Despite there being another six debutants, Round 4 continued seeing the same rookies from previous rounds making the most impact.
Only one new player made their way into the rankings, Port Adelaide debutant Lachie Jones.
1. Nikolas Cox (Essendon)
The 200cm rookie can do it all. A footballing jack of all trades, Nikolas Cox has the height of a key position player as well as the agility of a midfielder.
Around the ground Cox took seven marks and had 18 disposals (at an efficiency rate of 83 per cent) and was required to pinch hit in the ruck. When up forward, he looked dangerous, kicking 1.2. His goal was a highlight from the match, the young Don scooping up the ball in one hand before kicking the goal from 40 metres at full stride.
2. Tom Powell (North Melbourne)
In what has been a dark season from North Melbourne, Tom Powell’s development has been a shining light. Pick number 13 in last year’s National Draft, Powell’s fourth game was easily his best.
The young Roo collected plenty of the ball (19 possessions at 79 per cent efficiency), taking five marks and and three score involvements. Powell’s best attribute was his pressure, laying an equal best eight tackles for the game.
3. Heath Chapman (Fremantle)
Heath Chapman backed up last week’s outstanding performance with another strong outing as Fremantle beat Hawthorn. Chapman continued take the ball of the opposition, gathering seven intercepts which included three intercept marks (equal most for Freo).
He went at 83 per cent from his 18 disposals and contributed in attack with a goal and four score involvements.
4. Lachie Jones (Port Adelaide)
The debutant had a huge influence in defence as Port Adelaide beat Richmond in a thriller. Lachie Jones had 17 disposals, 14 of them kicks which allowed him to generate the ball towards Port’s forward 50.
The 19-year old finished the day with 436 metres gained, four inside 50s and six marks. Jones’ eight intercepts and four rebound 50s helped his team turn the ball over and send it back towards their forward line.
5. Errol Gulden (Sydney)
Considering Sydney have so many talented young players it seems right that one of them makes the top five. It’s no surprise that Errol Gulden finds himself in the top five, this week just edging out fellow teammate Braeden Campbell.
Gulden kicked 0.3, but his 17 disposals, five inside 50s, two goal assists and a game high nine score involvements made for his inaccuracy.
Oh, Errol – I would do anything, just to be like him… (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Warming the bench
Braeden Campbell was the unlucky sixth man this week, the Sydney youngster with six intercepts and seven rebound 50s to go with his 19 touches. Will Phillips had 13 dispossess and a goal for North Melbourne.
Essendon forward Alec Waterman kicked another two goals, Collingwood’s Beau McCreery was impressive with a goal and eight tackles while West Coast debutant Isiah Winder scored a goal with his first kick.
Rookie rankings
Errol Gulden (12 votes)
Nikolas Cox (9 votes)
Heath Chapman (8 votes)
Tom Powell (6 votes)
Matt Flynn (5 votes)
Braeden Campbell (5 votes)
James Jordon (4 vote)
James Rowe (3 votes)
Alec Waterman (3 votes)
Lachie Jones (2 votes)
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
The NAB rising star doesn’t always go to who you’d pick. Remember Lewy Taylor won over the bont in his first year
Jeb Heslop
Roar Rookie
I’m only including 2021 debutants
Faunac8
Roar Rookie
Kick to kick showing some recognition of actual ability IMO by nominating Chad Warner who doesn’t appeared to have polled more than one vote this season so far according to the author ???? yes definitely one worth having a little flutter on for ROTY and definitely should be included in your fantasy teams.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Sorry Don I forgot you get confused with too many words, as evidenced by you coming to a conclusion from my post that isn’t supported by anything I have written in it. Another funny thing, I suggested the author “keep an eye on Parks” you strongly stated “Get excited about Josh Treacy’s presence in the forward line.” – can you see the difference in standard required to meet those 2 “bars”? Its like the difference between “is playing a good role” and “Top debut”.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
So, you are conceding that the bar is lower. You take a lot of words to say, "Yes."
Macca
Roar Rookie
Funny thing about the difference between Parks & Treacy is one is a forward and the other a defender. The other funny thing is I acknowledged he "didn't get much of it on Saturday" (and pointed more to his debut game where 9 of 13 possessions were effective) where you claimed Treacy "has a booming kick and, despite his shank at his set shot, he is very accurate." when just 4 of 10 possessions (8 of which were kicks) were effective and he turned the ball over 3 times.
Macca
Roar Rookie
"Tell me what the stats say about shepherds, pushing bullies away from ball players, clearing spaces..." wearing purple.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The funny thing about this post is that Parks had only 3 disposals at 33% efficiency. That's not funny in itself but the fact you then criticise Josh Treacy in my post for having 4 effective disposals seems to suggest a lower bar if players wear navy blue.
Kick to Kick
Roar Rookie
Cox was impressive. And will be a very exciting player. That height with athleticism, ball skills, kicking off both feet and footy smarts. An article on this site cited Archie Perkins as the emblem of Bomber renewal but so far this season Cox looks to be a class above. He might pip one of the Swans nominees for the NAB rising star award this year though Chad Warner is my front-runner right now.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If you don't watch the game, you are unable to see it. Tell me what the stats say about shepherds, pushing bullies away from ball players, clearing spaces... They are the things football aficionados see. Stats men don't value or record that and folk like you who only know about most games from stat sheets will never see what I pointed out in that last post. If you didn't see his talent as Jonothan Brown did, you can't have watched.
Macca
Roar Rookie
4 effective disposals and 3 turnovers
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Get excited about Josh Treacy's presence in the forward line. His hands are terrific. He has a booming kick and, despite his shank at his set shot, he is very accurate. Very much an intimidating physical presence. Top debut.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I'd keep an eye on Luke Parks, didn't get much of it on Saturday (a bit hard when Jones, Saad, SPS & Weitering mopped up everything) after a decent debut against the Docker but is playing a good role which gives the Blues defence a better balance.