The Kangaroos’ Daniel Wells, St Kilda’s Brendon Goddard and Brisbane’s Jared Brennan are seemingly the leading contenders for the 2003 National AFL Rising Star award.

The eligible field is divided between players who have already débuted (but played less than ten matches) and a talented crop of first-year players. But Wells, the Roos’ first draft pick (second overall in the 2002 National AFL Draft) is the player most likely to win the prestigious prize.

With his Ben Harper hairdo (or is it more Lenny Kravitz?), Wells - who also has a fondness for red footy boots - will catch more than a few eyes this season.

Comparisons have already been made between the 18-year-old former Peel Thunder player (and runner-up in the Sandover Medal) and one of the game’s greats, dual-Norm Smith Medallist, premiership player and three-time All Australian, Adelaide’s Andrew McLeod.

The mere association is a huge privilege for a teenager, let alone one who is yet to make his senior début. But it’s clear after watching Wells for a few minutes that he oozes class and boasts that priceless gift of football smarts.

The midfielder/forward has explosive pace, is uncannily skilled, a clever goal kicker and is set to slip right into the Roos’ senior-line-up. In addition, as a former captain of Australia for the under 17s squad that toured Ireland, Wells has already cultivated leadership skills.

In what was an irresistibly talented draft however, Wells will be well-challenged by the Saints’ newest prize recruits Goddard and Luke Ball, and the Lions’ Brennan.

The critical factor will be how much time these players manage to spend in their senior sides, and how their developing bodies handle the rigours of senior AFL footy.

After Nick Riewoldt won the award last year and big man Justin Koschitzke secured the trophy in 2001, St Kilda could very well boast the competition’s best young player for a third successive year.

There is little doubt Goddard - who can play forward, back or in the middle - has the build and talent to play a full season. However the Saints will be cautious not to rush the number one selection in the 2002 draft, particularly after his modified pre-season.

St Kilda is familiar with the potential effects a full season can have on a youngster – and while it’s not directly related, the 2001 Rising Star Koschitzke spent most of last season sidelined with back problems.

Fans might even see more of midfielder Ball than Goddard. The third pick behind the highly talented Luke Hodge and Chris Judd in 2001, 18-year-old Ball has enjoyed a full summer of training but is yet to make his senior début after nursing osteitis pubis throughout 2002.

The versatile and skilled Brennan will also make the judges’ task very tough. The Northern Territorian was the third pick of last year’s draft, which the Lions secured by trading future star Des Headland to Fremantle. Significantly, coach Leigh Matthews recently rated Brennan the best newcomer he has ever coached, and he showed exciting flashes in the pre-season competition.

But whether Brennan will be able to force himself into the reigning premiers’ side often enough - let alone enjoy sufficient game time to win the award - is uncertain.

Importantly, the players who have already débuted have the advantage of an extra pre-season and should be more acclimatised to the senior pace.

Adelaide pair Mark Mattner (seven games) and Brent Reilly (one game) have been good in the pre-season and played in the Crows’ Wizard Home Loans Cup premiership, while West Coast’s Jeremy Humm (nine games) and Carlton’s Trent Sporn (eight) are smokies.

The Bombers’ Joel Reynolds (nine matches) cannot be counted out, and Hawthorn midfielder Rick Ladson, denied the chance to début in 2002 after damaging a knee, is ready to star this year.

One thing is for certain; a nomination alone is an honour.

The inaugural group of nominees in 1993 included Shane Crawford, David Neitz, James Hird, Mark Ricciuto, Leigh Colbert and winner Nathan Buckley –all of whom, except for former Geelong skipper Colbert, are presently club captains. Also nominated that year were modern-day stars Matthew Richardson, Joe Misiti, Scott West, Dustin Fletcher, Peter Everitt, Glenn Archer, Saverio Rocca, Mark Mercuri and Duncan Kellaway.

Past winners include Chris Scott, Nick Holland, Michael Wilson, Adam Goodes and Ben Cousins, and the AFL’s national talent manager Kevin Sheehan does not believe the winner has consistent specific attributes.

“We’ve had the full gamut really, from Buckley that was a dominant midfielder, Chris Scott coming off a back flank, Cousins an on-baller, Pickett exciting. There’s been a mixture between talls and smalls, it’s about 50-50.”

“But pick any year you want to and you just see the effect it has later on.”

“In other words, these kids are just names now, but take it five years on and they’ll be the household names in the game,” Sheehan said.


THE NATIONAL AFL RISING STAR AWARD

CRITERIA

The winning player must be under 21 years of age at 1 January of the season, not played more than ten matches and not been suspended.

There are more than 150 eligible players. Here are the main chances (players yet to début highlighted):

Martin Mattner, Brent Reilly (Adelaide), Jared Brennan (Brisbane), Trent Sporn (Carlton), Richard Cole, Matthew Lokan (Collingwood),Jason Laycock, Joel Reynolds, Jobe Watson (Essendon), Graham Polak (Fremantle), Charlie Gardiner (Geelong), Rick Ladson, Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Daniel Motlop, Ashley Watson, Daniel Wells (Kangaroos), Domenic Cassisi, Steven Salopek (Port Adelaide), Luke Ball, Barry Brooks, Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Adam Schneider (Sydney), Jeremy Humm, Brent Staker (West Coast Eagles), Sam Power, Wayde Skipper (Western Bulldogs).

PAST WINNERS

2002 Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
2001 Justin Koschitzke (St Kilda)
2000 Paul Hasleby (Fremantle)
1999 Adam Goodes (Sydney)
1998 Byron Pickett (Kangaroos)
1997 Michael Wilson (Port Adelaide)
1996 Ben Cousins (West Coast Eagles)
1995 Nick Holland (Hawthorn)
1994 Chris Scott (Brisbane)
1993 Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)