There are 108 rookies in the SuperCoach 2026 player pool. Most of them won’t play a game. A handful will make you money. This guide separates the genuine cash cows from the hype.

We’ve scraped every player profile, crunched the numbers, and identified the rookies who’ll actually hit the park in 2026. Here’s your complete rookie bible.

The Basement Brigade: $113,500 Picks Worth Monitoring

The cheapest rookies in SuperCoach 2026 are priced at $113,500 — the absolute basement. These are players with no SuperCoach history, primarily from the 2025 National Draft.

The 2025 draft class is midfield-heavy and loaded with first-round talent landing at rebuilding clubs. That’s exactly what you want: high draft picks at clubs desperate for youth means guaranteed senior games.

Willem Duursma (West Coast, MID) — The number one pick in the 2025 draft. West Coast are in full rebuild mode and Duursma will play Round 1. At $113,500, he’s as close to a lock-and-load rookie as you’ll find. Brother of Xavier (Essendon), so the football bloodlines are there.

Zeke Uwland (Gold Coast, MID) — Pick 2. The Suns have been aggressive with playing kids and Uwland’s contested ball-winning ability suits their game style. Another Round 1 certainty at basement price.

Harry Dean (Carlton, DEF) — Pick 3 in the 2025 draft. The Blues need backline depth and Dean’s intercept marking ability should earn him early opportunities. Defender rookies are gold in SuperCoach because they’re harder to find.

Cooper Duff-Tytler (West Coast, RUC) — Pick 4. A ruck rookie is rare and valuable. With West Coast’s ruck stocks thin, Duff-Tytler could get games early. Monitor preseason closely.

Daniel Annable (Brisbane, MID) — Pick 6. Landing at a premiership contender is a double-edged sword — harder to break in, but when he plays, it’ll be in a winning team structure that inflates scores.

The Second-Year Breakout Candidates

These players debuted in 2025 and now have established SuperCoach prices based on actual AFL output. They’re more expensive than basement rookies but come with less risk.

Taj Hotton (Richmond, MID, $246,900) — Averaged 55.0 from 7 games as an 18-year-old in a struggling side. Richmond’s rebuild means Hotton gets every opportunity in 2026. At his price, he needs to average 55+ to hold value — which he already did last year. The upside is significant if he takes a second-year leap to 70+.

Harry O’Farrell (Carlton, DEF, $249,100) — Averaged 55.8 from 6 games as a defender. That’s a strong floor for a teenager in the back line. Carlton’s defensive depth suggests he’ll play most of the season. A defender averaging 55+ at under $250K is excellent value.

Zak Johnson (Essendon, MID, $204,400) — Averaged 50.6 from 9 games. The most games of any rookie in 2025, which tells you Essendon trust him. Sub-$210K for a midfielder with 9 games of AFL experience is a safe pick.

Jobe Shanahan (West Coast, FWD, $211,000) — Averaged 50.2 from 9 games as a key forward. Forward rookies who kick goals are SuperCoach gold because goals are worth 8 points in the scoring system. Shanahan kicked 1.3 goals per game in 2025.

Hamish Davis (West Coast, MID, $216,900) — Averaged 40.4 from 8 games. The lowest average in this group, but West Coast’s midfield rebuild means more opportunities. A second-year jump to 55+ would generate solid cash.

The Sleepers: Low Draft Picks With Opportunity

Draft position isn’t everything. These later picks might have clearer paths to senior football than some first-rounders.

Lucca Grego (West Coast, MID, $113,500) — Only played 1 game in 2025 but averaged 59.0 SuperCoach points in it. Small sample, but the Eagles’ midfield is wide open. If he can hold a spot, he’s basement price with a 60+ average. That’s elite cash generation.

Will Hayes (Collingwood, MID, $113,500) — Averaged 44.0 from 2 games. Collingwood’s midfield is stacked, so game time is the risk. But at basement price, even sporadic games generate some cash.

Lucas Camporeale (Carlton, MID, $136,800) — Averaged 41.0 from 3 games. Carlton’s midfield depth gives him a path, and the Blues have shown they’ll blood youth.

Team-by-Team Rookie Targets

West Coast Eagles (Rebuild = Rookie Heaven)

The Eagles are the prime destination for SuperCoach rookies in 2026. They have Willem Duursma (Pick 1), Cooper Duff-Tytler (Pick 4), Jobe Shanahan, Hamish Davis, and Lucca Grego all pushing for senior spots. You could feasibly start 3-4 Eagles rookies.

Richmond Tigers (Youth-First Approach)

Richmond’s rebuild is in full swing. Taj Hotton is the standout, but watch for Josh Smillie ($176,500, Pick 7 2024) and Sam Cumming (Pick 7 2025) to get opportunities.

Carlton Blues (Developing Depth)

Harry O’Farrell and Zak Johnson (technically Essendon, but Carlton have Jagga Smith at Pick 3 2024, $194,500) provide options. Harry Dean (Pick 3 2025) is the defender to watch.

Gold Coast Suns (Playing Youth)

Zeke Uwland (Pick 2 2025) headlines, but the Suns also have Dylan Patterson (Pick 5) and Jai Murray (Pick 17) who could debut.

Structure Guide: How to Use Rookies

The standard SuperCoach structure uses rookies as bench players who generate cash through price rises. Here’s how to maximise them:

1. Pick 6-8 rookies across your bench (2 per line plus extras). Don’t go fewer — you need the cash generation.

2. Prioritise job security over talent. A less talented rookie who plays every week is worth more than a gun who gets dropped after Round 3.

3. Target different positions. Defender and ruck rookies are rarer and more valuable. Don’t load up on 6 midfielder rookies.

4. Monitor preseason. The best rookie intel comes from February-March practice matches. Who’s playing senior? Who’s named in the best 22? Adjust your picks based on preseason form.

5. Set a sell trigger. When a rookie’s breakeven climbs above 50-60, they’re approaching peak price. Sell and upgrade to a premium.

The Bottom Line

SuperCoach 2026 has a strong rookie class headlined by a deep 2025 draft and solid second-year players from 2024. West Coast and Richmond are your prime hunting grounds.

Lock-and-load picks: Willem Duursma, Zeke Uwland, Taj Hotton Value picks: Harry O’Farrell, Zak Johnson, Jobe Shanahan Sleepers: Lucca Grego, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Harry Dean

Bookmark this page — we’ll update it throughout preseason as team news and practice match form reshapes the rookie landscape.

Last updated: February 12, 2026