Bargain Buys: Assessing the 2023 defender cheapie crop

Rookies!! The cornerstone of every great, successful SuperCoach side.

Just ask any past winners and I’m sure they would all say that picking the right rookies from the start set them up for their eventual success.

At this time of year, it can be hard to get a full gage on how each rookie from each club is going, but here’s an early look at the ones that have made an impact on the track thus far:

We’ve defined cheapies as anyone priced at $230,000 or lower

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Adelaide

Max Michalanney ($135,300, 3%)

The father-son product was deemed one of the best intercepting players to come out of last year’s draft.

It’s going to be hard to break into an Adelaide half-back that will likely consist of Wayne Milera and Jordan Dawson, but reports suggest that Michalanney’s kicking, and decision making has put him firmly in the spotlight of a Round 1 debut.

Reports have also hinted to Jordan Dawson playing higher up the ground this year, likely as a permanent wingman, so there may be a half-back position available after all if he’s up for it…

Verdict: Watch

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Brisbane

Darcy Wilmot ($123,900, 42%)

The beauty of finals footy!!

Luckily for us coaches, Wilmot made his debut in the finals series last year and therefore it did not affect his 2023 price tag!

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So, essentially coming in at just above basement price, with three games of AFL experience, having scored 52, 61, and 73 last year, he is an absolute must-have.

Verdict: Buy

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Conor McKenna ($167,500, 42%)

After a two-year hiatus from the AFL, Conor Mckenna has returned!

He won’t cost you an arm and leg, but he is more expensive than most of the other defender rookies we have an offer, perhaps for good reason?

McKenna really hit his straps as a rebounding defender in 2018, boasting an average of 74 which he increased to 80 the following season!

As a result, he ended the year costing $425,700… $258,200 more than what he currently is. That screams value.

The only knock I have on him is his job security, and whether he even starts Round 1 which at this point in time, I think is unlikely. Still, when he does inevitably get a game, he’ll be a very tasty downgrade option.

Verdict: Watch

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Carlton

Lachie Cowan ($117,300, 7%)

After averaging 141 SuperCoach points in the NAB League last year, Cowan was already right up the top of my list as of last week.

And then, Zac Williams did his ACL…

As a result, Cowan’s stocks have increased tenfold, and he looks primed to start the year in Carlton’s defence.

He made a name for himself last season as a pure run-and-carry type player, a trait that Zac Williams personifies to a tee; however, Oleg Markov is reportedly set to sign with the Blues as “Williams’ replacement”, and if there’s anyone in the comp who loves to run-and-carry, it’s him.

Verdict: Watch

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Caleb Marchbank ($198,200, 1%)

If you’re in the market for a consistent scoring POD cheapie, Marchbank is your man.

I hyped him up a fair bit in my Carlton Squad Breakdown which may or may not have been completely justified, but I do think he has the potential to average 65+ this season with little-to-no negative outliers; something every coach wants from their D5/D6.

Job security should be no issue, but as much as I love him, there are probably better value options out there. I guess it all depends on how you structure your team.

Verdict: Buy

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Collingwood

Charlie Dean ($123,900, 9%)

How is Dean only owned by 9% of the comp?!

He was the pick of the lot this time last season due to his all but guaranteed job security, but multiple foot injuries put a halt to that, and he failed to secure his AFL debut.

He did make his return in the VFL though, collecting 14 disposals and five marks for 90 points in his first and only game of 2022!

Dean hasn’t missed a beat yet this pre-season and looks set to pick up where he left off last year: firmly in the frame for a Round 1 debut; hopefully he can leapfrog Billy Frampton…

Verdict: Buy

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Essendon

Rhett Montgomerie ($102,400, 7%)

Basement price rookie who might actually play? LFG!

The Central Districts intercept defender averaged 93 in the SANFL last year and was picked up by the Bombers with Pick 4 in the rookie draft.

Early on, he’s making a real impact due to his marking and competitive nature, qualities that look likely to earn him a game at some point this year.

Verdict: Watch

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Fremantle

Corey Wagner ($117,300, 37%)

With three years of AFL experience across North Melbourne and Melbourne, Wagner looks the most likely to fill the void left by the departure of Blake Acres.

As a midfielder, he really didn’t show much during his time at the ‘Roos and ‘Dees but adopted a role off half-back for Port Melbourne in the VFL last year and his performances were hard to fault as a result.

He averaged 105 SuperCoach points last season which was capped off with a 124-point average from Round 17 onwards.

Verdict: Buy

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GWS

Nil.

Geelong

Nil.

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Gold Coast

Charlie Constable ($123,900, 17%)

Could this year FINALLY be the year we see Constable play some consistent AFL footy?

