Giants youngster returns, Roo rises again as Saint and Dog drop: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 18

For the final time this year, our Rookie Rankings have been extended, with a total of eight players now selected following the conclusion of Round 18.

The shift has seen a GWS forward return and move into seventh overall, while a Roos young gun has continued his rise after a strong fortnight back on the field.

Geelong rookie Lawson Humphries is one of four players to earn an honourable mention, with a breakout performance against Collingwood adding to an impressive opening month for the Cats defender.

Humphries could make a late run for a spot in our Rookie Rankings in the final six weeks of the season, while other contenders in Darcy Jones, Billy Dowling, Bruce Reville and Josh Draper are also in the conversation.

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 before 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 before Round 1, 2024. 

Honourable Mentions:

Lawson Humphries (Geelong)
Zac Taylor (Adelaide)
Billy Dowling (Adelaide)
Steely Green (Richmond)

Ryley Sanders (-1)

The Dogs midfielder came into our Rookie Rankings last week, and with our final extension falls back one spot.

Sanders was again serviceable for the Dogs over the weekend, collecting 13 disposals and four clearances as he continues to hone his role under Luke Beveridge.

A matchup down in Geelong this Saturday night firms as a great chance for Sanders to rise back up our rankings, with the aforementioned Humphries looming as a good chance to break into our top eight over the next two weeks.

Harvey Thomas (NEW)

The GWS small forward returns to our Rookie Rankings for the first time since Round 5, having refound the level of form that had him featured among this year's brightest starters.

Thomas has recorded at least 15 disposals in four of his last five matches while booting four goals and averaging close to three tackles per game in the front half.

His strong return to form sees him go past Sanders and into seventh spot as we extend our Rookie Rankings to eight players.

GWS will look to continue their winnings ways this weekend when they host the Suns at Engie Stadium on Saturday.

Logan Morris (-)

For the third week in a row, Morris was either the starting sub or subbed out of a match, with the latter the case for Sunday's clash with West Coast.

The Brisbane forward managed nine disposals before being removed from the eventual 13-point win, with Morris managing just the one score involvement for the afternoon.

His hot start in a Lions jumper has cooled over the last month, with Morris now susceptible to falling from sixth spot should his limited minutes and form continue.

A chance to bounce back is on the cards against a top contender when the Lions host Sydney at the Gabba on Sunday.

Sam Clohesy (-)

Like Morris, Clohesy isn't having the same influence he had in his bright start to 2024 and is seeing his chances of a podium placing diminish at pace.

The Suns wingman, whilst playing in a win over the Power, conjured just the 10 disposals, but managed to move the ball at 90% efficiency and went for over 330 metres gained to make the most of his disposals.

The Suns will again be tested on the road this weekend when they head to Sydney's west to face fellow finals aspirants GWS.

Darcy Wilson (-1)

Wilson's form has continued to slide in a downward trajectory, with the teenager's latest outing against Adelaide not helping his placing in our Rookie Rankings.

The Saints youngster has played more forward than wing over the last month, which has limited his impact on the game after a strong opening half to the season.

Wilson amassed just the 11 disposals and one mark against the Crows, but did manage to win most of his possessions at the contest.

The Saints return to Victoria this weekend to host West Coast, where Wilson will again go up against old teammate Harley Reid.

Colby McKercher (+1)

After jumping up two places following a dominant return last week, McKercher has continued his rise after Round 18 to take third place and the sport of Darcy Wilson.

McKercher, while not as prolific as last week, still managed to find the ball with some comfort in Saturday's loss to premiership favourites Sydney.

The Roos defender had 25 disposals from a decreased 72% time on ground against the Swans, taking seven marks and amassing almost 350 metres gained out of the backline.

North Melbourne return to Melbourne this weekend to face Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Caleb Windsor (-)

The Demons wingman has found the best form of his rookie season over the past two weeks, with Saturday night seeing Windsor collect a further 18 disposals, 432 metres gained and a goal in the win over Essendon.

Adding to a career-best performance in Round 17, Windsor has begun to close the gap between No.1 in our Rookie Rankings and the chasing pack, with McKercher also making a push for top spot.

Windsor and Melbourne head west this weekend to take on Fremantle, where they'll seek revenge following the Dockers' domination over Simon Goodwin's side in Round 12.

Harley Reid (-)

It would seem if any other rookie had 20 disposals, 11 contested possessions and seven clearances we would be making them the headline act of the weekend, but for Reid it was just another performance.

Coming up against Brisbane's elite engine room, the Tongala teenager was still impactful in the middle and flashed his grunt and contested nous.

His lead remains, but the gap between Reid and the likes of Caleb Windsor and Colby McKercher is shortening.