But we're here only to talk about rookies - so let's get right into it.
Word of the Week is: Watch Lachie Neale!
Freshmen (newbies): Guys named for their first match of their career, or guys coming back from injury who are dirt cheap.
About to burst: These fellas have played two matches this year, and if you don't jump on them this round, their price will explode. Basically just a warning signal.
Rookie watch: These guys have been in our teams from the start, but by monitoring their break-even every week it's easier to gauge when to jump off them, even if they've served you well. Remember, there's no room for sentiment in SuperCoach.
Cheapened stars: They may not have exactly 'fallen from grace', but it's not unusual for a gun to average 100 yet still see a price drop of $100,000. These guys are the perfect trade-up targets, and a smart selection here is just as important as picking the right rookie.
Freshmen:
Lachie Neale (FRE) Midfielder @ $106,600
Big wraps on Neale right from the start of pre-season. Ross isn't big on playing youngsters so he must be a beauty. Let's see how he goes on the Friday Night big stage.
Cory Dell'Olio (ESS) Forward @ $94,700
Another named whose name was thrown around pre-season. A smokey to play a lot of matches this season, like Hibberd last season. A different position though.
Darren Pfeiffer (PORT) Midfielder/Forward @ $126,700>
Wasn't surprised at all to see Pfeiffer picked up by his third AFL club, thought he was quite serviceable at Carlton. A great DPP option and should be able to hold his spot, if he plays well.
Sam Shaw (ADE) Defender @ $113,200
Turned 21 last week, so by no means a raw youngster. Hard to tell where Adelaide are at, but I know that I'll be watching Shaw closely.
Shaun Edwards (GWS) Defender @ $113,200
Another one of those GWS youngsters. A running, rebounding type player. Job security not great.
Jack Crisp (BRIS) Midfielder @ $94,700
Brisbane have given the upgraded Crisp the opportunity to play immediately in the face of Leuenberger's injury. Obviously they rate him very highly - I can see him coming into many sides in the next few weeks.
Jordan Schroder (GEEL) Midfielder @ $113,200
Extended bench for Schroder, but an outside chance to play. Very hard to cement your spot in that Cats midfield.
Tommy Walsh (SYD) Forward @ $113,200
Not expecting anything from Tommy, even if he does play. But, once again, key forward + new to the game = not great SC output.
Thomas Couch (MELB) Midfielder/Forward @ $94,700
Finally! He's been named! Just don't jump on him right away, he's only on the extended bench and isn't 100% locked in to play. But if he's selected be ready to pounce in the coming weeks - and being a Dual Position Player makes him so much more attractive!
About to burst:
Orren Stephenson - Ave: 48.5, BE: -31
The Big O showed us that he isn't purely made of 16s, with 81 points last week. With Redden out this week he might have been the smarter option.
Jack Newnes - Ave: 47.5, BE: -29
Scott Watters has played his youngsters and delighted SuperCoaches. Newnes is a great cash cow.
Adam Tomlinson - Ave: 51.5, BE: -7
Another GWS DPP. NABO (Not a bad option).
Rookie Watch:
Dropped this week surprisingly was Clay Smith from the Bulldogs. Other impressive rookies to be dropped were Toby Greene, Jarrad Redden, Claye Beams, Jeremy Cameron and Koby Stevens.
Josh Mellington is out with a hamstring injury making this week a real bench-stretcher. In better news, impressive debutants from last week George Horlin-Smith and Adam Treloar are good chances of holding their spots.
All of your rookies who have played three games have manageable breakevens, so we'll reassess next week. The exception is Israel Folau's break-even of 42.
Cheapened stars:
Steve Johnson - Ave: 60.7, Down $76,300
Something's wrong with Stevie J...
Todd Goldstein - Ave: 74,7, Down $66,400
Not an option with McIntosh around.
Dean Cox - Ave: 100, Down $46,100
Robin Nahas - Ave: 60.7, Down $45,700
Sub-effected scores. Keep in mind.
Dane Swan - Ave: 100.3, Down $45,7300
Corey Enright - Ave: 72.3, Down $45,000
Had no pre-season whatsoever.
It might look tempting, but it isn't time to jump on these guys yet. They'll all continue to fall over the coming weeks, with the exception of Cox and Swan who might be able to plateau.
Here are some more players with (almost) unattainable BEs. Keep them in mind, especially if you have an obvious weakness in your side.
Ryan O'Keefe - BE: 232
Scott Pendlebury - BE: 220
Dayne Beams - BE: 198
Tom Rockliff - BE: 189
Ryan Griffen - BE: 185
So many rookies to choose from - are you trading this week? Are you forced to with so many outs? Comment below!