The AFL's 2025 rookie class continues to exceed expectations with a number of exceptional performances altering the state of Zero Hanger's Rookie Rankings after Round 6.
A young Docker has knocked a pre-season favourite off his perch to reclaim top spot, while two Tigers lock themselves into the top six. Not far behind them is a pair of Melbourne's rookies, Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay, on the cusp of breaking into the top six with strong performances in the Demons' win over Fremantle.
Our Rookie Rankings will extend to a top seven after Round 12, with a new rung to be added every half-dozen weeks.
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 5 Honourable Mentions:
Harvey Langford (Melbourne) - 17 disposals, two goals
Max Hall (St Kilda) - 13 disposals, four marks
Xavier Lindsay (Melbourne) - 16 disposals, four marks, two clearances
2. Levi Ashcroft (-1)
It wasn't the night the Ashcroft brothers would have hoped for on Thursday, as the Daicos brothers led Collingwood to a convincing win. Between the Ashcrofts, however, Levi was best on, collecting 19 disposals and using the ball at the highest efficiency of his short rookie season thus far, an 84.2% clip.
While Ashcroft was unable to impact the scoreboard directly, he was involved in seven scoring chains for the Lions, the most for the club on Thursday, including a goal assist. Ashcroft is looking more settled at the AFL level and is making an impact in a variety of ways, so while he does lose top spot this week, there's plenty to like from Levi.
