13 Rising Star nominations have already been handed out in 2024, with a further 12 still up for grabs in the race for the title of the AFL's best emerging youngster.
The likes of Sydney's Matt Roberts and St Kilda's Darcy Wilson loom as the new favourites after suspensions ruled leading pair Harley Reid and Sam Darcy ineligible over the weekend.
But with more than half of the season to go, and with a number of eligible Rising Star contenders yet to secure a nomination, there's a plethora of players who could take out the award without a nomination yet in 2024.
Perhaps the standout from the crop is Western Bulldogs young gun Ryley Sanders, who has returned to Luke Beveridge's side in recent weeks and put forward a good fortnight of form.
The Dogs rookie is almost certain to join teammates Darcy and Harvey Gallagher in earning a nomination, while another first-year pup in Joel Freijah looks a good chance following his Round 9 debut.
Sanders is one of six top 10 draft picks from last year's class yet to secure a nomination, with Gold Coast's Jed Walter, North Melbourne's Zane Duursma and Hawks livewire Nick Watson each showing signs and earning plenty of senior action.
All three are strong chances to earn nominations over the next 13 weeks, while Essendon's Nate Caddy, Adelaide's Dan Curtin and Suns tall Ethan Read each have a case to make but need to break back into their respective AFL sides.
The same can be said of Geelong pair Connor O'Sullivan and Jhye Clark, with the latter in line to return from suspension this week and hoping to add to his strong outing against GWS in Round 11.
Cats ruckman Toby Conway has continued to develop and improve on his game each week but hasn't been able to string a consistent run of matches due to Geelong's cautious approach with their 206cm talent.
Dockers defender Josh Draper is holding down a key position role in one of the best backlines in the competition and has enough runs on the board to deserve a nomination in the back end of the season.
Suns tackling machine Will Graham and Roos swingman Wil Dawson are other 2023 first-round selections with plenty of promise, while first-year Tiger Kane McAuliffe and his teammates Tyler Sonsie, Tom Brown and Seth Campell have each earned senior opportunities amid Richmond injury troubles.
As is Crows defender Luke Nankervis, who joins Essendon's top five draft selection Elijah Tsatas and Melbourne pair Taj Woewodin and Blake Howes in the running despite playing at least one year prior in the system.
Sydney midfielder Angus Sheldrick loomed as a strong pre-season Rising Star contender before his season was derailed by injury.
Tall forwards in Lions rookie Logan Morris, Hawks father-son selection Calsher Dear and 2023 Mid-Season Draft Pick 1 selection Ryan Maric are also holding down roles so far this year.
Maric's teammate and fellow Mid-Season Draft recruit Jai Culley could make a late run in the second half of the year after pressing his case for a recall in the WAFL over the past month.
A number of 2024 Mid-Season recruits will be eligible for the Rising Star, with Pick 1 Geordie Payne, Hawks forward Jasper Scaife and Lions pickup Will McLachlan among those who are able to earn a nomination and could get senior minutes over the next few months.
