OVER the next few weeks draft guru Callum Twomey will rank the five best NAB AFL Rising Star nominees in each round from 1993, the first year of the award, to 2019. This week we name the best round-four nominees from history.
IF YOU want to tip this year's NAB AFL Rising Star winner, just wait until round four's nominee is announced. At least that's what the past three years has told us.
Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh's triumph as the Rising Star winner last year saw him follow Collingwood's Jaidyn Stephenson (2018) and Essendon's Andrew McGrath (2017) as overall winners who have won their nomination in round four of the home and away season.
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While the game faces its shutdown period due to the coronavirus outbreak, we will be reflecting and ranking each round's best nominees.
The rankings will judge the players based on the eventuality of their careers and not just the performances in the game they were nominated or that season.
This week's top-five is about as star-studded as it gets. There's Brownlow Medals, Coleman Medals, Norm Smith Medals, countless Virgin Australia All-Australians and best and fairests, and three club captains.
Outside of that group, there were also some worthy contenders. Winners Nick Holland (Hawthorn, 1995) and Michael Wilson (Port Adelaide, 1997) were amongst that group, as well as West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui, two-time premiership Bomber Joe Misiti and flag Magpie Leigh Brown.
TOP FIVE ROUND FOUR NAB AFL RISING STAR NOMINEES
No.5: Kieren Jack (Sydney)
Nominated: 2008 (Did not place)
The son of rugby legend Garry Jack came off the rookie list to piece together a sensational career with the Swans. As one of the hardest-working midfielders in the game, Jack played in Sydney's 2012 flag, was its co-captain for several years, won a club best and fairest and was named a Virgin Australian AFL All Australian in 2013.
No.4: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
Nominated: 2015 (2nd place overall)
Cripps is perhaps the best player in the competition and has only just turned 25. The Carlton co-captain last year claimed his third Blues best and fairest, and was also voted the AFLPA's most valuable player. Cripps came second in the Rising Star in his year, behind then-Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan.
No.3: Scott Pendlebury
Nominated: 2007 (2nd place overall)
Pendlebury came second in his Rising Star year behind Geelong sensation Joel Selwood. It was the beginning of a remarkably consistent career, which is likely to see him break the all-time games record for the Magpies this year if games recommence. Has won a Norm Smith Medal, a flag, five best and fairests and six All-Australian jumpers.
No.2: Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)
Nominated: 2001 (Did not place)
A part of the 2001 'Superdraft', Bartel lived up to his billing at the No.8 pick in that crop – and then some. The tough midfielder gained a reputation as one of the AFL's best big-game players, winning the 2007 Brownlow Medal and 2011 Norm Smith Medal as a three-time premiership Cat. Could play anywhere on the ground and make an impact.
No.1: Lance Franklin (Hawthorn/Sydney)
Nominated: 2005 (Did not place)
It couldn't be anyone other than Buddy. The brilliant key forward won a Rising Star nomination in the fourth game of his career, and went on to become one of the best players in history. The athletic superstar is a one-of-a-kind goalkicker and eight-time All Australian who looks set to be the next player to join the illustrious 1000-goal club.
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