Our Rookie Rankings after Round 13 have seen three of the top seven shift spots, while the names on the outskirts of our rankings are pressing their case.
A Demons youngster and a Saints forward have each dropped one spot, with a young Tiger jumping two places into fifth overall.
Two-game Essendon defender Zak Johnson has impressed to make his case as a potential addition to our Rookie Rankings in the second half of the season, while Pick 2 selection Finn O'Sullivan enjoyed his best game of the year to be on the periphery of the 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.Â
Round 13 Honourable Mentions
Finn O'Sullivan (North Melbourne) - 17 disposals, 443 metres gained, 1 goal
Riley Bice (Sydney) - 22 disposals, 9 marks, 81% disposal efficiency
Nick Madden (GWS) - 15 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 26 hitouts
Zak Johnson (Essendon) - 18 disposals, 374 metres gained, 83% disposal efficiency
5. Luke Trainor (+2)
The key position Tigers rookie took on another new role over the weekend, settling on the wing given Adem Yze's access to almost all of his tall options at both ends of the field.
Trainor showed promising signs as a taller target out on the wing, pulling in eight marks for a return of 19 possessions and over 300 metres gained.
The midfield role could be one Trainor continues in, given what we were able to show in the isolated role, while a return to the backline could be relied on when Noah Balta is unavailable.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Rebound50s
The Tigers have their bye in Round 14 and will return to the field the following Sunday against the Western Bulldogs.
