Tiger moves into top five as Hawk drops out: AFL Rookie Rankings

A young Tiger's fine run of form has seen him break into our Rookie Rankings with just three rounds remaining in the season.

The spritely Richmond forward has moved into fifth overall knocking out Hawks midfielder Connor MacDonald from the top six while surpassing a Crows teenager in the process.

Further movement has seen a Saint take a podium spot ahead of a young Bomber, while our top two continue to see themselves isolated from the chasing pack.

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 2022 season will not be considered.

VIEW: ROUND 19 RANKINGS

Round 20 Honourable Mentions

Josh Ward (Hawthorn)
26 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles and 7 contested possessions

Could find himself in the top six as early as next week based on his current form. Another strong outing in the brown and gold.

Mitchito Owens (St Kilda)
11 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles and 1 goal

Made his return as a late inclusion against the Hawks and didn't look out of touch.

Tyler Sonsie (Richmond)
20 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 85% disposal efficiency

Like Ward, Sonsie is firming as a strong chance to break into our rankings for the final few rounds of the season based on his current trajectory.

6. Jake Soligo (-1)

Moves back to sixth through no fault of his own, with the form of another rookie leaping into the top five.

Soligo was once again a solid contributor for the Crows, who amassed a shock upset of the Blues to increase their placing on the ladder by another rung.

The Eastern Ranges product recorded 19 possessions, 4 score involvements, 5 intercepts and over 300 metres gained in Saturday night's victory, adding to a sturdy debut season for Adelaide.

Soligo and the Crows will be looking to add to their winning ways in their Round 21 matchup against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

5. Noah Cumberland (NEW)

Shoots into our rankings for the first time this year, coming off the back of his stellar five-goal outing in Richmond's seven-point win over Brisbane on Sunday.

Was electric as the Tigers built their comeback from early into the first half and paired well with Ton Lynch to combine for nine majors for the game.

The career-high goal tally adds to an impressive run for Cumberland, who has booted 11 goals in his past four matches.

Looks to be one for the future at Punt Road, and has cemented his place in Damien Hardwick's best 22.

Will be looking to continue his hot run as the Tigers eye a finals berth, facing Port Adelaide this weekend in a must-win match.

4. Ben Hobbs (-1)

The race for the last podium spot is narrow, with Hobbs only just falling behind third this week despite his best efforts against the Roos.

Came away from Sunday's win with 17 disposals at 82.4 per cent efficiency to only add to a strong back-half of the year for the Horsham product.

Now averaging 15.47 touches, 2.73 tackles and 2.53 inside 50s per game from 15 matches in his maiden year, a fine season for the 18-year-old.

The Bombers will be hoping to further ascend up the ladder this week when they travel to GIANTS Stadium to face GWS on Saturday afternoon.

3. Marcus Windhager (+1)

Was tasked with another tagging role in midfield after his stellar lockdown job on Eagle Tim Kelly last weekend.

His opponent for Round 20 came in the form of hard-nosed Hawk Jai Newcombe, who Windhager had the better of in the opening half.

Newcombe was forced to move into attack to have a greater impact on the game, allowing Windhager the freedom to continue in midfield.

The Saints NGA graduate ended the evening with 11 possessions, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s and 3 score involvements in the 12-point win.

Windhager will play his 16th game of the season when the Saints head to Kardinia Park for Round 21.

2. Nic Martin (-)

A performance below what we've come to expect of Martin, but that's certainly no knock on the young star in the making.

Martin collected 17 touches for a return of 111 metres gained, moving the ball at 88.2 per cent efficiency against the Roos, an outing the Bombers were able to move through with some ease.

Again holding a wing/half-froward role out wide for Ben Rutten, Martin did look dangerous when the ball was in his area and linked up on several avenues to goal.

The Bombers will have the Giants to handle this weekend, a club expecting to come out firing after their dismal outing against Sydney over the weekend.

1. Nick Daicos (-)

The prized young magpie won't be losing his spot for the remainder of the year.

Collingwood added a 10th successive win over the weekend and Daicos was again among his side's highest accumulators, recording 21 touches, 405 metres gained and 6 intercepts for the match.

Has pieced together one of the best debut seasons the game has seen for some time, and will no doubt take home the Rising Star Award at season's end.

Collingwood will face reigning premiers Melbourne at the MCG on Friday night in search of their 11th consecutive win.

It will be the Magpies' first Friday night encounter since their most recent loss to the Bulldogs in Round 9.