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
5. Mattaes Phillipou (+1)
Continuing to hold a key-position role in St Kilda's attack, the fourth-gamer was again a pivotal piece in Ross Lyon's plans to face the Suns.
Phillipou booted his fifth goal for the season while recording a career-high 18 possessions on Saturday night to go along with four tackles, four inside 50s, four score involvements and three intercept possessions in the win.
The energetic Saint shoots up our Rookie Rankings order as young Hawk Cameron Mackenzie makes way after a tough outing against Geelong on Monday.
Forward
Goals
Marks
Tackles
Phillipou and the Saints face their biggest challenge yet this year when they go head-to-head with Collingwood to conclude Gather Round on Sunday.
