Our Rookie Rankings have welcomed a Demons first-round pick for the first time this year, with a Dogs recruit falling out of the top six as a Swans defender slides.
Western Bulldogs wingman Sam Davidson has made way after holding his place in the top six for the past several weeks, with young Melbourne midfielder Harvey Langford finally bursting through after a consistent run.
The fall of Sydney's Riley Bice has meant a pair of Tigers have also advanced in our rankings after Round 8.
A pair of Saints, a Dockers small forward and a Bombers livewire are this week's honourable mentions as well.
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, Dan 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 8 Honourable Mentions
Hugh Boxshall (St Kilda) - 16 disposals, six tackles and four clearances
Max Hall (St Kilda) - 15 possessions, five tackles and four clearances
Isaac Kako (Essendon) - 12 touches, one goal, six score involvements
Isaiah Dudley (Fremantle) - One goal, seven disposals and eight tackles
3. Sam Lalor (+1)
The draft dux didn't have his best outing to earn a rise up our Rookie Rankings, with the drop of Riley Bice the biggest factor in his jump to the top three.
Lalor has been one of this year's best performers to have runs on the board and warrant a spot on the podium, however his consistency is what has him behind two of his fellow draftees.
The Tigers young gun had a dozen disposals against the Hawks on Sunday, four of which led to scores for his side as Lalor was again a conduit in the club's front-half.
Richmond have a winnable matchup on Sunday against West Coast that'll see Lalor potentially go head-to-head with fellow first overall pick Harley Reid.
