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
3. Oliver Dempsey
The Cats livewire was quick to remind everyone of his Rising Star prospects over the weekend, booting three goals from 27 disposals in a match-winning performance against Richmond.
That outing added to a strong start to 2024 for the third-year Geelong forward, who started like a house on fire with three goals and 15 disposals in Round 1 - which won him his Rising Star nomination.
The Cats' poor form over the past month might've kept Dempsey out of the mind of most, but with the Rising Star race alive for the 21-year-old, many will fancy his chances.
Holding a big role in a contending club is sure to favour Dempsey come the end-of-season voting, but his chances of success could rely on how the Cats' campaign ends up.
