The race for the 2024 Rising Star honour has become a much tighter fight after the two award favourites were ruled ineligible due to suspension over the weekend.
2024 Pick 1 selection Harley Reid was the clubhouse leader for the award after his scintillating start to life in the AFL, while Western Bulldogs forward Sam Darcy looked to be the only young gun contending with Reid for the title heading into Round 12.
But with both players handed suspensions* for rough conduct, they now find themselves out of the race for the Rising Star Award, with the door now open for several other contenders heading into the second half of the season.
Here we've narrowed that list down to SIX players who stand a good chance to take out the award following the recent curveball.
*Reid and West Coast will challenge the suspension, however are more likely to reduce the ban than have it removed.ย
RELATED: EVERY PLAYER ELIGIBLE FOR THE 2024 RISING STAR AWARD
2. Colby McKercher
The second Roo on our list, McKercher's debut campaign was put on pause weeks ago after it was revealed the speedy Tasmanian was dealing with a foot issue.
The Pick 2 selection is in line to return as early as this weekend, and if he can resume the form he put forward before his injury then it'll be hard to stop him from taking out the Rising Star crown.
McKercher had three successive games of 30 or more disposals before being sidelined, bringing his season averages up to 20.7 disposals and 4.11 marks - including a game of just 11% time on ground due to injury.
Utilised in defence to start his career in the blue and white, McKercher has been a welcomed addition given his run and clean ball work from the back half.
