17 down, seven to go!

Let’s be honest, rookies aren’t the pressing matter for coaches this late into the season. With the exception of loyal servant Harry Barnett, the Large Fry’s and Coke had 29 green dots this week and the bulk of the fantasy community will be flush with solid rookies on the bench. Suspensions and injuries to popular premiums will see a lot of us ignore a potential rookie shuffle at the trade table this round. However, for the coaches out there still trying to nail their final few cash cow investments, there is plenty to unpack.

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. Darcy Wilson, Saints ($504K, 64 AVG, 91 BE)
2. Bodhi Uwland, Suns ($600K, 59 AVG, 84 BE)
3. Jeremy Sharp, Dockers ($573K, 73 AVG, 98 BE)
4. Sam Clohesy, Suns ($523K, 69 AVG, 67 BE)
5. Joel Freijah, Bulldogs ($440K, 56 AVG, 52 BE)

Injured/non-playing rookies

1. Blake Howes, Demons ($428K, 54 AVG, 69 BE)
2. Hugo Garcia, Saints ($374K, 54 AVG, 27 BE)
3. Charlie Lazzaro, Kangaroos ($334K, 42 AVG, 66 BE)
4. Zane Duursma, Kangaroos ($309K, 40 AVG, 63 BE)
5. Lachlan Sullivan, Magpies ($396K, 50 AVG, 63 BE)

Cash Cow King – Round 17

There were some elite scores from cash cows over the weekend – most of which would’ve been on our bench! Colby McKercher (123) wasted no time getting reacclimated with the Sherrin with an absurd 37 disposals dashing out of defence for North. It’s hard to see anyone claiming the 5 votes this week, but Caleb Windsor (114) and the recalled Shaun Mannagh (115) deserve recognition for their epic 110+ efforts. Logan Evans (88) and Harvey Thomas (81) produced impressive scores as well, although McKercher can’t be ignored after posting the best score from a rook all season.

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Making Moves

Money makers

If you made the right rookie investments over the past few rounds, then your bench would’ve been flush with green dots in Round 17. Since the byes, the bulk of the fantasy community has pounced on defensive duo Logan Evans ($360K, 88, BE -17) and Arie Schoenmaker ($323K, 49, BE 7) with Koltyn Tholstrup ($371K, 74, BE 6) and Billy Dowling ($396K, 49, BE 22) excelling at the other end of the ground. All four of these cash cows can provide us with handy cover for at least a few more weeks and the reliable money makers don’t stop there. Entering the weekend as the most sought-after player at the trade table, Lawson Humphries ($294K, 77, BE -19) had another strong performance vs. Hawthorn and those who invested in Andy Moniz-Wakefield ($275K, 71, BE -13) instead wouldn’t have been disappointed.

Couple those aforementioned cash cows with fellow youngsters, Joe Fonti ($224K, 56, BE 4), Jacob Blight ($236K, 42, BE 8) and Jack Hutchinson ($224K, 64, BE 3) and there is no shortage of reliable downgrade options. Hell, even Shaun Mannagh ($293K, 115, BE -32) found his way back into the team to reignite his cash generation with a monster score! Most coaches will have to use their two trades to address on-field issues this round and that may mean you miss out on one or all of these juicy rookies – that’s ok. Izak Rankine, Max Gawn and Isaac Heeney (maybe?) owners will need to come up with a strategy on how to replace their production and the best way to do that is by moving them to another top-line premium. It’s too late in the season to sacrifice such a big potential points hit by holding those fantasy guns and while youngsters like Mannagh and Humpries would be great bench investments, you can’t have them all.

Keep the faith

There will be coaches reading this who aren’t in a luxurious position with all rookies off their field – and if you’re one of them, I’d be moving heaven and earth to land Colby McKercher ($667K, 123, BE 22). Obviously, if McKercher continues to rack up possessions like he did against Gold Coast, every fantasy team will need the Roos phenom but there are a few small factors that will impact his future scoring. Zac Fisher’s return will inevitably eat into his production and I think it’s fair to assume North won’t be winning every week to end the season either.

Still, the way that Colby excelled in his first game back has seen nearly 5,000 coaches bring him in and he should battle his way to an 80+ AVG for the remainder of the fantasy season. The strong scoring should also continue for Rising Star contender Oliver Dempsey ($671K, 73, BE 62) who owns a last five average of 88.4 following a matchup with the Hawks. There aren’t a lot of clear cut FWD upgrades to switch Dempsey to, so playing him is fine – although, I don’t have the same confidence in Ryley Sanders ($523K, 70, BE 58), Harley Reid ($577K, 71, BE 65) and Caleb Windsor ($512K, 114, BE 25). Their ownership numbers are inflated by a lot of ghost ships no longer in action, but if you are an owner, at least they’ve shown an ability to record ripper point totals.

Bench FWD’s such as Nathan Kreuger ($403K, 73, BE 16), Harvey Harrison ($406K, 60, BE 38) and Darcy Jones ($333K, 71, BE 28) could hang around as they continue to rise in value, with Jones in particular set to rise significantly in value. It’s too late in the season to target a player at his price IMO, however a straight swap from Bruce Reville ($488K, 31, BE 64) could net you some convenient cash. Reville had his first real fantasy dud on the weekend, amassing just nine disposals and halting his potential cash gen. There are some who will trade Bruce out this week and given his price tag, that’s a smart play. I’m giving the Brisbane MID/FWD another life against West Coast on Sunday, but it’s wise to cash him in before he starts dipping in price.

