Opinion
Gold Coast debuting Malcolm Rosas ensured that every club has now blooded new talent in 2021.
Rosas debuted alongside four others in Round 9: Ronin O’Connor (Adelaide), Tom Wilson (Collingwood), Kieren Briggs (GWS) and Hugo Ralphsmith (Richmond).
However, they were familiar names that made the top five this week, including Melbourne’s only debutant this year, who continues to dominate the rankings.
1. James Jordon (Melbourne)
The Melbourne rookie gets the five votes two weeks in a row after another superb game. James Jordon again brought the pressure that we are used to seeing from him, with another 13 tackles. He now sits third in the league with 60 tackles for the season. Jordon had 37 pressure acts, seven ground ball gets, six intercepts and four rebound 50s. Most of his 20 disposals were attacking. The midfielder finished the day with 430 metres gained, six inside 50s and six score involvements.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
2. Matt Flynn (GWS Giants)
The Giants ruckman brought a physical side to his game against Richmond on the weekend. Matt Flynn only had 12 disposals and four marks but made his big presence felt with nine tackles and seven score involvements. More impressive was that 11 of his 30 hitouts were to advantage, going at a 36.7 hitouts to advantage percentage and an even better 44.1 hitouts to win percentage.
3. Riley Collier-Dawkins (Richmond)
The tenacious inside midfielder had another solid outing to help his side beat GWS in a thriller. Riley Collier-Dawkins had nine contested possessions from his 18 disposals, laid seven tackles and had 23 pressure acts. The Tiger also got three centre clearances, four inside 50s, a goal assist and 405 metres gained.
4. James Rowe (Adelaide)
The Adelaide forward didn’t have as much scoreboard impact as he usually does (only the one goal), as he was playing much more of the game at half forward. He almost doubled his season average with 22 disposals, eight ground ball gets and four marks. His six score involvements helped the Crows up forward. All in all it was a better all-round game from the 21-year-old.
5. Caleb Poulter (Collingwood)
Collingwood will be very happy with their second-round pick last year, as Caleb Poulter’s development continues. Poulter was everywhere, playing 100 minutes of game time and covering most of the ground. He collected the footy 18 times, sent the ball inside 50 four times and got six intercepts. The 18-year-old gained 449 metres and helped out the forward six with four score involvements and two goal assists.
Warming the bench
Jacob Koschitzke played well for Hawthorn, kicking two goals from his 15 disposals, while the Bulldogs’ Jordon Sweet had 18 hitouts and three tackles.
Plenty of rookies also contributed on the scoreboard with Lachlan McNeil (Bulldogs), Harrison Jones (Essendon), Sam Berry (Adelaide) and Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide) all kicking two goals for their clubs.
Rookie rankings leaderboard
James Jordon (21 votes)
Tom Powell (19 votes)
James Rowe (13 votes)
Errol Gulden (12 votes)
Nik Cox (ten votes)
Matt Flynn (nine votes)
Heath Chapman (eight votes)
Braeden Campbell (five votes)
Jacob Koschitzke (five votes)
Archie Perkins (five votes)
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