Dons’ trio stake claim as Roo falls away: AFL Rookie Rankings

When languishing among the league's bottom sides on the ladder at the bye, few would have predicted Essendon to enter a purple patch that has seen them claim wins over the Saints, Swans and Lions across the course of the past month.

And while the ilk of Zach Merrett, Jordan Ridley and Peter Wright has led each of the Dons' lines with aplomb, the victories over vaunted opposition have also been thatched by the efforts of some 'Baby Bombers'.

At the cessation of Round 16, both Nic Martin and Ben Hobbs held top-six spots within Zero Hanger's Rookie Rankings for the 2022 AFL season. However, after continuing to excite across the defensive third, the pair have been joined by their newest teammate, Massimo D'Ambrosio.

With just over a month until the business end of the season commences, the competition's new kids on the block are set to earn their final handful of chances to impress.

But with a Pies son-of-a-gun growing each week, the best efforts of the chasing pack may only end up landing them silver.

And sadly for North Melbourne fans, your man Jason Horne-Francis has shifted out of our top six after being asked to spend time in the twos.

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.

VIEW: ROUND 16 RANKINGS

Round 17 Honourable Mentions

Josh Carmichael (Magpies)
14 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 0.2

Before what sounded like every member of his wider family packed into the MCG's Olympic Stand, the Mid-Season draftee placed his best foot forward in the Pies' win over the Roos.

Though his pair of shots edged wide, the 22-year-old's lace-out goal assist during the second half gave Collingwood life. Carmichael's efforts to ride tackles and keep the Sherrin moving were equally as impressive.

Noah Cumberland (Richmond)
10 disposals, 2 marks, 2.3

Though the Tigers were pipped at the post by a Noah Anderson major last Saturday, the 21-year-old took to his offensive post like a duck to water, slotting a brace at Carrara.

Patrick Parnell (Crows)
15 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles

While light of frame and fresh of face, the 20-year-old got his hands dirty in an effort to help drag the Crows over the line. Despite not setting the game on fire, Parnell looked composed with ball in hand. One to watch before the season's end.

Jake Soligo (Crows)
13 disposals, 3 clearances, 2 marks

Last week, we mentioned that the Victorian has started seeing more time at the coalface. And with a further three clearances to his name on Sunday, Soligo will be another at West Lakes to keep an eye on.

Massimo D'Ambrosio (+1)

Despite not hitting the same heights of other outings across the past month, the consistency shown by the Mid-Season recruit requires rewarding.

With 13 disposals, 6 marks and a clearance to his name, D'Ambrosio may not have starred during the Dons' upset of the Lions but his ability to aid the likes of Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Jordan Ridley remained integral in the pursuit of victory.

Having walked through the doors at Tullamarine at the exact point the Bombers' fortunes rotated, it is little wonder why the diamond-studded defender is already such a popular name at the Hangar.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (-)

While teammates around him floundered, the Glenelg product could be content with his efforts against Fremantle on Saturday night.

Akin to much of his season, there were moments of flare on offer from Wanganeen-Milera, but as the Dockers' fleet of in-form mids ran riot, the teenager's efforts on the outside proved largely powerless.

A debut goal for the winger acted as a highlight on what was a dispiriting night for the Saints.

Josh Gibcus (-1)

Forced out of Damien Hardwick's plans against the Suns due to illness, the country Victorian was unable to add to his already impressive resume.

Though it may seem stiff to slide Gibcus off our podium, the performances of those around him necessitated rewarding.

Likely to return for Richmond's date with North Melbourne on Saturday, a performance akin to what he has already produced will almost certainly be enough to have the defender back in the running.

Ben Hobbs (+1)

Prior to Essendon's outing against Sydney, Hobbs had been told he had not been selected. Yet, after receiving a late tap on the shoulder to suit-up, the first round pick played a lead hand in getting the Dons over the line.

Fast forward to the Bombers' outing against another top-eight side, and Hobbs, once again, got busy in yet another win.

With 13 disposals, 2 clearances, a pair of tackles and 1.2 in front of goal, denying the midfielder a place in our top three would be close to criminal.

Nic Martin (-)

Like D'Ambrosio at the other end, Martin's outing in the Sunshine State on Sunday may not have been his finest, but everything he has previously brought to the table has had Bombers backers salivating.

Though the mature-age selection's 13 disposals are unlikely to see him land Brownlow votes, they were enough to see him remain parked in second place, whilst those around him moved and shook.

Nick Daicos (-)

If you had any doubts that the latest Daicos to take centre stage was, in fact, the real deal, then they were surely dispelled after his mercurial fina quarter major.

Pinned in on the boundary line in a manner all too familiar to his father, Peter, the vaunted rookie opted for a drop punt as his weapon of choice during Collingwood's come from the clouds win over North Melbourne.

Finishing with 21 touches, 3 tackles and a clearance to go with his crucial goal, Daicos has gone beyond the bounds of a promising rookie, with head coach Craig McRae lauding the teenager's importance to his side's finals push post-game.

With six weeks left to go in the regular season, it would take a herculean effort to knock the Pies' new poster boy off his perch.