Welcome to my latest AFL Fantasy post,
Now we are done with the 1st Round of the JLT matches, lets take a look at some of the best cash cows that have emerged from the 1st year player Group.
20: J Garlett $319k Midfielder/Forward - Carlton
The ex Gold Coast 1st round draft pick was the last name read out on Draft night when he was taken at pick 78 by Carlton.
Garlett had a full season at South Fremantle in the WAFL and looks to be over the personal problems that plagued him at Gold Coast. Garlett injured his shoulder midway through the match and was unable to return, but prior to that showed some nice glimpses in his 6 touches plus a goal.
His $319k price tag is probably a bit prohibitive unless his shoulder is fine and he does something pretty special in game 2, but he stays on the radar for now.
19: F Appleby $170k Defender - Collingwood
The pies could have themselves a bolter in Appleby after grabbing him in the rookie draft after all clubs overlooked him in the main one. Was consistent off the half back flank for the Rebels in the TAC cup and in his first JLT outing for the Pies, Appleby had 11 possessions, 5 marks and 3 tackles. Given the bargain basement $170k price tag, Appleby did enough to stay under notice.
18: G Miers $170k Forward - Geelong
Was taken very late in the draft at pick 57 but looks to have some handy attributes as a small forward.
There is an open small forward position at the Cats so I wouldn’t rule this kid out from putting his hand up.
Miers had a handy 12 possessions and a goal in his 1st JLT outing.
17: H Shipley $170k Midfielder - GWS
Shipley didn’t have a lot of the ball (13 possessions) but it was his impact on the contest that was noticeable, particularly in that 1st half.
He showed good pace, would take them on, ran hard and had very neat disposal.
Shipley was a Giants Academy player so they got him for the bargain price of only pick 64 in last year’s draft.
Considering the amount of run the Giants have lost off that half back flank with the departure of Wilson and the injury of Williams, Shipley could be a chance to grab one of those half back spots.
From the glimpses he showed in that game, I wouldn’t discount him.
16: R Stoddart $170k Defender - Sydney
The Swans have always been shrewd drafters and Stoddart already looks a steal at 53.
Stoddart looked very assured and clean with the ball off the half back flank against the Lions.
Given the Lions batch of early draft picks were missing targets left right and centre, this stood out even more.
Stoddart picked up 12 possessions, 6 marks and 53 Fantasy points is his first JLT game.
He is at the basement price of $170k and is a Defender, so could be a very handy one to keep track of.
15: B Mihocek $170k Defender - Collingwood
The Pies took this 25 year old mature age recruit in the Rookie Draft after he starred for Port Melbourne in the VFL last year. The 192cm Mihocek has been praised for his decision making and marking ability in particular.
He had 14 disposals and 4 marks in a strong 1st outing for the Pies.
Mihocek is in the hunt for a spot in the backline for the Pies Round 1 team.
14: L Murphy $170k Defender - Adelaide
Murphy was taken by the Crows with the 2nd last pick of the Rookie Draft so by that point he would of really been biting his finger nails. A lot of teams overlooked the 19 year old 176cm on baller from the SANFL but he looked a real player in his first JLT outing for the Crows. Playing as a Forward he had 11 possessions and 3 goals.
The mail out of Adelaide is he is pushing a big case for their Round 1 side.
The Crows are a strong team to break into but Murphy remains a big watch for now.
13: A Naughton $254k Defender - Western Bulldogs
The Pick 9 in last year’s National Draft looks a ripper and I think he can find a place in that Dogs back 6 instantly.
I can see why the 194cm agile Defender went so high in the draft as he seems ready made.
Naughton showed composure above his years with 5 marks and 13 solid possessions in that Bulldogs backline
At $254k he could be a really good Defensive Cash Cow option.
Big watch on him in JLT game 2.
12: C Constable $200k Midfielder - Geelong
The Cats got Constable at the bargain selection of 36 in the National Draft after he was projected to go late 1st round.
The 191cm big on baller had an instant impact in his first game and looks to be another exciting one for the future at the Cats.
In the short term Constable will find it tough to break into the Cats stat studded midfield but he does bring something different to the table, given he is such a tall, big framed midfielder. Think a young J Kennedy of the Swans.
Constable had a brilliant first JLT game with 22 disposals and 4 tackles.
It will be interesting to see how he goes in JLT game 2 given the Cats usual on ball brigade will be back but for now Constable stays under notice.
11: L Fogarty $228k Midfielder - Geelong
The Cats pounced on the inside Midfielder at pick 22 in the Draft and have been excited by his progress over the summer.
Fogarty was a ball magnet in the under 18’s and in his first JLT game he got a healthy 16 disposals, 4 tackles and 63 Fantasy points in limited game time.
At many other clubs he would be a strong chance to play Round 1 but like his teammate Constable, he will find it hard to break into that Cats Midfield in his first season.
He stays on the radar though and if the Cats do find a role for him in their senior side, he will be a great Fantasy scorer by Cash Cow standards.
10: Liam Ryan $220k Forward - West Coast
The Eagles had no hesitation using their 2nd round pick (26) on Ryan after he starred in the WAFL for Subiaco last year.
Ryan showed glimpses of why he has West Coast fans so excited as he had about 3 attempts at Mark of the Year already and he was a constant threat around goal at ground level.
Ryan had the 7 possessions for 1 goal 1 behind and will be better for the run out.
