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 inaugural Zero Hanger Rookie Rankings 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: 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.
2. Will Ashcroft (-)
A first-year to remember for the Lions' father-son gun, who managed to immediately find a role in midfield for a premiership-contending club.
Despite a season-ending ACL injury in Round 19, Ashcroft is well in contention for this year's Rising Star Award thanks to his smooth-moving traits in the middle of the field.
The young professional ended his debut campaign with an average of 22.1 disposals (8.2 contested), 3.5 tackles and 3.6 clearances per game to go with eight goals.
The Brisbane ball winner was in pole position to take out our Rookie Rankings title before his knee injury, but the Rising Star Award is a chance to fall his way.
Lions fans will be looking forward to the day Ashcroft is back in a Brisbane jumper and causing headaches for the opposition.
