There is always a keen eye on new recruits and draftees at AFL clubs.
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 8 below:
1. Josh Dunkley (Brisbane)
Dunkley was colossal in Brisbane’s win over the Blues on Friday night.
He finished with an equal game-high 33 disposals, with 14 contested possessions and a massive 32 pressure acts.
The former Dog also lad 13 tackles - five more than the next best - took 11 marks and had six clearances.
He was Lions’ best player and landed 10 coaches votes from Chris Fagan and Michael Voss.
2. Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
The 2021 Demons premiership player found form a few backs ago and that continued on the weekend.
Jackson was best afield as Fremantle comfortably accounted for Hawthorn in Perth.
He finished with a career-high 24 disposals, as well as seven tackles, six marks, four clearances and two goals, mixing his time between the forward line, in the ruck and through the midfield.
The 21-year-old landed a perfect 10 from coaches Justin Longmuir and Sam Mitchell for his efforts.
3. Tim Taranto (Richmond)
It was another prolific showing from Taranto as Richmond beat West Coast at the MCG.
He had 30 disposals, a game-high 20 contested possessions, 10 clearances (an equal game-high), five centre clearances and kicked two goals.
Taranto landed seven coaches votes for his troubles and sits equal 20th for that award this season.
4. Jacob Hopper (Richmond)
Hopper and his old Giants mate Taranto were two of the Tigers’ very best.
He racked up a game-high 32 touches, 18 contested possessions, 10 clearances (a game-best alongside Taranto), an equal game-high nine inside 50s, six tackles, two goal assists and a goal.
It was one of Hopper’s best few performances in yellow and black.
5. Izak Rankine (Adelaide)
After a quieter few weeks, Rankine was back to his best in Adelaide’s loss to Geelong.
The former Sun had 21 touches, kicked two goals and had an equal team-high five score involvements.
Rankine had 13 of his disposals in the second half as the Crows pushed the Cats all the way at GMHBA.
6. Liam Stocker (St Kilda)
The former Blue has been a quiet achiever for the Saints in 2023.
Stocker had his best game in St Kilda colours, finishing with 25 disposals (at 88% efficiency), took a career-high 16 marks and had four rebound 50s.
He is playing some quality footy under Ross Lyon and has been a key figure in St Kilda’s near impenetrable defence.
7. Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle)
The 29-year-old has somewhat turned back the clock in the past fortnight.
O’Meara produced his best game for Fremantle against his old mob Hawthorn on Saturday night.
His performance was comprised of 26 disposals - his most in purple - as well as a team-high six clearances (four from the centre), plus five tackles.
8. Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
First-year star Sheezel further strengthened his Rising Star chances with another strong showing for the Kangaroos in Round 8.
He amassed 30 disposals in the loss to the Saints, making it six of his eight career games of 30 or more touches.
Sheezel also took eight marks, had a team-high six score involvements, four inside 50s and two clearances in another impressive showing.
(Teammate Liam Shiels was also good with 28 disposals and nine tackles, and also could have been included in the Top 10).
9. Blake Acres (Carlton)
It might have been a down night for the Blues, but Acres did all that he could for his team.
The 27-year-old had 29 touches, 12 contested possessions, took eight marks and had five clearances.
He was one of Carlton’s best in the loss and is averaging a career-high 26.4 disposals and 7.7 marks in the navy blue.
10. Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)
It wasn’t one of Mitchell’s most prolific outings, but he did have an impact in Collingwood’s hard-fought win over Sydney.
The midfielder finished with 22 disposals, five inside 50s, three centre clearances (an equal game-high) and four tackles.
He averages 25 touches, six clearances and five tackles in 2023.