Round 21 presented a wealth of classy performances from this season's batch of rookies, several of whom made notable impacts in big wins for their respective clubs.
A Melbourne midfielder has made his case to make a late charge for top spot in this week's Rookie Rankings, while two defenders have jumped up a rung in pursuit of a top-five finish.
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.
Honourable mentions:
Taj Hotton (Richmond) - 14 disposals, five marks, five score involvements
Xavier Lindsay (Melbourne) - Nine disposals, two goals
Luke Trainor (Richmond) - 14 disposals, three tackles
66. Finn O'Sullivan (-1)
's season is building momentum as his run off half-back was clinical in North Melbourne's tense nine-point loss to the Saints on Sunday afternoon.
The 2024 second-overall pick produced 18 disposals at 77 per cent efficiency, quietly extending his streak of 15+ disposal efforts to four games, his longest of the season. He also claimed seven marks, among the game's best in that statistic.
O'Sullivan's drop in the rankings feels harsh considering his efforts, but those around him delivered to a higher level over the weekend. However, with games against GWS and Richmond to come, O'Sullivan can certainly find his way back up the board if his good form continues.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
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