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 10 below:
1. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane)
Will Ashcroft was near best on ground in Brisbane’s Q-Clash win over Gold Coast.
The 19-year-old had 30 touches, 12 contested possessions, seven marks, seven score involvements, six clearances, one goal and a goal assist.
He is putting together some sort of CV in his debut season.
We’ll give Ashcroft the nod over teammate Dunkley due to the comparable experience of the in-form Lions pair.
2. Josh Weddle (Hawthorn)
In just his fourth AFL game, Josh Weddle starred for the Hawks.
The no.18 draft pick finished with 28 disposals, 495 metres gained, eight score involvements, seven marks, six rebound 50s and snagged two goals.
Weddle landed six coaches votes for a very promising display, as well as the Round 10 Rising Star nomination.
3. Josh Dunkley (Brisbane)
The former Bulldog is right in the mix for recruit of the year given what he’s added to the Lions.
Against the Suns he had 29 touches, 27 pressure acts, 16 contested possessions, a game-high 11 score involvements, eight tackles, seven clearances and a goal assist.
For his efforts, Josh Dunkley was rewarded with six coaches votes, while Ashcroft got five.
4. Tim Taranto (Richmond)
Tim Taranto was one of Richmond’s best, yet again, in the heartbreaking Dreamtime loss to Essendon.
He racked up a team-high 33 disposals, had a game-best nine clearances, plus eight score involvements, six inside 50s and a goal.
Across 10 rounds, Taranto has been a tireless worker for the Tigers and sits fourth in the competition for total disposals (306).
5. Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
North Melbourne almost knocked off Sydney, losing in the cruellest manner to an interchange blunder.
If they won, they would have had Harry Sheezel to thank for another stellar showing.
He had 25 touches, 429 metres gained, a game-high eight score involvements, five tackles, five inside 50s and kicked 2.2, spending more time in the midfield.
Sheezel’s fellow draftee George Wardlaw impressed on debut with 16 touches, nine tackles and six clearances.
6. Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast)
After a big game against West Coast last week, Bailey Humphrey went even better in the loss to the Lions.
The no.6 draft pick was arguably Gold Coast’s best player, amassing a team-high 26 disposals, a game-best 617 metres gained, an equal game-high seven inside 50s, five clearances and a goal.
The Suns have a quality kid on their hands.
7. Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide)
The ex-Kangaroo is putting together a very solid season with Port Adelaide.
Last Friday night against Melbourne, Jason Horne-Francis was right in amongst it as the Power landed a narrow win.
He had 23 touches, 12 contested possessions, seven intercepts, four clearances and a goal.
Some of his composure when in possession, particularly in the final quarter when the game was on the line, was most impressive.
8. Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle)
Jaeger O’Meara’s upturn in form has coincided with a three-game winning streak for Fremantle.
The 29-year-old has returned to a central midfield role having been somewhat on the periphery and it has worked a treat for Justin Longmuir.
In the win over Geelong he had 26 disposals, 11 contested possessions, a game-high nine score involvements, nine clearances, four centre clearances, six tackles and four inside 50s.
O’Meara looked well below his best earlier in the season, but has rediscovered some of his best form in recent weeks.
9. Lachie Hunter (Melbourne)
Despite copping a one-week suspension for a head-high bump on Connor Rozee, it was a decent Friday night for Lachie Hunter.
The former Dog was one of Melbourne’s best few (alongside Clayton Oliver) in the narrow defeat to the Power.
He had 24 touches, 445 metres gained, five score involvements and three inside 50s. His disposal efficiency was down (58%) but he was busy all night and had a positive impact on the wing.
10. Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs)
The least prolific of this week’s New Guys, but Liam Jones must be commended.
The Western Bulldogs defender had just eight touches but eight were intercepts and he kept Darcy Fogarty goalless and to just six disposals.
Jones, who has been out-marked just twice from 34 one on ones this season, has made a massive difference in defence for the Doggies this year.