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.ย
VIEW:ย PRE-BYE ROUND RANKINGS
Bye round Honourable Mentions
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
3. Josh Gibcus (-)
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.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
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.
