UNDER a new rule, after round 11 clubs are allowed to elevate one extra rookie – on top of those already promoted to cover long-term injuries. Who are the likeliest contenders at each club?

Adelaide: Brodie Martin
The wingman got a taste of AFL action over the pre-season and was recently recognised for his impressive form in the SANFL with a spot in the state team.

Martin, 20, is in his second year on the Crows' rookie list and, despite having played less than 20 league games with Sturt, is starting to attract the attention of opposition taggers.

Brisbane Lions: Daniel Dzufer
With Irishman Pearce Hanley recently elevated to cover Matthew Leuenberger's long-term knee injury, Dzufer looks the likeliest at the Gabba. The wingman racked up 40 touches in his last AFLQ state league appearance and is a ball magnet with good running capacity.

He played one senior game in 2007 and in his third year with the club. Is further advanced than developing ruckmen Joel Tippett and Daniel Murray.

Carlton: Greg Bentley
The former Port Adelaide utility missed out on one of the Blues' nominated rookie positions – they went to Aaron Joseph and Sam Jacobs – but he has already seen senior action in his first year at the club.

He was elevated for the round six clash against Hawthorn, but returned when Adam Bentick came off the long-term injury list.

Collingwood: Jarryd Blair
The smallest player at the club at 174cm, Blair has impressed since he was rookie-listed late last year. Solidly built, he is a genuine rover with an ability to play in attack. The 19-year-old averages close to 10 tackles a game at VFL level and wins his own footy.

Essendon: Michael Quinn
The young Irishman was elevated from the rookie list in April for Scott Gumbleton (back) and played in rounds two and four. He had 20 possessions on debut, but dropped off in his second match. He also has six games for Bendigo under his belt.

The Bombers might consider emerging ruckman Christian Bock, owing to their shortage of big men, though he is still very much in development.

Fremantle: Jay van Berlo
The tough and disciplined midfielder can also play as a defender and is physically the most mature rookie yet to be elevated by Fremantle.

The 20-year-old has a club champion award at WAFL level and is two weeks away from resuming with West Perth after persistent shin soreness. He could step into the side if Fremantle's other elevations run out of steam.

Geelong: Ranga Ediriwickrama
Despite Josh Hunt, Mitch Brown and Matthew Egan out for the season, Geelong well and truly has the depth to cover their absences. Chances are they won't make any more upgrades.

Shane Mumford is going well in the ruck and defender Jeremy Laidler – who featured in the pre-season – was elevated a couple of weeks ago. If anything, the Cats may give a late chance to Ediriwickrama once he's recovered from his serious hamstring problems.

Hawthorn: Luke Breust
The medium-sized forward has gone from strength to strength with Box Hill in the VFL. He knows how to find the goals and could be considered, but with the Hawks expected to get a big swag of players back over the second half of the season it's unlikely they will need to elevate anyone.

Melbourne: Jordie McKenzie
Colin Garland and John Meesen are currently on the long-term injury list and are not expected to play again in 2009. Rookie midfielder Shane Valenti has been upgraded for Garland, with Jake Spencer replacing Meesen.

This now leaves the door ajar for midfielder McKenzie, who has impressed with Casey Scorpions in the VFL. McKenzie gained 30 touches last round to add weight to his case.

North Melbourne: Cruize Garlett
Spent the first half of 2008 in North Ballarat's reserves but progressed to the seniors and held his place in the Roosters' premiership side.

Impressing his coaches over the pre-season, an ankle injury stalled Garlett's start to this year but he has regularly featured in North's best VFL players since. The 20-year-old can play as a midfielder or small forward.

Port Adelaide: Danny Meyer
The Richmond discard broke into the Port Adelaide line-up over the pre-season only to be nudged out by fellow rookie Wade Thompson.

Thompson fell off the radar after a couple of AFL games, but Meyer, 22, continues to grow in stature. Was one of South Australia’s best players in the loss to Western Australia last month and already has 17 games' experience at AFL level.

Richmond: Jarrod Silvester
Nothing is likely to change at the Tigers. Robin Nahas is already elevated and playing good football, so that's paid off.

With Matthew Richardson on the long-term injury list and Kane Johnson retired, new caretaker coach Jade Rawlings could have a look at Silvester. However, given the Tigers aren't short of key defenders this seems unlikely in the coming weeks.

St Kilda: Zac Dawson
The biggest rookie-list success story of the season, Dawson was elevated for Jarryd Allen. Allen is recovering from his hip injury but with Xavier Clarke (knee) also on the long-term list, Dawson will probably keep his spot.

Luke Miles replaced Clarke and has been named as an emergency several times in the past few weeks.

Sydney Swans: Jake Orreal
The pre-season retirements of Nic Fosdike and Tadhg Kennelly meant the Swans could elevate rookies from round one. Mike Pyke and Kristin Thornton have already benefited, playing six senior games between them, and ruckman Jake Orreal is the next most likely.

However, it would require a crisis in the club’s ruck stocks with Darren Jolly, Jesse White, Pyke and Daniel Currie ahead of him.

West Coast: Adam Cockie
The hard-bodied, aggressive midfielder made an instant impact in his first four AFL games earlier this season, averaging 12 possessions and nearly four tackles.

The 20-year-old was sent back to the rookie list after round nine, but after proving himself in West Coast's young, rebuilding midfield, is expected to get another chance this season.

Western Bulldogs: Liam Picken
The mature-age midfielder was recruited from Williamstown for this season. He was elevated ahead of round two for Paul O'Shea (hip) and has since held his spot in the side.

With his endurance and ability to shut down even the most elite players, the Dogs are keen to make Picken a permanent fixture on their senior list.

The views in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.