AFL Supercoach 2019: Rookie guide after JLT week two

Tom Naghten

AFL Supercoach 2019: Rookie guide after JLT week two image

The JLT Series is in the books and budding Supercoaches have been given more than enough food for thought.

If you were worried about the scoring potential of 2019's rookies, you fears may have been allayed.

There were some standout peformances across the weekend that will shape plenty of players' teams ahead of round one.

MORE: The 2019 rookie bibleThe ultimate Supercoach POD guide

We take a club-by-club look at the performances of all the rookies after two rounds of of pre-season fixtures.

Adelaide

Chayce Jones (MID) - $171,300

JLT 1 SC score: 36

While it's not a massive score, the numbers don't tell the full story. His 35 per cent playing time was the lowest out of any Crow but he showed plenty while he was out there. He'll get more minutes if he's picked for the real stuff, so don't write him off.

JLT 2 SC score: 78

What did we tell ya? Five tackles and couple of goals puts him in the frame for round one selection. Job security in the senior side is our main concern however.

Brisbane

Ely Smith (MID) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 13

JLT 2 SC score: N/A

Chris Fagan didn't help out Supercoaches by giving the gun young midfielder less than a quarter of game time. Hold fire for now.

Carlton

Will Setterfield (MID/FWD) - $144,900

JLT 1 SC score: 113

JLT 2 SC score: 60

Lock. Pray for no injuries. Simple

Sam Walsh (MID) - $207,300

JLT 1 SC score: 102

JLT 2 SC score: 96

Yes, he's expensive. He's also a gun. Another lock.

Sam Walsh

Michael Gibbons (MID) - $102,400

JLT 1 SC score: 68

JLT 2 SC score: 34

Now, there's a bit to think about here. Spent most of his time up forward and did get on the end of three goals in JLT 1, but he only had the nine touches and potentially may be undersized if pushed into the midfield. There's a big call to be made here and it's not looking good for Gibbo.

Collingwood

Isaac Quaynor (DEF) - $153,300

JLT 1 SC score: 34

JLT 2 SC score: N/A

12 touches at 41 per cent. He may not get a game in Nathan Buckley's round one side at that rate, making the decision to leave him out plenty easier.

Essendon

To be honest, we're still pretty mad that we didn't get to see Irving Mosquito buzzing around.

Zac Clarke (RUC) - $142,600

JLT 1 SC score: 89

JLT 2 SC score: N/A

Again, not a rookie, but priced all the same. Looked more than capable at the level in JLT 1 and we were keen on him for our R3 spot but an injury kept him out of JLT 2 so we'll have to wait and see how long he's out.

Fremantle

Brett Bewley (MID) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 48

JLT 2 SC score: 16

13 touches at just over 50 per cent is a concern. As is his 39 per cent time on the ground. 41 per cent in week two but just eight touches and one tackle. Not good for his chances.

Geelong

Charlie Constable (MID) - $123,900

JLT 1 SC score: 92

JLT 2 SC Score: 61

26 touches and four tackles. He looked every bit an AFL midfielder despite not playing a game at the level. Backed it up with another solid performance in JLT 2. Looks a safe bet.

Jordan Clark (DEF) - $144,300

JLT 1 SC score: 87

JLT 2 SC score: 67

Wow. A seriously eye-catching performance from the dashing defender. Courage, pace, efficiency and it was more of the same in game 2. Welcome aboard, youngster.

Jordan Clark

Tom Atkins (MID) - $112,900

JLT 1 SC score: 69

JLT 2 SC score: 80

We were promised a tackling machine and we got one. Seven tackles to go with 14 touches at 93 per cent. We liked what we saw and he repeated the dose against the Bombers. The Cats coming through with the reliable rookie options in 2019.

Darcy Fort (RUC) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 21

JLT 2 SC score: 13

Had his chance to make a real claim for the ruck spot at the Cats. Didn't take it. Will be finding his way out of a lot of teams after being a popular pre-season selection.

