15 down, nine to go!

We’ve made it! Fantasy coaches around the globe will be rejoicing that the bye rounds are behind us and we can once again rely on 22 players to contribute to our weekly score. That will mean some rookies who bobbed up throughout the past month will take their rightful place on the bench as we aim to achieve a ‘completed team’ as soon as possible. There are still five rounds until the fantasy finals begin and another month of footy remaining after that – meaning there is still a fair chunk of the fantasy campaign in front of us. As cheap cash cows emerge as viable downgrade options, investing in the right rooks is still vital if you want to end the year on a high.

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

Mooooving On

Part of our weekly trade focus is to remove the rookie-priced players who are no longer making money. When a cash cow sees their average fall in line with their breakeven or they find themselves on the outside looking in for multiple weeks at a time, that’s a good time to give them the axe.

Fattened cash cows

1. Jeremy Sharp, Dockers ($631K, 74 AVG, 130 BE)
2. Darcy Wilson, Saints ($590K, 68 AVG, 91 BE)
3. Kai Lohmann, Lions ($577K, 57 AVG, 95 BE)
4. Blake Howes, Demons ($428K, 54 AVG, 69 BE)
5. Kane McAuliffe, Tigers ($338K, 40 AVG, 58 BE)

Injured/non-playing rookies

1. Harley Reid, Eagles ($559K, 65 AVG, 59 BE)
2. Hugo Garcia, Saints ($374K, 54 AVG, 27 BE)
3. Taj Woewodin ($312K, 33 AVG, 48 BE)
4. Zane Duursma, Kangaroos ($309K, 40 AVG, 63 BE)
5. Joe Richards, Magpies ($376K, 79 AVG, -20 BE)

Cash Cow King – Round 15

Returning from a week off, Geelong’s rising talent Oliver Dempsey (104) wasted no time getting back to his point-scoring best! Another triple-figure outing from the MID/FWD would have been VERY helpful to navigate the last bye round, with most coaches relying on a few cash cows during Round 15. Port Adelaide debutant Logan Evans (75) burst out of the gate with an impressive score, while another popular downgrade choice in Koltyn Tholstrup (72) fired against North Melbourne. Bruce Reville (66) got things done for the bulk of the fantasy community and Sam Day (74) broke through for a nominee thanks to three snags against the Dockers. For me, it’s hard to go past Dempsey with my vote – even though most of his owners (myself included) would’ve given him the flick on his bye week.

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Making Moves

Fresh legs

Here’s a quick synopsis of the rookies who are coming off a bye in Round 15:

Joe Richards ($376K, 79 AVG, -20 BE) – Stupidly low breakeven could make Richards a play once he returns for the Pies.
Arie Schoenmaker ($236K, 74 AVG, -9 BE) – Great trade target for those who missed the boat.
Billy Dowling ($301K, 72 AVG, -12 BE) – Ditto. Vital cash cow down the stretch.
Darcy Wilson ($590K, 69 AVG, 91 BE) – Upgrading Wilson should be a priority for anyone still fielding the St Kilda talent.
Ryley Sanders ($504K, 63 AVG, 58 BE) – Had his moments of relevance, but it’s to cull Sanders if you haven’t already.
Riley Garcia ($513K, 62 AVG, 48 BE) – Cash cow POD who has essentially reached his peak.
Nathan Kreuger ($326K, 60 AVG, 12 BE) – Was shaping up as an option – it’s a no from me.
Joel Freijah ($410K, 56 AVG, 39 BE) – Traded already by most. The rest of the Freijah owners will do the same soon.

Harvey Gallagher ($489K, 55 AVG, 71 BE) – Axe him.
Lachie Sullivan ($412K, 54 AVG, 49 BE) – Sully has played his role, time to go.
Seth Campbell ($465K, 54 AVG, 53 BE) – Another FWD at his peak who needs to be chopped.
Nick Watson ($399K, 50 AVG, 34 BE) – Ownership is boosted by ghost ship teams, avoid.
Charlie Dean ($376K, 50 AVG, 27 BE) – Could make a few bucks flicking him to Evans/Schoenmaker. However, if Dean holds he can sit at D7/D8 for a few more rounds.
Will Hamill ($367K, 48 AVG, 13 BE) – Cash making POD who I don’t trust entirely.
Calsher Dear ($353K, 46 AVG, 34 BE) – Sub vests have stalled any potential cash gen.
Harvey Harrison ($376K, 42 AVG, 26 BE) – I think Harvey can stay for a few more weeks – he’s at least shown a fantasy ceiling.
Kane McAuliffe ($338K, 40 AVG, 58 BE) – Ditch him. You’ll sleep better at night.

