The opening month of the 2023 AFL season has provided us with plenty to consider for our Rookie Rankings, with the results from Round 4 seeing another change to the top six.
While the leading four names have held their place, a young Hawks midfielder falls out of the order as Adelaide's new young defender leaps into sixth.
That change has seen an exciting Saint move into fifth overall ahead of Gather Round, where we'll see the top two in our rankings go head-to-head.
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 2023 season will not be considered.
I.e. Rising Star eligible players such as Sam Darcy, Finn Callaghan and Jye Amiss are ineligible, having already played an AFL match prior to Round 1, 2023.
Note: The order of our Rookie Rankings will expand to seven players after Round 6.
Round 4 honourable mentions:
Lachie Cowan (Carlton)
Ned Moyle (Gold Coast)
Judd McVee (Melbourne)
Alwyn Davey (Essendon)
SEE: Rookie Rankings after Round 3
6. Max Michalanney (NEW)
The Crows' father-son selection finds himself in our top six for the first time this year after building a sturdy case for a call-up.
Michalanney has proven to be a mainstay in Adelaide's backline as an aerial threat, recording another three intercept marks and a total of 10 intercept possessions in his side's win over Fremantle.
The teenager ranks in the top 25 in the competition for both of those metrics and looms as a promising defender for the Crows' long-term plans.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Rebound50s
With the tall task of facing Carlton's attacking tandem on the horizon for Michalanney, the young Crow will be tested as the likes of Cameron Mackenzie, Jacob van Rooyen and Lachie Cowan look to break into our rankings.
