Two Roos make top five as Demons hold the lead: AFL Rookie Rankings

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)

Zane Duursma (NEW)

The exciting young Roos half-forward was on the scoreboard early in his side's Roud 1 clash with GWS, with Duursma ending the afternoon with a pair of majors in his maiden match.

The teenager also recorded ten disposals, seven contested possessions and three marks to his multiple goals while moving the ball at 90% efficiency.

Playing a tricky role against one of the game's best backlines, Duurmsa still looked comfortable at the elite level and stood tall to support Nick Larkey in the Roos' attacking third.

The Roos return to Melbourne this week to host Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, where Duursma will get to show his strengths in front of a home crowd.

Harley Reid (NEW)

Reid's highly-anticipated debut didn't disappoint, with the No.1 pick putting in plenty of work despite just the 72% time on the ground in managed minutes.

Reid floated through the midfield and in defence for the Eagles as they looked to remain in the contest against flag challengers in Port Adelaide, with Reid even looking to get under the noses of Port players.

The talented teenager ended his afternoon with 16 disposals, nine contested possessions, and five clearances, showing off his efficient ball movement with a disposal efficiency rating of 87%.

Eagles fans will get their first close look at Reid on the elite stage in person this Sunday when West Coast return home to face GWS.

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.

Caleb Windsor (-)

The speed Demon was impressive in his Opening Round debut and managed to go a step further against the Bulldogs on Sunday, collecting 16 disposals, nine contested possessions and four clearances in Melbourne's first win of the year.

A highlight came in the opening half for Windsor, who chased down Dogs debutant Harvey Gallagher in his defensive 50 at a crucial juncture of the game.

Windsor has been a big plus for Melbourne over their first two games, slotting into a wing role in the absence of the injured Lachiue Hunter to complement the Demons' inside ball winners.

After being subbed off in the last term of Sunday's game, the sprightly midfielder should be raring to go this week when Melbourne returns to the MCG to face Hawthorn.

Blake Howes (-)

Another Demon who has pieced together an impressive first fortnight in 2024, Howes was again a reliable asset on Simon Goodwin's last line thanks to his composure in the air and efficient ball movement.

Howes collected 16 disposals, seven marks and moved the pill at 87% efficiency to be one of the Demons' top five ball users of the afternoon.

With stalwarts Steven May and Jake Lever working to their strengths, combined with Tom McDonald's fitting return to the Demons' rearguard, Howes looks to have found himself a role that offers some freedom in Melbourne's defence.

The Demons will hope to replicate Sunday's form this weekend when they take on the Hawks at the MCG.