Zero Hanger'sย Rookie Rankings are back for 2024, with Opening Round seeing five players make their debut in the northern states.
Melbourne blooded a pair of new faces in Thursday's loss to Sydney, while Collingwood and GWS each unveiled a debutant in their clash on Saturday night.
To start our Rookie Rankings for 2024, we'll list the top five 'rookies' before adding an extra spot in our rankings at the end of Rounds 6, 12 and 18.
Selection Criteria:ย For ourย Rookie Rankings, we are ONLY 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 2024 season will not be considered. I.e. Rising Star eligible players such as George Wardlaw, Angus Sheldrick and Sam Darcyย are ineligible, having already played anย AFL match prior to Round 1, 2024.ย
Here's how our Rookie Rankings take shape after the opening four games of the season...
2. Caleb Windsor (Melbourne)
The Demons wingman was classy whenever he got near the ball, looking composed in his maiden AFL match to flex his clean ball use and speed on a number of occasions.
Spending most of his time on the outskirts of Simon Goodwin's engine room, Windsor found himself going toe-to-toe with the likes of Errol Gulden, James Jordon and Braeden Campbell.
Windsor came away from the defeat with 13 disposals, four tackles, three intercept possessions and four score involvements in his debut, with a smart kick to find Tom Langdon inside 50 at the end of the first half a highlight for the Pick 7 selection.
It was a strong performance from a first-gamer that should see Windsor back up his debut next week when the Demons host the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
