Our Rookie Rankings top six has taken further shape after Round 16, but there's plenty of attention in our honourable mentions as a young Bomber and fledgling Eagle press their case for a breakthrough.
A forgotten Roo falls after not playing for close to a month, while a clutch performance from Essendon's top pick sees him rise.
A young Magpie's tight grasp on pole position was only strengthened, but there's still plenty of time left in the year to see change at the top.
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 ROUND 15 RANKINGS
Round 16 Honourable Mentions:
Jesse Motlop (Carlton)
9 disposals, 3 goals, 88% disposal efficiency
Was a positive note for the Blues in what was a tough night in front of goal. Lead his side for majors, including one off the back of applying great pressure in attack.
Massimo D'Ambrosio (Essendon)
23 disposals, 6 marks, 4 intercepts
Is on track to break into our top six given his output across the opening three games of his career. One to watch in the coming weeks.
Brady Hough (West Coast)
20 disposals, 10 marks, 95% disposal efficiency
Was once again a highlight for the Eagles on the outside and joins D'Ambrosio in being on the fringe of the top six.
Jake Soligo (Adelaide)ย
20 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 5 marks
The young Crow featured among Adelaide's centre bounce attendances and looked to tussle with the league's best midfield.
4. Ben Hobbs (+2)
Hard to argue we've seen a better fourth-quarter performance from a rookie this year than what Hobbs pieced together on Saturday afternoon against the Swans.
The first-year Bomber moved from half-forward into midfield for the final term and delivered on what Ben Rutten would have asked of his teenaged talent, who recorded 10 disposals, two goal assists, two tackles and two clearances in the final quarter to help stave off the surging Swans.
The performance came after Rutten's decision to omit Hobbs from his Round 16 lineup, with initial plans in place to see the first-round selection start as the medical sub before being brought into the fold as a late inclusion.
The inspiring performance sees Hobbs jump two places in our Rookie Rankings and now setting his sights on the podium with just seven rounds remaining.
Midfield
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
The Bombers will face the tough test of travelling to the Gabba next Sunday to face the Lions, with Hobbs now likely to have held his spot in the senior side.
