With salary caps set at $10 million and $13 million across the SuperCoach and AFL Fantasy platforms respectively, filling every position with a premium player is simply not possible.
In order to field a team that both keeps you under the cap and allows you to be competitive, selecting a smattering of rookies is essential.
Obviously, these young names won't make up the bulk of your weekly totals, but should you select the right ones early, your bottom line and your win/loss column will look healthy.
Although we don't know whether any of these names will break through the banner in round one just yet, their pre-season track work has piqued our interest.
These are each club's rated rookies that look primed for early debuts.
Gold Coast
Joel Jeffrey (DEF)
SuperCoach price - $102,400
AFL Fantasy price - $170,000
After finding his way to the Suns via the club's academy, Joel Jeffrey has begun his life at AFL level promisingly.
Although listed solely as a defender, Jefferey has the ability to play at either end of the ground and at 192cm is adept both in the air and on the ground.
The AAMI Community Series will provide valuable evidence as to whether you should slot him in as your D6.
Alex Davies (MID)
SuperCoach price - $102,400
AFL Fantasy price - $170,000
Like Jeffery, Davies is another of the Gold Coast's academy kids.
Seen primarily as an inside mid, should the Queenslander crack a gig early, his price should rise, and the points should flow.
The 191cm rookie averaged 55 supercoach points whilst plying his trade the NEAFL two years ago and a superb 104 at NAB League level in the same year.
Late rule change will see Gold Coast Academy pair Alex Davies and Joel Jeffrey join the Suns' primary list, rather than as rookies under previous rule. Suns also tipped to pick up local Rhys Nicholls as an Academy selection. https://t.co/l9X3mf3qJF
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) November 26, 2020
With Matt Rowell returning this season, Gold Coast's midfield looks set for the first time ever, but should Stuart Dew's magnets begin to move, keep your mouse poised over Davies' name.
Also bear in mind pick 7 Elijah Hollands as a mid-season downgrade.