Hurley earned the nomination for his 30-possession performance in Friday night’s win over St Kilda, the team he barracked for as a child.
The 20 year old was nominated for the award last season, which coincidentally also came after a win against St Kilda, but was still eligible for the 2010 award after playing just 10 games in 2009.
He finished last season as one of the hot tips for this year’s award but his chances suffered a blow when the Bombers suspended him for the first three rounds of the season after an off-field incident.
Hurley has played every game since coming back into the side in round four, playing predominantly as a forward but his nomination has come after a stellar performance in defence, where he won the battle with St Kilda forward Justin Koschitzke.
Hurley showed plenty of promise in his debut season at both ends of the ground and at the end of the year the Bombers showed an enormous gesture of faith by handing him the No.18 that had just been vacated by the retired Matthew Lloyd.
The race for the NAB AFL Rising Star is as close as possible with no standout performer so far.
Richmond’s Dustin Martin is ineligible, while Sydney Swan Dan Hannebery, Melbourne duo Jack Trengove and Tom Scully, Hawk defender Ben Stratton and Eagle Nic Naitanui have all been floated as possible winners but the field is still even.
With just four weeks of the home and away season to go, there are still plenty of contenders who are yet to receive a nomination.
Young guns Anthony Morabito, David Astbury, Jordie Mackenzie, Jack Watts and Easton Wood have all shown plenty of promise this season and are sure to be pushing for the four remaining nominations.
