There is always a keen eye on new recruits and draftees at AFL clubs.
Particularly early in the season when the hopes of all 18 clubs are still well and truly alive.
The New Guys ranks the best performances of those who are stepping out in their club colours for the first time in 2023.
See our Top 10 from Round 2 below:
1. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane)
While his debut in Round 1 was quiet, Ashcroft roared into life in his second outing.
The no.2 draft pick was one of the best players on the ground in Brisbane’s win over Melbourne, picking up 31 disposals and an equal game-high nine clearances.
He at times matched it with Demons midfielders of the calibre of Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca.
Ashcroft landed a Rising Star nomination and eight coaches votes for his efforts.
2. Jacob Hopper (Richmond)
Another who was quieter last week before finding form in his subsequent showing.
Hopper was the Tigers’ best in their triumph over the Crows in Adelaide and could have been even better if he didn’t hurt his knee in the fourth term.
The former Giant had 23 touches, six tackles, six inside 50s and four clearances and his efforts were noted by both Damien Hardwick and Matthew Nicks who awarded him eight coaches votes.
The Tigers will be sweating on his presence for this Friday night’s clash with Collingwood.
3. Will Setterfield (Essendon)
The Essendon midfielder is one of four players to again feature on this list after winning a spot last week.
Setterfield was one of the Bombers’ more prolific contributors with 28 disposals, 11 score involvements, 10 inside 50s, five clearances and a goal.
He also worked hard without the ball with a game-high nine tackles.
The former Giant and Blue is proving to be a great piece of recruiting by the Dons.
4. Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
The no.3 draft pick goes back-to-back on the New Guys list.
After claiming a Rising Star nomination in Round 1, Sheezel went again in North’s one-point victory over Fremantle.
He amassed 30 touches (making it two 30-plus games in a row) which was an equal game-high for the Kangaroos alongside Luke Davies-Uniacke.
Throw in nine rebound 50s, eight marks and six tackles and that equates to a pretty good performance for any player, let alone a second-gamer.
After two matches he sits fifth in the league for total disposals (64).
5. Blake Acres (Carlton)
Life at Carlton for the former Saint and Docker didn’t get off to the greatest of beginnings against Richmond in Round 1.
But Acres bounced back superbly as the Blues opened their winning account against Geelong.
He finished with 26 possessions, 11 marks, eight score involvements, six inside 50s and four clearances in a majorly positive second appearance in the navy blue.
6. Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)
What an acquisition he has proven to be so far!
The 2018 Brownlow Medallist was busy again for Collingwood as they trounced Port Adelaide by 71 points.
Former Hawk Mitchell picked up 27 touches (second only to Nick Daicos), had a team-high eight clearances (including three centre clearances), five tackles and a goal.
He’s already added so much to the Magpies’ midfield group.
7. Josh Dunkley (Brisbane)
The reigning Western Bulldogs’ best and fairest winner returned to top form in Brisbane’s victory over Melbourne.
Dunkley raked in 26 disposals and 15 contested possessions to go along with nine clearances (equal game-high with Will Ashcroft) and five tackles.
Next up: a clash with the Dogs at Marvel this Thursday.
8. Tim Taranto (Richmond)
Taranto backed up his sparkling Richmond debut with another strong showing.
It was a workmanlike performance from the ex-Giant who went about his business to finish with 28 touches, eight tackles and seven clearances and seven inside 50s (all equal highs with Rory Laird).
His five centre clearances was the best for the match overall.
After two games he leads the Tigers for disposals (60), clearances (12) and centre clearances (8).
9. Mattaes Phillipou (St Kilda)
The no.10 draft pick might have had more of the ball in his Round 1 debut against Fremantle but he had a bigger influence in St Kilda’s win over the Western Bulldogs.
Phillipou kicked three goals from seven touches in a low-possession, high-impact outing.
He was the recipient of two coaches votes and had on full display some of the forward craft the Saints were so enamoured with when they selected him late last year.
10. Anthony Caminiti (St Kilda)
In similar fashion to Phillipou, the second-game Saint had a huge impact from limited possessions.
Caminiti ended up with two goals from 13 touches while taking an equal team-high nine marks plus seven score involvements and six inside 50s.
His first AFL goal in the middle of the third term was a highlight of the night, getting on the end of a Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera pass after a Dan Butler run-down tackle to convert from just outside 50.
It was a promising performance from the SSP signing.