Cash Cow Index
You can’t build your team without good rookies
DEF
Zeke Uwland $199,000 GCS
Uwland will probably start his career on the wing or on one of the flanks, but he will find the footy no matter what position he starts in. Will be hard to leave out if he’s there to start the season.
Brandon Walker $194,800 FRE
Wasn’t that long ago that Brandon Walker was part of Fremantle’s best defensive setup. He can rebound but is more known as a lockdown type, so at the elevated price he’d be a pre-season watchlist only at this stage.
Harry Dean $194,500 CARL
Key defenders aren’t always good rookie picks in SuperCoach, but Harry Dean won’t be forced to take the weight of the Carlton defence with Weitering alongside him, and because of that his natural game will come into it.
Tom Doedee $189,400 BRIS
Brisbane have a lot of rookie priced players to offer us, but how many can they fit in? If given the chance, Doedee will outperform his price point, but at 189k, is it too much to have on your bench because I’m not sure I’d trust him on my field.
Dylan Patterson $185,500 GCS
Hunted by the NRL as a youngster, and plays with a tenacity that can’t be taught. If he doesn’t play from round one, he will be a mid-season downgrade option at some point for sure.
Cooper Simpson $178,900 FRE
Added a bit of spark to Fremantle’s back half before his season ended due to injury. An early focus of Fremantle’s pre-season has been to keep the ball moving at all costs. A game plan well suited to the way Cooper wants to play, if he gets the nod then you’d have to seriously consider.
Sam Grlj $172,000 RICH
A line breaker who will probably play off half-back to begin with for the Tigers. If Yze selects him, you should too.
Jacob Farrow $163,000 ESS
When you’re comapared to Jordan Dawson and Hayden Young, you pay attention. When you’re drafted by a team in need of talent, you lock him into at least the early version of your squads.
Xavier Taylor $158,500 MELB
A defender who uses his defensive prowess and aerial abilities to attack the ball and rebound. The type of player who can flick the switch between needing to attack or defend better than most in his draft class. Dees top pick from the most recent draft.
Josh Gibcus $139,600 RICH
As long as he remains fit, he should play. Averaged 53.9 in his first season, but unfortunately has been stop/start in the 4 years since. If he can put his injury woes behind him, he will be one to seriously consider.
Josh Lindsay $122,500 WCE
Eagles needed a rolls royce, and they got one in Josh Lindsay. He is precise, prefers to dispose of the ball by foot, and his decision making is elite. Could be an on-field option, and a reliable one from the outset.
Jai Serong $119,900 SYD
He had four clubs vying for his services, and he chose the Swans because he believed they offered him the best chance. That tells me he plays, and as a specialist 3rd tall/rebound type. That’s the very friendly role we’re looking for.
Lachlan Carmichael $113,500 WB
We can’t trust Bevo at the best of times, but something we underrate is how many times he has added a few players into the Dogs team each season. After successfully nabbing Swans Academy player Carmichael with their top pick, who is a rebounding machine, he’s one to keep an eye on for sure.
Kye Fincher $113,500 STK
Saints academy pick has adjusted to every level he’s played at. He’s ferocious, smart with ball in hand and can play across multiple positions. Saints added a lot of key pieces across the player exchange and draft period, so one of put on your pre-season watchlist.
MID
Willem Duursma $203,500 WCE
Framed as a “utility” in his draft profile because he was used all around the ground. Job security won’t be an issue, but his slight frame might have an impact on how well he scores and his consistency. He will probably start out West as a winger. He didn’t need a lot of ball to score well at under-18s level, but hard to envision how well he fares at the next level.
Roan Steele $196,400 COLL
Mid-season recruit who will be happy to see the sub rule gone. He was averaging 92 at WAFL level before being recruited to the Pies.
Daniel Annable $181,000 BRIS
Another academy graduate set to once again make the premiers stronger. He will play, it’s just a matter of in what position. Wherever he plays though, he will be a good pick and should score well no matter what.
Samuel Cumming $176,500 RICH
Midfielder selected with Pick 7 who can push forward and impact the scoreboard. Definitely one to watch, but Richmond have plenty coming through who can play this role. Should play at some point, it’s just a matter of when.
Dyson Sharp $149,500 ESS
Lock and load Sharp. The big bodied midfielder has stepped straight into Essendon training and already looking like he belongs at the level and then some.
Will Brodie $119,900 PORT
We know what he can do when given the chance, and now reviving his career for a third time at Port Adelaide. Ball magnet, he could be a key money maker if he’s best 23.
Harry DeMattia $119,900 COLL
Harry has got a lot of admirers at Collingwood, and has probably been unlucky not to have debuted yet. Will be a half-back or winger at AFL level, but a good rookie selection if he can get in and stay in the Pies 23. One to keep an eye on.
Finlay Macrae $119,900 WCE
Signed by West Coast as part of their assistance package. We were screaming for him to play at Collingwood, now we wait and see if he can assist West Coast in their quest back up the ladder.
Patrick Retschko $119,900 RICH
He was delisted by Geelong, and then traded to Richmond on the final day of the trade period just to ensure nobody else pounced. He was one of the busiest wingers in the VFL, averaging 20+ disposals. Richmond clearly have a role in mind, pre-season will determine if he grabs hold of the opportunity.
