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A NUMBER of talented young players are jostling for this year's NAB AFL Rising Star award, with the Sydney Swans' Callum Mills, the Western Bulldogs' Caleb Daniel and Essendon's Darcy Parish topping the list.
But the depth of young talent across the League in 2016 was there for all to see, with clubs not afraid to give their first, second or third-year players opportunities to prove themselves.
Here is AFL.com.au's list of the standout Rising Star-eligible players from every club this season.
Our reporters name their Rising Star top five
Adelaide Crows
WAYNE MILERA
Why? The Crows speedster was not nominated during the season, but in eight games displayed why he was taken with pick No.11 in last year's draft. Can explode away from packs and is damaging around goal.
Brisbane Lions
RHYS MATHIESON
Why? The hard-at-it-midfielder missed much of the first half of the year after breaking his jaw in the pre-season. Averaged 18.3 disposals from 11 games and wasn't afraid to put his head over the footy and take it up to the opposition.
Carlton
JACOB WEITERING
Why? Was the standout young player in the competition before hurting his shoulder in round six. The poised defender fitted seamlessly into Carlton's back six, displaying leadership, smarts and coolness under pressure.
Jacob Weitering and Darcy Parish were both impressive in 2016. Picture: AFL Photos
Collingwood
DARCY MOORE
Why? Brayden Maynard had a bright season, but you can't go past Moore. The young forward cemented himself as Collingwood's star of the future and took command of the forward line. Booted 24 goals and regularly displayed his aerial ability.
Essendon
DARCY PARISH
Why? The case could be made that Parish was the best-performed young player in the competition in 2016. Led all Rising Star-eligible players in total contested possessions and clearances, displaying an ability to gut run in his first season of footy. An impressive young player on the rise.
Fremantle
CONNOR BLAKELY
Why? Received tutelage from injured Fremantle teammate Nat Fyfe and it showed. Blakely averaged 20.3 disposals per game, stepping up in the absence of Fyfe and other down-on-form teammates. Blakely has a mature approach and will continue to get better.
Geelong Cats
JAKE KOLODJASHNIJ
Why? Kolodjashnij is the only Rising Star-eligible Cats player to play senior football in 2016. The defender played 18 games and was often charged with big tasks on a number of experienced AFL stars. His ability to play on tall and small opponents is highly regarded at the Cattery.
Gold Coast Suns
PETER WRIGHT
Why? Two-metre Peter benefited greatly from the departure of Charlie Dixon. The Suns forward kicked 27 goals and formed a formidable tall forward line alongside All Australian Tom Lynch and Sam Day.
GWS Giants
JACOB HOPPER
Why? The Giants academy prospect racked up 32 disposals in his debut game against a midfield that included Suns superstar Gary Ablett. Hopper thrives in contested situations, with injuries and team depth the only reason he was limited to eight games.
Only injuries and team depth kept Jacob Hopper from making more appearances. Picture: AFL Photos
Hawthorn
DANIEL HOWE
Why? The composed defender managed 10 games in his second season, where his versatility came to the fore. Howe lost his place in the side after round 16 when he injured his calf. Emerging forward James Sicily is ineligible for the award after being suspended for striking Melbourne's Bernie Vince in round 20.
Melbourne
JAYDEN HUNT
Why? Paul Roos said it was "a travesty" the young defender was not nominated for the award and it is hard to argue. Hunt averaged 15.6 disposals from his 19 games, displaying lightning speed and competitiveness. Clayton Oliver, James Harmes, Christian Petracca and Oscar McDonald (who were nominated) all had good seasons, but they did not compare with the promise Hunt showed in his third year.
North Melbourne
TRENT DUMONT
Why? Teammate Ryan Clarke may have been nominated for the award in round 18, but Dumont's body of work across the season gets him the nod. The inside midfielder averaged 17.4 disposals and almost three clearances, taking advantage of his opportunities when North's injuries struck.
Port Adelaide
DARCY BYRNE-JONES
Why? The defender was one of the shining lights in a disappointing season for Ken Hinkley's side. Byrne-Jones averaged 15.6 disposals and provided good rebound from the back half. But it was his never-say die attitude and mental toughness were traits that earned him plenty of admirers at Alberton.
Richmond
DANIEL RIOLI
Why? The nephew of Hawthorn's Cyril proved a bright spot in a bleak season for the Tigers. Rioli gave Richmond a spark up forward, with his pressure and uncanny goal sense giving the Tigers supporters something to smile about. Kicked 13 goals from 18 games and looks to be a player of the future.
St Kilda
JADE GRESHAM
Why? Gresham quickly established himself as the Saints' No.1 small forward and was versatile enough to spend chunks of games in the middle. The clever forward has an elite sidestep, which he put to good use with one of the goals of the year against Geelong in round 14, and makes good decisions with the footy in tight.
Saints pocket rocket Jade Gresham established himself in 2016. Picture: AFL Photos
Sydney Swans
CALLUM MILLS
Why? The unflappable youngster did not miss a beat in his debut season and quickly established himself as one of John Longmire's most dependable defenders. Mills, a Swans academy product, averaged 19.4 disposals and displayed toughness and poise under pressure.
West Coast Eagles
TOM BARRASS
Why? Kept Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown out of the side in the second half of the year as he cemented his place alongside All Australian Jeremy McGovern in defence. Has similar traits to McGovern, and his intercept marking was on full display in the best game of his career against Adelaide in round 23.
Western Bulldogs
CALEB DANIEL
Why? Despite standing at 168cm, the small midfielder's poise and elite decision-making made him one of the standout young players in the competition in 2016. Daniel averaged 21.4 disposals (the most of any Rising Star eligible player) and was a key driver behind the Bulldogs' finals push.