Things are tight in our AFL Rookie Rankings ahead of the final round of the 2024 season, with a majority of our top eight a chance to shuffle spots before our rankings are locked in for the year.
The eighth and last place is arguably the most up for grabs, with a host of young guns outside of our rankings still in the mix heading into Round 24.
Currently occupied by Hawks ace Nick Watson, the last spot could undergo a swap should Watson have a poor end to his home and away campaign.
This week has seen spots three through five change, with all three sports able to change again before our final rankings.
Selection Criteria: For our 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 Darcy are ineligible, having already played an AFL match before Round 1, 2024.
Round 23 Honourable Mentions:
Archie Roberts (Essendon)
Darcy Jones (GWS)
Joel Freijah (Western Bulldogs)
Lawson Humphries (Geelong)
'The Wizard' is holding off a growing chasing pack to sit in eighth spot in our Rookie Rankings with one round remaining.
All of Darcy Jones, Joel Freijah, Lawson Humphries and teammate Calsher Dear could claim the last spot in our Rookie Rankings should Watson have a quiet enough final game of the year.
The Hawks small forward did his prospects of a top eight finish no harm on Sunday in Hawthorn's beat-up of Richmond, booting three goals and having 10 score involvements from his dozen disposals.
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Facing North Melbourne this week before a likely finals berth, Watson will be hoping to have his kicking boots on to hold onto the last spot in our Rookie Rankings.
22 disposals is certainly no quiet afternoon for anyone, with Clohesy having 20 or more disposals for the fourth time this year.
His head-to-head battle with Ed Langdon proved to be a difficult test for the Suns rookie, with his opponent breaking away in the later stages to have a game-high 37 touches for the day.
Perhaps unlucky to fall a spot despite the performance, however Clohesy could rise as high as fifth this time next week if he can have a big outing against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.
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Had just his fourth goalless game of the year on Saturday as the Lions capitulated to the reigning premiers.
Morris was kept to 10 disposals but had five marks and four score involemetns in the narrow defeat at the MCG.
The performance wasn't enough to hold onto fifth spot, but a move back up our rankings remain live if Morris can bounce back against Essendon this weekend.
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The Geelong mature-aged recruit booted multiple goals for the fourth straight week, with his efforts against the Saints on Saturday also netting him a career-high 21 disposals.
The two majors see Mannagh sit eighth in the competition for goals per game from midfielders in 2024, with the Werribee product going at 1.11 each outing from his nine appearances.
While it wasn't the result the Cats were after, Mannagh played one of his best games to earn a bump in our Rookie Rankings.
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A spot in the top four is unlikely, but Mannagh can at least secure fifth with another formidable performance against West Coast this week.
A big return to form for Wilson, who had arguably his best outing for the year on Saturday night against Geelong.
The Saints flanker collected 25 disposals and booted 2.3 in the upset victory at Marvel Stadium, with Wilson's pair of majors part of his side's six-straight to start the second half.
His overall ball use let him down, going at 44% efficiency, but it was an improved performance compared to what we've seen throughout the majority of the back-half of this season.
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Wilson and the Saints return to Marvel Stadium for Round 24 where they can upset Carlton's finals ambitions.
The young Demon's rookie season was officially brought to a close last week as he continues to deal with an ankle issue.
A full season with some better form would've seen Windsor right in the mix for top spot in our Rankings, with the wingman likely to remain in third place unless Wilson has another big performance this weekend against Carlton.
Windsor's maiden year ends with averages of 14.47 disposals, 3.00 marks and 2.58 tackles per game while tallying eight goals and six assists for 2024.
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Was moved into the front half of the field for a bit of an experiment by Alastair Clarkson, with McKercher left searching for his first goal at AFL level after booting a behind from his 24 touches.
It was exciting to see the Roos young gun get more of a look around midfield and utilise his clean ball use in attack, with McKercher still able to use the ball at 91% efficiency.
With one round left in the season, it'll be hard to see McKercher rise or fall from second spot in our Rookie Rankings as he nears the end of a promising first year in blue and white.
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The Kangaroos will head to the teenager's home soil of Tasmania this Saturday against Hawthorn to bring their 2024 campaign to a close.
Pulled more moves out of his bag of tricks against the Blues but couldn't quite execute with the end product, moving the ball at 50% efficiency and end his afternoon with 0.3.
Reid was at his contested best against Carlton's star-studded engine room, pushing past most of his opponents to be a livewire through the middle of Optus Stadium.
The No.1 pick recorded 26 disposals, five tackles, 14 contested possessions and seven clearances in the heavy loss.
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Reid and the Eagles can look to end their 2024 campaign on a high this weekend, but it'll take some doing as they face Geelong at Kardinia Park on Saturday.