PROMISING ROOKIE PERFORMANCES

Marcus Davies, $94 200, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. As expected played off the half-back and got plenty of the ball there. Promising performance and certainly wouldn’t have hurt his chances of getting a game.

Jeromey Webberley, $94 200, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. Webberley was a largely talked about rookie before the NAB Cup began. Unfortunately we haven’t seen too much of him. He was good on the weekend, playing off the half-back, and got plenty of the ball. Still in defense rookie calculations.

Scott Gumbleton, $100 200, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. Gumbleton actually got on the pitch over the weekend! For Gumby, that’s more promising that what he’s been delivering over the past few years (which is just getting injured). Wasn’t good by any stretch but should get much better if he can stay on the park.

Robbie Tarrant, $100 200, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. Former pick 15 who is yet to make his AFL debut due to 2 injury-ravaged seasons. Played in the backline over the weekend and performed reasonably well, at times moving the ball forward well.

Cameron Hitchcock, $103 400, another promising performance from Hitchcock and I’m expecting his elevation. Played a bit higher up the ground this game than in the last couple of games and performed well as we saw him often involved in the ball moving forward.

Michael Barlow, $111 400, despite not being as prolific this weekend as he has been in weeks 1 & 2 of the NAB Cup, Barlow’s performance this week has shown more than any of his other performances. He played a decent game even when his team was being decimated and against a hard and tight side in the Saints. If Mark Harvey doesn’t give this kid 22 games, their supporters are just going to go have a fit until he gets played anyway (like they did in ’08 with Ibbo and Palmer). Lock him in.

Jack Trengove, $174 200, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. Was listed in Melbourne’s best, racking up 27 disposals, which is very encouraging. If I can remind you all of Daniel Rich last year who had poor preseason scores… Some coaches, purely because of those poor scores, didn’t want to pay the $130+k for him and lost out on one of the season’s best buys.

Tom Scully, $179 200, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. Like Trengrove had his best game of the preseason last weekend. A very respectable 23 disposals and 1 goal.

DISAPPOINTING ROOKIE PERFORMANCES

Robert Warnock, $132 200, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. Another meh game from Warnock. Poor scoring. Nothing in his game was particularly encouraging. Just hope for improvement with more game time.

PROMISING PREMIUM PERFORMANCES

Sam Gilbert, $509 100, played well against Fremantle off the half-back. I don’t think his price holds much, if any, value. Should stay a premium, averaging around the same level this year.

Paul Duffield, $517 500, a hat-trick performance in the promising performances category. Delivers the ball very well off the half-back and is not afraid to peel off his man (which we fantasy coaches love). Doesn’t seem to be too popular a pick and therefore will be unique. Can take another small step up.

Luke Ball, $457 100, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. Ball played another solid game and racked up 23 disposals. Averaged 86 SC last year off ridiculously low game time so the value Ball holds seems obvious to me.

Shannon Hurn, $495 900, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. Best on ground running off the half-back. My prediction is that Hurn will be in the top 3 defenders in terms of SC average by season’s end.

DISAPPOINTING PREMIUM PERFORMANCES

Adam Goodes, $607 200, played in a NAB Challenge game so I only have a bit of 2nd hand information on how he went. Hat-trick appearance in the disappointing category and should be avoided to start off with this season. Struggling in his new position up forward and SC scoring remains a huge concern.