It's that time of year when things start to ramp up. The 2024 AFL season is getting closer and closer, and with that, plenty of eyes will be on the new recruits in the AFL.

Arguably the most talked about draftee in years, every AFL fan is eagerly awaiting Harley Reid's debut. The young star is already a household name and fans cannot wait.

To recognise these new recruits, the Rising Star Award will be presented to the best young player in the 2024 season. With that being said, a player doesn't need to be in their first year of football. The player must simply be 21 years of age or under as of January 1 this year and have played a maximum of ten senior AFL games prior to the new season's commencement.

In this list of nine possible winners, four are brand-new AFL recruits, whilst the other five have been in the competition for at least a year.

Note:ย The players listed are in no particular order, simply the nine potential winners we've selected.
READ: FULL LIST OF 2024 RISING STAR ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

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9. Sam Darcy

Son of a Bulldogs great, Sam Darcy could potentially be the final key forward the Dogs are after.

Despite having two tall targets in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton, finding consistent output from the pair hasn't been unveiled just yet. Either one is firing and the other is quiet, or worst case, they're both quiet.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: Sam Darcy of the Bulldogs celebrates kicking a goal during the round 23 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Western Bulldogs at University of Tasmania Stadium on August 21, 2022 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Occasionally trialled in the backline at both VFL and senior level, the tall target may find himself at the other end of the field. No matter the case, Darcy should be getting more game time in 2024 which could do big things for his Rising Star aspirations.

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