Zero Hanger's 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: For our 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 Darcy are ineligible, having already played an AFL match prior to Round 1, 2024.Â
Here's how our Rookie Rankings take shape after the opening four games of the season...
Following a long wait to make his debut, Magpie Charlie Dean was strong in his maiden showing at AFL level despite the Giants running over the Magpies on Saturday night.
Matching up on former No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman, Dean notched up a couple of wins in the air and also looked composed at ground level to place himself in good stead come Round 1 selection.
The former Williamstown backman recorded nine disposals (88.9% efficiency), four intercept possessions and three marks in his debut.
Collingwood return to Victoria this week to take on Sydney, where Dean could be needed to tame one of Logan McDonald, Hayden McLean or Joel Amartey.
It takes some effort to be drafted 59th overall and then earn yourself an Opening Round debut after one pre-season, and that's exactly what GWS utility Harvey Thomas did.
Thomas' nine disposals and goalless encounter against Collingwood won't read as a strong opening performance, but the Giants debutant was a consistent cog in the front half of the field in Saturday's win.
The GWS Academy graduate directly assisted three goals in the victory and applied plenty of pressure on the defensive end to play a role in the resounding win.
The Giants are set to have a few players returning from injury for their Round 1 clash with North Melbourne, but Thomas should see his spot in Adam Kingsley's side remain for another week.
An unlikely debut option, Campbell has rapidly strengthened his Punt Road prospects since Rhyan Mansell's injury put a line through his early season chances.
A strong pre-season saw Campbell rewarded with a debut against the Suns, and despite the heavy loss the young Tasmanian was able to have an impact in attack.
Campbell booted two goals to be one of three multiple goalkickers in Adem Yze's side while also recording nine touches and four tackles in a pressure forward role.
The Tigers have a short turnaround heading into Round 1, where they'll face Carlton at the MCG on Thursday night.
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.
While it wasn't all smooth sailing for the Sandringham Dragons product, Howes found his feet over the course of Thursday's game to end the evening with 17 possessions, three tackles, 224 metres gained and team-highs for marks (seven) and intercept possessions (12).
With Jake Lever being negated by Swans stopper Robbie Fox, Howes joined Steven May and Adam Tomlinson in picking up the slack on the defensive end.
With the ball in hand, Howes was often clean with his use of the possession, moving the ball at 82.4 per cent for the game.
The athletic swingman matured as the game progressed and has locked himself into a role for Round 1 when the Demons return to Victoria.