The final order of our Rookie Rankings for 2023 is set, with the No.1 rookie of the year named after a season that involved a plethora of impressive fresh faces.
Collingwood's Nick Daicos took out the inauguralย Zero Hanger Rookie Rankingsย title in 2022 after a season-long battle with Bomber Nic Martin, with this year's race following a similar trend between a young Roo and a Lions midfielder.
The rankings were finalised at the conclusion of Round 24, with eight rookies ranked in the final list and many more involved over the course of the season.
Among the unlucky few who wouldn't secure a spot in our top eight by season's end were Carlton pair Ollie Hollands and Alex Cincotaa, Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen, Hawks defender Seamus Mitchell, gun Roo George Wardlaw and Saint Mattaes Phillipou.
Criteria:ย For ourย 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 asย Sam Darcy,ย Finn Callaghanย andย Jye Amissย are ineligible, having already played anย AFLย match prior to Round 1, 2023.ย
7. Reuben Ginbey (-)
Coming one spot ahead of teammate Elijah Hewett to finish seventh in our Rookie Rankings, Ginbey quickly put runs on the board to stamp his authority as a player for the future.
The Eagles' tackling machine would present as a defensive juggernaut in Adam Simpson's midfield ensemble, flexing his tacking and pressure traits in his Round 1 debut against the Kangaroos.
Ginbey would be among the AFL's leading tacklers across the opening half of the season, tallying 12 in his first game and a season-high 16 in Round 9.
The Dunsborough junior would play in West Coast's first 17 games of the season before succumbing to a season-ending hamstring injury, which saw him slide in our rankings from fifth.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
With Ginbey and Hewett getting plenty of football under their belts while showing off their exciting abilities, there are some positives from the Eagles' wooden spoon campaign.
