thing.

Well, at least if you plan to be any good at it.

The fifth commandment at the start of the season was:

‘‘Do not let thy heart rule thy head’’, or something similar.

Don’t pick too many players from the AFL team you

support — unless you support Geelong.

Who are we kidding, though? This is footy, after all.

How are you supposed to have a deep spiritual connection with your side if you don’t have at least a couple of players from your favourite AFL team?

With that in mind, it might be handy to consider the Good, the Bad and the Ugly Duckling that might yet turn

into a beautiful swan from each AFL club. This week we

look at the first half of the alphabet.

¦ ADELAIDE

GOOD: Richard Douglas ($414,400) — no, I don’t know

who he is either but scores are excellent.

BAD: Andrew McLeod ($288,000) — champion but past ‘‘best before’’ date

UGLY DUCKLING: Ricky Henderson ($94,500) — Ballarat boy, so why not?

¦ BRISBANE

GOOD: Michael Rischitelli ($365,700) — not much of a

Risch at all.

BAD: Brendan Fevola ($242,600) — AKA Brendan Fallover.

UGLY DUCKLING: Tom Rockliff ($309,900) — rock solid value.

¦ CARLTON

GOOD: Bryce Gibbs ($422,900) — fifth BeeGee is expensive but consistent.

BAD: Lachie Henderson ($219,100) — not Fev, but not

any better.

UGLY DUCKLING: Joe Dare ($77,800) — cool name if

nothing else.

¦ COLLINGWOOD

GOOD: Scott Pendlebury ($446,200) — quietly racks up a

ton each week.

BAD: Leon Davis ($250,500) — as flashy as an old Alfa Romeo and about as reliable.

UGLY DUCKLING: Dane Swan ($488,800) — too late. He’s

already a Swan.

¦ ESSENDON

GOOD: Jobe Watson ($404,300) — always gets the jobe done.

BAD: Mark Williams ($220,600) — time to bring out the shotgun.

UGLY DUCKLING: Tom Bellchambers ($153,800) — ring-in for injured Hille.

¦ FREMANTLE

GOOD: Aaron Sandilands ($379,300) — more popular

than Kyle Sandilands.

BAD: Antoni Grover ($379,300) — blue furry monster.

UGLY DUCKLING: Dylan Roberton ($89,500) — I hope.

¦ GEELONG

GOOD: Gary Ablett ($479,300) — and practically everyone else.

BAD: Tom Hawkins ($313,100) — only because he’s injured.

UGLY DUCKLING: Taylor Hunt ($94,500) — rising value so who needs a first name?

¦ HAWTHORN

GOOD: Luke Hodge ($437,300) — perfect dream team player.

BAD: Lance Franklin ($374,600) — too often in the sin bin.

UGLY DUCKLING: Xavier Ellis ($276,300) — especially in that dreadful Kokoda jumper.