Two down, 22 to go!

So far, so good. While we haven’t been treated to a rookie in the mould of Harry Sheezel or Nick Daicos, most of the mainstream cash cows are performing adequately through the first fortnight of the fantasy season. I promise I’m not trying to jinx this year’s rookie crop and there are bound to be some disappointing efforts on the way. If you missed the boat on some of the popular picks, it’s not farfetched to consider a move for them this week while their price tag still starts with a three.

Make sure to also cast your eyes over:
My DT Talk 2024 Rookie Guide
My DT Talk 2024 Preseason Watchlist
SBF article – The most important rookies/cash cows for 2024

Rookie/cash cows are typically defined as players who started the season priced at $300,000 or lower

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Cash Cow King – Round 2

It took until the 21st game of the season for a cash cow to reach triple-figures, although no one expected Harvey Thomas (100) to be the first one to raise the bat! A complete game against West Coast to end the round saw Thomas revive his cash generation and post the top rookie score from the weekend. Matt Roberts (85) and Zane Duursma (85) tied for second place, with Roberts in particular putting forth a strong, early case as the best-performing rook. Another mainstream duo Ryley Sanders (78) and Blake Howes (78) also tied from a scoring perspective, finding their way into the votes with impressive efforts in Round 2. From a personal front, I’m giving Howes some recognition with my vote this week after he helped me avoid a Nick Coffield disaster and I am interested to see which rookies get rewarded in the voting.

Round 2 Power Rankings

After 2 weeks of action, these are the top 10 cash cow performers in season 2023!

Power Ranking 2024 #AFLFantasy Cash Cows Round 2 💰🐮

1. Matt Roberts ⬆️ 1
2. Colby McKercher ⬇️ 1
3. Blake Howes ⬆️ 1
4. Ryley Sanders ⬆️ 1
5. Ollie Dempsey ⬇️ 2
6. Jeremy Sharp ↔️
7. Zane Duursma (NR)
8. Darcy Wilson ⬇️ 1
9. Harley Reid ⬇️ 1
10. Caleb Windsor (NR) pic.twitter.com/VdN2s1HE9o

— SportsbyFry (@sportsbyfry) March 26, 2024

Making Moves

Money makers

I’ll try not to spend too long discussing the successes of the popular cash cows as most coaches reading this will own all, or at least most of these rookies. A pair of 70’s from Colby McKercher ($404K, 76, BE -5) and Ryley Sanders ($364K, 78, BE -2) will see them maintain their residence in the midfield, with coaches also able to trust Matt Roberts ($429K, 85, BE -7) and Jeremy Sharp ($373K, 73, BE -2) after their strong starts. There isn’t as much confidence in the rookie crop down back, although scores of 74, 66 and 78 from Blake Howes ($369K, 78, BE -13) has some coaches reconsidering their defensive structure. Over half of Howes’ owners left him on the bench last week and naturally, as soon as I suggest playing him at D6, Howes will produce a 50. With that said, there’s more than enough evidence to suggest that he’s the best DEF cash cow at the moment and injuries to other members of Melbourne’s backline only enhances his job security.

Turning our attention to the forward line, favoured quartet Harley Reid ($343K, 56, BE 18), Darcy Wilson ($314K, 57, BE 4), Oliver Dempsey (349K, 53, BE -1) and Caleb Windsor ($355K, 60, BE 14) all finished within a few points of each other last week – maintaining their positive cash generation. There are small concerns with all four around their weekly scoring output and once they reach peak value it will become a priority to remove the FWD rookies. There is some safety in numbers right now and with plenty of growth left, they can obviously stay. Round 3 bye players in Harvey Thomas ($267K, 100, BE -23) and Aaron Cadman ($323K, 68, BE -3) will remain on our benches as they still have heaps of cash to make, while the likes of Harvey Gallagher ($266K, 56, BE -5) and Seth Campbell ($313K, 57, BE 2) can also hold their spots at F7 or F8.

