SuperCoach AFL: The Official Podcast · supercoach.com.au

THE ROOKIE BIBLE! Top 15 Power Rankings | The Phantom's Lair

·52 min·3 clips

Jagger Smith is Carlton's 119k midfielder and averaged 100 in three VFL games during his draft year.

1. SuperCoach AFL: The Official Podcast uses "THE ROOKIE BIBLE" to rank the top 15 2026 rookies and cheapies for SuperCoach starting teams. 2. Phantom hosts the episode with Dan Batten from the Herald Sun, and both matter because they combine the show voice with rookie-list research. 3. The episode asks which 2026 rookies are worth starting, benching, or avoiding before price changes begin. 4. Jagger Smith is ranked number one at 119k after an ACL recovery, and the hosts cite his three-game VFL average of 100. 5. Dyson Sharp is ranked second at 149k, with discussion of his under-18 national championships, league debut at 17, and tackling profile. 6. Mateus Filipo is ranked third at 168k, and the hosts note his current 57% ownership and injury history. 7. Deven Robertson appears as a 119k West Coast option, with role uncertainty balanced against his hard-ball ability and midfield experience. 8. Todd Marshall is discussed as a 147k forward who may spend time on kick-ins and intercept roles. 9. Zeke Uland is rated as a 199k Gold Coast defender-midfielder, with Kevin Sheehan's Errol Goulden comparison and a back-injury return. 10. Pat Ritchie earns a place at 119k after averaging 86 SuperCoach points in the VFL and moving to Richmond for what Dan calls "a packet of chips." 11. Will Brodie is framed as a possible early-season cash generator at Port Adelaide if he gets midfield minutes before Ollie Wines returns. 12. Josh Gibkes is discussed as a 139k defender whose 2026 case depends on getting his body right after repeated injuries. 13. Liam Reidy is presented as a 119k Carlton ruck-forward swing option, but the hosts question whether Marc Pittonet limits his role. 14. Jacob Farrow is highlighted for clean kicking, selling candy at training, and a possible half-back role at Essendon. 15. Tobin Murray is described as a 113k Fremantle forward who averaged 77 SuperCoach points in VFL football last year. 16. Sam Grlj is noted as a 172k Richmond speedster with training reports, half-back potential, and forward eligibility. 17. The tone is blunt, list-driven, and heavily focused on price, role, and job security rather than narrative storytelling. 18. The format is a ranking debate between Phantom and Dan Batten, with constant back-and-forth and repeated cross-checking of roles. 19. Listeners who play SuperCoach AFL and want rookie selection guidance will get the most value from this episode. 20. Listeners who do not play SuperCoach or follow AFL pre-season rookies can skip it.

As heard by us

A practical rookie guide for coaches building a 2026 start team.

The Phantom's Lair treats preseason SuperCoach prep as a straight-up rookie guide. The Phantom and Dan Batten run through the top 15 rookies in any position for a 2026 start team, with the discussion anchored in job security, price, role, and ownership.

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Need your rookie structure sorted before opening round?

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