The Rookie Rankings after Round 18 have seen two more youngsters break into the top six, replacing Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Massimo D'Ambrosio at fifth and sixth.
A young Hawk put in arguably the best performance of the weekend, while his teammate narrowly misses out on a spot in our Rankings, with the pair both earning honourable mentions for their parts in Hawthorn's win over the Eagles.
A young Roo breaks into the top six and jumps into fifth, while out top two further extend their placing at the top.
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.
I.e. players like Jai Newcombe, Jake Bowey, Corey Durdin and Sam De Koning are ineligible.
VIEW: ROUND 17 RANKINGS
Round 18 Honourable Mentions
Josh Ward (Hawthorn)
34 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 6 clearances
A dominant performance for the young Hawk who has worked himself back from a concussion scare.
Josh Carmichael (Collingwood)
24 disposals, 8 tackles, 448 metres gained, 1 goal
Was among the Magpies' best ball winners in the engine room. 24 touches, all kicks.
Noah Cumberland (Richmond)
3 goals, 14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles
A key part in Richmond's avenue to goal, booting a team-high three majors.
Connor MacDonald (Hawthorn)
13 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 marks, 2 goals
Another strong performance for the first-year Hawk. Narrowly misses a top six spot.
After several honourable mentions throughout this year, young Crow Jake Soligo lands his first spot in our Rookie Rankings.
In a decision that narrowly edged out Hawk Connor MacDonald, Soligo gets the nod for his consistency across the season, playing multiple roles for Matthew Nicks in his debut year.
His performance against Collingwood was no different, amassing 17 disposals, 8 tackles, 314 metres gained, 5 inside 50s and 10 contested possessions.
Midfield
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
With the likes of MacDonald and the now-replaced Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera pushing for a place in the top six, Soligo will need to have another strong outing this weekend when the Crows clash with Sydney at the SCG on Saturday.
A standout game for the first-year Roo, emerging as a key piece in their attack while placing immense pressure on the opposition throughout a four-quarter performance.
Curtis has placed himself in the frame for a Rising Star nomination for Round 18, collecting 14 disposals, 5 score involvements, 8 contested touches and 3 goals in the drought-breaking win over Richmond.
The outing adds to a building rookie campaign at Arden Street for Curtis, who has quickly evolved into a reliable asset in a young North Melbourne side.
Forward
Goals
Marks
Tackles
North Melbourne could snatch their third win of the year this weekend when they make the trip to Tasmania to face Hawthorn on Saturday.
Gibcus' return from illness didn't quite go to plan, suffering a shoulder injury in the loss to North Melbourne that forced young Tiger to be subbed out of the match.
The promising defender was limited in his ability to impact the game before the ailment, recording just three disposals, two marks and the sole spoil.
After slipping from the top three last week, Gibcus could face a further fall in the coming weeks should the setback force the teenager to the sidelines for the rounds ahead.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Tackles
Gibcus will be needing to prove his fitness in the coming days in hope of lining up against the Dockers on Friday night.
The young Essendon midfielder holds onto his place on the podium with another formidable performance in the red sash.
Hobbs collected 15 disposals, 6 tackles and seven score involvements in the win over the Suns, overcoming an early shoulder issue to play out the match.
Among a trio of Bombers to earn a Rising Star nomination this year, with several teammates still in line for a potential nod across the remaining rounds.
Midfield
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Essendon and Hobbs will now set their sights on an enticing encounter with Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
Another 25 touches and 2 goals for Bomber Nic Martin, who finds himself isolated between top spot in or rankings and the rest of the chasing pack.
Surrounded by daylight in 2022, Martin has continued to put together an astounding season in his maiden campaign, a year that would perhaps warrant a Rising Star Award in several past seasons.
While a red-hot Magpie will likely claim the award, Martin will be among the vote-getters at season's end.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Goals
His outing against the Suns in Round 18 further solidified his title as one of the bargain buys of the off-season.
Call the race off. Nick Daicos is your 2022 Rising Star.
But the accolades may not end there, with the 19-year-old now firming as a chance to take out an All-Australian selection and even the Copelan Trophy.
40 possessions and 3 goals saw Daicos piece together his best performance yet, standing up at the death to lead the Magpies over the Crows in a gutsy win.
The performance now sees Daicos somehow further strengthen his place atop our rankings, with an incomprehensible finish to the year needed to see the young Collingwood star fall from the summit.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Goals
Daicos and the Magpies will clash with cross-town rivals Essendon on Sunday, with the teenager hoping to back up his strong ANZAC Day performance from earlier in the year.