FREMANTLE is set to claim a third winner of the NAB AFL Rising Star, according to AFL.com.au's team of reporters.
In a poll of our reporters (check out all their votes below) ahead of tonight's awards, Dockers young gun Caleb Serong was predicted as the clear winner of the prestigious honour.
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He would follow Paul Hasleby (2000) and Rhys Palmer (2008) as the club's winners of the Rising Star after what was an exciting first season for last year's No.8 pick.
The impressive midfielder polled 44 out of a possible 45 votes in AFL.com.au's prediction, with a consistent group of players viewed as the leading nominees among our reporters. Only one reporter didn't name him as their winner. He finished ahead of Noah Anderson (35 votes), Max King (23) and Will Day (16).
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Matt Rowell loomed as the runaway winner of the award after his brilliant and blistering start to his career, but the Gold Coast midfielder's season-ending shoulder injury in round five saw him attract only one vote in this count.
Damian Barrett
5 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
4 – Max King (St Kilda)
3 – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
2 – Jake Riccardi (GWS)
1 – Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane)
Why Caleb Serong should win: For a kid standing 179cm, Serong sure has presence on an AFL field. Looked at home in his very first game back in round four, and by the end of the season had actually established himself a key member of a team going places. Felt he was the most consistent of the 2020 Rising Stars.
Riley Beveridge
5 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
4 – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
3 – Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
2 – Will Day (Hawthorn)
1 – Max King (St Kilda)
Why Caleb Serong should win: It's remarkable to think that Serong was made to wait until round four to receive his AFL debut. Since cracking this Fremantle side, he's become one of its most important midfielders. He's won 20+ disposals in six of his last 10 games, with his toughness and composure a constant. The Dockers have found their long-term Lachie Neale replacement.
Sarah Black
5 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
4 – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
3 – Max King (St Kilda)
2 – Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
1 – Will Day (Hawthorn)
Why Caleb Serong should win: Despite having to wait until round four for his debut, Serong has looked at home from the get-go. A natural ball-winner, he's been highly impressive as a 19-year-old inside midfielder against some of the biggest and most experienced players in the competition.
Jourdan Canil
5 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
4 – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
3 – Max King (St Kilda)
2 – Will Day (Hawthorn)
1 – Matt Rowell (Gold Coast)
Why Caleb Serong should win: He stepped straight into a role that immediately allowed Nat Fyfe to spend more time forward. He impacts winning through his clearance work and works hard defensively too. His contributions made Fremantle a far better side.
Mitch Cleary
5 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
4 – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
3 – Max King (St Kilda)
2 – Will Day (Hawthorn)
1 – Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
Why Caleb Serong should win: How many other players can kick Nat Fyfe out of the midfield in their first season? With Fyfe playing his biggest minutes as a forward since 2010, Serong fitted seamlessly into the Dockers' onball unit and took on some big roles. Just ask Patrick Dangerfield about Serong's stoppage craft after meeting him back in round eight.
Nat Edwards
5 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
4 – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
3 – Max King (St Kilda)
2 - Will Day (Hawthorn)
1 – Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane)
Why Caleb Serong should win: It's hard to split Serong and Anderson with both have outstanding debut seasons. But what tips the Freo youngster over the edge is the fact that he’s gone head-to-head with some of the best midfielders in the competition and limited their impact. On six occasions this season, he’s gathered 20 or more disposals, and is also ahead of his rising star peers when it comes to tackling and pressure acts. All of these attributes tips the scale for me, and leave him just ahead of Noah in my book.
Marc McGowan
5 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
4 – Max King (St Kilda)
3 – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
2 – Will Day (Hawthorn)
1 – Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
Why Caleb Serong should win: Serong played slightly fewer games than King and Anderson, but his responsibility level was on par or higher – and his performances were superior. The 19-year-old became a staple in the centre for the Dockers, and he not only excelled offensively but performed well defensively as well. Serong beat Anderson in all the key midfield numbers.
Callum Twomey
5 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
4 – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
3 – Will Day (Hawthorn)
2 – Max King (St Kilda)
1 – Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
Why Caleb Serong should win: It's been a stellar first year for Serong, who showed why some clubs had him ranked clearly inside the top-five of last year's NAB AFL Draft pool. Tough, clean, composed, smart and able to make things happen, Serong stepped up in some big moments and his consistency places him ahead of the other nominees.
Michael Whiting
5 – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
4 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)
3 – Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane)
2 – Will Day (Hawthorn)
1 – Connor Budarick (Gold Coast)
Why Noah Anderson should win: It's so tight between the top two – and I just like the consistency of Anderson against the high-end performances of Serong. Anderson did not miss a game and blossomed late in the season when moved more on-ball from his preferred wing position. The No.2 draft pick has developed a nice outside-inside combination to his game.