As the home and away season winds down this week, here is a recap of the year’s most memorable rookie campaigns seen in 2022.
First-year players are some of a club’s most prized assets, offering eternal hope and a focal point of promise for fans. They’re by no means finished products, seeing exciting glimpses is more than enough.
And as the AFL’s post-season nears, now is an opportune moment to reflect on which rookies have caught widespread attention and given fans reason to be optimistic. Here are 10 of the best, from a season that launched the careers of so many promising youngsters.
Nic Martin, Essendon
Since debuting for Essendon in that Round 1 loss against Geelong, Nic Martin has continued to go from strength to strength. Despite 27 disposals, five goals and ten marks on debut, the 21-year-old has come a long way since his first game that landed him the first Rising Star nomination.
Initially picked up by Essendon during the Supplement Selection Period in the off-season, Martin has played through the entirety of the year, with the exception of Round 2. While his raw numbers didn’t get any better than the season opener, it’s the consistency that has emerged as his most impressive measure. The Bomber averages 20 disposals, 10.9 kicks, 9.1 handballs and 6 marks. Across these categories, Martin is listed as elite.
The medium-forward is predicted to do well in the vote count for the Rising Star award, having cemented his spot as one of the most exciting pick-ups made during the off season.
Connor MacDonald, Hawthorn
This high-flying Hawk kicked off his first-year campaign strongly when Hawthorn took on North Melbourne during Round 1. MacDonald has since been steadily pushing through the season and racking up impressive statistics. The 19-year-old averages 13.1 disposals, 7.8 kicks, 5.2 handballs and 3.2 marks per game.
Taken at Pick 26 in last year’s national Draft, MacDonald has continued to take every opportunity by the reins and has made a strong impact in the 19 games that he has appeared in.
The medium-forward has been a prominent part of Hawthorn’s side, highlighted by the Hawks’ win against the Western Bulldogs, tallying 19 disposals. He also contributed nicely in the side’s win against the Eagles where he bagged two goals with 13 disposals.
Jake Soligo, Adelaide
The Adelaide Crows’ midfielder is arguably one of the more underrated names to appear on this list.
Despite a quiet debut in Round 1he surged as the 2022 season matured. The 19-year-old slowly found his feet, with some experts believing Soligo’s worthy of a rising star nomination.
Over the last several months, the Crows young gun has been a standout in multiple games. His season high was seen during which Soligo made 22 disposals, three marks and nine handballs against North Melbourne in the penultimate game of the season.
He also was a standout in Adelaide’s games against the Gold Coast Suns and the Sydney Swans. Soligo made 20 disposals in both games. With 15 matches to his name, Soligo averages 14.4 disposals, 7.8 kicks, 6.6 handballs, 2.1 marks and 3.4 tackles per game.
Josh Ward, Hawthorn
Josh Ward’s run in the AFL was awarded with a Rising Star nomination following the Round 18 clash against West Coast. The nomination highlights his rapid rise after bouncing back from a slow start.
It began with a respectable debut in Hawthorn’s 20-point win against North Melbourne. His debut saw a performance made up of 13 disposals and a tackle. Though his opening season was soured by injury, Ward has worked his way back and starting to show strong form.
He’s slowly becoming noticed as one of the Hawks more prominent ball winners. Ward had a season-high 34 disposals during the match up with the Eagles. In that same game he also had five tackles and six clearances.
His 2022 season has seen him appear in 13 games, averaging 18.7 disposals, 10.8 kicks, 7.8 handballs, 3.5 marks and 2.9 clearances per game.
Nick Daicos, Collingwood
After a highly anticipated build up to his debut game, the 19-year-old lived up to the expectations in Collingwood’s win against St Kilda. A 26-disposal effort saw the father-son pick earn himself the year’s third Rising Star nomination earlier this year. Daicos’ maiden campaign in the black and white so far has many believing it to be one of the best rookie campaigns to occur in league history.