Gold Coast

Sam Collins (DEF) - $188,900

JLT 1 SC score: 93

JLT 2 SC score: 52

We liked what we saw before the weekend's game and we loved what we saw in week one. Didn't quite reach the level against Sydney but will be a regular in the Suns team and looks a safe(ish) bet with injuries at the club and rookie defenders hard to come by.

Chris Burgess (DEF/FWD) - $123,900

JLT 1 SC score: 68

JLT 2 SC score: 15

He certainly didn't look out of his depth in week one but nine touches at 33 per cent against Sydney has us very wary of selecting him.

Izak Rankine (FWD) - $198,300

JLT 1 SC score: 32

JLT 2 SC score: 32

He's a jet, no doubt about it, but will he be a Supercoach jet just yet? Got injured in week two. Avoid.

Jack Lukosius (FWD) - $202,800

SC score: 31

AFL recruiters and coaches are wary of throwing in young key forwards too early. Supercoaches ought to follow suit.

Ben King (FWD) - $184,800

SC score: 12

See above.

Greater Western Sydney

Jackson Hately (MID) - $148,800

JLT 1 SC score: 101

Do you ever get mad that you picked a player and then they go huge in pre-season and their POD value goes to sh*t? Well, yeah. 16 touches at 100 per cent. The kid's a gun.

JLT 2 SC score: 42

Didn't quite reach the same heights in week two but still had 12 touches at over 80 per cent.

Jackson Hately

Jye Caldwell (MID) - $162,300

JLT 1 SC score: 78

JLT 2 SC score: 24

Another one off the production line and fighting for a spot in the Giants midfield. Smooth, silky and built for senior footy. We're leaning towards his slightly cheaper teammate for now though.

Hawthorn

Harrison Jones (DEF) - $123,900

JLT 1 SC score: 79

JLT 2 SC score: N/A

Fair to say we didn't see this one coming. Jones had 13 kicks and used it well. He's likely to spend time near the ball if he plays, making him a very interesting proposition. 

Jack Scrimshaw (DEF) - $149,800

JLT 1 SC score: 68

JLT 2 SC score: 79

Technically not a rookie but he comes at the right price. The former Sun is in plenty of teams and it's easy to see why. Looks comfortable at the level in a year where rookie defensive options will be crucial.

Melbourne

Marty Hore (DEF) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 57

JLT 2 SC score: 69

Marks, rebounds, disposal efficiency. He's got all the makings of a nice cash cow option. Even took some kick ins in week one but not in week two which is a concern. Not a complete lock but got  some solid scores on the board.

Tom Sparrow (MID) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 10

JLT 2 SC score: N/A

Didn't spend a heap of time on the ground and struggled to find the pace of the game. Interest cooling.

North Melbourne

Bailey Scott (MID) $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 59

JLT 2 SC score: 89

The father-son pick delivered a very solid display in JLT 1 and then went real big against Port, picking up 19 touches and kicking two goals. Selection the question mark.

Tarryn Thomas (MID) - $175,800

JLT 1 SC score: 31

JLT 2 SC score: 21

Probably won't get a game early and is priced pretty high. Pass.

Port Adelaide

Zak Butters (MID) - $157,800

JLT 1 SC score: 91

JLT 2 SC score: 82

Helloooooo. Teammates Rozee and Duursma probably had more eyes on them but Butters stole the show in weekone. Posting a massive score as he picked up 25 touches at 72 per cent efficiency. Likely played himself into Port's team for round one with another big effort against the Roos, kicking three goals from 14 touches.

Zak Butters

Willem Drew (MID/FWD) - $123,900

JLT 1 SC score: 77

JLT 2 SC score: 86

It's not his first year on the list but it certainly looks like his first year with a senior game. The inside ball-winner cleaned up in both JLT's and we're pretty excited about sticking him in our forward line.

