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
The 2024 Mid-Season Draft addition broke through for his maiden appearance in Saints colours for Sunday's meeting with Adelaide, and despite the one-sided result, Hall looked strong as a front-half asset for Ross Lyon.
The Box Hill product booted two goals from 16 disposals and six marks at Adelaide Oval while the Saints struggled to find consistency in their front half, ending with just 10 goals for the afternoon.
Hall's presence as a forward target in an undersized and undermanned front third should bode well for the weeks ahead when the Saints prepare to welcome back Max King and other key cogs from injury.
St Kilda's next test doesn't get easier though, with a game against Geelong scheduled for Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.
One of five AFL debutants for the Demons in Sunday's thriller against GWS, the Leongatha product was a standout among the fresh faces on the field as he looked at ease in his first senior appearance.
Playing a flank role that has seen Lindsay thrive in his development as a junior, the intelligent left-footer had no issue getting his hands to the ball and disposing of possession efficiently under testing weather conditions, going at 81% disposal efficiency.
Lindsay ended his debut with 22 disposals, six tackles, two clearances and over 300 metres gained to put himself just outside the podium in our Rookie Rankings.
The Demons, who suffered a dramatic three-point loss to GWS to start their new campaign, will face fellow winless unit North Melbourne on Sunday for Round 2, potentially seeing Lindsay go head-to-head with Vic Country teammate Finn O'Sullivan.
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.
The Lions' father-son flourished in a starting role for Chris Fagan, having initially been flagged as the tactical sub before a late change led to Ashcroft getting a full game in the grand final rematch.
Ashcroft recorded 25 disposals, nine contested possessions, four clearances, and close to 500 metres gained in his first appearance for the reigning premiers, potentially locking himself into a starting spot for the weeks ahead.
His efforts on the wing, through the middle and in attack saw the teenager as composed as he was at the U18s level last year, with the ready-made midfielder looming as another talent who can force himself into this Lions side.
What was exciting for Ashcroft was his impact when the game was on the line on Saturday, with the gun ball-winner now looking to back up his maiden performance this weekend against West Coast.
The No.1 draft pick was sensational in his first outing in yellow and black, playing an integral role in what was one of the biggest upsets in recent times.
The Baccus Marsh junior looked to have shaken off a jaw injury from the pre-season to leave Carlton with headaches in Richmond's front half, with Lalor recording a team-high eight score involvements from his 18 disposals on Thursday night.
He would also boot two goals and assist another pair, while his link-up work and contested nous further up the field added to Lalor's highlights on debut.
The promising performance has strengthened Lalor's prospects as a chance to take out our Rookie Rankings come the end of the season, with the teenager set to hold a significant role under Adem Yze in his first year at Punt Road.
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