We've reached the midway mark of the 2022 AFL season, with the top bracket of young stars having seemingly secured themselves among the best debutants of the year in our Rookie Rankings.
At the cessation of Round 11, we see another change in our top six, with a young Bomber replacing Saint Marcus Windhager in our rankings, while two other St Kilda draftees earn honourable mentions for their outings on the weekend.
We've also seen another change at the top of our rankings, while a young Tiger is pressing his case for another leap up pur standings after tussling with Swans forward Lance Franklin.
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.
I.e. players like Jai Newcombe, Jake Bowey, Corey Durdin and Sam De Koning are ineligible.ย
VIEW:ย ROUND 10 RANKINGS
Round 11 Honourable Mentions
Mitchito Owens (St Kilda)
14 disposals, 10 tackles, two goals
The young Saints midfielder had arguably the best performance of any rookie over the weekend, stepping up against the Roos to earn the plaudits of many.
Cooper Stephens (Geelong)
15 disposals, six clearances, seven contested possessions
The young Cats onballer continues to show his worth in Geelong's 22, collecting a round-high six clearances among rookies for the weekend,
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda)ย
17 disposals, nine marks, five intercepts
The flashy Saint added to an impressive first season in the red, white and black on the weekend, continuing to be part of avenues to goal out wide for Brett Ratten.
Brady Hough (West Coast)
23 disposals, 11 marks, five intercepts
The first-year Eagle had his best performance of the year in a defensive role against the Bulldogs on Sunday night, ending the evening as one of West Coast's best accumulators.
3. Josh Gibcus (-)
The emerging Tiger was given one of the toughest jobs in football on Friday night, with Damien Hardwick electing Gibuc to go head-to-head with Swans veteran Lance Franklin.
The GWV Rebels product was more than admirable in his efforts, having tamed Franklin for a majority of the match before the 1000-goal superstar inevitably took over in the final two terms.
Gibcus was soon shifted to new opponents and continued to play a critical lock-down role, before moving into attack and even slotting his first major in the dying stages.
The decision to start Gibcus on Franklin shows the faith Hardwick and his teammates have in the teenager, with his efforts arguably some of his best for the season.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Goals
The Tigers are among the clubs to earn a week's break with a bye in Round 12, returning to face Port Adelaide the week after.
