With the 2021 AFL Supercoach season fast approaching, the recent practice matches have given us evidence to help pick our rookies, cash cows and cheapies.
Which players should you be looking to get in your team on the cheap? The brother of a Geelong star at Collingwood? Or a Hawthorn surprise packet?
Sporting News analyses the rookies and cash cows you should be looking at as you build your Supercoach team
Connor Downie (Hawthorn) [$117,300 - MID]
Taken at pick 35 in the 2020 AFL Draft, Downie put in one of the most dazzling performances from a first-year player in the practice matches.
Playing mainly on the wing against the Bulldogs, the 185cm wingman showed he has a burst of speed and a lovely left foot, while also impressing with his defensive workrate.
Fellow wingman Tom Phillips also had a good debut as places on the wing for Hawthorn heat up, despite the departure of Isaac Smith to Geelong.
However, 18-year-old Downie is likely to see game time this season with the Hawks expected to finish in the bottom half of the AFL ladder.
Jacob Koschitzke (Hawthorn) [$123,900 - DEF]
The cousin of former St Kilda star Justin Koschitzke, Jacob looked solid against the Bulldogs in a role mainly up forward.
With long-term injuries to key position players Jack Gunston and James Sicily, the 20-year-old could be called upon to fill a void at either end of the ground.
You would expect the 196cm utility to get plenty of opportunities throughout the season as the Hawks have a look at their list.
Lachlan McNeil (Bulldogs) [$102,400 - MID]
Bulldogs rookie McNeil looked at home at AFL level with an eye-catching performance in a high half forward role against Hawthorn.
The 182cm utility took an impressive pack mark and converted the goal, while he also pushed up the field and covered plenty of ground.
McNeil, 20, would need to be upgraded off the rookie list before round one to get his opportunity but with both Mitch Hannan and Toby McLean injured, he is definitely a chance.
Nik Cox (Essendon) [$175,800 - DEF/FWD]
A 200cm wingman who is likely to play most of the season? Where do I sign up?!?
Cox looked at home in the unusual role against the Bombers, gathering plenty of football and drifting to both of the grounds to make an impact.
You would expect the Bombers won't be premiership contenders in 2021, so the 19-year-old is likely to see plenty of game time.
While Cox is pricey for a rookie, his dual position status is quite appealing for the flexibility of our teams.
Harry Jones (Essendon) [$123,900 - FWD]
The 20-year-old is in the frame for a debut in round one as Essendon search for Joe Daniher's replacement up forward.
Jones kicked two goals and took a number of marks inside 50 as he stamped his authority on the match against Carlton.
Just bear in mind that Jones is a 194cm forward with not the best job security, meaning he is a risky pick for Supercoach if he is selected by Ben Rutten in round one.
Alec Waterman (Essendon) [N/A - FWD]
Waterman isn't officially on Essendon's list but after a four-goal performance against Carlton he is expected to be signed up imminently.
The son of former West Coast star Chris, Waterman was on the Eagles list from 2015-16 but struggled with illness and injury.
Being 24 years old and a rookie, Waterman will likely be priced at a basement level and have better job security than younger competitors for a spot in the Bombers team.
Paddy Dow (Carlton) [$202,400 - MID/FWD]
Despite being priced just shy of $200,000, Dow could be an important Supercoach option if he continues to build.
After being selected at pick no.3 in the 2017 AFL draft, Dow has never arrived as an elite player - only playing three games last season because of injury and form issues.
But the 21-year-old put in a dominant performance with two goals against Essendon to tease that this season could be his breakout year.
While the 187cm midfielder is definitely priced awkwardly, there could be great financial reward if Dow can average north of 70-80.
Tom Highmore (St Kilda) [$117,300 - DEF]
BEWARE - Highmore is going to be Supercoach relevant this season but probably not at the start of the campaign.
The 23-year-old only played the second half in the huge win against North Melbourne, with the Saints opting to play Dougal Howard, Callum Wilkie and James Frawley as the defensive talls in the first period.
With Jake Carlisle also in the frame for a backline position, and Josh Battle's ability to swing back, Highmore will need to perform strongly to move into selection calculations.
The mature-aged South Australian will likely play senior football in 2021 but I wouldn't be locking him into your backline just yet.
