Zero Hanger's Rookie Rankings for the 2025 AFL season are underway, with the top five spots locked in after Round 1.
2025's Rookie Rankings will be our fourth edition, with Collingwood ace Nick Daicos (2022), North Melbourne gun Harry Sheezel (2023) and West Coast sensation Harley Reid (2024) all previous winners.
This year's rankings will start with power rankings of the top five debutants of the new year, with every six rounds to see another spot added to our rankings.
The opening two weeks of the AFL season, which tallied just 11 matches, included a total of 25 debutants, with several having standout performances to start their careers and new campaigns.
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, Daniel 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 1 Honourable Mentions:
Riley Bice (Sydney) - 12 disposals, 304 metres gained, 31% game time
Lucas Camporeale (Carlton) - 20 disposals, five tackles
Harry Boyd (St Kilda) - 12 disposals, four clearances, 27 hitouts
Luke Trainor (Richmond) - 15 disposals, five marks, 372 metres gained
3. Murphy Reid
The Sandringham Dragons junior was among the limited amount of highlights for the Dockers in their 78-point defeat to Geelong on Saturday, with a four-goal third term suddenly putting the game back in the balance.
While the Cats would kick away again in the final quarter, Reid's premiership quarter in his first game in purple will be one to remember.
His first goal at AFL level came via a juke around Gryan Miers from a set shot, with two more slotted via close range snaps in play.
The performance was a big positive in a testing opening encounter for Reid, who will get to flex his nous in front of home fans on Sunday when Fremantle host Sydney at Optus Stadium.
