It's the most important and toughest selection in your AFL Supercoach 2022 team: the rookies and cash cows.
These players you pick will form the backbone of your immediate cash generation, which helps kickstart your ability to improve your team.
If you miss a key rookie or select one that doesn't play much, it will immediately put your team behind the eight-ball.
Defender rookies and cash cows
Paddy McCartin (DEF/FWD) $157,800 (Sydney)
Could this be the reliable selection Supercoaches are crying out for? The former number one draft pick got to the Swans via the pre-season SSP and looks the goods so far. Followed up a big practice match with 74 points against the Roos. Can he stay on the park?
Confirmed in for round one by Sydney.
Josh Gibcus (DEF) $171,300 (Richmond)
Scored a respectable 65 points in the Tigers' Community Series match to put himself in round one calculations. A versatile tall who can play at both ends of the ground which helps his selection chances.
Confirmed in for round one by Richmond.
Mitch Hinge (DEF) $180,900 (Adelaide)
Could it be the year for Mitch Hinge? The former Lion has been luckless since moving to the Crows, playing just one game, but with injury troubles potentially behind him, he may find his way into their 22. Racked up a solid 64 points in the Community Series.
Joel Smith (DEF) $177,200 (Melbourne)
Breaking into the flag-winning Demons side will no short ask but Joel Smith has done himself no harm with some impressive performances this pre-season. 67 points in the Community Series showed Supercoaches he can score if selected.
Confirmed in for round one by Melbourne.
Sam De Koning (DEF/FWD) $123,900 (Geelong)
Posted a very respectable 92 points in the pre-season hit out to catch the eye. Job security is a question at the Cats but he may have edged himself in front for the third tall defender role.
Josh Sinn (DEF/MID) $157,800 (Port Adelaide)
Looks the most likely of Port's draftees to earn a place in Ken Hinkley's 22. Hard at it and versatile, Sinn only scored 28 in the Community Series clash, a reflection of his sometimes scrappy ball use.
Nathan O'Driscoll (DEF/MID) $123,900 (Fremantle)
The young Docker looked like he might prove to be a round one bolter, spending plenty of time on the ball in pre-season in the absence of a few of the big names. Looks like he can get the footy, but will he get picked?
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (DEF/MID) $162,300 (St Kilda)
Some Supercoaches may be tempted by this kid's foot skills and it could well pay off if he can lock down a place in the side. 28 points in the Community Series will scare some off.
Will Kelly (DEF/FWD) $123,900 (Collingwood)
The versatile Kelly seemed to be shaping as a solid pick, especially with a spot opened up in the team following Mark Keane's return to Ireland, but missed selection in the Pies' final Community Series match.
Midfielder rookies and cash cows
Jason Horne-Francis (MID) $207,300 (North Melbourne)
Just get him. Yeah he's a bit exxy but he's an absolute gun. 87 points against the Swans with plenty more in the tank.
Nick Daicos (MID) $193,800 (Collingwood)
As above. Superstar in the making and ball magnet. Reliable rookies are hard to come by, here's one. Cracked the ton in the Community Series.
Confirmed in for round one by Collingwood.
Josh Rachele (MID/FWD) $184,800 (Adelaide)
And again. You're gonna have to spend some money on the rookies this year but you can be confident they'll get picked and score well.
Confirmed in for round one by Adelaide.
Josh Ward (MID) $180,300 (Hawthorn)
He scored 124 points in the Community Series. Sam Mitchell will get games into the kids. Lock him in.
Dylan Stephens (MID) $167,800 (Sydney)
The Swans reckon this kid has been flying in pre-season and with Jordan Dawson departed, there's a spot up for grabs. Posted 63 in the Community Series.
Hugo Ralphsmith (MID/FWD) $206,700 (Richmond)
Slightly tricky price for a player who has failed to consistently score in his brief senior career so far but a move to halfback could see that change. Might be worth the punt if you can afford it but perhaps safer to wait a couple weeks and reassess.
Finn Maginness (MID/FWD) $173,300 (Hawthorn)
Played just three senior games but could be ready to take the next step as the Hawks look to the future. Keep an eye out for the round one team announcements.
Elijah Hollands (MID/FWD) $123,900 (Gold Coast)
Plenty of good judges rated him the best player in his draft cohort before an ACL injury stopped him in his tracks. If he can get a game he'll definitely be one to watch.
