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 13 below:
1. Tim Taranto (Richmond)
Another superb showing from Tim Taranto who is one of the form players in the competition as it stands.
In Richmond’s win over Fremantle in Perth, he had a game-high 35 disposals, plus 35 pressure acts, 15 contested possessions, seven tackles, seven clearances, six score involvements and two goals.
Taranto’s debut season with the Tigers has gone from strength to strength. He is now second in the league for total disposals, fifth for tackles and fourth for clearances.
He landed another nine coaches votes and sits equal fourth on 52 votes alongside Essendon captain Zach Merrett.
2. Josh Dunkley (Brisbane)
Brisbane’s defeat to Hawthorn was not for a lack of effort from Josh Dunkley.
The Lions midfielder picked up 28 touches, had a massive 43 pressure acts, laid a game-high 11 tackles, had a game-high eight clearances and kicked a goal.
Dunkley was rewarded with four coaches votes for his troubles and he would be right in the mix for Brisbane’s best and fairest at this stage of the campaign.
3. Tom Mitchell (Collingwood)
Tom Mitchell was one of Collingwood’s best in the loss to Melbourne on Monday.
He amassed 30 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency and 11 contested possessions, along with 10 tackles and five clearances.
Mitchell has been a sublime recruit for the Magpies so far this season and the club will looking for a similar output from him in the second half of the year.
4. Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
Luke Jackson had the task of being number one ruck in the absence of the injured Sean Darcy.
He went head to head with Toby Nankervis, who had a big impact for the Tigers, but Jackson held his own, particularly around the ground.
The 21-year-old finished with 33 hit-outs, 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, four tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s, and did a very decent job without Darcy by his side.
5. Izak Rankine (Adelaide)
The Crows had a fill-up against the Eagles and Izak Ranine was one that was heavily involved in the onslaught.
He kicked three goals (two behinds), picked up 20 touches, had 10 score involvements, four inside 50s and provided two goal assists.
It was a dominant display from Adelaide and Rankine certainly cashed in.
6. George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
George Wardlaw’s fourth AFL game for North Melbourne was his best yet.
The 19-year-old picked up 22 disposals, 10 contested possessions, nine tackles, six clearances, three centre clearances and kicked a goal in the defeat to the Giants.
The Kangaroos have a good one on their hands as Wardlaw looks a serious player in the making.
He won the Rising Star nomination for Round 14.
7. Lachie Hunter (Melbourne)
Melbourne deservedly beat Collingwood in the King’s Birthday game on Monday with Lachie Hunter playing a pivotal role.
The Demons winger collected 28 touches (the most for his new club), had a game-high nine inside 50s, took eight marks and had a game-best 610 metres gained.
Hunter has been a model of consistency across 12 games for the Dees and has been a solid addition to their midfield.
8. Toby Bedford (GWS)
Toby Bedford was impressive again as the Giants beat the Roos.
He backed up his solid showing against Richmond by picking up 17 touches, laying six tackles and kicking two goals on Sunday.
Bedford also had 26 pressure acts, three clearances and three inside 50s, stepping up in the absence of fellow small forward Brent Daniels.
9. Lloyd Meek (Hawthorn)
Hawthorn ruckman Lloyd Meek was important in his side’s shock win over the Lions.
While it wasn’t a massive game on the numbers front, it was the impact Meek had around the ground.
He finished with 14 disposals, 18 hit-outs, three clearances and took two contested marks.
According to Champion Data, Meek was the highest rated ruckman in Round 14, with Daniel Hoyne saying: “His ability to be able to win contest and win clearance was the best of any ruckman in the competition.”
10. Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
The first-year Kangaroo has probably been a victim of his own brilliance in the first half of the season.
Harry Sheezel was so good in the opening eight rounds, that we all became used to his prolific output.
In the loss to the Giants, Sheezel still had 24 touches, took seven marks, five inside 50 and four rebound 50s, which is a fair return for a seasoned veteran, let alone a teenager in his 13th outing.
Check out our New Guys leaderboard after Round 13.
This is based on 10-1 votes given to the 10 nominated players each week.
78 - Tim Taranto (RIC)
61 - Tom Mitchell (COL)
58 - Josh Dunkley (BRI)
51 - Harry Sheezel (NM)
48 - Izak Rankine (ADE)
38 - Will Ashcroft (BRI)
36 - Luke Jackson (FRE)
35 - Jason Horne-Francis (PA)
32 - Jacob Hopper (RIC)
21 - Brodie Grundy (MEL)
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