The new rule allowing a free rookie elevation after round 11 is now in force, with two teams already using it.
The most noticeable of these, and the most fantasy relevant, is Port Adelaide who have nominated Danny Meyer, who they recruited from Richmond last year. Meyer is a 22-year-old medium-sized inside midfielder. His career DT average of 35.1 across 17 games and four years is hardly a bold advertisement for his prospects, even if he is currently at the basement rookie price, but nevertheless he is as good a chance as any to provide a warm body on the run home to fantasy finals in your midfield.
The other rookie to have been named this week under the new rule is Cruize Garlett of North Melbourne, albeit on an extended bench for Sunday’s game against the Crows. As a small forward he has a lot of competition for spots down at Arden St, although the recent fractured cheekbone sustained by Ben Warren may well give him a window of about a month to push for senior selection.
As for the other clubs:
Adelaide: Even if there were any hot prospects you wouldn’t be touching them under the Craig regime.
Brisbane: Will most likely elevate Joel Tippett or Daniel Murray to cover their depleted ruck stocks, which is slightly unlucky for Daniel Dzufer.
Carlton: Greg Bentley is back on the rookie list after temporarily replacing Adam Bentick, but Darren Pfeiffer would be stiff not to get another gig at some stage.
Collingwood: Small inside midfielder Jarryd Blair is attracting rave reviews in the VFL and would be first cab off the rank if injuries don’t increase the need for other player types.
Essendon: Former stick insect Christian Bock may be elevated soon to cover the Dons’ depleted ruck stocks. Let’s hope he only plays at the Dome where the wind can’t blow him over.
Fremantle: Not a huge amount of interest here, maybe Casey Sibosado if he’s brought in as a permanent third tall forward to replace the likes of Adam Campbell and Ryan Murphy.
Geelong: Fantasy coaches would like to get a look at Ranga Ediriwickrama but the Cats will probably use the new rule to keep Shane Mumford on the senior list after Brad Ottens returns from injury.
Hawthorn: Of course they’ll be elevating Zac Dawson… wait, what’s that? Traded him to where? Oh bugger. Ex-Lion Haydn Kiel would be the only one close to ready, but he’s not a great fantasy prospect in any case.
Melbourne: Nothing of value here at all.
Richmond: Too early to tell who Rawlings’ favourites are, but you’d expect he’ll pop a surprise or two from the Coburg team he has been coaching all year. One name that should interest fantasy coaches is Jarrod Silvester, a 24-year-old tall defender. Probably only draftable if one of the existing young tall backs goes down, but worth keeping an eye on for Super Coach in particular.
St Kilda: The Saints have seven rookies to choose from but even with promising names likes Steven Gaertner and Ross Tungatulum you’d expect them to mothball the kids as they chase the flag.
Sydney: Nothing to see here, move on.
West Coast: Nothing fantasy-relevant here either. EDIT: Adam Cockie is back on the rookie list after deputising for Luke Shuey, so he’s the most likely to reappear.
Western Bulldogs: Ditto.
The above is by no means canonical, so if you’ve heard word of a decent rookie coming through, by all means let us know in the comments.
djch00k
June 11, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Is Adam Cockie a chance to force his way back onto West Coast’s list, m0nty?
Teddler
June 11, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Monty you don’t reckom Adam Cockie from West Coast is worth a mention, played 4 games while on rookie list as result of LTI to someone (not quite sure who). I’d imagine they’ll upgrade him and he may play again at some point this season.
jogabonito
June 11, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Tyrone Vickery will play on Saturday for Richmond
m0nty
June 11, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Re Vickery: He’s on the senior list already, not a rookie.
