THE NAB AFL Rising Star is one of the League's most coveted awards, recognises the competition's top emerging talent.

AFL.com.au reporters nominate each club's top chance of winning the prize in 2017, and the best of the rest.

Best chance: Wayne Milera
The Crows have been crying out for extra pace through the midfield and Milera has that in spades. The 19-year-old, who was the No.11 overall pick in the 2015 draft, showed a glimpse of his talent with eight games last year. He provided plenty of run and carry for the Crows in their 56-point round one demolition of Greater Western Sydney. Milera uses the ball extremely well and makes quick decisions around stoppages. He will also spend time in the forward line where he can swap with Charlie Cameron and Eddie Betts.

Other contenders: Jordan Gallucci (yet to debut), Myles Poholke (yet to debut), Harrison Wigg (yet to debut)

Past winners: Daniel Talia (2012)

Best chance: Hugh McCluggage
Still waiting to overcome an ankle niggle to play his first game, but McCluggage is the class of the young Lions list. Long touted as a possible number one pick, the young Victorian slid to the Lions at number three in last year's draft and has had an excellent pre-season. He shows composure beyond his years and has excellent skills to match. Once fit, McCluggage should cement his place and play plenty of games, mixing his time between half-forward and the midfield.

Other contenders: Jarrod Berry (yet to debut), Cedric Cox (yet to debut)

Past winners: Nathan Buckley (1993), Chris Scott (1994), Daniel Rich (2009), Lewy Taylor (2014) - Michael Whiting

Best chance: Caleb Marchbank
Following a solid pre-season after being traded by the Giants last October, Marchbank will play a key role in Carlton,s defence this season, particularly if Jacob Weitering is used predominantly in attack. He has overcome the injuries that restricted him to two games last season and impressed in his first game for the Blues last Thursday night, showing an exceptional ability to take intercept marks although he will have to work on his disposal. Marchbank is eligible for the award as he does not turn 21 until December and played only seven games in his short tenure with GWS.

Other contenders: Charlie Curnow (seven games), Harry McKay (yet to debut), Sam Petrevski-Seton (one game), Jarrod Pickett (one game), Jack Silvagni (nine games).

Past winners: Nil - Howard Kotton

Best chance: Tom Phillips
The 187cm midfielder already appears a steal at No. 58 pick in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft. Picked up by the Pies after a dominant over-age season for TAC Cup club Oakleigh Chargers, the left-footer impressed in his debut season last year when he averaged 17 disposals in six games. Enjoyed an exceptional pre-season in which he again out-paced Steele Sidebottom in the Pies' 2km time trial before being a standout in the JLT Community Series. Phillips, who will turn 21 in May, continued his good touch in the round one loss to the reigning premiers, the Western Bulldogs, collecting a career-best 26 possessions (nine contested), four clearances, four tackles and a goal assist (he averages one a game). Brave, hard at it, composed and a neat kick, his challenge is to cement his spot by the time several injured teammates return.

Other contenders: Callum Brown (yet to debut), Ben Crocker (10 games), Josh Daicos (yet to debut), Sam McLarty (yet to debut)

Past winners: Nil – Ben Collins

Best chance: Andrew McGrath
No surprises here. McGrath was considered unlucky by some to have not taken out the opening-round NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after his brilliant debut against the Hawks last week. The small defender gathered 22 disposals and laid five tackles in the Bombers' emotional win, and impressed with his class, smarts, poise and toughness in the back half. It seems only a matter of time until his nomination arrives. McGrath, the Bombers' first ever No.1 draft pick, is likely to settle into the Bombers' defence for the best part of his debut season.

Other contenders: Aaron Francis (three games), Mason Redman (three games), Josh Begley (yet to debut)

Past winners: Dyson Heppell (2011) - Callum Twomey

2016's No.1 draft pick is the Bombers' best chance. Picture: AFL Photos

Best chance: Griffin Logue
He still has a few things to learn about positioning in Fremantle's defensive system, but last year's No.8 pick Griffin Logue has a ton of raw ability and did some exciting things in his only JLT Community Series match – including kicking a booming supergoal. Logue has had 17 and 13 touches in the opening two rounds of the WAFL and the 18-year-old should be in the frame for a Dockers debut this year, especially if Freo tumbles out of finals contention relatively early in the season and turns to youth.

