WITH only three rounds left in the seventh AFLW home and away season, just six more NAB AFLW Rising Star nominations will be given out. Thanks to expansion there is more young talent than ever deserving of the recognition, so who are the 10 players who have put up seasons to date worthy of a nomination?
Amber Clark (Essendon, seven career games)
Taken with pick four in the most recent draft, and Essendon's first draftee, Amber Clarke has quietly put together a very good season for the Dons. Averaging 9.7 disposals, 2.6 marks and 2.1 score involvements and playing every game to date, she has served as a great linking player between midfield and forward.
Indy Tahau (Port Adelaide, 26 career games)
A Brisbane premiership player in just her first season, Tahau now serves under premiership teammate Lauren Arnell as an inaugural Port Adelaide player. Taken with pick No.37 back in 2020, Indy Tahau is fifth in the competition this season for intercepts (51), while also being swung into attack at times as the ultimate utility.
Erika O'Shea (North Melbourne, seven career games)
As the youngest Irish rookie to play AFLW, Erika O'Shea is also one of the fastest to have adapted to the sport. Averaging 7.1 disposals at 70 per cent efficiency, it is her speed out of defence and ability to read the ball that has allowed her to have such a significant impact on North Melbourne in her first season.
Sofia Hurley (Sydney, seven career games)
Sofia Hurley had plenty talking when she, alongside now teammate Montana Ham, nominated New South Wales rather than Victoria as her draft zone, creating a clear pathway to join the inaugural Sydney Swans side. Since heading north, she has played every possible game, often handed a run-with role alongside some of the most dangerous midfielders in the competition, averaging nine disposals and 4.6 tackles in the process.
Alice Burke (St Kilda, 20 career games)
In her third season, Alice Burke has really come of age as a player for the Saints, playing every game. As the first father-daughter selection for St Kilda, she started her career purely as a defender but has since been deployed at times on the wing and through the midfield thanks to her workrate and competitiveness.
Alex Ballard (Port Adelaide, seven career games)
After being overlooked in past drafts, Alex Ballard got the call up when Lauren Arnell took charge of Port Adelaide's inaugural side, and since debuting in round one has flourished as an intercept defender. Averaging 12 disposals, four marks and six intercepts, Ballard has been solid as a rock down back for the Power, reading the ball beautifully and using her elite kick to set up play out of defence.
Tarni Evans (Greater Western Sydney, 16 career games)
Tarni Evans has struggled to get a consistent run at the top level after being taken with pick No.9 in the 2020 draft due to persistent injuries, but after stringing a good run of games together, she is showing just how good she is. Evans has been holding up the Giants' backline this season, averaging 15 disposals, 5.1 intercepts and 288.1m gained at just 20 years of age.
Charlotte Baskaran (Hawthorn, seven career games)
Hawthorn's third draftee, Charlotte Baskaran has played every possible game so far, impacting through the midfield and forward lines. Calm and collected with ball in hand, she has been important in the Hawks' three consecutive wins, averaging 10.1 disposals, 4.3 tackles and 1.6 clearances over her career to date.
Cynthia Hamilton (Sydney, six career games)
The highest-rated talent in NSW at the most recent draft, Cynthia Hamilton has brought her aggressive, attacking footy to AFLW level. Hamilton has missed just the one game due to concussion and an impressive black eye and averaged 10.8 disposals and 2.7 clearances while playing in both the midfield and up forward for Sydney.
Zarlie Goldsworthy (Greater Western Sydney, five career games)
A shoulder injury incurred in a preseason practice match was the only thing holding back Zarlie Goldsworthy from a round one debut this season, and in her first game when she finally was able to hit the park in round three, she kicked two impressive goals. While she hasn't been able to hit the scoreboard since, Goldsworthy has been averaging 4.4 tackles and 1.2 clearances over her five games.