Saint returns at expense of Hawk, Lions debutant impresses: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 14

Our Rookie Rankings after the conclusion of Round 14 have once again seen movement among the top seven, with a promising Saint returning to our rankings after a recent exclusion.

The upper echelon of our rankings continues to remain intact, with Will Ashcroft impressing during a Friday night victory, while he was joined by fellow father-son Brisbane midfielder Jaspa Fletcher, who burst onto the scene in his debut with a brilliant goal and has the potential to stage a late-season appearance in our rankings.

Hawthorn defender Seamus Mitchell has fallen out of our rankings, however, the impressive young stopper will be in contention for a return come the conclusion of the bye rounds, as we extend our Rookie Rankings to a top eight.

The aforementioned Fletcher earned an honourable mention for his efforts against the Swans and could be in consideration for his own spot in the coming weeks.

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

Round 14 Honourable Mentions:
Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane Lions)

Mattaes Phillipou (+1)

St Kilda's Phillipou was influential during multiple portions of the Saints' defeat to Richmond on Saturday night, notching 18 disposals, 9 contested possessions, and four marks as he did his best to spur his side.

The first-year general forward has showcased his strong overhead marking skills for a young man of slighter stature than most developed defenders and has also displayed his adept kicking skills, both around the ground and in front of the big sticks.

Phillipou and the Saints will look to get back to winning ways when they host the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

George Wardlaw (-)

Wardlaw had the quietest game of his short career, managing just nine possessions and three tackles as his Roos were bested by the Western Bulldogs.

Wardlaw has been a contested-ball machine throughout his first handful of senior outings, averaging 5.2 clearances across his first five AFL contests.

Wardlaw's Kangaroos will be on their bye this weekend before travelling to Adelaide to play the Crows in Round 16.

Max Michalanney (-)

Adelaide had its bye last weekend, so we didn't see the father-son Crow in action, however, the general defender's form has been stellar in his debut season, particularly considering some of the lethal forwards he's been tasked with matching up against.

Michalanney's Crows face a massive litmus test this weekend in the form of Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

Reuben Ginbey (-)

Like Michalanney and the Crows, Ginbey's Eagles had the weekend off, however, he maintains his ranking due to his profound maiden season in a struggling West Coast side.

His stoppage work and physicality have been especially impressive, having been tasked by Adam Simpson to match up against some of the AFL's premier on-ballers.

Ginbey and the Eagles travel to Sydney to play the struggling Swans this weekend.

Bailey Humphrey (-)

While Humphrey had only the 11 possessions against Carlton on Sunday afternoon, he made them count, kicking a goal, earning seven contested possessions, and adding four marks and six tackles.

Humphrey is playing an inclusive role in coach Stuart Dew's side since debuting in Round 4, deployed as a high-half-forward and getting heavily involved in plenty of games, both in terms of possessions and on the score sheet.

Humphrey's Suns, back at home this weekend, will look to bounce back from their Blues defeat against Hawthorn.

Will Ashcroft (-)

Ashcroft, who continues to stake his claim for the top spot in our rankings, registered 23 disposals against the Swans on Friday, however, what was more impressive was the fact that 16 of those were contested.

He also laid four tackles and applied 20 pressure acts, showcasing his two-way capability as an emerging midfield talent.

Ashcroft and the Lions travel to Marvel Stadium this Friday evening to battle the Saints.

Harry Sheezel (-)

Sheezel remains comfortably positioned at the top of our rankings, as he continues to put together one of the most eye-opening rookie campaigns in recent memory.

Along with veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein, the 18-year-old utility was arguably North Melbourne's best performer, leading all Roos with 32 disposals to go along with four marks and 31 pressure acts.

Sheezel and the Kangaroos are on their bye this upcoming weekend before preparing for a Round 16 bout with the Crows in Adelaide.