The Sporting Landscape's Player Rankings are back for season 2023. Each week, we'll decipher through all the individual performances to come up with a top-10, ranking the players accordingly.
In round one, generation next announced themselves, with half of this week’s top-10 aged 24 and under, and a 21-year-old and 19-year-old both cracking the top-three.
While two North players made the list, and Harry Sheezel wasn’t one of them, as light continues to shine at Arden Street.
Read The Sporting Landscape’s full round one AFL Player Rankings below.
10. Daniel Rioli (RICH)
Rioli picked up a perfect 10 from the coaches in the drawn season-opener. Used the ball with superb efficiency, going at 92% from 27 disposals, while he also had 681 metres gained.
9. Kysaiah Pickett (MELB)
Kozzy made headlines for his bump on Bailey Smith, which has seen him pick up a two-week suspension, but he should receive plenty of plaudits for what he did with footy in hand, slotting four goals from 19 disposals while laying a game-high eight tackles.
8. Darcy Parish (ESS)
Parish produced an impressive stat sheet in Essendon’s 59-point win over old foe Hawthorn. Won plenty of the footy with 37 disposals, and was influential across the board with 18 contested possessions, 13 clearances, 10 inside 50s, nine score involvements and 575 metres gained.
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7. Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
Many have tipped Cogs to rediscover his old self with the weight of captaincy off his shoulders, and if his round one showing was anything to go by he could do just that. Had 32 disposals, 810 metres gained, 14 score involvements, nine clearances and eight inside 50s.
6. Nick Larkey (NM)
Nick Larkey was on as North opened the season with a somewhat surprising win, downing the Eagles by five points. Kicked six goals, and crucially zero behinds, in a narrow affair. His six-goal effort was also made all the more extraordinary by the fact he only had nine total disposals.
5. Chad Warner (SYD)
Warner was one of four players to pick up a perfect 10 in the Coaches' Votes. He picked up 30 disposals, 14 score involvements, 12 contested possessions, eight inside 50s and two goal assists.
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4. Luke Ryan (FRE)
Ryan was the pick of the defenders in round one, winning plenty of the footy and rebounding superbly with 37 disposals, 13 intercept possessions and 775 metres gained. Was also brilliant with his ball-use, going at 91% efficiency.
3. Luke Davies-Uniacke (NM)
Luke Davies-Uniacke has threatened to breakout for some time now, and it appears 2023 could be the year he takes his game to another level. Thrived in the contest on Saturday with 19 contested possessions and 10 clearances from his 32 disposals. Also notched a goal and eight score involvements.
2. Jason Horne-Francis (PA)
Horne-Francis stole plenty of the off-season headlines, with the number one pick requesting a trade after just one season at North. It seems he’s happy to let his footy do the talking and justify the move, as he displayed what many expected to see of him last year, and then some. He was everywhere in the Port-Brisbane clash with a goal, 25 disposals, 11 score involvements, 10 contested possessions, 10 inside 50s, seven clearances, three goal assists and 532 metres gained.
1. Jordan De Goey (COLL)
De Goey’s strong pre-season form continued into round one as he lit up the MCG on Friday night. His scoreboard impact was immense with three goals, 11 score involvements and three goal assists, and he also had 25 disposals and six inside 50s.
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