Rookie Rankings

Lions youngster replaces Magpie, Demon moves to second: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 13

Here’s how our Rookie Rankings shape up after Round 13.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Our AFL Rookie Rankings have seen a change ato the podium after Round 13, while a young Brisbane forward has broken into the top seven for the first time this year.

He replaces outgoing Magpies midfielder Lachie Sullivan and lands at sixth in our rankings, pushing a young Hawks tall down one place.

Tigers pair Kane McAuliffe and Seth Campbell have both earned honourable mentions for their efforts in Thursday's win over Adelaide, while Crows debutant Billy Dowling also gets a nod for his performance in the same game.

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:
Kane McAuliffe (Richmond)
Billy Dowling (Adelaide)
Seth Campbell (Richmond)

Calsher Dear (-1)

Another performance of promise from Dear, who continued to offer something in Sam Mitchell's front half as an athletic aerial threat.

While his numbers don't often stuff the stat-sheet, Dear's impact in the air and in his follow-up work are easy to notice.

The Hawks rookie came away from Saturday's close in win Tasmania with eight disposals, six tackles, five marks, one goal and four score involvements for the day against GWS.

The Hawks return to the MCG on Saturday for what shapes as a big occasion to celebrate Richmond great Dustin Martin's 300th game in the yellow and black.

Logan Morris (NEW)

The Lions youngster has held his spot in Chris Fagan's side since a last-minute QClash debut in Round 8 that followed a VFL appearance the same day for Brisbane.

Since then, the Werribee Districts product has been a consistent contributor in the front half of the field, booting eight goals in five games while also averaging five score involvements in each outing.

Friday's performance against the Western Bulldogs was arguably Morris' best at the top level, recording 12 disposals, five marks, one goal, two goal assists, six score involvements and seven contested possessions in the win.

The performance not only sees Morris replace Magpie Lachie Sullivan in our top seven, but moves him ahead of Calsher Dear following Round 13.

The Lions head back to the Gabba this week to host St Kilda on Friday night as they look to break back into premiership contention.

Colby McKercher (-)

Another week on the sidelines for the North Melbourne young gun, whose return to the field remains unclear.

A foot injury continues to trouble the teenager, who only returned to running on the track last week.

A return could come for McKercher sometime in the next month, but the Roos are taking a cautious approach with their top draft selection.

The Roos speedster will continue to hold his place in our Rookie Rankings for the next few weeks at least given the runs he has on the board from the first half of the season.

Sam Clohesy (-)

Saturday night's outing made it consecutive quiet performances for the Suns' mature-aged recruit, who could begin to slip from the top four if his form continues.

Clohesy recorded 288 metres gained from his 13 possessions against the Saints in what was a tough finish for Damien Hardwick's men.

The Suns are scheduled for a bye this week before a return game in Perth against Fremantle in Round 15.

Darcy Wilson (-1)

The Saints wingman had arguably his lowest performance of his short career so far in the red, white and black, amassing just the five effective disposals on Saturday night.

The teenager's 10 touches were Wilson's second lowest tally for the year as he struggled to have the same impact on the game we've come to see in recent months.

The Murray Bushrangers product couldn't register a score involvement in the win despite having five inside 50 entries.

Wilson will have a chance to bounce back on Friday night when the Saints face Brisbane at the Gabba.

Caleb Windsor (+1)

The Demons speedster returned to form on Monday, albeit in a King's Birthday loss to Collingwood at the MCG.

Windsor was among the few highlights for Simon Goodwin's side, consistently offering some run and dash on the wing as Melbourne looked to spark some attacking ball chains.

The Pick 7 selection came away from the game with a career-high 21 disposals to go with seven marks and three score involvements against the Magpies.

The Demons get a timely break this week before returning in Round 15 against North Melbourne.

Harley Reid (-)

Reid served the first half of his two-game suspension on Saturday, with the Eagles sensation only able to watch on as his side handed North Melbourne their first win of the year.

With a return not coming until Round 16 for Reid, there's time for others on our Rookie Rankings to close the gap her holds over the rest of the top seven.

It'll be hard to see any other rookie take top spot however, but some strong form could lead into a period of pressure on Reid's place at the summit.

Reid's comeback game will come when the Eagles face Hawthorn on June 30.

Published by
Mitch Keating