Zero Hanger's Rookie Rankings for the 2025 AFL season are underway, with the top five spots locked in after Round 1.
2025's Rookie Rankings will be our fourth edition, with Collingwood ace Nick Daicos (2022), North Melbourne gun Harry Sheezel (2023) and West Coast sensation Harley Reid (2024) all previous winners.
This year's rankings will start with power rankings of the top five debutants of the new year, with every six rounds to see another spot added to our rankings.
The opening two weeks of the AFL season, which tallied just 11 matches, included a total of 25 debutants, with several having standout performances to start their careers and new campaigns.
Selection Criteria: Zero Hanger's Rookie Rankings ONLY consider 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 2025 season will not be considered. I.e. Rising Star eligible players such as Nate Caddy, Daniel Curtin and Connor O'Sullivan are ineligible, having already played an AFL match before Opening Round, 2025. Suspension does not make a player ineligible for our Rookie Rankings.
Round 1 Honourable Mentions:
Riley Bice (Sydney) - 12 disposals, 304 metres gained, 31% game time
Lucas Camporeale (Carlton) - 20 disposals, five tackles
Harry Boyd (St Kilda) - 12 disposals, four clearances, 27 hitouts
Luke Trainor (Richmond) - 15 disposals, five marks, 372 metres gained
5. Max Hall
The 2024 Mid-Season Draft addition broke through for his maiden appearance in Saints colours for Sunday's meeting with Adelaide, and despite the one-sided result, Hall looked strong as a front-half asset for Ross Lyon.
The Box Hill product booted two goals from 16 disposals and six marks at Adelaide Oval while the Saints struggled to find consistency in their front half, ending with just 10 goals for the afternoon.
Hall's presence as a forward target in an undersized and undermanned front third should bode well for the weeks ahead when the Saints prepare to welcome back Max King and other key cogs from injury.
St Kilda's next test doesn't get easier though, with a game against Geelong scheduled for Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.
