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
2. Nick Watson (+1)
The late bloomer this year, with Watson coming into our Rookie Rankings deep into the season off the back of some hot form that has continued through to the end.
The Hawks livewire has kicked 18 goals and assisted a further 12 to amass 89 score involvements in his 16 appearances for 2024. He also averages 10.94 disposals and 2.50 tackles per game to offer plenty in the front half.
He ended his maiden home and away campaign with a pair of three-goal hauls after finding his shooting boots in the second half of the season.
The Pick 5 selection is now a staple on Sam Mitchell's side,ย along with fellow Hawks forward Calsher Dear, who was also a member of our rankings for periods of the season.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
Both Watson and Dear will hold down key roles in the Hawks' premiership push, which starts with an elimination final against the Western Bulldogs in September.
