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.Â
Honourable Mentions:
Lawson Humphries (Geelong)
Zac Taylor (Adelaide)
Billy Dowling (Adelaide)
Steely Green (Richmond)
3. 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.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Rebound50s
North Melbourne return to Melbourne this weekend to face Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Mitch – if you’re gonna be a serious AFL journo – you should watch games instead of just writing these after looking at a few stats. Colby McKercher would be very disappointed with his game against Sydney. 25 disposals and you say he continued to find the ball easily. That sounds great.
But Let’s not forget Colby took the kick ins – so there goes half of his kicks. 9 kick ins that are freebies. 350 metres gained. Most of them from kick ins. Free possessions.
Most his other kicks were junk kicks backwards or sideways. 7 uncontested marks from standing on his own deep in the backline. That’s 16 of his 18 kicks accounted for. I’m a Tasmanian and love the lad but let’s not pump his tyres up from having a Quick Look at a stats sheet after a day when he struggled.
3 contested possessions and 6 turnovers from 25 possessions which includes 9 kick ins. That tells more of a story Mitchy boy .