You guys know the drill- Im not even going to give the latest of Terrys efforts an intro- Its awesome, enjoy. (Yes, I realise the irony of declaring the lack of an intro in the intro)

And just a quick link to all of Terrys other great works-
<a href="http://tooserious.net/defender-rookies">Defender rookies[/url]
<a href="http://tooserious.net/forward-lower-to-mid-price">Forward Midpricers[/url]
<a href="http://tooserious.net/forward-rookies">Forward Rookies[/url]

Fourth in the series. Gold Coast again predominant, but then it gets a bit thin after there. No, it gets very thin after you drop below the QLD border. Really warming to the Lucas plan of going for premiums in MID and searching greener pastures for cows. Looking over the list you would have to suggest most will get game time this year. Some names that have popped up in forums have been eliminated as analysis suggests they will be hard put to get a run this year.

Of side interest, Fremantle have 3 MIDs under 200k who have been in the system for a while now and currently look like being bypassed by younger talent, seemingly destined to be journeymen in the WAFL (Schammer, Hinkley, Bollenhagen). Have not found 3 such cases in one position at any other clubs. Perhaps they are remnants from when Freo made some poor recruiting choices?

Getting a gig in the midfield also seems to be harder than any other position. As most clubs put their best into the middle, you need that star aura to have any chance of replacing them. Also many have to serve an apprenticeship in other positions before they are considered for MID.

Detailed information also harder to find for these rookies so have fallen back a bit on the Wikki, which at least adds a little background meat. Bold indicates R1. Any MIDs who are also listed as FWD or DEF have been reviewed in previous posts. Can some of these high priced rookies drop in value if they only get limited TOG?
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Brisbane

Josh Green 103,600
Fair performance in limited NAB time, but managed to perk a bit of interest amongst TS, including inclusion on the Lucas radar. Under 18 All-Australian who needs to add a little beef, but is a certainty for some game time later in the year.

Claye Beams 103,600
Another who had a reasonable NAB and will get chances throughout the season.

Rohan Bewick 110,200
Is mature age and has had a season at WAFL level. Good NAB performances should have him at the front of the queue.

Jared Polec 168,600
All-Australian U18. Picked up 84 SuperCoach points in first NAB and was quiet in second. More than likely to get a run as Brisbane will be under pressure and will have less flexibility to develop players.

Collingwood

Alex Fasolo 103,600
Represented WA at U18 and has shown good NAB form. Hard to break into this side though. Must be considered if MM is true to form, i.e., around mid-season if Collingwood are where he wants them to be, he usually starts to buy a bit of insurance by blooding a few kids. Competition for that potential spot will be sorted out in the VFL. Should get a run at some stage.

Ben Sinclair 110,200
Another in line who has already spent a year in the VFL where he is likely to remain until performance demands attention. Like Fasolo and Rounds, will get a game at some point.

Luke Rounds 110,200
Recruited in the 2008 draft, Rounds has also done time in the VFL. Collingwood don’t usually pick spuds, so we should see him at some stage of the season.

Geelong

Allen Christiansen 110,200
Has done a season in the VFL and should be close to ready to move from EMG to ground time. An opportunity likely to open during the course of the season, but difficult to estimate how many games he is likely to rate.

Gold Coast

Trent McKenzie 110,200
Has the reassuring year of good performance in the VFL under his belt which should be the yardstick for all GC rookies.

Hayden Jolly 110,200
Has had a season in the VFL, but has not been outstanding. Perhaps later.

Maverick Weller 110,200
A good VFL season under his belt, a number of pundits rate Weller as the potential substitute choice for the Suns.

Sam Iles 121,700
Has had two seasons at VFL level, including one with Collingwood, and was the Suns B&F last year, which should be enough to get into the 22.

Daniel Harris 125,700
Harris showed good form early in his days at North, then appeared to become lazy. In addition to AFL/VFL experience he has had a good NAB and may be the designated minder for GAJ. Likely to play most games this season. More of a worker bee than star material.

Josh Caddy 158,600
Despite being a high choice has not shown a lot and may take time to develop. Will likely get game time later in the year or if any of the first choices start misfiring.

Harley Bennell 183,600
High draft pick, has experience at WAFL level and a good NAB campaign. Should be amongst the front runners but may be held back to develop a bit more as he did not rate in many Suns starting 22 choices. Realize this is a big call.

David Swallow 188,600
May well make more SuperCoach teams than Goddard. Has played at WAFL (as a 16 year old) and VFL levels, All-Australian U18, good NAB hit out. May end up a keeper, but let’s see how he handles the tag.

Melbourne

Sam Blease 110,200

Has some exposure at VFL level and was given limited NAB time. On a lot of people’s hope lists, but has quite a few in front of him who have shown a bit more.

North Melbourne

Shaun Atley 108,600
All-Australian U18, Co-Captain of VIC Metro, but did not stand out in the NAB. Still, North need him due to injuries to Bastinac and others and would probably like to know if he can make the grade sooner rather than later.

Port Adelaide

Jarrad Irons 91,700
The name on quite a few lips and has been promoted off the rookie list. Inclined to stick to the view from Surjan that he is unlikely R1. However, showed plenty in the NAB and is certain to get game time, so picking him from the get go may not hurt. If I had a crystal ball, I would say R5 against GC.

Jaspar Pittard 110,200
Another hopeful on quite a few wish lists and had a fair NAB. Need to dig a bit deeper. Word from Alberton is that he requires maturity of both mind and body for AFL level. Look for him to find this in the SANFL and monitor closely.

Richmond

Brad Helbig 103,600
With a name like that should get a run. Has played at SANFL level and is one to keep an eye on, but unlikely to appear in the early rounds.

Reece Conca 163,600
High draft pick, has played WAFL and had a fair NAB. Likely to be a bench choice early on, so may take time to justify his price. Is certainly in Hardwick’s plans though.

St. Kilda

Tom Ledger 103,600
Very tempted to toss away the pencil when it comes to Ross Lyon, but this lad may surprise a few. Played WAFL Colts and had a good NAB. Analysts of the Saints structure suggest he is a likely starter on the bench.

Alistair Smith 110,200
Another WAFL Colt and has had VFL experience. Look for him to debut throughout the season, but probably 4-5 games tops.

Western Bulldogs

Mitch Wallis 103,600
Big wraps, but average NAB. Footscray can afford to take time to develop these lads and they are more likely to appear later than sooner.

Tom Libratore 103,600

In and under type, just like his father, but also attracts a lot of frees, just like his father. Fair NAB, but look for him down the track.

Nathan Djerrkura 184,900
Former Geelong who felt he was denied opportunity. Average NAB and showed average disposal. Wait and see if the Doggies persist with giving him a chance.