Our Rookie Rankings after Round 12 have seen a Saints midfield-forward return for the second time as our top six extends to seven names at the midway mark of the year.
Max Hall's return, which is his third appearance of the year, sees him surpass a Tigers rookie and sit in sixth overall.
The change has also seen a young Demon move into the top five, sitting right behind his teammate and the incumbent names in this year's rankings.
With the Mid-Season Draft now over, a host of new names are in line to debut in the coming weeks and could be pressing their case for a spot in our top seven.
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 12 Honourable Mentions
Tobie Travaglia (St Kilda) - 13 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal
Isaac Keeler (St Kilda) - 10 disposals, 6 marks, 3 goals
Thomas Sims (Richmond) - 13 disposals, 7 marks, 8 contested possessions
Campbell Gray (Richmond) - 13 disposals, 5 marks, 6 contested possessions
1. Levi Ashcroft (-)
Thursday's performance against Essendon may have been Ashcroft's quietest game of the year, even though he still came away from the win with 15 disposals at 93 per cent efficiency and 210 metres gained.
His disposal tally was just the second time this year the Lions' young gun has gone below 17 touches, and the first time below 20 since Round 6.
Ashcroft was subbed out of the Bombers game with the game on the line, but a small breather might be what's needed for the first-year midfielder midway through his debut season.
A big game awaits Brisbane this weekend when they travel to Adelaide to face a Crows side in ripping form.
