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 11 below:
1. Tim Taranto (Richmond)
Tim Taranto was one of the best few players in the competition in Round 11, let alone just out of the New Guys.
In the loss to Port Adelaide, he finished with 33 disposals and seven clearances, which were both game-highs, plus eight score involvements, seven tackles and an equal career-best four goals.
Taranto landed 10 coaches votes for his efforts in what is turning out to be some sort of a debut season with the Tigers.
2. Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
Premiership Demon Luke Jackson was instrumental in Fremantle’s win over his old club.
After Sean Darcy went down with a hamstring injury early in the contest, Jackson was tasked with taking on his former skipper Max Gawn and fellow All-Australian Brodie Grundy.
He didn’t just hold his own, he excelled as the Dockers won on the MCG. Jackson had 19 touches, 15 hit-outs, 11 contested possessions, an equal game-high eight clearances, six tackles, five inside 50s and a goal.
Jackson, who picked up eight coaches votes, has strung together a very impressive month of footy.
3. Izak Rankine (Adelaide)
Another who picked up eight coaches votes, Izak Rankine was back to his best for the Crows after a quiet game in Round 10.
The ex-Sun collected 23 disposals (his best result in Adelaide colours), had a game-high 13 score involvements, while kicking two goals (three behinds) and providing three goal assists.
Add 16 contested possessions, four clearances, three inside 50s and eight coaches votes into the mix and Rankine is certainly worthy of his spot in this week’s New Guys top three.
4. Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs)
Liam Jones was one of the best-performed defenders in the league across Round 11.
Jones had 13 intercept possession, took 10 marks, had seven rebound 50s and three inside 50s, and was everywhere in defence for the Dogs.
He has helped shore up their backline this year and his performance on Saturday night, despite it being a loss, was a perfect example of what he has provided for Luke Beveridge’s side.
5. Jayden Hunt (West Coast)
The Eagles suffered another heavy defeat when losing to Essendon by 50 points last weekend, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort from Jayden Hunt.
The former Demon racked up touches at will to finish with 34, comfortably his biggest return in a West Coast jumper, which included 21 kicks (the second highest kick count of his career).
He also pumped the ball long with frequency, gaining 684 metres, took nine marks, had seven rebound 50s and four inside 50s as one of his side’s very best.
6. Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide)
Jason Horne-Francis is building a very nice debut campaign with Port Adelaide.
In Sunday’s victory over Richmond at the MCG, he was crucial in helping the Power across the line, finishing with 23 touches and 11 contested possessions.
The no.1 draft pick from 2021 also had six inside 50s and four clearances and has become a crucial player for Ken Hinkley.
7. Josh Dunkley (Brisbane)
The Brisbane recruit has been one of the most consistent at his new club so far in 2023.
Josh Dunkley amassed 29 disposals in the loss to the Crows with 19 contested possessions, doing plenty of the dirty work in and around the contest.
He had nine tackles, seven score involvements, six clearances, two goal assists and two coaches votes in another busy display.
8. Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)
Yet another solid showing from Tom Mitchell who has slotted into Collingwood’s midfield seamlessly in 2023.
He had 29 disposals, seven score involvements, six tackles and four inside 50s.
Mitchell is averaging 26 touches, more than five clearances, a tick under five tackles and more than four inside 50s for the Pies.
9. Jaeger O'Meara (Fremantle)
May finished up a very fruitful month for Jaeger O’Meara.
Across four games this month, he averaged 25.7 disposals, 6.5 tackles and 6.5 clearances for the Dockers.
His most recent outing was another filled with bite and toughness around the contest as he finished with 24 touches, eight inside 50s, seven tackles and six clearances.
10. Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast)
The 18-year-old has been superb in recent weeks and was again impressive in Gold Coast’s win over the Dogs.
In just his eighth AFL game, Bailey Humphrey collected 19 disposals, 546 metes gained, five inside 50s and a classy goal in the cut-throat final term.
The 2022 draftee has demented himself in Stuart Dew’s side with a very impressive month of footy under his belt.
Check out our New Guys leaderboard after Round 11.
This is based on 10-1 votes given to the 10 nominated players each week.
59 - Tim Taranto (RIC)
50 - Harry Sheezel (NM)
49 - Josh Dunkley (BRI)
43 - Tom Mitchell (COL)
42 - Izak Rankine (ADE)
38 - Will Ashcroft (BRI)
35 - Jason Horne-Francis (PA)
32 - Jacob Hopper (RIC)
29 - Luke Jackson (FRE)
21 - Brodie Grundy (MEL)