IT MIGHT only be round two but it already seems possible that 2010 will mark the end of an era if Toyota AFL Dream Team scores are anything to go by.

For so long, a high-scoring, possession gathering ruckman has been a crucial pillar of any successful Dream Team - think Dean Cox, Aaron Sandilands and former Demon Jeff White, for example.

But this year, many of the old-stagers are struggling to have an impact and their DT values are set to plunge after next week's round of matches.

In fact, three of this week's top-five busts are experienced ruckmen - including the Eagles champion tap merchant.

Cox managed a paltry 45 points against Port Adelaide, bringing his season total to just 97 points. That's considerably less than what the big guy scored on a bad week in 2009, and far below the tally needed to justify his $471,500 price tag.

But Coxy's not alone. Collingwood's boom recruit, Darren Jolly, copped a bath from Melbourne's Mark Jamar on Saturday and he scored accordingly with just 39 points. That's the second low-scoring week in succession from the $381,500 rated ruckman and plenty of coaches will be getting nervous.

Richmond's Troy Simmonds rounds out the struggling rucks with a total of 73 points from two rounds. Given the tall Tiger cost almost $300,000 in the pre-season, he's severely under-delivering.

Another pair of high-profile recruits round out this weeks' top five busts, proving that the grass isn't always greener on the other side - at least not in the first two rounds of the season.

Freo's Adam McPhee (79 points, $340,800) and Essendon's Mark Williams (58 points, $264,300) have both produced far less than their experience and ratings might have suggested.

If you've got either in your Dream Team, it might be worth considering an early trade to avoid heavy losses after round three.

Meanwhile, Sydney Swans recruit Mark Seaby ($226,700) is balancing the ruck ledger with an outstanding start to the season. He produced 127 points against Adelaide to average more than 100 points per game to date.

Other early season surprises include Melbourne rookie Jordie McKenzie who has racked up 217 points for a price slightly over $200,000 and Carlton's Irish forward Setanta O'hAilpin (172 points, $205,100), who is thriving in the absence of Brendan Fevola.

Hawthorn's Ryan Schoenmakers ($181,000) also backed up his strong round-one effort with another reasonable game against the Cats, taking his season average over 85 points per game.

But the last word must go to Fremantle's ball winning machine, Michael Barlow, who at $105,800 already looms as the best buy of the season.

With a total of 255 points, he is level with St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt in second place overall on the Dream Team aggregate and trails only Lions champ Jonathan Brown.

Put simply, if you don't have him in your side before round three, you're missing out on easy, easy money.

Top 5 booms
1. Michael Barlow (Freo) 255 points $105,800
2. Jordie McKenzie (Melb) 217 points $202,700
3. Mark Seaby (Syd) 209 points $226,700
4. Setanta O'hAilpin (Carl) 172 points $205,100
5. Ryan Schoenmakers (Haw) 171 points $181,000

Top 5 busts
1. Dean Cox (WCE) 97 points $471,500
2. Darren Jolly (Coll) 73 points $381,500
3. Adam McPhee (Freo) 79 points $340,800
4. Troy Simmonds (Rich) 73 points $299,600
5. Mark Williams (Ess) 58 points $264,300

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.