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The clear favourite for the award this season. Rich has had a stellar season with the Brisbane Lions, playing every game and averaging 18 possessions. His mature body and booming left-foot meant he was ready-made for the AFL after already playing senior football for WAFL side Subiaco.
He was the first nomination this season and has been strong favourite ever since. Rich would be the third consecutive no. 7 pick to take out the award after Joel Selwood and Rhys Palmer. The highlight of Rich’s stellar debut season came in the surprise win over Geelong in round 15 when he gathered 32 disposals to be among his side’s best.
Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
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Starred for Adelaide in his first full season with the club. The first-round draft pick stayed in Victoria to complete his schooling in 2008 but still managed to play two games late in the season.
The 19-year-old was given the honour of wearing club legend Mark Ricciuto’s famous no. 32 for 2009 and played the first 18 games of the season before a back injury sidelined him.
Dangerfield was a surprise selection by Adelaide at the 2007 draft when he was taken ahead of home-grown talent Brad Ebert but the speedy youngster has quickly become a fan favourite of the Crows. His best performance came in round three when he gathered 20 possessions against Fremantle to earn his nomination.
Tayte Pears (Essendon)
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In a squad filled with eager young tall defenders, Pears stood out for the Bombers this year. He took on and beat or drew even with some of the best power forwards of the AFL this season including Jonathan Brown, Brendan Fevola, Nick Riewoldt Matthew Pavlich and Jarryd Roughead.
The West Australian played just five games for Essendon in 2008 before hip surgery finished his season. He came back to play every game in 2009, earning his NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for his round 13 job against Fevola.
Pears signed a two-year deal with Essendon during the year and is sure to be a major part of its long-term plans.
Jack Grimes (Melbourne)
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One of the shining lights in an otherwise forgettable season for Melbourne. The lifelong Melbourne supporter came to the club after he was drafted with pick 14 at the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, the pick that was traded from Collingwood via the Brisbane Lions for Travis Johnstone. After battling a back injury, Grimes played his first senior game in round 22 against Richmond last year, wearing Johnstone’s number 16. He missed the first six games of 2009 but slotted straight back into the Demons side to be one of their most consistent performers. He was nominated for the NAB Rising Star in round 14 after his 29-possession, 16-mark game in the win over West Coast at the MCG.
Andy Otten (Adelaide)
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The tall midfielder has been one of Adelaide’s best young players in an impressive year for the club. Drafted in the second round of the 2007 National draft, Otten played two games for the Crows last year before hitting his stride and playing all 21 games so far in 2009. Otten has been a valuable contributor for the Crows both in the midfield and off half-back.
He earned his nomination for a 23-disposal game against Carlton in round nine and has maintained his consistency for the entire seasons. Many experts are tipping a podium finish for the 20-year-old.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
