Elite Status Rankings

Top 40 Cash Cows (FINAL EDITION)

Tuesday, 20th March 2012

We have attempted to put this Ranking Report in Cash Cow Potential order for Round 1 of the season. So although we believe for example Tom Mitchell and Dayne Zorko are far more explosive than some of the players ranked in this list, because they are injured and not likely to play in Round 1, we have overlooked them.

Also note, that a player in this list may have a higher '2012 Mid Season Price Rise', however, we have also taken into consideration, chance of playing Round 1, Substitute Vest potential, Job Security & Injury proneness. So they are not always in order of Profit potential.

Disclaimer: We are still in pre-season for the AFL. We are unaware if these players will in fact be named in Round 1. The two most important indicators when deciding to line up a cash cow in your team are NAB Cup pre-season form and if they are named in the Round 1 teams. Without knowing who is named in Round 1, it makes it very difficult to show this ranking report with any form of confidence. Being named in Round 1 is just so important. However, hopefully this list can give you some insight into some of the players who have performed well over pre-season and likely on the fringe of getting the opportunity to play AFL football in 2012.

When you read TAC Cup and NAB Under 18 AFL Championships results keep in mind that they only compete in 20 minutes quarter, which is far less than AFL time on the ground. We have a rule of thumb that you should add 1/3rd of their score on top of it to give a better gauge of how dominant they are in juniors.

*Please Note the '2012 Mid Season Price Rise' is for Round 10 and is formulated behind the projected statistics. This is merely a gauge & is not exact. A lot more goes into the pricing changes than a simple formula

*We encourage further discussion on the players. Please click on the View Comments and share your thoughts.

*A warning about GWS players. The Round 1 Team, will likely dramatically change across the season. GWS has plenty of hidden talent, and they will be keen to give as many of them a shot across 2012 as they develop. For this matter, we worry that many players could be named in early rounds but be rotated out as quick as 2-3 games. Look for stability as well as scoring explosiveness.

1   James Magner   M   Melbourne Demons   $85,800

2012 Games Played: 0
Season Average: 0
In Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Demons vs BYE
DT Score 103 106 48 64 86 66 76 74 55 72 45 70 55 13 0 55 0 43 24 0 0 0
Projected Season Average:

70.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$234,349.00

Height:

178.00

Weight:

82.00


Comments: Magner is a small, tough, inside midfielder, who was drafted as a mature aged recruit and has put himself on the map in pre-season NAB Cup action. The playing group are right behind him, with Nathan Jones recently mentioning how impressed he is with Magner's attack on the ball and believes he is 'inspiring'. Magner's second Round NAB Cup match was when coaches took notice with 89DT points.

Last year at VFL level, Magner averaged 30 possessions a game, playing through the midfield as a tough, line breaking ball magnet.

Cash Cow Potential: He has been upgraded to the senior list. His injury seems minor. He is likely to play anywhere from Round 1-3. We suspect coaches will still put him in their side even if he were not named Round 1 in anticipation of a debut early on.
 

2   Jonathan Giles   R   Greater Western Sydney Giants   $117,800

2012 Games Played: 0
Season Average: 0
In Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Giants vs BYE
DT Score 77 104 65 101 89 59 107 76 92 65 0 48 88 48 0 36 118 124 68 115 74 85
Projected Season Average:

65.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$183,298.00

Height:

199.00

Weight:

94.00


Comments:
Giles is 24 years old and has had an eventful career, already being delisted by the Power in 2005. He sat on a SANFL club list for 4 years without selection until finally switching across to another SANFL club in 2010, in which he was named in the Team of the Year (Equivalent to All Australian). Last year he played for GWS in the QAFL after being drafted by them in the 2010 Rookie Draft.

Over the NAB Cup, Giles has put in some memorable performances including the opening round of the NAB Cup. He finished with 89 Dream Team points over the 2 games. But what sealed the deal for many fantasy coaches was his 102DT performance last week to close out the NAB Cup. He seems quite agile for a big man and has a spot in the Best 22 for GWS.

Cash Cow Potential: As the season approaches, his fantasy value is gathering plenty of traction. Brogan is injured and Giles is performing. Line him up.
 

