Our final Rookie Rankings for the 2024 AFL season, with the top eight for the year unveiled after 25 weeks and plenty of changes.
This year's rankings underwent constant alterations throughout the home and away seasons, while the top few contenders often held their own toward the summit.
Taking into consideration each player's impact, consistency, longevity and roles after making their debuts this year, our top eight rookies for the year have been decided.
And before we delve into our final rankings, we must credit the bevy of young players who fell just short...
2024 Honourable Mentions:
Calsher Dear
Logan Evans
Harvey Thomas
Joel Freijah
Joshua Draper
Darcy Jones
Selection Criteria:ย For ourย 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 Darcyย are ineligible, having already played anย AFL match before Round 1, 2024.ย
1. Sam Clohesy (-1)
Stunningly, Clohesy is one of two members from last year's Werribee side that reached the VFL Grand Final, with the flanker recruited as a matured-aged selection by the Suns after taking out the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal.
The former Suns Academy member had an instant impact on Damien Hardwick's side from his debut in Round 4 against GWS, with Clohesy collecting 22 disposals, eight marks and five inside 50s to go with a goal in his maiden match.
His next two months would excite many, with Clohesy containing to put up strong numbers on the wing for Gold Coast and play every game for the rest of the year.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Marks
A great recruit for the Suns, Clohesy has looked at ease at the higher level and could be a pick-up many other clubs will be frustrated they didn't move for.
The 21-year-old had a slower second half but remained an important cog in Hardwick's side throughout and held off a heap of young stars of the competition to take out the eighth spot in our Rookie Rankings.
