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
1. Harry Sheezel (-)
For the first time, and certainly not the last, Sheezel was the victim of a hard opposition tag, with the Suns looking to prevent the young Roo's impact by running hard-nosed forward Nick Holman by his side.
Sheezel was limited to 11 disposals for the game, a tally 20 disposals less than his season average and 15 less than his next lowest.
Coach Alastair Clarkson was forced to move Sheezel further up the field to a more recognised role in attack, as well as some time in midfield, labelling his young star's outing as "valuable"
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Rebound50s
The shutdown role has shortened the gap between Sheezel and Ashcroft, but the former certainly has a few more points on the board over his former Sandringham Dragons teammate.
