Young Demon breaks through, leader’s quiet weekend: : AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 6

At the conclusion of Round 6 we've expanded our Rookie Rankings to form a top seven thanks to a larger pool of talent and a better understanding of this year's class of debutants.

Our Rookie Rankings will again expand to eight players at the conclusion of the bye rounds.

This week's rankings see a Demons match-winner land at seventh overall, while there's some movement ahead of him. Our incumbent No.1 has seen his gap on the rest of the 2023 rookies shorted due to a tough Round 6 outing against the Suns.

This week's honourable mentions see a young Gold Coast forward earn some plaudits for his impact as the tactical sub, while a Hawk is quickly on the rise after just two games in the league.

Criteria: 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 2023 season will not be considered.

I.e. Rising Star eligible players such as Sam Darcy, Finn Callaghan and Jye Amiss are ineligible, having already played an AFL match prior to Round 1, 2023. 

Round 6 Honourable Mentions
Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast)
Ollie Lord (Port Adelaide)
Seamus Mitchell (Hawthorn)

SEE: Rookie Rankings after Round 5

Jacob van Rooyen (NEW)

Had it not been for a contested grab late into Monday's game, van Rooyen wouldn't be landing in seventh spot in our Rookie Rankings, or on them at all.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin was set to sub his young forward out of the match before he flew for a big mark, with the Claremont product going on to have a significant impact in the Anzac Day Eve match.

van Rooyen would boot three goals in the final quarter to steer his side to a comeback win over Richmond, proving Goodwin's hesitancy to sub out the youngster to be critical in the match.

The performance added to an impressive debut season so far for the tall forward, who has booted six goals in his three prior appearances.

van Rooyen will likely keep the likes of Ben Brown and Tom McDonald at bay come selection for when the Demons take on North Melbourne in round 7.

Mattaes Phillipou (-2)

Not the most prolific performance for the Saints forward but certainly nothing to be concerned about, with Phillipou still managing to collect 13 touches and flex his high-flying skills in the win over Carlton.

Through the form of others, the South Australian falls two spots in our rankings, but with the runs he has on the board, Phillipou will have some breathing space from van Rooyen in seventh.

The St Kilda livewire is right in contention for a podium spot in the coming rounds, with fans sure to be thinking a big performance is coming from Phillipou soon.

Another test for the Saints this week when they host Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.

Reuben Ginbey (+1)

After a difficult couple of rounds, Ginbey certainly earned back some plaudits for his efforts against Port Adelaide on Saturday.

Looking to take on a significant portion of the midfield workload for Adam Simpson in the absence of more senior teammates, Ginbey was again a brutal force around the ball, evening out-muscling the brute force Sam Powell-Pepper to win a holding-the-ball free kick.

Ginbey's best-tackling efforts were again on display, with the young Eagle recording eight for the match to see his season tally rise to 43 overall from six games - ranking fifth in the competition.

Ginbey and the Eagles will play host to Carlton at Optus Stadium on Sunday, with West Coast's first-round pick a good chance to rise up our Rookie Rankings as he goes head-to-head with the man one spot ahead of him.

Oliver Hollands (+1)

A season-high disposal tally of 22 touches sees Hollands shoot up one spot in our Rookie Rankings, with the Blues teenager impressing despite Carlton's shortcomings against St Kilda.

Again holding his own on the wing, Hollands would record five marks and over 420 metres gained in a supporting role to Carlton's engine room.

The Blues' top pick continues to show off his aerobic capacity, offering consistent run and pressure on the outskirts of the midfield.

Hollands will be looking to hold off Eagle Reuben Ginbey this week when the Blues head to Perth to take on West Coast.

Max Michalanney (-)

Just the six possessions for the Round 5 Rising Star nominee, but it was Michalanney's defensive efforts in the narrow win over Hawthorn that sees him hold his place at third overall in our Rookie Rankings.

The Crows backman would amass nine tackles for the game - the second most among Matthew Nicks' side, behind only Rory Laird for the day.

Michalanney continues to show his composed nature despite the pressure at AFL level, with the young Crow a level-headed asset on the club's last line.

In looking to extend their winnings ways this week, Adelaide will be needing to bring their best against Collingwood on Sunday.

Will Ashcroft (-)

Stunning to think we may consider 19 disposals as a 'quieter' evening for Lions' young gun Will Ashcroft, but that's the standard the impressive teenager has brought early into his career.

The Brisbane onballer spent more time away from midfield and instead at half-forward, where he would take advantage of a GWS turnover to boot a classy goal from 50 metres out in the opening term.

Ashcroft would also have his best game from a disposal efficiency point of view, being another key link in the Lions' scoring chain throughout the game.

The gap between Ashcroft and top spot in our rankings has narrowed, with the young star a chance to further close the buffer when Brisbane takes on Fremantle in Round 7.

Harry Sheezel (-)

For the first time, and certainly not the last, Sheezel was the victim of a hard opposition tag, with the Suns looking to prevent the young Roo's impact by running hard-nosed forward Nick Holman by his side.

Sheezel was limited to 11 disposals for the game, a tally 20 disposals less than his season average and 15 less than his next lowest.

Coach Alastair Clarkson was forced to move Sheezel further up the field to a more recognised role in attack, as well as some time in midfield, labelling his young star's outing as "valuable"

The shutdown role has shortened the gap between Sheezel and Ashcroft, but the former certainly has a few more points on the board over his former Sandringham Dragons teammate.