Our Rookie Rankings after Round 7 have seen another change to top spot, while a pair of Melbourne draftees can consider themselves unlucky not to make the top six.
The top six from last week's rankings remain the same, with the one change occurring after the weekend's results.
A Saints midfield-forward, Blues defender and Dogs debutant are this week's honourable mentions.
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 7 Honourable Mentions:
Max Hall (St Kilda) - 15 disposals, one goal, four tackles
Jedd Busslinger (Western Bulldogs) - 12 disposals, four marks, 83% disposal efficiency
Matt Carroll (Carlton) - 15 disposals, six marks, 358 metres gained
6. Luke Trainor (-)
Despite the loss, Trainor was rock solid in defence for the Tigers in Thursday's affair against Melbourne, taking a team-hogh nine marks - four of which were intercepts.
The athletic backman ended his night with four score involvemetns from the back half, using close to 90 per cent of his 16 disposals with accuracy to get possession flowing up the field.
Trainor's performance sees him hold onto the sixth rung in our Rookie Rankings as Melbourne pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay continue to knock on the door for spots.
Trainor will want to back up his latest performance with another strong outing against Hawthorn in Round 8.
