The NAB AFL Rising Star award recognises the best young player in the AFL each season. The player must be under 21 years of age and had played less than ten games at the commencement of the year. One player is nominated each round and at the end of the season a panel awards votes and elects the best young player for the year. This year’s nominations are;
| Round | Player | Team |
| 1 | Sam Powell-Pepper | Port Adelaide |
| 2 | Ryan Burton | Hawthorn |
| 3 | Brandan Parfitt | Geelong |
| 4 | Andrew McGrath | Essendon |
| 5 | Eric Hipwood | Brisbane |
| 6 | Caleb Marchbank | Carlton |
| 7 | Sam Petrevski-Seton | Carlton |
| 8 | Tim Taranto | GWS |
| 9 | Tom Phillips | Collingwood |
| 10 | Wayne Milera | Adelaide |
| 11 | Dan Butler | Richmond |
| 12 | David Cunningham | Carlton |
| 13 | Jack Silvagni | Carlton |
| 14 | Hugh McCluggage | Brisbane |
| 15 | Blake Hardwick | Hawthorn |
| 16 | Charlie Curnow | Carlton |
| 17 | Alex Witherden | Brisbane |
| 18 | Lewis Melican | Sydney |
| 19 | Jason Castagna | Richmond |
| 20 | Luke Ryan | Fremantle |
| 21 | Dan Houston | Port Adelaide |
| 22 | Ben Ainsworth | Gold Coast |
| 23 | Will Hayward | Sydney |
The twenty-three nominations are all worthy nominations and bright futures lay ahead, however there are three main contenders who could become 2017’s NAB AFL Rising Star. Ryan Burton has had an outstanding season for the Hawks. Primarily playing across the half back line, he has played 20 games this year and is averaging 21 disposals. He was at his best when rebounding from outside fifty and he uses the ball well. His efficiency rate of 80% is up there with some of the game’s best. He catches the eye of voters and supporters with his outside run and carry. He has also shown poise beyond his years when playing deep in defence. He deserves favouritism and looks to be a ten-year player for the Hawks. Andrew McGrath was selected with the first pick in the national draft by Essendon and no one at Bomberland is complaining about their decision. The speedy small has begun his career in defence and will one day move into the midfield. This year the 19-year-old has played 20 games and is averaging a tick under 20 touches a game. It has not just about the numbers for McGrath, who has been given important defensive roles such as playing on Eddie Betts. He has displayed great maturity in his first year and could well be a leader in years to come. Sam Powell-Pepper announced himself in round 1 when he had 19 possessions against the Swans in Sydney. His large frame and contested style has since become a trademark for the young midfielder. He has not been as consistent as Burton and McGrath and it could be due to his role. Powell-Pepper is more of an inside midfielder and hence his disposal rate of 17 disposals a game is slightly down on the other two, but his clearance work, tackle count and contested football is prominent. He faded late in the season and that could hurt him. If you are looking for a surprise winner, Charlie Curnow is your man. He is averaging 14 touches and almost a goal a game as a developing key forward. His contested marking is a feature of his game. His second half of the season has been tremendous. He had a career-high 22 possessions against Hawthorn and Adelaide, kicked multiple goals against Brisbane, Bulldogs, Melbourne and North Melbourne, and showed his clean hands and game awareness against West Coast in round 21. His slow start will probably hurt him when there are three other legitimate contenders, however he is one to watch in the future. Who will join some of the modern greats like Nathan Buckley, Ben Cousins, Adam Goodes, Nick Riewoldt, Sam Mitchell and Joel Selwood, and become the next NAB AFL Rising Star? For the latest AFL Premiership markets, click here. Words: Rhys Thurston @rhyst03
