A lot of this probably could go in individual player threads but I saw this on the Blues board and thought some people might be interested in broadly speculating. With the new rookie list rules there will likely be more rookies playing AFL footy on any given weekend.
The obvious picks are Sam Murray and Jaidyn Stephenson. If I was framing an over/under market I'd have Murray as 14.5 games and Stephenson as 11.5 games.
The next tier of contenders are Mihocek, Murphy, McLarty, and Sier.
Mihocek is a big chance if a starting KPP gets injured. We know he has successfully played on AFL players in the VFL so he is ready to go when required.
If Murphy or Sier can have a good run of VFL footy you'd expect them to get a place in the mids/half forward pecking order of VFL players waiting for a senior player to get injured/suspended/lose form.
I'm confident McLarty could get an opportunity if his form from the end of 2017 holds up in the VFL.
The player I'm having trouble placing is Appleby. I don't think he'll play AFL this year but I just don't know what to expect from him. We're never in a position to not pick an in form lockdown defender. So I can easily see him getting a game in the right circumstances. But still, wouldn't expect to be seeing him play this year.
The players I'd be shocked if they were in a position to debut this year are Tyler Brown, Magden, and Lynch.
Brown seems to have a lot going for him. But his body probably needs the most development out of all our draftees, and he has a lot to work on his game from what I've read. Dekka even said after the draft he needs to work on kicking the ball more.
Lynch is probably 4th in line for the starting ruck position behind Grundy, Cox, and Moore.
Magden is going to be having a development year. If he does well he'll get another year on the list.
I have voted for Stephenson, Murray, McLarty, and Sier
The obvious picks are Sam Murray and Jaidyn Stephenson. If I was framing an over/under market I'd have Murray as 14.5 games and Stephenson as 11.5 games.
The next tier of contenders are Mihocek, Murphy, McLarty, and Sier.
Mihocek is a big chance if a starting KPP gets injured. We know he has successfully played on AFL players in the VFL so he is ready to go when required.
If Murphy or Sier can have a good run of VFL footy you'd expect them to get a place in the mids/half forward pecking order of VFL players waiting for a senior player to get injured/suspended/lose form.
I'm confident McLarty could get an opportunity if his form from the end of 2017 holds up in the VFL.
The player I'm having trouble placing is Appleby. I don't think he'll play AFL this year but I just don't know what to expect from him. We're never in a position to not pick an in form lockdown defender. So I can easily see him getting a game in the right circumstances. But still, wouldn't expect to be seeing him play this year.
The players I'd be shocked if they were in a position to debut this year are Tyler Brown, Magden, and Lynch.
Brown seems to have a lot going for him. But his body probably needs the most development out of all our draftees, and he has a lot to work on his game from what I've read. Dekka even said after the draft he needs to work on kicking the ball more.
Lynch is probably 4th in line for the starting ruck position behind Grundy, Cox, and Moore.
Magden is going to be having a development year. If he does well he'll get another year on the list.
I have voted for Stephenson, Murray, McLarty, and Sier