With all 18 clubs featuring over the weekend, we got a great look at ten new debutant for Round 1 that have helped shape our Rookie Rankings early into the season.
Two of our top five remain from Opening Round, while three new youngsters have emerged in our rankings after making their debuts.
That means three players from last week's rankings have fallen out, with competition for spots highly contested already.
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 prior to 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 prior to Round 1, 2024.
Round 1 Honourable Mentions
Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
Ryley Sanders (Western Bulldogs)
Seth Campbell (Richmond)
3. Colby McKercher (NEW)
The Pick 2 selection looked right at home across half-back and even in midfield throughout his AFL debut, recording 22 touches, eight marks, six score involvements and 478 metres gained against the Giants.
Working alongside Harry Sheezel and Zac Fisher across Alastair Clarkson's backline to offer some dash and clean ball use, McKercher showed exactly why the Roos used their top draft selection on the Tasmanian.
Drafted as the top pure midfielder in his class, McKercher looks set to be used in an attacking role out of defence - one similar to Sheezel's last year that saw the young gun take out the 2023 Rising Star Award.
North Melbourne and McKercher will be eyeing their first win of 2024 when they face Fremantle this weekend.
