For our ongoing fascination with rookie players it seems remarkable that at the end of the season it is just one player that gets the adulation and plaudits.
After counting down the All Australian team and the All Australian second team, it seems only appropriate that we look to the future – and who will be the best in the business in five to ten years time.
This year there are a host of good options for NAB Rising Star honours but no standout.
So to reward 18 of the best and brightest prospects from the 2014 season this is the All-Australian Rising Star team. Six deserving midfielders, forwards and defenders are selected.
Midfielders: Marcus Bontempelli, James Aish, Luke Dunstan, Jack Billings, Jake Lloyd and Josh Kelly
Bontempelli has proven to be the most versatile and dynamic player among the 2014 rising star class yet he has probably been shaded as a genuine midfielder by Dunstan, who was the outstanding rookie of the first half of the season.
Aish has been a consistent player for Brisbane and has shown maturity in bouncing back strongly from any poor game. Billings and Lloyd have both shown some genuine class and pace on the outside for teams in very different situations, while Kelly has shown throughout the second half of the season why he was a number two pick last November.
Forwards: Jon Patton, Lewis Taylor, Harry Cunningham, Zac Merrett, Jake Stringer and Troy Menzel
It has been under appreciated just how impressive Patton was in playing the number one key forward role in a developing side. His rapid improvement was testament to a lot of hard work and persistence.
Taylor has been the most consistent player from this year’s rising star contenders, having a genuine impact for his team in each and every game across the season.
Cunningham and Merrett also need to be appreciated in that they contributed to a team that is going to contend for the premiership during September.
Each had meaningful moments in big games. Both Stringer and Menzel had top three finishes in their respective clubs’ goal kicking across the season. They are both bright spots for the Bulldogs and Blues, who are facing tough years ahead.
Defenders: Darcy Gardiner, Luke McDonald, Kade Kolodjashnij, Tom Langdon, Jarman Impey and Clay Cameron
Much like Patton, the role of Gardiner to play on some of the big name forwards in the league this year has been an undervalued feat, and is testament to a rapidly improving defender. McDonald has been consistent across half back and has already become a permanent fixture in the Kangaroos’ defence.
Langdon had a strong first half to the season with Kolodjashnij doing the reverse and having a strong second half of the season. Cameron also started the season strongly and edges Daniel McStay who would have been an option if not for being swung forward late in the season.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Controversy has erupted following Essendon's thrilling three-point victory over Adelaide, with an umpire under fire for his decision to not award the Crows a…
It was a horror last quarter at the Adelaide Oval for Josh Rachele, who also missed a chance to win the game for the…
Now that was a quick change of mind!
Over the next few days, all discussion of Essendon's three-point win over Adelaide will likely centre on the decision, in the final seconds of…