Jake Soligo (MID) $117,300 (Adelaide)
Doesn't come with some of the hype of the others but has made a solid case for early senior games and comes very cheap. Pray to the Supercoach gods he gets picked.
Confirmed in for round one by Adelaide.
Connor MacDonald (MID) $117,300 (Hawthorn)
The 26th pick from last year's draft has been turning heads at Hawthorn and shapes as an early-season debutant. Scored 52 in the Community Series and looks comfortable at senior level.
Brady Hough (MID) $117,300 (West Coast)
Hough was a bit of a draft bolter but he appears to be justifying his selection earlier on his career. Teammate Jack Redden has backed him to play in round one and he comes at a very nice price. One to watch for sure.
Confirmed in for round one by West Coast.
Jackson Hately (MID) $188,700 (Adelaide)
Could this be the year the former Giants midfielder finds his feet at AFL level. The big-bodied youngster has shown glimpses in the past but is no sure thing to get a game.
Jed McEntee (MID/FWD) $123,900 (Port Adelaide)
Port's looks like a tough side to break into but 2021 mid-season draftee Jed McEntee has given himself a chance. Posted a solid 58 in the Community Series and will be in plenty of teams if selected.
James Tsitas (MID) $102,400 (Gold Coast)
The veteran SANFL player finally earned a spot on an AFL list when the Suns picked him up in pre-season. If the Magarey Medal winner can earn selection he'll be hard to go past at this price.
Charlie Parker (MID/FWD) $102,400 (Western Bulldogs)
The mature-age rookie draft selection is proving a popular pick for his bargain basement price but he's going to have his work cut out breaking into last year's runners up.
MORE: Price and selection guides: Defenders | Midfielders | Rucks | Forwards
Ruck rookies and cash cows
It's important to remember that most Supercoaches choose to use their third ruck position to select a non-playing ruckmen in order to help with their captain's loophole strategy.
Braydon Preuss (RUC) $204,700 (GWS)
It looks like it could be the former Roos and Dees man's year to really stamp himself on the competition. Unquestionably the Giants' number one ruck, Preuss got Supercoaches excited, and gave them plenty to think about, with a 102 in the Community Series. Unfortunately picked up a one-match suspension in the process. Still, if you're going for cash generation rather than using the third ruck spot for the captain loophole, he's your man.
Hugh Dixon (RUC/FWD) $102,400 (West Coast)
This bloke has come from nowhere to be sitting in the box seat for a round one berth thanks to the Eagles' long injury list. He's a key forward so he's unlikely to consistently post big scores but his job security looks decent as it stands.
Sam Hayes (RUC) $123,900 (Port Adelaide)
The Power big man has been waiting for an extended opportunity at senior level at Peter Ladhams' departure and Charlie Dixon's injury may provide it. Don't count on consistently strong scores however - young talls are notoriously up and down.
Forward rookies and cash cows
Now, it's looking pretty slim on the ground for rookies in the forward line, but bear in mind the dual-position status of the aforementioned Rachele, McCartin, Ralphsmith, Dixon, Maginness, Hollands, De Koning, McEntee and more.
Tristan Xerri (FWD) $208,200 (North Melbourne)
Awkwardly priced, you could be forgiven for overlooking the North big man but his score of 96 against the Swans in the Community Series would have made you sit up and take notice. The 12-gamer looks ready to push Todd Goldstein for the number one ruck spot at the club. Are you willing to take the gamble on him?
Kaine Baldwin (FWD) $123,900 (Essendon)
Injury to Harry Jones and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti's absence could open the door for a round one debut for Baldwin. Scored 48 in the Community Series and job security could be a concern.
Confirmed in for round one by Essendon.
Corey Durdin (FWD) $143,700 (Carlton)
Presented as a possible safe bet as a small forward for the Blues but a calf injury has hampered him in recent weeks. Keep an eye on the team announcements.
Nick Martin (FWD) $102,400 (Essendon)
Didn't feature in the Community Series which would suggest he won't play round one but impressed in the practice match after winning a spot on the list.
Jack Hayes (RUC/FWD) $102,400 (St Kilda)
Another pre-season selection who won't be far away from a round one berth. Generally played as a key forward in the SANFL so unlikely to rack up consistent big scores but with rookies hard to come by in the forward line, could prove a shrewd selection.
MORE: Price and selection guides: Defenders | Midfielders | Rucks | Forwards
