There appears to be a very strong field of contenders that have a chance at winning the 2024 AFL Rising Star Award. The 2023 AFL Draft no.1 overall pick Harley Reid is the current favourite while George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher and Ryley Sanders could challenge for favouritism throughout the season. Â
Playing close to every game of the season is a critical factor along with an ability to record a strong disposal average. Others that play a specialist type role without the strong disposal average will need to have an impact at their position throughout the year.
Rising Sat Eligibility: To be eligible for the AFL Rising Star Award, each year’s nominated players must be under the age of 21 at 1 January and have played no more than 10 AFL games to the start of that season.
Current favourites as at February 4, 2024.
Harley Reid – West Coast
Reid is a seriously talented player selected at pick 1 in the 2023 AFL Draft. His playing time this year should be strong if he remains healthy. Recently West Coast senior coach Adam Simpson has declared that Reid will play a mix of half-back/midfield in his first season. His disposal numbers should be strong in both roles.
Current odds $3.00 – Probably not value at this point in the pre-season but certainly a genuine chance.
Player Card: Harley Reid
George Wardlaw – Nth Melbourne
Wardlaw is set to see a healthy amount of minutes in the midfield for the Kangaroos this season. He can win plenty of ball inside the contest as well as getting on the outside through the middle of the ground. Wardlaw averaged 14.6 disposals from 8 games in 2023, that average should significantly increase in 2024. Â
Current odds $5.50 – Probably about right to start the season but be prepared to react quickly if he performs well in early games.
Player Card: George Wardlaw
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Colby McKercher – Nth Melbourne
McKercher was selected at pick 2 in the 2023 AFL Draft by the Kangaroos. He will likely settle into a half-back role early in his career which should provide strong disposal numbers. McKercher is quite composed and an elite kick on his left foot, he should be consistent across the 2024 AFL season.
Current odds $7.00 – McKercher’s odds could shorten quite quickly early in the season.
Player Card: Colby McKercher
Ryley Sanders – Western Bulldogs
Sanders was selected at pick 6 in the 2023 AFL Draft by the Bulldogs. He is set to see significant playing time through the midfield in 2024. Sanders can win the ball inside the contest and quickly get to the outside accelerating ball movement, his disposal numbers should be healthy.
Current odds $8.00 – Be prepared to react fast if Sanders performs well early in the season.
Player Card: Ryley Sanders
Elijah Tsatas – Essendon
A knee injury this time last year hampered the initial season for Tsatas in the AFL. He made a brief appearance late in the 2023 season averaging 16.3 disposals from 4 games. He’ll likely play on the outside through the midfield for the majority of the season in 2024.
Current odds $13.00 – Tsatas could be quite consistent across the season.
Player Card: Elijah Tsatas
Other considerations:
Daniel Curtin – Adelaide
Current odds $15.00 – Curtin is set to settle in defence early in his career at the Crows but can play through the midfield.Â
Player Card: Daniel Curtin
Nick Watson – Hawthorn
Current odds $13.00 – Watson is a special talent that will likely draw immediate attention from opposition teams.
Player Card: Nick Watson
Angus Sheldrick – Sydney
Current odds $21.00 – Sheldrick would need to be used at a strong rate as an inside midfielder at the Swans.
Player Card: Angus Sheldrick
Brayden George – Nth Melbourne
Current odds $51.00 – It appears the Kangaroos will remain patient with George but he’s a future inside midfield bull.
Player Card: Brayden George
Caleb Windsor – Melbourne
Current odds $51.00 – If Windsor can break into the Melbourne team early he’s capable of putting together a strong season.
Player Card: Caleb Windsor
Ed Allan – Collingwood
Current odds $101.00 – Midfield opportunities are available at the Magpies in 2024, Allan is in the mix to join the midfield group.
Player Card: Ed Allan
Henry Hustwaite – Hawthorn
Current odds $151.00 – Hustwaite is very smooth with the ball, he just needs consistent opportunities at AFL level.
Player Card: Henry Hustwaite
Article by @aflratingsPete
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