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 

6. Josh Weddle (-)

The Hawks flanker wouldn't feature in our Rookie Rankings until Round 12, having only made his debut in Round 7 and only needing a month to make his case for a spot.

Weddle would enjoy a breakout performance in his fourth game in the brown and gold, collecting 28 disposals against the West Coast Eagles in Round 10 to earn his Rising Star nomination.

After falling back out of our rankings, Weddle would return in Round 20 at the expense of teammate and fellow defender Seamus Mitchell, with Weddle a spark in the club's impressive form late into the home and away season.

JOSH WEDDLE
Defender
Hawthorn
2023 SEASON AVG
17.3
Disposals
5.1
Marks
2.2
Rebound50s

After trading to get back into the first-round of the draft last year and secure the services of Weddle, the Hawks will be mightily happy with what they've already seen in the Oakleigh Chargers product.