Cut them loose

Just quickly, early season investments such as Sam Clohesy ($523K, 66, BE 67), Will Graham ($494K, 54, BE 54), Kai Lohmann ($522K, 38, BE 89), Harvey Gallagher ($464K, 60, BE 66), Darcy Wilson ($504K, 48, BE 91), Jeremy Sharp ($573K, 34, BE 98), Seth Campbell ($414K, 25, BE 81) and Matt Roberts ($401K, 37, BE 79) should be long gone by now. If not, fix that ASAP!

Should you be able to address a declining cash cow with your trades this week, there are a few bench fodders who have sealed their fate with crappy efforts. Collingwood pair Charlie Dean ($387K, 39, BE 43) and Joe Richards ($420K, 34, BE 55) will be happily moved on by their owners while the most recent Bulldogs sub in Joel Freijah ($440K, 39, BE 52) should also be culled. With an abundance of other rooks to choose from, I’d be ditching before they bleed any more cash. Should you somehow find yourself still clinging onto Bodhi Uwland ($600K, 50, BE 84), it’s time for him to go as well. I was eager to give him an extended leash thanks to some stellar scores during the bye rounds, but that good faith has now evaporated.

Thin Ice

The Jhye Clark ($425K, 69, BE 39) rollercoaster continues to annoy coaches with the inconsistent Cat traded out by a lot of his now former owners ahead of Round 17. Naturally, Chris Scott swung a late change and now the second-year MID is moving up again! Those who already cut him are probably sleeping better at night, but his solid score means another price rise could be on offer. Harvey Thomas ($435K, 81, BE 29) finds himself in the same category thanks largely to a 49-point second half. Although, he’s just as likely to come out and score in the teens vs. Richmond. Kane McAuliffe ($311K, 52, BE 41) is another cash cow stuck in limbo that coaches could find themselves stuck with, while Toby Pink ($274K, 19, BE 49) and Toby McMullin ($274K, 34, BE 38) continue to annoy their owners with poor scores. None of that trio are worth wasting a trade on at this point in time, which means we’re likely stuck with them…

Sub status

Subbed On – Taj Woewodin, Logan Morris, Zac Taylor

Subbed Off – Charlie Dean, Nate Caddy, Orazio Fantasia, Leek Aleer, Jacob Blight, Matt Roberts

Luckily, none of our popular cash cows were struck down by the sub vest over the weekend. Nate Caddy ($336K, 69, BE 9) will feel a bit hard done by after a decent effort against Collingwood and WA local Jacob Blight ($236K, 42, BE 8) being subbed off by the Tigers in front of his family and friends felt lame as well. A handful of coaches invested in the Richmond mid-season draftee and hopefully this isn’t the start of a trend for Blight.

State League Stats

Mitch Hardie, Cats (166) – 38 disposals, 7 marks, 8 tackles, 2 goals
Henry Smith, Lions (136) – 21 disposals, 21 hitouts, 8 marks, 3.1 in front of goal
Ted Clohesy (Cats, $200K) – 125 points, 25 disposals, 11 tackles, 1.1 in front of goal
Patrick Voss (Dockers, $266K) – 124 points, 19 disposals, 9 marks, 6.3 in front of goal
Archie Roberts, Bombers (121) – 32 disposals, 7 marks, 1.1 in front of goal
Conor Stone, Giants (120) – 28 disposals, 7 marks, 6 tackles
James Leake, Giants (115) – 24 disposals, 6 marks, 8 tackles, 1 behind
Marty Hore, Demons (115) – 26 disposals, 10 marks
George Stevens, Cats (111)  – 25 disposals, 5 marks, 9 tackles
Finlay Macrae, Magpies (109) – 30 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal
Jaxon Binns, Blues (103) – 27 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal
Jack Bytel, Magpies (103) – 29 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 behinds
Jake Rogers, Suns (103) – 31 disposals, 1 behind
Dante Visentini, Power (101) – 16 disposals, 30 hitouts, 5 tackles
Joel Hamling, Swans (101) – 15 disposals, 13 marks, 2.2 in front of goal
Lachie Sullivan, Magpies (100) – 31 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 behind
Luke Beecken, Lions (98) – 25 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 1 behind
Liam Reidy, Dockers (96) – 16 disposals, 38 hitouts
Hugo Garcia, Saints (94) – 24 disposals, 5 tackles
Hugh Davies, Dockers (93) – 22 disposals, 11 marks
Jack Carroll, Blues (92) – 32 disposals, 1.1 in front of goal
Daniel Curtin, Crows (87) – 14 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles
Blake Howes, Demons (85) – 23 disposals, 7 marks
Oisin Mullin, Cats (84)– 25 disposals, 5 marks
Max Heath, Saints (84) – 14 disposals, 9 hitouts, 8 marks, 1 goal
Kaleb Smith, Tigers (83) – 20 disposals, 1 behind
Jedd Busslinger, Bulldogs (83) – 20 disposals, 8 marks
Billy Wilson, Blues (81) – 24 disposals, 6 marks
Iliro Smit, Magpies (81) – 10 disposals, 35 hitouts, 6 tackles
Caiden Cleary, Swans (79) – 15 disposals, 8 marks
Zane Trew, Eagles (78)  – 21 disposals, 1 behind
Hugh Jackson, Power (78) – 24 disposals, 1.1 in front of goal
Clay Hall, Eagles (75) – 13 disposals, 10 tackles
Max Gruzewski, Giants (71) – 15 disposals, 8 marks, 1.1 in front of goal
Darcy Craven, Lions (69) – 12 disposals, 7 marks, 2.1 in front of goal
Ethan Read, Suns (57) – 11 disposals, 8 hitouts
Jed Walter, Suns (53) – 9 disposals, 2.2 in front of goal
Kynan Brown, Demons (43) – 6 disposals, 7 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

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 ?