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Tiger returns, Docker drops: AFL Rookie Rankings

See how our Rookie Rankings have shifted after Round 6 📈

Published by
Mitch Keating

With another round in the books and more rookies making their mark on the AFL, we've decided to widen our top spots to six from this week onwards.

A Cats forward had an instant impact in his debut, while a top Giants draftee continued to impress in his second AFL match as they press their case for a spot in our six spots.

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 2022 season will not be considered.

VIEW: ROUND 5 RANKINGS

Round 6 Honourable Mentions

Ollie Dempsey (Geelong)
16 disposals, eight score involvements, one goal

In his AFL debut the Cats rookie delivered on what was asked, often popping up on scoring chains and even kicking a goal of his own to impress onlookers.

Finn Callaghan (GWS Giants)
18 possessions, 83.3% disposal efficiency, six intercepts

The Giants' top pick was cool, calm and collected despite the ongoing pressure mounted by St Kilda at Manuka, often playing a defensive role out on the wing.

Sam Hayes (Port Adelaide)
11 disposals, 47 hit-outs, seven contested possessions

Carrying the first-string ruck duties in just his second career game, Hayes held his own against the Eagles to amass 47 hit-outs and play a key role in the club's first win of the season.

Josh Gibcus (New)

After falling out of our rankings a fortnight ago, Gibcus has placed himself back among the top rookies after his strong outing against Melbourne on Sunday night.

The teenager stood tall in the absence of veteran Dylan Grimes, facing tough competition in his return from a week off after being managed for Round 5.

Despite the 22-point loss, the Tigers defender amassed 12 marks and 18 possessions for 326 metres gained, often negating Demons pair Luke Jackson and Ben Brown in the contest.

Gibcus will face the star-studded Eagles forward line on Friday night as he looks to anchor his place in our rankings.

Jason Horne-Francis (-1)

The top Roos draftee was again among the better performing players for North Melbourne, albeit in a disappointing outing for the club.

Horne-Francis amassed a team-high eight clearances along with 13 contested possessions - a figure only beaten by Luke Davies Uniacke among Kangaroos players.

The story seemed the same as in recent rounds for the No.1 draft pick, playing a steady role while his side battled to remain in reaching distance of a win.

Their four-game losing run is likely to continue this weekend as the Roos face Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Nathan O'Driscoll (-1)

The Docker drops in our rankings with a quieter evening than what we've come to expect from the exciting midfielder in the past fortnight.

In his fifth career game, O'Driscoll recorded 13 possessions, five marks and four score involvements as Fremantle notched up a memorable win over the Blues in front of their home crowd.

The second-year Docker will face a tough Geelong midfield on Saturday as Fremantle look to continue their strong start to the 2022 season.

Nic Martin (+2)

The Bombers rookie stood tall despite defeat to Collingwood, offering his swift services on the wing and in attack.

A number of defensive efforts also added to the Western Australian's strong Round 6 performance, with Martin collecting 22 possessions, seven marks and four score involvements at a disposals efficiency rating of 81.8%.

The 21-year-old has pieced together a consistent run of form across all five of his appearances in 2022, a measure that has him well placed in our Rookie Rankings.

Martin and the Bombers will face the tough task of halting the Bulldogs' midfield this week, as both clubs enter Round 7 in need of a win.

Josh Rachele (-)

The young Crows star endured his first goalless outing for the season, booting 0.2 in Adelaide's thrilling one-point win over the Bulldogs in Ballarat.

Rachele's quiet evening in front of goal didn't keep him away from often being part of the avenues that led to the Crows scoring, with recording five score involvements.

The Shepparton product collected just the nine possessions, with only three hitting the target as he ended his evening with a disposal efficiency percentage of just 33.3%.

Rachele will be looking to bounce back this weekend as the Crows host the Giants at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Nick Daicos (-)

It seems a 20-odd disposals effort is the par for the six-game Magpie, who hasn't looked out of place at the top level.

Stepping up onto the ANZAC Day stage, Daicos was thrust into defence late into the match as the Magpies looked to hold onto their small deficit over the Bombers, placing plenty of trust in the teenager.

Daicos ended his evening with 23 possessions, four inside 50s, three clearances and four intercepts in his maiden ANZAC Day performance.

The No.1 ranked rookie will seek to continue his place perched atop our standings in Round 7 as the Magpies face Gold Coast on Sunday.

Published by
Mitch Keating