Exciting things ahead with this guy.
9: A Brayshaw $268k Midfielder - Fremantle
The number 2 pick at last year’s National Draft showed exactly why with a classy 14 disposals in his first JLT game.
Brayshaw also had 6 tackles which is fantastic for a first year player and he looks a ready made player for the Dockers.
Big watch on him in JLT Game 2 as another tidy performance will lock up a spot in Freo’s Round 1 team.
8: N Holman $170k Midfielder – Gold Coast
Ex Carlton player was given a lifeline after a year spent in the SANFL for Central District.
Holman really made his first impression count with a 15 disposal, 8 tackle performance against the Cats that resulted in 80 fantasy points. Another effort like that in JLT game 2 and it will be impossible for Gold Coast to leave him out of that Round 1 team. Keep a close eye on this bottom priced potential cash cow.
7: B Banfield $170k Midfielder - Fremantle
Fremantle plucked this guy in the Rookie Draft after he had a consistent season for Claremont.
He is now putting huge pressure on Ballantyne for the small forward role after a great 1st JLT game and then apparently starring again in a practise match against West Coast on the weekend.
Banfield had 11 disposals, 5 marks and 2 goals in his first JLT game and the media is already saying he could be a Round 1 bolter into the Dockers best 22.
6: H Clark $258k Midfielder - St Kilda
The Saints stocked up with picks 7 and 8 in an attempt to get a trade for Josh Kelly done.
Despite the Saints best efforts they missed out and Kelly resigned with the Giants.
Instead of turning their attention to other trade targets the Saints did the smart thing and took the 2 picks to the draft.
Saints fans should be glad they did as they look to of landed a couple of gems.
Hunter Clark at this stage looks the more exciting of the 2 and I can see why he was talked about as a possible top 5 selection for a lot of last year.
In his first JLT outing, Clark had composure on the ball well above his years and oozed class. Only the 12 possessions but already has a knack of placing himself in dangerous positions and kicked 2 goals 1 behind.
Another JLT game like that and he is a certainty for the Saints Round 1 team.
5: N Coffield $256k Midfielder/Defender - St Kilda
Hunter Clark and Dow may have been stealing a bit of the 2018 first round picks limelight in that Saints v Blues JLT game but Coffield more than held his own. Coffield was quite brilliant in his first JLT game amassing 20 possessions off that half back flank and showed great composure with ball in hand.
Maybe not as flashy as team mate Clark or as Dow for Carlton but he was just as effective.
Coffield competed hard in the air & on the ground, was neat with his disposal and looks as if he could slot straight into the Saints back six in Round 1.
It should also be noted that his 70 Fantasy points is his first outing for the Saints was a better return than both Clark and Dow for the Blues.
4: P Dow $266k Midfielder - Carlton
The highly rated Dow was in the picture for the number 1 pick at last year’s National Draft.
He fell to Carlton at pick 3 and Blues fans would be drooling in anticipation after his first JLT game.
Dow looked every bit the young star the way he burst from packs, pounced on loose balls and kept bobbing up in dangerous positions. Dow had the 13 disposals, 2 goals and impacted the game with almost every touch.
Will slot straight into midfield vacancy left by Bryce Gibbs’ departure.
3: Tim Kelly $224k Midfielder - Geelong
Geelong were willing to spend their 2nd round pick (24) on this mature age recruit from the WAFL.
A high price to pay for a mature ager but if his first game is any indication, they have just got themselves an instant Motlop replacement.
Kelly burst away from stoppages, hit targets at will and had an impact on the game with every one of his 13 disposals.
His fantasy score would have been bigger but he sat out the last quarter with a knee knock.
He looks a natural on baller but will no doubt find a home in the short term on the forward flank or wing at the Cattery.
Expect to see this guy play a lot of senior footy in 2018.
2: B Fritsch $210k Forward - Melbourne
The Demons spent their 2nd round pick (31) on Fritsch after he had a great 2017 for their reserves team, Casey Demons.
Of all the first year players over the first round of the JLT Fritsch’ performance was arguably the standout.
The dynamic forward looked a threat in the air or on the ground and finished with 3 goals 2.
The 21 year old is no stranger to goals after kicking 42 of them in the VFL last year.
Pick 31 looked expensive for a mature age selection but Fritsch looks like he is going to pay instant dividends for the Demons and bring some real X factor to their Forward line this year.
I’d almost call him a cash cow lock for your Fantasy side already.
1: Dom Barry $170k Midfielder - Port Adelaide
Port were on the prowl all off season for mature age talent that will be able to impact their list in 2018 and they might of found a bargain here with this surprising selection.
Barry was originally on the Demons list before being delisted and spending the season in the SANFL at Glenelg.
Barry was rewarded for a consistent season with a spot on Ports list when they took him at pick 61 in last year’s Draft.
If his first game is any indication, this could be some Power genius as Barry looked tremendous around the stoppages and gave Port some real run.
Barry finished his first JLT game with 20 disposals, 4 tackles, a goal and 84 Fantasy Points in a performance worthy of the Number 1 spot on this list.
The Power have a strong list but it will be hard to keep Barry out if he puts up a performance like that in the 2nd JLT game. Big watch on on this bottom priced Midfielder.
That's it for today.
I hope you got some decent Cash Cow idea's from this list.
I will back with another update soon.
Thanks for reading
- Dahmsy