Our AFL Rookie Rankings after Round 9 hasn't seen any change to the top six, but the gap between our leader and the rest of this year's rookie crop is closing.
Players positioned from second through to fifth each had strong performances over the weekend, while the No.1 placed Harley Reid couldn't fire to the level we've come to see this season.
The handful of rookies pressing their case outside of the top six has strengthened in recent weeks, with mature-aged Collingwood pairing Lachie Sullivan and Joe Richards both making a case for a spot in our rankings in a short time.
Along with Richards, Brisbane youngster Logan Morris and Hawks livewire Nick Watson both earned honourable mentions for their efforts over the weekend.
Selection Criteria: For our Rookie Rankings, we are ONLY 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 before the 2024 season will not be considered. I.e. Rising Star eligible players such as George Wardlaw, Angus Sheldrick and Sam Darcy are ineligible, having already played an AFL match before Round 1, 2024.Â
Honourable Mentions
Joe Richards
Logan Morris
Nick Watson
6. Will Graham (-)
The Suns' tackling machine was dropped for Saturday night's clash with North Melbourne as coach Damien Hardwick looked to reshuffle all three lines of his squad for Round 9.
While Graham was unable to add to a strong first season with Gold Coast so far, the teenager's spot in our Rookie Rankings hasn't been taken as those on the fringes of our top six couldn't quite leap at an advantageous time.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Marks
The aforementioned Collingwood pairing of Lachie Sullivan and Joe Richards could come into our rankings in the coming weeks, with the former putting together a strong two-game run while Richards was exhilarating on debut against West Coast on Sunday.
Richmond's Mykelti Lefai, Demon Blake Howes, Bulldog Harvey Gallagher, Giants duo Darcy Jones and Harvey Thomas, and Lion Bruce Reville are also among the chasing pack.