Charlie Lazzaro (North Melbourne) [$117,300 - MID]
With North Melbourne likely to finish in the lower reaches of the ladder, you would expect the club to give plenty of young talent a crack this season - like Lazzaro.
The 18-year-old talent kicked an exciting goal and looked lively enough to show that he will play senior football in 2021.
At $117,300, wait and see if Lazzaro is picked in round one before making your move, but you would think he will get opportunity.
James Jordan (Melbourne) [$123,900 - MID]
Jordan was close to making his Demons debut in 2020 but a freak gym accident saw him nearly lose his finger.
The 20-year-old midfielder started in the midfield rotation against Richmond and showed enough to suggest he will be Supercoach relevant in 2020.
Jordan was selected at no.33 in the 2018 draft and is priced at $123,900.
Kade Chandler (Melbourne) [$161,200 - FWD)
With Kosi Pickett out of the team because of family reasons, Chandler took his chance with both hands to kick three goals against the Tigers.
The 21-year-old has only managed one game for the club since being drafted at pick 15 in the 2018 rookie draft.
Chandler will likely face tough competition for a small forward position alongside the likes of Pickett, Jake Melksham and Alex Neal-Bullen.
Hugo Ralphsmith (Richmond) [$123,900 - MID/FWD]
In a big surprise, Ralphsmith was selected on the wing in Richmond's A side ahead of two-time premiership player Marlion Pickett.
The 19-year-old acquitted himself well against Melbourne to put himself in the frame for selection in the season opener versus Richmond.
Ralphsmith is the son of former St Kilda and Sydney player Sean.
Oliver Henry (Collingwood) [$135,300 - FWD]
The brother of Geelong star Jack, Oliver put himself into senior contention with an eye-catching performance against the Cats.
The 18-year-old utility impressed with his agility and ended up playing the entire match, while other Magpie youngsters only managed a half.
With Henry able to play at both ends, expect the 186cm player to be in the frame for selection in a number of roles.
Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide) [$202,800 - FWD/RUC]
Despite being left out of the main seniors match, Thilthorpe dominated in the earlier SANFL trial, kicking 4.2 and setting up a couple of other goals.
Crows coach Matthew Nicks obviously wanted to ease the no.2 draft pick but his dominant performance suggests he may be ready to play round one or earlier in the season.
The 18-year-old played mainly in the forward line but also spent time in the ruck and on the wing.
Lloyd Meek (Fremantle) [$123,900 - RUC]
With Sean Darcy touch-and-go because of injury for round one, 22-year-old Meek has sprung into selection contention after getting the better of Nathan Vardy in the win against West Coast.
The 203cm ruckman was pick 69 in the 2017 draft and is yet to debut for the Dockers with Darcy and Rory Lobb ahead of him in the pecking order.
But Darcy's misfortune, and a quality performance to outplay Vardy means Meek is in line to play the first match of the season.
Matthew Flynn (GWS Giants) [$123,900 - RUC]
The yet-to-debut Flynn is set to get an opportunity in the ruck for GWS because of the injury to Braydon Preuss.
Flynn, 23, was selected at pick 41 in the 2015 draft and has been very much a development player over the last five seasons.
However, he impressed in the ruck against the Swans and will likely get first crack as the number one when the season starts.
Tanner Bruhn (GWS Giants) [$157,800 - MID]
The Giants' no.12 draft pick looked at home at senior level and also kicked a goal against the Swans in an impressive performance.
With the likes of Zac Williams, Zac Langdon and Jye Caldwell leaving the Giants midfield rotation, there will be spots up for grabs, with Bruhn looking to head the list.
Tom Green also performed extremely well in the GWS engine room.
Errol Gulden (Sydney) [$117,300 - MID]
Surprise packet Gulden looms as a real bolter for round one after looking at home during several midfielder stints.
The 18-year-old was selected at pick 32 in last year's draft but showed he could be ready for senior football in round one.
Gulden's attack on the ball was a feature but also showed poise and class with his foot skills.
Ely Smith (Brisbane) [$123,900 - MID/FWD]
After three years on the Lions list, Smith looks ready to take the step up to senior football.
The 20-year-old looked like a seasoned veteran during his four quarter performance on the wing.
With an appealing DPP status, Smith could be a solid selection if he gets in the Lions team for round one.
