Round one: Sam Powell-Pepper (Port Adelaide)

The award's early favourite. The Power midfield bull intimidated with his physicality, won 8.4 of his weekly 17 disposals in contested fashion and kicked 15 goals in his first 16 matches before tiring down the stretch. 

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Round two: Ryan Burton (Hawthorn)

Started in the VFL after a pre-season touch-up from Brett Eddy, but immediately stamped himself on return as a Rising Star contender with an impressive job on Taylor Walker, complete with a then career-high 26 disposals. 

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Round three: Brandan Parfitt (Geelong)

Wears Jimmy Bartel's old No.3 and already looked a draft steal by the time he racked up 23 touches (13 contested) and five tackles against Melbourne in round three. A hamstring injury restricted him to 12 games. 

Round four: Andrew McGrath (Essendon)

Essendon's first-ever No.1 draft pick oozed class and composure in his 20 matches, and made a major statement in round 21, when he kept mercurial Crow Eddie Betts goalless while racking up 25 disposals. 

Round five: Eric Hipwood (Brisbane Lions)

The Rafael Nadal lookalike was second in the Lions' goalkicking with 30, a strong result for a 19-year-old beanpole in a side with the AFL's fewest inside 50s and one that finished on the bottom.

Beanpole Rafa: Eric Hipwood in action for the Lions in round 17
 

Round six: Caleb Marchbank (Carlton)

Became the resident intercept specialist in the Blues' lauded defensive structure, and averaged 15.5 disposals while rarely having goals kicked on him. The ex-Giant played only 16 games, because of separate shoulder and arm injuries. 

Round seven: Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton)

Few players had a more eye-catching nomination game than the man known as 'Samo'. Produced some remarkable moments against the Pies with 21 disposals (10 contested), two goals and three clearances. Had a mid-season flat patch. 

Round eight: Tim Taranto (GWS)

Looked a leading chance until an ankle injury ended his home and away season in round 14. Last year's No.2 draft choice played all bar one game to that point and averaged 15-plus possessions mostly up forward.

Round nine: Tom Phillips (Collingwood)

One thing that can be guaranteed about the Magpie wingman is he will run hard all game. Drafted at No.58 in 2015, Phillips picked up at least 20 disposals in each of his last four matches.

Round 10: Wayne Milera (Adelaide)

It's tough to hold down a spot for the minor premiers but Milera's talent is hard to deny, and he play in 16 games. His three-goal performance against Fremantle was rewarded with a nomination.

Smooth mover: Wayne Milera in action for the Crows in round 23. Picture AFL Photos

Round 11: Dan Butler (Richmond)

An important part of Richmond's revival, this Tiger has serious toe and loves to pressure the opposition. It's been a long time coming for the third-year forward but he's been worth the wait. 

Round 12: David Cuningham (Carlton)

Performing in big games is a great trait and this Blue bagged a couple of goals in the upset win against Greater Western Sydney. Has speed to burn and makes good decisions.

Round 13: Jack Silvagni (Carlton)

Smart and talented, the third-generation Blues young gun has a bright future. He kicked multiple goals in six matches – no mean feat considering Carlton was the lowest-scoring side in the competition.

Round 14: Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)

Having this man deliver the footy must be a dream for forwards. Improved as the season went on and slotted five goals in his last seven matches to show he can hit the scoreboard. 

Round 15: Blake Hardwick (Hawthorn)

Originally a forward, the sweet-kicking Hawk impressed with his lockdown jobs on opposition smalls, keeping the likes of Adelaide's Eddie Betts and Collingwood's Jamie Elliott quiet.

Blake Hardwick and Jaeger O'Meara talk to Marcus Bontempelli in round 23. Picture AFL Photos

Round 16: Charlie Curnow (Carlton)

The versatile Blue could become the best player of this crop. Currently a forward with serious marking prowess, his size and endurance mean he could easily play, and dominate, in the midfield.

Rounnd 17: Alex Witherden (Brisbane Lions)

After recovering from the leg he broke before he was drafted and then a hamstring strain early in the season, Witherden made a significant impact in the Lions' team in the second-half of the year. Relied upon as the Lions' designated kicker from the back-half, he averaged 23.6 disposals per game (the most of any Rising Star hopeful). 

Round 18: Lewis Melican (Sydney)

The synergy the understated defender developed with his backline teammates was crucial to Sydney's turnaround after its 0-6 start. Melican, who hails from Birregurra in Victoria, ranks first at the Swans for spoils, third for contested knock-ons, fourth for intercepts and fifth for intercept marks since his debut in round five.

Round 19: Jason Castagna (Richmond)

Richmond's small forwards have been central to the team's finals charge and Castagna's pace and forward pressure is the epitome of that. 'George,' as he is known to his teammates, ranks fourth in the AFL for pressure acts inside forward 50 and has booted 23 goals from his 22 games. 

The players get around Jason Castagna after he slotted a goal in round 18. Picture AFL Photos

Round 20: Luke Ryan (Fremantle)

Ryan benefited from Fremantle's youth selection policy, managing 11 matches in his first AFL season. A mature-aged draft selection, he won the nomination in round 20 after a 28-possession, 16-mark showing at Gold Coast's expense on Saturday night. Nine of his marks were intercepts – one short of the all-time record.

Round 21: Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)

The tough defender averaged 16.1 disposals from his 16 games. After losing his spot in the team following the club's loss to West Coast in round seven, Houston played nine of the last 11 games. He launched the equal-most scores from defensive 50 of any Port Adelaide player.

Round 22: Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast)

The high-energy forward had an interrupted year with a quad injury sidelining him for eight matches between rounds three and 10. Missed a game with a knee complaint in round 20, before ending the year on a high note. Booted three goals against Essendon in round 22 to earn that round's nomination. 

Round 23: Will Hayward (Sydney)

Kicked 22 goals in 17 games in his first season with last year's grand finalists to sit fourth on the club's goalkicking table. Hayward's aerial ability and his poise under pressure made him a key component of Sydney's forward line. Scooped the final nomination with three goals from three kicks against Carlton.