Roo’s firm grip on top spot, impressive Blue’s rapid rise: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 2

The AFL Rookie Rankings are back for 2023, where we order the top six in-form debutants of the year each week as the season progresses.

Collingwood's Nick Daicos took out the 2022 Zero Hanger Rookie Rankings thanks to an unmatched debut season, claiming the crown ahead of Bomber Nic Martin and Saint Marcus Windhager.

So far this season, a first-round Roos draftee has staged a brilliant start to his rookie campaign, while a father-son Lion has made his maiden appearance in our rankings.

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 2023 season will not be considered.

I.e. players such as Sam Darcy, Finn Callaghan and Jye Amiss are ineligible, having already played an AFL match prior to Round 1, 2023. 

Cameron Mackenzie (-3)

Cameron Mackenzie, Hawthorn's exciting No. 7 selection, had a quiet weekend after bursting onto the scene against Essendon in Round 1 when he turned heads with 18 disposals, nine contested possessions, and four marks.

The promising midfielder managed just 12 disposals against the dominant Swans en route to a three-spot slide in our rankings.

Considering that Mackenzie's Hawks are likely to suffer a handful of demolitions akin to the one they succumbed to against Sydney on Sunday, quiet performances are to be expected from the youngster, however, that doesn't mean his talent won't shine through on most weekends this season.

Mattaes Phillipou (-)

Mattaes Phillipou flashed moments of class and a sense of belonging at the top level last week during St Kilda's season-opening victory over Fremantle. He carried that same aura to Marvel Stadium in Round 2 in another win, this time against the Western Bulldogs.

After 16 disposals, a maiden goal, and 23 pressure acts against the Dockers, Phillipou solidified his ranking with a three-goal effort from just seven possessions, tagging on five score involvements and another 21 pressure acts and demonstrating his ability to heavily impact the contest from few touches.

While the Saints remain undermanned in their forward line due to the absences of power forwards Max King and Tim Membrey, Phillipou, along with fellow promising rookie Anthony Caminiti, who is unlucky to miss out on inclusion in this week's rankings, continues to ensure St Kilda's scoreboard threat is immense.

Reuben Ginbey (-)

West Coast's Reuben Ginbey stays put at No. 4 after another solid showing in a Round 2 win over the GWS Giants.

It doesn't take a long look at Ginbey to be able to determine that he possesses an ideal physical frame for an AFL midfielder. The 18-year-old, standing at a towering 189 centimetres and weighing in at a proportionate 82 kilograms, already boasts a goliath stature for a rookie, and he has put that stature to prominent use throughout his first pair of league outings.

Ginbey, while he hasn't started out as a ball-winning machine (16 possessions per game), has laid a total of 18 tackles across just two matches, which averages out to nine per game. Those figures rank tops across the entire competition to begin the season.

The East Perth product isn't afraid to assert his physicality, and that is a welcomed attitude amongst an Eagles side that was categorically outmuscled around the contest last season and again to begin the new year.

Oliver Hollands (+3)

Ollie Hollands rose three spots in our rankings after coming in at No. 6 last weekend, as he again showcased his composure on the biggest stage. After the chaos and pandemonium of Carlton's season-opener against Richmond, Hollands was thrust into a similar environment when the Blues battled reigning premier Geelong. He was up to the task again.

In addition to his 20 disposals, five marks, and 15 pressure acts against the Cats, Hollands committed a momentum-saving spoil in Geelong's forward 50 to prevent a certain mark and subsequent shot at goal for Jeremy Cameron with ten minutes remaining in the contest and the Blues ahead by a slender 16 points. It was a pivotal moment in the match.

As Sam Walsh continues to recover from a nagging back injury, Hollands' spot in Michael Voss' best side remains well and truly intact, particularly after his admirable efforts across the opening fortnight of the season.

Will Ashcroft (NEW)

It took until the second week of the season for Will Ashcroft to flex his inevitable muscle. After a forgettable season-opening outing for his Lions last weekend, Brisbane outworked Melbourne in most facets on its way to a maiden victory, with Ashcroft's innate craft to thank in large part.

Ashcroft's 31 disposals trailed only Melbourne's Clayton Oliver, while his 15 contested possessions matched renowned hard-nut, Josh Dunkley, demonstrating the 18-year-old's ability to earn a hard ball as well as dominate on the outside. The Sandringham Dragons graduate also inflicted nine clearances and five score involvements and has kicked a major in both outings to date.

Despite the son-of-a-gun's absence from our Round 1 Rookie Rankings, it's hard to imagine he'll find himself out of them again from here on out.

Harry Sheezel (-)

Harry Sheezel substantiated his staggeringly impressive Round 1 performance against West Coast with another glistening showing against Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday.

As was the case on the first weekend of the season, Sheezel again demonstrated his composure with Sherrin in hand, as well as his precision accuracy by foot. The 18-year-old registered 30 possessions, going at 73 percent disposal efficiency, after notching 34 possessions at the same clip a week ago. For a first-year player who is able to locate the football at such a voluminous rate, his effectiveness almost beggars belief.

Almost as commendable as Sheezel's play itself is the way coach Alastair Clarkson has employed the top-choice draftee. While it can be expected that further down the track of Sheezel's career he will venture into the middle portion of the ground more commonly, his current role across North Melbourne's half-backline has proved a 'Clarko' masterstroke throughout the early juncture of the season.

The Sandringham Dragons product is only scraping the surface of his rookie season, and his mantle at the top of our Rookie Rankings looks fairly concrete at present, even in spite of Ashcroft's growing presence.

Round 2 honourable mentions:

Anthony Caminiti (St Kilda) 
Alwyn Davey Jr. (Essendon)