This weekend's action has seen a new face emerge into our top six Rookie Rankings for the 2022 season, with a young Port Adelaide ruckman making his first appearance.
With several of the season's top rookies were absent from Round 9, little movement ensued among the top, however Crow Josh Rachele has fallen out of the top six after a quiet past month.
Saint Marcus Windhager was emphatic after coming onto the field as the medical sub in the Saints' win over Geelong, while Giant Cooper Hamilton and Bomber Ben Hobbs also earned honourable mentions from the weekend.
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 2022 season will not be considered.
VIEW:ย ROUND 8 RANKINGS
Round 9 Honourable Mentions
Cooper Hamilton (GWS Giants)
19 disposals, 257 metres gained, 84.2 disposal efficiencyย
A season-high 19 possessions in his third AFL game, with Hamilton continuing to play a hard-nosed defensive role for the Giants. Is contending closely with top draftee Finn Callaghan as the club's best first-year player.
Marcus Windhager (St Kilda)
15 disposals, seven score involvements, 86.7 disposal efficiency
Was arguably the standout rookie of the weekend after starting as the medical sub against the Cats before having a significant impact on the game with just 56% time on ground. Another performance like Saturday's will see Windhager among the top six in our rankings.
Ben Hobbs (Essendon)
17 disposals, one goal, three clearances, five marks
Added to his impressive Round 8 game against the Hawks with another strong outing on the weekend, albeit in a damning loss to the Swans. Has looked to have locked his spot in Ben Rutten's 22.
5. Sam Hayes (NEW)
The Port Adelaide ruckman makes his first appearance in our rankings after a string of strong performances and honourable mentions.
In Round 9, the 22-year-old had the tough task of matching it with Kangaroos veteran Todd Goldstein, where he recorded 33 hit-outs - eight more than his direct opponent.
Hayes also recorded a game-high seven hit-outs to advantage, along with three clearances from his eight disposals.
Ruck
Hit Outs
Disposals
Tackles
The Power won the centre clearances count 15-9 thanks to some of the service Hayes was able to hand his midfielders, with the Port Adelaide big man adding to an impressive debut season.
The Ferntree Gully product will likely eye Round 10's contest with Geelong as another chance to ascend his stocks for 2022.