3   James McDonald   M   Greater Western Sydney Giants   $98,700

2012 Games Played: 0
Season Average: 0
In Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Giants vs BYE
DT Score 98 0 0 84 90 92 0 0 72 58 73 77 70 31 0 0 0 0 0 47 43 34
Projected Season Average:

70.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$222,740.00

Height:

180.00

Weight:

75.00


Comments: McDonald will be 35 this year, retiring with the Melbourne Demons in 2010. He only plans on playing for 1 year with Greater Western Sydney before taking up a full time coaching role. Fantasy owners need 6-7 games from him early on and we think he will get them.

He played 251 games for Melbourne and captained the side from 2008 until retirement. He has been an All Australian, and won the clubs best & fairest twice. He can seriously score fantasy points. In 2010 before retirement he averaged 95 Dream Team points & 100 SuperCoach points a game.

McDonald is in great shape and ready to go. With a year off, he believes he is mentally and physically refreshed for the 2012 season. He has had a strong pre-season.

Cash Cow Potential: Not only can he fit in your midfield, but we think you can play him on the field and he will return a solid 70+ range score. He was a terrific footballer and over his break he has continued his conditioning. There have been suggestions that his game time may be managed and he also could be wearing the substitute vest.
 

4   Paul Bower   D   Carlton Blues   $136,800

2012 Games Played: 3
Season Average: 27.7
Fringe Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Blues vs BYE
DT Score 58 91 56 40 0 116 87 47 68 49 0 0 0 0 0 45 0 0 0 0 0 0
Projected Season Average:

70.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$188,454.00

Height:

192.00

Weight:

92.00


Comments: Injuries to players, tell many tales of 'What ifs'. Bower in 2009 had cemented a half back role in the Carlton seniors. He was young, agile, fast and had plenty of drive. Then injuries struck and he has battled to stay in the Best 22 ever since. He was even requesting a trade over the off season. To further illustrate his bad luck with injury, Bower was the Sub for Carlton last year. He only came on late in the game and so he decided to do some more work after the game at a nearby oval. Running laps, he sustained a calf injury.

Cash Cow Potential: High upside and good price if he is named. No Duigan or Laidley for Round 1. It will be his moment to cement a position for the season.
 

5   Aaron Hall   F   Gold Coast Suns   $98,700

2012 Games Played: 0
Season Average: 0
Fringe Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Suns vs BYE
DT Score 55 26 66 75 0 0 0 0 0 84 65 0 0 0 26 0 0 0 101 0 0 0
Projected Season Average:

60.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$178,232.00

Height:

186.00

Weight:

78.00


Comments: In the first week of the NAB Cup, Hall turned heads finishing with 15 possessions, 1 mark, 4 tackles and 2 goals for 74 Dream Team points over both games. He was exceptional. Hall is a pre-selection in last years Pre-Season Draft. He is 21 years old, fast and plays in the Forward lines. He reads the play really well on first glance. Extremely clean with the ball in hand. He even pushed up into the midfield in the second game.

Cash Cow Potential: Looks AFL ready. Hamstring injury in middle of NAB Cup, but played final round for 51DT.
 

6   Koby Stevens   M   West Coast Eagles   $104,200

2012 Games Played: 2
Season Average: 18
Fringe Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Eagles vs BYE
DT Score 0 0 83 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 0 0 0 14 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Projected Season Average:

65.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$195,536.00

Height:

187.00

Weight:

83.00


Comments: At 20 years of age, he may be ready to finally break into the side and cement his spot in the line-up, after two years and two pre-seasons riddled with injury. He suffered from osteitis pubis in 2009 and then in 2010 had knee and AC joint injuries. He has been flying over this pre-season, coming in the top few percent in all running drills and is highly anticipated to have his breakout season.

The departure of Brad Ebert to Port Adelaide has opened a spot up for him, not to mention West Coast's recent bad run with injury. Stevens is a strong midfielder, who wins a lot of contested ball. He has a good mark on him and at 189 cm is quite a midfield weapon. He has been impressive in pre-season NAB Cup competition, but still has Hams breathing down his neck for a spot in which both of them cannot have.

Cash Cow Potential: Looks close to cementing a spot for Round 1, although likely wearing the Sub-Vest and has been scoring at a reasonable rate in pre-season.
 