Connor Rozee (DEF/FWD) - $189,300

JLT 1 SC score: 41

JLT 2 SC score: 44

Went okay without setting the world on fire in pre-season. Just the six touches in week one and 11 in week two, going at 90 per cent though still only posting a so so score. We reckon there's better options around considering the price tag.

Xavier Duursma (DEF/MID) - $130,800

JLT 1 SC score: 40

JLT 2 SC score: 78

Started brightly but faded in week one. Turned it on against the Roos, picking up 24 touches. Certainly looks like he has the potential to be a good get. We've seen enough to go with him

Richmond

Noah Balta (FWD) - $123,900

JLT 1 SC score: 104

JLT 2 SC score: 52

Wow. Okay. There looked to be a dearth of cheap forward options this year but this young Tiger may have just come to the rescue. Didn't quite go as big in week two. Job security?

Jack Ross (MID) $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 67

JLT 2 SC score: 28

At about 12 others clubs we'd almost call him a lock but will he crack the Tigers midfield? We reckon it's a pass.

Riley Collier-Dawkins (MID) - $121,800

JLT 1 SC score: 22

JLT 2 SC score: N/A

Has been a pre-season standout but couldn't quite find his feet against the Dees. Similarly tough road to get a senior game.

St Kilda

Matt Parker (FWD) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 61

JLT 2 SC score: 36

Forward? Tick. Cheap? Tick. Looked the goods? Tick. Only had seven touches but pumped his score up with seven tackles and a couple of goals. Showed enough in week two but didn't demand a spot in our team.

Nick Hind (MID) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 52

JLT 2 SC score: 29

Don't panic. He spent just over 50 per cent of the time on the ground and posted a reasonable score. We'll wait and see how it backs it up in JLT 2.

Okay, now panic. Better options around we reckon.

Callum Wilkie (DEF) - $124,900

JLT 1 SC score: 26

JLT 2 SC score: 18

Spent a lot of time in the ruck and didn't really get to show us his scoring potential. Avoid.

Sydney

Justin McInerney (DEF) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 35

JLT 2 SC score: 51

Not a great score, but he only played 25 per cent of the game in week one. Now, he probably won't play in round one, but he performed well in Sydney's praccy match too and is shaping is a potential downgrade option.

Nick Blakey (FWD) - $166,800

JLT 1 SC score: 31

JLT 2 SC score: 54

There's pretty big wraps on this kid and he kicked four in the trial match. While he didn't quite back it up in JLT 1, the possible absences of Franklin and Menzel means he'll still be in the frame for early season. Kicked two goals and took some strong grabs against the Suns. In the mix.

West Coast

Francis Watson (DEF) - $123,900

JLT 1 SC score: 76

JLT 2 SC score: N/A

Wasn't on our radar. Is now. Showed a heap of dash off halfback and finished with a massive ten tackles in JLT 1. Didn't play against Freo which has to hurt his chances for round one unfortunately. The rookie defender search continues.

Francis Watson

Jack Petruccelle (FWD) - $123,900

JLT 1 SC score: 43

JLT 2 SC score: 87

Definitely showed glimpses that he's up to it and did his early season chances no harm with a big game against the Dockers in week two. It's mighty competitive for spots at the Eagles so job security will always be a concern.

Jarrod Brander (FWD) - $135,700

JLT 1 SC score: 42

JLT 2 SC score: 77

A very similar story to Petruccelle. Looks the goods but it would take a brave Supercoach to pick him,

Jarrod Cameron (MID/FWD) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 38

JLT 2 SC score: N/A

Looks an exciting prospect but still a long way off it.

Western Bulldogs

Will Hayes (MID) - $117,300

JLT 1 SC score: 42

JLT 2 SC score: 28

We really liked him as an option and there were some encouraging signs week one but with just six touches in week two he's not looking like getting a game.

Bailey Smith (MID) - $180,300

JLT 1 SC score: 29

JLT 2 SC score: 41

Spent plenty of time on the pine but some iffy ball use was enough to scare us off given his high price tag. Same story against St Kilda in week two.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.