AFL Round 7 rookie report

It was another brilliant week for the 2021 rookies.

Another five players made their debuts on the weekend and a gritty Tigers midfielder did enough to earn himself a vote.

Tom Powell continues his incredible season – North Melbourne’s selector is looking like a genius getting him at pick 13. Essendon would be happy with the development of their rookies, in what was always going to be a rebuilding year for young team.

1. Tom Powell (North Melbourne)
Not even an elbow to the head could stop Tom Powell, as the North Melbourne midfielder continues his terrific form.

Another 23 disposals complemented a goal and four marks. Powell was the equal leader for his team in both inside 50s (six) and tackles (six) and third for the Roos with 401 metres gained.

Two goal assists and six score involvements rounded out a very nice attacking day.

2. James Jordon (Melbourne)
Melbourne’s only debutant this year, James Jordon has played all seven games and has become a big part of the Dees’ impressive engine room.

Jordon brings the heat each week, with another 22 pressure acts (team-high) and seven tackles. Twenty disposals at 90 per cent efficiency went with four clearances and four inside 50s.

He also impacted the scoreboard with seven score involvements and a goal.

3. Archie Perkins (Essendon)
Easily his best game of the season, Archie Perkins started in red hot form with nine disposals in the first term.

He slowed down but still ended the day with 18 disposals, six marks and four tackles. While only kicking two behinds, Perkins helped out his teammates with a game-high three goal assists and 12 score involvements (equal-most on ground).

Essendon’s Archie Perkins (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

4. Harrison Jones (Essendon)
It’s been an almost-year for young Harrison Jones so far.

But once he got his confidence up, Jones starting to take big marks and kick straight in what was a breakout game for the young Bomber.

He kicked three goals and took eight marks, five of which were contested (by far the most on the ground) and had four inside 50s. While he only managed ten disposals, he used hem well, going at 90 per cent efficiency.

5. Riley Collier-Dawkins (Richmond)
The first Tiger to poll this year, Riley Collier-Dawkins only took one game to make an impact for his club.

A hard team to break into, he was picked up by Richmond in the 2018 national draft and made his debut two years later.

Playing as an inside midfielder, Collier-Dawkins got 14 touches, including 11 contested possessions. With eight ground ball gets, five clearances and five tackles, the young Tiger did plenty to ensure he remains in the team for next week.

Warming the bench
As there are now 51 players who have debuted this year, lots of rookies will play good games and miss out on the top-five.

Port Adelaide defenders Martin Frederick and Miles Bergman both had great games. Frederick had 15 kicks, a goal and seven marks while Bergman had 16 disposals and five intercepts.

Jacob Koschitzke kicked two goals for the Hawks, Collingwood’s Beau McCreery had 28 pressure acts and laid nine tackles, while Jaxon Prior had six inside 50s and kicked a goal for Brisbane.

Rookie rankings leaderboard
Tom Powell (19 votes)
Errol Gulden (12 votes)
James Jordon (11 votes)
Nik Cox (10 votes)
Heath Chapman (eight votes)
James Rowe (seven votes)
Matt Flynn (five votes)
Braeden Campbell (five votes)
Jacob Koschitzke (five votes)
Archie Perkins (five votes)