5 greatest rookie seasons in AFL history
A great rookie season in the AFL is indeed exciting. A rookie swooping in and wowing fans and critics alike with an impeccable first-year performance will always be remarkable. Clubs put a lot of effort into deciding on draft picks and hope the right decisions are made. Less often than so, a draftee outperforms all expectations.
Although there have been some doubts about the relevance of the rookie list, it is almost impossible to overlook the effect some draftees have had on the game.
So let's take a look at the best rookies in AFL history, judging by their individual performances and honours earned in their first seasons.
5 greatest rookie seasons in AFL history
5. Dean Cox (2001)
Succeeding his move up to West Coast's senior list in the 2000 National Draft, Cox debuted in Round 2 of the 2001 season.
The “mobile ruckman” was an incredible fit as West Coast’s fifth midfielder (since the club’s inception). Perhaps the largest “big man” of his time. Cox dominated opponents with his size and mobility as the 'premier ruckman' of the competition. He earned himself six All-Australian selections and an AFL premiership, as well as the 2008 season’s club Best and Fairest.
The expectations on Cox were not so high as he seemed gangly with no coordination at first, but he would outdo himself with time, becoming a champion of the game.
4.Toby Greene (2012)
One of the most underrated players of modern-day AFL, Toby Greene was an exceptional rookie and player at large. The Giants had a hard time navigating their first season, but somehow, Greene’s performance shone through, winning his own midfield game. He averaged 28.4 disposals per game and came in second place in the club’s Best and Fairest nomination.
3. Sam Walsh (2019)
Drafted by Carlton as the first overall selection from the 2018 National Draft, Walsh transitioned smoothly into the AFL with a debut in the 2019 season. In his debut season, he amassed over 25 possessions, three clearances, three tackles, and nine contested possessions in each match. He most definitely surpassed any rookie expectations that year.
The 19-year-old midfielder won the Rising Star Award, polling 54 out of 55 votes, and came in fourth place in the Carlton’s Best and Fairest nomination.
2. Michael Barlow (2010)
Barlow’s rookie season might have had a higher spot on this list had it not been for the abrupt pause in his role in Round 14 of the 2010 season.
In the opening round of 2010, Barlow successfully debuted for Fremantle. In his rookie game, he beat Bradd Dalziell’s record of 32 for most disposals in a debut match with his 33 and kicked two goals. In the following rounds, he worked tirelessly made over 30 disposals, 66 tackles ( 14 tackles in Round 8 alone), kicked 15 goals, and got 12 Brownlow votes in 13 games.
Barlow won the Best First-Year Player Award at the 2010 AFL Players Association Awards despite missing eight of the season’s games due to a leg injury. He finished seventh in the club's Best and Fairest Award with 97 votes. It can only be guessed what a terrific season that would have been if not for his injury, he might have even acquired himself a Brownlow!
1. John Coleman (1949)
Coleman’s 12 goals against Hawthorn in 1949 are still etched in VFL/AFL history as the most impeccable rookie performance of all time. Those goals marked the first of many records the 20-year-old midfielder would set over his six seasons at Essendon.
By the end of the day, Coleman had gotten himself the nickname ‘Deadshot’ for his impressive goal accuracy, scoring a record 12.2 of 15 shots in a match total of 18.12 (120) against Hawthorn’s 9.3 (57).
In that remarkable year, Coleman became the first AFL player from Essendon to kick 100 goals in a season, his first at that. He was awarded Essendon's Best and Fairest trophy by the end of the season.