Rookie Rankings

Saints winger and Suns tackling machine join top six: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 7

We’ve seen another two fresh faces land in our Rookie Rankings, while second and third have swapped places.

Published by
Mitch Keating

For the second week in a row, our AFL Rookie Rankings have seen two new faces move into the top six, while further change higher up the board has also taken place following Round 7.

A Suns youngster has joined a teammate in our Rookie Rankings, with the first-year utility joined by a Saints running machine in taking spots fifth and sixth overall following the weekend.

Their respective strong runs of form have seen another young Saint and a Dogs forward replaced in our rankings, while a host of rookies are pushing for a place in our top six following impressive performances.

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. 

Honourable Mentions
Jake Rogers (Gold Coast)
Zane Duursma (North Melbourne)
Darcy Jones (GWS)
Blake Howes (Melbourne)

Will Graham (NEW)

The Suns Academy product has emerged as a tackling machine that could rival the likes of Touk Miller and Matt Rowell at Carrara.

Graham laid a further 11 tackles on Sunday against West Coast, with the teenager averaging 8.25 per game this year. If that mean remains for the rest of the season, Graham would end the year with 165 tackles before September, smashing the rookie tackling record of 114 set by Sam Powell-Pepper in 2017.

Graham also amassed 12 touches at 90% efficiency and a goal in Gold Coast's win over West Coast.

He moves into our trip six in place of outgoing pair Harvey Gallagher and Hugo Garcia, with teammate Jake Rogers, GWS's Harvey Thomas and Demon Blake Howes all in the mix to break through heading into Round 8.

Darcy Wilson (NEW)

Following his Rising Star Nomination-worthy performance last week, Wilson backed up his best outing with another strong four-quarter performance on Friday night.

Albeit in another loss, Wilson didn't stop running and offering a speedy service on the Adelaide Oval wing, collecting 21 disposals for a return of 538 metres gained.

Wilson also led the game for total distance covered (16.1 kilometres) and total sprints (38).

The Saints and Wilson will be looking to snap their dry spell this weekend when they face North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

Caleb Windsor (-)

It was another steady performance from the Demons wingman, who recorded 14 touches and a goal before being subbed out of last Wednesday's win over Richmond.

Windsor's goal would come right before the three-quarter time siren to extend Melbourne's lead to 23 points at a crucial juncture in the match.

The teenager was put on ice in the last term with the game seemingly out of reach for the Tigers, with Windsor likely to gain from the sub change deep into his first campaign.

With the form of the top three in our Rookie Rankings strong, it seems Windsor is more likely positioned with the chasing pack of Wilson, Graham and others.

Sam Clohesy (-1)

A combination of a limited outing and the form of a Roos young gun has seen Clohesy fall one spot in our Rookie Rankings.

The Suns recruit managed to shake off a suspected arm injury during Sunday's win over the Eagles to see out his fourth game at the elite level.

The ailment forced Cohesy to the sidelines for a portion of the third term before the half-back eventually returned to the field, finishing the game with 14 disposals and over 300 metres gained.

Clohesy and the Suns take on state rivals Brisbane this weekend on Sunday for what shapes as an enticing QClash.

Colby McKercher (+1)

The No.2 draft pick is back in second spot after arguably the best performance of his young career.

McKercher didn't struggle to find the ball, recording a season-high 32 disposals in the Roos' heavy loss to Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.

The Tasmanian offered constant and clean ball movement across the back half in front of a local crowd, recording 573 metres gained to thrive in the absence of sub Zac Fisher while fellow defender Harry Sheezel increased his midfield action.

Still chasing their maiden win of 2024, the Roos will be looking to jump an out-of-form St Kilda outfit on Saturday.

Harley Reid (-)

The Eagles made the call to manage Reid for Round 7 due to the loads and attention placed on the teenager since he made the move west following the draft.

The selection decision came after a dominant two-game period, with a refreshed Reid potentially in for another strong performance this weekend when the Eagles host Essendon at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

McKercher's most recent performance has him closing on the top spot given Reid's absence, but there's still some way to go before we see a change for pole position.

Published by
Mitch Keating