Saints livewire, Crows defender rise up in top six: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 5

The results of Gather Round have led to a number of changes among our 2023 AFL Rookie Rankings, with four players shifting in their spots as the top two hold onto a convincing lead at the summit.

The consistent form of a Crows backman and St Kilda livewire has seen them jump into third and fourth spot respectively, while a new Hawk was the sole honourable mention from the weekend.

Our Rookie Rankings will expand to seven players from Round 6, opening up a chance for a new face to land in our order new week.

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 5 honourable mentions:
Seamus Mitchell (Hawthorn)

SEE: Rookie Rankings after Round 4

Reuben Ginbey (-3)

Sunday's outing against the Cats was a difficult one for the young Eagle, who suffered eye and ankle injuries to eventually be subbed out of the contest.

Prior to having his afternoon end early, Ginbey was a solid contributor for West Coast but at times struggled to compete with the more seasoned Cats in carrying a heavy workload in midfield.

Ginbey showed plenty of poise to kick his first AFL goal on the run, a deserving major for the hard-nosed Eagle who has battled over the past fortnight.

The WA product will be no certainty to play next week due to injury, with Adam Simpson potentially even resting his top draft pick for their Round 6 clash against Port Adelaide.

Oliver Hollands (-1)

Through no fault of his own, Hollands falls a place in our Rookie Rankings as the form of others sees a shift across the top six.

The Blues wingman again showed glimpses of his midfield acumen on the outside for Michael Voss' squad, but the overall result for Carlton on Thursday night was a poor one.

Hollands came away from the contest with a season-low disposal efficiency rating of 41.7%, a figure almost 20% less than his next worst.

A chance to bounce back is on offer this week when the Blues host St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in Round 6.

Mattaes Phillipou (+1)

The Saints livewire notched up a season-high 19 possessions in Sunday's narrow defeat to Collingwood, with that match seeing Phillipou boot his sixth goal for the year to have only missed out on a major in one game.

Phillipou also ended the night with a goal assist to tally four score involvements against the Pies, again playing as one of St Kilda's tallest forwards and holding a key role for Ross Lyon in just his fifth appearance.

The South Australian now finds himself fourth overall in our Rookie Rankings and continues to build a solid debut campaign in the red, white and black.

The Saints face another tough test this week when they head to Marvel Stadium to go head-to-head with Carlton.

Max Michalanney (+3)

The young Crow's past few weeks have seen him not only land in our Rookie Rankings but also shoot into a podium position, with a well-balanced evening against Carlton adding to an impressive run for Michalanney.

The Crows backman moved the ball at 90% efficiency in the 56-point victory, with a highlight of the night coming late into the last term as Michalanney moved through the middle of the field and delivered a pinpoint pass to Darcy Fogarty to end on a high note.

What has been impressive for Michalanney's campaign has been the composure he's held in the Crows' backline, often taking on the opponent's most threatening small forward.

Michalanney and the Crows could move higher up the order next week as they prepare to face the 18th-placed Hawks in Tasmania.

Will Ashcroft (-)

Coming up against his close mate in Harry Sheezel and the Roos, Ashcroft was again among Brisbane's best ball winners from just 67% time on ground.

The father-son selection held his role as a constant conduit in the Lions' chain toward attack, offering a big hand through the middle as Brisbane piled on the goals over a struggling Roos side.

Ashcroft is now averaging over 23 possessions, 4.4 clearances and 9.2 contested touches from his five appearances.

The Lion will be hoping to continue their winning run next week when they travel to Canberra, where Ashcroft will likely come up against No.1 pick Aaron Cadman and the Giants.

Harry Sheezel (-)

Another 31 possessions for the Roos flanker in what was a difficult afternoon for North Melbourne against the Lions at Mt Barker.

Despite the disappointing second half, the Kangaroos again looked toward Sheezel as a positive, with the teenager shaking a hand injury to play out the match and be among his side's best performers.

Showed onlookers he still has a sharp eye for goal despite starting his career at AFL level in defence, with Sheezel waltzing into the attacking third thanks to a 50-metre penalty and drilling a long-range goal on the run. All class to boot his first major in the top flight.

While Sheezel might not have come away from Saturday's game with bragging rights over ex-teammate Will Ashcroft, the young gun's performance keeps him ahead of the Lions ball-winner in our rankings.

Sheezel and the Roos now turn their attention toward a Round 6 clash with the Suns.