Sheezel dethroned at No.1, Docker and Hawk break into top eight: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 15

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: 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 15 Honourable Mentions:
Judd McVee (Melbourne)
Elijah Hewett (West Coast)
Cameron Mackenzie (Hawthorn)

Matthew Johnson (NEW)

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.

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.

George Wardlaw (-1)

Round 15 was a bye week for the Roos, with Wardlaw falling back the one spot in our rankings because of the lack of action.

The teenager has been an inside bull for the Roos since debuting in Round 10 to make a late push through the second half of the season.

North Melbourne make their return on Saturday with a trip to South Australia to face Adelaide.

Seamus Mitchell (NEW)

Mitchell fell out of our Rookie Rankings last week after the Hawks had a bye, but a return to the field gainst the Suns on Sunday sees him shoot back in at sixth overall.

The Hawthorn defender joins Johnson in coming into our rankings after Round 15, with young Saint Mattaes Phillipou falling out as we stretch our rankings from seven players to eight.

Mitchell collected 24 touches against Gold Coast in the loss, marking the fourth time in five games the young flanker has surpassed 20 disposals, with the only other performance seeing him manage 19 possessions.

The Hawks will host Carlton at the MCG on Sunday as they look to return to the winner's list.

Reuben Ginbey (-1)

Saturday's record loss to Sydney will be a day Ginbey and the Eagles quickly look to put behind them, suffering a 171-point defeat at the SCG to claim their 13th loss of the year.

While Sydney were dominant from the start, Ginbey managed to find the ball on 19 occasions. He would record an equal season-low of three tackles despite the Eagles chasing all day however.

West Coast will be hoping to turn the tide back in their favour this weekend when they return home to host St Kilda on Sunday.

Max Michalanney (+1)

The young Crow has never been one to put up eye-watering numbers, and Sunday was no different as he went head-to-head with Magpies star Jamie Elliott, but Michalanney was again as serviceable as ever as he continues to impress under Matthew Nicks.

The teenager put on a strong performance under the constant threat of Collingwood's surging midfield pack and stood tall on multiple occasions to keep his side in the contest.

Michalanney and the Crows will have a live chance of returning to the winner's list on Saturday when they host North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

Bailey Humphrey (-)

After a dominant past five weeks for the Suns, Humphrey's fiery run of form was silenced on Sunday despite Gold Coast chalking up a comfortable win.

The sixth overall pick still managed 13 disposals for the evening but wasn't at his clinical best, booting two behinds and failing to lay a tackle to support the form we've come to expect.

Nevertheless, Humphrey has more than enough runs on the board to hold his place on the podium of our Rankings to be the only player that hasn't moved.

The Suns are well within reaching distance of their first finals spot and will be looking to strengthen their bid this week against ladder-leaders Collingwood on Saturday.

Harry Sheezel (-1)

After holding down pole position since Round 1, Sheezel's reign atop our Rookie Rankings has come to an end.

The versatile teenager was able to kick up his feet and enjoy a bye weekend in Round 15, but the window for an old teammate of his opened and the chance of a change at the top was taken.

The gap between first and second has been minuscule across the past 10 rounds, and the thin gap still remains, however its Sheezel now doing the chasing.

The Ajax junior has every chance to returning to the top this weekend when he comes up against Adelaide.

Will Ashcroft (+1)

The young Lions star has moved into the No.1 spot for the first time this year in taking advantage of Sheezel's bye round absence.

Ashcroft moves ahead of his former Sandringham Dragons teammate off the back of another solid display, collecting 16 possessions and laying seven tackles in Friday's win over St Kilda.

The impressive ball-winner continues to be a reliable role player through midfield and has emerged as the favourite for this year's Rising Star Award.

With the gap between Ashcroft and Sheezel slim, the Lions onballer will be looking to piece together another strong outing on Thursday when Brisbane host Richmond at the Gabba.