Keep the faith

Unlucky to not rank higher following an impressive showing vs. Fremantle, Zane Duursma ($354K, 85, BE -1) hauled in 11 marks to surpass the 85-point mark without kicking a single goal. He’s still a decent rook to own and nearly half the competition will be hoping he has more of these games in him. Shaking the sub vest saw Shaun Mannagh ($217K, 45, BE 10) produce for the Cats as well, slowing up after he racked up 27 points in the first quarter. He’s still a weekly threat to wear the red or green, although I only expect stronger performances if Chris Scott gives him over 70% TOG. In that same hitout, Chris Burgess ($247K, 68, BE -6) was able to kickstart his money making by snagging two goals to go with nine disposals and eight marks. A stereotypical ‘slow burn key forward’, Burgess might appeal to some, although I have him ranked behind a lot of the popular players who are likely sitting on your pine already.

Defensive duo Toby Pink ($231K, 49, BE 5) and Bodhi Uwland ($263K, 53, BE 8) are doing their thing for the coaches who invested in them and single digit breakevens should see them make another $80K-$100K on the bench. Neither are great options and I wouldn’t be bringing in either of the cheap DEF’s. With that being said, the lack of reliable rooks down back means that Pink and Uwland can stay for now while you address bigger issues. Harry Barnett ($204K, 29, BE 20) went alright in the second game of his career and even though a handful of coaches would’ve preferred the red dot for loophole purposes, seeing Barnett get game time is only going to help in the long term. With no other R3 candidates even sniffing a game, let’s hope that the young Eagle can turn a forgotten position into an added bonus.

Cut them loose

I’ll be honest, there are no rookies that I deem as must-trade options this week. Of course, the injured defensive pair in Zach Reid ($244K, DNP, BE 37) and Josh Gibcus ($257K, 12, BE 38) need to be culled, but there aren’t any sub $300K DEF rookies that we can trust right now. The trio of discount players I’m about to talk about could be axed to facilitate another upgrade but we’re still a few rounds away from cash cows maxing out in price.

Thin Ice

Starting with Charlie Lazzaro ($324K, 49, BE 19), the fourth-year Roo hasn’t excelled in the first fortnight of the fantasy season despite receiving a promising amount of midfield minutes in his two games. He found himself subbed out at three-quarter time against Freo and Lazzaro seems to be further down the North pecking order than coaches would like. If he can’t improve his scoring rate quickly, then fantasy coaches won’t hesitate to move him on. The same could be said for Jhye Clark ($257K, 45, BE 16) who has seen his fair share of midfield clock in two matches this season, although it hasn’t translated to amazing fantasy scores yet. He’ll be on the chopping block for coaches if he produces another sub 50 score on Easter Monday. Lastly, Marty Hore ($340K, 33, BE 31) has a bit more leeway given the lack of defensive cash cows we have to choose from. However, being handed the sub vest suggests his place in Melbourne’s side is far from locked away. With Steven May and Jack Lever banged up, let’s hope Hore can find his way to 60+ to reignite his cash generation.

Wait and see

We were treated to a few debutants last round, although they’ll remain in the rear vision mirror for fantasy coaches. Key position pair Josh Draper ($205K, 30, BE 19) and Mykelti Lefau ($200K, 24, BE 22) would’ve relished the opportunity to play their first AFL match, however a combined 12 disposals and 54 points won’t generate a lot of fantasy interest. Collingwood opted to bring Reef McInnes ($308K, 64, BE 14) back into the side and he played an important role for the Pies kicking three goals last Thursday. Given his inflated price tag and reliance on goals to crack the 60-point threshold, you can pass on McInnes as a forward option.

Sub status

Subbed On – Finlay Macrae, Marty Hore, Corey Warner, Alwyn Davey Jr

Subbed Off – Charlie Lazzaro, Harry Barnett

A handful of popular rookies were forced to wear the vest at some point last weekend with Finlay Macrae ($287K, 18, BE 49) continuing his descent following a preseason filled with promise. Collingwood are bound to give him a crack at some point, but until he shakes the sub role he can’t be trusted. Corey Warner ($208K, 34, BE 17) didn’t exactly make the most of his chance either, registering just 11 disposals from 64% TOG.

