After cooling off across the bye rounds, our AFL Rookie Rankings are back as the race continues through the final stretch of the 2022 season.
The past three weeks have seen a bevy of debutants emerge on the scene, while some household names continue to place themselves among the competition's best young stars.
In our first Rookie Rankings adjustment since Round 11 we've seen another lead change, a new contender emerge from St Kilda and a Port Adelaide ruckman bow out.
Criteria: For our Rookie Rankings, we are selecting players who have made their debut this season. Other players who may still be eligible for a Rising Star nomination but have already made their debut prior to the 2022 season will not be considered.
I.e. players like Jai Newcombe, Jake Bowey, Corey Durdin and Sam De Koning are ineligible.
VIEW: PRE-BYE ROUND RANKINGS
Massimo D'Ambrosio (Round 14 vs St Kilda)
15 disposals, three intercepts, 80% disposal efficiency
Judson Clarke (Round 13 vs Port Adelaide)
11 disposals, two goals, three tackles
Jacob Wehr (Round 14 vs Western Bulldogs)
14 disposals, 358 metres gained, 92.9% disposal efficiency
The young Saints midfielder takes the place of Port Adelaide ruckman Sam Hayes in our top six, having put together one of his best performances of the year last Friday night.
The South Australian wingman collected 15 possessions, five marks, three inside 50s, three intercepts and close to 300 metres gained against the Bombers.
The appearance was Wanganeen-Milera's first across the bye weeks, but added to a consistent first season in the AFL for the dead-eye onballer.
Midfielder
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Inside50s
After being rested last weekend, Wanganeen-Milera will be refreshed heading into the back-end of the season, with a significant trip to Sydney set to come in Round 15.
The Bombers' top pick has continued to ascend up our rankings after breaking into the top six after multiple honourable mentions.
Hobbs has pieced together an impressive past month under Ben Rutten, averaging over 20 disposals per game since Round 11.
His latest outing, a 35-point win over St Kilda, saw the Horsham product collect 22 touches, five marks, four inside 50s and eight score involvements.
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Looking to hold his place among and potentially move further up our order, Hobbs will have his sights set on adding to his strong run of form against West Coast on Friday night.
The No.1 Pick has endured a difficult first year in the AFL, having been heavily scrutinised despite his best efforts on-field.
While speculation surrounds the 18-year-old, Horne-Francis has continued to impress with his ability to faultlessly transition into the top tier, being among the Kangaroos' more relied-on midfielders.
The South Adelaide product had perhaps his poorest outing of the year against GWS in Round 12, collecting eight possessions and laying two tackles, but the young gun has plenty of runs on the board this year.
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He'll face the tough task of retaining his place among the top four of our Rookie Rankings after being hit with a two-game suspension, making his return in Round 17 against Collingwood.
The Richmond key defender has continued to hold his role in defence for the Tigers despite, competing for a spot down back against stalwarts in Damien Hardwick's defensive system.
Across the bye rounds, the Tigers recorded two wins from two in their matchups with Port Adelaide and Carlton, holding both sides to no more than 66 points.
Some credit has to fall on Gibcus' shoulders, offering a serviceable spot in defence and often taking one of the opposition's leading two forwards.
The Tigers' top pick has also been formidable in moving the ball out of defence with efficiency and is edging closer to the top two in our Rookie Rankings.
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Scheduled to face Geelong's lethal twin towers in Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins this week, Round 15 firms as an almighty test for Josh Gibcus.
Mixed results against the Blues and Saints haven't hindered Martin's prospects to take out our rankings by season's end, but the Bombers' wing-forward will be needing to return to his best form.
That's not to say Martin wasn't impressive against the Saints, continuing to link up in avenues to goal in the victory.
The Western Australian recorded 18 possessions, seven marks, 307 metres gained, six score involvements and a goal at 83.3% disposal efficiency.
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Fancied to extend their winning run this weekend against the Eagles, a return to his home state could see Martin back atop our Rookie Rankings.
Consecutive 33+ disposals outings saw Daicos hit new heights in his maiden campaign in black and white, With Collingwood humming through the midriff of the season to sit narrowly outside the top eight.
Many may cry that Daicos' possession come from a looser role at half-back, but at 18 years of age, and still using the ball at close to 75% disposal efficiency, there's little argument to suggest the prized Pie isn't having an impact on the game for someone of his stature and experience.
He also collected an equal season-high nine ground ball wins in the thrilling win over Melbourne in the Queen's Birthday clash, while also amassing four score involvements.
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Disposals
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A matchup with the Giants this weekend is staged as the next chance for Daicos to potentially retain his place atop the mantle of our rankings.