Round 19 gave us plenty to consider among this year's Rookie Rankings, with a young Demon jumping two spots after adding to his consistent 2023 campaign.
His rise sees a Roos midfielder and Hawks defender each fall one place, while the remainder of our top eight remains the same.
Two players in our rankings suffered worrying hamstring injuries and could be in line for spells on the sidelines, potentially leading to more movement through the back end of the season.
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. players such as Sam Darcy, Finn Callaghan and Jye Amiss are ineligible, having already played an AFL match prior to Round 1, 2023.
Round 17 Honourable Mentions:
Jaspa Fletcher
Matthew Johnson
After returning to Brett Ratten's lineup for their matchup with Hawthorn, Wardlaw's weekend was cut short due to hamstring tightness.
Wardlaw managed five disposals, three marks and two tackles before being subbed out of the contest with a quarter of game time under his belt prior to the injury.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Given his history of hamstring issues, expect Wardlaw to be sidelined for the coming weeks before being eased back into the senior side.
The Hawks backman was managed for Round 18 and wasn't utilised in the VFL, with Mithcell deserving of a week's break after a busy first season at senior level.
The absence means Mitchell has played four games since Round 11, with illness also adding to an interrupted past two months.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
The rookie-listed defender, who recently re-signed with the Hawks, is likely to make his return on Saturday when Hawthorn meet with Richmond.
After returning to our Rookie Rankings last week off the back of a strong run of form, McVee only strengthened his impressive debut season on Friday night when he went head-to-head with All-Australian-calibre forward Charlie Cameron.
While Cameron managed to kick two goals, McVee didn't lose any of his three contested-one-on-one against the Lions forward and proved to be an attacking asset for Melbourne out of defence in the one-point win.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
The young Demon has played in all 17 matches for the Demons so far this season to build a consistent first year at senior level, and the last few weeks have only seen him reach greater heights.
A hamstring concern limited Ginbey to just half a quarter on Sunday afternoon against Richmond, with the young Eagle amassing three disposals before being subbed out with just 10% game time for the evening.
The injury will add to a frustrating 2023 season for the Eagles, who have seen great benefit from Ginbey this year as the midfielder managed to feature in every game so far this season.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
The young Eagle is likely facing a stint on the sidelines due to the injury, but will have enough runs on the board to hold his place at fifth for at least the next week or so.
Took on GWS star Toby Greene in Adelaide's backline in what was arguably the teenager's toughest outing of his debut year.
Greene booted three goals and found the ball on 20 occasions in the Giants' come-from-behind win on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval, with Michalanney recording 12 possessions of his own.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
It won't get much easier for Michalanney in Round 19 as the Crows come up against Melbourne at the MCG, with a likely matchup against Kysaiah Pickett awaiting the young defender.
12 touches, three tackles and a goal were enough for Humphrey to hold his place at third overall, with the Suns' top draft pick playing his role as Gold Coast notched up their first win of the year without Stuart Dew at the helm.
Humphrey was again tied to a midfield-forward rotation against the Saints but would show strong efforts on the defensive end with his tackling and intercepting.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Goals
The Suns are looking to remain in touch with the top eight as we near the final few rounds, with Gold Coast coming up against fellow finals hopefuls GWS this Sunday.
It was a stale of two halves for Harry Sheezel, who amassed 20 disposals in the opening two quarters before Hawks tagger Finn Maginness put the clamps on the young Roo after half-time.
Sheezel would still end the day with 30 possessions, six marks and 524 metres gained in what was another solid outing in a losing result for North Melbourne's top three draft pick.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Still chasing a win that will snap their drought that goes back to Round 3, the Kangaroos and Sheezel return to Marvel Stadium this Sunday to face St Kilda.
Brisbane's young star was once again among his side's best performers, however this time it came in a brutal loss to Melbourne on Friday night.
The Lions would hand over a convincing lead to lose by the one point, with Ashcroft among the few Brisbane players able to hold his head high.
The midfielder managed to record 17 disposals, five tackles, four clearances and a crafty goal to cap off another strong performance.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Brisbane will host Geelong at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon in Round 19 as they look to remain in the hunt for a top two finish.