At the conclusion of Round 6 we've expanded our Rookie Rankings to form a top seven thanks to a larger pool of talent and a better understanding of this year's class of debutants.
Our Rookie Rankings will again expand to eight players at the conclusion of the bye rounds.
This week's rankings see a Demons match-winner land at seventh overall, while there's some movement ahead of him. Our incumbent No.1 has seen his gap on the rest of the 2023 rookies shorted due to a tough Round 6 outing against the Suns.
This week's honourable mentions see a young Gold Coast forward earn some plaudits for his impact as the tactical sub, while a Hawk is quickly on the rise after just two games in the league.
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 6 Honourable Mentions
Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast)
Ollie Lord (Port Adelaide)
Seamus Mitchell (Hawthorn)
SEE: Rookie Rankings after Round 5
2. Will Ashcroft (-)
Stunning to think we may consider 19 disposals as a 'quieter' evening for Lions' young gun Will Ashcroft, but that's the standard the impressive teenager has brought early into his career.
The Brisbane onballer spent more time away from midfield and instead at half-forward, where he would take advantage of a GWS turnover to boot a classy goal from 50 metres out in the opening term.
Ashcroft would also have his best game from a disposal efficiency point of view, being another key link in the Lions' scoring chain throughout the game.
Midfield
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
The gap between Ashcroft and top spot in our rankings has narrowed, with the young star a chance to further close the buffer when Brisbane takes on Fremantle in Round 7.
