AFL players across the country are ramping up their efforts to crack their team’s starting side for Round 1.
The youngsters, in particular, are looking to prove themselves worthy and on Monday we checked out on nine clubs and their contender for the AFL Rising Star award in 2016.
The current eligibility rules state that to be in contention a player must have been under 21 years of age on January 1, have played no more than 10 AFL games, and not be suspended at any point during the season.
Hawthorn Hawks – Kieran Lovell
After winning their third consecutive premiership, the Hawks managed to snare two first round draft picks after offloading young gun Jed Anderson and swapping an array of picks around.
Interstaters Ryan Burton (#19) and Kieren Lovell (#22) both made their way to Waverley Park and look set for long careers. Tasmanian pocket-rocket Lovell is the most likely of the two when It comes to Rising Star contenders. Standing at just 174 centimetres, he is extremely quick, has elite endurance and surprisingly a strong overhead grab.
Lovell’s strongest asset is his ball-winning ability, averaging a whopping 35 disposals during the Under-18 Championships, drawing comparisons to St Kilda star Leigh Montagna. Lovell will not start in Round 1, but may get an opportunity as the season goes on
Melbourne Demons – Christian Petracca
The Demons claimed their second ever Rising Star winner last season after the emergence of key forward Jesse Hogan and this year they are a massive chance to boast another winner with the pending debut of the 2014 number two pick Christian Petracca.
The 19-year-old tragically ruptured his ACL during last year’s pre-season, forcing him to sit out for the entirety of the 2015 season. Petracca will be looking to slot into the young Demons’ midfield this year and with his mature body and aggressive attack on the contest he is more than capable of doing so in Round 1.
He was the most dominant midfielder in the TAC Cup and Under-18 Championships, averaging 25 disposals and booting 19 goals. He reads the play exceptionally well, has a strong burst of speed and an elite leap.
He reminds me a lot like a young Colin Sylvia, but let’s hope for the Demons’ sake that Petracca actually reaches his potential. Petracca recently injured his toe and will miss a chunk of pre-season training as a result. Clayton Oliver is another one to watch.
North Melbourne Kanagroos – Trent Dumont
The Kangaroos picked up highly touted youngsters Ryan Clarke, Ben McKay and Mitch Hibberd all in the second round of the National Draft. Clarke is the most likely of the three to make his senior debut in 2016 with the latter two needing a bit of time before they are fully ready to compete with the game’s best.
Second-year player Trent Dumont is a genuine contender for the award this year after playing eight games in 2014. The 20-year-old croweater is tough, strong and possesses elite endurance, which allows him to run all day, drawing comparisons to Port’s Ollie Wines.
He found it hard to keep his spot in North’s line-up in 2015, often being handed the substitute vest, yet whenever he got his opportunity on the field he went 100 miles an hour. Needs to work on his uncontested work a bit more.
Port Adelaide Power – Karl Amon
Port don’t have many genuine contenders this season, with Karl Amon being their only hope alongside draftee Riley Bonner. Amon has been at the club for three pre-seasons now and played seven games in the latter stages of 2015. He was handed the vest in five of his seven games, with his best performance coming against the Suns in Round 23 where he managed to rack up 16 disposals and boot three goals.
The Victorian product possesses a lethal left foot, strong overhead capabilities and damaging outside speed; similar to that of Chris Yarran. Amon needs to work on winning a bit more of the ball and building his light frame up. At pick 68, Port plucked themselves a massive bargain that is starting to pay tidy dividends.
Richmond Tigers – Corey Ellis
After being regarded as one of the best decision makers in the 2014 National Draft, the Tigers snapped up Corey Ellis with their first selection (#12). Ellis played six games this season after debuting in Round 5, yet couldn’t keep his spot in the team after getting injured in Round 12.
He certainly looked a bit lost at times on the big stage, yet his elite ball use was showcased throughout the season (and in the VFL), as he remained composed at all times. Damien Hardwick is a huge fan of Ellis and he should get the chance to entrench himself in the Tiger’s best 22, ahead of the likes of Connor Menadue, Sam Lloyd and Taylor Hunt.
Ellis is still fairly skinny and may need a couple more pre-seasons under his belt before he fully builds up, yet he can still make can impact for the Tigers this year.
St Kilda Saints – Nathan Freeman
Highly touted youngster Nathan Freeman will be hoping a change of scenery will allow him to find some luck after departing the Pies without making his senior debut. The former first-round draft pick has endured two injury-plagued seasons at Collingwood, which has kept him out of action even at VFL Level.
Freeman has elite endurance and pace with good ball skills and he wins plenty of contested footy. He was often criticised for being a one-way runner in his junior ranks, yet appears to have worked hard to become the complete package. Freeman may struggle early to squeeze into a fairly settled St Kilda midfield, yet will apply plenty of pressure on the likes of Maverick Weller, Sebastian Ross and Jack Sinclair if they fail to perform.
Sydney Swans – Callum Mills
The best midfielder in this year’s draft crop, Callum Mills landed at the Swans at pick three as the first-ever player to be drafted under the new academy bidding system. The 188-centimetre midfielder is aggressive at the contest, strong and has an outstanding football brain, which will see him succeed at AFL level.
Mills starred for the NSW-ACT Under-18 Championships team in 2014 as a bottom-aged prospect, earning All-Australian honours. Mills’ coming of age came as a 17-year-old when he racked up 40 disposals in a Sydney Swans reserves game, which got the recruiters licking their lips.
He truly is the complete package; he can win plenty of the ball, tackles hard, possesses leadership qualities, is quick and is strong overhead. Mills will see plenty of AFL action in 2015 and will be one to beat when it comes to Rising Star contenders.
West Coast Eagles – Tom Lamb
The runners-up won’t be looking to blood much youth in 2016 as they look to create a settled line-up in what is undoubtedly a huge premiership window. Tom Lamb made his debut in Round 1 against the Western Bulldogs, where he came on as the substitute early and picked up 10 touches, as well as a goal, yet he couldn’t break into the side for the rest of the year.
Lamb is a tall midfielder/forward with elite endurance, strong hands and a sense of flare and x-factor about him. He averaged 15 disposals a game throughout the 2014 TAC Cup, winning a couple of matches of his own boot. His consistency remains an issue, as does his ability to compete against the bigger bodies.
It’s hard to see Lamb playing much senior football in 2016, let alone him winning the Rising Star award, yet nonetheless he is the Eagles’ best hope.
Western Bulldogs – Toby McLean
It’s hard to split three of the Doggies in Caleb Daniel, Bailey Dale and Toby McLean, yet I have decided to opt for the latter, as he is the most likely Round 1 starter of the three.
Mclean was a major draft bolter in 2014, going from not being in a single Phantom Draft mid-season to landing at the Doggies with their second round pick (#26). He oozes with x-factor, possessing a huge leap for his size and having a goal-sense much like Hawthorn premiership star Paul Puopolo.
McLean just scraped onto the Oakleigh Chargers’ 60-man list and made the most of his opportunities in 2014 to set himself up to get drafted, booting 32 goals and averaging 22 disposals as an illusive forward. The 19-year-old played four games for the Bulldogs last season and looked right at home, winning plenty of the football and tackling hard.
McLean is a hard-working footballer who has plenty of potential, and must be considered a legitimate contender for the award. Remember the name, ladies and gentlemen.
Predictions
1. Callum Mills
2. Toby McLean
3. Darcy Moore
Smokie: Hugh Goddard
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