Other contenders: Harley Balic (yet to debut), Brennan Cox (yet to debut), Sean Darcy (yet to debut), Luke Ryan (yet to debut)

Past winners: Paul Hasleby (2000), Rhys Palmer (2008) - Travis King

Best chance: Brandan Parfitt

Drafted with pick No.26 overall in last year's NAB AFL Draft, the young Cat made his debut in round one against Fremantle after three impressive games in the JLT Community Series. Played forward in the pre-season hit-outs for 11 touches against Hawthorn, 12 against Adelaide and 18 versus Essendon, but only managed nine against the Dockers in the season opener. The 18-year-old arrived at the club having played SANFL senior football for North Adelaide, and is considered hard and courageous at the ball with the scope to eventually play through the midfield when his endurance improves. Wears the No.3 guernsey recently vacated by Jimmy Bartel.

Other contenders: Zach Guthrie (yet to debut), James Parsons (yet to debut), Ryan Gardner (yet to debut)

Past winners: Joel Selwood (2007) – Jennifer Phelan

Best chance: Ben Ainsworth
It took just one game for Ainsworth to show his value, kicking two goals on debut against the Lions at the weekend. The 18-year-old small forward played every game in the JLT Series and looks readymade to contribute at senior level, with his strong body able to mix it against the men and his speed around the packs more than enough to be dangerous. He also exerts good defensive pressure – which should improve as his fitness does – and will be a regular starter for much of the season.

Other contenders: Jack Bowes (one game), Will Brodie (yet to debut), Brayden Fiorini (two games)

Past winners: Jaeger O'Meara (2013) - Michael Whiting

Best chance: Jacob Hopper
The club's top pick from the 2015 NAB AFL draft sneaks in for a chance of winning the award after playing the maximum 10 games in his debut season. Hopper burst onto the scene in round eight last season with 32 possessions in his first game, and maintained some quality form until he was struck down with stress fractures in his lower back. The 20-year-old had had an interrupted pre-season but should be back in the senior side in the next fortnight, where he will slot into the Giants midfield.

Other contenders: Tim Taranto (one game), Will Setterfield (yet to debut)

Past winners: Nil - Adam Curley

Giant Jacob Hopper is a sneaky chance. Picture: AFL Photos

Best chance: Ryan Burton
The South Australian showed great promise in four games last season and the Hawks were super impressed with his pre-season. But after a quiet JLT series he was left out of the season opener against Essendon when the Hawks opted to pick an experienced side. But he will be back before long and the Hawks will again deploy him as both a medium defender and forward, where his lovely hands and excellent kicking skills will come to the fore. Not for nothing did Hawthorn extend his contract last year before he even played a senior game, and this year award him the coveted No.5 jumper.

Other contenders: Kade Stewart (3)

Past winners: Nick Holland (1995), Sam Mitchell (2003) - Ashley Browne

Best chance: Sam Weideman
The developing key forward has been earmarked for the second tall forward spot alongside Jesse Hogan. Weideman, pick No.9 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, managed three games in his maiden season after making his debut against Hawthorn in round 20 last year. After playing the first match of 2017, Weideman will be keen to become a permanent fixture in the side. The 19-year-old is much better equipped to make an impact at senior level this season and, if he remains in the side, could boot between 20 and 30 goals for the year.

Other contenders: Joel Smith (one match), Dion Johnstone (zero), Liam Hulett (zero), Mitch White (three)

Past winners: Jared Rivers (2004), Jesse Hogan (2015) - Ben Guthrie

Best chance: Jy Simpkin
The Kangaroos' top draft pick last year – No.12 overall – received an immediate senior call-up, despite a delayed pre-season start recovering from a broken leg sustained in April last year. Simpkin, 19, has earned games record-holder Brent Harvey's admiration, while coach Brad Scott saw enough in his two JLT Community Series matches to hand him a round one debut alongside Braydon Preuss, Mitch Hibberd and Declan Mountford. Scott is particularly bullish about the Mooroopna product's rare combination of "outside class" and toughness at the contest. Simpkin had only nine possessions against West Coast, but is sure to make his mark soon.

