This year has seen one of the most talented groups of rising star candidates ever, with a host of names pressing thier case to win the award.
Callum Mills was crowned last year’s winner, narrowly edging out Caleb Daniel. Those two had fantastic seasons, but this year's pool of contenders runs far deeper.
If not for injuries and other factors, the likes of Alex Witherden, Luke Ryan, Sean Darcy and Tim Taranto would also have thrown their hats in the ring. Carlton boasted a league-best five nominees this season.
To be eligible to be nominated for the 2017 rising star award, a player must be younger than 21 years old on January the 1 this year, and played 10 or fewer senior games at the beginning of the season.
A player who has been previously nominated or suspended is ineligible to win the award. Only players who were nominated this year can win the Ron Evans Medal.
The criteria focuses on output, not potential. What these players have put together over the course of the home and away season is how they are adjudicated. Here is the case for why every rising star favourite can win the award, including the outsiders.
If not for a ghastly leg break in 2015, Ryan Burton would have been a top five draft selection. The smooth mover was drafted with the pick Hawthorn received for Jed Anderson (No.19), which is shaping as a major win.
Burton has looked a class above the rest of the rising stars this season, with exceptional marking ability, disposal and decision making. He averaged 21.3 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency and 5.7 marks this season and was often used in important shut down roles on the opposition’s most damaging player.
He ranks first among rising star nominees for effective disposals, disposals, uncontested possessions, rebound 50s, intercepts and meters gained this season. This 191-centimetre dynamo has the all-round package and is destined for stardom.
SuperCoach average – 83.7
The first pick in the 2016 National Draft, Andrew McGrath has already delivered on his potential.
McGrath’s poise, rebound and speed off half back has been a highlight for Essendon this season, he has often shut down the opposition’s best small forward and done plenty of damage the other way.
He has averaged 19.6 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency and ranks in the top five rising stars for disposals, uncontested possessions, rebound 50s, bounces, intercepts and effective disposals. he is crafty and plays beyond his years, providing a unique, creative flair when he gets the ball that makes things happen.
SuperCoach average – 70.7
Sam Powell-Pepper is a raging bull that has drawn comparisons to Dustin Martin in his first AFL season.
Powell-Pepper’s relentless, competitive attitude and monster frame have made him a real asset for Ken Hinkley’s men this season, representing the Power’s new grizzly nature.
Working tirelessly inside Port Adelaide’s midfield, he has even been used in tagging roles which show a defensive side to his game that not even some of the AFL’s most elite midfielders possess.
He has averaged 17 disposals and five tackles this season, the latter ranking first among rising stars nominees. Also ranked first among rising stars for inside 50s, contested possessions, clearances and centre clearances.
SuperCoach average – 64.8
It was not until halfway through the season that Charlie Curnow begun hitting his straps, but when he did, boy was he imposing.
He booted five goals from his first 10 contests of 2017, but kicked 13 in the next 10. Curnow is a power athlete at 194cm that clunks big marks and kick goals, but is equally nimble and capable of pushing higher up the ground.
He goes in hard and wins plenty of contested ball. This rare ability to play in multiple positions is what makes him special. He averaged 14.1 disposals, 5.7 marks, the latter ranking first among rising stars. Also ranked in the top three rising stars for inside 50s, contested possessions, contested marks, marks inside 50, score involvements, goal assists and total meters gained.
SuperCoach average – 74.2
Another Blue in the sweepstakes, Caleb Marchbank, finally got more senior opportunities this season after crossing over from GWS in the 2016 trade period.
Marchbank has flourished at his new club and is one of the most promising, young defenders in the competition. From their round one clash with Richmond, you could see exactly what the Blues were getting – an energized, charismatic youngster with an elite intercept mark.
His athleticism and ability to play on talls and smalls make him a prized prototype modern-day backman. He averaged 15.5 disposals and 6.4 marks and ranked in the top five among rising stars nominees in rebound 50s, intercepts, marks, contested marks and one percenters.
Highest odds – $151 Bookmarket
SuperCoach average – 69.4
Building from an encouraging end to the 2016 season where he played six games, Tom Phillips established himself in Collingwood’s best 22 this season.
He won the Pies’ two-kilometre time trial in each of his first two preseasons, dethroning perennial winner Steele Sidebottom.
This everlasting endurance is his chief attribute and has held him in good stead to run out games effectively. Knows how to find the footy and has good size for his position at 187 centimetres, which favours him physically in most one-on-one contests.
Averaging 21.1 disposals and 4.9 marks, Phillips ranks in the top three among rising stars in disposals, effective disposals, uncontested possessions, goal assists and total meters gained.
SuperCoach average – 75.9
Eric Hipwood has shown flashes of brilliances this year that have only been produced by Buddy Franklin before him for a man of such size.
Hipwood is a monster at 202 centimetres, but is still very lean and will benefit from another two or three preseasons in the weight room.
Regardless, he has put together an impressive campaign, kicking 30 goals. His athleticism and skill never cease to amaze, and his improvement was a major focal point for the Lions’ newfound competitiveness in 2017.
He has given them a heartbeat to attack with and has an enormous ceiling to grow into the AFL’s next lethal weapon up forward. He ranks in the top three among rising stars in goals, marks inside 50, goal assists and contested marks.
SuperCoach average – 49
Any player who has kicked the third most goals for a top three team should be highly regarded. Dan Butler has enjoyed a stellar breakout season, asserting himself in Richmond’s forward line as a high-pressure, hard-hitting, livewire that can chip in with a few goals.
Butler is an opportunistic sparkplug for the Tigers who could do some real damage on the finals stage, with a particularly astute footy IQ inside 50 that finds himself in the right place at the right time. He is ranked first among rising stars nominees in bounces and goal assists, and in the top three for inside 50s, goals, score involvements and tackles inside 50.
SuperCoach average – 60.6
Since coming into Hawthorn’s side round four as a defender, Blake Hardwick hasn’t looked back, playing every game for the remainder of the season.
An unsung hero that breathed fresh life into Hawthorn’s season, Hardwick is an underrated prospect that cemented a spot in Alastair Clarkson’s best 22, a feat impressive enough in itself.
Averaging 14.4 disposals and 4.7 marks while consistently shutting down his opponent, Hardwick filled the void left by Grant Birchall, doing the one percenters and providing rebound from the Hawks' defense. He is ranked in the top five rising star nominees for effective disposals, uncontested possessions and one percenters.
SuperCoach average – 63.5
A third Blue putting his hand up for rising star honours, Sam Petrevski-Seton, burst onto the scene this season and caught the eyes of supporters through his flashy, electrifying play.
Taken with the sixth pick in the 2016 National Draft, Petrevski-Seton boasts a ton of class, elite speed and a thirst for the contest, giving Blues' fans renewed faith in Brendan Bolton’s rebuild. His season average of 14 disposals does not jump off the page, but there were eight occasions where Petrevski-Seton had 16 or more disposals. Provides a real X-factor for a side crying out for offensive firepower.
Petrevski-Seton ranks in the top three of all rising star nominees for contested possessions, clearances, centre clearances and tackles.
SuperCoach average – 67.7
While the Rising Star Award is most likely a two-horse race between Burton and McGrath, the others should be recognised for their outstanding seasons if nothing else. It has truly been a class of youngsters worth celebrating.