role off half-back.

Heath Chapman ($148,800)
Just when we thought the Dockers had enough key position defenders, they draft this bloke, who has not wasted any time getting plaudits from teammates and coaches. His intercepting and one-on-one work a standout, his round 1 chances are very good.

Tom Highmore ($117,300)
Mature age players rarely get drafted to sit on a shelf, and with the likes of Dylan Roberton weighing up his future and Jarryn Geary injured, Highmore is one to keep an eye on.

Jacob Wehr ($117,300)
No Zac Williams and Lachie Whitfield is out with a bruised liver. The mature age South Australian must be in the forefront of Leon Cameron’s mind as a ready to go replacement. We know how GWS are with rookies though, so maybe you’re only confident in him as a bench option.

Lachie Young ($202,000 DEF/MID)
Not technically a rookie after a few seasons at the Western Bulldogs, but he’s still very cheap. Kangaroos traded for him with a rebounding & intercepting role off half back, and with dual position as well I’d be making room for him in my side.

Lachie Jones ($139,800)
There’s a quote from around October last year where Ken Hinkley said he wanted to pick Jones for the senior team just by how mature and ready he was for AFL footy, playing in the SANFL. Well, now Ken has his chance.

MIDFIELD

Will Phillips ($198,300)
Drafted at Pick 3, the Kangaroos have themselves a beauty. Expect Phillips to play as a main cog in the Kangaroos midfield rotation from the start. He’s almost 200k, but the price will be worth it for job security alone.

Braeden Campbell ($189,300 MID/FWD)
The Swans can’t stop talking about this kid, and likely for a good reason. We’ve all wanted Callum Mills to move into the midfield for a long time, and Campbell is the key to that it seems. Swans are talking about Campbell as a playmaker off half-back with stints in the midfield, all that and we can also select him as a forward. Tick, tick, tick.

Luke Valente ($123,900)
Aside from lockdowns and quarantine restrictions, Valente is impressing in his first uninterrupted pre-season since joining the Dockers. With a number of key players still recovering from post-season surgeries, Valente is a strong chance to line-up in round 1. He was handed the #29 guernsey by the club as well so he must be highly rated internally.

Errol Gulden ($117,300)
The Swans are in a transitional period to rejuvenate their list. Gulden was probably taken a little bit later in the draft than people expected but that has only meant he’s come in at basement price for us. He will likely start life as a small forward, but he’ll be the perfect bench player for our SuperCoach teams.

Tom Powell ($153,300)
The mature bodied South Australian is a noted ball winner, who dominates at stoppages with his quick hands to release the runners on the outside. Should debut in 2021 for North Melbourne, with round 1 a strong possibility.

RUCK

Josh Treacy ($102,400 FWD/RUC)
Not so much a player who’ll line-up round 1, but a good chance to debut at some point in the season. Start him as your loop, and enjoy the cash injection when he makes his debut.

FORWARDS

Jarman Impey ($212,800)
Okay, not a rookie, but he is damn cheap. A return to half back is on the cards for Impey where he averaged 89 in the 5 weeks before he succumbed to his long term knee injury.

Nakia Cockatoo ($123,900 FWD/MID)
We all know what Cockatoo can do, it’s about whether or not he can stay on the park. Hasn’t missed a beat all pre-season for Brisbane, and you’d be surprised if he wasn’t selected for round 1. Select him and stick him on your field with confidence.

Finlay Macrae ($126,300 FWD/MID)
Hard to believe, but this guy could be better than his brother was in his first year. Impressing Collingwood coaches in their match simulations so much so it would be a surprise to everyone if he wasn’t afforded a round 1 debut.

Will Kelly ($135,400)
Before getting injured against the Giants last season, Will Kelly was a man on a mission for the Magpies. Now fully recovered, and in the midst of a standout pre-season, Kelly is set to resume his spot in the Magpies 22, providing a target up forward for the Collingwood midfielders to kick to.

James Rowe ($117,300)
The mature age small forward fills a much needed position at Adelaide. Kicked 47 goals for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL last season, and is ready to go. Averaged 96 points, too.