Finding break-out contenders and rookies who will play is important, but who are the players that will provide the real 'bang-for-your-buck'? Who are the bargains who are seriously under-valued?
Paul Bower - (Carlton, Defender)
Named in Carlton's opening match against Richmond, Bower is cheap and ready to replicate previous form (86 points SC average from 20 matches in 2009). His injury-free pre-season means that he slots straight into a Blues team only without Jamison. He is only $157,200 and available as a defender - pretty good when you consider he
Paul Bower - (Carlton, Defender)
Named in Carlton's opening match against Richmond, Bower is cheap and ready to replicate previous form (86 points SC average from 20 matches in 2009). His injury-free pre-season means that he slots straight into a Blues team only without Jamison. He is only $157,200 and available as a defender - pretty good when you consider he
Bulldogs' big guy Minson
averaged a solid 56 points from limited game time in the NAB matches.
Brandon Ellis - (Richmond, Defender)
To show how much the Tigers rate this guy, he's named on the wing in their opening match of the season. He's dirt cheap and available as a defender - basically if you don't have this guy you don't know what you're doing.
Will Minson - (Western Bulldogs, Ruckman)
Despite a super impressive pre-season (two matches, scores of 112 and 83), and being the Dogs' only recognised ruckman this year, Minson is still in very few teams. He will be a unique option, and is way under the premium ruck price at $449,300. Just think, last year he averaged 82 SC points a match and Hudson was doing most of the work!
Josh Caddy - (Gold Coast, Midfielder)
One of the Suns' first prize recruits had a horrible first year, not from a form perspective but an injury one. He played the final two matches of the season, and will continue that run into round 1. He is only a tad dearer than Coniglio or Wingard ($218,200) and scored 61 twice in the warm-up matches. He was a number seven draft pick, and can only improve he average from last year. Will certainly rise in cash, mightn't be a keeper though.
Addam Maric - (Richmond, Forward)
Maric could never cement his spot in the Melbourne forward-line, but at Richmond he's just been upgraded off the rookie list and is named to play round 1. Not cheap, but at $315,600, he can certainly raise that number. As they say, he's obviously been recruited for a reason and along with his other Maric (albeit not related) brother, he can finally see consistent game time at AFL level. He finished off the pre-season stuff well too, with scores of 81 and 102 finishing his preparations.
Steve Motlop - (Geelong, Forward)
This guys is a serious smokey/option. Chris Scott said that he is right in the mix to play round 1, and he certainly has the talent to stay in the Cats side. Last year he was struck down by injury, but his pre-season scores of 82, 68 and 36 make impressive reading for someone priced at only $223,600. Beware though, may be a vest-option for the coaches at Geelong.
James Magner - (Melbourne, Midfielder)
Obviously this guy has received a lot of attention and rightly so - in this day and age mature-aged rookies aren't recruited and then upgraded almost immediately if there is no intention of playing them in the season proper. Magner is a ball magnet, and don't worry about his finger injury, because if he isn't right to go round 1, the Demons won't be able to wait until he's fully fit.
Agree or disagree? Did I leave someone out? Comment below! No rego required!
Brandon Ellis - (Richmond, Defender)
To show how much the Tigers rate this guy, he's named on the wing in their opening match of the season. He's dirt cheap and available as a defender - basically if you don't have this guy you don't know what you're doing.
Will Minson - (Western Bulldogs, Ruckman)
Despite a super impressive pre-season (two matches, scores of 112 and 83), and being the Dogs' only recognised ruckman this year, Minson is still in very few teams. He will be a unique option, and is way under the premium ruck price at $449,300. Just think, last year he averaged 82 SC points a match and Hudson was doing most of the work!
Josh Caddy - (Gold Coast, Midfielder)
One of the Suns' first prize recruits had a horrible first year, not from a form perspective but an injury one. He played the final two matches of the season, and will continue that run into round 1. He is only a tad dearer than Coniglio or Wingard ($218,200) and scored 61 twice in the warm-up matches. He was a number seven draft pick, and can only improve he average from last year. Will certainly rise in cash, mightn't be a keeper though.
Addam Maric - (Richmond, Forward)
Maric could never cement his spot in the Melbourne forward-line, but at Richmond he's just been upgraded off the rookie list and is named to play round 1. Not cheap, but at $315,600, he can certainly raise that number. As they say, he's obviously been recruited for a reason and along with his other Maric (albeit not related) brother, he can finally see consistent game time at AFL level. He finished off the pre-season stuff well too, with scores of 81 and 102 finishing his preparations.
Steve Motlop - (Geelong, Forward)
This guys is a serious smokey/option. Chris Scott said that he is right in the mix to play round 1, and he certainly has the talent to stay in the Cats side. Last year he was struck down by injury, but his pre-season scores of 82, 68 and 36 make impressive reading for someone priced at only $223,600. Beware though, may be a vest-option for the coaches at Geelong.
James Magner - (Melbourne, Midfielder)
Obviously this guy has received a lot of attention and rightly so - in this day and age mature-aged rookies aren't recruited and then upgraded almost immediately if there is no intention of playing them in the season proper. Magner is a ball magnet, and don't worry about his finger injury, because if he isn't right to go round 1, the Demons won't be able to wait until he's fully fit.
Agree or disagree? Did I leave someone out? Comment below! No rego required!