2024 AFL Players

Daicos dominance, top five tussle continues: AFL Rookie Rankings

See how our Rookie Rankings have shifted after Round 5 πŸ“ˆ

Published by
Mitch Keating

We're five rounds into the 2022 AFL season and our Rookie Rankings are taking further shape, with more shuffling between the top five after the weekend's action.

An emerging Docker has risen up the leaderboard for the second straight week, while a crafty Crow's goal tally has him in good stead.

A Hawks pair stood tall in their Easter Monday upset over Geelong, while a Bombers debutant was impressive despite a disappointing maiden match for the club.

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:Β ROUND 4 RANKINGS

Round 5 Honourable Mentions:

Ben Hobbs (Essendon) - 15 disposals, six marks, five tackles, 80% disposal efficiency
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda) - 15 touches, five marks, 492 metres gained
Reef McInnes (Collingwood) - 10 possessions, three tackles, two goals
Connor MacDonald (Hawthorn) - 16 disposals, five inside 50s, four score involvements
Josh Ward (Hawthorn) - 18 possessions, five clearances, six score involvements
Jack Hayes (St Kilda) - 16 disposals, 11 contested possessions, one goal

Nic Martin (-1)

Despite the disappointing outing by Essendon, Martin was among the very few positives for the men in red and black.

The Subiaco product added another two majors to his season tally, while also recording 17 possessions, three clearances and six score involvements.

Whether it be on the wing or in attack, Martin has shown an astute ability to find the ball and use it with precision as he looks to lift his side at the coalface.

The Bombers will turn their attention to next Monday's ANZAC Day clash with Collingwood as they hope to return to the winner's list.

Jason Horne-Francis (-2)

Another effort from North MelbourneΒ that failed to impress, but, nevertheless, their top pick was at his contested ball-winning best once again.

Horne-Francis recorded a team-high 12 contested possessions in the Good Friday loss to the Bulldogs, however was let down by a lowly disposal efficiency of just 44.4%.

With the Roos' run not getting any easier as they host Geelong in Tasmania this week, 'The Horne' will be hoping to stand tall again as his side continue to chase their second win of the year.

Nathan O'Driscoll (+2)

The young Docker has quickly cemented his place in Justin Longmuir's planning as Fremantle look to build on their strong start to the season.

O'Driscoll amassed 22 disposals, five score involvements, two goal assists, eight contested possessions, three clearances and 480 metres gained in a prolific outing in purple against the Bombers.

In what was just his third full match at senior level, O'Driscoll has rapidly transformed into a reliable running option across all three lines in Fremantle's system.

Now setting his sights on Saturday night against fellow 4-1 side Carlton, O'Driscoll will face his toughest opposition yet.

Josh Rachele (+1)

The Crows livewire sits in the top 10 for the Coleman after five matches, having booted 12 goals after adding another two against Richmond on Saturday.

Rachele has become a required piece of Matthew Nicks' speartip and worked in a tremendous tandem alongside returning goalsneak Shane McAdam and talls Taylor Walker and Elliot Himmelberg.

The former Murray Bushranger has booted a goal in all five of his appearances so far this season and will be looking to extend that run when the Crows travel to Ballarat to face the Bulldogs in Round 6.

Nick Daicos (-)

The Collingwood midfielder has extended his run atop our rankings as he continues to show no issue in winning the ball at AFL level.

Another 27 possessions, four marks, four score involvements and 275 metres gained sees Daicos well-placed ahead of the rest of his draft class from the opening five rounds of the season.

The teenager has locked down a role out wide for Craig McRae, and, whether it be in wins or losses, Daicos has stood tall for his side when the game has been on the line.

Touted as a big-game player, they don't come more enticing than ANZAC Day at the MCG next Monday where Daicos will be looking to get his side back to winning ways.

Published by
Mitch Keating