Money makers

It’s still early to punt on our bench selections, making our cash cow investments crucial for sustained fantasy success. Anyone who held onto Oliver Dempsey ($592K, 104, BE 44) will be hopeful that he can continue to produce 100+ scores and there’s nothing wrong with keeping the talented Cat in your squad for the time being. Outside of Dempsey and a potential return for Colby McKercher ($592K, DNP, BE 23) there aren’t many inflated/long-serving rookies that will be left on our field. For that reason, a few of the cheaper alternatives on offer might be relied upon to produce decent scores for a few rounds.

We were gifted with multiple debutants last round and a couple of them have emerged as feasible downgrade options. It’s fair to assume that Arie Schoenmaker ($236K, DNP, -9 BE) and Billy Dowling ($301K, 72 AVG, -12 BE) are still the best of the bunch, although Logan Evans ($237K, 75, BE -9) showed more than enough in his first AFL game to suggest he’ll reward fantasy coaches who invest. Both he and Koltyn Tholstrup ($292K, 72, BE 7) ensured they’ll make money over the coming rounds with solid 70-point outings – while sub-affected rookies like Caiden Cleary ($228K, 23, BE 31) and Kynan Brown ($200K, 8, BE 50) could also be looked at if they earn a promotion and find a way to shake themselves free of the fluro.

Keep the faith

If you find yourself in a position where you are still fielding multiple rookies – fear not. A lot of the players mentioned above could be slotted onto your field, but there are other options across each line still getting it done. Currently being traded out by over 2,000 coaches, Bruce Reville ($457K, 66, BE 38) has proven himself as a solid 60-point scorer and there’s no reason why his numbers should slow down over the final nine rounds of the fantasy season. Ahead of Friday night’s clash with Melbourne, you could try to loop Reville or the recent Rising Star nom, Logan Morris ($386K, 51, BE 28) onto your field in the hopes they score handsomely against the Dees. Down back, Bodhi Uwland ($578K, 52, BE 43) had a quieter run against the Dockers, but I’m tipping that he’ll bounce back with a 65+ score in Round 16.

Cut them loose

Most of the mainstream cash cows have graduated from our teams over the last month or so – however, a few of them remain a trade priority for coaches. Anyone who still owns Jeremy Sharp ($631K, 39, BE 130) will be bitterly disappointed with his last fortnight and with the Docekrs winger forgetting how to football, his money-making days are over. Melbourne duo Caleb Windsor ($475K, 44, BE 64) and Blake Howes ($428K, 39, BE 69) have already been offloaded and Suns pair Sam Clohesy ($550K, 64, BE 77) and Will Graham ($481K, 59, BE 66) find themselves in the same boat. Anyone still rocking with one of those four should act swiftly though and a sub-affected score from Kai Lohmann ($577K, 37, BE 95) has seen his breakeven skyrocket – making him another cash cow I’d prefer to get out of my team before he loses value.

Thin Ice

It’s hard for fantasy coaches to get up and about for Toby Pink ($296K, 34, BE 34) and his scoring potential to close the season. With a season-high score of 49, there isn’t much value on offer by keeping North Melbourne’s key position swingman – and while you won’t make a ton of coin, flicking him to an Evans/Schoenmaker type makes sense. Greater Western Sydney smalls Harvey Thomas ($402K, 60, BE 33) and Toby McMullin ($293K, 52, BE 33) have been fine cash cow performers and keeping them while addressing your pressing trade issues is a fine move. The preferred option is to move them on in the near future though, with Darcy Jones expected to put pressure on their spots in the Giants’ best-22.

Wait and see

A group of underperformers can once again be found in this section – highlighting the importance of investing in the right cash cows. While the likes of Evans and Tholstrup were popular trade targets last round, some opted instead to invest in Dockers key DEF Hugh Davies ($200K, 0, BE 63) and/or GWS forward Max Gruzewski ($201K, 25, BE 23). Neither of the duo had shown off an ability to produce great fantasy scores and as a result, anyone who bought Davies or Gruzewski might be stuck with them now for the rest of the season.

An underwhelming game from Josh Sinn ($315K, 45, BE 21) won’t force coaches to consider him as a MID replacement, while the sub vest ruined any chance Jack Hutchinson ($200K, 13, BE 32) and Karl Worner ($328K, 20, BE 33) had to establish themselves as future cash cows. We saw another solid game from Leek Aleer ($394K, 62, BE 32) although, his 16 disposal effort won’t exactly force us to invest – while the Demons have announced ANOTHER debutant for this weekend’s game. I’m intrigued to see how Andy Moniz Wakefield ($200K, DNP, BE 25) slots into their lineup and as is usually the case when chasing viable downgrade options, waiting a week is the smart play. Still, if AMW can avoid the vest there’s some appeal in grabbing him in the hopes he thrives in defence for Melbourne.

