Rookie Rankings

Lion holds top spot, Crow lands in top three as Roo continues rise: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 16

Half of our top eight have shuffled spots following the weekend’s action.

Published by
Mitch Keating

The result of Round 16 have seen further movement among our Rookie Rankings as we continue through the home stretch, with four players shuffling spots in the wake of the weekend's action.

A Crows defender has moved back into the top three in place of a Suns spark, while a returning Roo continued his fine form following a break thanks to the bye rounds.

A West Coast onballer, Brisbane father-son selection and Hawks defender all picked up honourable mentions for their efforts in Round 16.

Round 16 Honourable Mentions:
Elijah Hewett (West Coast)
Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane)
Josh Weddle (Hawthorn)

Matthew Johnson (-)

Johnson moved into our Rookie Rankings for the first time last week and was able to hold onto his spot at eighth overall for his efforts against the Bulldogs.

The second-year midfielder collected 19 disposals, six marks, five clearances and five tackles in the 29-point loss on Saturday to further compliment Fremantle's star-studded midfield ensemble.

The Dockers will be looking to bounce back and hold onto their finals hopes against Carton when they return to Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Seamus Mitchell (-1)

Through no fault of his own, Mitchell falls one place in our rankings off the back of his side's 10-goal loss to Carlton in Round 16.

The third-year Hawk gave his side plenty of drive out of the backline alongside fellow rookie Josh Weddle on an afternoon where Sam Mitchell's rearguard was constantly under the pump.

Seamus Mitchell recorded 17 disposals, six marks and 329 metres gained at the MCG on Sunday in what was another formidable performance.

The Hawks head to Sydney's west this week to face the in-form Giants on the road in Round 17.

George Wardlaw (+1)

With the Roos returning to action after a week off, Wardlaw showed no signs of slowing down from his scintillating start in the blue and white, playing an integral role in North Melbourne's engine room against Adelaide.

The Oakleigh Chargers product managed to level his career-high haul of 22 disposals in Saturday's defeat, where he found himself up against brute ball winners Rory Laird and Jordan Dawson.

The inside onballer has continued to impress with each passing week and is sure to continue his rise thanks to the return of teammate Luke Davies-Uniacke in the middle.

Reuben Ginbey (-)

The young Eagle was again a driving force through midfield as West Coast came the closest they have to a victory since Round 2.

Working alongside fellow neophytes Noah Long, Ryan Maric and fellow 2022 first-round pick Elijah Hewett gave Eagles fans glimpses of what could come down the track.

Ginbey moved the ball at 100% efficiency from his 13 disposals to go with four tackles and six contested possessions.

West Coast will make the trip to the Gabba this week for what could be an ugly affair against Brisbane.

Bailey Humphrey (-1)

Saturday was tough viewing for Suns fans as they struggled to get off the mark early, ending their evening at home with just five goals on the board against Collingwood.

Humphrey was also limited in his impact compared to what we've come to expect from the Moe junior, with the Magpies' midfield overrunning Stuart Dew's system from the first bounce.

'The Bear' managed 11 possessions at 81 per cent efficiency in his usual role of rotating between midfield and attack.

The Suns' season has begun to slip away in recent weeks, with an opportune clash with premiership threats Port Adelaide away from home a chance for the Queensland club to remind the rest of the competition of their chances for a top eight berth.

Max Michalanney (+1)

Another accepted challenge for Michalanney on Saturday in going head-to-head with North Melbourne bull Cam Zurhaar, who was held to one goal for the evening.

While managing to put the clamps on Zurhaar through periods of the match, Michalanney also amassed 11 touches, four marks and four tackles of his own in the 66-point win.

The young Crow could be in line to take on Essendon livewire Jake Stringer in Round 17 when Adelaide head to Marvel Stadium to face the Bombers.

Harry Sheezel (-)

Sheezel was at his smooth, ball-winning best despite Saturday's tough result against Adelaide, with the young Roo continuing to cut his teeth through midfield for Brett Ratten.

The teenager collected 31 possessions, had eight contested touches and moved the ball 415 metres in the middle to continue to tussle for the No.1 spot in our Rookie Rankings.

It doesn't get any easier for the Kangaroos and Sheezel in Round 17, with North Melbourne heading down to Kardinia Park in the hope of snapping their 13-game winless run.

Will Ashcroft (-)

The Lions' father-son gun continues to carve out a sensational first season in the top flight, making his role as a relied-upon onballer for a premiership contender look easy.

Coming up against Richmond's big-bodied midfield brigade, Ashcroft was again a smooth-moving asset to Chris Fagan's engine room as the Lions put on a stellar four-quarter performance.

Ashcroft collected over 20 disposals for the tenth time this year, while also amassing 11 contested touches in his cleanest game yet, where he moved the ball at over 85 per cent efficiency.

After moving into the No.1 spot last week before backing it up against Richmond, Ashcroft will look to go again when Brisbane welcome West Coast to the Gabba on Saturday.

Published by
Mitch Keating