For the first time since Round 2, we've seen a change atop our Rookie Rankings, with Collingwood young gun Nick Daicos dethroned from his mantle.

Young Crow Josh Rachele has also taken a dip, with plenty of movement occurring among our top six rookies after eight rounds.

A young Blues onballer and Port Adelaide ruckman continue to impress as they knock on the door for a spot in the coming weeks.

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.

VIEW:ย ROUND 7 RANKINGS

Round 8 Honourable Mentions

Sam Hayes (Port Adelaide)
10 disposals, 100% disposal efficiency, 37 hit-outs

The Port Adelaide ruckman is perhaps a week away from breaking into our rankings, having put up another immense effort as the Power continues in their winning ways.

Ben Hobbs (Essendon)
19 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, six score involvements, one goal

In his fourth game with the Bombers, Hobbs had his best performance yet, playing a key role between midfield and attack as Essendon triumphed over arch-rivals Hawthorn on Saturday night.

Jack Carroll (Carlton)
18 disposals, eight contested possessions, six score involvements, three clearances

Two games and two honourable mentions for the young Blues onballer, who is quickly staking his claim for a spot in our Rookie Rankings for the coming weeks.

Jye Amiss (Fremantle)
Two goals, nine disposals, five marks, six score involvements

A memorable debut for the young Dockers forward, who joined the first-kick first-goal club on Friday night. Was impressive as a leading target in attack for Fremantle and is likely to hold his spot despite an anticipated wave of inclusions.

3. Jason Horne-Francis (+1)

While trying not to repeat ourselves, it was another weekend that saw the South Australian feature among the Kangaroos' best-performing midfielders in a damning loss.

Round 8 saw Horne-Francis lead his side for clearances once more, with the teenager second only to Jy Simpkin for the metric across the season.

Horne-Francis would also collect nine contested possessions from his 16 disposals as the Dockers overran the Roos' midfield ensemble.

J. HORNE-FRANCIS
Midfield
North Melbourne
ROUND 8 STATS
15
Disposals
3
Tackles
7
Clearances

This week won't get any easier for North Melbourne, hosting the in-form Port Adelaide at Blundstone Arena.