Re Cockie: Ah yes, sorry, I knew I’d forgotten someone.
jogabonito
June 11, 2009 at 7:28 pm
and how about Nic Naitanui? i would think West Coast will play him.
m0nty
June 11, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Also not a rookie, jogabonito.
jogabonito
June 11, 2009 at 7:40 pm
my bad, im no expert just saw in the news they were debuting
Realist
June 11, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Reckon Goudis might get a look in before Silvester does. Richmond are in need of finding KPF for the future and word is Gourdis has been quite good at Coburg the last few weeks.
pedro_0952
June 11, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I dont know if ive ever seen a name funnier than Ranga Ediriwickrama. I mean the last name is bad enough let alone having Ranga as his first name. Anyone know if he’s a red head?
MotlopFan1
June 11, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I don’t think he’s a redhead, I think he’s Indigenous.
Funniest sporting name i saw was a rookie in the IPL named “Napoleon Einstein”.
roodav
June 11, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Garlett is more of a midfielder than a small forward though he’ll probably will play in the forward line mostly this week due to injuries but long term he’s a Midfielder. He’s been named on the ground not on the extended bench
Fenez
June 11, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Some people are getting confused with what fantasy players call a rookie and what afl teams call a rookie.
A rookie in fantasy is a cheap player (generally first or second year players)
A rookie in afl is a player who cannot play unless elevated of the rookie list because of an injury or something in the senior list.
Grovesy
June 11, 2009 at 9:29 pm
McKenzie from Melbourne has been averaging close to 30 touches a game in the Casey seniors. He’s another inside midfielder with poor skills though so not a player Melbourne are crying out for.
snowy32
June 11, 2009 at 10:18 pm
is luke hodge carrying an injury still?
looks a great buy at the minute
jogabonito
June 11, 2009 at 10:24 pm
danny meyer for richmond?
jogabonito
June 11, 2009 at 10:24 pm
i mean port adelaide
jogabonito
June 11, 2009 at 10:26 pm
never mind his a senior
penguins00
June 11, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Ranga Ediriwickrama is of Sri Lankan descent. He was born and raised in NSW.
Disco DB
June 12, 2009 at 5:24 am
@penguins00 – …bowls with a bent elbow…
mr gor
June 12, 2009 at 10:03 am
Good to see Danny Meyer elevated. He could (and should) get a few games for Port. He’s been impressive in the SANFL with his run off half-back and could even rotate through the midfield with all of the injuries they’ve had lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if he became a late cash cow downgrade target. I feel he could even replace Krakouer’s (former) spot in the lineup.
Arky
June 12, 2009 at 6:21 pm
ROTFL at the Dawson comment. Geez, after being the butt of jokes for years, who’s laughing now? Dawson’s part of an unbeaten team, and it’s just icing on the cake that his old team got rid of him KNOWING they were going to start the season with injured key backs. Clarkson probably breaks a chair every time he watches the Saints play.
Dunlop
June 14, 2009 at 6:26 am
Carlton: They’ve got plenty of depth so might not elevate anyone, but if they do it’ll be David Ellard. Don’t know why all the media think Bentley will get elevated. He had a chance and failed. As for Pfeiffer, you clearly haven’t done your research Monty, he hasn’t played a game all season and is still another month away from returning.
Essendon: Again zero research Monty. Campo has already said Bock won’t play this season. The club is pleased with his work as a stick insect at the Melbourne Zoo though. They may look at Bryce Carroll if his form (2 back to back BOGs for Bendigo) continues.
Freo: Sibosado has only just started playing WAFL seniors. Fair way off AFL. Jay van Berlo is better chance later in the season if he gets fit.
Geelong: The Cats certainly won’t use the rule for Mumford – he’s linked with Egan so he’s already safe for the year. Again with Ediriwickrama, you’ve suggested a player that hasn’t played VFL all season. With Laidler already promoted, I doubt they’ll promote anyone.
Syd: Only relevant because he’s a defender, but Swans were talking up Brendan Murphy’s chances of playing by midseason before his shoulder injury, so if he has a few good games after returning they’ll look at promoting him.
WB: Will use the rule to keep Picken playing with O’Shea almost ready to return