7   Dylan Shiel   M   Greater Western Sydney Giants   $104,200

2012 Games Played: 0
Season Average: 0
In Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Giants vs BYE
DT Score 36 58 74 67 81 80 64 0 94 95 74 89 69 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Projected Season Average:

60.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$173,282.00

Height:

180.00

Weight:

80.00


Comments: Shiel was pre-selected by Greater Western Sydney at the end of 2010. He is a strong midfielder who likely would have slotted in at Pick #3 in the national draft, ahead of Dom Tyson if he wasn’t pre-selected. Do not be fooled by these pre-selected picks. They are very good football players who have gone under the radar. They have also already had full seasons together playing for the GWS team at lower level. In 2010 Shiel played for the Dandenong Stingrays at TAC Cup level averaging 105 Dream Team points a game over 7 games. Last year playing for Greater Western Sydney in the NEAFL (Queensland league), he averaged 96 Dream Team points a game over 10 games. He is as tough as nails and loves winning the hard ball. His body is ready for AFL.

Cash Cow Potential: Shiel is suffering from an appendicitis. Scheduled to be back in Round 2. But has been named Round 1 showing the faith GWS have in his talents. Certainly relevant now.
 

8   Brandon Ellis   D   Richmond Tigers   $116,700

2012 Games Played: 0
Season Average: 0
In Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Tigers vs BYE
DT Score 38 61 65 79 47 50 6 44 49 53 60 71 50 72 103 70 67 53 52 56 0 78
Projected Season Average:

60.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$162,034.00

Height:

181.00

Weight:

81.00


Comments: Ellis is a hard working, rebounding half back flanker. He can anticipate the play and does the 1% things that coach’s love. His skills are not particularly exceptional, but are good enough. He has excellent hands and can take a great mark.

At TAC Cup level last year, he played in 13 games averaging 23 possessions, 4 marks and 3 tackles amassing him 84 Dream Team points a game.

In the NAB Under 18 AFL Championships he averaged 18 possessions, 3 marks and 1 tackle leaving him with 63 Dream Team points a game over the 5 game carnival.

Ellis has already been named as a starter for Round 1 of the premiership season, and has even openly discussed being allowed to take kick in duties. Hardwick believes Ellis is playing ''good, hard, tough, footy,''. Ellis is certainly fitting into the Richmond Tigers team with dominant performances in NAB Cup action.

Cash Cow Potential: He must be on your radar. He ticks all the boxes.
 

9   Devon Smith   F   Greater Western Sydney Giants   $121,200

2012 Games Played: 0
Season Average: 0
In Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Giants vs BYE
DT Score 69 72 87 62 39 97 73 0 76 49 37 71 65 92 42 0 100 107 103 67 34 25
Projected Season Average:

60.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$157,984.00

Height:

175.00

Weight:

73.00


Comments: Look out for this little kamikaze small forward to break onto the scene. He still needs to spend more time in the gym, but has a craft for snaring goals and relentlessly tackles and chases. A genuine Round 1 starter for Greater Western Sydney. He has great endurance and speed, but his skills will need to be cleaner for the AFL level. He may make it as a midfielder later down the track, but at this stage with the midfield competition at GWS, it’s best he finds a niche for himself as a crumbing small forward while he earns his AFL wings.

At TAC Cup level last year, he played in 5 games averaging 27 possessions, 4 marks, 7 tackles and 2.2 goals amassing him 125 Dream Team points a game.

In the NAB Under 18 AFL Championships he averaged 19 possessions, 3 marks, 4 tackles and 1.75 goals leaving him with 85 Dream Team points a game playing in only 4 games over the 5 game carnival.

Cash Cow Potential: It's looking more and more likely that Smith is going to take that Round 1 spot in the forward lines. He has been excellent in NAB Cup action. His 2 full games registered 108DT & 73DT.
 

10   Tomas Bugg   D   Greater Western Sydney Giants   $104,200

2012 Games Played: 0
Season Average: 0
In Best 22
2012 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Giants vs BYE
DT Score 97 57 93 66 96 68 58 0 44 62 82 43 41 59 0 102 93 60 63 0 46 0
Projected Season Average:

60.00

2012 Mid Season Price Rise:

$173,282.00

Height:

185.00

Weight:

74.00


Comments: Buggs is a born leader. He Captained his Caulfield Grammar First XVIII team. Very vocal and loves the strategy in football. If Buggs is given an opportunity this year, it would be in defence. He has looked impressive in pre-season competition. He has been playing a defensive role on the playmakers in pre-season. Buggs has gone under the radar so far, as he missed quite a bit of football last year with school commitments.

Cash Cow Potential: Impressive youngster, who Sheedy named in his Best 22. He could hold a 60s average running with the likes of Dustin Martin and other playmakers who bring him to the ball.