Demons defender takes early lead as first top five emerges: AFL Rookie Rankings, Opening Round

Our Rookie Rankings are back for 2024! See how our top five takes shape after the weekend’s results

In the Opening Round of Zero Hanger’s Rookie Rankings for 2024, five players make their debut in the northern states.

 

In their respective matches on Saturday night, Collingwood and GWS both made their debuts, while Melbourne introduced two new players in their Thursday night loss to Sydney.

 

We’ll start our 2024 Rookie Rankings by listing the top five “rookies,” then after the conclusion of Rounds 6, 12, and 18, we’ll add a slot to our rankings.

Selection Criteria: We are ONLY choosing players who have debuted this season for our Rookie Rankings.

 

Players who have already made their debut before the 2024 season but may

still be eligible for a Rising Star nomination will not be taken into

consideration. I.e. Players that have already participated in an AFL game

before Round 1, 2024, like as George Wardlaw, Angus Sheldrick, and Sam

Darcy, are ineligible as Rising Star eligible players.

Here’s how our Rookie Rankings take shape after the opening four games of the season…

5. Charlie Dean (Collingwood)

Despite the Giants defeating the Magpies on Saturday night, Magpie Charlie Dean made a solid start in his first AFL game after a protracted wait.

 

As he faced up against previous No. 1 draft pick Aaron Cadman, Dean recorded a few victories in the air and shown composure on the ground to set himself up nicely for a Round 1 selection.

 

In his debut, the former Williamstown backman totaled nine receptions (88.9% efficiency), four interceptions, and three marks.

This week, Collingwood will visit Sydney, and Dean might be called upon to subdue Logan McDonald, Hayden McLean, or Joel Amartey.

4. Harvey Thomas (GWS)

It takes some effort to be drafted 59th overall and then earn yourself an Opening Round debut after one pre-season, and that’s exactly what GWS utility Harvey Thomas did.

Thomas’ nine disposals and goalless encounter against Collingwood won’t read as a strong opening performance, but the Giants debutant was a consistent

cog in the front half of the field in Saturday’s win.

The GWS Academy graduate directly assisted three goals in the victory and

applied plenty of pressure on the defensive end to play a role in the resounding win.

For their Round 1 match against North Melbourne, the Giants are expected to welcome back a few injured players, but Thomas should be able to hold onto his spot in Adam Kingsley’s squad for a another week.

3. Seth Campbell (Richmond)

An unlikely debut option, Campbell has rapidly strengthened his Punt Road

prospects since Rhyan Mansell’s injury put a line through his early season chances.

A strong pre-season saw Campbell rewarded with a debut against the Suns,

and despite the heavy loss the young Tasmanian was able to have an impact in attack.

Campbell booted two goals to be one of three multiple goalkickers in Adem Yze’s

side while also recording nine touches and four tackles in a pressure forward role.

The Tigers will play Carlton at the MCG on Thursday night in Round 1, after a brief turnaround.

2. Caleb Windsor (Melbourne)

The Demons wingman was classy whenever he got near the ball, looking composed in his maiden AFL match to flex his clean ball use and speed on a number of occasions.

Spending most of his time on the outskirts of Simon Goodwin’s engine room, Windsor found himself going toe-to-toe with the likes of Errol Gulden, James Jordon and Braeden Campbell.

Windsor came away from the defeat with 13 disposals, four tackles, three intercept possessions and four score involvements in his debut, with a smart kick to find Tom Langdon inside 50 at the end of the first half a highlight for the Pick 7 selection.

When the Demons play the Western Bulldogs at the MCG next week, Windsor should make his debut again after putting on a solid effort in his first game.

1. Blake Howes (Melbourne)

While it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Sandringham Dragons product, Howes found his feet over the course of Thursday’s game to end the evening with 17 possessions, three tackles, 224 metres gained and team-highs for marks (seven) and intercept possessions (12).

With Jake Lever being negated by Swans stopper Robbie Fox, Howes joined Steven

May and Adam Tomlinson in picking up the slack on the defensive end.

With the ball in hand, Howes was often clean with his use of the possession,

moving the ball at 82.4 per cent for the game.

The agile swingman developed during the course of the match and has committed to a starting position for Round 1 when the Demons visit Victoria.

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