Our Rookie Rankings after Round 7 have seen no change for the first time this season, while there's plenty of new candidates putting their name up for a chance heading into this weekend.
Carlton's Alex Cincotta has managed a stellar opening two games for the Blues and now looks likely to make the jump into our top seven should his form continue, while young Docker Matthew Johnson was also worthy of an honourable mention from Round 7.
The top of our rankings remain the same, but the gap between top spot and second has significantly narrowed over the past fortnight, with a young Lion now having a live chance to overtake pole position by this time next week.
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.Â
Round 7 Honourable Mentions
Alex Cincotta (Carlton)
Matthew Johnson (Fremantle)
7. Jacob van Rooyen (-)
Melbourne's young forward narrowly holds his spot at No.7 despite a quieter evening against a hapless Kangaroos defence.
van Rooyen booted just the single major as the Demons piled on 22 goals against North Melbourne, with the Western Australian now having 10 goals to his name from his five appearances to be fourth on the club's leaderboard.
Carlton's Alex Cincotta has pieced together a strong opening fortnight with the Blues to now be breathing down the neck of the top seven rookies.
Forward
Goals
Marks
Tackles
van Rooyen has a chance to strengthen his bid for a rise up our rankings when the Demons meet Gold Coast at Carrara on Saturday.