When he debuted in 2019, Charlie started his SuperCoach career with a BANG: scoring 85, 84, and 99 in his first three games.

He’s a certified VFL gun, averaging 120 SuperCoach points in 2021, and then 114 in the last six games of 2022.

I just wonder if – at 23 – maybe his ship has sailed… With Brandon Ellis in career-best shape, Constable will have to work harder than he’s ever worked before to get a gig.

Verdict: Watch

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Hawthorn

Josh Weddle ($130,800, 19%)

Weddle has wasted no time in making an impact at the Hawks, already winning their 2023 time trial, and prompting Sam Mitchell to admit that “Weddle could develop into a flexible, Mark Blicavs-style role player in the midfield”.

Defensive coach, Kade Simpson, even said, “There aren’t too many guys who come in after being drafted & win the time trials like he has. It’s pretty special… He’s a really good size, it looks like he has been in the AFL for 3 or 4 years already”.

So, there’s every reason to assume that Weddle is in line for a Round 1 debut.

Don’t expect him to score extremely well given his average of just 83 in last year’s U18 Competition, but he should get a fair chunk of games this year.

Verdict: Buy

Melbourne

Nil.

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North Melbourne

Josh Goater ($192,700, 24%)

Goater played just the one game last year and didn’t look out of place for a second, racking up 21 touches, five marks, and three tackles on his way to 70 SuperCoach points.

Unfortunately, though, that means he starts this year $75,400 more expensive than what he was last season; something that really doesn’t scream “high value”.

Still, there’s no denying his talent, and if the 70 from last year is anything to go off, then he should be able reward his owners if he gets a game to start the season.

Verdict: Buy

Port Adelaide

Nil.

Richmond

Nil.

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St. Kilda

Matthew Allison ($123,900, 1%)

Allison looked poised to be firmly in the mix as a Max King replacement, but unfortunately suffered a stress fracture in his foot and will miss up to the next five months.

Verdict: Avoid

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Nick Coffield ($208,800, 10%)

Lock and load… Nick Coffield is my pick of the bunch this year at an alarmingly low price of just $208,800.

He missed all of last season due to injury, but let’s not forget that he averaged 63 in 2021 and 79 in 2020!

He’ll slot effortlessly into the St. Kilda half-back line.

Verdict: Buy

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Sydney

Will Gould ($123,900, 10%)

Everyone’s favourite D8, Will Gould, had an outstanding VFL season last year, averaging 101 SuperCoach points which earnt him a one-year contract extension at the Swans.

With the Swans losing the Grand Final last year, and ultimately entering the elite stage of their re-build, Gould will find it harder than previous years to crack into the side.

Verdict: Watch

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Aaron Francis ($189,400, 6%)

At the moment, Sydney are absolutely loving what Aaron Francis has provided them so far this pre-season.

Trialling him as an intercepting tall similar to Paddy McCartin’s role last year, the former #6 draft pick might finally live up to his reputation.

Job security should be no issue.

Verdict: Buy

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West Coast

Campbell Chesser ($123,900, 45%)

A serious ankle injury last season has kept Chesser out of any contact drills so far this season.

He was the talk of the town this time last year, with a Round 1 debut looking imminent until he got injured.

As a result of missing the entire 2022 season, he’s now coming in $25k cheaper and should be able to get some games at some point this season!

I doubt he’ll start the year off in the 1’s, but regardless, he’ll be a very nice downgrade option when the time comes.

Verdict: Watch

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Reuben Ginbey ($171,300, 41%)

Everywhere I look, all I see are reports that Reuben Ginbey is a star in the making for the Eagles.

He averaged 21 touches and 93 SuperCoach points in the U18 Champs, winning the Western Australia MVP award, earning him a call-up to the WAFL.

Apparently, him and Yeo have been in a half-back/midfield rotation together in training, with the #9 draft pick looking increasingly likely to play Round 1.

Verdict: Buy

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Western Bulldogs

Jedd Busslinger ($153,300, 2%)

The Bulldogs selected key defender, Jedd Busslinger, with their first pick in the draft.

However, the Dogs boast a pretty solid defence already, and I can’t quite see Busslinger edging out Alex Keath just yet; not to mention Sam Darcy and Josh Bruce!

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Liam Jones ($228,100, 8%)

After taking time away from the AFL due to covid laws, Jones is back in the colours of blue, white, and red.

I think it’s safe to say he’s pretty much locked in to play, because right before his time away, he was one of the best defenders in the competition.

From 2021 to 2017, he didn’t average below 65.

He’s also averaged 70+ three times in his last five seasons!

You have to cough up a fair bit of coin for him, but he’s someone you can just stick at D5 and not have to worry about until the byes.

Verdict: Buy