Hawk breaks into top seven as Blue falls out: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 11

A new face has emerged in our Rookie Rankings for the first time, with a Hawks flanker jumping into the top six to make his maiden appearance for the year.

His move up has seen a young Blues wingman fall out of the top seven, while a Saints forward has dropped to seventh spot.

A rising Sun continues to impress on his trajectory toward a podium spot, while the top two continue to trade blows as our incumbent No.1 holds his place in pole position for another week.

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 2023 season will not be considered.

I.e. Rising Star eligible players such as Sam Darcy, Finn Callaghan and Jye Amiss are ineligible, having already played an AFL match prior to Round 1, 2023. 

Round 11 Honourable Mentions:
Josh Weddle (Hawthorn)
Matthew Johnson (Fremantle)
Oisin Mullin (Geelong)

Mattaes Phillipou (-1)

Wasn't his best performance of the year by any means, but the young Saint did manage to snap his goal drought, and did it in style with a set-shot from outside the arc.

Also picked up 11 disposals and six tackles in what was a tough result for Ross Lyon's men, going down in a shock loss to Hawthorn.

Phillipou and the Saints will have a  break this week before setting their sights on a trip to Sydney to face the Swans the following Thursday.

Seamus Mitchell (NEW)

Makes his maiden appearance in our rankings after an impressive run of form that has been building since his debut in Gather Round, taking Ollie Hollands' place in our top seven.

Mitchell recorded his third game of 19 or more touches in a row over the weekend, amassing 20 disposals at 85% efficiency to go along with five marks in his mainstay role at half-back.

Injuries had kept him out of the Hawks' senior side since joining the club, with a knee injury late into the win over St Kilda hopefully not forcing the young defender to the sidelines for long.

The Hawks will face Port Adelaide this week in a trip to South Australia, with Mitchell likely to be touch-and-go for selection.

Bailey Humphrey (+2)

Continues to excite and dazzle as a leading figure in Gold Coast's midfield and attacking thirds, with the Moe junior capping off a brilliant win in Darwin with the match-sealing goal against the Dogs.

Added to his impressive past month with 19 touches (eight contested), three tackles and a goal while featuring in 62% of centre bounces for the Suns, behind only Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell among onballers.

Humphrey is quickly flying up our rankings and at this rate, will be inside the top three bracket by the end of the bye rounds.

He'll be looking to back up his run of form this weekend when the Suns host Adelaide in Darwin on Saturday night.

Reuben Ginbey (-)

Looks to be finding back some form despite the Eagles' woes, with Ginbey amassing 11 contested possessions against the Bombers - the third time he's reached double digits for that metric.

The in-and-under midfielder also recorded 19 possessions and five tackles in the 50-point defeat to hold his place at fourth overall in our Rookie Rankings.

Will begin to be feeling some of the new contenders behind him continue to rise, with his place among the top four now susceptible to the rising Sun in Humphrey.

There's no rest for the Eagles this weekend, with Adam Simpson's side facing ladder leaders Collingwood on Saturday at home.

Max Michalanney (-)

Took on one of the hardest jobs in footy on Sunday evening in trying to negate Brisbane livewire Charlie Cameron.

Cameron came away from the match with four majors, but Michalanney ended the evening with bragging rights as the Crows claimed the four points at home.

The young defender recorded 11 possessions, three marks and five tackles in the victory to hold his place at third overall.

The Crows will head north to Darwin this weekend when they face Gold Coast at TIO Stadium.

Will Ashcroft (-)

Coming up against a tough contender in Adelaide away from home, Round 11 loomed as the weekend where Ashcroft might be able to strengthen his case for top spot and finally move into pole position.

It wasn't to be for the star cub, despite his 17 disposals and nine contested possessions in the loss. The form of Harry Sheezel continues to keep Ashcroft at bay, but a change on our throne could come in a matter of weeks.

The Lions will have a bye in Round 12, meaning any move into top spot won't be coming this weekend. Instead, a strong enough Round 13 return against Hawthorn could see Ashcroft jump into first position.

Harry Sheezel (-)

The Nick Daicos mimick came face-to-face with the Magpies star on Sunday as the Roos put up a valiant fight against the in-form contenders.

Sheezel would resume his role between midfield and the forward third on his way to collecting 21 disposals, six marks and three tackles while moving the ball at over 80% efficiency.

A boot to the head forced Sheezel to the sidelines during the second half, only for the teenager to influence the contest upon his return.

The Roos will go head-to-head with Essendon on Sunday afternoon to end Round 12 and potentially snap their losing run.