Josh Smillie $119,900 RICH
Maybe one for mid-season now, Smillie didn’t play at all in his debut season owing to a raft of soft tissue injuries, and now has been struck down again with a quad strain that required a bit of surgery. If he can get himself right, he’s going to help Yze’s squad even further.
Jagga Smith $119,900 CARL
The former no.3 selection was in the majority of teams last season until he tore his ACL in the pre-season. He’s back and training strongly again, and now cheaper than he was last season. Easy pick.
Angus Anderson $113,500 COLL
Anderson dominated the last few months of the SANFL, and was named best on ground in the league grand final. Collingwood has been searching for midfield reinforcements and Anderson gives them something they don’t currently have.
Billy Cootee $113,500 SYD
Mature age player, but would likely start as a half-forward with brief cameos in the midfield. Watchlist.
Jack Dalton $113,500 HAW
They missed out on Zach Merrett, but they snagged Dalton in the draft. Plays very similarly to Merrett, and could have a role in a team clearly looking to add to their midfield arsenal.
Riley Onley $99,100 MELB
Track watchers have observed Onley playing in what appears to be the “stronger” team in Melbourne match simulations pre-Christmas. They have had a number of key players on light duties though, so only one to monitor.
RUC
Cooper Duff-Tytler $190,000 WCE
The Eagles’ other top selection will be given time to develop. He is likely to get games, but like most talls, it will be some time before he’s SuperCoach relevant.
Vigo Visentini $181,800 ESS
Draper gone. Bryan recovering from an ACL tear. Goldstein retired. That leaves just two recognised ruckmen on Essendon’s list, the young Visentini will be very popular if he gets the nod to lead the ruck early on.
Liam Reidy $119,900 CAR
Carlton traded for Reidy from Fremantle, and has acquired someone who will partner up with McKay up forward, and Pittonet in the ruck. His abilities as a ball-winning ruck as well as a potent marking target up forward should hold him in good stead. Dual position as well.
Kalani White $99,100 MELB
Unlikely to play, but cheapest ruck with dual position. If you’re someone who likes to start a loop. White could be your guy.
FWD
Lincoln McCarthy $170,500 BRIS
Not sure where McCarthy’s recovery is at, but a few years ago this guy was a top 20 forward for total points. Keep an eye on his progress.
Mattaes Phillipou $168,400 STK
A lot were on him when he was about 150k more expensive last season, but injury issues has given us a massive discount this season. If you were big on him last season, you should be big on him this season. If you had question marks last season, does the cheaper price make him an easier pick?
Sullivan Robey $167,500 ESS
A physical, powerful midfielder who loves to gain distance with every disposal. He’ll likely start his work as a Bomber across half-forward. Robey was on light duties before Christmas to manage an injury, but if he’s full go come January, he will be hard to leave out.
Jesse Dattoli $155,900 SYD
They traded Will Hayward as part of the Charlie Curnow trade so there’s an opening. Dattoli got some opportunities late last season and had big wraps in his draft year. There’s a spot there for someone, and Dattoli could be the one.
Max King $150,800 STK
Missed all of last season with a knee issue, and will miss most of pre-season with the same. One to watch, but probably a pass.
Todd Marshall $147,900 PORT
Positional switch! Marshall is set to train as a defender in the pre-season in a bid to reclaim his spot in the Port Adelaide side. If that means intercept marking and rebounds, then Todd Marshall could repeat the success of Charlie Comben from a few years ago.
Lachy Dovaston $136,000 NTH
He’s been compared to Nick Watson due to his mercurial skills and wily nature, but his play style at North could more resemble that of Dylan Moore. His job security will be strong, but whether he scores 25 or 85 on any given weekend will be hard to predict.
Sid Draper $126,100 ADEL
Crows were looking to add another dimension to their midfield. They had a look at Clayton Oliver, Jack Steele and Geelong’s George Stevens. They even had Christian Petracca tour their facilities before he ultimately chose the Suns. If they are smart and promote from within, top pick from last year Sid Draper will explode into relevance if given the chance.
Deven Robertson $119,900 WCE
West Coast have wanted this bloke for a few years now, and his services have finally been acquired. He was signed as part of the assistance package, but there’s a chance he has a role in a West Coast side that continues to grow and learn.
Tai Hayes $113,500 BRIS
Mature age recruits always pique the interests, but Hayes biggest obstacle is that he was recruited by the reigning premiers and there is no clear path into the team yet. One to watch.
Tobyn Murray $113,500 FRE
Dockers are on record saying there’s a role for Murray if he has a good pre-season. They’ve also talked about him as a midfield-forward, and compared him to the likes of Ollie Dempsey. Watchlist!
Leon Kickett $99,100 FRE
Josh Treacy, Hayden Young and Patrick Voss were all in agreeance at a recent speaking event that based on early impressions Kickett would be the first to debut out of the new crop. Something to monitor.
Cody Angove $160,200 GWS / Nathan Wardius $119,900 GWS / Josaia Delana $119,900 GWS
Darcy Jones will miss all of 2026 with an ACL tear so all eyes on who takes his place. One of these guys should be on your watch list.
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