State League Stats

Arie Schoenmaker (137) – Starred from a statistical standpoint although there are some concerns around his footy IQ. Injuries to Mason Wood and Liam Henry could pave the way for Schoenmaker to earn a debut though. If the Saints give him a chance, so should you.
James Tsitas (155) – With Gold Coast on the bye it’ll be hard to see him picked soon.
Kane McAuliffe (113) – Does the latest injury to Jacob Hopper create an opening for McAuliffe?
James Tunstill (138) – Two goals and 33 disposals are nothing to sneeze at.
Nate Caddy (48) – Shaping up to be Peter Wright’s replacement.
Tyler Sellers (97) – Kicking six goals in an intraclub isn’t too noteworthy, but backing it up in the VFL stands out. Sellers’ six snags did come in a clash with the Northern Bullants though, so let’s see what Seller can produce against Carlton this weekend.
Caleb Mitchell (127) – Decent way to start the season from Mitchell with the 19-year-old racking up 30 touches and 10 marks with nine clearances.
Jack Macrae (149) – Not rookie relevant, but lol.
Riley Garcia (163) – Unbelievably, Macrae wasn’t the highest scorer in the Bulldogs game with GWS, as Riley Garcia dropped a MONSTER stat line. He could push for a sub role, however there are others ahead of him on the Dogs’ depth chart.
Josh Fahey (123) – Nothing to see here, just Josh Fahey doing Josh Fahey things.

Not a bad effort in your first VFL game 🔥

Arie Schoenmaker was everywhere in Sandringham’s round one clash, with the Launceston defender making his case for an early AFL call-up.

Find out more about the Tasmanians playing interstate in 2024: https://t.co/YcvX76dEwe pic.twitter.com/ee3wiIsYi3

— AFL Tasmania (@AFLTasmania) March 26, 2024

Remember the Name

In no particular order, here are some of the other rookie-priced players to consider throughout the season.

DEFENDERS

James Leake (Giants, $252K)
Jakob Ryan (Magpies, $200K)
Oisin Mullin (Cats, $245K)
Billy Wilson (Blues, $201K)
Riley Hardeman (Kangaroos, $234K)
Sam Clohesy (Suns, $200K)
Archie Roberts (Bombers, $200K)
Caleb Mitchell (Swans, $200K)
Jedd Busslinger (Bulldogs, $200K)
Charlie Edwards (Crows, $240K)
Caleb Graham (Suns, $239K)
Connor O’Sullivan (Cats, $270K)

MIDFIELDERS

Kane McAuliffe (Tigers, $200K)
Ed Allen (Magpies, $200K)
Jake Rogers (Suns, $261K)
Caiden Cleary (Swans, $231K)
Hugh Jackson (Power, $200K)
Harry DeMattia (Magpies, $228K)
Mitch Hardie (Cats, $200K)
George Stevens (Cats, $200K)
Jack Bytel (Magpies, $270K)

RUCKMEN

Henry Smith (Lions, $200K)
Coen Livingstone (Eagles, $200K)
Max Heath (Saints, $200K)
Nathan Kreuger (Magpies, $261K)
Archer Reid (Eagles, $213K)
Will Verrall (Demons, $200K)
Dante Visentini (Power, $283K)
Taylor Goad (Kangaroos, $243K)
Mitch Edwards (Cats, $207K)

FORWARDS

Tyrell Dewar (Eagles, $200K)
Kynan Brown (Demons, $200K)
Nate Caddy (Bombers, $273K)
James Tsitas (Suns, $200K)
Ashton Moir (Blues, $216K)
Steely Green (Tigers, $200K)
Darcy Jones (Giants, $200K)
James Tunstill (Lions, $286K)
Bigoa Nyoun (Kangaroos, $200K)
Reef McInnes (Magpies, $285K)
Billy Dowling (Crows, $200K)
Koltyn Tholstrup (Demons, $264K)
Brayden George (Kangaroos, $200K)
Logan Morris (Lions, $210K)

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