KANGAROO Ryan Clarke's mid-season reboot as a defender has him in line to join an exclusive group of multiple NAB AFL Rising Star nominees.

Only 10 footballers in the award's 25-year history have scored two nominations, remaining eligible by playing 10 matches or fewer and not being 21 years old on January 1 of those seasons.

Duncan Kellaway, Craig Callaghan, Michael Braun, Luke Power, Nathan Jones, Mark LeCras, Michael Hurley, Jordan Gysberts, Sam Blease and Orazio Fantasia managed the rare feat.

Essendon livewire Fantasia was the first player in four years to achieve it when he received a second nomination in round 17, 2016.

Check out this year's Rising Star nominees

Clarke has put himself in the frame to be the next one, experiencing a five-game purple patch in North Melbourne's backline after spending most of the year playing on the wing and across half-forward.

His role change followed a stint back at VFL level, and coincided with season-ending injuries to defenders Jamie Macmillan, Marley Williams, Ed Vickers-Willis, Mitch Hibberd and Sam Wright.

Clarke is averaging 25.2 disposals (4.8 contested), 6.2 marks, 4.2 intercept possessions, three rebound 50s and 235.4 metres gained in his new backline job. Included in that period was a personal-best 31-possession explosion in a losing cause against Collingwood in round 18.

Those numbers have the 20-year-old in a strong position to be the year's last Rising Star nominee. Making his task easier is Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy's one-match suspension that rules the impressive Docker out of his club's clash with Essendon.

This stage of the season generally sees Rising Star judges reward consistency. But players who were previously nominated need to put themselves well above the field to be recognised again. 

A 27-disposal performance under the Friday night lights in round 18 last year delivered Clarke his first nomination. 

Clarke's chief rivals for the final nomination are Sydney's Will Hayward, Gold Coast's Brayden Fiorini, Western Bulldogs pair Lewis Young and Bailey Williams, Fremantle's Griffin Logue and fellow Roo Jy Simpkin.

Greater Western Sydney midfielder Jacob Hopper, nominated on debut in round eight last year, is also still eligible, while blossoming Blue Jarrod Pickett could force his way on the radar.