Sub status

Subbed On – Corey Durdin, Shadeau Brain, Caiden Cleary, Kynan Brown, Jack Hutchinson, Karl Worner

Subbed Off – Orazio Fantasia, Oisin Mullin, Kai Lohmann, Toby Pink

Despite a third of the league resting last round, there were still a LOT of cash cows who had their score impacted by the vest. A lot of our trade targets were forced to start as the sub with one of my favourite prospects, Oisin Mullin ($374K, 20, BE 50) having his fantasy numbers affected by playing less than half a game. Can’t wait for this rule to get in the bin…

State League Stats

Henry Smith, Lions (123) – 23 disposals, 36 hitouts, 6 marks
Charlie Lazzaro, Kangaroos (116) – 31 disposals, 6 marks, 2 behinds
Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Demons (115) – 35 disposals, 4 marks, 1 behind
Colby McKercher, Kangaroos (108) – 31 disposals, 8 marks
Will Lorenz, Power (105) – 21 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals
Liam Reidy, Dockers (105) – 9 disposals, 50 hitouts, 8 tackles
Hugh Jackson, Power (103) – 19 disposals, 7 marks, 8 tackles, 1 behind
Zane Trew, Eagles (103) – 32 disposals, 5 tackles
Corey Warner, Swans (100) – 25 disposals, 3.1 in front of goal
Toby Conway, Cats (100) – 20 disposals, 38 hitouts
Matt Roberts, Swans (99) – 24 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 1 behind
Ethan Read, Suns (99) – 12 disposals, 6 hitouts, 9 marks, 5.1 in front of goal
Riley Hardeman, Kangaroos (94) – 21 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal
Jaxon Binns, Blues (93) – 25 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles
Aaron Cadman, Giants (92) – 18 disposals, 6 marks, 2.3 in front of goal
Ted Clohesy, Cats (92) – 21 disposals, 8 tackles
Tex Wanganeen, Bombers (91) – 22 disposals, 6 marks
Darcy Jones, Giants (89) – 15 disposals, 6 tackles, 2.5 in front of goal
James Tunstill, Lions (88) – 27 disposals, 1 behind
Hamish Free, Kangaroos (86) – 10 disposals, 36 hitouts, 1 goal
William Rowlands, Suns (85) – 14 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals
Mitch Hardie, Cats (85) – 23 disposals, 7 marks, 2 behinds
Brandon Ryan, Lions (80) – 13 disposals, 6 marks, 4 goals
Jed Walter, Suns (76) – 11 disposals, 6 marks, 2.4 in front of goal
Clay Hall, Eagles (74) – 15 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 behinds
Jack Carroll, Blues (73) – 24 disposals, 5 marks
Archie Roberts, Bombers (73) – 20 disposals
Cooper Simpson, Dockers (64) – 13 disposals, 8 tackles

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)
Billy Wilson (Blues, $201K)
Archie Roberts (Bombers, $200K)
Jedd Busslinger (Bulldogs, $200K)
Charlie Edwards (Crows, $240K)
Saad El-Hawli (Bombers, $200K)
Jacob Blight (Tigers, $200K)

MIDFIELDERS

Clay Hall (Eagles, $200K)
Hugh Jackson (Power, $200K)
Harry Rowston (Giants, $241K)
Harry DeMattia (Magpies, $228K)
Mitch Hardie (Cats, $200K)
George Stevens (Cats, $200K)

RUCKMEN

Henry Smith (Lions, $200K)
Coen Livingstone (Eagles, $200K)
Max Heath (Saints, $200K)
Archer Reid (Eagles, $213K)
Will Verrall (Demons, $200K)
Taylor Goad (Kangaroos, $243K)
Mitch Edwards (Cats, $207K)

FORWARDS

Andy Moriz-Wakefield (Demons, $200K)
James Tsitas (Suns, $200K)
Ashton Moir (Blues, $216K)
Tom Anastasopoulos (Power, $200K)
Brayden George (Kangaroos, $200K)
Max Hall (Saints, $200K)
Campbell Gray (Tigers, $200K)
Toby Murray (Crows, $200K)

Fry

An Australian coffee/burrito enthusiast who is the frustrated owner of 16 fantasy teams. Writer for SportsbyFry and DT Talk ?