Other contenders: Ryan Clarke (six), Mitch Hibberd (one), Ed Vickers-Willis (yet to debut), Declan Mountford (one), Sam Durdin (yet to debut), Ben McKay (yet to debut)

Past winners: Byron Pickett (1998) - Marc McGowan

Best chance: Sam Powell-Pepper
The big-bodied midfielder's impressive debut against Sydney was too good to ignore, receiving the round one NAB Rising Star nomination. Powell-Pepper looked right at home at the elite level, picking up 19 possessions and loading up a sensational 60m goal when the game was in the balance. The 19-year-old was a standout during the JLT Community Series with his physicality at stoppages and willingness to do the tough stuff. He appears to be the steal of last year's draft, having been taken with the 18th overall pick.

Other contenders: Joe Atley (yet to debut), Dan Houston (one game), Dougal Howard (six games)

Past winners: Michael Wilson (1997), Danyle Pearce (2006) - Lee Gaskin

Sam Powell-Pepper hasn't wasted any time making an impact. Picture: AFL Photos

Best chance: Dan Butler
After battling knee injuries in his first season and spending 2016 in the VFL, Butler established himself in the Tigers' forward line over the JLT Community Series. He was rewarded with round one selection and was a standout with his defensive pressure and two goals. The 182cm forward is an important part of the way the Tigers want to play in 2017 and it's hard to see him missing too many games after such an impressive first-up effort. The 20-year-old boasts pace and goal sense, mixing his attacking traits with a defensive edge Richmond fans will love. An ability to push up the ground will be the next step in his career. Richmond's first pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft, Shai Bolton, is ineligible after being suspended in a VFL practice match.

Other contenders: Jason Castagna (six games), Oleg Markov (eight games)

Past winners: Brett Deledio (2005) - Nathan Schmook 

Best chance: Ben Long
The Saints don't have a standout candidate for the NAB AFL Rising Star, but last year's No.25 selection is perhaps the most likely. His suspension from Footscray's VFL premiership last year expires at the end of this round and he could receive a senior berth if a small forward in the senior team is injured or falls out of favour with the coaches. Long would offer defensive pressure and a nose for goal, and he does not lack speed either. St Kilda's other two picks from last year – Josh Battle and Ed Phillips – will find it tough to debut.

Other contenders: Brandon White (one game)

Past winners: Justin Koschitzke (2001), Nick Riewoldt (2002) - Dinny Navaratnam

Best chance: Oliver Florent
The speedy draftee earned himself a round one debut against Port Adelaide last week and showed enough promise to get Swans fans excited. Florent has some work to do in the gym and was expected to spend time in the NEAFL before he saw any senior action this year, but proved himself during the JLT Community Series to be capable of matching it with bigger bodies at the highest level. With Isaac Heeney (glandular fever) and Dan Robinson (shoulder) both missing games early, Florent will get more game time on the wing where he can put his pace and foot skills to best use.

Other contenders: Harrison Marsh (eight games), Will Hayward (yet to debut)

Past winners: Adam Goodes (1999), Dan Hannebery (2010), Callum Mills (2016) - Adam Curley

Best chance: Luke Partington
It's almost impossible to envisage any West Coast youngster challenging for the NAB AFL Rising Star award this year given the experience, depth and age profile of the Eagles' list. It would take a catalogue of injuries – to areas other than the ruck – for many youngsters to receive more than a few games here and there, but midfielder Luke Partington has started the WAFL season strongly for East Perth averaging 30 touches and a goal in the first two rounds and is a chance to debut. The 20-year-old onballer is a quick-thinker and can run all day, and also showed some promise in the pre-season loss to GWS.

Other contenders: Tom Cole (two games), Tom Lamb (one game), Kurt Mutimer (yet to debut), Josh Rotham (yet to debut), Daniel Venables (yet to debut)

Past winners: Ben Cousins (1996) - Travis King

Best chance: Tim English
With Luke Beveridge a massive fan of mobile ruckman, and the Dogs' list not overly stocked with big men, the West Australian draftee is a strong chance to debut and then play regular senior footy. While still lightly built, the 19-year-old played senior footy in the WAFL last year and wasn't out of place matched against Brisbane's Stefan Martin in the JLT Community Series. He covers the ground well, is good at ground level and has impressed development manager Rohan Smith with his contested marking in match simulation over the pre-season.

Other contenders: Kieran Collins (one game), Patrick Lipinski (yet to debut), Lewis Young (yet to debut), Bailey Williams (6 games).

Past winners: Nil – Ryan Davidson

New Bulldog Tim English looks the goods. Picture: AFL Photos

• NAB AFL Rising Star hub: news, nominees and past winners

• How does the Rising Star Award work and who is eligible?