WHEN Melbourne held pick No.3 at the 2019 NAB AFL Draft, the Demons fielded call after call from rivals trying to nab the selection in a trade deal. But the Demons weren't budging, absolutely set on drafting West Australian youngster Luke Jackson.

And that call from Demons recruiting boss Jason Taylor has been vindicated again on Thursday, with Jackson named the winner of this year's NAB AFL Rising Star, becoming the third Demon to achieve the feat after Jared Rivers in 2004 and Jesse Hogan in 2015.

Jackson was nominated for the honour in round seven and was one of four Demons to get the weekly nod this season, alongside James Jordon (round eight), Trent Rivers (round 11) and Jake Bowey (round 22).

But he has been crowned the Ron Evans medallist after playing a key role in Melbourne's ascent up the ladder, playing 21 games in the home and away season and booting 15 goals as a key forward/ruckman.

"It's a massive honour and I am very humbled to win the NAB Rising Star award. I am really excited about what the team can achieve in the finals series and can't wait to get out on the field and make our supporters proud," Jackson said.

"I couldn't have had the season I have without the support of Simon Goodwin, the entire coaching group and all my teammates who have helped to not only develop me as a person but also as a player.

"My family have also played a massive role throughout the and I would like to thank them for all their support and guidance they have given me."

CLASS OF '21 All of this year's Rising Stars

He claimed the Rising Star after being given the full five votes from nine of the 11 judges, to finish with 51 votes, with Brisbane premiership player Chris Johnson (two votes) and Sydney great Jude Bolton (four votes) the only members of the panel to not rank Jackson as the best this season.

Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Green placed second with 38 votes ahead of third-placed Power forward Mitch Georgiades (28 votes). Sydney pair Justin McInerney (14 votes) and Errol Gulden (11 votes) rounded out the top-five.

Rivers, Jordon, Essendon's Nik Cox, Western Bulldogs' Cody Weightman, Adelaide's Harry Schoenberg and Fremantle's Hayden Young were others to poll behind Jackson, who became the first ruckman to claim the award since Sydney's Adam Goodes in 1999.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said Jackson should be proud of his outstanding season.

"To see the way Luke has developed over the last 18 months has been a great highlight for me, and it's a credit to the environment and culture we have built at the football club to give our players the best chance to succeed," Goodwin said.

"Luke is an outstanding person who has great values and is a very popular member of the playing group. This award is fantastic recognition for Luke and all the hard work he has put into performing at a high level on a consistent basis."

The East Fremantle product gave away a promising basketball career to concentrate on football in his draft year after being wooed by the AFL and played six games last season in his debut year.

He shapes as a crucial figure in Melbourne's bid to break its long premiership drought since 1964, with Jackson's most dominant game of the season coming against Gold Coast in round 20 when he kicked four goals from 17 disposals.

The 2021 NAB AFL Rising Star voting

51 votes - Luke Jackson, Melbourne
38 votes - Tom Green, GWS Giants
28 votes - Mitch Georgiades, Port Adelaide
14 votes - Justin McInerney, Sydney
11 votes - Errol Gulden, Sydney

Gillon McLachlan
5. Luke Jackson
4. Mitch Georgiades
3. Tom Green
2. James Jordon
1. Errol Gulden

Kevin Bartlett
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Justin McInerney
1. Trent Rivers 

Glen Jackovich
5. Luke Jackson
4. Mitch Georgiades
3. Trent Rivers
2. Tom Green
1. Harry Schoenberg

Andrew Dillon
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Justin McInerney
2. Errol Gulden
1. James Jordon

Nick Riewoldt
5. Luke Jackson
4. Justin McInerney
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Errol Gulden
1. Trent Rivers

Jude Bolton
5. Tom Green
4. Luke Jackson
3. Justin McInerney
2. Harry Schoenberg
1. Mitch Georgiades

Chris Johnson
5. Tom Green
4. Errol Gulden
3. Harry Schoenberg
2. Luke Jackson
1. Hayden Young

Cameron Ling
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Cody Weightman
1. James Jordon

Matthew Richardson
5. Luke Jackson
4. Mitch Georgiades
3. Tom Green
2. Justin McInerney
1. James Jordon

Warren Tredrea
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Trent Rivers
1. Harry Schoenberg

Kevin Sheehan
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Errol Gulden
1. Nik Cox