The top five from last week's Rookie Rankings has undergone sweeping changes, with a new name taking pole position while another fresh face breaking in.
A young Docker has been usurped for the top spot, while a mature-aged Swan has jumped two places for his Gather Round performance.
Melbourne's Harvey Langford is continuing to build a case for a top-five spot, while No.1 pick Sam Lalor falls out of our rankings due to missing Round 5 through injury and the form of others.
Our Rookie Rankings will extend to a top six after Round 6, with a new rung to be added every half-dozen weeks.
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 5 Honourable Mentions:
Tom Gross (West Coast) - 18 disposals, four marks, three tackles
Harvey Langford (Melbourne) - 23 disposals, eight contested possessions, three clearances
Max Hall (St Kilda) - 17 disposals, one goal
Finn O'Sullivan (North Melbourne) - 15 disposals, 365 metres gained, 80 per cent disposal efficiency
Tom Hanily (Sydney) - 11 disposals, two goals, 90 per cent efficiency
3. Riley Bice (+2)
The Swans' mature-ager was again a key mover of the ball out of Dean Cox's defence, going at an efficiency rate of 90 per cent for a return of 466 metres gained.
Bice ended his evening against Collingwood with 21 disposals and seven marks to follow his breakout Round 4 performance, with the pair of performances lifting him onto the podium in our Rookie Rankings.
There looks to be a bit of a jump between third and second; however, with Bice needing a lot to go his way to rise further next week.
Sydney will take on Port Adelaide on Sunday as they return to New South Wales, with Bice likely to maintain his role as an attacking avenue from the back half.