The Collingwood talent currently averages 26 disposals, 11.7 handballs, 14.3 kicks, 4.0 marks and 2.1 tackles per game. His presence has been greatly felt on the field with his performances aiding his side to get over the line on numerous occasions.
Daicos has seen six games so far where he’s had 30+ disposals to his name. His recent game against the Adelaide Crows saw him amass a crazy 40 touches. No other player has been able to achieve this in their maiden season since Champion Data began recording stats in 1999.
Daicos’ first-year campaign looks to go even further given that his side currently sit fifth on the ladder and are set to play in the finals. He’s hot favourite for the Rising Star award, with many speculating that he’s also in with a chance for an All-Australia jacket later this year (or at least be up for selection). He also has to be in the conversation for the Copeland Trophy, the club’s best and fairest award.
Ben Hobbs, Essendon
Tullamarine has another future star on its hands after investing in the former Vic Country captain with a premium pick in last year’s Draft (pick 13).
The 18-year-old was a rare bright spot in Essendon’s 48-point loss to Geelong in Round 1, with 15 disposals, five tackles and six marks.
The Bomber hasn’t looked back since, earning a Rising Star nomination against St Kilda in Round 14 with 22 disposals, five marks and a goal.
From 17 games so far, he’s averaged 14.4 disposals, 7.1 kicks, 7.3 handballs, 3.5 marks and 2.5 tackles per game.
Marcus Windhager, St Kilda
The young Saint has had a memorable rookie season thus far, recently earning a Rising Star nomination with 21 disposals while successfully clamping down Brisbane star Lachie Neale.
Throughout St Kilda’s charge this season, Windhager has contributed significantly for his side. He had a season-high of 23 disposals in St Kilda’s win over the Eagles in Round 19. Windhager has also proven to provide assistance at the goal, pocketing three majors across his rookie season.
Josh Rachele, Adelaide
This Adelaide Crow made an immediate splash on debut with 14 disposals, five goals, three tackles and five marks.
Following his sizzling start in the AFL, Rachele followed up with strong performances against Collingwood, Port Adelaide and Essendon. The 19-year-old made 20, 10 and 19 disposals respectively.
The Crows’ Round 4 clash with Essendon saw Rachele claim a Rising Star ‘nom’ that included three goals.
Since then, Rachele has continued to make his mark; 13 matches averaging 11.2 disposals, 4.1 handballs, 1.8 tackles, 7.2 kicks, 2.8 marks and 1.3 goals per game.
Paul Curtis, North Melbourne
North Melbourne has a silver lining from a disappointing season in its this 19-year-old forward.
Though an underrated player, Paul Curtis has been an exciting addition over at Arden Street. Appearing in 15 games during the 2022 season, he averages 9.6 disposals, 6.3 kicks, 3.3 handballs, 3.7 marks and 2.9 tackles per game.
Whilst his possessions may be limited, it’s his ability to create immediate impact on the field that sees him touted as a future star. His creativeness and ability to think on his feet stands out.
While his season ended early with a shoulder injury, the highlights from Curtis will be something for Kangaroos fans to get excited about next season.
Brady Hough, West Coast
West Coast ruckman Brady Hough has had a stellar rookie campaign. Like a few of the names on this list, his season has been underrated. Hough had an impressive debut against the Suns in Round 1, with 10 disposals, three tackles and two marks.
The young Eagle has quietly been building up an impressive season and looks set to be an important part of the team in the years to come. In a season that has been impacted greatly by COVID and a spate of injuries, Hough’s rookie campaign has been an interesting one. The 19-year-old has stepped up quickly in the absence of key players.
He’s appeared in 15 games this season, averaging 12.4 disposals, 8.5 kicks, 3.9 handballs and 4.9 marks per game. His standout game of the season was in Round 11 against the Western Bulldogs. Hough finished the night with 23 disposals, 11 marks and 15 kicks.
