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 9 below:
1. Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
Luke Jackson is now stringing some very impressive footy together.
In Freo’s win over Sydney he kicked three goals from 17 disposals (10 contested possessions) and seven marks, including three contested, and six score involvements.
He also chopped out Sean Darcy in the ruck with 11 hit-outs while conjuring three clearances leading to five coaches votes.
2. Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)
The 29-year-old continues to play an understated yet vital role for the Magpies.
In the comfortable win over GWS, Tom Mitchell finished with 36 disposals (his most in black and white), accompanied by nine score involvements, seven inside 50s and four clearances.
He got involved in attack as well, providing two goal assists on his way to four coaches votes and another solid contribution.
3. Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast)
The no.6 draft pick looked impressive in Gold Coast’s big win over West Coast.
Bailey Humphrey picked up 20 disposals (a new career-high) and laid five tackles (three inside 50), while having five inside 50s and a couple of clearances.
He also had eight score involvements and booted a goal, resulting in a Rising Star nomination.
It was comfortably the best performance of his six-game career to date.
4. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane)
The gun midfielder was quality again in Brisbane’s victory over Essendon.
He racked up 28 touches, took seven marks, had four clearances and four tackles.
Will Ashcroft is putting together a superb debut season which sees him averaging 22.7 disposals and 3.8 clearances as a crucial member of the Lions’ in-form on-ball brigade.
5. Reuben Ginbey (West Coast)
If votes were handed out for effort, Reuben Ginbey would have got them all.
The first-year midfielder did everything he could for the Eagles in their loss to the Suns, laying a massive 16 tackles.
He had just 12 touches, but five of those were clearances (two out of the centre) and three were inside 50s.
The 18-year-old is progressing quickly in what is proving a very tough debut campaign at the elite level in a depleted Eagles line-up.
6. Tim Taranto (Richmond)
Tim Taranto was again prolific for Richmond as they defeated reigning premier Geelong last Friday night.
He had a game-high 28 disposals as well as a game-high 12 tackles, six more than the next best.
Taranto also had six clearances (an equal game-high), three inside 50s and a massive 37 pressure acts.
His disposal efficiency (50 per cent) might have been down, but he was instrumental in helping the Tigers make it two wins in a row.
7. Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle)
Similar to Dockers teammate Jackson, Jaeger O’Meara has hit form in the past few weeks.
In the win over the Swans, he picked up 27 touches (bettering his previous Freo best of 26), plus eight tackles and five clearances, including three clearances out of the guts.
O’Meara set the scene in attack with four tackles inside 50 as the Dockers sparked their season with a gritty away win.
8. Izak Rankine (Adelaide)
Izak Rankine’s class was again on show for the Crows in their victory over St Kilda.
He finished with 20 touches, four clearances, three inside 50s and a pair of contested marks included in his total of six.
Rankine also kicked two goals, taking his Adelaide tally to 18 which is second only to Taylor Walker.
9. Bobby Hill (Collingwood)
Bobby Hill set the Magpies alight early against his former club the Giants.
He was busy in attack, kicking two goals in the first quarter including the opening goal of the game with a ridiculous dribbler from the boundary.
Hill’s performance did have plenty of substance as well, including an equal game-high six tackles, three of which were inside 50 which was also a game-high.
10. Arthur Jones (Western Bulldogs)
Dogs youngster Arthur Jones was important in a low-scoring, tight affair against the Blues at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
He booted a vital goal in the final term and had a pair of goal assists to go along with six score involvements as the Doggies did enough after a second-half scare.
Jones also had 14 touches and five tackles in his best game at AFL level yet.