The end of Round 15 has seen significant movement among our Rookie Rankings, including a lead change for the first time this year.
At the conclusion of the bye rounds we've extended our rankings to a top eight, opening up a spot for another in-form youngster to present themselves in our race as we reach the home stretch.
The change has seen a young Docker and a Hawks defender move into our rankings, while seven of the top eight have moved places.
Criteria:ย For ourย 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 asย Sam Darcy,ย Finn Callaghanย andย Jye Amissย are ineligible, having already played anย AFLย match prior to Round 1, 2023.ย
Round 15 Honourable Mentions:
Judd McVee (Melbourne)
Elijah Hewett (West Coast)
Cameron Mackenzie (Hawthorn)
8. Matthew Johnson (NEW)ย
The young Dockers midfielder was in consideration for a spot in our Rookie Rankings heading toward Round 14, but a quieter outing in what was a disappointing and disrupted clash with Fremantle kept Johnson out of our top seven.
Now stretching to a top eight at the conclusion of Round 15, Johnson finds himself in our rankings for the first time this year thanks to a prolific performance in Saturday night's win over Essendon.
Since making his debut in Round 3 against West Coast, Johnson has built a strong campaign in his second season with Fremantle, finding his role in Justin Longmuir's star-studded midfield group as an inside-outside asset.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
The Dockers are right back in the mix for a top eight spot and will hope to extend their winning ways this weekend when they face the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne.
